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Shrapnel prevents blast Delhi blast victim's return home by Dwaipayan Ghosh


Canada-based software consultant Nitin Mandlaus survived the Delhi high court blast of September 7, 2011 despite 822 pieces of shrapnel piercing his body. After four long operations, the 37-year-old still walks about with 600-odd metal pieces inside his body. Apart from the pain these are causing him, the tiny objects are also preventing his return home to his wife and son in Toronto.

It's a shocking tale. Mandlaus can't catch a flight to Canada without a certificate from doctors explaining the presence of metal in his body, including his skull. But doctors at RML Hospital, where Mandlaus was treated, say they do not have the legal powers to issue such a document.

"It is snowing heavily in Toronto and my wife desperately needs me. I must be with her. Yet here I am, with over 600 shrapnel in my body. The doctors at RML have extracted about 200, but say removing any more can risk my life," says the MBA from Delhi who went to Canada three years ago.

Even doctors and NGOs say that the problem of Nitin Mandlaus is unique. "Nitin cannot go to Canada since he will be arrested for possessing metallic objects with him. This has been made clear to him by the high commission officials. They told him only a certificate from a senior medical practitioner stating the exact chain of events and his medical condition can earn him an entry into Toronto," said Ashok Randhawa, president of the South Asian Forum of People in Terror.

Randhawa claimed representations to both Delhi government and the union health ministry had not got them any favourable response. When contacted, RML authorities said they "needed time to study the case before making any comment". A doctor, who did not wish to be named, said such a certificate could put a medical practitioner's credibility to question.

"Nitin has several shrapnel still lodged in his skull, neck, right leg and arms. Prima facie, we believe he can lead a normal life, but he still feels pain and cramps. But a certificate cannot be issued because if there are complications later on we could be taken to task for allowing such a patient to travel," said the doctor.

The shrapnel in his body isn't the only thing on Mandlaus' mind.

"Much as I worry about my child who has been missing his classes since September, I have to also take care of my father. Yet, RML hospital has declared him absconding from the hospital, due to which he is yet to get the promised Rs 3 lakh as compensation," he claimed.

Randhawa said at least 11 other such "absconding" cases are pending before the SDM of CP, K P Suhag. He said he had twice written to RML to state the medical condition of these victims so the compensation can be released , but RML did not comply. RML authorities did not comment when contacted over phone.