Panaji: In a fatal road accident the wife of Union Minister of State for Defence Shripad Naik, Vijaya and a close aide of the minister, Deepak Ghume, died after suffering serious injuries. The AYUSH Minister Shripad reportedly suffered some fractures and underwent multiple surgeries at the Goa Medical College and Hospital during the night. The unfortunate event happened as they were returning from Karnataka to their home state of Goa.
As per reports, the accident took place while the Toyota Innova Crysta car was travelling towards Gokarna via Ankola and Yellapura. The car hit a tree, toppled and fell into a ditch, the police said. There were reported three others who were in the car — a personal guard of the minister, the driver and a friend of the minister — who also suffered minor injuries, as per police officials. One of them, who is a local resident, was treated at a hospital in Ankola and the other two in Goa, police said.
“The accident occurred between 7.45 pm and 8 pm. Two people suffered serious injuries —the wife of the minister and an aide. The minister also had multiple injuries,” Additional SP for Karwar region S Badarinath reported. He also added that the minister was shifted to Bambolim Hospital in Goa on directions of the Goa government.
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Condoling the death of minister’s wife, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh took to his twitter account,
रक्षा राज्य मंत्री श्री श्रीपद नाइक के सड़क दुर्घटना में घायल होने के समाचार से मैं स्तब्ध और अत्यंत दुखी हूँ।गोवा के मुख्यमंत्री श्री प्रमोद सावंत से मेरी बातचीत हुई है।श्रीपदजी के इलाज का समुचित प्रबंध राज्य सरकार कर रही है। ईश्वर से प्रार्थना है कि श्रीपदजी जल्दी स्वस्थ हों।
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) January 11, 2021
Expressing his shock and pain Goa CM Pramod Sawant wrote,
I am shocked & deeply pained by the demise of Smt. Vijaya Naik, wife of Union Minister Shri Shripad Bhau Naik, in a terrible car accident. May the almighty give strength to the family to bear this huge loss.
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— Dr. Pramod Sawant (@DrPramodPSawant) January 11, 2021
Goa is about 110 km from Ankola where the accident occurred. Karwar is the district headquarters for the Uttara Kannada district in Karnataka.
Expressing condolences over the death of Naik’s wife, Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa tweeted, “The death of Vijaya Naik is very unfortunate. May her soul rest in peace and God give strength to her family to overcome their grief,” he said. The Chief Minister wished quick recovery for the Union minister, who also holds charge of the AYUSH ministry.
We wish a speedy recovery for Minister of State for Defence, Shri Shripad Naik and express deepest condolences for his personal loss.
— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) January 12, 2021
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