Karnataka Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar Injured in Car Crash While Avoiding Stray Dog

Bengaluru: In a car accident early this morning near Kittur in Belagavi district, Karnataka Women and Child Welfare Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar suffered minor injuries. The mishap occurred about 5 am when the driver of the vehicle, in an effort to avoid knocking down a stray dog on the road, swerved and lost balance, sending the vehicle off the road and it crashed into a tree.
The Toyota Innova HyCross that was involved in the accident had sustained heavy front-end damage. Luckily, the vehicle's airbags opened, greatly mitigating the injuries, said police.
Minister Hebbalkar, who was returning from a Congress Legislature Party meeting in Bengaluru, was accompanied by her brother, Channaraj Hattiholi, a member of the Karnataka Legislative Council.
Injuries and Medical Update
Minister Hebbalkar, 49, sustained a mild fracture in her leg, while her brother suffered a minor head injury. Both were promptly taken to a private hospital in Belagavi for treatment. Dr. Ravi Patil, the treating physician, confirmed that Hebbalkar also has minor injuries to her back and face but is otherwise stable. She is expected to be discharged within two days.
The driver and the gunman of the minister also received minor injuries and were released after first aid.
Public Reaction and Road Safety Concerns
The incident has become a hot topic on social media, with people expressing relief that the minister and her brother managed to escape with minor injuries. Most posts highlighted the importance of road safety and the risks posed by stray animals on highways.
ಎಐಸಿಸಿ ಪ್ರಧಾನ ಕಾರ್ಯದರ್ಶಿ ಹಾಗೂ ರಾಜ್ಯ ಕಾಂಗ್ರೆಸ್ ಉಸ್ತುವಾರಿಗಳಾದ ರಣದೀಪ್ ಸಿಂಗ್ ಸುರ್ಜೆವಾಲಾ, ಮುಖ್ಯ ಮಂತ್ರಿಗಳಾದ ಸಿದ್ದರಾಮಯ್ಯ ಹಾಗೂ ಉಪ ಮುಖ್ಯ ಮಂತ್ರಿಗಳು ಹಾಗೂ ಕೆಪಿಸಿಸಿ ಅಧ್ಯಕ್ಷರಾದ ಡಿ.ಕೆ.ಶಿವಕುಮಾರ್ ಅವರ ನೇತ್ರತ್ವದಲ್ಲಿ ಬೆಂಗಳೂರಿನ ಖಾಸಗಿ ಹೋಟೆಲ್ ನಲ್ಲಿ ನಡೆದ ಕಾಂಗ್ರೆಸ್ ನ ಶಾಸಕಾಂಗ ಪಕ್ಷದ ಸಭೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಭಾಗವಹಿಸಿದೆ.… pic.twitter.com/f2cC4UfpOP
— Laxmi Hebbalkar (@laxmi_hebbalkar) January 13, 2025
The crash has also brought into the limelight the role of modern safety features such as airbags in minimizing injury during road accidents. While the exact circumstances are under investigation, the quick medical response ensured that all the people involved received timely care.
Minister Hebbalkar's office has assured the public of her recovery, thanking well-wishers for their support.