HDK too seeks exemption on health grounds

BANGALORE: Diabetes and hypertension seem to be the common health grounds netas are citing to seek exemption from personal appearance in court. After former minister Katta Subramanya Naidu and former CM B S Yeddyurappa relied on similar means earlier, it was the turn of former CM H D Kumaraswamy on Tuesday.
Kumaraswamy was in shock. His blood pressure and sugar level shot up in the morning after the Lokayukta special court dismissed his anticipatory bail petition. The plight of his MLA wife, Anita, wasn't too different.
The tension was understandable, for the couple had to appear before the court. "Shocked to hear about rejection of the anticipatory bail. Due to tension, there was fluctuation in his blood pressure and sugar levels. Doctors have advised him rest,'' Kumaraswamy's counsel Hashmath Pasha told the court.
The couple and their counsel were missing in the morning. Pasha's junior told the court that his senior would come later. The court gave time twice and Pasha appeared at 3pm. This time too, the couple was missing.
Appearing on behalf of the couple, Pasha sought exemption from personal appearance citing health reasons.
Kumaraswamy has cited his heart ailment and diabetes as the reasons. "The doctors have advised rest. To avail medication and to prevent any risk to my life,'' he stated in the application before the court.
Meanwhile, Anita has a slipped disc and suffers from severe backache and joints pain. She can't walk freely. Hence, doctors have advised her rest, says her application.
The situation of another accused, Vinod Goel of Jantkal Mining Company, is no better. He is suffering from back pain and fever and is admitted in a hospital for the last one week. His counsel told the court that Goel had developed back pain due to travel. "He had gone to Chandigarh to attend the rituals of his relative, who has passed away,'' he said.
The court considered it `just' and `proper' to exempt the personal appearance of the accused on health grounds, but ordered for their personal appearance on September 5 without fail.
Meanwhile, the court made it clear that in a non-bailable offence, it had two options: to issue warrant or summons. But it had decided to issue summons.
BSY NEEDS MORE TESTS: The legal battle he is waging now is said to be having an impact on former CM B S Yeddyurappa's health. His visit to Healthcare Global Centre, oncology hospital in Bangalore on Monday morning, is said to be in connection with his diabetes and hypertension. Sagar hospital, where Yeddyurappa got admitted on August 27, is keen that he undergo some investigations to find out the cause for his temporary loss of memory.
Hospital sources said his complaint of "being in a confused state of mind'' could be a neurological problem. "We want to conduct a few more tests, but he is not making himself available,'' sources said.