Demonitation Hits Minister as Hospital Refuses to Release Kin’s Body

Bengaluru: If you thought it’s only the common man who has been hit by the Modi’s demonitation scheme, you are wrong. Union Minister DV Sadananda Gowda on Tuesday became the high-profile victim of demonetisation as the hospital where his brother passed away refused to hand over the body as the minister could not make the final and full payment in new notes.

Gowda’s brother passed away on Tuesday at Kasturba Manipal Hospital (a private hospital) in Mangaluru and the hospital administration refused to accept the full and final payment in old currency notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 to hand over his brother's body.

Gowda finally paid the bill through cheque and took a written declaration from the hospital that they refused to accept old currency notes.

TheUnion Minister has reportedly written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to brief him about his ordeal.

"I can understand how inconvenient it can be for people if old currency notes are not accepted at hospitals. Whatever the hospital administration did was inappropriate. A probe may be ordered in the case," Gowda said.

The central government has clearly said that all private hospitals are supposed to accept old currency till November 24, 2016.