Slow poison for boss

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A finance firm director in the city, who was drugged regularly by his staff for the last 15 months, faced neurological and psychological problems.

Not just the director, even his daughter and two senior staff members too faced similar health complications.

After some psychologists and neurologists suggested that he could be drugged regularly, he has filed a complaint with city police commissioner Jyothiprakash Mirji. Central Crime Branch of the city has been investigating the case.

S. Manoj Gupta, a director of Paragon Finance Ltd – one of the leading registered non-banking finance companies in the country, deals with vehicle financing and real estate development from his office at Eden Park on Vittal Mallya Road.

He has complained that the drug has been administered through tea, coffee and even water, which has caused him severe neurological and psychiatric problems.

He has faced slurred speech, dry throat, delirium, urine problems, severe headache, blurred vision and weakness lasting for several hours and, at times, extending up to several days. He has suffered 10-12 attacks in the last 15 months.

A senior member of his staff, Vijaya Bharathi, faced similar health complications and quit the job. Shwetha, who replaced her, too faced health issues within a few months of joining work and quit the job. Mr Gupta’s daughter, Ipsa, had health complications that lasted a few days.

During his first attack, he was admitted to the ICU at Mallya Hospital in July 2011. The second attack followed immediately after, and he was admitted to Manipal Hospital. He consulted neurologists at NIMHANS, Fortis and Vikram Hospitals.

Doctors at Vikram and Apollo Hospitals strongly suspected that Mr Gupta has been exposed to atropine, one of the main chemical constituents of datura plant seed, which has been used as poison and hallucinogen for centuries.

The doctors’ suspicion rose as Mr Gupta had dilated pupils. They advised him to seek legal help immediately.

Mr Gupta suspects that he, his daughter and two former senior staff members were poisoned with tea in the office. For the last 15 months, the tea was being prepared and served by Mary.

But as she could not have any motive to poison him, he suspects that K.C. Rajkumar and Arjun, only two other staff members working with him for the last 15 months, to be involved in the plot.

There could be other staff members, clients, customers or business dealers who might be involved because of possible business disputes, Mr Gupta has stated.

The doctors have told Mr Gupta that the drug could kill if taken in large quantities. Mr Gupta has requested the police to take immediate action and to find out the culprits’ motive, a CCB officer said.

The police are questioning all the suspects and are yet to ascertain the motive behind the attempt to kill Manoj, his daughter and two ex-staff members.