Mandoli Jail Medical Officer Suspended on Retirement Day for Approving Wristwatch for Sukesh Chandrasekhar

In a rare and controversial move, the resident medical officer (RMO) of Mandoli Jail Hospital, Dr. R. Rathi, was suspended on the very day of his retirement—February 28—for prescribing a wristwatch to the high-profile inmate and alleged conman Sukesh Chandrasekhar. Jail authorities claim that Dr. Rathi issued the prescription without seeking clearance from senior officials, leading to his immediate suspension and an ongoing inquiry into the matter.

A senior prison official confirmed the development, stating, “An internal probe has been launched to determine why the RMO issued such a recommendation. He had been serving as the RMO for two and a half years.”

Sukesh Chandrasekhar’s Controversial Jail Privileges

Sukesh Chandrasekhar, accused of orchestrating a ₹200 crore extortion scheme targeting Aditi Singh, the wife of former Ranbaxy owner Shivendra Singh, has a history of manipulating prison authorities. Allegedly posing as a senior government official, Chandrasekhar promised to secure Singh’s release in exchange for money. Since 2017, he has been in and out of multiple jails and was transferred to Mandoli Jail on November 4, 2023. Authorities claim he has been a “troublesome inmate” with 11 recorded disciplinary infractions.

Despite his track record, Chandrasekhar was recently allowed to wear a wristwatch following a trial court ruling, which stated that he could do so “subject to relevant security checks.” However, jail officials contested this ruling, arguing that it violated prison regulations.

Court Order Sparks Controversy

On January 10, Special Judge Vishal Gogne of Rouse Avenue Court noted that, according to prison rules, inmates are prohibited from keeping valuables, including watches, jewelry, and currency. However, the judge pointed out discrepancies in the jail’s enforcement, as Chandrasekhar had produced a written recommendation from the RMO and alleged that other inmates were permitted to wear watches.

“To ensure fairness and clarity, the Deputy Superintendent was instructed to verify the authenticity of the RMO’s report,” the court order stated. Meanwhile, the judge permitted Chandrasekhar to wear a “simple wristwatch” until the issue was resolved, allowing him to retrieve his previously deposited watch or receive a new one from his legal counsel.

Jail Authorities Challenge Court’s Decision

Mandoli Jail officials, concerned about potential security risks, escalated the matter to the Delhi High Court, seeking to overturn the trial court’s ruling.

“In February, we petitioned the Delhi High Court, arguing that permitting Chandrasekhar to wear a wristwatch could create a dangerous precedent for other inmates and pose security concerns. We urged the court to quash the lower court’s order,” a senior jail official stated.

This case underscores the growing concerns about high-profile inmates allegedly receiving preferential treatment in jail, raising questions about the enforcement of prison regulations and the extent of influence wielded by powerful prisoners.