Udupi, October 13: The mysterious death of Hazel Jyotsna Mathias, who was working at the Al Miqua General Hospital in Saudi Arabia, on July 19, of Kutyar near Shirva, was still a mystery to the family. Till date, the family is unaware of the reason for the death.
It is said that Hazel has committed suicide due to harassment from a hospital staff. As the Saudi Arabia police registered an unnatural death, her body was sent to India after 72 days of her death due to investigation and court proceedings. The body was cremated at Shirva Arogya Matha Church on September 28. But the family did not get any documents, statements, records, and postmortem report from the hospital, police or court, her death note and her diary and other documents which should have been sent through the Indian Embassy, according to Udupi Human Rights Protection Foundation President Dr. Ravindranath Shanbhag who has been fighting for justice in the case.
The Indian Embassy has to send the major documents and records related to the mysterious death of Hazel. But the Indian Embassy which should protect the rights of the Indians, has completely failed in its duty. It has not tried honestly, Dr. Shanbhag said in a joint press conference with Hazel husband Ashwin Mathias, Father Robert Quadrus, Helena Quadrus and brother Royan Mervin Quadrus here on Saturday.
Even after three months of her death, Hazel’s parents were unaware about the reason for their daughter’s death. It is still a mystery that whether she has committed suicide or are there any other reasons for her death. Her father Robert and brother Royan were firm that she was not a weak minded person to commit suicide. Meanwhile, a death note said to be written by her in Catholic-Konkani and Kannada language was found in hospital nursing hostel room where she was believed to be committed suicide. In her death note, it was said that she has mentioned that hospital staff Ibrahim Al Zahrani had harassed her, he said.
Accused released

Saudi Arabia police who were investigating the case, had arrested Ibrahim and jailed. But he was released just three days before, Dr. Shanbhog said.
Because of this, her parents were in confusion whether their daughter has committed suicide or not and whether they to fight for justice or not. Postmortem report, death note, charge sheet and other important documents were necessary to confirm about her death. The Indian Embassy has sent just a doctor’s report that she had hanged herself and there were no marks on her body, and a police report that she had hanged herself, along with her body, he said.
Dr. Bander Salahi Al Zahrani of Al Baha Forensic Medicine Centre has confirmed that she died because of suffocation due to hanging and the doctors there also noted that it was a suicide. Surprisingly, the doctors had decided that it was a suicide without even having the postmortem report. Throughout the doctor’s report, there was no mention of postmortem report. Now, the family members were suspecting about conducting the postmortem. Based on the report, Al Baha district police director Major General Ali Bin Muhammad Al Hadi also said it was suicide and he also said that there was no sign of torture or fight on her body, he said.
Indian Embassy’s irresponsibility
Dr. Shanubhog said that the Indian Embassy which should have protected the interests of the victim and her family has completely failed in its responsibility. The Indian Embassy has done nothing in ensuring justice to Hazel and her family. Now, the Indian government should provide complete information about her death to her family. Already, the Foundation has sent emails to the Indian Embassy, hospital and the police of Saudi Arabia to give all information about her death, he added.
Royan said that the Indian Embassy has never contacted their family even for a single time. Though they themselves had contacted the officials, they had never responded positively, he said.
Option is there for re-postmortem!
If the family has suspicion about Hazel’s death, the body could be exhumed and conduct post mortem again. But her family members have to give consent for it. Since her family is so orthodox, it has not taken any decision about it. Before taking any decision, they have decided to wait for the reply from Saudi Arabia, he said.
Along with this, another letter was sent to the hospital where she was working to provide all benefits and compensation she ought to get. The Foundation would support her family morally and legally, he said.
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Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Friday said he has no personal involvement in action taken against certain Congress leaders from the minority community following allegations of an internal conspiracy during the recently held Davanagere South bypolls.
He clarified that the decisions were taken by the party high command based on available reports.
Asserting that party discipline is of utmost importance, Shivakumar, who is also the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president, sought to downplay concerns that action against minority leaders may send the message that “Muslims are being targeted.”
“I don’t have any personal involvement in this. Whatever decisions are taken are made by the party leadership. The party has its own reports. Decisions regarding MLAs or MLCs cannot be taken at the state level without instructions from Delhi,” he said.
Speaking to reporters, he added, “People may blame me; I am not concerned. Everyone must function in accordance with party discipline.”
Responding to concerns within sections of the party that recent actions may convey the impression that minority leaders are being targeted, he said the Congress exists for the welfare of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, minorities, backward classes, farmers, and all sections of society.
The Congress has suspended MLC K Abdul Jabbar from primary membership and relieved another MLC, Naseer Ahmed, from the post of Chief Minister’s political secretary.
The action followed allegations by a group of Muslim leaders that certain party members conspired to defeat the official candidate in Davanagere South.
Following the action, speculation has emerged that Housing Minister B Z Zameer Ahmed Khan may also face disciplinary measures during the next cabinet reshuffle.
The three leaders had reportedly sought a Muslim candidate for the Davanagere South bypoll ticket, which the party instead allotted to the late MLA Shamanur Shivashankarappa’s grandson, Samarth Mallikarjun.
They were also said to have not actively participated in the campaign.
Shivakumar also rejected claims of factionalism within the ruling party amid speculation that leaders close to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah were being targeted.
Naseer Ahmed and Zameer Ahmed Khan are considered close to the CM.
Rejecting allegations of factionalism within the party, Shivakumar said, “We speak to each other every day. It is the media that creates divisions. Where is my faction? Has anyone put up a board saying they belong to the Siddaramaiah faction? Have I put up any such board?”
“All 139 legislators are my people, and they are all Siddaramaiah’s people as well. Everyone belongs to the Congress,” he added, saying there are no factions within the party and that such claims are media-driven.
Public Works Department (PWD) Minister Satish Jarkiholi met Shivakumar on Friday, a day after expressing concerns that disciplinary action against minority leaders may send the wrong message.
Shivakumar said he discussed with Jarkiholi the need to decongest Bengaluru traffic by diverting vehicles entering the city from state and national highways, along with party-related issues.
“We also discussed political matters in the interest of the party and the need to work together,” he said.
Later, speaking to reporters, Jarkiholi said he discussed with Shivakumar the issue of withdrawing Jabbar’s suspension. He said he will also visit New Delhi next week to meet the high command and discuss state developments.
“Jabbar’s suspension was discussed (with Shivakumar). It should be withdrawn. Let’s issue him a notice and allow him to reply. Then let’s send the report to the high command and seek their approval. High command approval is necessary because the instructions came from there. It may take some time,” he said.
Stating that he met the KPCC chief for “damage control,” the minister said, “We have tried to convince him. Sometimes certain decisions happen that need rectification.”
