Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday rejected allegations of “vendetta politics” behind the constitution of a committee of Ministers formed to review and coordinate regarding the action to be taken in connection with probe by government and investigating agencies into various scams that have taken place during the previous BJP government.

He said the panel has been formed to accelerate the probe into such cases, and the government will take action against those who have committed wrong.

“While replying to debate (in the Assembly) I had referred to more than 21 scams during the previous government (of BJP); to speed up the probe into all of them, and to advise to the government and the Cabinet on what is to be done in this regard, the Cabinet sub committee has been formed,” Siddaramaiah told reporters here.

On inquiry commissions already being formed to probe some cases, he said: “It has not been formed for all cases. Inquiry commissions have been formed for scams or cases such as Sub Inspector recruitment, 40 per cent commission, COVID-19, Bitcoin.”

He noted that in some cases such as (irregularities in) COVID-19 (management), a preliminary report has been given, and a committee of officials has been formed to review and submit recommendations on what action to be taken.

Siddaramaiah said the Cabinet sub committee will review the progress of investigations and to recommend to the government on necessary action to be taken.

“I have asked the committee to submit the report within two months,” he added.

On the BJP dubbing the move as “vendetta politics,” Siddaramaiah said, “what politics have they done with me? (in connection with Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) site allotment scam).”

“We don’t indulge in vendetta politics, did we do it when I was Chief Minister earlier? Even now we have not done, but we will take action against those who have committed wrong…the committee has been formed to accelerate the probe into (such) cases,” he said,

Meanwhile, Home Minister G Parameshwara said the committee is likely to meet this week.

“Every case that is pending at various stages… some of them that have been decided and some yet to be decided…to review all of them and to submit a report a Cabinet subcommittee has been formed. Probably this week itself I will call a meeting of the committee,” Parameshwara who heads the committee told reporters.

He said such cases have been identified and their status report will be submitted to the Cabinet.

“We will not go on an individual basis, the number of cases that are pending, we will review. Cases should not catch the dust without action, so we will review them. We were doing it departmentally earlier, now it has been decided at the Cabinet level, so the committee has been formed, it is also to speed up the process,” he added.

Parameshwara on Tuesday said during the BJP rule 20-25 scams have taken place, and all of them will be reviewed.

Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H K Patil, Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda, Rural Development Minister Priyank Kharge and Labour Minister Santosh Lad are the members of the committee.

On the BJP’s charge of “vendetta politics,” the Home Minister said: “Let them say whatever they want, we will have to do our duty.”

“As the ruling party we will have more responsibility. They (opposition) have the responsibility to criticise, advise and correct the government if it is going in the wrong direction. As the party in government we have our own responsibility and we are answerable to the people,” he added.

Senior Congress MLA Shamanuru Shivashankarappa

Davangere (Karnataka): Senior Congress MLA Shamanuru Shivashankarappa on Wednesday said he will also be in the contest for the Chief Minister post if the legislators support him, in the event of leadership change in Karnataka.

The 93-year-old, however, said the incumbent CM Siddaramaiah is running a good administration and added: “let him continue until he has the blessings of the high command.”

“There is no question of senior or junior in politics. Whomever majority of the elected legislators support, high command says yes to them, that’s the practice. If the situation comes, I will also contest, I won’t leave,” Shivashankarappa told reporters.

His son, S S Mallikarjun, is a Minister in the Siddaramaiah Cabinet, while daughter-in-law Prabha Mallikarjun is Davangere MP.

“I said, I will, the legislators should first accept and support me,” he said when asked if he is in the race being the senior-most MLA.

Shivashankarappa joined the list of party leaders weighing in for the Chief Minister’s post in the event of leadership change in Karnataka, while maintaining that the incumbent will continue in the position.

As Siddaramaiah’s petition challenging the Governor’s sanction for his prosecution in a site allotment case is being heard in the High Court, some Congress leaders seem to be preparing for a race to become CM, in case of leadership change.

Making it clear that the Chief Minister post in the state is not vacant for anyone to weigh in to occupy it now, Siddaramaiah on Wednesday asserted that there are no doubts in this regard and he will continue in the position.

Bengaluru: Bengaluru City Crime Branch police have arrested four Goods and Services Tax (GST) officials in connection with an alleged case of kidnapping and extortion.

The arrests have been made based on a complaint by a businessman in Byappanahalli police station of Bengaluru East division.

“The person has alleged that about a week back about four to five persons came to his house and forcefully took him around the city in two vehicles and also took him to his office and there they demanded a huge amount of money,” Bengaluru Police Commissioner B Dayananda said on Wednesday.

Speaking to reporters here, he said: “Subsequently after giving about Rs 1.5 crore, they have let him go. Based on the complaint a case was registered. Keeping in mind the sensitivity of the case it was handed over to the City Crime Branch.”

The City Crime Branch confirmed from senior GST officials that no such raid was authorised, he said, “hence it was found that these people have intentionally done this act to gain illegal money. Based on the FIR, four GST officials have been arrested, two are probably Superintendent ranks and two are inspector rank officials.”

Former MP Prajwal Revanna

Bengaluru: The Bengaluru Police has filed a comprehensive chargesheet of 1,652 pages in the fourth case registered against former MP Prajwal Revanna, who is facing charges of rape and sexual assault, in a special court here, officials said on Monday.

Revanna is currently under judicial custody at Parappana Agrahara Jail here, and a Special Investigation Team is probing four separate cases against him.

According to the police, the chargesheet was filed against Revanna on June 12 at the cyber crime police station of CID in Bengaluru.

In this case, was booked for sexual harassment, stalking and criminal intimidation, and violation of privacy of IT Act. The complainant in this case is a woman who was allegedly sexually harassed over a video call.

In a statement, police stated that a total of 113 witnesses who were supplementary to the case were examined as prosecution witnesses and recorded statements under section 161 CrPC. Statements of victim, key witnesses were recorded as per section 164 Crpc.

“All physical, scientific, mobile, digital and other circumstantial evidence were collected and sent for forensic laboratory expert examination and after receiving opinion, a comprehensive chargesheet of 1,652 pages were prepared against the accused suspended MP and submitted to the Special Court here,” it added.

Revanna was arrested by the SIT on May 31 upon arrival at Bengaluru Airport from Germany in connection with a case registered at the Holenarasipura Town Police Station. He was remanded in custody the following day.

Revanna had failed in his bid to retain the Hassan parliamentary constituency in the recent polls.

The cases of sexual abuse came to light after pen-drives containing explicit videos allegedly involving Prajwal Revanna were reportedly circulated in Hassan, ahead of Lok Sabha polls there on April 26.

JD(S) suspended him from the party following the cases filed against him.

KDA chairperson Purushotham Bilimale

Bengaluru: Kannada Development Authority on Monday urged Karnataka Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao to issue an order making it mandatory for doctors working in all government health centres and hospitals to write prescriptions in the state’s official language.

KDA chairperson Purushotham Bilimale also suggested felicitating doctors every year on Doctors’ Day at taluk, district and state-level in recognition of their love for Kannada and “their activities in favour of the language.” In a letter to Rao, Bilimale asked the minister to create an atmosphere where Kannada-loving doctors working in private hospitals and their heads too are encouraged to use the language.

“This will be of great help in the progress of Kannada language, and I hereby request you to pay attention in this regard,” he said in the letter.

Noting that recently during an official visit to Raichur he had motivated government doctors to write prescriptions in Kannada, and had directed the Deputy Commissioner there to issue necessary instructions in this regard, the KDA chief said, “After reading about it in the media, hundreds of doctors voluntarily have expressed to me that they will start writing prescriptions in Kannada to save the language.” He said several of them have even shared with him prescriptions written by them in Kannada.

“If government doctors working in health centres, taluk and district hospitals across the state give priority to Kannada while writing prescriptions, it will be a major step towards protecting Kannada identity,” Bilimale said, adding that if it is not made mandatory, expected progress cannot be achieved in its implementation. The state government’s strong stand will play a key role in this.

Bengaluru: A fast-track special court has sentenced a 51-year-old man from Tamil Nadu to three years of imprisonment for sexually harassing a minor girl during a Doha-Bengaluru flight.

The court also imposed a fine of Rs 10,000 on Ammawasai Murugesan.

The incident took place on June 27, 2023, when Murugesan, under the influence of alcohol, inappropriately touched the minor girl while on the flight. The girl’s mother objected to his actions, after which flight attendants changed their seats.

Upon landing, the girl’s father reported the matter to Kempegowda International Airport police, leading to Murugesan’s arrest under Section 8 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. He was granted bail on July 27, 2023.

During the trial, the victim testified via video link as she was abroad.

Last week, the Additional District and Sessions Fast-Track Special Court in Bengaluru Rural district found Murugesan guilty and convicted him under the POCSO Act.

The court order stated that if Murugesan fails to pay the fine, he would face an additional three months of imprisonment. Half of the fine amount — Rs 5,000 — is to be paid as compensation to the victim.

The court also noted that Murugesan is entitled to set off the time he spent in judicial custody from June 28 to July 27, 2023, against his sentence.

The court has granted Murugesan bail to appeal against the conviction, citing his cooperative behavior throughout the trial and regular attendance in court hearings. Under Section 389(3) of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), he can remain out on bail until the appeal period expires.

Bengaluru: Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister Shivakumar on Sunday warned officials of “merciless action” if the potholes in Bengaluru city were not filled within the 15 days deadline that was set.

Shivakumar, who is also the Minister in-charge of Bengaluru city development had on September 1 set a 15-day deadline to the city civic body Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike to fill potholes across the city, citing a lot of complaints.

“I have held a meeting with Bengaluru city corporation officials, senior officials and Chief Engineers and have told them that the fifteen days deadline I had given, within that time, the work should be completed. 400 staff-engineers who are there should first focus on filling the potholes,” he said.

Addressing reporters here after the meeting, he said on failing to do so merciless action will be taken against those responsible.

“How many will get suspended I don’t know, I have strictly told them that the potholes should be filled within the deadline. I have told them directly. Within their wards, those responsible, however big or small they are, from top to bottom they should be on the streets personally and get the potholes filled, that’s the first priority,” he added.

Shivakumar further said he will personally go around the streets of Bengaluru after the fifteen days. “Who will get suspended I don’t know.”

He also said that forest department officials have been asked to trim the trees to avoid incidents of tree fall due to breeze and rains.

“Trees cannot be cut, trimming should be done, to avoid incidents of tree fall.”

Noting that there are chances of rains in September, Shivakumar said, “so far we have managed without any problem. We have to be cautious now. Things should be monitored from the control room, in case of any rain effects such as water logging and water entering houses, the situation should be managed effectively and efficiently. The Deputy CM said on October 2 Gandhi Jayanti, at all schools in Bengaluru, whether it is corporation or private schools, an oath would be administered to all students on maintaining cleanliness.

“We will take pledge in Vidhana Soudha, and students in their respective schools regarding maintaining cleanliness in their respective areas and creating awareness among people and in their homes.”

Shivakumar said he will be travelling abroad for a week on a personal visit. To a question about the agenda of his trip to the USA and whether he will be meeting any big personalities there, he said, “it is a personal family trip…. no one, I’m going on a personal basis.”

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar

Bengaluru: Rejecting reports that he was travelling to the United States of America to meet some top leaders there, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Sunday clarified that it was purely a personal visit with the family.

The DCM has also released to the media a letter that he wrote to AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge, regarding his visit to the USA.

“I am travelling to the USA (from today) along with my family till September 15. The media reports that I am meeting former US President Barack Obama and US Vice-President Kamala Harris (who is also contesting upcoming Presidential polls there) are incorrect. It is a personal visit,” he clarified in a press statement.

“As I have already informed (you), I will be proceeding to Washington on 8th September 2024 evening on a private visit and I will be back on 16th September 2024. This is for your kind information,” Shivakumar said in the letter to Kharge.

Earlier in the day, Shivakumar speaking to reporters here said he will be abroad for a week on a personal visit.

To a question about the agenda of his trip to the US and whether he will be meeting any big personalities there, he said, “it is a personal family trip….(meeting) no one, I’m going on a personal basis.”

Shivakumar also met Chief Minister Siddramaiah at his residence earlier in the day, official sources said.

Bengaluru: A woman has alleged that she faced harassment and was physically assaulted by an auto driver here after she cancelled the ride booked through an app.

She said the incident happened on Wednesday when she and her friend booked two autos on Ola.

Ola responded to her on social media platform ‘X’ saying they would investigate the incident, which it said “sounds quite alarming”, after she tagged the ride-hailing company in her posts demanding immediate action.

Additional Director General of Police Traffic and Road Safety, Alok Kumar assured that appropriate action would be taken.

The video of the incident was also shared by the woman on the social media platform.

“Yesterday in Bangalore (Bengaluru), my friend & I booked two autos on Ola due to peak hours. I arrived first, so she canceled hers. The other auto driver followed us, furious. Despite explaining the situation, he started shouting and hurling abuse,” the woman alleged.

“The driver went on to verbally assault us, questioning whether the auto belonged to my father and making derogatory comments. I began recording, which enraged him further. When I mentioned reporting him, he challenged me, showing no fear of consequences,” she alleged.

She said things escalated when he tried to snatch her phone. “I resisted, and he slapped me in front of my auto driver, who did nothing, and bystanders who remained passive. Despite this, he continued his threats, saying he’d beat me with his slippers too,” she further alleged.

Responding to her post, ADGP Kumar stated: “Such behaviour is unacceptable. (A) few people like him give (the) auto drivers community a bad name. Have informed the concerned to take appropriate action.”

Later, ‘Ola Support’ responded to her posts and said: “This sounds quite alarming.. Don’t worry, we are here to help you with this.”

BJP MLA Aravind Bellad and CM Siddaramaiah

Bengaluru: CM Siddaramaiah stated that BJP MLA Aravind Bellad had apologized for using abusive words and he warmly welcomed the move. He took to X to express his gladness for a rare political gesture, on Tuesday.

“Criticism [and] disagreements are common in politics. Sometimes, in the heat of the moment, a statement that insults another person’s dignity comes and goes without [us] realizing it. Deputy Leader of Opposition Arvind Bellad levelled a personal abuse at me while speaking against our government’s decision to grant land to the Jindal Company. Realizing his mistake, he apologized through a letter. I welcome this move of his with the utmost openness, and hereby convey that I have neither hatred nor resentment in my heart towards him”, Siddaramaiah wrote in the post.

The CM said that he too had done the same mistake of using ‘singular-terms’ against his opponents earlier, which he had regretted later. He had taken care that it didn’t happen again, he said. Despite being on the receiving end of personal abuse many times in his 40-year long political career, Siddaramaiah said that it was the first time that a politician had ever apologized on his own for making such comments. Through the written apology, Bellad “has showed the right way to a new generation of politicians”, he said.

Remembering his enduring friendship with the MLA’s father Chandrakanta Bellad, Siddaramaiah called him a gentleman politician. “May Arvind continue his legacy of gentlemanliness”, he added.

Siddaramaiah said that when politics had become only criticisms, accusations and counter-accusations during these days, Arvind Bellad’s actions symbolized the existence of an honourable way of doing things. “The saying ‘there is no greater atonement than repentance’ makes more sense in this context”, he added.