Anna Hazare admitted to Pune hospital for tests

Anti-corruption activist Anna Hazare was admitted to a Pune hospital on Saturday night, for a battery of tests to determine the cause of his persistent cough and fever. HT reports. Anna rushed to hospital to avoid media

Anti-corruption activist Anna Hazare was admitted to a Pune hospital late on Saturday night, for a battery of tests to determine the cause of his persistent cough and fever.

The 74-year-old had recently cut short a three-day fast in Mumbai, citing ill health, and returned to his village of Ralegan Siddhi in Maharashtra’s Ahmednagar district .

"Annaji has left Ralegan Siddhi for Pune. He will reach Sancheti Hospital by midnight," said Jaisingh Mapari, sarpanch of Ralegan Siddhi.

Earlier on Saturday, Anna’s physician, Dr KH Sancheti, had prescribed more thorough medical tests to determine the cause of the ailments.

Hazare, who had planned to admit himself to hospital on Sunday, said he changed his plans after a large group of mediapersons and supporters gathered in his village as the news spread.

“He anticipated more crowds on Sunday. Team Anna then took a flash decision to take him to hospital at night,” said Mapari.

Meanwhile, a Team Anna meeting scheduled for January 2 and 3 at Ralegan Siddhi has been postponed.

“The core committee meeting scheduled for the coming week has been postponed as Annaji’s health is still not good. As soon as he recovers, we will announce the next date,” said a statement from Hazare’s NGO, India Against Corruption.