Archives for 2021

BELAGAVI: Priyanka and Rahul are set to join the hurly-burly of Karnataka politics. Not the Gandhis, mind you, and not as leaders but as grassroots Congress workers. These siblings are also from a politically influential family.KPCC working president Satish Jarkiholi’s children Rahul and Priyanka were on Thursday introduced to Congress workers in the Belagavi Congress office.

While Jarkiholi said they would be involved in strengthening the party, it appears to be a tactical move to launch the next-gen into the family business, especially with elections in another two years. The Jarkiholi family already has three heavyweight MLAs — two in the BJP and one in the Congress. Giving advice to his kids, besides other youth leaders of the party who aspire to become future MLAs, Satish said, “Before dreaming big in politics, young leaders must involve themselves in social service and travel widely to understand the people’s problems. Young politicians should struggle to respond to the problems of the poor, downtrodden and weaker sections of society. They should be recognised by their work before they enter big-time politics.’’ 

In an attempt to brush off the dynast tag that is bound to stick to his children, Jarkiholi assured the people that the siblings would work hard and shoulder responsibilities sincerely in the larger interest of society. Rahul, who has been travelling with his father for several political and social activities for the past two years, said he is trying to understand politics, and is keen to promote rural talent. 

He is working on several projects to help talented youngsters from rural areas in sports and cultural activities. Priyanka, who holds up her father as her role model, recalls his many services as politician and leader for 30 years. Expressing her desire to work for people’s welfare in Belagavi region, Priyanka said she is yet to learn a lot. 

BENGALURU: If the intended purpose of BJP general secretary Arun Singh’s visit to Karnataka was to iron out the differences in the state unit, Thursday was a free for all. The simmering dissatisfaction against Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa and his government among sections of BJP leaders burst out with legislators making allegations of corruption and nepotism publicly as well as behind closed doors.

Barely hours after Karnataka in-charge Arun Singh urged leaders to refrain from making public statements, MLC H Vishwanath, MLAs Arvind Bellad, S R Vishwanath and M P Renukacharya defied the diktat.

“No minister is happy with the B S Yediyurappa government because of his family’s interference. His son interferes too much in every department, be it tenders in the Irrigation Department or sale of land to a steel company,” said H Vishwanath about his interaction with Arun Singh.He was one of the 17 MLAs who quit the Congress-JDS coalition government in 2019 to join the BJP, but has been miffed over being denied a cabinet berth.

Even as his statement came as much embarrassment, Arun Singh brushed it aside. “Vishwanath is new to the party. He doesn’t know our party culture,” Singh told the media while responding to the allegations.Vishwanath’s allegations were countered by M P Renukacharya and S R Vishwanath, both political secretaries to the CM, who minced no words.

Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa, who cancelled all his official work for the day, met with MLAs and ministers at his official residence in the run-up to their interaction with Arun Singh. More than 15 MLAs, chiefs of boards and corporations including Rajesh Gowda, Jyoti Ganesh, Rajugouda, Renukacharya, etc, were present. 

At a private hotel in the city, another set of BJP leaders — most of them with a long list of complaints against Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa — also held meetings.During their individual interactions with Arun Singh at the State BJP headquarters, the party seemed to be clearly divided into three groups — one batting for Yediyurappa’s continuation as chief minister, another lobbying for leadership change and a third that came with a bunch of complaints against the government, but were agreeable to anything that the high command decided.

“There was no discussion on leadership change,” Arun Singh reiterated on Thursday. More than two dozen party MLAs, ministers, party leaders met Arun Singh and all their concerns were noted down. But, going by legislators’ own admission, arguments for and against Yediyurappa were made behind closed doors.“The BJP’s parliamentary committee decides who becomes Chief Minister. It is not a matter to be discussed on the streets lightly,” party national general secretary C T Ravi told the media outside the BJP headquarters.

“Any general secretary’s job is to make note of what leaders have to say and convey it to the central leaders. No decision will be taken at his level. People needed a platform to vent out and the party has given them one. An outburst by leaders like Arvind Bellad was not anticipated,” said a senior party functionary.

Bellad says phone being tapped
Dharwad West BJP MLA Arvind Bellad, has alleged that his phone was being tapped and attempts were being made to fix him in a controversy. “Unknown hands are trying to target me. I have written to Speaker Vishweshwara Hegde Kageri that my phone is being tapped, my movements are being tracked and I have requested protection. I have also written to Home Minister Basavaraj Bommai,” Bellad told the media. Bellad’s name has been doing the rounds as a replacement to Yediyurappa in case of a change in leadership.

Parmesh jain

Officials of the Criminal Investigation Department probing the impersonation case of police constables recruitment exams conducted last year found that the racket was being operated from two coaching centres from Gokak and Belagavi to help 21 candidates who had enrolled into the centre to clear exams through illegal means.

While the CID sleuths arrested four faculties from two coaching centres,the kingpin identified as Basavaraj Dundanahatti is on the run.

We have some clues on the accused and he will be arrested soon, Sara Fathima, AHTU (Anti Human trafficking Unit) Superintendent of Police,CID, heading the investigation,told media persons.

The CID officials have arrested four faculties of Ekalavya and Darideepa coaching centres managed by Bheemmappa Mahadeva Hulloli aka Bheemshi,Lakshmana uddappa Bandi,Laxman Muthappa Parannavar,Mallikarjun Yamunappa Babalannavar from Ekalavya coaching center and Darideepa coaching center in Gokak,Belagavi.

The accused were arrested for conspiracy in impersonation of candidates in the above-mentioned various police constable’s written and Physical (ET)examinations in return of receiving money ranging from Rs 3 to 5 lakh from each candidate.

The accused Bhimappa,a diploma graduate and pursuing BA,also worked part time at the coaching centre to teach mental ability.

Bhimappa also applied and attended the exam and also appeared as an impersonator to earn some money,the investigations revealed.

According to the CID officials the examinations were conducted for posts of Civil Police Constable for Civil and Reserve Forces across the state between September to November last year.

It is found that in these examinations some persons impersonated the original candidates and attended the examination.

Among the impersonators,the CID officials arrested five police constables who were caught red handed while writing exams on behalf of the candidates.

The accused constables have been dismissed from services pending criminal cases against them.

As many as 21 cases were registered in various Police Stations across the state including 11 cases in Bengaluru city,5 cases in Belagavi and each case in Ballari,Chitradurga,Yadagiri, Shivamogga and Hubli-Dharwad.

So far 61 accused persons were arrested and from them Rs.1 54,500 in cash,two cars,one computer hard disk,two pen-drives and 8 mobile phones were seized.

The modus-operandi in this cases is applicants original Aadhaar card was morphed with the photo of the impersonator and attended the examination

The CID officials also found the role of Veeresh Digital studio and other cyber centers in Gokak, and also other cyber centers in different districts and legal action would be initiated against them.

All the 21 candidates who are involved in the above malpractice are debarred and measures taken to ensure that they cannot write any future examinations.

As part of foolproof measures steps are being taken to match the photo identity of candidates from time of applying for the examination till they get the final orders along with the fingerprint to prevent any such malpractices in future recruitment process says a official release by CID.

Finally DGP,CID,PS Sandhu,ADGP CID,Umesh Kumar appreciated,SP,Saraha Fathima and her whole team who has done a painstaking investigation in nabbing the impersonators for the exemplary and commendable job done by them a suitable reward will be given to the team he added.

BENGALURU: Noting that the extension of time for completion of investigation on the application filed by prosecution, without notifying it to the accused, would frustrate their indefeasible right for statutory bail, the Karnataka High Court set aside the order passed by the trial court to extend the period of investigation to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in the DJ Halli and KG Halli riots case, terming it the same as being ‘bad in law’.The HC also allowed applications filed by 115 accused seeking ‘default bail’, subject to conditions.

It noted that the application filed by the prosecution seeking more time for investigation was not notified either to the accused or to their advocates, a day after their custody was extended. Even the requirement of law laid down by the Supreme Court in the case of Sanjay Dutt has not been complied with. However, the application filed by the prosecution was allowed on the very same day, while the accused were not made aware that such an application was filed and considered, the court added.

Justice S Vishwanath Shetty passed the order, while allowing a batch of petitions filed by Muzammil Pasha and others. The accused were booked under provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, IPC and Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act. They were arrested by on August 12, 2020.Apart from challenging the order passed by the trial court on November 3, 2020 on the application filed by the NIA, the accused have also questioned the order dated January 5, 2021, passed by that court rejecting their plea seeking default bail.

Since NIA could not complete the investigation within the stipulated 90 days, it sought an extension by another 90 days, which was granted.With the expiry of the period, the accused had filed the application before the trial court, praying for grant of statutory bail for the default of the prosecution.

BENGALURU: The State Technical Advisory Committee on Covid-19, which seemed cautious earlier, at a recent meeting recommended that the State could reopen some economic activities like malls, dine-in restaurants, marriage halls, shopping complexes, shopping lanes and closed markets in unlock phase-2, starting from June 21, sources said.But the number of people at these places will be limited, the sources added. 

But Dr CN Manjunath, Director, Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, said, “If we do not follow Covid-appropriate behaviour we will be back to square one. Opening of closed markets, malls and shopping complexes should still be thought about. It can be allowed only if cases continue to drop in Bengaluru.”

Meanwhile, the Technical Advisory Commitee (TAC) on Covid-19 pandemic has recommended that night curfew should be continued till June-end and public rallies, dharnas, fairs and festivals should be banned for the rest of the year.While the second phase of unlocking will start from June 21, the third phase is expected to begin from July 5. Also, the number of people allowed in some of the restricted places will be relaxed depending on the situation.

Gyms and yoga centres, places of worship, cinema halls, sports clubs, clubhouses and public washrooms will have to wait till Unlock Phase-3.The committee has also recommended that the lifting of night curfew and opening of schools and colleges should be decided separately.