Once ‘schizophrenic,’ Javaid stands abandoned by his family
It happened in 2006 when Javaid Ahmad Kumar started behaving differently, however, least did his family knew that he will soon turn out to be a ‘lunatic’.
After a year or so, Javaid’s condition worsened and a little confrontation made him agitated initially, and with time, the same confrontation turned him violent. In 2008, the situation deteriorated when he turned ultra-violent by attacking people with razors, injuring many in his locality.
Javaid soon turned out to be the ‘Razor man,’ who attacked people, injuring them severely. In the same year he was admitted to the Mental Diseases Hospital, Rainawari for treatment.
For last nine years Javaid is undergoing treatment in the hospital and as per doctors, his condition has considerably improved, but what is more heartening is that Javaid’s family is now not ready to take him home.
“He is good to go home, his condition has changed drastically,” said Dr. Zaid, who has been over looking Javaid’s case.
Even the doctors at the hospital are in dilemma on what to do with him as the family is categorically refusing to take him home.
As per the ward and watch staff of the hospital, his neighbours in Habba Kada area, where he lives, have categorically stated it to Javaid’s family that if he is brought back home, the family will have to shift to some other locality, as they cannot risk their lives.
The doctors and the administration is actively pursuing the case, however there has been no compliance from the family.
“We have been actively pursuing his case to make sure that he is handed over to the family, but the family is not complying,” Dr. Zaid said, adding that there surely is some pressure on his family.
The hospital has been regularly writing to concerned authorities, but there has been no response from them as well.
In 2013, when there was considerable change in Javaid’s condition, Medical Superintended, Govt Mental Diseases Hospital in a letter wrote to Superintended of Police, Srinagar “This is certified that, Javaid Ahmad Kumar S/O Ali Muhammad Kumar R/O Habba Kadal, Srinagar, who is admitted in this hospital is a known case of Schizophrenia, there is a considerable improvement in the symptoms. The patient can be managed in the central jail, but in view of the chronic nature of the illness, patient needs continuous medication and monthly follow up. Kindly make the necessary arrangement to shift the patient to your side.”
Doctors at the hospital say that they wanted him to be shifted to Central Jail, because in the hospital he has been kept on Forensic Ward, which ensure maximum monitoring and security, and in central jail he would be getting a good time to mingle with other inmates, and that, as per the doctors would have helped in bringing some more improvement.
In 2012, the hospital wrote to Principle Session Judge, Srinagar and stated that the patient’s condition has significantly improved and does not require in-patient admission at this point of time.
“It is to certify that patient namely Javaid Ahmad Kumar S/O Ali Muhammad Kumar R/O Habba Kadal, Srinagar admitted in this hospital, was examined today on 22-12-2012. It is worth mentioning here that the patient is significantly improved and does not require in-patient admission at this point of time. It is advisable that the patient can be sent back to community, or to jail, whatever the Honourable court decides,” the letter read. Adding that “It is also important that this patient needs to continuously take the medication as prescribed, as his illness is chronic and his symptoms are likely to relapse if he stops taking medication.”
In 2015, the hospital submitted a Mental Status Report to Principle Session Judge, Srinagar, saying that the patient has been actively helping other patients in the hospital in daily activities, who are not able to do so by themselves due to their underlying illness.
“On detailed mental status examination and psycho diagnostic tests available, patient is currently asymptomatic and is fit to stand trial. During his stay in hospital there has been no evidence of any harm to self or others. It is pertinent to mention that the patient has been actively helping other patients in daily activities like washing, taking food etc, who are not able to do so by themselves due to their underlying illness. Patient has been reliable in giving feedback reports on rounds regarding other patients also. He has been compliant to medication and care plan and as such is likely to adhere to medication and care plan, while in the community, but needs regular supervision and follow-up with a psychiatrist,” the report said.
The court has also issued directions to his family, but there has been no response, thus rendering Javaid abandoned.
Doctors at the hospital say that there was one other option and that was to send him to rehabilitation home, but unfortunately none of that option is available here.
Amid all this, Javaid, who was calmly sitting on his bed in high security ward when this reporter visited him, seems to have accepted the bitter reality of not walking through the lanes of his area again, but says “I am fine, will go to home, soon.”
KV Correspondent
