Mangaluru: Minister for Health and Family Welfare U T Khader visited the District Government Wenlock Hospital and met Sundara Malekudiya who was recently attacked with a weed-clearing machine and lost four fingers of his right hand. Sundara Malekudiya explained his plight and also the treatment given by the hospital. He said that he is taken to another hospital for chemotherapy and he feels uncomfortable with the treatment.
After meeting Sundara Malekudiya, U T Khader addressed the mediapersons and said, “Sundara Malekudiya has been assaulted in a land issue with a weed-clearing machine and has lost four fingers of his right hand. When I went to Delhi, reporters asked me questions regarding this issue and I thought of meeting him today. I reached Bengaluru at 2 am from Delhi, and this morning, I reached Mangaluru to meet Sundara. I have instructed the hospital authorities to prepare a detailed report so that we can submit it to the Chief minister and Home minister.”
SP Dr Sharanappa said that a committee has been formed to investigate the case. “We have arrested Pushpalatha (the sister of the main accused Gopal Gowda) in this case while Gopal Gowda, his sister Damayanthi and his driver have escaped. Since they know that they will be arrested, they are not using their mobiles to make or receive any calls, they are even not visiting their relatives or friends house. The search is on for them. We are going to take an arrest warrant from the court after which the accused should surrender. They maybe trying to get an anticipatory bail which we will strongly object to deny him bail. His land and other assets will be seized. We are keeping an eye on their activities. He will be arrested very soon and cannot escape from the law for long,” he said.
Dr Sharanappa also said that there was a fight between Sundara and Gopal 15 years ago, after which there were no issues regarding the land until now. “We have informed the forest officials to do the survey of the land because Gopal is claiming that the 3 acre land is his Kumki land and he had been given the right for cultivation by the Forest Department.”
Khader said that the patient should be treated with special care. Since he is also suffering from stomach cancer, he is under chemotherapy and has severe hand injuries. Khader said, “At present, the doctors are treating him with special care. He is getting Chemotherapy in A J Hospital. Now the co-ordination between the two hospitals is important because there are multiple issues to be dealt with. We will provide all the medical help from the government and action will be taken against the accused who have grievously assaulted him.”
The district Minister in-charge should inform the Revenue and Forest Department to investigate the land issues and confirm whether the land belongs to Gopal Gowda or the Forest Department. The Deputy Commissioner should also call a meeting with officials of Revenue and forest department, he added.
District Surgeon Dr Rajeshwari, District Health officer Dr Ramakrishan Rao, Regional Medical officer Eerappa and others were also present.