Union Minister Gowda's brother dies in Mangaluru; hospital rejects old notes

Mangaluru, Nov 22: Senior BJP leader and Union Minister D V Sadananda Gowda, who has already lost many of his near and dear ones, on Tuesday lost his younger brother D V Bhaskar Gowda.

56-year-old Bhaskar, an advocate by profession, breathed his last aft a private hospital in the city following a brief spell of illness. "Sorry to inform. My brother Mr Baskar ended his life journey on Tuesday. Will be conducting his last rites at our village at #Puttur #Mangaluru (sic),” tweeted the aggrieved minister.

It is learnt that Bhaskar was down with a jaundice attack five months ago and was undergoing treatment. "He suffered a relapse a month ago and was again admitted to the hospital," the minister said adding end came earlier in the day due to jaundice related complications. "Bhaskar is survived by wife Veena and three children," DVS said.

Bhaskar is third among four brothers and one of the six children of late Venkappa Gowda and late Kamala. While Shivaram and Sadananda are his elder brother, Suresh in the younger brother. The Venkappa couple had two other girls - Rathnavathi and Savithri.

Incidentally, Savithri Shivarama Gowda, younger sister of Sadandanda Gowda had passed away in October 2014 following an unsuccessful battle with cancer. Sadandanda Gowda's son Kaushik Gowda had lost his life in a road accident in 2003. Sadandanda Gowda's mother Kamala Gowda (then 92) also passed away in October 2014.

Old notes rejected

According to sources, the private hospital, where Bhaskar Gowda breathed his last refused to accept old currency notes from Sadananda Gowda to settle the bills.

Bhaskar Gowda, brother of former chief minister and present union minister D V Sadananda Gowda, was admitted to KMC hospital ten days ago due to jaundice. He breathed his last today without responding to treatment.

When Sadannada Gowda decided to issue cheque, the hospital reportedly demanded payment in new currency notes. The minister, who was not in a condition to argue with the hospital staff, asked them to give in writing that they do not accept old currency notes. This prompted them to accept the cheque.