Brain dead man revives as doctors prepare to remove his heart
Kentucky: In an incident that has raised serious ethical concerns, a man declared brain dead regained consciousness just as doctors were preparing to remove his heart for organ donation. The case, involving 36-year-old Thomas 'TJ' Hoover II, has led to investigations.
Hoover, who had overdosed on drugs in October 2021, was admitted to Baptist Health Richmond Hospital in Kentucky and later declared brain dead. However, at the moment he was being moved to the operating room for organ removal, Hoover began to show signs of life.
Nyckoletta Martin, a former employee of Kentucky Organ Donor Affiliates (KODA), claimed that Hoover was "thrashing around on the table" and described the situation as terrifying. Another KODA worker, Natasha Miller, confirmed that Hoover was visibly crying as he was being transported from the intensive care unit. Despite these signs of life, the organ removal was allegedly set to continue, sparking outrage.
Julie Bergen, president of the newly formed Network for Hope, denied the allegations, stating that no organs were collected from living patients. Baptist Health Richmond reiterated their commitment to patient safety and respect for organ donation wishes.
Hoover, now living under the care of his sister, Donna Rhorer, has suffered lasting effects from the ordeal, including difficulties with memory, walking, and talking. The incident is currently under investigation by the Kentucky Attorney General and the US Health Services Resources Administration.
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Karnataka Governor gives assent to legislation against ‘honour killing’ in inter-caste marriages
Bengaluru: The government has brought into force the Karnataka Freedom of Choice in Marriage and Prevention and Prohibition of Crimes in the name of honour and tradition (Eva Nammava Eva Nammava) Act, 2026, intended to restrict ‘honour killings’ in inter-caste marriages.
According to The Indian Express, the legislation received assent from Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot on April 9 and was officially notified in the state gazette on April 10. The law had been passed unanimously by the state legislature last month.
The Bill was proposed by the Congress government in the wake of caste-linked ‘honour killings’ in the state, including the December 21, 2025, murder near Hubli of a 20-year-old Lingayat woman by her father for marrying a man from another caste.
The phrase ‘Eva Nammava Eva Nammava’ in the title is in reference to the message of universal humanity that the Lingayat saint Basavanna espoused. Basavanna, who rebelled against the caste system to lay the foundation of the Lingayat faith system, an amalgamation of all castes, used the words meaning ‘he is a part of me’ to say all people are one.
Under the new law, crimes committed in the name of ‘honour’, including murder, assault, threats, and social boycott, are specifically addressed with stringent punishments. ‘Honour killing’ offences carry a minimum imprisonment of five years, while serious assaults attract at least three years in jail.
The new law defines the social boycott of inter-caste couples as forcible eviction to remote corners of villages, refusal to provide services, refusal to provide work, refusal to conduct business, denial of loans and admissions to schools, and makes it punishable.
In the case of ‘honour killings’ per se, the new law prescribes a minimum imprisonment of five years, and in the case of assaults, a prison term that is not less than three years for serious injury and two years for minor injuries.
The offences under the proposed law are cognisable and non-bailable, which means police can carry out arrests without court permissions after taking up a case.
The legislation follows several reported inter-caste relationship-related killings in Karnataka in 2025, including cases in Raichur and another involving 18-year-old Kavita.
The law to protect the freedom of choice in marriages is among several social bills that the Congress government has brought out in line with its policies for the backward and downtrodden communities in the state.
