Former Union minister and Chhattisgarh BJP MP Dilip Singh Judeo today died at a Gurgaon hospital where he was being treated for liver and kidney infection. He was 64.
Later tonight, Judeo's wife Madhvi allegedly attempted suicide at her house here 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.
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.
Medical Superintendent, R M L hospital, Dr H K Kaur said that Madhvi, who had consumed sleeping pills, was brought to the hospital around 10:15pm and underwent a stomach wash.
Her condition is stable, Dr Kaur said.
