THRISSUR: Minister R Bindu has made a controversial statement on the death of a depositor of Karuvannur Cooperative Bank without money for treatment. The Minister's response was that the protest in front of the bank with the dead body of Devassy's wife Philomina was to gain political advantage. The minister also said in the press conference that Philomina's family has been given sufficient money recently.

'Philomina's treatment was in Medical college. Modern facilities are now available there. Her death is a tragic incident, but it is not right to use it politically', said the Minister.

Meanwhile, Philomina's son Dinoy rejected the minister's claim of giving sufficient money. 'The bank has not given a single rupee since the start of mother's treatment. They brought Rs 2 lakh cheque to our house after we protested with mother's body. If they had given this a week before, we could have provided her better treatment at private hospital', said the son.

'So far we have received Rs 4.60 lakh from the bank as several installments. The money was given for several purposes. When I asked Rs 3 lakh for my surgery, I was given only Rs 1,50,000. The money was requested from the bank to provide better treatment for my mother in a private hospital. But we didn't receive it.

That money is my father's savings. It is not for a minister or an MLA to decide how much money we need.

The bank is obliged to give money whenever asked. On what basis does the minister say that they have given us the money we need?', asked Dinoy.