Bal Thackeray was on steroids since 2007: Doctor tells Bombay high court

Dr Jaleel Parkar, attached to Bandra's Lilavati Hospital, who conducted deceased Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray's daily check-ups since November-December 2007, informed the Bombay high court on Friday that Thackeray Senior was on medication, including steroids, for ailments of lungs and heart from that time.

When did Parkar make the comments?
Parkar's comments came while he was being examined and cross-examined in the HC which is hearing the dispute between Uddhav and Jaidev Thackeray over their father's will which left the latter with nothing.
The senior Thackeray was being treated for chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD), and Parkar, who cleared MBBS in 1982, specialises in pulmonary medicine.

How were the steroids administered?
During his cross-examination by Seema Sarnaik, counsel for Jaidev, Parkar said that Thackeray was on medication including certain steroids since at least 2007, the time from when he started doing his daily examinations. He said that the steroids were given in the form of tablet and nebuliser.
Justice Gautam Patel asked, "Are you suggesting that Thackeray was on this kind of regimen of medication for about five years (prior to death)?" To this, Parkar replied in the positive.

What are the side effects of steroids?
On a specific question from the court, Parkar said that one of the side effects of prolonged use of steroids was osteoporosis. Others were negligible like repeated headaches, vertigo, dryness of mouth, increased frequency of calcium-level variations, renal dysfunctions and so on. However, he said, they would do regular check-ups for various organs.

When is the next court date?
Parkar said that Thackeray was meticulous with his daily habits and in taking his medication; he would wake up around 3.30-4 am. Besides having meals at fixed times, he would regularly take a walk on the terrace. The doctor's examination will continue on March 16.

Why are the Thackeray brothers bickering?
Jaidev and Shiv Sena president Uddhav are locked in a bitter court battle over the authenticity of the senior Thackeray's will. Jaidev has challenged the probate petition filed by Uddhav in January 2013, alleging that his father was of unsound mind at the time of signing the will and that Uddhav influenced him.

On two earlier occasions, Uddhav turned down justice Patel's suggestion of an out-of-court settlement, saying his family was upset by Jaidev's allegations.

Thackeray Senior, who passed away on November 17, 2012, left the majority of his estate to Uddhav, and not a brass farthing to Jaidev, who has challenged the probate petition, a court process by which a will is proved valid or invalid, filed by Uddhav.