Parmesh S Jain

A 16-year-old girl ended her life by suicide at their house in KP Agrahara on Saturday night.

The deceased has been identified as Pooja,a resident of Bhuvaneshwarinagar was studying class 10 at a private school.

Senior officer told media persons,around 9:30,the victim Pooja was last seen watching TV while her parents went to their relative’s house in the same locality.

After sometime they returned home and found that her room was locked from inside and repeatedly knocked the door.

When there was response they broke open the door and found her hanging to the ceiling and alerted the police.

The KP Agrahara police inspector and staff rushed to the spot conducted spot mahazar. There was no suicide note and the police are awaiting to question the family members to ascertain the cause of extreme step.

Father of the deceased,works as a security guard in a private company told that she was under depression from the last few days and not talking with anyone properly.

However, the exact reason which led her to take this extreme step is yet to be ascertained, the police added.

Parmesh S Jain

The Nandini Layout police have arrested a 34-year-old auto driver for sexually assaulting a minor girl from the neighbourhood while she was alone at her house on Saturday evening.

Senior officer told reporters,the victim is eight-years-old was alone at the house while her mother had gone to work at a garment factory .

The incident occurred at around 6.30pm the accused who noticed the girl was alone,barged into the house assaulted her and escaped.

The incident came to light when the mother returned from work and found the girl was crying. Upon questioning she narrated the ordeal.

The mother took the girl to a nearby hospital and also alerted the police.Based on a complaint the police swung into action and tracked down the accused few hours later.

The accused has been booked under POCSO Act and police are questioning him in the custody. The accused is married and have two children said a senior officer.

Bengaluru: After fresh infections dropped over the past two days, the number of discharges overtook new coronavirus cases in Karnataka on Tuesday, which further declined to 41,400, taking the tally to 36,05,508.

According to a health department bulletin, 52 deaths were recorded, pushing the death toll to 38,666.

The state had recorded 46,426 fresh infections on Monday as against 50,210 on Sunday.

There were 53,093 discharges, taking the total number of recoveries to 32,16,070, a bulletin said.

Of the new cases, 19,105 were from Bengaluru Urban that saw 33,011 people being discharged and 19 virus-related deaths.

The total number of active cases across the state is now at 3,50,742.

While the positivity rate for the day stood at 26.70 per cent, the case fatality rate (CFR) was 0.12 per cent.

After Bengaluru Urban, Kalaburagi accounted for the second highest number of deaths with 5, Dakshina Kannada and Belagavi (4 each), Bengaluru Rural (3) followed by Chikkaballapura, Chitradurga, Hassan, Mysuru and Tumakuru (2 each).

Apart from Bengaluru Urban, Kolar recorded the second highest with 2,185 new cases, Tumakuru 2,026, Dharwad 1,511, Mandya 1,495, Mysuru 1,494, followed by others.

Bengaluru Urban district now has a total of 16,26,331 cases, followed by Mysuru 2,08,629 and Tumakuru 1,45,578.

According to the bulletin, Bengaluru Urban tops the list among discharges with 13,97,344, followed by Mysuru 1,88,584 and Tumakuru 1,28,041.

Cumulatively, a total of 6,08,50,911 samples have been test of which 1,55,054 were on Tuesday alone

Bengaluru: With the Congress leadership in Karnataka claiming that some legislators and leaders from the ruling BJP are in touch with them, a saffron party MLA on Tuesday claimed that at least 16 legislators from the grand old party are in contact with him and may jump ship, ahead of assembly polls, if the high command approves.

The claims and counter claims between the ruling and the principal opposition party in the state has gained momentum, even as the assembly polls in the state are more than a year away.

As Congress Legislature Party leader Siddaramaiah today reiterated his claims that few BJP and JD(S) leaders are in touch with him and he would not reveal their names, BJP MLA and former Minister Ramesh Jarkiholi hit back and claimed that at least 16 legislators from Congress are in contact with him.

“A total of 36 MLAs were in touch with me, from the coalition government days, out of that 17 of us came out (to join BJP), among the remaining 19, three are from JD(S), I’m not going to touch them because of my good bonding with H D Kumaraswamy (JDS leader)…rest of them, who could not come with us then due to technical reasons are still in touch with me,” Jarkiholi said.

Speaking to reporters here, he questioned why Siddaramaiah, who had declared in the assembly that the Congress will not take back any of those who had quit the party then and called them betrayers, is now claiming that some of them are in contact with him.

“….I will not take the names of 16 people who are in touch with me, I will speak truth not for publicity, let’s see if high command (BJP) agrees to induct them. I hope they will make good decisions. Congress is sinking across the country, in the days to come, they will not have people to seek tickets at some places…,” he added.

Jarkiholi is credited for his key role in the collapse of the coalition government in 2019, as he is said to have led 17 Congress-JD(S) MLAs, who quit their parties and subsequently joined BJP.

However, countering his claims, Siddaramaiah said, Jarkiholi has been making such claims for many days now, and there was no need to give much importance to it. “According to me no one will go……BJP is now a sinking ship,” he said.

Earlier today, Siddaramaiah had reiterated his claim that few BJP and JD(S) leaders are in touch with him and he would not reveal their names.

State Congress president D K Shivakumar too had made similar claims on Monday, as senior BJP legislator Basanagouda Patil Yatnal stated that some MLAs and Ministers, especially those who joined the saffron party from other parties, are in touch with the Congress leadership, and will jump ship, once the 2023 assembly poll schedule is announced.

However, reacting to these claims, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said, there is no question of anyone leaving the BJP.

“It shows the amount of insecurity the Congress is facing, there is a fight between two leaders (Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah) there, there is a series coming out every month claiming who is with whom in their own party, as a result of it, they are making such claims,” he said.

“There is no question of anyone going from the BJP, they (few leaders who are now Ministers in BJP govt) have come here stating that they don’t want Congress, so there is no question of going there…..I don’t want to comment on certain political developments that are taking place, but you will see things, wait for few days, you will see how BJP will get strengthened politically,” he added.

Karnataka CM Basavaraj Bommai

Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Tuesday said there is no discontent among his cabinet colleagues following the appointment of district in-charge Ministers, and that he has spoken to all of them before and after carrying out the exercise.

The Chief Minister’s statement came even as few Ministers stopped short of openly expressing their displeasures over them not being assigned their home districts.

“I have spoken to everyone (Ministers) before appointing them as district in-charge Ministers and after that as well. It is our party’s national policy that Ministers should be made in-charge of other districts, not their own,” Bommai said.

Speaking to reporters here, he said the appointments have been made after detailed discussions with every one.

“No one expressed any kind of disgruntlement, there is no such thing….. I have spoken to all Ministers, there is no question of discontent. We are all together as one and have decided to work for the people and we are working towards it…. the talks about disgruntlement or discontent is far from truth,” he added.

Almost six months into his government coming to office, Bommai on Monday had allocated districts among the Ministers of his Cabinet, of which they will be in-charge, while keeping the key Bengaluru urban district with himself.

Effecting a complete change from the previous B S Yediyurappa-led BJP government, the Chief Minister has not assigned any minister their home districts under which their Assembly constituency comes.

While at least two senior ministers- Revenue Minister R Ashoka and Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister J C Madhuswamy have not been assigned any districts; three Ministers- B C Patil, K Gopalaiah and Shankar B Patil Munenakoppa have been allocated two districts each.

Noting that he would have been happy if he was made in-charge of Tumakuru, his home district, Law Minister Madhuswamy said, he himself has opted out of being Minister in-charge of any other district.

“When it is the party’s decision that home districts should not be allocated to any Minister, there is no question of discontent, but I’m not in a position to work in any other district which I don’t know, just ahead of election…..I decided to stay away from it,” he said.

Another Minister MTB Nagaraj, who is made in-charge of Chikkaballapura district said, as he has represented a constituency that comes under Bengaluru rural district and understands the pulse there, it would have been better he was made in-charge there, but as it is the decision of CM and party leadership, he will abide by it.

Meanwhile, responding to Congress leaders Siddaramaiah and D K Shivaumar’s claims that several leaders from other parties, especially from BJP are in touch with them, Bommai said, there is no question of anyone going out from the saffron party.

“It shows the amount of insecurity the Congress is facing, there is a fight between two leaders (Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah) there, there is a series coming out every month claiming who is with whom in their party, as a result of it they are making such claims,” he said.

“There is no question of anyone going from the BJP, they (few leaders who are now Ministers in BJP govt) have come here stating that they don’t want Congress, so there is no question of going there…..I don’t want to comment on certain political developments that are taking place, but you will see things, wait for few days, you will see how BJP will get strengthen politically,” he added.

Siddaramaiah today reiterated that few BJP and JD(S) leaders are in touch with him and he would not reveal their names.

Senior BJP legislator Basanagouda Patil Yatnal too on Monday had claimed that some MLAs and Ministers, especially those who joined the saffron party from other parties, are in touch with the Congress leadership, and will jump ship, once the 2023 assembly poll schedule is announced.

Parmesh S Jain

“using sub standard helmet is considered as no helmet”

On Saturday the city traffic police have launched an awareness drive on ISI helmet which according to the police can minimise fatal accidents and death rates.

A student jointly conducted by the officials of NIMHANS and the city traffic police at 15 selected locations across the city revealed that only 44 per cent of the motorists use ISI helmet , while the rest of them use sub standard helmets just to avoid penalty from the police.

The study also revealed that 70 per cent of pillion riders use helmets while the rest wither avoid wearing or uses sub standard helmets, B R Ravikanthe Gowda , joint commissioner of Police, said .

Since the last 20 years the traffic police managed to get the number of helmet wearing riders from 5 per cent to 92 per cent through strict enforcement.

However the out of the 92 per cent of riders with helmets only 44 per cent of them wear ISI helmets and follow the rules by strapping them.

From Saturday the traffic police have been directed to educate the motorist on wearing ISI helmets which is as per the section 129 of the Indian Motor vehicle Act.

After awareness campaign, the traffic police will be going to enforce the standard helmet rules strictly.rider wearing a Sub standard helmet will be considered as helmet less ride,Mr.Gowda , said in his statement.

Using standard helmets and strapping them will help safe riding and avod fatalities in case of any eventuality, Anilkumar Grampurohith, Inspector Chickpete traffic said in a awareness video.

He even said People spend thousands of rupees buying two wheelers but become careless when buying helmets.

The helmet use is not to avoid penalty and traffic police but for the safety of the riders, he added.

The traffic police are also going to write to all the DCPs to ensure that even policemen wearing half helmets be replaced with standard helmets. The campaign is going to start within the department , he added .

Parmesh S Jain

Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose’s statue would be shifted to a suitable spot in-front of the Vidhana Soudha,Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said.

Speaking to media persons after paying floral tributes to Netaji on the occasion of his birth anniversary,Bommai said, the statue which presently is behind the Vidhana Soudha near the western gate should be shifted to a suitable spot befitting the honour he deserved.

A decision in this regard would be taken soon. Netaji’s next birth anniversary would be celebrated in-front of Vidhana Soudha.

State government would respond positively to the demands of various organisations which have been working with immense love and commitment for Netaji’s ideals,Bommai said.

An indomitable leader

Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose is a brave, patriotic son of India.He was an indomitable leader who raised an army to fight against the British.

He gave a big thrust to the freedom struggle by uniting world powers of that time to wage a battle in India against the British empire.Netaji had a big role in India attaining freedom,Bommai said.

Netaji inspired the youth with his call, “give me blood and I will give you freedom.” He laid a strong foundation for the freedom fight by inducting 60,000 youth into Azad Hind Fauj.

His death has remained a mystery till today. He has become a globally renowned leader who is alive in the hearts of Indians, Bommai said.

An Inspiration for the youth

Netaji’s principles, ideals, patriotism and the spirit of sacrifice for the country need to be instilled among our youth.

In this regard our government has decided to celebrate Netaji’s 125th birth anniversary in a meaningful manner throughout the year.

Children would be introduced to Netaji’s ideals and objectives by organising debates, exhibitions and other programmes in all schools and colleges.

Books and articles on Netaji in various languages would be printed in Kannada and distributed to our youth, Bommai said.

A special programme has been organised at 4pm to celebrate Netaji’s birth anniversary with NCC cadets at Jakkur.

The defunct Flying School would be reopened on the occasion and various programmes for the empowerment of the youth would be announced, Bommai said.

Urban development minister Byrathi Basavaraj and others were present.

Parmesh S Jain

Highlights

• Testing target increased to 2 lakh per day from January 18.
• Targeted testing of symptomatic persons and primary contacts. RTPCR tests mandatory for symptomatic even if RAT is negative.

-Door to door survey in rural areas by ASHA workers. Mobile units being used to test mentally challenged and differently abled citizens.

29% of the tests between December 1 and January 20 conducted on children :

Karnataka which has always been aggressive in testing has crossed 6 crore Covid-19 tests on Saturday.

Congratulating all the healthcare workers and district administrations,Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr.K.Sudhakar said that extensive testing has always been a corner stone in our fight against pandemic.

When the pandemic started in early 2020 NIV units were used to conduct tests.State used to send samples to NIV centres in Pune.

Karnataka gradually established labs across the state and now we have about 268 testing facilities including 99 government and 169 private labs.

Karnataka has tested 6,01,14,815 samples so far including 1,14,12,162 Rapid Antigen Test and 4,87,02,653 RT-PCR tests.

While 1,41,96,065 samples were tested in 2020, 4,23,91,357 samples were tested in 2021 and so far 35,27,393 tests have been conducted in 2022.

Speaking to media about Karnataka crossing 6 crore tests milestone Dr.Sudhakar said,Testing plays a vital role in this battle against pandemic.

Karnataka has always been aggressive in testing and tracking and it has been one of our corner stones in this right against Covid.

Karnataka has now achieved another milestone by crossing 6 crore tests. I congratulate all our healthcare workers and district administration on this remarkable feat.

Testing Capacity :

Both Health and Family Welfare and Medical Education departments have always religiously followed 5T strategy of Test,Track,Trace,Triaging and Technology.

We have set up 3,678 (3,102 govt and 666 private) swab collection centres,which is one each for every 20,000 population.

We have labs in Govt hospitals,medical colleges and also private hospitals.Initially we had only 10-12 government labs had Covid testing facility which has now increased to 57.

With 108 NA Extractors,139 RTPCR machines we have capacity to test 1,20,800 samples per day in govt facilities.

After Omicron variant was found,we mandated that at least 2% of the tests should be conducted at airports.Then we increased the target to about 80,000 to 1 lakh samples per day.

Testing of children :

Since it was opined that third wave could predominantly affect children,we have mandated to conduct at least 2% of the tests on children.

Out of total tests conducted between December 1 and January 20, 29% of the tests are conducted on children. We are also conducting random RAT tests in schools, colleges, restaurants once in every 15 days.

Parmesh S Jain

In a swift action the Southeast division police cracked the bank robbery case and arrested a 28-year-old mechanical engineer who barged into the SBI Madiwala branch threatened the staff at knife point and made away with 1.8 kgs of gold valuables and Rs 3.7 lakh cash on January 14.

The accused has been identified as,Dhiraj S,29.

Senior officer told reporters,A special team led by ACP,Madivala sub division,Sudhir M Hegde and his special squad swung into action the team visited the bank to collect stock of the situation from the eyewitness as bank employee.

ACP,Sudhir M Hegde consisted of 3 special teams analysed the CCTV footage of the bank and surround and in one of the CCTV footage the team identified the accused from the CCTV footage and track him down at Yelahanka within four days of the incident,when the accused had come to repay the money to his friend.

During investigation the accused was identified as Dhiraj S,resident of Kamakshipalya and living with his father and younger brother is a mechanical engineer by profession and working for a private company in Indira Nagar.

Investigations revealed that Dhiraj had invested lakhs of rupees in online trading,cheated and incurred huge loss,he borrowed heavy loans from private banks and friends and had even pawned the gold valuables belonging to his late mother .

When the banks and friends demanded for repayment,Dhiraj hatched a plan to rob a bank.
He read articles by searching in google and read news papers about bank robbery and even goggled and watched you tube to learn the trick of the trade.

He even receed many banks without security before zeroing in on Madivala branch after watching the bank for two days.

As per the plan on the day of Sankranti festival (Jan 14),the accused wearing mask and armed with knife gained entry into the bank at around 6 pm and threatened the in charge manager and the staff forcing them to fill the valuables in a bag and escaped .

As per the plan the accused walked for three kilometres before boarding Autorickshaw to go to Banashankari bus stand.

From there he boarded a bus to Majestic and took the bus to Chikkamagaluru to move on to Tarikere,Tumakuru,Ananthpur and returned to Bengaluru.

He started repaying loan to the banks and to his friends and even got the pawned jewels of his mother from a gold company.

Meanwhile the police team led by Mr.Hegde,got a picture of the accused and a suspicion number from a nearest mobile tower.

With the help of the number the police team went to his house and found his pictures which matched with the photograph obtained by the police.

The police gathered all the detailed of Dhiraj and his friends who confirmed that Dhiraj had visited them to pay the loan.

The police team got the list of the friends whom Dhiraj had to repay and waited at the friend’s house in Yelahanka and caught Dhiraj when he had come to pay the rent.

The special team grilled the accused and based on his statement the team recovered 1.8 kilograms of gold,Cash Rs 6.5 lakh,a backpack, a knife and a mobile phone total worth Rs 85 lakh from him.

A detailed investigation by the team it was also found lapses on part of the banks in terms of security cover.

The bank should have a proper alarm system which could be activated and nearest police station or control room in case of any eventuality, a police officer said.

The bank did not have any proper security cover nor the staff members have any basic training given on how to handle such situations.

The team is collecting more information from the accused and further investigation is on.

Finally Bengaluru Police Commissioner,Kamal Pant has appreciated Addl CP East, Subramanyeswara Rao,DCP Southeast Srinath Mahadev Joshi ACP,Sudhir M Hegde and his whole team who has cracked the case in 4 days and nabbed the notorious offender and for the exemplary and excellent investigation done by the team a suitable reward will be given to the team he added.

Parmesh S Jain

The West Division police of JJ Nagar police have registered a case against president Bengaluru south BJP unit and three of his associates for organising his birthday party and procession at Rayapura ward on january 14.

Mr. Ramesh and his associates held a gaka event and procession to celebrate his birth.Thousands of people participated violating covid protocol of mask and social distance.

The celebration was held when the enforcement was on to contain the spread of infection and this amount violation and liable for penal action, the complaint, said.

Senior officer told media persons,Based on the complaint filed by Surya Mukundaraj,principal secretary of law and human rights section, KPCC, the police charged NR Ramesh and his associates Keshav,Gopal and shashikala,former bbm councillor,charging them under Karnataka Epidemic disease Act,Disaster Management Act and also under section 269 (negligent act to spread infection of any dangerous desease) and section 270 (Malignant act to spread the infection of any disease dangerous to life) on Thursday.