Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SP)

Udupi, Mar 17: In a disturbing development which happened in Kukkehalli within the limits of Hiriadka police station, two people who posed themselves as government doctors deputed by the health department, swindled a couple which had to borrow money to give the same to the doctors. Human Rights Foundation chairman, Dr Ravindranath Shanbhag, addressing a press meet here on Wednesday March 16, said that the family has been waiting for justice for the two months.

Subbanna and his wife, Baby Kulal, who work as coolies, are living under abject poverty. They are the residents of Kukkehalli. Both are illiterate and have a daughter who is a ninth standard student. Baby had undergone mastectomy four years back to remove cancerous breast. Thereafter she has been unable to work.

On February 5, when Subbanna was away working, Baby was alone at her house. Two persons seated in a motorbike approached her. One of them entered the house while the other waited near the parked motorbike. The stranger introduced himself as a doctor deputed by the health department. He said that he had instructions to administer three injections to her so that she can get rid of the pain and the cancer. He also said that the stock of the said injection in government pharmacy was exhausted and asked her to get the injection by meeting its cost, which will be refunded to her later by the government. He also said that the injection has to be preserved in the refrigerator.

Baby called Subbanna over phone to inform about the development. He rushed home, raised loan of Rs 18,000 and handed over the money to the visitors. The strangers left, duly promising to deliver the injections the same day.

The couple informed about the incident to their family doctor, Dr Suma Shashikiran Shetty. She called the mobile number provided by the strangers and during the conversation, found that they were not doctors. With the support of the family doctor, the couple contacted Human Rights Protection Foundation after which a case was registered in Hiriadka police station.

The police say that the cheats get information about the patients from Anganwadi and ASHA workers. They have expressed helplessness to nab the culprits, citing lack of evidence. Dr Shanbhag said that many cases have been cracked with the help of mobile number, tower location and other means. He said that this family needs to be helped out and expressed his intention to take up the issue with the district superintendent of police.