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Meat ban can’t be forced down people’s throats: Supreme Court

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Supreme Court

New Delhi: Refusing to interfere with a Bombay High Court order limiting the ban on the sale of meat on Thursday, the Supreme Court said it is not an issue that could be forced down people’s throats.

“Matters like these must be handled with tolerance and compassion,” the apex court said while rejecting a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by a Jain group challenging the Mumbai High Court’s decision to stay the ban on sale of meat on Thursday.

“If the Maharashtra government has any objection to the High Court order, it must approach the Supreme Court,” the ruling said.

On Monday, the Bombay High Court had granted a stay on the controversial ban on sale of meat in Mumbai on September 17, but declined to lift the bar on animal slaughter. The court was hearing a PIL filed by Bombay Mutton Dealers’ Association challenging the ban imposed in the wake of Jain community’s Paryushan festival of fasting.

A similar ban has been imposed in the adjoining Mira-Bhayander and Navi Mumbai municipal corporations in Thane district, but the High Court said it was not concerned about it as nobody from there has challenged the ban in those cities.

(Agencies)

One arrested in connection with Govind Pansare’s murder

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Govind_Pansare

Mumbai: One person was today arrested in connection with the killing of veteran Communist leader and rationalist Govind Pansare in February this year.

Sameer Gaikwad, in his early 30s, was arrested from Sangli early today after a joint operation by Kolhapur and Sangli police.

Police said Gaikwad has some criminal backgound.

He was produced in a court at Kolhapur in western Maharashtra which remanded him in police custody till September 23.

Pansare was gunned down outside his home in Sagar Mala locality of Kolhapur city on February 16 and succumbed to his injuries on February 20 at Mumbai’s Breach Candy Hospital.

The arrest comes close on the heels of the recent killing of Kannada scholar and researcher M M Kalburgi at Dharwad in Karnataka on August 30. Another rationalist Narendra Dabholkar was killed in Pune in 2013.

Left parties and rationalist forums have voiced deep concern over the delay in tracking down and apprehending the killers of these social activists and held that fundmanetal elements could be behind these murders.

The Karnataka government yesterday announced Rs 5 lakh reward to those who could provide clues about the murder of Kalburgi.

Dabholkar, who spent much of his life exposing sham rituals, miracles, black magic, and godmen, was murdered in Pune in 2013 and there has been no breakthrough in his case yet.

Pansare’s family has been demanding a probe into the Communist leader’s murder. They had also filed a petition in the Bombay High Court which had asked Maharashtra government to file its response to the petition seeking constitution of a special investigation team (SIT) to probe the killing.

Till now, the probe by police teams had not yielded much apart from vaguely probable sketches of the assassins and the recovery of a couple of motorbikes from Kolhapur city which were suspected to have been used by the killers.

(Agencies)

Karnataka government announces reward to informants of Kalburgi’s assassins

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M M Kalburgi

Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah today said the government has announced Rs five lakh to those who could provide clues about the murder of noted Kannada progressive writer and scholar M M Kalburgi.

The government has decided to give a reward of Rs five lakh to whoever gives information about Kalburgi’s murder. The identities of the informants would be kept secret, he told reporters here after meeting the families of Narendra Dabholkar and Govind Pansare, the rationalists who were killed in Maharashtra, and Kalburgi, who was shot dead at Dharward in Karnataka on August 30.

The families during their meeting with the Chief Minister demanded speedy investigation into the case and were assured by him that the culprits would soon booked.

“I told the relatives that the investigation is underway and we are hopeful of hunting down the killers,” he said adding that CID is probing the matter.

“The relatives met me and demanded expediting the investigation to hunt down the culprits and find out who were the forces behind Kalburgi’s murder. Already we have taken up the case very seriously. In this regard, we have formed eight teams who are investigating the case,” he said.

Asked whether the relatives demanded handing over the case to CBI, Siddaramaiah said there was “more clamour” for CID probe than CBI and hence “we did not give it to the latter.”

Siddaramaiah also said the government will take stringent action against people who indulge in making instigating remarks and speeches.

Siddaramaiah also assured the family members of passing the anti-superstition bill in Karnataka assembly after examining the Maharashtra anti-superstition bill.

“The family members also demanded to immediately pass anti-superstition bill … we are examining the Maharashtra anti-superstition bill,” he said.

(PTI)

No ‘blanket ban’ on PM Modi’s ‘Mann ki baat’, says EC

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New Delhi: The Election Commission today ruled out a “blanket ban” on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Mann ki baat’ radio programme amid reports that the Congress is likely to approach the poll body with such a demand alleging it “violates” the Model Code of Conduct in force due to Bihar assembly polls.

A senior EC official said they can take “cognizance” of any such demand only after finding that the programme’s contents violate the model code.

A regular radio broadcast in which Modi shares his thoughts on issues, Mann ki baat’s next episode will be aired on Sunday. “No blanket ban can be enforced on things like Cabinet meeting and Mann ki baat but the EC can take cognizance if the Cabinet decision or the content of programme is in violation of the Model Code of Conduct,” the official said.

He, however, made it clear that he was making a “matter of fact” statement and was not aware of any such demand by the Congress or any other party.

If such a complaint is made, the election watchdog goes through the recording as well as transcript of the episode and takes a decision, he said.

A similar complaint was made by Congress against the programme during the Haryana assembly polls but the EC had not found anything “objectionable”, he noted.

At the Congress briefing, party’s senior spokesman Anand Sharma made a strong pitch for a ban on ‘Mann ki baat’ programme till the Assembly elections in Bihar are over.

“We take strong objection to the misuse of the public broadcaster for political purposes by the Prime Minister, who is the chief campaigner and face of the BJP,” Sharma said.

The Congress leader said the Prime Minister should have “shown grace” and avoided the radio programme in the run up to the crucial elections.

He said the Congress and its alliance partners are approaching the EC as the Prime Minister is “thick skinned” and determined to “misuse” his office and the public broadcaster.

Noting that political parties are allotted time on the AIR and Doordarshan for reaching out to people during elections, he said the ruling party is “no exception”.

(Agencies)

Somnath Bharti surrenders before police

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Somnath Bharti

New Delhi: Former Delhi Law Minister and Malviya Nagar MLA Somnath Bharti on Wednesday surrendered at a police station to join investigation in a case of alleged domestic abuse filed against him.

Mr. Bharti, who had approached the High Court for anticipatory bail on Tuesday, surrendered just hours after being provided reprieve till September 17.

Following a late night brainstorming session on the issue with party members, Mr. Bharti is understood to have been asked to join the investigation.

Three AAP MLAs — another former Law Minister Jitendra Singh Tomar, Manoj Kumar and Surinder Singh — have faced arrest by the Delhi Police. If taken into custody, Mr. Bharti will be the fourth AAP MLA to be arrested in the last four months.

(Agencies)

BBMP issues notice banning meat during Hindu festival; Govt says no ban

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beef

Bengaluru: The Karnataka state government and the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) are not on the same page, as far as the meat ban during the Ganesha festival is concerned.

Soon after the BBMP issued a notice banning the sale of meat during the festival, the Minister for Food and Civil Supplies Dinesh Gundu Rao tweeted that there is no such ban in Karnataka.

However, BBMP Commissioner G Kumar Naik said the ban is very much in place as he has not got any directive from the State government to revoke it. The Palike as well as the State government had come under severe criticism in the social media, minutes after the BBMP issued a circular banning sale of meat on September 17.

It was an embarrassing situation for the Congress which has been fighting tooth and nail against a series of bans in the BJP-ruled states. More vocal was Dinesh Gundu Rao, who took to the social media where the issue was largely debated.

Rao tweeted: “No meat ban in Karnataka..confusion due to a circular issued by previous BJP govt. Will not be binding in Karnataka.. Will not be enforced. Hope more people will come out against these fundamentalist extreme, radical right-wing view points. Liberals should raise their voice.”

Dinesh Gundu Rao said that the Palike’s notice regarding ban on sale of meat was issued on the basis of a circular issued by the erstwhile BJP government to the Urban Development Department.

The Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai had announced ban on sale of meet and closure of abattoirs for September 13 and 18, the Maharashtra government had banned it further from September 10 and 17.

The civic body later, through a resolution adopted by an emergency meeting of its elected council, withdrew the ban. The Bombay High Court stayed the ban imposed by the Maharashtra government while observing that such a move was not feasible.

(Agencies)

Will hang my son if sand mining charges proved, says Siddaramaiah

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siddaramaiah

Mysuru: In a bold statement that was filled with emotions, Siddaramaiah said, ““If anybody proves that my son is involved in sand mining, then I will hang my son”, as he was he addressing a gathering at a function in Hosakote in Mysuru on Monday September 14.

“Eshwarappa has been repeatedly saying that my son and minister Mahadevappa’s son are involved in sand mining. Let him prove that first” Siddaramaiah added.

Siddaramaiah also criticized the BJP leaders who attacked him during the recent Raitha Chaithanya Yathre, a pro farmer rally.

“Yeddyurappa made two farmers to get killed by bullets. The person who went to jail has come now to teach us lessons. Eshwarappa says that my and Mahadevappa’s children should be cursed. He has forgotten that he is the leader of the opposition. The person who counts money in counting machine can only talk like this.” Siddaramaiah said.

“In spite of securing more than 100 seats, BJP has failed to win the mayoral election. They are jealous now that Congress has a mayor now. We will not let them win Zilla and Gram Panchayat elections. The defeated BJP is acting funnily now.” Siddaramaiah taunted.

(Agencies)

Yettinahole row: Citizens block highway to block project

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Yettinahole

Uppinangady: Activists of several associations along with environmental activists blocked the Mangaluru-Bengaluru National Highway 75 at Uppinangady on Tuesday September 15 demanding the State government to put a stop to the ongoing Yettinahole diversion project at Sakaleshpur taluk, in Hassan.

Several college and school students along with farmers participated in the protest that began at 10 am. A procession was also held from Government First Grade College to the highway junction.

However, traffic between Mani and Periyashanthi was comparatively lesser than usual due to the warning of a blockade issued in advance by the Netravathi Nadi Tiruvu Yoganeya Virodhi Horata Samithi.

Several dignitaries also took part in the protest.

Earlier, an MLA tried to convince the gathered to withdraw the protest but they did not pay heed. Members of the youth Congress also took part in the protest.

(Agencies)

Key witness turns hostile in Bengaluru blast case

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abdul_nasser_madani

Bengaluru: A key witness in the Bengaluru blast case turned hostile in the NIA trial court on Tuesday.

Rafeeq, a native of Kudagu in Karnataka, reportedly said that he gave the statement against Ma’dani in the case due to pressure from the police.

Jose Varghese, another witness, had earlier turned hostile, saying that his testimony was forged by the police.

Ma’dani was arrested on Aug 17, 2010, in connection with the conspiracy in serial bomb blast case.

(Agencies)

Tandoor murder case: HC releases Sharma on parole after 20 years

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New Delhi: Former youth Congress leader Sushil Sharma, in jail for the last 20 years for the sensational murder of his wife Naina Sahni, was today released on parole by the Delhi High Court.

The court said till his plea seeking remission and premature release is decided by the competent authority he will remain out of jail.

Justice Siddharth Mridul ordered his release observing that he has remained in jail for over 20 years and it is a matter of his right.

“Delhi Government states that decision has already been taken by Sentence Review Board and the same is pending for consideration and order before the competent authority. In view of the above, the only course of action is to request the competent authority to expedite the decision and render it finally within reasonable period of time. Order accordingly,” the judge said.

Additional Standing Counsel for Delhi government has also informed the court that the decision has been taken and now the final order has to be passed by the Lieutenant Governor.

The court, while releasing Sharma on parole, said that his counsel has invited its attention to the fact that the convict underwent sentence of over 20 years.

“The decision of the Supreme Court (in an earlier case) …. buttresses the submission made by Sharma’s counsel. In view of the foregoing, the state is directed to release the petitioner on parole till pendency of his representation and decision before competent authority,” it said.

The judge also made clear that “no condition” is imposed on Sharma while he is on parole.

The case is popularly known as tandoor murder case as after killing the victim, her body was burnt in an oven of a hotel to destroy the evidence.

Sharma had moved the court stating that he has already spent 20 years in jail and was entitled to premature release in accordance with guidelines of the Sentence Review Board.

In his plea, Sharma had sought directions to the LG and Delhi government to expeditiously consider his plea for premature release from jail.

Sharma, who had moved the plea when he was out on parole on the ground of his mother’s ailment, came back to jail on September 7 and with the high court order today, he will be released from jail shortly.

The Supreme Court had commuted to life imprisonment the death penalty awarded to Sharma by a trial court in 2003 and upheld by the Delhi High Court in 2007, saying the murder was the outcome of “strained personal relationship” and convict who spent “10 years in death cell” was “not a confirmed criminal”.

While reducing the sentence awarded to him, the apex court had said that “life sentence is for the whole of remaining life of Sharma subject to the remission granted by the appropriate government under the Code of Criminal Procedure.”

Therefore, it is not possible in the facts of the case to say that there is no chance of the appellant being reformed and rehabilitated, the apex court had said.

It had also said Sharma was not completely remorseless as he had wept when shown his wife’s body.

Sharma was convicted of murdering his wife Naina whom he suspected of infidelity.

He shot her with his licensed revolver on July 2, 1995, took her body to a restaurant, chopped it into pieces and tied to burn it in the restaurant’s oven.

(PTI)

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