The Hindu : Front Page : Minor surgery done on Pramod Mahajan

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Apr 30, 2006

Front Page

Front Page

Minor surgery done on Pramod Mahajan

Staff Reporter

Condition remains critical; the BJP leader may need similar procedures

— Photo: PTI

Pravin Mahajan, brother of BJP leader Pramod Mahajan coming out of a Mumbai court on Saturday.

MUMBAI: BJP general secretary Pramod Mahajan underwent a minor surgery on Saturday morning to "wash his abdominal cavity and to clear any infection."

According to hospital sources, "he has tolerated the procedure well."

A week after Mr. Mahajan sustained severe bullet injuries when his younger brother, Pravin, shot him, he continues to be critical and under close observation of a team of doctors at the Hinduja Hospital.

A bulletin explained his medical condition as "critical" and listed particulars. "The liver injury appeared contained, requiring no further intervention. The head of the pancreas appeared necrosed with inflammation in the surrounding area. This was thoroughly cleaned and drains left in place. A feeding jejunostomy was inserted for external feeding. The abdomen was closed using silastic mesh. It is anticipated that Mr. Mahajan may require similar procedures in the future," Anupam Verma, Director, Administration, read out from the bulletin. The bulletin also clarified about reports of a possible liver transplant. "Dr. Mohamed Rela would like to clarify that liver transplantation was never required nor considered as a treatment option for Mr. Mahajan, and has been in full agreement with the line of management given by Dr. Daver and his team." Dr. Rela from King's College Hospital, London, was called along with other experts for consultation.

A tracheostomy was also performed to facilitate ventilatory support. Mr. Mahajan was earlier operated upon just after he was admitted and then to remove the packs from liver. Over the last two days medication for blood pressure was reduced marginally and then increased again. Medical experts have expressed concern about the general condition of Mr. Mahajan as he continues to be on life support system. Any major surgery has been ruled out until his general condition improves and his vital organs start responding to the treatment.

Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi today paid a visit to enquire about Mr. Mahajan's health.

Pravin remanded till May 3

A city court on Saturday remanded Pravin Mahajan, to police custody until May 3. After he surrendered himself in the nearby police station on Saturday last, he was placed under arrest and is being interrogated.

Magistrate R.T. Badge heard the prosecution plea for extension of police remand and defence lawyers' arguments opposing the same and requests for a psychiatric test to verify mental disorder if any.

Special public prosecutor Shrikant Bhat submitted that Pravin possessed 90 bulletsof which he has accounted only for 30 and that he had not given complete information. Also, police are yet to trace the driver of a taxi in which he travelled.

To the defence argument that Pravin was mentally unstable and required psychiatric help, Mr. Bhat said Pravin was an intelligent person and that has been established through his conduct. Earlier, the police had also said that his routine medical check-up has asserted that he was mentally fitand his statements have been coherent. Mr. Bhat also said that statements of family members such as Sarangi, Pravin's wife; Rekha, Mr. Pramod Mahajan's wife; Gopinath Munde, Mr. Mahajan's brother-in-law, and a few others have been recorded. Ms. Sarangi's statement did not support the contention that he was mentally unstable, he said.

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