New Delhi:
The US has granted an interview - at 9 am Friday - for an emergency visa so the father of Nilam Shinde, the 35-year-old woman who fractured her arms and legs, and is in a coma in a California hospital after a road accident on February 14, can visit.
Here are the top 10 points in this big story:
- Ms Shinde's father has confirmed an appointment at the US consulate in Mumbai - for which he leave from his home in Satara district tonight. He told NDTV, "We got a call from the consulate for an interview... after everyone's help. We hope we will get a visa."
- Earlier today sources told NDTV the External Affairs Ministry's Americas Division had reached out to the US government. Sources said travel permits for medical emergencies are normally given quickly and it is unclear what led to the delay in this instance.
- Ms Shinde - a student at California State University - suffered serious injuries, including fractures, after she was mowed down from behind by a four-wheeler on February 14.
- Her family applied for a visa 48 hours later, but the application has been pending since. Ms Shinde's uncle, Kadam Shinde, told NDTV the earliest available date is for next year.
- Ms Shinde's family said the crash left her with fractures in both arms and both legs, and required emergency brain surgery, for which consent had been sought from the hospital administration. The young woman has been in a coma since the surgery, reports indicate.
- A statement from the university - issued February 16 - said Ms Shinde "is in critical condition with an uncertain prognosis and is receiving care in the Intensive Care Unit". The university added its appeal for travel permits to be issued for the family.
- "The patient's father must assist the UC Davis Medical Centre care team with making Ms Shinde's medical care planning decisions. Ms Shinde is not able to communicate due to the nature of her injuries and because she is currently intubated, on life support..."
- Sources told NDTV the US does grant 'emergency' visas in case a family member is seriously ill or dead. This requires a written record from a doctor, who can request the American government to expedite visa interview appointments in the applicant's nation. There are, however, limited slots for expedited, or emergency, visa applications.
- The tragic situation made headlines only this week, after NCP MP Supriya Sule flagged Ms Shinde's condition and the despair of her father, brother, and uncle; her mother died of brain cancer last year. "This is an alarming issue. We need to get together and resolve it," she told NDTV, calling on the External Affairs Ministry for help. Ms Shinde's family has since been contacted by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis' office.
- Local police are investigating the accident and the driver of the vehicle that hit Ms Shinde is in custody. However, given her medical condition, it is understood there are legal challenges to the filing of a case without a blood relative present.
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