Delhi High Court - Orders
Pankaj Kumar Gupta vs State Of Delhi (Nct) on 16 February, 2026
Author: Prateek Jalan
Bench: Prateek Jalan
$~8
* IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI
+ BAIL APPLN. 577/2026 & CRL.M.A. 4372/2026
PANKAJ KUMAR GUPTA .....Petitioner
Through: Mr. Tushar Thareja, Advocate.
versus
STATE OF DELHI (NCT) .....Respondent
Through: Mr. Aashneet singh, APP for State.
SI Satender Singh, PS EOW
Mr. Gaurav Singhal & Ms. Anadi
Gupta, Advocates for
Complainant.
CORAM:
HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE PRATEEK JALAN
ORDER
% 16.02.2026
CRL.M.(BAIL) 354/2026
1. This is an application filed by the applicant-petitioner seeking interim bail on medical grounds.
2. The petitioner is in judicial custody in connection with FIR No. 65/2024, registered under Sections 406/409/420/34/120B of the Indian Penal Code, 1860, lodged at Police Station Economic Offences Wing.
3. It is stated in the application that the petitioner suffers from progressive liver disease. Reference is made to a fibroscan conducted on 11.04.2025, which shows Stage F4 fibrosis (cirrhosis). It has been stated that the petitioner's condition has further deteriorated while in custody, and he recently fell unconscious in the jail premises. According to the application, various tests were advised in December 2025, which have BAIL APPLN. 577/2026 Page 1 of 4 This is a digitally signed order.
The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above. The Order is downloaded from the DHC Server on 18/02/2026 at 20:33:44 still not been conducted.
4. By an order dated 09.02.2026, while issuing notice in the petitioner's application seeking regular bail, the Court further directed as follows:
"5. Mr. Tushar Thareja, learned counsel for the petitioner, submits that he has received instructions regarding the precarious medical condition of the petitioner, who is stated to have collapsed in prison on 06/07.02.2026. He further submits that he intends to move an application seeking interim bail on medical grounds.
6. In view of the above, the Jail Superintendent is directed to furnish a report regarding the petitioner's medical condition within one week from today."
5. A medical status report dated 13.02.2026 has been furnished by the Jail Superintendent, which states that the petitioner was examined when he was lodged in jail on 23.11.2025. It specifically states that the investigation advised at that stage were undertaken, and he was reviewed with the reports on 13.12.2025. The investigation report show that his liver function test and kidney function test were within normal limits, and he was advised medication for hypertension and diabetes.
6. As far as the petitioner's alleged collapse is concerned, the medical status report states as follows:
" Inmate/patient was brought to jail dispensary' by warder on duty in emergency on 05.02.2026 at around 09:25 pm with alleged history of, sudden fall and loss of consciousness in barrack. The inmate/patient also gave complaint of weakness and body ache for which he was kept under observation in medical intervention room and was discharged the next morning after appropriate treatment.
Inmate/patient was again brought to jail dispensary by on duty warder in emergency on 07.02.2026 whereby the Warder gave history of irrelevant talk and passing urine here and there in the barrack. However, the patient was found conscious and oriented time, place and person. He was kept under observation in medical intervention room of jail dispensary BAIL APPLN. 577/2026 Page 2 of 4 This is a digitally signed order.
The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above. The Order is downloaded from the DHC Server on 18/02/2026 at 20:33:44 and discharged on 09.02.2026 in stable condition. Further, he was also advised review with Psychiatrist and the same was done on 13.02.2026. He gave complaint of Ghabrahat, decreased Sleep, apetite, weakness, and memory issues. He was advised medications and review with medicine specialist for his complaint of memory loss. He shall be planned for medicine specialist review.
At present, the general medical condition of the inmate/patient is stable and he is under follow up with the concerned doctors on OPD basis. All the prescribed medicines are being provided to him from jail dispensary."
7. The petitioner's situation on 05.02.2026 with regard to the loss of consciousness appears to have been treated, and he was discharged on the next day. He was thereafter kept under observation in the medical facilities of the jail from 07.02.2026 and 09.02.2026, and advised psychiatric treatment. The report also states that he had been planned for a medicine specialist review.
8. Having regard to the contents of the report, it appears the petitioner is receiving appropriate treatment in the jail dispensary.
9. Mr. Tushar Thareja, learned counsel for the petitioner, however, submits that complaints made on 07.02.2026 may also be attributable to complications arising out of liver disease.
10. In order to ensure that the petitioner is appropriately treated, it is directed that the review with a medicine specialist should be conducted within the next four days and, if advised, specialist hepatology review may also be undertaken expeditiously thereafter.
11. In the event any further specialist treatment from government hospital is required, the jail authorities are directed to ensure that the same is also arranged. In such an eventuality, they will inform the petitioner's daughter, Ms. Aastha Gupta [Tel: 9653538077], so that she BAIL APPLN. 577/2026 Page 3 of 4 This is a digitally signed order.
The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above. The Order is downloaded from the DHC Server on 18/02/2026 at 20:33:44 can also attend to the petitioner in hospital.
12. Needless to say this order is without prejudice to the petitioner's contention in the regular bail application, and also does not preclude filing of a further application for interim bail in the event of any exigency.
13. The application is disposed of with these directions.
BAIL APPLN. 577/20261. By an order dated 09.02.2026, two weeks' time was given for filing a status report to the regular bail application. Status report may be placed on record before the next date of hearing.
2. At the request of Mr. Gaurav Singhal, learned counsel for the complainant, the complainant may also file an affidavit within one week from today.
3. List on 02.03.2026.
PRATEEK JALAN, J FEBRUARY 16, 2026 'pv'/AD/ BAIL APPLN. 577/2026 Page 4 of 4 This is a digitally signed order.
The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above. The Order is downloaded from the DHC Server on 18/02/2026 at 20:33:44