Dilip Singh Judeo, former Union minister of Chhattisgarh died on Wednesday at a Gurgaon hospital where he was being treated for liver and kidney infection. He was 64. Later on Wednesday night, Judeo's wife Madhvi allegedly attempted suicide by consuming sleeping pills. She was rushed to Ram Manohar Lohia hospital, where doctors stated her condition as stable.
"He was suffering from infection in liver and kidney and was admitted at Medanta for the last 45 days," Judeo's personnel secretary Rajesh Ambasth told PTI.
A member of parliament from Bilaspur constituency, Judeo had run into a controversy after a sting operation showed him accepting bribe in 2003 when he was a Union minister. He belonged to the erstwhile royal family of Jashpur and was Minister of State for Environment and Forests in Atal Bihari Vajpayee government. He is survived by wife Madhvi and two sons Prabal Pratap Singh and Yudhvir Singh. Yudhvir, an MLA from Chandrapur assembly constituency, is the parliamentary secretary.
Judeo had been depressed for the past few months, his associates said. His newly-married eldest son had died of a heart attack around three months back. Judeo's mother also passed away some weeks later. He had been ailing for last few months and had also suffered a heart stroke, they said.
As Environment Minister, he was caught accepting money from an Australian firm in a video sting operation and his remarks that "money may not be God but is not less than God" had gone viral on media.
Judeo was hailed by the Hindu right-wing for reconversion of tribals from Christianity. Meanwhile, Judeo's wife attempted suicide by consuming sleeping pills. Madhvi, who had consumed sleeping pills, was brought to the hospital around 10:15 pm and underwent a stomach wash, Medical Superintendent, RML hospital, Dr H K Kaur said. Her condition is stable, Dr Kaur said. The Chhattisgarh government announced three-day state mourning following the death of Judeo.
Expressing condolence over Judeo's demise, Chief Minister Raman Singh delcared three-day mourning in the state from August 16, an official statement issued at Raipur said. Condoling his death, BJP President Rajnath Singh said, "I am deeply saddened by the news of Shri Dilip Singh Judeo's sudden demise.
"His death has left a big void in Chhattisgarh state politics. He was very popular among the poor and tribal people of Chhattisgarh. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family." Chhattisgarh Governor Shekhar Dutt and Chief Minister Raman Singh have also expressed profound grief over his demise. In his condolence message, Dutt said Judeo was a distinguished personality who made immense contributions towards socio-economic development of Chhattisgarh.
The Chief Minister said Judeo's contribution to politics will remain unforgettable and his death is irretrievable loss to the state. His last rites will be performed in Jashpur, Chhattisgarh on August 16.
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