Bhavani Espathi suffers from Crohn's Disease, an inflammatory bowel disease, a rare disorder that affects the digestive tract and in severe cases may lead to life-threatening complications.
The 31-year-old was lying in a vegetative state after undergoing major surgery in September last year when she reportedly received a letter from the UK Home Office stating that her application to remain in the country had been refused and that she'd be forcibly removed.
Her fiancé, Martin Mangler appealed against the decision while she was still unconscious, supplementing it with letters from her doctors stating that her life would be at risk if she was to leave the UK.
But the appeal against her deportation too was struck down, two months later.
In the refusal letter issued in December, the Home Office conceded that while it was “unlikely” that the medical treatment she was receiving would be available in India, this does not entitle her to remain in the country.
Image posted by Bhavani Espathi Source: Facebook
It further said: “Should it be the case that your illness deteriorates, or you are unable to access treatment, you have not shown a lack of palliative care or family support available in India."
Meanwhile, Docs Not Cops, a UK-based campaign group of healthcare professionals and patients has called the Home Office’s decision “callous and inhumane.”
Background:
Ms Espathi went to the UK on a student visa in 2010, after which she secured a work visa and has since been working in the arts industry.
After she fell ill, she applied to extend her stay in the country on human rights medical grounds, but her application was refused while she was in a coma in 2018.
Her fiancé's appeal against the deportation, made on Ms Espathi's behalf, was also refused two months later.
She currently lives in east London with her fiancé.
Online campaign:
Ms Espathi has started an online campaign to fight her deportation. She told that she is in a “pretty vulnerable” state right now.
“It would be a risk to my life if I had to leave. I won’t have any of the drugs that literally allow me to move. I don’t think it’s too much to ask to not want to die,” Ms Espathi told The Independent.
She was admitted to the hospital yet again last month and is due to undergo another surgery soon. At present, she is facing bowel complications and has to rely on a drip and has a bag attached to her stomach at all times.
Meanwhile, a Home Office spokesperson has told Metro.co.uk that they are currently reviewing Ms Espathi’s case after fresh evidence emerged earlier this year.
