Bengaluru: Damaged concrete slabs covering a drain on the road connecting Vasanth Nagar to Nandi Durga Road near the Cantonment railway underbridge are posing a threat to motorists. The High Grounds traffic police alerted BBMP officials about the issue on Wednesday, requesting immediate repairs.

While BBMP engineers initially promised to address the problem on Thursday, they were unable to proceed due to the unavailability of new slabs.

According to a traffic police officer, the engineers are expected to resolve the issue by Friday. The damaged slabs have been affecting the road for several weeks, with one slab moving dangerously when vehicles pass over it, according to Siddique, a local autorickshaw driver.

Police Inspector Ashok Kumar

Mandya: A police inspector has been suspended for dereliction of duty in connection with the recent riots in Nagamangala, Mandya district. The suspension follows the unrest that broke out in the area, raising concerns about the handling of the situation by the police.

Home Minister Dr. G Parameshwara, in a post on X, stated, “I have already directed a report on the reasons behind the incident. After receiving the report, we will take strict action within the legal framework without hesitation. No one is greater than the law.”

Nagamangala, a taluk in Mandya district, has been on edge following the riots during Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations.

Bengaluru: Metro services on Purple Line in Bengaluru were briefly disrupted on Tuesday after a 21-year-old man pressed the Emergency Trip System (ETS) at MG Road station. The individual, identified as Hemanth Kumar from Viveknagar, was fined Rs 5,000 for the incident.

Kumar pressed the emergency button for fun, which caused a train arriving from Trinity station to halt at MG Road metro station for approximately 10 minutes, as reported by Times of India.\

The metro security staff found through the CCTV footage that the prankster boarded the train once it resumed and got down at the Cubbon Park station where they caught hold of him and enquired about the incident.

An official from Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) told the publication that the mischievous act by the passenger caused significant inconvenience to several commuters. “As per rules, a penalty of Rs 5,000 was imposed. He did not have money. His parents were informed about the incident. After some time, they reached the station and paid the amount,” the source added.

Bengaluru: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah toured various areas of Bengaluru on Thursday, reviewing road infrastructure and ongoing development projects. He directed BBMP officials to expedite the process of covering potholes across the city.

During a press briefing after his tour, the Chief MInister provided details on the city’s road network, which spans approximately 12,878 km. Out of this, 1,344.84 km fall under the arterial and sub-arterial road categories, while the remaining 11,533.16 km belong to zonal roads under BBMP. The CM pointed out that road surfaces in Bengaluru have been damaged due to the installation of BESCOM cables, water supply and drainage pipes, GAIL gas pipes, KPTCL cables, and optical fiber cables.

To address this issue, BBMP has set up a batch mix unit to quickly repair potholes, particularly on arterial and sub-arterial roads. Additionally, Rs 15 lakh has been allocated to each ward for pothole repairs on zonal roads. Siddaramaiah emphasized that the BBMP has also developed a cool asphalt mix unit to tackle potholes even during the rainy season.

The CM ordered that road damages caused by digging from agencies like BESCOM, KPTCL, and GAIL gas be promptly fixed. He assured that coordination between the Bangalore Water Supply and Internal Drainage Board and other departments has been achieved, regularizing the process of road repairs.

Siddaramaiah highlighted remedial measures, including the introduction of a mobile app called “Raste Gundi Gamana” (Road Potholes Focus) to monitor and ensure timely pothole repairs. Additionally, Rs 1700 crore has been approved for white-topping projects for the 2023-24 period to further curb potholes.

The CM revealed that of the 1,611 km of arterial and sub-arterial roads in the city, 459 km have been damaged. Asphalting of these roads, at a cost of Rs 659.71 crore, will begin in November and is expected to be completed by March.

During his tour, Siddaramaiah inspected several key locations, including the BDA flyover near Hebbal, asphalting work near Kariannanpalya, and metro work at KR Pura railway station. He consulted with officials at each site to ensure smooth progress.

Ministers KJ George, Byrathi Suresh, MLAs BA Basavaraja, Rizwan Arshad, AC Srinivas, and BBMP Chief Commissioner Tushar Girinath, among others, were present during the inspection.

Bengaluru: Making it clear that the Chief Minister post in the state is not vacant for anyone to weigh in to occupy it now, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah on Wednesday asserted that there are no doubts in this regard and he 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 the event of leadership change, with several of them openly expressing their desire.

“No one has given any statement. No one has said that they will become the Chief Minister. The seat (of CM) is not vacant, then why will anyone say that they will become CM? What everyone is saying is Siddaramaiah will continue,” Siddaramaiah told reporters in response to a question .

When pointed out that some leaders have said that they will become CM if Siddaramaiah “instructs,” he said, “…when the post is not vacant, why will anyone give such instruction?”

Asked whether some Congress leaders have doubts about CM post falling vacant, Siddaramaiah said: “there is no doubt. I will continue.”

A group of Congress leaders on Tuesday wrote to Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi requesting him to warn party leaders including senior Ministers, who are weighing in for the Chief Minister’s post, in the event of leadership change.

The signatories of the letter, including current and former lawmakers and some ex-Ministers, have also asked him to direct them not to issue damaging statements in future.

State Congress working president Manjunath Bhandary and MLC Dinesh Gooligowda on Monday wrote to AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge, asking him to curb speculation over the Chief Minister’s tenure.

While Deputy CM and state Congress chief D K Shivakumar is seen as a prime contender for the post in case of any change in leadership, names of Home Minister G Parameshwara and PWD Minister Satish Jarkiholi too are doing rounds, especially following their recent meeting with party leadership in New Delhi.

A verbal duel of sorts had erupted between two senior Ministers — M B Patil and Shivanand Patil — about seniority as the yardstick to become the Chief Minister.

Senior Congress MLAs — Administrative Reforms Commission Chairperson R V Deshpande and Basavaraj Rayareddy, who is Siddaramaiah’s financial adviser — too have expressed their wish to become the Chief Minister.

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.