THIRUVANNATHAPURAM: Detailing the cause of his doubts over his nephew and violinist Balabhaskar’s death, senior violinist B Sasikumar has said that following the demise of Balabhaskar, Vishnu and Prakah Thampi, who were known to Balu for years, became different persons.

“These youths, who behaved affectionately towards us till Balu’s death became rude and arrogant after that. Even they tried to avoid me and Balu’s father from the hospital, where he was battling for life. When we rushed to the hospital, they were hesitant to talk to us about what had happened. Even they asked Balu’s father to vacate his room in the hospital, as they had no money to pay the room rent.

I have seen these guys several times with Balu. The duo were under the control of somebody else. They talked all about the treatment only to a Palakkad native who was in another room in the hospital.

Years ago, Balabhaskar was taken to Poonthottam Ayurveda hospital by some of his friends as he had shoulder pain. Slowly, he got close to the doctor and he started exploiting him financially.

The doctor took lakhs of money from Balu for hospital construction and for sending their son for studies abroad. On the day of the accident, they kept on calling up Balu. What is puzzling is they had sent their son to Thiruvananthapuram, despite knowing that Balu was in Thrissur temple,” recalled the veteran violinist to Kaumudi reporter on Monday.