However, the seriousness of inquiries into such incidents can be gauged from past experience.

A time-bound 10-day inquiry was marked in November last year in which a narcotics smuggler, Rajinder Pindry, was found living comfortably in Civil Hospital, Jalandhar, on the pretext of some ailment. He was caught having drinks with two women in a hospital room, while security men were missing from duty.

Though five cops were suspended in the case and a time-bound inquiry was marked, the inquiry report has not been submitted so far, even though five weeks have passed.

In the same case, the involvement of the police, doctors and jail staff had come to light and it was learnt that Pindry had paid money in lakhs to the police, jail staff and doctors to have a comfortable stay in the Civil Hospital.