In a significant development concerning prisoner healthcare, former Bihar legislator Vijay Kumar Shukla has been moved from a central jail to a premier medical institute in the state capital for urgent treatment. Shukla, who is serving a life sentence for the 1998 murder of a state minister, was transferred due to complications with his eyesight that could not be adequately addressed at the prison facility.
Medical Transfer from Bhagalpur to Patna
Vijay Kumar Shukla was shifted from Bhagalpur Central Jail to the Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (IGIMS) in Patna following complaints of severe eye pain. The decision came after medical evaluations at the jail indicated the need for specialized care that was not available locally. Authorities confirmed that the former MLA is suffering from a retinal injury and has been scheduled for cataract surgery, procedures that require advanced hospital facilities.
Background and Security Relocation
This medical transfer follows a prior security-related relocation of the inmate. Shukla was initially moved to Bhagalpur Central Jail ahead of the 2025 Bihar assembly elections, a measure taken by the state administration based on security assessments. However, after his arrival in Bhagalpur, his health condition deteriorated, specifically concerning his eyes. The treatment available at the jail hospital proved insufficient for his complex ocular issues, prompting jail authorities to recommend his transfer back to Patna for higher-level medical intervention at IGIMS.
Legal History and Current Status
The case has its roots in a high-profile crime from the last century. Vijay Kumar Shukla is serving a life imprisonment term for the 1998 murder of a Bihar minister, a case that had sent shockwaves through the state's political landscape. Despite his incarceration, the prisoner is entitled to necessary healthcare under prison rules. The current focus is on stabilizing his eye condition through the planned surgical procedures at the Patna-based super-specialty hospital. His medical status is being closely monitored by both jail and hospital authorities.
The sequence of events highlights the procedural steps taken by the Bihar prison system when faced with inmate health emergencies, balancing security protocols with medical necessities. The transfer underscores the system's reliance on specialized government hospitals like IGIMS for treating complex prisoner health issues.
