Samudrala village Sarpanch B. Ravi of Koheda mandal in Siddipet district, who sustained serious injuries allegedly following the severe thrashing by armed reserve constable B. Srikanth and declared brain dead by the Apollo Reach hospital in the town, turned life-saver as his family members came forward to donate his organs on Saturday.
Ironically, the harvesting of organs was delayed by the police stating that it was a medico-legal case in spite of the family members coming forward to donate them to save the lives of five persons. On Friday night, the Apollo Reach hospital declared sarpanch Ravi as brain dead and informed the family members on the importance of organ donation.
Apollo Reach doctors urged their counterparts in Jeevandhan to come and harvest the organs. Accordingly, they arrived late in the night. But, the police authorities refused permission for the harvesting of organs stating that it was a medico-legal case. The police also argued with the doctors on how they can declare a person brain dead!
Following the interference of Lok Satta Udyama Samstha and with the arrival of media, the police allowed the doctors to conduct the procedure and shift the organs to Hyderabad. Later, the doctors performed post-mortem and handed over the body to the family members in the afternoon.
The Lok Satta Udyama Samstha found fault with the police for delaying the process even as the State Government and other organisations are encouraging organ donations by launching campaigns.
“The police constable was responsible for causing grievous injuries to the village sarpanch and the police harassed the doctors by not allowing the donation of organs,” charged Lok Satta district president N. Srinivas and general secretary Prakash Holla.
“The police authorities in Hyderabad and other metro cities provide ‘green channel’ to facilitate organ donation. But, the Siddipet police are indifferent,” they complained.
Hailing the family members for donating organs, they urged the government to take firm action against the constable.
The sarpanch was beaten black and blue by constable Srikanth on January 2 at an ATM centre in Koheda mandal.
