Karnataka: Minister Hebbalkar, MLC Hattiholi injured in road accident

Belagavi: Woman and Child Development Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar and her MLC-brother Channaraj Hattiholi escaped with minor injuries and fractures after the car they were travelling in crashed into a roadside tree near Ambadagatti village in Kittur taluk in the early hours of Tuesday.

The accident occurred when Hebbalkar and her brother Channaraj were returning to Belagavi by road after attending the CLP meeting in Bengaluru. In a bid to avoid hitting a stray dog, the driver lost control as the vehicle veered off the road and crashed into a tree near Kittur.

According to orthopaedic surgeon Dr Ravi Patil, “Hebbalkar has sustained fractures in the L1 and L4 vertebrae and is responding well to treatment. We have advised three days of hospital stay. She would require a minimum of one month’s rest. Channaraj has undergone CT scan and swelling in brain has been found. We have asked to get admitted for a couple of days for treatment.”

The driver of the car and a gunman too suffered minor injuries and were discharged after first aid.

The impact of the accident was mitigated by the airbags in the vehicle, which significantly reduced the severity of the injuries, the police said.

The minister, who was in the front seat, was wearing a seat belt, which reduced the impact of the crash. The car’s bonnet was completely damaged, SP Bhimashankar Guled told reporters. The Kittur police have registered a case.

Meanwhile, Channaraj told reporters that he was discharged after receiving treatment for head, ear and face injuries. “Hebbalkar has suffered back injuries and needs one month rest after which she would be back to serve the people. We were travelling without an escort vehicle and left Bengaluru on Monday night after the Congress Legislature Party meeting,” he said.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi and others from both Congress and opposition parties inquired about our health, he added.

CM wishes speedy recovery

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah wished a speedy recovery to Woman and Child Development Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar and her MLC-brother Channaraj Hattiholi who suffered injuries in a road accident on Tuesday.

“Got to know that Cabinet colleague Laxmi Hebbalkar and MLC Channaraj Hattiholi met with a road accident. Both of them got injured and are being treated. I wish them a speedy recovery,” Siddaramaiah tweeted on X. While speaking to reporters, Home Minister G Parameshwara noted that Hebbalkar’s car met with an accident while trying to avoid a lorry.

“This happened early in the morning (today). The car hit a tree while trying to avoid a lorry and is completely damaged. Hebbalkar has sustained minor injuries. I couldn’t speak to her but spoke with her brother over the phone. He said there are no serious injuries although she is in the hospital and has been a bit disturbed.”