Bengaluru: Injured cop struggles to pay hospital bill

BENGALURU: A 26-year-old police constable, who was allegedly attacked by unruly fans of actor Darshan past midnight on Saturday , was in for more pain. The medical expenses pertaining to a plastic surgery he had to undergo weren’t covered by the state’s insurance scheme for police personnel.
Devaraj DR, attached with Jnanabharathi police station, sustained injuries to the face when fans celebrating Darshan’s birthday near the actor’s residence in RR Nagar pelted stones and assaulted him.
According to his colleagues, a profusely bleeding Devaraj was taken to a nearby hospital around 1am. Devaraj’s nose and eye socket bones were broken, but doctors refused to conduct plastic surgery on him as it wasn’t covered under Arogya Bhagya Yojana. Devaraj didn’t have enough money. Doctors also said they’d return only on Monday morning.
Fearing that Devaraj’s condition could worsen, cops on security duty pooled in and paid Rs 20,000 within 30 minutes and doctors conducted the surgery.
Devaraj’s father Dharmappa Reddiar, who arrived from his Chikkaidugodu village in Shivamogga district on Sunday, showed the Rs 80,000 bill the hospital had raised and which he had to clear. “My son joined the force in 2018 and this is his first posting. We are uneducated and don’t know the government procedures. His friends are helping us,” he added.
“My father is a marginal farmer and all my earnings go to them. Doctors have recommended rest for three month at least and I’ll have to visit them every week during the first one month. I don’t know how to manage the expenses.”
Ramesh Banoth, DCP (west), said they have have asked the hospital authorities to continue Devaraj treatment. “We will ensure everything is taken care of by the department,” he added.
RR Nagar police have booked a case against Darshan fans and organisers of the birthday bash under IPC sections 353 (assault on duty official) and 332 (voluntarily causing hurt to deter public servant from his duty). However, no arrests have been made.
Actor not reachable
“One person identifying himself as Nagesh came to the hospital and said he was part of Darshan fans’ association and assured all help to Devaraj and the family. However, he hasn’t returned,” said an RR Nagar police constable.
Angered by the actor’s silence over the incident, another constable said, “Darshan has played the role of police officer in many movies, but it’s really shocking that he has turned a blind eye to what his fans have done.”
When TOI tried to contact Darshan at his house, he was unavailable. His associates said he was out of station. The actor did not respond to messages either. It has been learnt that he’s in Mysuru.