Sukh Ram not in coma: Hospital

Former Union minister Sukh Ram, convicted in a 1993 telecom scam and ordered to surrender, is not in a state of coma, doctors attending on him said, contradicting his counsel's submission in a court in New Delhi that he cannot move from hospital as he is in a coma.

"It may be clarified that Shri Sukhramji was never in coma while in hospital," Dr Wasi U Khan, medical superintendent, Metro Heart Institute, Lajpat Nagar, where Sukh Ram is admitted, said in a statement. "His condition is generally stable other than mild drowsiness because of low sodium," Dr Sandeep Chatrath Group Chief, Metro Group of Hospitals, said.

The former minister's counsel told the Delhi high court on Friday that Sukh Ram "has gone into coma, he cannot move from hospital".

Sukh Ram, was directed by the Supreme Court to surrender before the trial court on Thursday but he expressed inability to do so citing medical reasons.

The former telecom minister was admitted to the Metro Heart Institute on December 31 after he complained of severe chest pain. "He was admitted on emergency basis as he came to us with complaints of chest pain and shortness of breath. He is undergoing treatment under the supervision of his personal physician Dr Jolly Bansal," Dr Khan said.

The former telecom minister had undergone a bypass surgery in the United States in 1995. Meanwhile, the 80-year-old former telecom minister has undergone CT angio to evaluate coronary arteries and the graft status. "His diabetes and hypertension have been under poor control. He was given conservative treatment for the same. Depending upon the findings, he would require coronary angiography and further management," he said.