Honnavar: The abrupt demise of a young man who had been admitted to a private hospital for abdominal pain has stirred significant concern across the region. 

Angered by what they perceived as negligence on the part of the hospital and doctors, the community, including the deceased's family, expressed their discontent through a protest that involved placing the deceased's body outside the police station. In a bid for justice, a group of protestors even attempted to block a highway. However, Bhatkal DySP Shrikant and his police team intervened promptly, assuring legal action once the post-mortem report is available. This intervention brought an end to the protest. Subsequently, the deceased was laid to rest at the Karki cemetery after a funeral prayer held at the Honnavar masjid.

According to reports, Mohammad Ibrahim Asif (33), a resident of Gandhinagar, Honnavar, was admitted to a well-known private hospital in Honnavar on the evening of August 18, following complaints of severe stomach pain. The family stated that medical examinations and scans revealed kidney stones.

He received admission for treatment on August 19. On August 20, the hospital doctors informed him that he would undergo laser treatment. He was transferred to a ward after undergoing laser treatment around 12 o'clock. At this point, his health appeared to be somewhat compromised, although treatment was ongoing.

However, his condition took a sudden downturn on August 23. Consequently, around 8:00 pm, based on the hospital doctor's recommendation, his family transported him to Manipal Hospital. Upon arrival at Manipal Hospital around 10 pm, medical professionals declared him deceased.

Upon receiving news of the young man's passing, his family members convened. They allege that the man fell victim to improper treatment or negligence by the doctors at Honnavar Hospital.

In response, Sumayya Mohammad Asif, the deceased's wife, filed a complaint at Honnavar police station, asserting that her husband's death was suspicious and calling for a thorough investigation to ensure justice.

After the post-mortem conducted at Manipal Hospital, the deceased's body was transported back to Honavar by ambulance. On Thursday evening around 6:00 pm, hundreds of people congregated near Sharavati Bridge. They positioned the ambulance outside the police station premises and initiated a protest. The demonstrators demanded accountability from the hospital and the doctors responsible for his care. Police intervention halted an attempt to block the National Highway by the protesters. DySP Srikanth, along with Circle Police Inspector Timappa Naik and police personnel from Hoanavar, Manki, and Kumta, managed the situation. The burial took place at Karki Cemetery around 8:30 pm.