Connect with us

Karnataka

Bajrang Dal activist Harsha murder case: High Court rejects bail application of accused

The Karnataka High Court on Monday rejected the bail application of the 8th accused in connection with the murder of Bajrang Dal activist Harsha.

Published

on

Karnataka High Court Sets Aside NCLT Order Allowing Windmill Operation Without Permission
(Representational image)

Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court on Monday rejected the bail application of the 8th accused in connection with the murder of Bajrang Dal activist Harsha.

A division bench of the Karnataka High Court dismissed the bail application filed by the 8th accused in Shimoga Bajrang Dal activist Harsha’s murder case. Faraj Pasha, the eighth accused in the case, had appealed to the High Court challenging the order of the NIA special court which rejected the bail application. Justice Srinivas Harish Kumar and G. Basavaraja’s bench dismissed the appeal and ordered.

The bench opined that it is not possible to consider at this stage whether the RGdar (accused) is a member of a terrorist organization or not, and the charges made under the UAPA Act are undoubtedly crimes against the nation and threaten the unity, integrity, security and sovereignty of the country.

Besides, it is also a crime against society. As the facts of this case illustrate, all the accused, who appear to be communalists, had no personal grudge against deceased Harsha. Harsha was chosen for the assassination with the intention of instilling fear among the Hindus. Thus, the bench said in its order that the fact that the appellant is young and has no criminal background is not a basis for granting him bail.

Reference to Evidence
CCTV footage, phone call details and witness statements also prove the active participation of the appellant in the act. So on the face of it, the prosecution is able to prove the merits of its case against the accused. According to the evidence submitted by the investigators, accused 1 to 6 in the case had informally organized and decided to kill Harsha to sow fear. Although the 8th accused in the case was named later, he came to know about the conspiracy of accused number one to seven and later followed Harsha and informed those accused to help him execute his plan. Therefore, the bench held that the appellant was also a part of the conspiracy.

Special Prosecutor P. who argued on behalf of NIA during the trial. Prasannakumar, bail cannot be granted for any reason even if the prosecution once proves that the allegations in the charge sheet against the accused are prima facie true. It was argued that the court should not influence the granting of bail by factors such as the young age of the accused and the background of the crime.

The allegations against the appellant are that Harish, who was killed on February 20, 2022, acted as an informant to another accused by keeping a watch on his movements. The Special Court on December 17, 2022 dismissed the petitioner’s bail application.

Karnataka

Mangaluru Coal Lorry Owners Declare Indefinite Strike Starting Sep 25

Lorry owners in Mangaluru are set to strike from September 25, demanding higher transport fees for coal delivery, citing rising operational costs and minimal price increases by coal buyers.

Published

on

Mangaluru Coal Lorry Owners Declare Indefinite Strike Starting Sep 25
Photo:-ibtimes

Mangaluru: Lorry owners who transport coal from Navamangaluru port (NMP) to steel, sugar and paper industries in different parts of the state have decided to go on indefinite strike from September 25 demanding hike in transport cost and other demands.

There are 2000 trucks supplying coal from NMP to steel industries in Bellary and Koppal and to sugar and paper industries in Shivamogga, Mysuru and Chamarajanagar districts. On an average, 300 coal-laden trucks leave the port every day.

“Our operational cost has doubled in the last five years, coal buyers have increased the transportation cost by only Rs 100-150 per tonne, which is causing loss to the truck owners,” said Sushant Shetty, president of Dakshina Kannada Lorry Owners Association.

“In the last five years, the price of a truck (14-wheeler) has gone up from Rs 30 lakh to Rs 40 lakh, tire from Rs 16,000 to Rs 28,000, road tax to Rs 2,000. But the cost of fuel and spare parts has doubled. But only coal buyers have increased their freight cost by Rs 100. He accused.

1,300 per tonne of coal supply to Koppal. And the Lorry Owners’ Association has urged the government to allocate Rs 1,400 to Bellary. A fortnight ago, the association had appealed to the district administration to resolve their grievances. But as there was no response, the lorry owners decided to go on strike.

Continue Reading

Karnataka

Pro-Kannada Activists Protest at Vidhana Soudha After SC Cauvery Water Release Order

Protest in Bengaluru as Karnataka ordered to release Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu; KRV members detained by police.

Published

on

Pro-Kannada Activists Protest at Vidhana Soudha After SC Cauvery Water Release Order
Photo:-religionworld.in

Bengaluru: In response to the Supreme Court’s recent order instructing Karnataka to release Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu, members of the Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (KRV) attempted to stage a protest at Vidhana Soudha.

A group of over a hundred individuals affiliated with the pro-Kannada organization gathered at Maurya Circle and began marching toward Vidhana Soudha following the Supreme Court’s mandate to release water to Tamil Nadu. The police, deployed in significant numbers, apprehended them and transported them in BMTC buses for detention.

Meanwhile, KRV President Narayana Gowda emphasized the importance of the state government taking a resolute stance and not yielding to the neighboring state’s demands for water. He asserted, “Chief Minister Siddaramaiah should make a firm decision. Even if the government faces removal, our leaders must stand with the state’s farmers in their time of need.”

Gowda also announced that KRV would escalate protests across the state starting tomorrow, with ministers, MLAs, and MPs being greeted with black flags wherever they go. Additionally, it has been reported that a coalition of pro-Kannada organizations is contemplating calling for a Karnataka Bandh, and a meeting regarding this matter is scheduled for Friday.

On Thursday, the Supreme Court declined to intervene in the directive issued by the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA), which mandated that the Karnataka government release 5,000 cusecs of water from the Cauvery and Krishna basins to Biligundulu, Tamil Nadu, for the next 15 days.

Continue Reading

Karnataka

Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah Leaves Decision on More Deputy CMs to High Command

Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah defers decision on additional deputy CMs, awaits high command’s verdict.

Published

on

Karnataka CM's Emergency Meeting on Cauvery Water Dispute
File Photo:-Twitter/@CMofKarnataka

Kalaburagi: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah addressed the growing debate within his cabinet gegarding the potential appointment of three additional deputy chief ministers in the state. He stated on Sunday that the ultimate decision would rest with the party’s high command, and he would fully adhere to their directive.

Cooperation Minister KN Rajanna introduced the idea of having three more deputy chief ministers in Karnataka on Saturday. He expressed his intention to discuss this proposal with the Congress high command, taking into account the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

Siddaramaiah emphasized that Rajanna’s opinion was a personal one, and it would be presented to the party leadership for consideration. The chief minister underscored that he had no authority over the matter, reiterating that the decision would ultimately be made by the high command.

“Minister Rajanna has voiced his viewpoint, but the final verdict rests with the high command. Initially, the high command had indicated that one Deputy Chief Minister was sufficient and subsequently appointed one. Minister Rajanna has now proposed three more DCMs, and it’s up to him to pursue it with the high command,” Siddaramaiah stated during a press conference.

He added, “I have no further comments to make. The ultimate decision lies with the high command, and I will abide by their judgment.”

Rajanna’s proposal called for appointing deputy chief ministers from the Veerashaiva-Lingayat, SC/ST, and minority communities. Presently, DK Shivakumar, representing the Vokkaliga community, holds the position of Deputy Chief Minister and also serves as the state Congress President.

Rajanna’s push for three additional DCMs contradicts the Congress’s prior decision during cabinet formation, wherein it was specified that Shivakumar would be the sole deputy CM. This resolution was reached amid intense competition between Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah for the position of chief minister following the May Assembly election results.

Responding to Rajanna’s statement, Home Minister G Parameshwara, who had aspired to be a deputy chief minister during the government’s formation in May, stated on Saturday that there was nothing wrong with Rajanna’s request for more DCMs. He acknowledged Rajanna’s intentions were well-meaning.

“The upcoming Lok Sabha elections necessitate the need to engage all communities, which is why he has put forth his viewpoint. However, the decision to implement it or not rests with the high command,” noted the state Home Minister.

Parameshwara, a prominent Dalit leader and the longest-serving KPCC President, previously held the position of DCM during the Congress-JD(S) coalition government.

Continue Reading

Trending