Bangalore: Haj returnee diagnosed with MERS

Bangalore, Nov 11: A passenger who returned to Bangalore after Haj has been diagnosed with Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV), which, though rare in India, has killed 63 people globally.

Bangalore International Airport health officials directed the person to the Rajiv Gandhi University of Chest Diseases in the city after finding her ill.

Department of health and family welfare director Geetha Nyama Goudar said the patient was suspected of being affected and was coughing severely.

“Though she was permitted to go home, we have informed the authorities to keep a check,” she added.

Rajiv Gandhi University of Chest Diseases and SDS Tuberculosis Research Centre Director Dr Shashidhar Buggi said the patient was brought to hospital on Sunday afternoon and preliminary tests conducted.

“We have also taken the swabs and it will be sent to the National Institute for Mental Health and Neuro Sciences on Monday for examination” he said. He said the patient showed symptoms similar to those affected by the H1N1 virus.

“Though the patient was advised to get admitted, there was refusal from their side to do so,” Dr Buggi added. The resident of Ananthapur initially complained of sore throat and also had fever. The patient was normal and the condition did not appear to be serious, he said.

Dr Ravi, senior Pathologist at NIMHANS explained that MERS was a very rare condition and not more than ten cases in the country have been suspected of the virus so far. “It is more prevalent in the Middle East countries,” he said.

As of October 13, 2013, the World Health Organisation confirmed that 149 people have been affected by MERS worldwide, of which 63 have died.

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‘Have letter, next step is...’: MUDA on Siddaramaiah’s wife’s offer to return plots

News Network

October 1,2024

Mysuru: The Mysuru land authority at the centre of a financial and political storm - involving Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and alleged losses of ₹ 45 crore to the state - has received an offer of restitution from his wife, the urban development body's Commissioner, AN Raghunandan said.

"I am in possession of a letter written by Siddaramaiah's wife regarding her intention to return 14 plots (of land). The Chief Minister's son, Yatindra Siddaramaiah, came to our office and delivered the letter. We will take legal advice for the next step..." he told reporters in Mysuru.

Mr Raghunandan also confirmed anti-corruption officials from the city's Lokayukta branch had written seeking cooperation in its inquiry into the charges against the Chief Minister.

He said the Mysuru Urban Development Authority, or MUDA, "will cooperate with the investigation".

The Enforcement Directorate, however, have not reached out as yet, Mr Raghunandan said. The ED, a federal agency, has filed a money laundering case against Siddaramaiah.

There have also been calls for the CBI, another federal agency, to investigate charges against the Chief Minister, but that appears unlikely now given the Karnataka government has withdrawn general consent for its operations in the state. Law Minister HK Patil made the announcement last week.

He ruled out any link with demands for the Chief Minister to be investigated by the CBI, which reports to the BJP-led central government and the ruling Congress and other opposition parties have claimed is being used by that party to target rival leaders, particularly before elections.

On Monday - three days after the Lokayukta filed a case against the Chief Minister, and hours after the ED launched its probe- Siddaramaiah's wife said she had planned to give up the land earlier but was advised against it the allegations against her husband are "politically motivated".

But now, she said, she had made up her mind as "no house, plot, or wealth is more important than my husband's honor, dignity, and peace of mind". She also said the decision was hers alone; "... I am not aware of my husband's opinion on this matter, nor do I concern myself with what my son thinks".

And, in a comment seen as a calculated swipe at the opposition BJP, which is leading calls for the Chief Minister's resignation, his wife also made an emotional appeal to "all political parties and the media" to "please not drag women of political families into the controversy to settle political scores".

Investigative action against the Chief Minister follows the Karnataka High Court quashing a challenge to Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot's order sanctioning Siddaramaiah's prosecution.

Subsequently a trial court ordered framing of charges and directed the Lokayukta to complete the investigation within three months. The ED case was filed based on the Lokayukta FIR.

Siddaramaiah faces an inquiry into claims Parvathi was allotted 14 plots of land in an upmarket Mysuru area as compensation for land elsewhere - holding a far lower value - taken for infrastructure projects.

The Chief Minister has denied all charges and refused calls to resign.

He has been backed by the Congress and his deputy, DK Shivakumar, who is also the state unit boss, and also by members of his cabinet, including IT Minister Priyank Kharge. However, some within the Congress also want him to quit, such as former Assembly Speaker KB Koliwad.

"I will fight. I am not afraid of anything. We are ready to face the investigation. I will fight this legally," he said last week after the High Court had quashed his challenge to the Governor's sanction.

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