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Sex scandal: Jailed BJP leader alleges Rs 100cr bribe offer from Shivakumar

Bengaluru, May 18 (UNI) In a sensational revelation, BJP leader G Devarajegowda, currently incarcerated on multiple charges, claimed that Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar offered him Rs 100 crore to accuse JDS State President HD Kumaraswamy of leaking pen drives containing videos of alleged sexual assault by Hassan MP Prajwal Revanna. Speaking to a... The post Sex scandal: Jailed BJP leader alleges Rs 100cr bribe offer from Shivakumar first appeared on Central India's Premier English Daily .

Central Chronicle 18 May 2024 3:07 pm

Man who sought revenge for a stolen phone pleads guilty to fire that killed a Senegalese family of 5

DENVER: A Colorado man pleaded guilty to murder charges on Friday for starting a 2020 house fire that killed five members of a Senegalese family out of misplaced revenge for a stolen iPhone that he mistakenly tracked to the house. Kevin Bui, now 20, was a teenager at the time of the fire but prosecuted as an adult. He has been portrayed by prosecutors as the ringleader of three friends who started the Aug. 5, 2020, fire in the middle of the night in a Denver neighborhood. Bui wrongly believed people who had recently robbed him lived in the home after using an app to track his stolen iPhone to the general area, according to prior testimony in the case. Bui pleaded guilty to two counts of second-degree murder. A plea deal reached between the defendant and prosecutors proposes a sentence of up to 60 years in prison -- 30 years for each count. The maximum penalty for each count of second-degree murder is 48 years and a $1 million fine. Judge Karen Brody set sentencing for July 2. Bui was seated at the table with his lawyers during the hearing with his hands cuffed in front of him and wearing a green jail uniform. He gave perfunctory answers to the judge's questions as his parents watched from the court gallery and listened to the proceedings as relayed by an interpreter through headphones. Bui's father told reporters after the hearing that they accepted the plea agreement. Bui is the last of the three friends to enter a plea in the fire that killed Djibril Diol, 29, and Adja Diol, 23, and their 22-month-old daughter, Khadija Diol. Their relative, Hassan Diol, 25, and her 6-month-old daughter Hawa Beye were also killed. Three other people escaped by jumping from the second floor of the home, breaking some bones. No relatives of the victims were in court, but they watched the proceedings online, said Ousman Ba, program coordinator of the African Leadership Group who is a spokesperson for the family of Djibril Diol and Adja Diol. He also consults with Amadou Beye, whose wife and daughter were killed. The families supported the deal even though they had originally hoped to see Bui sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole, Ba said. It is the harshest sentence available in Colorado since it abolished the death penalty and is the automatic punishment for a first-degree murder conviction. However, since people who commited crimes as juveniles are treated differently and allowed parole, the families believed that this plea agreement was the best option to resolve this case after nearly four years, he said. We are Muslims. We do believe justice will be served by Allah, our maker, said Ba, who thanked prosecutors for keeping the families informed about the case. One of the counts of second-murder that Bui pleaded guilty to was for killing Dijibril and Adja Diol and their child. The other is for killing Hassan Diol and her baby. Sixty other charges Bui had faced, including first-degree murder, attempted murder, arson and burglary, were dropped by prosecutors under the plea deal. Last year, Dillon Siebert, who was 14 at the time of the fire, was sentenced to three years in juvenile detention and seven years in a state prison program for young inmates. He pleaded guilty to second-degree murder under a deal that prosecutors and the defense said balanced his lesser role in planning the fire, his remorse and interest in rehabilitation with the horror of the crime. In March, Gavin Seymour, 19, was sentenced to 40 years in prison after pleading guilty to one count of second-degree murder. Seymour and Bui pleaded guilty after a failed effort to get the internet search history evidence that led to their arrests thrown out. The investigation of the fire dragged on for months without any leads. Surveillance video showed three suspects wearing full face masks and dark hoodies. Fears that the blaze had been a hate crime led many Senegalese immigrants to install security cameras at their homes in case they could also be targeted. Without anything else to go on, police eventually obtained a search warrant asking Google for which IP addresses had searched the home's address within 15 days of the fire. Five of the IP addresses found were based in Colorado, and police obtained the names of those people through another search warrant. After investigating those people, police eventually identified Bui, Seymour and Siebert as suspects. They were arrested about five months after the fire. In October, the Colorado Supreme Court upheld the search of Google users' keyword history, an approach that critics have called a digital dragnet that threatens to undermine people's privacy and their constitutional protections against unreasonable searches and seizures. However, the court cautioned it was not making a road proclamation on the constitutionality of such warrants and emphasized it was ruling on the facts of just this case.

The New Indian Express 18 May 2024 2:24 pm

Deve Gowda Supports Justice in Grandson's Sexual Abuse Case

Deve Gowda Supports Justice in Grandson's Sexual Abuse Case JD(S) patriarch H D Deve Gowda, who turned 92 on Saturday, broke his silence over the sexual abuse charges levelled against his grandson and MP Prajwal Revanna and said he has no objection to the action taken against him if found guilty. However, he said the cases against his son and JD(S) MLA H D Revanna, who is facing charges of sexual harassment and kidnap of a woman, were ''created'', but refrained from commenting further, as the matter was subjudice. Recently, Gowda had announced his decision not to celebrate his birthday and requested well wishers and party workers to wish him from wherever they are. ''... I don't want to comment on things that are going on in the court regarding Revanna. Prajwal Revanna has gone abroad, regarding that Kumaraswamy (Gowda's other son and state JD(S) chief) has on behalf of our family said it is the duty of the government to take action in accordance with the law of the land,'' Gowda said. Addressing reporters here, the former PM said, ''There are several people connected to this (sexual abuse cases), I don't want to take anyone's names. Kumaraswamy has said that those who are involved in this matter, action should be taken against all of them, and the affected women should get justice and compensation.'' ''There is no objection from us for taking action against Prajwal. But people have come to know (facts) about the allegations made against Revanna, how the case has been created. In one case he has got the bail, in another case there is judgment day-after-tomorrow...I don't want to comment on it,'' he said as he concurred with Kumaraswamy's statement that if found guilty no one should be spared. Prajwal (33) is facing charges of multiple instances of sexually abusing women. The scandal has raised a political storm with the ruling Congress and BJP-JD(S) engaged in a slugfest. Prajwal reportedly left for Germany on April 27 and is still at large. An Interpol Blue Corner Notice has been issued against him, in an effort to bring him back. He was BJP-JD(S) alliance's joint candidate from Hassan Lok Sabha segment, which went to polls on April 26. Meanwhile, Gowda's 66-year-old son, Revanna, a former Minister, has got interim anticipatory bail from a court here, in a sexual harassment case, in which his son Prajwal is also an accused. Asked whether there was a conspiracy to defame and scuttle his family politically, Gowda said, ''It is true... over all what all has happened, several people are involved, I won't take names. Kumaraswamy will say on what action to be taken.'' Responding to a query on BJP leader and advocate G Devaraje Gowda's allegations that Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar is behind the circulation of pen drive containing explicit videos involving Prajwal Revanna, Gowda said, Kumaraswamy will respond to all of this. ''We have seen in the media as to what Devaraje Gowda has said. Kumaraswamy has been reacting to all this actively as the party's state President, he will speak, I won't at this point. I had campaigned for Lok Sabha polls, on June 4 after Lok Sabha polls results are announced, I will meet you (media),'' he added. Gowda also appealed to media persons campaign near his house to end it. ''I also appeal to your owners.''

devdiscourse 18 May 2024 11:25 am

HD Revannas bail plea order reserved till Monday

BENGALURU: The 42nd Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (ACMM) court on Friday reserved the order on the bail petition filed by Holenarasipur MLA HD Revanna in a sexual harassment case till Monday. The court also extended his interim bail, which was granted earlier this week. Revanna came to the court barefoot for the hearing. Special Public Prosecutor (SPP) Jayna Kothari requested the court for an in-camera hearing. The SPP told the court that Section 376 has been added based on the statements of the victim, and the hearing should be conducted in a sessions court and not at the magistrate court. Once a rape charge is pressed, it does not come under the jurisdiction of the magistrate court as Section 376 carries life imprisonment, the SPP argued. Meanwhile, the court, on Monday, will also decide whether to continue the hearing in the same court or to refer the case to a sessions court. The Holenarasipur Town police stations sexual harassment case against Revanna and Hassan MP Prajwal Revanna should not be divided. It is not possible to say that Revanna is not accused of rape. Bail cannot be granted for the accused under CrPC Section 436, since IPC Section 376 is a non-bailable offence. Investigation against both the accused is still going on and the details will be known only after the chargesheet is filed. The victim, in her statements, has said that she could not bear the harassment from Revanna and Prajwal and left home. Ashraya Mane provided to the victim has been taken back and despite a complaint to the District Collector, no justice was delivered, Kothari argued. Ashok N Nayak, SPP, said that both Revanna and Prajwal have sexually assaulted the victim and she has been repeatedly raped and it is not possible to divide the accused and the case. Senior advocate CV Nagesh, who argued for Revanna, said the victims complaint has been typed and registered, while it should have been videotaped. The Act was amended in 2013 to protect the dignity of the victims. Rules are not followed. FIR had been registered illegally and it is a false case. Section 376 has not been mentioned in any of the notices given to Revanna so far and hence bail must be granted, Nagesh argued.

The New Indian Express 18 May 2024 9:14 am

HD Revanna attends panel meeting

BENGALURU: Senior JDS leader and MLA, HD Revanna, attended official duties in Vidhana Soudha on Friday. Revanna and his son and Hassan MP, Prajwal Revanna, are in the centre of a political storm over the sex tapes. Revanna, a former minister, was arrested in connection with an alleged abduction case. He was granted bail by a special court for elected representatives earlier this week. Revanna, who is the chairperson of the Committee on Papers laid on the Table, attended the meeting in Vidhana Soudha. He came barefoot and left after the meeting, along with the members of the committee. As many as 10 to 11 legislators of the 20 members in the committee had turned up for the meeting. They held a closed-door meeting briefly and decided to take up the matters thoroughly in the next meeting as many of the top bureaucrats have not returned from their election duties. Revanna was also in a hurry to attend a court hearing concerning his bail. Even as reporters surrounded him for his reaction to the alleged sex scandal, Revanna said he would not react as the matter was in the courts. He also sidestepped questions regarding murmurs in political corridors about him being replaced as the committee chairperson.

The New Indian Express 18 May 2024 9:12 am

Orange alert as heavy rain forecast for three days in Karnataka

BENGALURU: India Meteorological Department, Bengaluru, on Friday issued an orange alert, forecasting heavy to very heavy rain in parts of coastal and south-interior Karnataka from May 19 to 21. These places may see a dip in maximum temperature by 3 degrees Celsius. Karnataka did not receive any rain from December 2023 to this April. However, Karnataka is expected to experience good rain in the next five days, CS Patil, scientist and director, IMD, Bengaluru, said. He said light to moderate rain is expected across the state in the next five days. Orange and yellow alerts have been issued for Shivamogga, Chikkamagaluru, Hassan, Kodagu, Mysuru, Chamarajanagar and coastal districts of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi. These districts are expected to receive 7 cm rain accompanied by thunder, lightning and strong surface winds ranging from 40 to 50 km per hour till May 21. IMD said more than 75% of southern and coastal Karnataka, and 25-50% of north interior Karnataka will receive rain. The maximum expected temperature will go down by 2 to 3 degrees Celsius in the coming days. Bidar, Kalaburagi, Raichur, Bagalkot, Vijayapura, and Yadgir districts will be unaffected by rain. Rain biggest challenge for RCB A resurgent Royal Challengers Bengaluru will face five-time champions Chennai Super Kings in a do-or-die match that will decide the fourth and final team for the IPL playoffs in Bengalurus M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Saturday. RCBs fight will not just be with the Men in Yellow, but also with the Rain Gods as showers are forecast for Bengaluru on Saturday. RCB will need to win by at least 18 runs or chase the target with 11 balls to spare. A washout would mean CSK will sail to the playoffs.

The New Indian Express 18 May 2024 9:10 am

Shivakumar offered Rs 100 cr to frame Kumaraswamy in sex video scandal, claims arrested BJP leader

Shivakumar offered Rs 100 cr to frame Kumaraswamy in sex video scandal, claims arrested BJP leader Hassan: Arrested BJP leader G. Devaraje Gowda alleged on Friday that Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar offered him Rs 100 crore to malign the names of former Chief Minister and JD-S state President H.D. Kumaraswamy, and Prime [] The post Shivakumar offered Rs 100 cr to frame Kumaraswamy in sex video scandal, claims arrested BJP leader appeared first on Mangalorean.com .

Mangalorean 18 May 2024 7:56 am

Three-day synchronised elephant census in southern states from May 23

BENGALURU: An elephant census in the border areas of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh will be held from May 23 to 25. While the elephant census is usually held for an entire forest patch once every five years, this time it will be held only in the border areas of the southern states. The exercise aims to understand the area, the conflict and chalk out better policies for better coordination and future planning. This is the first time such an exercise is being carried out. It is the outcome of the inter-state coordination committee meeting held in March 2024 in Bandipur Tiger Reserve, said a senior Karnataka Forest Department official. The inter-state meeting was held after a radio-collared tuskless male (makhana) killed a man in Wayanad, Kerala. The makhana was radio-collared by Karnataka forest officials after it was captured in Hassan. In the meeting, an Interstate Coordination Committee Charter 2024 was prepared to foster collaboration for human-animal conflict mitigation. The charter was signed by chief wildlife wardens and heads of forest departments of Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu on March 10, 2024. The charter listed five sections for implementation, one of them included population estimation exercises. Earlier in 202223, Karnataka had taken the lead for southern states elephant estimation reports, which showed that Karnataka topped the charts, housing 6,395 elephants. The report, Asian Elephant (Elephas maximus) Population Size and Structure Estimates for Karnataka-Interim Report, August 2023, also quoted that there has been an increase in the population by 346 since 2017. This census exercise will be limited to only the bordering areas to identify conflict areas and chalk out better solutions. On the first day (May 23), the block count will be done, the transect method will be done on May 24, and the waterhole count will be done on May 25. Radio-collared elephants will also be tracked. Only the wild ones will be tracked and assessed, not those in captivity. The all-India elephant assessment will be done later on a large scale, the official added.In Karnataka, the exercise will be done in Kolar, Bannerghatta National Park, Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary, MM Hills (all bordering Tamil Nadu), Bandipur Tiger Reserve (bordering Tamil Nadu and Kerala), Nagarahole Tiger Reserve (bordering Kerala), and all three divisions of Kodagu. The other forest divisions of the state are not included in this exercise.

The New Indian Express 18 May 2024 7:53 am

Council polls: Four rebels could tilt the scales

BENGALURU: With biennial polls scheduled on June 3 for six council seats three Graduates and three Teachers it is becoming clear that rebellion could impact four seats. A number of leaders who have turned rebel and filed their nomination papers could turn the contest into a cliffhanger if they fail to concede to their party high commands diktat and remain in the fray. The last date for withdrawal of nominations is May 20. In North East Graduates seat (Ballari, Bidar, Kalaburagi, Koppal, Raichur, Vijayanagara and Yadgir), Kalaburagi-Yadgir DCC Bank vice-president Suresh R Sajjan is the rebel candidate against BJPs official candidate Amarnath Patil. Former MLC Chandrashekar B Patil of the Congress is likely to benefit from this rebellion. In South West Graduates seat (Chikkamagaluru, Dakshina Kannada, Davanagere, Kodagu, Shivamogga & Udupi), both Dr Dhananjaya Sarji of the BJP and Ayanur Manjunath of the Congress are facing hiccups. Former three-time Udupi MLA K Raghupathi Bhat has asserted that he will not withdraw his papers as there is a regional imbalance with the party not giving representation to Dakshina Kannada leaders in the Council polls. So, the going may be tough for Sarji, a newbie and a native of Shivamogga. For Ayanur, the situation would be no different as senior Congress leader SP Dinesh, who had contested twice consecutively and lost by a narrow margin, is reportedly firm on remaining in the fray. SL Boje Gowda of the JDS, who is the NDA candidate from South West Teachers seat (Chikkamagaluru, Dakshina Kannada, two taluks of Davanagere, Kodagu, Shivamogga & Udupi) has an uphill task, as a popular figure in the cooperative movement, Dr SR Harish Acharya of the BJP, has filed his papers. Congress candidate K K Manjunath Kumar may take advantage of the rift in the BJP-JDS alliance. In Bengaluru Graduates seat (BBMP Central, North, South, Bengaluru Rural, Bengaluru Urban & Ramanagara) where A Deve Gowda is the BJP nominee and Ramoji Gowda is contesting on a Congress ticket, there is no strong rebellion in either party. But KPCC social media general secretary Ferdinand Lawrence has also filed his papers, claiming to be the Congress rebel candidate. The South East Teachers seat is likely to witness a close contest between sitting MLC Y A Narayanaswamy of the BJP and DT Srinivas, husband of former Hiriyur MLA Poornima. The BJP-JDS leadership managed to quell the rebellion in South Teachers seat (Chamarajanagar, Hassan, Mandya & Mysuru) as BJPs EC Ningaraj Gowda was convinced to withdraw his papers in favour of JDS nominee K Vivekananda. Former MLC KT Srikante Gowda was keen to file his papers as a JDS rebel but could not do so as he was hospitalised on Thursday. Scrutiny of papers for SE Teachers seat adjourned The Election Commission of India (ECI) which scrutinised the nomination papers of the candidates in five Legislative Council seats on Friday, has deferred that of the South East Teachers seat to 3 pm on Saturday citing technical reasons. Fifteen people have filed 22 nomination papers for that seat. As many as 103 people have filed 156 nomination papers for the six seats that will go to the polls on June 3. The papers of 76 candidates were accepted to fight for the five seats on Friday. Nomination papers of candidates from all three major partiesJDS, BJP, and Congresswere accepted. There was also some issue with the Bengaluru Graduates seat, as the returning officer, Amlan Aditya Biswas, had rejected some papers of independents that were not in order. Scrutiny is quasi-judicial work done by the RO in front of candidates, clarified Karnataka Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Kumar Meena.

The New Indian Express 18 May 2024 7:49 am

Kerala: Congress A group steps up fight against Sudhakaran

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Escalating its fight against the state Congress chief, the A group, with the tacit support of a section in the I group, has decided to approach the party high command against K Sudhakarans autocratic style of functioning. Kerala: Sudhakaran cancels lifting of Latheefs suspension The move comes in the wake of Sudhakaran revoking interim Congress state president M M Hassans decision to reinstate A group leader and then KPCC secretary M A Latheef, who was suspended from the primary membership of the party. Latheef said he would soon approach AICC general secretary (organisation) K C Venugopal. Ive been waiting for the last two years for the party to reconsider my suspension. I did not ditch the Congress and join another party. After Hassan was given charge, I made a representation requesting him to reconsider the disciplinary action. Before that, I had met K C Joseph and Benny Behanan. The letter informing me of my re-induction into the party came by post two days after the polling (for the Lok Sabha election), he told TNIE. Latheef said he decided to approach the KPCC leadership after meeting Venugopal and Leader of Opposition V D Satheesan. M M Hassan exceeded brief, say leaders close to Sudhakaran Later, I tried to meet Sudhakaran, but he was not interested, Latheef said. The A group has been for long demanding the revocation of Latheefs suspension. Former chief minister Oommen Chandy had tried to intervene, but poor health prevented him from taking matters forward. A group leaders say a consensus to review the suspension was reached at a meting they had with Venugopal and Satheesan. This has been breached by Sudhakaran , an A group leader said. Sudhakaran and the coterie around him are taking it as an ego issue. How can he overrule a decision taken by the former KPCC president without the consent of the leadership? Hassan decided with the consent of both Satheesan and Venugopal, he added. However, leaders close to Sudhakaran accused Hassan of exceeding his brief in reinstating Latheef. He was given the charge on a temporary basis. He should not have acted like the KPCC president. His role was to manage the campaigning for Lok Sabha polls, they claim.

The New Indian Express 18 May 2024 7:41 am

Shivakumar offered Rs 100 cr to frame Kumaraswamy in sex video scandal, claims BJP leader

Hassan: Arrested BJP leader G. Devaraje Gowda alleged on Friday that Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar offered him Rs 100 crore to malign the names of former Chief Minister and JD-S state President H.D. Kumaraswamy, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Speaking to mediapersons from the police vehicle after being sent to judicial custody on Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

The Siasat Daily 18 May 2024 12:04 am

Scandal Shocker: BJP Accuses Deputy CM Shivakumar of Leaking Prajwal's Explicit Videos

Scandal Shocker: BJP Accuses Deputy CM Shivakumar of Leaking Prajwal's Explicit Videos BJP leader and advocate G Devaraje Gowda, who is in custody after being arrested in a sexual abuse case, on Friday charged that Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar and four other ministers were behind the circulation of pen drives allegedly containing explicit videos of Hassan MP Prajwal Revanna. He has even alleged that he was offered Rs 100 crore by Shivakumar to ''bring a bad name'' to BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi and to tarnish the image of JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy in Prajwal Revanna obscene video case. ''D K Shivakumar is behind the pen drive case, a team of four Ministers N Chaluvarayaswamy, Krishna Byre Gowda, Priyank Kharge and another minister was formed to handle this. It was done to bring a bad name to the BJP, PM Modi and Kumaraswamy. I was offered Rs 100 crore,'' Gowda claimed. Speaking to reporters while being taken to the district prison in Hassan, after the police custody ended, he said, ''Shivakumar told me 'you say Kumaraswamy is behind the distribution of pen drives. You won't be in problem, I will secure you...it was done to destroy Kumaraswamy's leadership in the state. As I did not agree, I'm being fixed in cases.'' ''They tried to fix me in a sexual harassment and rape case against me, but found no evidence. Now, they are trying to fix me in the pen drive case,'' he alleged, and said former MLC M A Gopalaswamy of Channarayapatna was sent for negotiations. The 33-year-old Prajwal Revanna is facing charges of multiple instances of sexually abusing women. The issue as raised a political storm with the ruling Congress and BJP-JD(S) engaged in a slugfest. An Interpol Blue Corner Notice has been issued against Prajwal in an effort to bring him back. He was BJP-JD(S) alliance's joint candidate from Hassan Lok Sabha segment, which went to polls in the first phase on April 26. While the Congress government has formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the cases, the BJP and JD(S) -- NDA partners -- have demanded that it be handed over to the CBI, and action be taken against those behind the wide circulation of explicit videos.

devdiscourse 17 May 2024 11:25 pm

Engineering student ends her life in Bengaluru, police probing matter

Bengaluru: A female student at a private engineering college on the outskirts of Bengaluru was found dead in mysterious circumstances and police are probing the case, officials said on Friday. The deceased student, identified as Harshita, 18, was a resident of Kodihalli in Arsikere taluk of Hassan district. and a first-year student in the electronic Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

The Siasat Daily 17 May 2024 11:10 pm

England bat, Nat Sciver-Brunt returns; Pakistan make three changes

Natalia Pervaiz, Rameen Shamim and Tuba Hassan drop to the bench, Aliya Riaz, Diana Baig and Nashra Sandhu come in

Espn CricInfo 17 May 2024 10:57 pm

Sexual assault case: Efforts on to bring Hassan MP Prajwal Revanna back to India, says Home Minister

BENGALURU: Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara on Friday said efforts are on to bring Hassan MP Prajwal Revanna , who is facing charges of sexual abuse against women, back to India. He also asserted that the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the case was functioning efficiently. The 33-year-old Prajwal, who is the grandson of JD(S) patriarch and former PM H D Deve Gowda, is facing charges of multiple instances of sexually abusing women. The scandal has raised a political storm with the ruling Congress and BJP-JD(S) engaged in a slugfest. Prajwal reportedly left for Germany on April 27 and is still at large. He was BJP-JD(S) alliance's candidate from Hassan Lok Sabha segment, which went to polls in the first phase on April 26. JD(S) suspends Hassan MP Prajwal Revanna over sexual harassment allegations Procedures are on, until we secure him, bring him back here and take action in accordance with law, they will continue. We will neither slow it nor stop it, Parameshwara told reporters on questions about the Interpol's Blue Corner Notice that was issued against Prajwal. On BJP alleging that the government was esponsible for Prajwal's escape from the country, the Minister said, They will say it, they have to say such things. They cannot say the government is doing a good job. But we have a responsibility as a government. Such incidents cannot be taken lightly. We will do our job. Accusing the Congress government of trying to tarnish the reputation of Deve Gowda's family instead of ensuring justice to victims of alleged sex videos scandal case involving Prajwal, JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy had recently alleged that every bit of information on the investigation is being sent to a Congress MLA of Mandya district, but not the Home Minister. Conspiracy to weaken our family politically, says Prajwal Revanna's brother Reacting to this, Parameshwara said,Kumaraswamy is also well aware, several things we cannot bring to the public domain, because the investigation is on. Who will brief the Mandya MLA? Making such allegations is easy. We all have responsibility and we are functioning with responsibility, and we are not under any compulsions. I want to tell him (Kumaraswamy) that SIT is working efficiently, and whatever they have to brief me or the Chief Minister, they will brief. Let there be no doubts about it, he said.

The New Indian Express 17 May 2024 2:26 pm

Efforts on to bring Hassan MP Prajwal Revanna back to India: Home Minister

Bengaluru: Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara on Friday said efforts are on to bring Hassan MP Prajwal Revanna, who is facing charges of sexual abuse against women, back to India. He also asserted that the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the case was functioning efficiently. The 33-year-old Prajwal, who is the grandson of JD(S) patriarch Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

The Siasat Daily 17 May 2024 2:13 pm

Efforts on to bring Hassan MP Prajwal Revanna back to India: Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara

Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara stated efforts are being made to bring back Hassan MP Prajwal Revanna, accused of sexual abuse. The SIT handling the case is functioning effectively. Prajwal, grandson of former PM H D Deve Gowda, faces multiple abuse charges. Political tensions have arisen between Congress, BJP, and JD(S).

The Economic Times 17 May 2024 2:05 pm

Has Prabhas Found Someone Special? His Insta Story Says So

Tollywood's Rebel and Pan India superstar Prabhas posted a message for fans that took the internet by storm on Friday. The 44-year-old actor wrote on his Instagram story saying, Darlings!!...Finally someone very special is about to enter our life...Wait cheyandi. His story sent fans and media into a frenzy immediately, sparking speculations that the actor had finally found his lady love. Meanwhile, many suggest that his Instagram post is just a promotional activity for his upcoming movie 'Kalki'. Kalki 2898 AD, is an epic-science-fiction movie starring Prabhas, Deepika Padukone, Amitabh Bachchan and Kamal Hassan in important roles. The big budget movie is directed by Nag Aswin and is set to release next month. However, fans and a few trade analysts are saying that the 600-crore movie is dull in promotional activities though it has a potential to be the next big thing in the movie world.

Deccan Chronicle 17 May 2024 12:34 pm

Bangalore to Mysore in the KSRTC Power Plus bus: 4 pros & 7 cons

BHPian dailydriver recently shared this with other enthusiasts. We should ideally wait till the end of the journey and then post a review. When one starts typing on TBhp in the middle of the trip, it could either be because he has really good things to say or is about to start a rant! Midway through my travel from Chikkamagaluru to Bengaluru by KSRTC Power Plus bus, I am cursing myself to no end for choosing this mode of transport. Cons:Delay of ten minutes at the starting point.Took one hour forty five minutes to cross Hassan - a distance of barely 60 kilometres.Though it sometimes reaches the upper 90s, average speed even on NH 75 post Hassan is around 75kmph.The legroom, specially with a reclined seatback in the front, is abysmal. My knees kept brushing the hard plastic back.The seat width is visibly lesser than in the regular Volvos. Two decently built adults side by side is a sad squeeze.Most importantly, or should i say, disappointingly, the bus seems to have mistaken the world Power and is using it in all the wrong places. The constant vibrations are reminiscent of the old ramshackle buses that we used to ride in during our childhood. Add to that the inadequate suspension damping - even minor road imperfections and small rumble strips disorient the bus and in turn are clearly felt by the passengers. It is like travelling in/on a non linear, unsynchronised vibrator.The bus is noisy: the whoosh of the electric motor, the racketeering AC and the unsettled suspension are a clear recipe for a disturbing few hours.Pros:Costs lesser than a regular Airavat Club class.The seats, though narrow and tightly spaced, have adequate amount of cushioning, contours and support. The recess for headrest could have been better.Supposedly more environment friendly than the ICE powered alternative.Stops for breakfast at Pakashala. Decent hotel, clean washrooms and some sight Front Back Side profile The clock running six minutes behind The cockpit Sadly, no elevated experience for me Inadequate legroom The midway break(fast)point Speed Read BHPian comments for more insights and information.

Team-BHP 17 May 2024 12:08 pm

BJP, JDS protest against DKS for diverting Hemavathi

TUMAKURU: The BJP and JDS held a protest against DCM and KPCC president D K Shivakumar, opposing implementation of the Express Canal on the Hemavathi river, in Gubbi taluk on Thursday. Former minister Sogadu Shivanna, Tumakuru Rural MLA B Suresh Gowda and MLA GB Jyothiganesh, all from the BJP, Turuvekere JDS MLA MT Krishnappa, a posse of religious heads of the district and thousands of farmers laid siege to D Rampura village. They alleged that Shivakumar, as Water Resource Minister, had managed to get the project sanctioned to divert Tumakuru districts share of Hemavathi water from Goruru reservoir in Hassan district to Bengaluru Rural and Ramanagara. His younger brother DK Suresh is the Bengaluru Rural MP. The project, estimated to cost around Rs 1,000 crore, was commissioned during the Congress-JDS government in 2018, and work started when the Congress came to power in 2023. The plan is to draw 0.75tmcft of water to Magadi for the Sriranga-Hemavathi lift irrigation project. Opposing the Express canal, the protesters symbolically threw a fistful of mud into the canal where work is in progress, and warned that the protest would intensify if the project was not stopped. Pro-Kannada activists also took part in the protest, which went off peacefully. Sogadu Shivanna told reporters that the protest was an apolitical one, and he had also invited Congress leaders to safeguard the interest of the district. The district was allocated 24.5tmcft of water from Goruru reservoir but was not getting adequate quantity of water as yet. But Shivakumar is stealing from our districts share, he alleged.

The New Indian Express 17 May 2024 8:57 am

Kerala: Change of guard no cakewalk for Sudhakaran detractors in party

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The change of guard in state Congress would not be as easy as detractors of K Sudhakaran think. As discussions over organisational revamp are centred around a change of guard in the KPCC and lack of Christian representation, especially of the Roman Catholic community, the leaders who support Sudhakaran warn about a possible backlash in south and central Kerala where Ezhava and non-Catholics play a key role in electoral politics. There is dissatisfaction in the Sudhakaran faction over how a section of KPCC leaders tried to foil his return. Many leaders in the south had only excelled in table talk politics while Sudhakaran had fought endangering his life for Congress growth in Malabar, a leader close to the KPCC president told TNIE. Some leaders (reference to M M Hassan) insulted him by not seeking his opinion before revoking the disciplinary action Sudhakaran had initiated against a leader based on a complaint filed by Adoor Prakash, he said. It is learnt that the KPCC president will call a meeting of office-bearers and DCC presidents after May 23. He will leave for New Delhi on Friday for campaigning and will be there till May 23. In the May 4 meeting, it was decided to evaluate the poll at the mandalam level before May 20. Hence the office-bearers meeting was cancelled,he said. Congress brass not keen to reinstate Sudhakaran as partys Kerala chief Congress leaders pointed out that whenever the Congress came to power, it had swept the seats in Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam and Alappuzha. In 2001, when A K Antony-led UDF was elected with 100 seats, these districts played a major role in the sweeping victory. However, the disruption of the community equation that was sustained in the Congress for long affected partys poll performance in the latter years. The strong support of Latin Catholics and Ezhava community through the SNDP Yogam helped Congress win many seats. However, the interplay of non-Catholic factors was often ignored by the Congress leadership. After the demise of Oommen Chandy, there were no leaders from the Orthodox Christian Community in Congress, a senior leader said. The Congress should try to bring in more non-Catholic leaders to its leadership. The LDF made Veena George, who is from Malankara Orthodox Christian community, a minister thus reducing the distance between the CPM and the community, he said. The leaders who oppose a leadership change in KPCC point out that it was non-Catholic elements that played a major role in the last Lok Sabha and assembly elections. According to them, in the Pathanamthitta Lok Sabha constituency, there was only a small segment of Catholic votes, especially in Aranmula, Adoor, Konni and Ranni barring Poonjar, Kanjirapally and Tiruvalla segments. In the assembly elections held in Vaikom, Ettumanoor, Kottayam Kanjirapally constituencies in Kottayam district, the winners were from non-Christian communities. In Idukki, in the five constituencies except Thodupuzha and Idukki, non-Christian leaders from LDF won in three constituencies, even though UDF fielded four Christian candidates. In its heydays, the Congress had leaders like C V Padmarajan, Kadavoor Sivadasan and Prathapa Varma Thampan- all representing the Ezhava community in Kollam. In Alappuzha also there were leaders like D Sugathan, C R Jayaprakash and N K Hemachandran. In Kottayam, SNDP Yogam president N Sreenivasan became a candidate with Congress support. Slowly the representation of the community in Congress came down as leaders ignored the community equilibrium that helped it reap success. Now they are fielding leaders like M Liju and Bindu Krishna in seats where they cannot win, political analyst Ajith Sreenivasan said. Sudhakaran faction dissatisfied There is dissatisfaction in the Sudhakaran faction over the way a section of KPCC leaders tried to prevent his comeback It is learnt that the KPCC president will call a meeting of office-bearers and DCC presidents after May 23. He will leave for New Delhi on Friday for election campaigning and will be there till May 23

The New Indian Express 17 May 2024 7:41 am

WRAPUP 5-Israel moves into north Gaza Hamas stronghold, pounds Rafah without advancing

WRAPUP 5-Israel moves into north Gaza Hamas stronghold, pounds Rafah without advancing Israel's tanks pushed into the heart of Jabalia in northern Gaza on Thursday, facing anti-tank rockets and mortar bombs from militants concentrated there, while in the south, its forces pounded Rafah without advancing, Palestinian residents and militants said. The slow progress of Israel's offensive, more than seven months after it was prompted by Hamas' deadly cross-border raid, highlighted the difficulty of achieving Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's aim of eradicating the militant group. Armed wings of Hamas and its ally Islamic Jihad have been able to fight up and down the Gaza Strip, using heavily fortified tunnels to stage attacks in both the north - the focus of Israel's initial invasion - and new battlegrounds like Rafah. We are wearing Hamas down, Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said, announcing that more troops would be deployed in Rafah, where he said several tunnels had been destroyed. Senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri responded that the group would defend its people y all means. Israel says four Hamas battalions are now in Rafah along with hostages abducted during the Oct. 7 assault, but it faces international pressure not to invade the city, where hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinian civilians are sheltering. South Africa asked the top U.N. court to order a halt to Israel's Rafah offensive, saying it was part of the endgame in which Gaza is utterly destroyed. Israel has denied South African allegations of genocide in Gaza and said it had complied with an earlier court order to step up aid. The Gaza death toll has risen to 35,272, health officials in the Hamas-run coastal enclave said, and malnutrition is widespread with international aid efforts blocked by the violence and Israel's de-facto shutdowns of its Kerem Shalom crossing and the Rafah border crossing with Egypt. Israel says Hamas is diverting aid and it needs to eliminate the organisation for its own protection after the deaths of 1,200 people on Oct. 7, and to free the 128 hostages still held out of 253 abducted by the militants, according to its tallies. FLOATING PIER ANCHORED, BUT AID PLANS UNCLEAR The United States anchored a temporary floating pier to a beach in Gaza on Thursday to boost aid deliveries, but it was still unclear how it would be distributed given the challenges that have beset the United Nations and relief groups for months. The United Nations stressed that delivering aid by land was the most viable, effective and efficient method. To stave off the horrors of famine, we must use the fastest and most obvious route to reach the people of Gaza and for that, we need access by land now, deputy U.N. spokesperson Farhan Haq said. We don't want ships... we want safety, said displaced Gazan Hassan Abu Al-Kass, speaking in the central Gaza Strip. The United States State Department said the humanitarian situation in Gaza continued to deteriorate and urged Israel to allow sustained access for aid via the southern and northern parts of the enclave. Israel's military says its operation in Rafah is meant to kill Hamas fighters and dismantle infrastructure used by the group, which governs the blockaded Palestinian territory. Israel accuses Hamas of diverting aid, something it denies. Egyptian sources said Cairo, which fears a mass exodus from Gaza to Egypt, had rejected an Israeli request to coordinate on the reopening of the Rafah border crossing, which Israel seized on May 7, and keep it beyond Palestinian control. Ceasefire and hostage release talks are deadlocked over how to end the war. Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh said his group, which has run Gaza since 2007, should continue to have a role while the Palestinian Authority, which Western leaders want to oversee Gaza, said it did not have enough funds to fulfil its current limited governing role in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Israel declared major operations over in northern Gaza months ago while pledging to return to prevent Hamas regrouping. On Thursday, around a week after they moved back in, Israeli tanks were heavily bombarding the main market in the heart of Jabalia, a decades-old refugee camp, and several stores there caught fire, residents and Hamas media outlets said. HAMAS SAYS IT DESTROYED ISRAELI TROOP CARRIER Earlier, the armed wing of Hamas said its fighters in Jabalia had destroyed an Israeli troop carrier with a locally made Al-Yassin 105 anti-tank rocket, causing casualties. Reuters was not immediately able to verify the statement and there was no immediate comment from Israel. They are bombing like crazy, destroying the houses and the main market in the camp, one of the camp's residents told Reuters via a chat app. Residents said tanks had also pushed back to near the entrance to the nearby northern city of Beit Hanoun and Israeli bulldozers were demolishing factories and property in the area. Israel says it has eliminated many gunmen in Jabalia but had no new comment on developments there on Thursday. In the southern tip of Gaza, tanks held their positions in eastern neighbourhoods and outskirts of Rafah while keeping up pressure with aerial and ground bombardments. Medics said one Israeli tank shell had landed in a square deep inside Rafah, killing one Palestinian and wounding others, while residents said clusters of homes on the edge of the city were blown up by the army after evacuation orders. Israel said its strikes were targeted at militants. We're operating ... where we know Hamas terrorists are hiding, and where we think we can find either tunnel shafts or terror infrastructure or ammunition of many types, military spokesperson Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani said.

devdiscourse 17 May 2024 12:21 am

JD(S) MLA HD Revanna gets interim bail in sexual harassment case

Bengaluru: A court here on Thursday granted interim bail to JD(S) MLA and former Karnataka Minister H D Revanna in a sexual harassment case. The case of sexual harassment of a 47-year-old house help was registered against Revanna and his son and MP Prajwal Revanna at the Holenarsipur town police station in Hassan district on Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

The Siasat Daily 16 May 2024 10:04 pm

JD(S) MLA H D Revanna gets interim bail in sexual harassment case

BENGALURU: A court here on Thursday granted interim bail to JD(S) MLA and former Karnataka Minister H D Revanna in a sexual harassment case. The case of sexual harassment of a 47-year-old house help was registered against Revanna and his son and MP Prajwal Revanna at the Holenarsipur town police station in Hassan district on April 28. Prajwal reportedly left for Germany on April 27 and is still at large. The complainant had claimed that the father-son duo had sexually abused her at the 66-year-old MLA's house. The Special Investigation Team (SIT) which is probing the alleged sexual abuse charges against Prajwal and related cases, had sought custody of the former minister. Revanna's advocates sought anticipatory bail in the case. However, the 42nd Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Court (ACMM) heard the matter and gave interim relief to Revanna till Friday. The SIT had sent two notices to Revanna, son of JD(S) patriarch and former prime minister H D Deve Gowda, and Prajwal to join the investigation, but both of them skipped it. On Thursday Revanna applied for anticipatory bail and the SIT objected to this and sought his custody or that he be remanded in judicial custody. The court, after hearing both sides, decided to hear the matter again on Friday and till then gave relief to Revanna. A Special Court for Elected Representatives on Monday granted bail to Revanna in case where he is accused of having kidnapped one of the women allegedly abused sexually by Prajwal, as seen in the leaked videos. Revanna was then released from jail. He had been arrested by the SIT on May 4 in that case. The 33-year-old Prajwal is facing charges of multiple instances of sexually abusing women. The scandal has raised a political storm, with the ruling Congress and BJP-JD(S) engaging in a slugfest. He was BJP-JD(S) alliance's joint candidate from Hassan Lok Sabha segment, which went to polls in the first phase on April 26. An Interpol Blue Corner Notice issued against Prajwal in an effort to bring him back to the country to face the law has not yet had the desired effect.

The New Indian Express 16 May 2024 7:07 pm

The Clean Cooking Declaration: Making 2024 the Pivotal Year for Clean Cooking

1. On 14 May, we met in Paris at the Summit on Clean Cooking in Africa, co-chaired by the President of the United Republic of Tanzania H.E. Samia Suluhu Hassan, the Prime Minister of Norway H.E. Jonas Gahr Stre, the President of the African Development Bank Group Dr. Akinwumi A. Adesina, and the Executive Director of the International Energy Agency (IEA) Dr. Fatih Birol. 2. The Summit organised by the IEA, brought together over 1000 delegates, from governments, private sector, development partners, international organisations, philanthropies, and civil society, all driven by the shared objective of making 2024 a pivotal year for achieving universal access to clean cooking. It marked the largest-ever gathering exclusively on clean cooking, drawing participation from 55 countries, represented by 4 Head of Government and 23 Ministers. At the Summit, the significant efforts made to date were acknowledged, but it is evident that much more needs to be done. 3. We pledge to make clean cooking a priority and enhance our efforts toward achieving universal access for all, recognising its essential role in achieving Sustainable Development Goal 7. Universal clean cooking access was underlined once more by African leaders as a priority issue for collective action for [] The post The Clean Cooking Declaration: Making 2024 the Pivotal Year for Clean Cooking appeared first on Energy Bangla .

Energy Bangla 16 May 2024 6:55 pm

Four children drown after going for a swim in a tank in Karnataka's Hassan

HASSAN: Four children drowned after going for a swim in a tank in Thimmanahalli village of Alur taluk in Hassan on Thursday. The deceased have been identified as Jeevan (13), son of Doreswamy, Saatvik (11), son of Satish, Vishvas (12), son of Chandru, and Pruthvi (12), son of Somashekar. Another friend Chirag who also accompanied them for the swim managed to reach the banks. The incident occurred when they went to swim in the tank to beat the heat. According to the police, Jeevan drowned and while rescuing him the rest also drowned. The incident came to light when a villager found one of the bodies floating. News of the incident spread like wildfire in the village. The children's parents rushed to the spot on hearing the news and broke down when they reached there. Police fished out the bodies with the help of fire and emergency department officials and swimmers. The bodies have been shifted to the mortuary in Alur hospital for postmortem. Alur Sakleshpur MLA Cement Manju visited the spot and consoled the parents.

The New Indian Express 16 May 2024 5:20 pm

Four boys drown in tank near Alur in Hassan district of Karnataka

The friends went to swim in the tank around 12.30 p.m.

The Hindu 16 May 2024 3:40 pm

Karnataka: Four children drown in lake in Hassan district

According to police, the tragedy occurred in Mutthige village at Aalur Taluk in Hassan district

Mid Day 16 May 2024 2:30 pm

Hyderabad water board chief inspects two STPs

HYDERABAD: Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWSSB) managing director C Sudarshan Reddy inspected two Sewerage Treatment Plants (STPs) in Attapur and Mir Alam on Wednesday. He also inspected the interception and diversion (I&D) point at Hassan Nagar. Along with other Water Board officials, Sudarshan first visited the Attapur STP and instructed authorities to speed up the construction work. Even if the work is delayed due to unavoidable reasons, plans should be made to complete it on time, he said. Later, he visited the recently completed Mir Alam STP, which is ready to be commissioned into operation. He examined the surrounding areas of the Mir Alam tank. The points from where the sewage enters the tank from nearby colonies have been identified. Sudharshan asked the officials to put up a pipeline ring main around the tank and direct the sewerage to the newly constructed STP. For the diversion project, he told officials to complete the works in coordination with the GHMC and irrigation authorities.

The New Indian Express 16 May 2024 12:15 pm

Karnataka: Express train runs over herd of 46 sheep, goats

BENGALURU: The gory tragedy played out on Tuesday evening in Bengaluru railway division, when a herd of 46 goat and sheep was run over by an express train moving from Bengaluru towards Tumakuru. The mishap is said to have occurred between 4pm and 5pm, between Nidvanda and Dobbespet railway stations. According to a senior railway official, Visibility was low and there was a drizzle. A shepherd who was grazing them did not see the approaching train. The animals trespassed the railway tracks and died on the spot. The shepherd had taken a break and was at a tea shop nearby, when the animals walked on to the track and got hit. The incident happened 2km from Nidvanda station, where the train takes a left turn to head towards Hassan, instead of going towards Dobbespet. Since it was at the curve, the loco pilot could not have noticed it, the source added. The information was not conveyed to the local station manager on Tuesday. A level crossing gate staffer who reported for duty in the morning (Wednesday) noticed it and conveyed it to staffers at Nidvanda railway station. No one knows how the accident happened, said a railway official. Senior railway officials had no clue which train had hit the animals. A top railway official ruled out the possibility of overspeeding by the loco pilot. It was a clear case of trespass by the shepherd. Loco pilots run only at permitted section speed here, he added. In a video accessed by this reporter, the Railway pointsman was being manhandled by an irate crowd which held him responsible for the accident, while a few were trying to carry away the carcasses for consumption.

The New Indian Express 16 May 2024 9:41 am

Ashoka slams SIT, says its working as per Congress directions

BENGALURU: Leader of Opposition in the Assembly R Ashoka slammed the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the sex scandal allegedly involving Hassan JDS MP Prajwal Revanna, claiming that the team is working at the behest of the ruling Congress leaders. Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Ashoka said Congress is behind the conspiracy in the pen drive case and senior Grand Old Party leaders are trying to shift the blame on the BJP. The SIT that arrested JDS MLA HD Revanna, has not arrested Prajwals former car driver Kartik, who allegedly circulated the videos, the BJP leader said. The Congress has housed Prajwals former car driver in some place and he is sending video messages from there, the BJP leader alleged. At every stage of the investigation, the information first reaches Congress leaders. The case should be handed over to the CBI and see who all will be arrested, he said. The BJP leader said as mentioned by JDS state president HD Kumaraswamy, there is a big whale behind this conspiracy and the family of former prime minister HD Deve Gowda will decide what they want to do with it. The whale that is behind the conspiracy has to come out for oxygen, he said. People are questioning if the Vokkaliga community needed to be insulted, by insulting Deve Gowdas family, he said. If the pen drives were distributed in Hassan, they would have reached BJP and Congress workers, he said. They should have also arrested Congress workers, he said. He termed it a systematic conspiracy against Revanna in view of the elections. The Opposition Leader said Congress MLAs will bring down their government in the state and everything will be known after the Lok Sabha poll results are announced.

The New Indian Express 16 May 2024 9:02 am

Did no wrong, have left it to God: HD Revanna

BENGALURU: A day after being released from the Parappana Agrahara Central Prison, former minister and JDS leader HD Revanna chose to stay back in Bengaluru on Wednesday to consult with his lawyers regarding his case. I will not go anywhere now. I suggest to the people of the state and Hassan not to celebrate (his release from the jail). I have not committed any wrong. I have left everything to God. I bow down before the court and whatever the court disposes, I will accept, he told reporters. He skipped his visit to his hometown Hassan and Holenarasipur where his supporters and JDS workers were waiting for him to arrive. The Special Investigation Team (SIT) arrested him on May 4 for his alleged involvement in the kidnapping of a woman victim, who was allegedly sexually assaulted by his son and Hassan JDS MP Prajwal Revanna. Though he had alleged a political conspiracy behind his arrest earlier, he chose not to react on it on Wednesday. He only said he will cooperate with the SIT investigation. Earlier, he broke down looking at the assembled crowd at his residence in Basavanagudi, and they raised slogans as he came out. Former minister and JDS core committee chairman GT Devegowda met former prime minister HD Deve Gowda at the latters residence at Padmanabha Nagar on Wednesday to discuss the biennial Council polls for six seats on June 3. He (HD Deve Gowda) only said JDS and BJP should work together to win the Council polls. He is still in pain from the incident (arrest of Revanna) and has not come to terms with it yet, he told reporters. Since the beginning, HD Kumaraswamy and I have stuck to our stand that if Prajwal is guilty, he should be punished. I have also suspended him from the party and now its up to the government to take further action, he said.

The New Indian Express 16 May 2024 8:55 am

Was to fly from Munich? Prajwal fools SIT again

BENGALURU: Absconding MP Prajwal Revanna, the prime accused in Hassan sex scandal, seems to have again hoodwinked the SIT, which was expecting him to land in KIA around 12.30 am on Thursday. It is learnt that the MP did not board the flight which he had booked. The flight ticket is said to have been booked by a travel agency in Haryana in Prajwals name, indicating that he might return to Bengaluru from Munich early Thursday. Sleuths of SIT waited for Prajwal at KIA to take him into their custody as soon as he landed there. Prajwal had booked flight tickets on two occasions, but cancelled them. This might be a ploy by him to hoodwink the SIT, according to sources. The MP has been on the run for nearly a fortnight ever since the formation of SIT under BK Singh, ADGP (CID). He is said to have gone to Germany on April 27. Prajwal, who has a diplomatic passport, requires no visa to travel abroad. Two regular notices, a lookout notice and a Blue Corner Notice have been issued against him.

The New Indian Express 16 May 2024 8:35 am

Good feedback for candidates in 13-14 seats in Karnataka: Congress leaders

BENGALURU: After the completion of Lok Sabha elections in the state, Congress is upbeat as the feedback and results of internal surveys have been positive for the party from most constituencies. Congress senior leader Saleem Ahmed said the party has received positive feedback from its partymen from about 18-20 constituencies. But some prudent leaders said the signs are good for the party in about 13-14 constituencies. When TNIE contacted the Congress unit in Davanagere, local leaders said they are fairly sure of the party doing well in all the eight Assembly segments in the constituency. The campaigning by party candidate Prabha Mallikarjun, who is pitted against BJPs Gayathri Siddeshwara, received good response, they added. Ballari workers and leaders too said the feedback from all the booths has been good for party candidate E Tukaram, who is contesting against BJPs B Sriramulu. The mood in Belgaum and Chikkodi constituencies in Belagavi district is in favour of Mrinal Hebbalkar and Priyanka Jarkiholi, party leaders said. This despite the fact that Congress has lost the previous three Lok Sabha elections in Belgaum. Priyanka is up against former sitting BJP MP Annasaheb Shankar Jolle, while Mrinal is contesting against former BJP CM Jagadish Shettar. Hassan Congress candidate Shreyas Patel, contesting against incumbent JDS MP Prajwal Revanna, and Star Chandru in Mandya, up against JDS state president HD Kumaraswamy, may have a good show, say party leaders, but are cautious about predicting the outcomes. The feedback is mixed from Gulbarga where AICC president Mallikarjun Kharges son-in-law Radhakrishna Doddamani is running against BJPs Umesh Jadva. This is because of a recent clash, where 50,000-60,000 members of one community attacked the houses of another community. But analyst BS Murthy pointed out that the Dalit and minority vote share here is so large that it dwarfs other communities. Congress is sure of good tidings in Raichur (ST reserved), where former IAS officer Kumar Naik is contesting against sitting MP and BJP candidate Raja Amareshwara Rai, they added. Congress is getting good vibes in Bengaluru Central and Rural, where Congress Mansoor Ali Khan and DK Suresh are contesting against BJPs PC Mohan and Dr CN Manjunath, the leaders said. The Grand Old Party is upbeat in Tumkur, where the partys Mudda Hanume Gowda is pitted against BJP leader V Somanna. While Lingayats have overwhelmingly supported Somanna, Vokkaligas, apart from SC/STs, Kurubas and minorities have backed Gowda, a Vokkaliga, they assessed. The party says it will fare well in Chikkaballapur, where Raksha Ramaiah, Youth Congress leader and son of former minister MR Seetharam, is the candidate against BJPs former state minister Dr K Sudhakar. Kolar too could be in the party candidates favour KV Gowtham, contesting against JDS Mallesh Babu, they added. The party leaders said the feedback is good from Mysore, where Congress spokesman and Vokkaliga leader M Lakshman is pitted against scion of the Mysuru royal family Yaduveer Krishnadatta Wadiyar. Chamarajanagar could have veered towards the partys Sunil Bose, up against BJPs little-known N Balraj, they added. But it is mixed for Bangalore South, where Congress Sowmya Reddy is contesting against BJPs Tejasvi Surya. But this is for the better as the prospects for Congress from the constituency in 2019 were poor, they said. Minister HK Patil said, We will win 18-20 seats in Karnataka and in North Karnataka where polls were held on May 7, we should win around 10 seats.

The New Indian Express 16 May 2024 8:06 am

Kerala: Sudhakaran cancels lifting of Latheefs suspension

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM : M A Latheef, Thiruvananthapuram-based Congress leader who was suspended from the post of KPCC secretary and reinstated by former Congress president in-charge M M Hassan, has again been suspended by K Sudhakaran. The second suspension circular which came into effect on Wednesday states that right from booth level to constituency level, workers, leaders and DCC office-bearers have expressed their strong displeasure over revoking Latheefs suspension. The latest order suspending Latheef was issued by T U Radhakrishnan, KPCC general secretary (organization). Radhakrishnans circular states that there was strong opposition to Hassan s revocation of suspension where the party has received numerous complaints. It also states that the cancelled order had technical and factually wrong elements. Latheef was taken back to the party on April 27 by Hassan after he gave a letter to him informing him of revoking the expulsion. There were allegations that the suspension was unilaterally revoked by a section of leaders, including Hassan. Later when Sudhakaran resumed charge as Congress state president on May 8, he informed the media that certain decisions, including lifting of Latheefs suspension, would have to be cancelled.

The New Indian Express 16 May 2024 8:02 am

Will BJP pull out candidate from South Teachers seat?

BENGALURU: The uncertainty over the BJP-JDS alliance in the South Teachers Council seat continued with JDS declaring realtor Vivekananda as its candidate on Wednesday, coinciding with the BJPs Dr EC Ningaraj Gowda filing his nomination papers for the June 3 biennial polls. The lack of consensus between the alliance partners is likely to mar the prospects of their candidate as Congress has fielded a veteran and former MLC Marithibbe Gowda. But Vivekananda is likely to give a stiff fight, sources said. He was the backbone of former MLA SaRa Mahesh and former minister GT Devegowda and helped them in the previous Assembly polls, they added. Mahesh and Devegowda were said to have convinced Kumaraswamy to give the ticket to Vivekananda, though former MLC KT Srinkante Gowda was also in the race. Interestingly, it was Srinkante Gowda who introduced Vivekananda into politics, remarked a leader close to him. The South Teachers constituency has an electorate of 18,000 teachers from Mysuru, Mandya, Hassan and Chamarajanagar districts. On Saturday, the BJP parliamentary board announced candidates for five Council seats out of six going to the polls. Ningaraj Gowdas name too was in the list. The next day, the JDS leadership held a crucial meeting and resolved not to leave the South Teachers seat to BJP as JDS had won it previously with Marithibbe Gowda. The BJP leadership, including former CM BS Yediyurappa, also favoured leaving it to JDS. But the hiccup is that Ningaraj Gowda is a candidate suggested by BJP national general secretary (organisation) BL Santhosh, the sources said. After filing his nomination papers in Mysuru on Wednesday, Ningaraj Gowda met several RSS functionaries and BJP leaders to seek their advice as to whether to continue in the fray or to withdraw. BJP has not issued the B form to him to declare him as the partys official candidate. But he claimed that he will file the papers again on Thursday, the last date to do so, along with the B form. The deadline to withdraw the nomination papers is May 20 and will Ningaraj Gowda withdraw is the big question.

The New Indian Express 16 May 2024 8:01 am

Legal aid making justice accessible: chief justice

Chief Justice Obaidul Hassan today lauded the role of government's legal aid programme and said this particular service has established a milestone in getting justice regardless of a person's financial state

The Daily Star 15 May 2024 10:32 pm

Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah hosts senior Hamas' Khalil al-Hayya to discuss Gaza truce and Israel

The clandestine meeting between Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah and top Hamas official Khalil al-Hayya in Lebanon. Witness the intricate alliance between these two militant groups, both engaged in fierce clashes with Israeli forces, as they strategize their next moves against the backdrop of the ongoing Gaza conflict.

The Times of India 15 May 2024 8:26 pm

Gowda familys hold over Hassan dist under threat

The sex scandal involving Hassan MP Prajwal Revanna and his father MLA HD Revanna has caused political upheaval in Hassan district, challenging the dominance of HD Deve Gowda's family. Congress and BJP aim to challenge the Gowda family's supremacy, with significant political shifts in JD(S), Tumakuru, and the emergence of key players like Shreyas Patel and Preetham Gowda.

The Times of India 15 May 2024 2:17 pm

Sexual abuse case: SIT conducts raids in multiple locations in Karnataka's Hassan - Hindustan Times

Sexual abuse case: SIT conducts raids in multiple locations in Karnataka's Hassan Hindustan Times

Google News 15 May 2024 10:30 am

Kick, kick hurray !

KOCHI: The football landscape in Kerala, buoyed by its fervent fan base and a reservoir of talent, is set to see a new dawn with the advent of the Super League Kerala (SLK), organised by the state football association in partnership with Unified Football Sports Development Pvt Ltd. With six inaugural teams and matches at four venues spread across the state, this mens franchise football league is, in the words of Kerala Football Association (KFA) president Navas Meeran, expected to bring the same fervour and excitement as what football fans get to experience in Latin America and Europe. A glance at the list of team owners is enough to quash any doubts regarding the scale of the league. It comprises big names such as Mahesh Bhupathi; Gowri Lakshmi Bayi, a member of the erstwhile Travancore royal family; Kaz Patafta, a former Benfica player and chairman of Australian club Brisbane Roar FC, and the whos who of the corporate world. Football commentator Sreenadh Madhukumar, who had a ringside view of the recent franchisee unveiling ceremony, attests to the leagues organisational prowess. The inauguration ceremony was amazing and touched the same standards as the Indian Premier League, he gushes. I have a very positive impression about the SLK. The organisers have already given us signs that they will market this product well. But could holding an event well translate to being able to hold and manage football tournaments? Will the league help nurture more local talent? Only time will tell. But any football is good football, and more is certainly great seems to be the logic that pundits swear by. Each team will comprise four foreign players, besides young and talented players from both Kerala and other states. According to an SLK statement, at least 100 players from the state will be part of the league. Sreenadh points out that grassroots-level development neednt be the main focus of the SLK now as there are already a plethora of initiatives steered by the KFA and the All India Football Federation (AIFF) to facilitate this. His only concern is timing. The SLK games will likely overlap with the Indian Super League (ISL) and the KFAs own Kerala Premier League (KPL), he says. But I believe this wont be a problem as SLK will most definitely glam up to catch its own audience. The Super League is slated to commence in September and will last 45-60 days. However, Navas assures that the league will be designed in such a way that fixtures dont clash with the games of ISL and I-League. Football enthusiast Unni Paravannur dismisses concerns of overlapping. Kerala Blasters, the only ISL team from Kerala, has already built a dedicated fan base for their team. SLK will not affect their following, he says. The same holds true the other way as well. Rather than ISL being a deterrent for SLK, it might well augment it as the latter can ride the Manjappada wave for better reach and TV presence. Notably, the TPuram Kombans FC and the Kochi Pipers FC will share the Nehru Stadium in Kaloor with the Kerala Blasters as their home base. The Kannur and Kozhikode teams will use the EMS Corporation Stadium, while Malappuram and Thrissur will play their home matches in Manjeri, says Mathew Joseph, CEO of SLK. Unni laments that the football infrastructure in the state, despite its longstanding passion for the game, is not comparable with other states such as West Bengal or Odisha. Thats why we dont get to see the Indian national team play in Kerala, he says. One of the persistent concerns raised by the Greater Cochin Development Authority, which manages the Nehru Stadium, is the lack of matches. While SLK is certain to soothe this ache to some extent with its fixtures, Unni maintains that its not a win, as most take it, for Kaloor stadium. More football is good, but whether that will actually translate to any credible work on refurbishment of the infrastructure remains to be seen, he adds. Unni, however, remains optimistic about SLKs prospects. Just as how ISL positively impacted how football is showcased to the audience, this league, too, will raise the profile of Kerala football, he says. Injecting money into football is indeed beneficial, but the decision to set up a new league instead of integrating with the Kerala Premier League (KPL), the associations own league and officially recognised by AIFF, puzzles Krishnan G, who hosts the Gods Own Football podcast. The current leadership won the election to the KFA super body promising to introduce this league. They could have done so in KPL itself. Instead, they went for something entirely new, he notes. The trouble or the challenge now would be how to link these extra clubs or franchises to the existing structure. We can only wait and watch. Another struggle for the KPL teams is that the talent quality available for them will go down as SLK takes precedence. Three prominent KPL teams have a tie-up with SLK sides. TNIE has learnt that Wayanad United is already mulling moving its top players to Kannur Squad, which its president Shammem Backer co-owns. A similar move is unfolding at Kovalam FC as well, which has ties to Kombans. Whats noteworthy here is that it is the top two teams of the Kerala Premier League that go on to play in the I-League division. Because SLK has foreign players, AIFF regulations mean that they are not eligible to compete in official leagues, says Krishnan. Football analyst Mishal Thanveer holds a similar opinion. The new league seems more about profit than enhancing the sports. Its the same I-League vs ISL scenario again. The KPL, with its 22-team format, is a huge platform for players to get much-needed matches. I hope SLK should in no way affect that, he says. However, Mathew, the CEO of SLK, clarifies that the league is held as per AIFF rules. The league is officially sanctioned by AIFF and KFA, he says. Meanwhile, a KFA official says the SLK is expected to meet I-League criteria a few years down the line, when more franchisees add to the current list. According to Kenny Roger Moise, a football enthusiast, sports leagues are like weddings in India. Big, loud and colourful. Every state is organising its own league. Yes, big leagues have given football the glitz and glam the game deserves, he says. But I wonder if its sustainable, and whether such leagues have a long-term vision. They focus on profit, rather than nurturing talents. Even as there is a bit of skepticism in the air, the legends are gung-ho about the new league. If India has to qualify for the World Cup, Kerala has a huge role to play. We need to produce 11 players like I M Vijayan and Jo Paul Anchery, and I hope SLK will help in doing that, says former Indian skipper Bhaichung Bhutia. Vijayan, the black pearl of Indian football, is also excited about SLK, of which he is an ambassador. During our days, there were several tournaments, and that was what propelled seven to nine players from Kerala to the national camp at one point of time, he recalls. I hope SLK brings those amazing days back. Currently, only a few players from Kerala get the opportunity to play in the Indian Super League and the I-League. If the SLK promises to open a new world for Kerala football and help aspiring local footballers develop a more professional attitude towards the sport, then we have only one thing to say: game on! Teams & owners Kochi Pipers: Mahesh Bhupathi Thrissur Roar: Kaz Patafta, CEO of Brisbane Roar FC; Benoit Joseph of Magnus Sports, Mohammed Rafeeq of Nusym Technologies Kannur Squad: M P Hassan Kunhi, director of Kannur Intl Airport Ltd; Mibu Jose Nettikadan, MD of Castle Group; Praveesh Kuzhuppilly, Asset Homes director; and Shameem Backer of Wayanad FC Thiruvananthapuram Kombans: Aswathy Thirunal Gowri Lakshmi Bayi; Dr Mohamed Ilyas Sahadulla, KIMS Hospital CMD; K C Chandrahasan, of Kerala Travels; and T J Mathews, Kovalam FC Malappuram FC: Ajmal Bismi, MD of Bismi Group; Dr Anvar Ameen Chelat, of SAT Tirur FC and Grand Hypermarkets; and Baby Neelambra, President of Saudi Indian Football Forum Calicut Sulthans FC: V K Mathews, tech entrepreneur and chairman of IBS Group

The New Indian Express 15 May 2024 9:50 am

Kerala: Go slow on revamp, high command tells Sudhakaran

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In an apparent setback for state Congress chief K Sudhakaran, the party high command has stalled his move for an immediate organisational revamp of the party in Kerala. Party leaders as well as workers are in a holiday mood now after hectic electioneering lasting over a month. The national leadership is of the view that party revamp can wait, and senior leaders agreed to it, KPCC general secretary (organisation) T U Radhakrishnan told TNIE on Tuesday. The entire process can be set rolling once the election results are out on June 4, Radhakrishnan said. Sudhakaran returns as Kerala Congress chief, questions some decisions by Hassan After resuming charge as the KPCC chief recently, Sudhakaran, who is the Congress candidate from Kannur Lok Sabha constituency, has taken upon himself the task of organisational revamp, which is long overdue. He had called a meeting of state office bearers and district Congress committee presidents at Indira Bhavan on Thursday. District leadership of the party have been reportedly directed to prepare a list of names to be considered for the revamp. Till now, the practice was that Sudhakaran and Leader of Opposition V D Satheesan would jointly ask for the lists from DCCs as well as factions within the party. On receipt of the list, both leaders would sit together and finalise the names. But now Sudhakaran is keen to get rid of any outside intervention, including that of Satheesan. A senior Congress leader attributed Sudhakarans stubborn stand to the deliberate leaking of an audio in which Satheesan questioned him on the funds received for the Lok Sabha elections. Sudhakaran was cast in bad light which led to uncertainty over him resuming the role of party chief. He is annoyed at this, and has decided to take up tasks, including orgnaisation revamp, single-handedly, the senior leader said.

The New Indian Express 15 May 2024 7:33 am

HD Revanna released from Parappana Agrahara jail

BENGALURU: Holenarasipur JDS MLA, 66-year-old HD Revanna, who was arrested on charges of kidnapping a 47-year-old victim of sexual assault, was released from the Parappana Agrahara central prison around 1.30 pm on Tuesday. He was accompanied by a few party MLAs and other leaders, while several party workers had gathered outside the jail to extend their support. They greeted him with slogans and followed him in a large convoy of vehicles. As he was walking out of the prison, Revanna refused to speak to mediapersons, but greeted them with only a namaste. At 2.05 pm, he arrived at his sisters house in Padmanabhanagar to meet his parents. He is said to have wept looking at his family members and took blessings from his father, former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda, and mother Chennammma. Revannas brother and former Karnataka chief minister HD Kumaraswamy was at the house. A team of advocates also accompanied Revanna. After taking a rest for a while, he then went to a temple. Elaborate police deployment had been made near the prison. One DCP, three ACPs, six inspectors, 20 sub-inspectors and 250 police personnel were on security duty. The police were also deployed near the Padmanabhanagar residence and the roads were barricaded. Felt bad for Revanna, this should not have happened to their family: DK Shivakumar Revanna, who spent six days in jail, was granted conditional bail on Monday by a Special Court for Elected Representatives. He was remanded in judicial custody on May 8 after his arrest from his sisters house in Padmanabhanagar on May 4. Two FIRs have been registered against him. The first complaint of sexual harassment was filed by one of the victims at the Holenarasipur Town police station in Hassan district on April 28. The second of kidnapping was registered by another victims 20-year-old son on May 2 at the KR Nagar police station in Mysuru district, for which Revanna was arrested. Sexual assault victim says she was not kidnapped; questions now over Revannas arrest

The New Indian Express 15 May 2024 7:31 am

India denies Maldives' accusation of 'unauthorised' naval chopper sortie

Indian naval chopper accused of unauthorised sortie in Maldives, high commission in Male dismisses allegation. Indian aviation platforms in Maldives operate as per agreed procedures with due authorisation for humanitarian assistance and disaster response including Dornier aircraft operations. Ghassan Maumoon alleges unauthorised operation in 2019, emergency landing at Thimarafushi due to unforeseen exigency with ATC approvals for safety.

The Times of India 15 May 2024 3:45 am

Bureaucrats dominate legal aid services: CJ

Chief Justice Obaidul Hassan today expressed utter dismay at the inconsistencies and financial constraints of the National Legal Aid and Services Organization (NLASO), saying that this organisation is not run by the judiciary, but in fact dominated by the bureaucrats

The Daily Star 14 May 2024 10:28 pm

India slams Maldives defence minister's claim that it carried out unauthorised helicopter landing

NEW DELHI: India has slammed Maldives defence minister Mohamed Ghassan Maumoon's allegation at a press conference on May 11 that Indian military personnel carried out an unauthorised helicopter landing during the earlier regime under President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih. In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Indian High Commission in Male said, Indian aviation platforms in the Maldives have always operated as per agreed procedures and with due authorization from the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF). The specific sortie of 9th October, 2019, referred to in the press conference was taken with their prior approval. The emergency landing at Thimarafushi was necessitated due to an unforeseen exigency, which was carried out after taking necessary on-ground approvals from the Air Traffic Controller (ATC) to ensure the safety and security of the platform and the crew. It may be recalled that all 88 Indian military personnel stationed across Maldives, deputed to take care of one helicopter and two Dornier aircraft used for medical evacuation and emergency services, have returned to India and have been replaced by technical staff since May 10. In the past five years when I worked in the Parliament, there was an instance where a concern was raised on a flight that operated without authorization. Such flights cannot operate in the present administration, Maumoon said during the press conference. The exact dates of the incident were not mentioned. Maumoon also said that the present government has now gained complete command and control of the aircraft. 'True gesture of goodwill': Maldives thanks India for $50 million budgetary support

The New Indian Express 14 May 2024 10:17 pm

SIT conducts searches at several places in Hassan

The places belong to people said to be close associates of former BJP MLA Preetham Gowda

The Hindu 14 May 2024 8:04 pm

No unauthorised operation by Indian military pilots in Maldives: High Commission

Male, May 14: India on Tuesday dismissed the claim made by Maldivian Defence Minister Ghassan Maumoon, alleging that Indian military helicopter pilots stationed in the Maldives carried out an unauthorised operation in 2019. In a statement, the High Commission of India in the Maldives asserted that Indian aviation platforms in the Maldives have always operated according to the agreed procedures and with due authorisation. The clarification came days after India completed the withdrawal of 76 military personnel from the Maldives [] The post No unauthorised operation by Indian military pilots in Maldives: High Commission appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Daily Excelsior 14 May 2024 7:42 pm

'Attacks Won't Stop': Hezbollah Chief Roars Against Israel & Arab Leaders Over Gaza Onslaught

Hezbollah Chief Hassan Nasrallah has sent shockwaves through Israel with his bold declaration to persist in the fight against the nation. Nasrallah's pledge comes amidst escalating tensions, as he warns Israel of an impending historical dilemma in Gaza. He predicts Israel will face either defeat or plunge into an abyss if it continues its military campaign. Moreover, Nasrallah celebrates the recent October 7 attack, hailing it as a revitalization of the Palestinian cause and underscoring the significant support for Palestine's full UN membership. The region braces for further developments as the conflict intensifies. Click to Find out more about the unfolding situation.

The Times of India 14 May 2024 7:26 pm

Big Whale Behind Sex Scandal Video Leak: HD Kumaraswamy's Jab At Congress

Janata Dal (Secular) leader H D Kumaraswamy on Tuesday alleged that there was a ig whale behind the leaking of explicit videos of women being sexually abused allegedly by his nephew and party MP from Hassan, Prajwal Revanna.

NDTV 14 May 2024 7:25 pm

Big whale behind brothers ordeal, says JDS leader Kumaraswamy; Dy CM rebuts, saying he's busy with poll campaigning

Karnatakas special investigation team (SIT) is probing the alleged sexual abuse of women by Hassan NDA candidate Prajwal Revanna, who has been absconding since April 27. The SIT recently arrested his MLA father for being part of a plot to abduct a victim of sexual abuse from her house.

The Economic Times 14 May 2024 7:20 pm

Karnataka Sex Scandal: JDS MLA HD Revanna Granted Bail In Kidnapping Case Linked To `Sexual Abuse` By Son

This case is connected toan alleged case of kidnapping of a woman, which is linked to allegations of sexual abuse of women by his son and Hassan MP Prajwal Revanna.

Zee News 14 May 2024 3:45 pm

HD Revanna to be out of jail today on conditional bail

The former Minister was arrested by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) in an alleged case of abduction of a woman, linked to the allegations of sexual abuse of women by his son and Hassan MP Prajwal Revanna, on May 4

Mid Day 14 May 2024 1:56 pm

Police Arrest 2 Narco Smugglers In Jammu And Kashmirs Baramulla

SRINAGAR, May 14: Police arrested two drug smugglers and recovered heroin worth Rs 2 crore from their possession in Jammu and Kashmirs Baramulla district on Tuesday. Police said that they intercepted two persons at a checkpoint established at Ganie Mohalla Trikanjan, and during their search, 446 grams of contraband heroin-like substance worth approximately Rs 2 crore were recovered from their possession on Tuesday. The duo, identified as Abdul Qayoom Ganie and Ghulam Hassan Ganie, residents of Trikanjan Boniyar, were arrested [] The post Police Arrest 2 Narco Smugglers In Jammu And Kashmirs Baramulla appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Daily Excelsior 14 May 2024 10:53 am

Arkalgud MLA Manju files plaint against Congress worker

BENGALURU: A day after Arkalgud JDS MLA A Manju was suspected of leaking the pen drives allegedly containing the explicit videos of his own partys Hassan MP Prajwal Revanna, the former approached SIT officials at their office in CID building here and filed a complaint against Congress worker Naveen Gowda. In a social media post on Sunday, Naveen, who is among the suspects to have leaked the videos, said he had given the pen drive to Manju on April 21 and soon after, it was widely distributed on the streets of Hassan. Manju could have leaked the videos, he posted. I do not know who Naveen Gowda is. I have never met him. I have filed a complaint against him with the SIT. I want the truth to come out. I do not know why I am being targeted now. I filed the complaint so that people do not think that I am behind leaking the contents of the pen drives. This might be an attempt to create a rift between me and JDS leader HD Deve Gowda, Manju told reporters outside the CID building. He said no one in JDS knows where Prajwal Revanna is. Through newspaper reports I came to know that Prajwal has cancelled his return tickets. Such incidents should not happen anywhere. Those who are behind leaking the videos have to be punished. I met Revanna in the jail and spoke to him. I also met Deve Gowda, Manju said. Meanwhile, a team of SIT officers has camped in Hassan searching for the remaining accused, wanted in leaking the contents of the pen drives. A team of FSL experts visited Prajwals MP Quarters on RC Road in Hassan to collect evidence. Heavy police deployment was made near Parappana Agrahara after some JDS leaders and workers started gathering near the prison after Revanna was granted bail earlier. One KSRP platoon along with the Electronics City subdivision police were deployed. All entry roads to the jail were barricaded. Prison officials had not allowed anybody to meet Revanna from Friday till Monday.

The New Indian Express 14 May 2024 8:30 am

Victims video wont impact probe in Hassan sexual abuse case: Legal experts

BENGALURU: A day after a video clip surfaced on social media, in which the alleged sexual assault victim claimed that nobody kidnapped her and that MLA HD Revanna and his son and Hassan MP Prajwal Revanna are innocent, the video may not have any implication on the investigation being carried out by the SIT. It is left to the investigating officer (IO) whether to take the video seriously or not. Releasing such a video is said to be an offence. Legal experts opined that playing to the gallery with such statements is objectionable. Her statement could be true, but the manner in which she is marshalling it out is said to be objectionable. Her video reveals that she is aware of the investigation and somebody is the accused, they added. If at all she has to make such a statement, it is better if she does it before the IO. If the IO refuses then she can give her statement before a magistrate under Section 164, they said. The accused cannot be exonerated with such videos. The police should give her protection to ensure that she is not won over by anyone. Her statement may have value to the accused only if she gives it before the magistrate, they said. Releasing such a video falls within the definition of an offence under Section 201 of IPC. It amounts to derailing probe. Investigation is a secretive process which will be handled by the investigating officer with information provided to the magistrate. If such things can be allowed, anybody who is a victim can be won over by the other side and can be made to give a statement that no offence occurred, senior advocate M S Shyamsundar told TNIE .

The New Indian Express 14 May 2024 7:56 am

Hezbollah head says displaced Israeli northerners will not return home if Gaza war persists

Hezbollah head says displaced Israeli northerners will not return home if Gaza war persists The head of powerful Lebanese armed group Hezbollah said on Monday that residents of northern Israel would not be able to return home for the start of the next school year if their government pressed on with its offensive in the Gaza Strip. Hezbollah has been exchanging fire with the Israeli military across Lebanon's southern border in parallel with the Gaza war. The armed group has said it is launching rockets at Israel both to support its ally, Palestinian armed group Hamas, and to deter Israel from launching an attack on Lebanon. In a televised address on Monday, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah repeated that his group would keep fighting as long as Israel continued its assault of Gaza. The link between the supportive Lebanese front and Gaza is definitive, final and conclusive, he said. No one will be able to de-link them. The fighting has displaced tens of thousands of people on both sides of the border and prompted fears of a bigger war between the heavily-armed adversaries. Israel has said it wants to secure the north for residents to return home, either through a mediated diplomatic agreement or a military attack against Lebanon. Families displaced from northern Israel had been hoping to return home by September 1 for the start of the academic school year. Nasrallah addressed the displaced on Monday, saying: if you want to solve the issue, go to your government and tell them to stop the war on Gaza. Efforts by Egypt and Qatar to secure a ceasefire in Gaza faltered last week, after Israel effectively spurned a plan from international mediators. Israeli forces on Monday pushed deep into the ruins of Gaza's northern edge to recapture an area where they claimed to have dismantled Hamas months ago, while in the south tanks and troops pushed across a highway into Rafah. The Israeli military also continued strikes on Lebanon over the weekend and on Monday, security sources said. Hezbollah has responded with rocket fire, and Nasrallah said his group was continuing to develop its operations in quantity and quality.

devdiscourse 14 May 2024 12:12 am

JDS MLA H.D. Revanna Granted Bail in Woman's Abduction Case

BENGALURU: Janata Dal Secular (JDS) MLA and former minister H.D. Revanna was granted bail by a Special Court for elected representatives in Bengaluru city on Monday, amid allegations of abduction of a woman who is claimed to have been a victim of sexual exploitation. Revanna is currently held at Parappana Agrahara Prison in Bengaluru city for five days. The woman is alleged to be one of the victims of sexual exploitation by his son Prajwal Revanna, a Lok Sabha member representing the Hassan seat. Speaking to reporters after the bail hearing, Revanna's advocate, Srinivas, stated that the Court found discrepancies in the investigation conducted by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) and consequently granted bail. He further alleged that the accusations against Revanna were politically motivated. As part of the bail conditions, the Court required Revanna to provide a Rs 5 lakh personal bond and two sureties, among other stipulations. When asked about his client's release, the advocate expressed confidence that Revanna would be released from prison on Tuesday upon fulfilling the Court's requirements. Revanna was taken into custody by the sleuths of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) under the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) on May 4 from the residence of his father, former Prime Minister H.D. Devegowda. According to the police complaint filed by the victim's son H.D. Raju, his mother, a former maid at Revanna's residence in Holenarsipur, was allegedly abducted from their house in Hebbalu Koppalu, Krishnaraja Nagar taluk of Mysuru district, in an attempt to pressure her into not disclosing the alleged sexual harassment by Prajwal Revanna to investigating officers. Based on the complaint lodged by the victim's son, the Krishnaraja Nagar police filed a First Information Report against Revanna. The 17th Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate in Bengaluru city had ordered judicial custody for Revanna until Monday. Revanna, along with his son Prajwal, has been accused of sexual exploitation of women, and cases have been registered against them at Holenarsipura Town police station. Prajwal reportedly fled the country on April 27 after allegations of sexual exploitation surfaced, leading the State Government to form a SIT. A blue corner notice has been issued against him by Interpol officials.

Deccan Chronicle 14 May 2024 12:10 am

Karnataka sex scandal: Woman accuses Prajwal of forcing her to strip on video call

A woman has come forward with shocking allegations against suspended Janata Dal leader Prajwal Revanna and his father HD Revanna. The woman accused Prajwal of heinous acts, including raping her mother and forcing he to strip on video calls. Prajwal is the NDA candidate from the Hassan Lok Sabha seat where polling was held on Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

The Siasat Daily 13 May 2024 9:42 pm

Special Court grants bail to Karnataka MLA Revanna

Bengaluru, May 13 (UNI) In a significant development, the special court for elected representatives in Karnataka on Monday granted bail to Janata Dal (Secular) leader and Holenarsipura MLA HD Revanna. This decision comes in the wake of a case involving alleged kidnapping, linked to the sexual abuse charges against his son and Hassan MP Prajwal... The post Special Court grants bail to Karnataka MLA Revanna first appeared on Central India's Premier English Daily .

Central Chronicle 13 May 2024 8:50 pm

JD(S) MLA H D Revanna granted bail by court in kidnap case

BENGALURU: The Special PMLA Court on Monday granted bail to JD(S) leader and Holenarsipura MLA HD Revannawho is facing charges of kidnapping a survivor in an alleged sexual assault involving his son, Hassan MP Prajwal Revanna. The bail was granted on surety of Rs 5 lakh. Judge Santhosh Gajanan Bhat pronounced the order after hearing the arguments of the accused and the prosecution. Before this, senioradvocate C V Nagesh on behalf of Revanna argued that Section 364 (A), invoked against his client, was introducedby way of amendment to Section 364 of IPC to punish dreaded terroristsindulging inabduction after thehijacking of an Indian Airlines flight to Afghanistan's Kandahar in 1999. Nagesh made this submission to narrate the severity of the offence punishable under Section 364 (A) along with 365 of IPC invoked against the accused Revanna. Nagesh argued that the registration of the crime is impermissible according to law since the essential factors to attract the offences invoked against the accused do not exist.Revanna has been dragged into the case for political reasons when the Lok Sabha elections are being held, he contended. The prosecution has not made out a case in the remand application, he said, praying to the court to grant bail in his marathon argument. Countering it, Additional Special Public Prosecutors Jayna Kothari and Ashok Naik argued that the accused indulged in abducting the victim to cover up multiple sexual assaults by his sonwhois still absconding. Also, the victim has disclosed the sexual assault in her statementandit is a clear case of abduction. The severity of punishment is high in this case if it is proven, they said. There isthethreat of danger tothevictim, witnesses and apprehension of tampering evidence since the accused is influential. There isaprima facie case against him, they argued. H D Revanna was arrested on May 4 after his anticipatory bail plea in the kidnapping case was rejected by the special court for elected representatives. (With inputs from Online Desk)

The New Indian Express 13 May 2024 7:28 pm

Cong demands Prajwal Revanna's extradition from Germany in murder case

Cong demands Prajwal Revanna's extradition from Germany in murder case The Congress on Monday demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi make all efforts to bring back Karnataka's JD(S) leader Prajwal Revanna, who fled the country after sexual abuse allegations surfaced against him. Talking to reporters, the Congress' women wing president Alka Lamba said the party will show black flags to Modi during his rally and roadshow in Mumbai on May 15 and 17. ''You should bring back Prajwal Revanna and hand him over to the Karnataka government. The silence of PM and BJP leaders is like supporting the accused,'' Lamba said. The Centre must make talk to Germany to get back Revanna, she said. After the sexual abuse allegations surfaced, Revanna fled to Germany. ''We will show you (Modi) black flags and gherao you even if you arrest us,'' Lamba said, adding her party is making plans for the agitation during the PM's visit to Mumbai. So far three FIRs have been registered in Hassan, Mysuru and Bengaluru against Revanna, the NDA's Hassan Lok Sabha constituency candidate, and his father H D Revanna in connection with the sexual abuse allegations. The Karnataka government has constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the case following a complaint by the State Commission for Women chairperson Nagalakshmi Chowdhary. The JD(S) leadership has suspended Prajwal from the party.

devdiscourse 13 May 2024 7:13 pm

'No Pilots To Fly Aircraft': Maldives Suffers After Indian Troop Withdrawal | Watch

Amidst growing tensions between India and the Maldives, Defence Minister Ghassan Maumoon made a pivotal announcement during a press conference at the President's Office. Maumoon addressed the media regarding the withdrawal of Indian soldiers stationed in the Maldives to operate two helicopters, shedding light on a critical issue gripping the island nation. With relations strained and President Mohamed Muizzu urging for a complete withdrawal of Indian troops, the situation hangs in the balance. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story. Click to Find out more.

The Times of India 13 May 2024 6:47 pm

Prajwal Revanna case | Karnataka Rashtra Samiti party demands court-monitored investigation

KRS workers staged Hassan Chalo protest march and submitted a memorandum to the district DC.

The Hindu 13 May 2024 5:26 pm

Prajwal Revanna sexual assault case | Hassan MLA demands arrest of all those behind circulation of videos

The JD(S) MLA tried to meet Prajwal Revanna in the prison in Bengaluru but was denied permission.

The Hindu 13 May 2024 5:06 pm

Prajwal Revanna sexual assault case | Hassan MLA demands arrest of all those behind circulation of videos - The Hindu

Prajwal Revanna sexual assault case | Hassan MLA demands arrest of all those behind circulation of videos The Hindu

Google News 13 May 2024 5:06 pm

'Prajwal Raped My Mother, Forced Me To Strip On Video Calls': Woman Complainant Tells Cops In Sex Scandal Case

As per the woman's allegations, Hassan MP Prajwal Revanna raped her mother four to five years back at his Bengaluru residence

News18 13 May 2024 10:20 am

SIT won't go abroad to bring back Prajwal Revanna: Home minister G Parameshwara

State home minister G Parameshwara discussed the SIT not going abroad to find MP Prajwal Revanna in the Hassan sex scandal. Interpol's blue-corner notice is expected to help the state police. Concerns over Congress workers' comments were raised.

The Times of India 13 May 2024 10:08 am

Charred memories of Manipur's ethnic conflict

CHENNAI: Dots, dashes, demarcations. These arbitrary thin lines that crisscross ocean and land, arguably teach us our first idea of global boundaries, during dreary geography classes. Dots, dashes, us vs them. Boundaries leak beyond maps, and spill into the world, brewing hateful divides. Hurtling past the boundaries of a map, Thangboilal Vaiphei and Andrew, like many citizens from Manipur, cross through National Highway 102B, to reach Churachandpur. The wobbly road of 102B is the only way for the Kuki-Zomi to enter Manipur, as the ethnic conflict between two communities Meitei and Kukis-Zomi continues...this journey includes a 20 hours road journey and a few hours in a flight, writes Manisha Mondal, a journalist, whose work was among the 100-odd images exhibited in ICSA on Saturday. Visuals of the two students in a shaky Tata Sumo braving the path, Andrew checking maps on his phone, and Vaiphei slurping up noodles are scattered across the walls. Capturing a burning, conflict-ridden Manipur, the exhibition features works by Manisha, journalists Rokibuz Zaman and Greeshma Kuthar, and photojournalist Aakash Hassan. A year after the ethnic conflict began, organisations in Tamil Nadu, including the Indian Christian Womens Movement, Dravidar Kazhagam, Poovulangin Nanbargal, All India Democratic Womens Association, and Neelam Cultural Centre stand in solidarity with Manipur and call for an end to the conflict. Official record says 223 people died, ,more than 60,000 people have been displaced, both internally and in other states whether Assam or Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh, or Delhi or Calcutta, says Makepeace Sitlhou, journalist. According to writer-journalist Jeyarani, The country is divided into pieces based on caste and religion. The constitution that holds us together, should be the basis of all the decisions we make. Dr BR Ambedkar gave us the constitution but we are entering a situation where democracy lives on in the pages but not in society. The violence that Manipur is feeling should disturb the whole society. As Dr Aiswarya Rao,organiser,says, each visual in the exhibition delves into different themes, following the conditions of women, displacement, death, grief, andviolence. As the war continues, she underscores the importance of solidarity. Refugees and riots A woman praying with her hands clenched, another weaving her way through the forest to provide supplies, hundreds of women on the street in Imphal protesting the killing of two Meitei students each shot is a chilling glimpse of a state wreaked by violence, Protestors, agitators, instigators their role in this conflict is defined by who you ask their loved ones or the police, the exhibition reminds. In the US last year, Makepeace worked on an article delving into illegal migrants, crossing borders, and dangerous dunki routes. One interview lingered in her mind about a Punjabi man and his brothers who relocated to America after the Sikh massacre. After the 9/11 attacks, one of the mans brothers was first to be killed in a hate crime. A white man shot him at a gas station and said death to towel heads. It is so hard to digest to leaving your land and state-sponsored violence and then come to a land where you are targeted: What sense of security would you carry? Until we have a government that is willing to take accountability, we can only dream of a land that is safe and secure. On internal displacement, Greeshma shares her experience of reporting on the ground in Manipur and speaking to displaced communities in Chennai, We have to speak about this (issue) now because we dont know what will happen post the election. Because we have not spoken about this issue, it has dragged on for so long. In May (2023), it was a riot, how did it become a civil war?We need to think about how this happened. If we dont question anything, this will happen. Suganthi from AIDWA, A Arulmozhi, and Mathivadhani from Dravidar Kazhagam, advocate Papa Mohan, Rev Jacqueline Jothi from Church of South India and Vetriselvan, Poovulagin Nanbargal, were present. According to a release, the organisations call for the government to ensure that the ideologically and politically motivated violence is stopped and that the laws of the land are upheld. We ask that all victims and their families, be it Kuki or Meitei, be adequately compensated and cared for. We call for perpetrators of all crimes committed during the violence to be brought to book. From the rap by Sollisai Sistahs, and notes from Dhamma the Band to a satirical play, each performance echoed the thoughts of solidarity. The air was filled with the yearning for change, beyond dots, dashes, and demarcations.

The New Indian Express 13 May 2024 10:05 am

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Khaleej Times 13 May 2024 9:14 am

Two held in Karnataka for uploading obscene videos allegedly of Prajwal Revanna

HASSAN: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) late on Saturday night arrested two youths in Hassan City for posting on social media obscene videos and photos allegedly showing Hassan JDS-BJP Lok Sabha candidate Prajwal Revanna. Six SIT officials from Bengaluru arrived in Hassan on Saturday night, taking Likith Gowda and Chetan into custody. The two were interrogated for over four-and-a-half hours at the Cyber crime police station in Hassan. Likith hails from Shravanabelagola in Channarayapatna taluk, while Chetan is from Yelagunda village of Hassan taluk. The two are said to be BJP workers. SIT officials took both in separate vehicles to their villages for spot mahazars. The duo had allegedly put up obscene photos of Prajwal on Facebook and later deleted them. Sources said SIT officials recovered a pen drive from Likhith and are continuing the investigation. On April 23, the cyber crime police in Hassan registered cases against Naveen Gowda and six others for allegedly posting obscene photos of Prajwal on social media and also distributing them to the public. The cases were registered based on a complaint filed by JDS worker and advocate Poornachandra Tejasvi. Likith Gowda

The New Indian Express 13 May 2024 8:13 am

Sexual assault victim says she was not kidnapped; questions now over Revannas arrest

MYSURU: In a major twist to the kidnapping case of the sexual assault victim, in which the Special Investigation Team had arrested JDS MLA HD Revanna, a video clip said to be of the victim has surfaced on social media. In the clip, the woman claimed that nobody had kidnapped her and that Revanna and his son and Hassan MP Prajwal Revanna are innocent. The woman was a domestic help at Revnnas residence when she was allegedly sexually assaulted. The video comes a day ahead of Revannas bail plea to be heard in a special court on Monday. In the short clip, the woman says she had visited her relatives house in Hunsur for a few days. But when she saw the news on TV channels that her son Raju had filed a police complaint against Revanna, his close aide Satish Babu and Prajwal, she was shocked, she claimed. I was worried why my son had filed a complaint when I was not kidnapped. I want to clarify that Revanna, Prajwal Revanna and Babanna (Satish Babu) did not harm me. They have looked after me very well. I have no connection to the video (sleaze video of Prajwal Revanna) released on mobile phones. Nobody harmed me. I have not done anything wrong, she said. The woman also assured the family members that she is fine and will return home soon. Nobody should panic. I am in a safe place. I request the police not to harass my family members by visiting our house. As there are small children in our house, they will get scared. As we are labourers, our neighbours will see our family in low light if the police regularly visit our house. Leave us alone. If we face any problem, we will approach the police station. But right now, we have no problem. If my family members suffer any problem, then the police will be responsible. My son had filed a complaint in panic as I was away in a relatives house, the woman said. However, TNIE has not independently verified the authenticity of the video doing the rounds on social media platforms and also on television channels. In the meantime, the relative too claimed that the victim had come to her house to get medical treatment at a Hunsur hospital. She said the police, however, had picked her up from their house. JDS MLC KT Srikantegowda told TNIE that false charges have been framed against Revanna. The womans daughter and son-in-law have clearly stated that the woman was not kidnapped. They have given the statement clearing the air. Why should the kidnap charges continue against Revanna when the family members have clarified, he asked. When TNIE contacted the police, they were tight-lipped. They only said the SIT is probing the case and they have no further knowledge of it. The state government set up the Special Investigation Team after the alleged sex tapes of Prajwal Revanna surfaced. There are also reports that the woman in the video clip which had gone viral is not the victim but her relative.

The New Indian Express 13 May 2024 7:46 am

Maldives military pilots not capable of flying Dornier and helicopters donated by India: Defence minister Ghassan

MALE, May 12 : The Maldives military still does not have pilots capable of operating three aircraft donated by India, Defence Minister Ghassan Maumoon has acknowledged, days after 76 Indian defence personnel left the island nation at the instance of Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu. Ghassan made the remarks at a press conference held at the Presidents Office here on Saturday to brief the media about the withdrawal of Indian soldiers stationed in the Maldives to operate two helicopters and a [] The post Maldives military pilots not capable of flying Dornier and helicopters donated by India: Defence minister Ghassan appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Daily Excelsior 13 May 2024 5:05 am

Maldives Pilots Not Capable Of Flying India-Donated Dornier, Helicopters: Defence Minister Ghassan

Ghassan made the remarks at a press conference held at the Presidents Office here on Saturday to brief the media about the withdrawal of Indian soldiers

News18 12 May 2024 11:27 pm

2 held over circulation of videos involving Prajwal

Two persons -- Chetan and Likith Gowda -- were arrested in Hassan, and they are reportedly associated with the Bharatiya Janata Party in the district, they said.

Rediff 12 May 2024 11:22 pm

Pilots Incapable Of Flying Aircraft Donated By India: Maldives Minister

Maldives military still does not have pilots capable of operating three aircraft donated by India, Defence Minister Ghassan Maumoon has acknowledged, days after 76 Indian defence personnel left the island nation at the instance of Maldives President.

NDTV 12 May 2024 11:02 pm

Two die in an accident in Hassan

The Hindu 12 May 2024 7:50 pm

Karnataka CM rules out CBI probe in sexual abuse case against MP Prajwal

Bengaluru: Ruling out transfer of the probe into sexual abuse charges against Hassan MP Prajwal Revanna to the CBI, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Sunday said he reposed faith in the Special Investigation Team of the state police, which is investigating the case. Questioning BJP's locus standi to make such a demand, he asked the opposition party as to why it doesn't trust the police. He also hit out at the saffron party for making misleading statements aimed at causing confusion in the minds of the people about SIT, which is conducting a fair probe. We are getting the probe done by our police (SIT), we have belief and faith in our police. They are efficient, Siddaramaiah said in response to a question on BJP demanding a CBI probe. Speaking to Reporters here, he pointed out that the BJP had once called CBI Corruption Bureau of Investigation, and the party never handed over a single case to the central agency while in power, despite Congress' repeated demands. He further said, It's not that I don't have faith in CBI, the cases that need be handed over to CBI will be given. When I was the Chief Minister earlier, I had given seven cases to CBI, but there was no conviction even in a single case... that doesn't mean I dont have faith in CBI... SIT is also an investigating agency like CBI, we will get the probe done by our police. The 33-year-old JD(S) MP Prajwal Revanna, who is grandson of JD(S) patriarch and former PM H D Deve Gowda, is facing charges of sexually abusing women. The scandal has raised a political storm with the ruling Congress and BJP-JD(S) engaged in a slugfest. While the Congress government has formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the cases, the BJP and JD(S) -- NDA partners -- have demanded that it be handed over to the CBI, and action against those behind the circulation of explicit videos. Responding to allegations that BJP leader Devaraje Gowda was arrested to save ruling Congress and its leaders, who are allegedly behind circulation of explicit videos, the CM said the BJP's job is to make false allegations. He (Devaraje Gowda) has been arrested following allegations of sexual abuse against woman, a complaint was filed on April 1. We are not interfering in the investigation of the police (SIT). Police have been given full freedom, it is their duty to investigate and get the guilty punished. To a query on Union Minister Pralhad Joshi's alleged statement accusing Congress government of witch hunt against BJP workers in connection with the case, Siddaramaiah said, Pralhad Joshi is a central Minister and he should speak responsibly. ....BJP leaders are experts in lying, they only make false allegations, he said, adding that SIT is conducting a fair probe, to mislead and cause confusion in the minds of the people, intentionally such statements are being made.

Deccan Chronicle 12 May 2024 4:16 pm

Karnataka sexual abuse case: BJP leaders demand CBI probe

Bengaluru: Leaders of the opposition BJP in Karnataka on Sunday continued their demand for a CBI probe into sexual abuse charges against Hassan MP Prajwal Revanna and related cases, to ensure a fair investigation. The 33-year-old JD(S) MP, who is grandson of JD(S) patriarch and former PM H D Deve Gowda, is facing charges of Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

The Siasat Daily 12 May 2024 1:55 pm

SIT not going abroad to bring Prajwal Revanna back: Karnataka Home Minister

Bengaluru: Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara on Sunday said that the Special Investigation Team (SIT), probing into sexual abuse charges against Hassan MP Prajwal Revanna, will not be going abroad to bring him back, and the Interpol will share information about him. He also cautioned political leaders about making public statements or sharing information in Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

The Siasat Daily 12 May 2024 1:09 pm

SIT not leaving country to extradite Prajwal Revanna: Karnataka Home Minister

SIT not leaving country to extradite Prajwal Revanna: Karnataka Home Minister Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara on Sunday said that the Special Investigation Team (SIT), probing into sexual abuse charges against Hassan MP Prajwal Revanna, will not be going abroad to bring him back, and the Interpol will share information about him. He also cautioned political leaders about making public statements or sharing information in connection with the case, which is sensitive. The 33-year-old Prajwal Revanna, who is grandson of JD(S) patriarch and former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda, is facing charges of sexually abusing several women. The scandal has raised a political storm with the ruling Congress and BJP-JD(S) engaged in a slugfest. Prajwal Revanna is said to have flown abroad on April 27, a day after the first phase of Lok Sabha polls in Karnataka was held. He was BJP-JD(S) alliance's joint candidate from Hassan Lok Sabha segment, which went to polls in the first phase. ''No, there is no such option. Blue Corner Notice has been issued and the Interpol will share the information. The respective country in which he is found or identified-- they will inform them (Interpol) and then our agencies, the CBI will get to know, and through them we will get to know. So far there is no information,'' Parameshwara said. He was responding to a question on reports about the SIT team travelling abroad in connection with the case. Speaking to reporters, he said, ''investigation is going on, not to affect the investigation we don't want to share any information.'' Responding to a question on Union Minister Pralhad Joshi's statement alleging conspiracy behind the arrest of BJP leader Devaraje Gowda, for making allegations against Congress leaders in connection with the case, Parameshwara said, ''if any one says anything I cannot react to it. We cannot respond to every public statement. As this is a serious case, we cannot share information until the investigation is completed.'' ''My request to the public and to our leaders is to be cautious while making statements. If not, based on the statements given by them, we may have to call them for investigation and record their statement under 41 A of CrPC,'' he added. Asked whether JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy will also be served notice, the Minister said he is a former CM and that he believes that the former has taken this case seriously. ''Before giving any statements on this case or before sharing any information in the public domain, one has to be cautious, and this applies to all,'' he added.

devdiscourse 12 May 2024 12:57 pm

Seven Security Personnel Killed In Twin Attacks In Pakistans North Waziristan

PESHAWAR, May 12: At least seven security personnel have been killed and two injured in two separate militant attacks on security forces in Pakistans Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, authorities said on Sunday. Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp Local officials said five security personnel were killed and two injured during the first attack that took place in the Hassan Khel area of North Waziristan district, bordering Afghanistan, in when an improvised explosive device went off targeting a bomb disposal unit [] The post Seven Security Personnel Killed In Twin Attacks In Pakistans North Waziristan appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Daily Excelsior 12 May 2024 11:55 am

Kerala: LS poll results likely to push organisational revamp in Congress

KOTTAYAM: As the wait continues for the results of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, reports suggest that the state unit of the Congress is preparing for a significant organisational overhaul. The outcome of the polls is anticipated to have a profound impact on this revamp, with criticism already emerging regarding the organisational shortcomings during the LS polls. Insiders reveal that there is a strong push for restructuring some of the District Congress Committees (DCCs), particularly in Central and South Kerala. Calls for a complete overhaul in certain districts, including the replacement of DCC presidents and other office-bearers, have been gaining momentum. Additionally, it is speculated that the state leadership may also face challenges if the election results are unfavourable. Despite K Sudhakarans reinstatement as the KPCC president, his position could be at risk, if the UDF fails to achieve the expected results in the LS elections. Furthermore, some have pointed out that both the KPCC president K Sudhakaran and Leader of the Opposition V D Satheesan will be held accountable, if the poll results are not favourable. The leaked phone conversation between the KPCC president and the Leader of the Opposition regarding KPCCs fundraising efforts put the UDF on the defensive during the elections. Additionally, Satheesans authoritarian leadership style did not sit well with many party members. Satheesans lack of respect for senior leaders was evident in his interactions, such as his response to acting president M M Hassan during a press conference, stated a Congress leader on the condition of anonymity. Regarding the DCC presidents, there is a strong push to replace the current presidents of Idukki, Wayanad, Alappuzha, Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, and Thiruvananthapuram districts for various reasons. Criticisms range from concerns about maintaining communal balance in Kottayam to reports of the DCC president in Idukki being absent during the LS poll campaign. While K Muraleedharan has already raised organisational deficiencies in the election campaign in Thrissur, M K Raghavan has also some issues with a prominent leader in Kozhikode. The organisational shortcomings of the Congress are reported to have impacted all the Lok Sabha constituencies in Kerala. Meanwhile, there is an assessment that 10 DCC presidents are underperformers, leading to expectations of a reconstitution shortly after the poll results are announced. The party is currently evaluating the polling data, with parliamentary constituency-level meetings scheduled for May 15. The compilation of voting patterns at the booth and assembly levels has been completed, and the evaluation at the parliamentary constituency-level is expected to provide insight into UDFs winning possibilities statewide. A push for revamp is likely following this process.

The New Indian Express 12 May 2024 9:07 am

Congress may make Hassan sexual abuse case its poll plank

TUMAKURU: With BJP and JDS deciding to continue their alliance for elections to six seats of the Legislative Council on June 3, the ruling Congress is likely to make the Hassan sex scandal as its poll plank. Hinting at it, KPCC media and communication wing chairman Ramesh Babu on Saturday taunted BJP and JDS over the sex scandal and sought to know whether they would launch a campaign highlighting Hassan MP Prajwal Revannas (prime accused in the scandal) achievements. I welcome the BJP-JDS alliance and let them use the picture of Prajwal in their campaign and seek teachers votes, he told reporters. Babu launched the Congress campaign for its candidate for South East Teachers constituency DT Srinivas in Tumakuru. On May 13, Srinivas will file his nomination papers in the presence of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and DCM DK Shivakumar in Bengaluru, he said. Babu, who won the February 2017 byelection from the South East Teachers constituency on a JDS ticket, is back in the constituency to campaign for Srinivas, husband of former Hiriyur BJP MLA Poornima. JDS leader HD Kumaraswamys style of functioning forced not only him, but also many senior leaders such as SR Srinivas, Madhu Bangarappa, MC Nanaiah and PGR Sindhia to quit the party, he alleged. Siddaramaiah allocated Rs 44,422 crore in the budget to the education sector and higher education minister MC Sudhakar resolved the problems of guest lecturers. All this will help the Congress candidate emerge victorious, he claimed.

The New Indian Express 12 May 2024 8:21 am

Sexual abuse case: Drama surrounds arrest of Devaraje Gowda

CHITRADURGA: High drama preceded the detention of Devaraje Gowda, an advocate and a BJP leader from Hassan, at Guylalu tollgate near Hiriyur in Chitradurga district late on Friday night. As soon as Gowda switched on his mobile phone to make a video clipping to send it to a WhatsApp group, the Hassan police which was trying to trace the mobile phone of Gowda located it moving towards Hiriyur and requested the Chitradurga police to pick him up. The police, who stopped his car at the tollgate, found three bagsful of clothes in his vehicle. Gowda recently alleged that Deputy CM DK Shivakumar was involved in the distribution of pen drivers containing alleged obscene videos of Hassan JDS-BJP Lok Sabha candidate. Additional Superintendent of Police Kumaraswamy told The New Sunday Express that they traced the mobile phone location of Gowda based on the request of the Hassan district police and detained him. He said the Holenarasipura police arrived at the Hiriyur Rural police station around midnight and took Gowda to Hassan where he was produced before the Hassan court. Gowda, who is also being probed for his involvement in the Prajwals alleged sex abuse row, was arrested by the Hassan police in connection with an SC/ST atrocity case filed by a couple on March 31 this year. The woman also filed a sexual harassment case against Gowda on April 1. Gowda allegedly offered to help the woman and her husband to get funds to build a house on their property in Hassan, but later allegedly cheated them. Gowda, who contested the 2023 Assembly polls from Holenarasipur, lost to JDS candidate HD Revanna. In January this year, Gowda had threatened to release alleged sex videos of Revannas son and Hassan MP Prajwal Revanna. The video clips, however, came out in April ahead of the Lok Sabha polls. Janata Party offers Rs 1 lakh for finding Prajwal BENGALURU: Police have detained Janata Party state secretary general N Nagesh as he and other party workers were putting up posters announcing a reward of Rs 1 lakh to whoever hands over Hassan MP Prajwal Revanna, accused in a sex scandal case, to the police. They were putting up the posters in Shivananda Circle railway bridge in High Ground police station limits on Saturday morning. The Hassan JDS MP caused humiliation not only for the state but also the country, and now he has gone missing. It is curious how the investigation is going on without the accused in such a serious case. The accused must face the investigation and prove himself innocent. It is a wrong message that a responsible position holder like an MP is evading authorities, Nagesh told TNSE. He further added that this incident has brought shame to Hassan district and the entire Kannadiga community. ENS

The New Indian Express 12 May 2024 8:05 am

Sexual abuse case: Devaraje Gowda sent to 14 days judicial custody

HOLENARASIPUR/BENGALURU: The Holenarasipur JMFC court on Saturday remanded BJP leader and advocate Devaraje Gowda in judicial custody for 14 days. Gowda was detained by Hiriyur police in Chitradurga district on Friday night. Holenarasipur town police led by Hallimysuru circle inspector and Banavara sub-inspector took Gowda into custody in Hiriyur and brought him to Holenarasipur on Saturday around 4.30 am. Two mobile phones, some documents and a Toyota Innova SUV in which Gowda allegedly tried to escape were seized. Holenarasipur town police have invoked rape and sexual assault charges against Gowda based on fresh statements by the 36-year-old victim. The sexual harassment complaint against Gowda was filed by the victim on April 1. Sections 376, 354a, 354c, 448, 504 and 506 have been invoked against Gowda. The police started tracking his cell phones after his audio recordings with former MLA LR Shivarame Gowda came to light. In connection with the case registered against him on April 1, Gowda filed an application for anticipatory bail on May 8. The petition has been posted for hearing on May 15. Hassan superintendent of police MS Mohammad Sujeetha quizzed Gowda for almost four hours. His statements were recorded at the circle police inspectors office in the presence of additional SP Venkatesh Naidu and DSP Ashok. Faces case for obstructing official on duty Devaraje Gowda too reportedly posed some questions to the police officers. After his statements were recorded, he was taken to the government hospital in Holenarsipur for mandatory medical tests. Meanwhile, Hassan extension police have taken up a complaint against the advocate for allegedly preventing Hassans deputy commissioner C Sathyabhama from discharging her duty while at office a few months ago. Gowda is also wanted by SIT probing the Hassan sex scandal. He had responded to the SITs first notice by giving his statements. However, he absconded after SIT issued him a second notice in connection with his press conference where he played some audio recordings and showed documents claiming to be crucial in the probe into the sex scandal. He had also urged the government to hand over the case to the CBI after he was allegedly asked by an officer of SIT to delete a statement which he had made against Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar.

The New Indian Express 12 May 2024 8:03 am

Prajwal Revanna video whistleblower in sexual harassment case, remanded

Devarajegowda, also an advocate, was held near Chitradurga and brought to Holenarasipura, Hassan, on Saturday. He was later remanded in judicial custody for 14 days by a local court. Devarajegowdas arrest came a day after he sought anticipatory bail from a local court on May 9, but it posted his plea for hearing to May 15.

The Times of India 12 May 2024 4:18 am

DKS behind video leak: BJP whistleblower on Prajwal held in harassment case

Devarajegowda, also an advocate, was held near Chitradurga and brought to Holenarasipura, Hassan, on Saturday. He was later remanded in judicial custody for 14 days by a local court. Devarajegowdas arrest came a day after he sought anticipatory bail from a local court on May 9, but it posted his plea for hearing to May 15.

The Times of India 12 May 2024 4:18 am

Traditional parties led youth to jails, graveyards: Apni Party

Srinagar, May 11: Former Cabinet Minister and Apni Partys Senior Vice President Ghulam Hassan Mir on Saturday said that National Conference President Farooq Abdullah is attempting to place his son at the helm of affairs in Jammu and Kashmir, while simultaneously wishing martyrdom for the children of common people. He said it while addressing an []

RisingKashmir 12 May 2024 1:06 am

Maldives Military Aviation Platforms Now Operated by Civilians, Replacing Indian Personnel

Maldives Military Aviation Platforms Now Operated by Civilians, Replacing Indian Personnel Maldives Minister of Foreign Affairs Moosa Zameer on Saturday said 76 Indian military personnel were replaced by civilian employees of the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited which manufactured the two helicopters gifted by India, thus also ending the suspense over the exact number of those repatriated at the insistence of Male. However, the Maldives government has no intention of removing the doctors from India at Senahiya, a media report said. The Indian military personnel were stationed in the Maldives to operate two helicopters and a Dornier aircraft used primarily for medical evacuations. The last batch of Indian military personnel were repatriated by Friday, as per the May 10 deadline set following an agreement between the two countries in February in New Delhi. That agreement was a result of the demand of pro-China President Mohamed Muizzu made within hours of his assuming office in November. Neither New Delhi nor Male has made public details of the agreement. Maldives has termed it as classified. Local media reports on Saturday quoted Zameer addressing a press conference a day after he returned from his first official visit to India, detailing the presence of Indian soldiers stationed in Hanimaadhoo, Kadhdhoo and Gan. As many as 26 soldiers withdrew from Gan between March 7 and March 9, while another 25 soldiers withdrew from Hanimaadhoo between April 7 and April 9, and 12 withdrew from Kadhdhoo on Tuesday. The final batch of 13 soldiers withdrew from Kadhdhoo on Thursday, news portal Sun.mv reported, quoting Zameer as saying. Civilian crew from India will leave in 2026, the report said. The contract period for the 26-member crew in Gan will expire in February 2025. The contract period for the 25-member crew in Kadhdhoo will end in February 2025. The contract period for the 25-member crew in Hanimaadhoo will expire in February 2026, it said. The Maldivian government had previously said that documents show there are 89 Indian soldiers in the Maldives, to operate two military helicopters and a Dornier aircraft. Zameer said that it is the civilian employees of the company that manufactured the Indian-gifted helicopters, the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) that have come to replace the Indian military personnel. News portal Adhadhu.mv quoted Zameer as saying, There are doctors of the Indian Army who have been working in Senahiya military hospital since September 2012 and their assistance was requested by the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF). President Muizzu's intention is to remove them if their presence also affects (the country's) freedom, by requesting the Indian government, but there is no need for it at the moment, he said. Edition.mv, another news portal, said that the minister while addressing the concerns raised by many alleging that the military personnel still remained in Maldives but in civilian clothes, said: Indian military was not here under any deception, were they? So there is no reason for us to have doubts when the Government of India has stated that these are civilians. Minister of Defence Mohamed Ghassan Maumoon and Major General Ibrahim Hilmy, the chief of the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) also addressed the press conference that was jointly organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Defence and the MNDF. Maumoon confirmed that the Maldives government had ensured that the people who had arrived to replace the Indian military personnel were, in fact, civilians. The command and control of the aircraft are now officially under the Defence Ministry and the MNDF, Ghassan was quoted as saying by the Edition.mv. The MNDF revealed that the Indian military personnel who were previously operating the helicopters gifted to the Maldives by the Indian government had made a trip on the helicopter without notifying the Maldivian military during the administration of former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, Edition.mv said in another report. The same report also quoted Maumoon as saying that this issue was raised in the Parliament's Committee on National Security Services when he had been serving in the committee in his earlier capacity as a Member of Parliament. In that incident, the helicopter landed in Thimarafushi, Ghassan said, adding, Such unauthorised flights could not have been conducted after this administration came into office. Adhadhu.mv also reported that Maumoon confirmed that there are no Indian military personnel in the Uthuru Thila Falhu (UTF) where the MNDF Coast Guard is building a port with Indian assistance. Relations between India and Maldives deteriorated since Muizzu came to power in November last year after defeating Solih, seen as pro-India, even while the archipelagic nation maintained closer ties with China. The president also travelled to China in January and met top Chinese leaders, including President Xi Jinping. Traditionally, India had been the first port of call for the newly-elected Maldivian heads. When Zameer was in India on Thursday, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar conveyed to him that the development of India-Maldives ties is based on mutual interests and reciprocal sensitivity. The Maldivian foreign ministry said Jaishankar and Zameer discussed all aspects of the India-Maldives partnership to forge opportunities for future collaboration. The Maldives is Indias key maritime neighbour in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) and occupies a special place in its initiatives like SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) and the Neighbourhood First Policy of the Indian government.

devdiscourse 12 May 2024 12:05 am