Sai Baba's liver stops responding to treatment

HYDERABAD: The condition of godman Satya Sai Baba, battling for life for the last 24 days in a Puttaparthi hospital, deteriorated further on Wednesday with doctors saying some organs had stopped responding to treatment.“On Wednesday, the liver stopped responding to medication. We have sent Dr P N Rao of Asian Gastro Institute to Puttaparthi along with a special equipment to help in liver functions,” Andhra principal secretary, health, P V Ramesh, told TOI.“His blood pressure continues to be low and he is still onventilation,” said Dr A N Safaya, director of the Sri Satya Sai SuperSpecialty Hospital where the 85-year-old godman is being treated since March28.Dr Ravi Raj, director of medical education, who has been campingin Puttaparthi since April 1, and has been briefing the media regularly on SaiBaba`s condition, refused to speak to waiting reporters after attending on theBaba on Wednesday.Fearing a rush of devotees in the event of hisdeath, Andhra Pradesh authorities rushed additional forces to Puttaparthi andset up more checkposts. “In order to prevent any breakdown of law andorder, we have increased the number of check posts all around the town from 4 to10,” said Anantapur SP Shanawaz Qasim.Neighbouring towns ofDharamavaram, Hindupur and Anantapur were also put on alert. A contingent of 600cops was dispatched on Wednesday and more forces were expected to be sentThursday morning.The government also fears an ugly succession battleto control the vast empire of hospitals, schools and temples. Two importantmembers of the Central Sai Trust — former chief justice of India P NBhagwati and well-known chartered accountant Indulal Shah from Mumbai wererushing to Puttaparthi on Thursday to study documents and accounts books of theTrust, sources close to the trust said.