Civil society groups decry neglect of deteriorating health of jailed filmmaker
New Delhi : Civil society groups in India have accused the Lucknow Jail administration of denying adequate medical care to filmmaker and activist Vishal Singh, arrested in the alleged Lucknow Conspiracy Case, despite his deteriorating health and a court order for treatment.
According to Kashmir Media Service, Singh has been incarcerated since June 2025. Activists who met him on August 10 said his health has severely declined, with severe migraines, inability to retain food or water, blurred vision and extreme weakness. They said he weighs only 50 kg and was unable to stand during the meeting.
The Campaign Against State Repression (CASR) said that despite an order from the Lucknow NIA/ATS Special Court directing appropriate medical treatment, Singh has not been taken to any hospital. Only basic blood pressure and sugar checks are being done at the jail OPD, which CASR termed “grossly inadequate”.
The People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) has written to the Uttar Pradesh State Human Rights Commission demanding proper medical care for Singh. PUCL said that Article 21 of the Indian Constitution guarantees the right to life to everyone, including those in prison, and providing proper medical treatment to an incarcerated prisoner is essential to uphold this right.
