Plea in SHRC against SSSIHMS for keeping Baba's health secret

After eighteen days of uncertainty, the unease among the devotees of spiritual guru Sri Satya Sai Baba prompted one of them to approach the State Human Rights Commission, asking it to direct the state government and the Sri Satya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences to give a clear picture on the godman’s health.

A petition was filed before the SHRC on Friday by Dalit Jana Sabha president Gadda Srinivas who pleaded with the Commission to direct the state government to come out with comprehensive health details on the condition of Satya Sai Baba who has been undergoing treatment at the SSSIHMS at Puttaparthi in Anantapur district.

Mr Gadda Srinivas alleged that members of the Satya Sai Trust and the doctors at the Satya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences have conspired to keep the correct details of the health of Satya Sai Baba secret while they fight for gaining control of the Trust.

He also alleged that in keeping the large numbers of devotees in the dark about Satya Sai Baba’s health, they have also violated human rights.

Mr Gadda Srinivas pleaded with the SHRC to direct the doctors to provide visuals of the Baba so that the devotees can be satisfied that his health is improving, instead of releasing almost the same medical bulletins twice a day.

He also urged the SHRC to order ‘severe’ action against the Trust members and the SSSIHMS doctors for keeping the health of Baba in the dark and creating anxious moments among his devotees. The petitioner also appealed to the Commission to give permission for media persons to give a true picture on Baba’s health.

Meanwhile, an advocate from Anantapur district, Bhaskar Reddy filed a petition in Penukonda Court, appealing it to direct the Satya Sai Trust to make public the details of the property under the Trust’s control and also sought the SSSIHMS to provide actual the true picture on the health of Satya Sai Baba. Bhaskar Reddy also appealed to the Court to direct the SSSIHMS authorities to produce the Baba before the media.

The court will start hearing on the petition on Saturday.