Bengaluru: Former Karnataka Lokayukta justice N Santosh Hegde collapsed during a public event in the city on Friday and was admitted to a private hospital.

The 85-year-old former Supreme Court judge fell ill at a felicitation programme for former minister P G R Sindhia, organised by the Bharat Scouts and Guides at Kondajji Basappa Auditorium.

“While delivering his speech, he appeared fatigued. After speaking for a while, he sat down, felt dizzy, vomited, and collapsed. Those present gave him water, but there was no improvement,” said Dr Ramesh Babu, who provided initial treatment at the venue.

Hegde was later rushed to a private hospital in the official vehicle of Legislative Assembly Speaker U T Khader.

Khader said, “He was given first aid and taken to the hospital in my vehicle,” he said.

Doctors said Hegde, who is diabetic, may have suffered a sudden drop in blood sugar levels.

He is undergoing treatment at Manipal Hospital and is said to be recovering.

In a bulletin, the hospital said, “Justice N Santosh Hegde is under medical supervision in the emergency room at Manipal Hospital, Millers Road, under ER consultant Dr Harshitha, and is doing fine. He is likely to be discharged shortly.”