Imprisoned Rashtriya Janata Dal MP Mohammed Shahabuddin was on Saturday sent to New Delhi for specialised treatment of his spinal problem at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences following directive of the Patna high court.

Shahabuddin was sent in an ambulance to Patna from where he would board a service flight for Delhi, District Magistrate S K Mal said.

"All necessary arrangements have been made for his treatment," he said.

Mal said Shahabuddin would be staying in judicial custody in AIIMS and an assistant jailor from Siwan and a posse of policemen would accompany him.

Justice V N Sinha had, on the basis of a confidential report of the state medical board submitted to the court by Advocate General P K Sinha on July 31, directed the state government to send Shahabuddin, who was lodged in Siwan divisional jail, to AIIMS and ordered the AIIMS to submit a report to the court on his condition within two weeks.

In his petition, Shahabuddin had prayed for mercy killing.