Mahajan develops respiratory problem
A worrying development and an immediate
cause for concern, say doctors

MUMBAI: Senior BJP leader Pramod Mahajan has developed an acute respiratory problem, a medical bulletin said on Monday. This is a worrying development and an immediate cause for concern, according to the doctors.

"Mahajan, who is on multiple organ support system, has also developed Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) and this is a worrying development, necessitating advanced mechanical ventilation. It poses an immediate cause of concern," Director (Administration) of the hospital, Anupam Varma, told reporters, reading out from the afternoon bulletin.

Feared complication

The bulletin said: "This is a known and feared complication in patients with extensive multiple trauma, massive blood transfusion and systemic sepsis."

Mahajanis currently on multiple organ support in the form of mechanical ventilation, vasopressor (to stabilise blood pressure) and dialysis.

He is being closely monitored by Dr. G. B. Daver and Dr. Ferhad Kapadia along with a team of surgeons. Earlier in the day, Dr. Daver said: "Mahajan's condition has been very critical for the past nine days. He has developed Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) and, therefore, ventilatory support has gone up today."

The condition is "very serious and we are closely monitoring him on an hourly basis," he said. The medication to maintain the blood pressure besides the Renal Replacement Therapy continues.

Senior BJP leader L. K. Advani, who visited Mr. Mahajan at Hinduja Hospital on Monday morning, said the condition of the party general secretary was "critical but stable".

Mr. Advani, after interacting with doctors, said: "Even though the doctors have reduced the medication, they are able to maintain the blood pressure, which is a good sign... however, his condition is still critical."

"I look forward to the day when the word `critical' is not in the health bulletin of Mahajan issued by the doctors," Mr. Advani said.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh said though Mr. Mahajan's condition was critical, doctors were making all efforts to revive him. He was hopeful that the BJP leader would recover soon.

Pravin booked in cheating case

Pravin Mahajan, who shot and wounded his brother Pramod Mahajan, was on Monday also booked for cheating and criminal breach of trust in another case under Sections 420 and 406 of the Indian Penal Code.

The accused is already in police custody since April 22. His police remand expires on Wednesday.

Uday Shankar Mishra in his complaint at the Dindoshi police station said he had entered into a deal with Pravin for purchase of two tourist buses for Rs. 17 lakhs and paid half the amount on delivery of one bus. The accused refused to transfer ownership papers despite having received the full payment for one bus, he added.