3 tribal youths from Karnataka land in Mozambique jail for overstaying, trying to bribe

Mysuru, Oct 8: Three youths from Karnataka have been arrested in Mozambique for overstaying their visa and trying to bribe local officials to be part of the plan.

The youths – indemnified as Sijju, Praveen and Madhusudan – belong to Hakki Pikki community, a nomadic tribe, from Pakshirajapura village in Hunsur taluk of Mysuru district.

The youths reportedly went to Nampula, a province in the southeastern African nation, six months ago to sell herbal products. They were arrested three months ago, but there is little information about them, local authorities said.

The trio joined a group of 13 people – including nine women – to go to Nampula who had gone to the southeast African country. Thirteen of the members returned to Pakshirajapura, part of Ummattur gram panchayat, when the visa expired. “But the three youths allegedly tried to overstay by paying a bribe to the local authorities,” said a source.

Hunsur police inspector Poovaiah said he came to know of the trio from other members of the community. “They haven’t lodged any complaint. We haven’t received intimation from other agencies either,” he said.

“They travelled all the way to Nampula town six months ago,” the source said. Shivashankar, gram panchayat member of Pakshirajapura, said: “I am trying to locate their families first.”

“Hakki Pikki youths from Mysuru, Chamarajanagar, Shivamogga and surrounding areas often travel to African and European countries. They stay in India for six months and collect herbal medicines which are in demand. Later, they travel around the globe to sell them. They have gained the skill of marketing their products in those countries which are mostly very remote and without knowledge of English. These three members must be part of a similar group,” said a community member from Hunsur.

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‘Have letter, next step is...’: MUDA on Siddaramaiah’s wife’s offer to return plots

News Network

October 1,2024

Mysuru: The Mysuru land authority at the centre of a financial and political storm - involving Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and alleged losses of ₹ 45 crore to the state - has received an offer of restitution from his wife, the urban development body's Commissioner, AN Raghunandan said.

"I am in possession of a letter written by Siddaramaiah's wife regarding her intention to return 14 plots (of land). The Chief Minister's son, Yatindra Siddaramaiah, came to our office and delivered the letter. We will take legal advice for the next step..." he told reporters in Mysuru.

Mr Raghunandan also confirmed anti-corruption officials from the city's Lokayukta branch had written seeking cooperation in its inquiry into the charges against the Chief Minister.

He said the Mysuru Urban Development Authority, or MUDA, "will cooperate with the investigation".

The Enforcement Directorate, however, have not reached out as yet, Mr Raghunandan said. The ED, a federal agency, has filed a money laundering case against Siddaramaiah.

There have also been calls for the CBI, another federal agency, to investigate charges against the Chief Minister, but that appears unlikely now given the Karnataka government has withdrawn general consent for its operations in the state. Law Minister HK Patil made the announcement last week.

He ruled out any link with demands for the Chief Minister to be investigated by the CBI, which reports to the BJP-led central government and the ruling Congress and other opposition parties have claimed is being used by that party to target rival leaders, particularly before elections.

On Monday - three days after the Lokayukta filed a case against the Chief Minister, and hours after the ED launched its probe- Siddaramaiah's wife said she had planned to give up the land earlier but was advised against it the allegations against her husband are "politically motivated".

But now, she said, she had made up her mind as "no house, plot, or wealth is more important than my husband's honor, dignity, and peace of mind". She also said the decision was hers alone; "... I am not aware of my husband's opinion on this matter, nor do I concern myself with what my son thinks".

And, in a comment seen as a calculated swipe at the opposition BJP, which is leading calls for the Chief Minister's resignation, his wife also made an emotional appeal to "all political parties and the media" to "please not drag women of political families into the controversy to settle political scores".

Investigative action against the Chief Minister follows the Karnataka High Court quashing a challenge to Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot's order sanctioning Siddaramaiah's prosecution.

Subsequently a trial court ordered framing of charges and directed the Lokayukta to complete the investigation within three months. The ED case was filed based on the Lokayukta FIR.

Siddaramaiah faces an inquiry into claims Parvathi was allotted 14 plots of land in an upmarket Mysuru area as compensation for land elsewhere - holding a far lower value - taken for infrastructure projects.

The Chief Minister has denied all charges and refused calls to resign.

He has been backed by the Congress and his deputy, DK Shivakumar, who is also the state unit boss, and also by members of his cabinet, including IT Minister Priyank Kharge. However, some within the Congress also want him to quit, such as former Assembly Speaker KB Koliwad.

"I will fight. I am not afraid of anything. We are ready to face the investigation. I will fight this legally," he said last week after the High Court had quashed his challenge to the Governor's sanction.

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