Family of ailing gangster claims his life in prison is in danger

“Life of my husband is in danger. Despite repeated requests, authorities are not doing anything,” said Visalakshi, wife of the 50-year-old, who is undergoing life term for a murder he had committed two decades ago.

Nagendran underwent liver transplant in January 2018 and was recuperating at a private hospital. After that, he was lodged in Vellore prison. But based on his family’s petition, the Supreme Court ordered his transfer to Puzhal prison where he could get better medical care.

However, the family now claims that the jail officials were not providing the care he currently needs. In a letter to the jail superintendent on Wednesday, the lawyer representing Nagendran charged the officials of negligence, due to which his client had continuous fever and loose motion for the past three days. The superintendent was not taking the necessary steps though the matter was brought to his knowledge, he said in the letter, adding that the official merely replied ‘what can I do’.

“Because of such irresponsible answer, my client is afraid about his health. Therefore, I request you to kindly provide proper medical care to Nagendran and protect his life,” reads the letter. The lawyer added that the prison officials have not followed the HC direction on providing him proper medical care.

However, a senior jail officer told DT Next that the health of all inmates would be taken care of. “If he was allowed to undergo liver transplant, post-surgery care would be provided to him,” he noted.

Though he has been in prison for more than two decades, senior officers alleged that Nagendran has been running a crime gang from behind bars.