Covid pregnant woman dies in Karnataka, kin held for breaking norms

CHIKKABALLAPUR: The father and brother of a Covid-19-positive pregnant woman, who died in a hospital here in the early hours of Thursday, have been arrested on charges of violating Covid safety protocols when they were protesting against the hospital authorities and the district minister in Chikkaballapur, about 65km from Bengaluru.
Source said Ganesh and his son Shashidhar, from Chintamani taluk of the district, allegedly used inappropriate language against district minister and health minister Dr K Sudhakar and the hospital during their protest. However, Chikkaballapur Town police clarified that the arrest has nothing to do with them allegedly attacking the authorities.
Hosp staffer told parents woman died past midnight
Ganesh’s daughter Anupama tested positive for Covid and was admitted to Covid Hospital in Chikkaballapur early last week. She reportedly told relatives on Wednesday evening that she was healthy and would reutrn home the next day.
She was married to Anil, a farmer in the district, and they were expecting their first child next month.
After endlessly waiting for Anupama’s call on Thursday morning to bring her home, her parents spoke to a hospital
employee, who informed them that the woman died past midnight. Soon, her parents, brother and other relatives rushed to the hospital. They started shouting against the authorities and argued how could a healthy woman die in hours.
Her parents and brother expressed anguish. Ganesh and Shashidhar allegedly used derogatory language against the minister in the presence of the public and police personnel. A video of the incident was widely circulated on social media.
Sources said grieving relatives were not wearing masks and not maintaining social distance. They entered the hospital premises despite appeals by police.
Based on a complaint by a police officer on hospital duty, Chikkaballapur Town police filed a case against Ganesh, Sahashidhar and two other relatives. A police officer said the charges invoked against the accused peresoons relate only to violating Covid norms and disregarding instructions of police personnel on duty.
Ganesh and Shashidhar have been arrested. While Shashidhar tested positive for Covid-19 and was admitted to the Chikkaballapur hospital, Ganesh has been sent to district jail.