Bengaluru: Karnataka’s Woman and Child Welfare Minister, Laxmi Hebbalkar, sustained minor injuries in a car accident early this morning near Kittur in Belagavi district. The accident occurred around 5 am when the driver of the Toyota Innova HyCross swerved to avoid a dog crossing the road, losing control and crashing into a tree. The front portion of the car was severely damaged, but the airbags deployed effectively, reducing the impact of the collision.

Ms. Hebbalkar, 49, who was accompanied by her brother, Channaraj Hattiholi—also a Member of the Karnataka Legislative Council—was returning from a Congress Legislature Party (CLP) meeting in Bengaluru. While Ms. Hebbalkar suffered minor injuries, including a mild leg fracture, her brother sustained a minor head injury. Both are receiving treatment at a hospital, with Ms. Hebbalkar expected to be discharged in two days. The driver and a gunman traveling with them received first aid for minor injuries and were discharged shortly after.

The police confirmed that prompt medical attention and the vehicle’s safety features played a crucial role in preventing serious harm. Visuals from the accident site revealed the extent of the damage to the car. This incident highlights the risks associated with late-night and early-morning highway travel, where unexpected obstacles like stray animals can lead to accidents.