The Kerala Human Rights Commission (KHRC) will issue a notice to the district administration over the 58-year-old woman, from Kannur, who alleges captivity in a private hospital on the outskirts of the city.
As reported on January 23 in these columns, Parukutty V.V. and her son Umesh Kumar allege that they were being held at the K.S. Hegde Hospital in Deralakatte for the past seven months over unpaid bills coming up to Rs. 98,000.
The hospital has since denied the allegations saying the two could leave the hospital “any time”.
KHRC said they have taken cognizance of the complaint received, and are processing it. “We are looking at the details, and will issue a notice to the Deputy Commissioner and Police Commissioner soon,” said a spokesperson.
Responding to news reports, Kasaragod MP Karunakaran has asked DC A.B. Ibrahim here to ensure the duo were released from the hospital. “As her son is ready to stay in the hospital until she collects the cheque (Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy has assured Rs. 1 lakh from the CM’s Relief Fund for death of her son but she cannot visit Kerala to collect it without being discharged), I have directed the DC to convince the hospital to take this option,” he said.
