Kerala journalist killed in hit-and-run; Cong, BJP allege foul play; CM orders SIT probe

News Network
December 15, 2020

Thiruvananthapuram, Dec 15: City-based journalist S V Pradeep was killed in a road accident nearby Karakkamandapa on Monday evening after the two wheeler he was riding was hit by a car, police said.

Witnesses said the vehicle that hit Pradeep was a Swaraj Mazda truck and came from the same direction. The vehicle hit Pradeep's scooter, knocking him down and sped away after the accident. The police said they are focussed on tracing the vehicle that caused the accident.

The opposition Congress and BJP have demanded an inquiry into the death. "The mysterious death of Pradeep must be cleared. It needs a high-level investigation to find the vehicle which hit the journalist" said Kerala Leader of Opposition Ramesh Chennithala.

Union Minister of State V Muraleedharan said the incident needs to be probed as the scribe was known for his critique of the state government. "A comprehensive inquiry into the incident needs to be conducted as the media person was a constant critique of the state government," he said in a Facebook post.

BJP state president K Surendran also urged the State Police Chief to form a special team to probe the incident. "The death was enigmatic as the deceased journalist knew a lot of secrets concerning the powerful," Surendran said in a Facebook post.

Pradeep is the second journalist be killed in a hit-and-run road accident in Thiruvananthapuram over the past 16 months. The death of Bureau Chief of Siraj daily, KM Basheer, who was killed after his motorbike was hit by a car in August 2019, had sparked controversy due to major lapses in the investigation as the key accused was IAS officer Siram Venkitaraman.

Pradeep's family has alleged that he had received threats. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has ordered a probe and a Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been constituted, according to news agency.

The scribe who started his career with Kalakaumudi Daily later had worked in various television news channels. He was also associated with some Youtube channels for few years.

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News Network
February 5,2025

Belagavi: In a horrific act of rage, a man brutally stoned his wife to death at Upparatti village in Gokak taluk of Karnataka on Tuesday night. 

The accused, Balaji Kabali from Maharashtra, has been arrested, police said.

Kabali, along with his wife Meerabai (25) and family, worked as sugarcane harvesters. Following a heated altercation, he fatally attacked Meerabai before making video calls to relatives.

A heartbreaking scene unfolded as their two-year-old child was seen trying to wake up his mother, unaware of the tragedy.

Authorities have launched a detailed investigation into the incident.

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News Network
February 3,2025

Mandya: An eight-year-old girl has alleged that she was sexually assaulted by two boys inside the washroom of her school in Mandya district of Karnataka, police said on Monday.

The incident was alleged to have occurred on January 31. However, the complaint came to light on Sunday when the girl's mother approached the police, they said.

Citing her statement, a senior police officer said that the class two student of a government school has alleged that two boys allegedly took her to the washroom where they threatened her to remove clothes and thereafter thrashed her with a stick. They also beat her on her private parts.

One of the boys she identified is her classmate while another is from a higher class, he said.

The girl alleged that the accused students threatened her not to disclose the incident to anyone but later she confided in her mother, he added.

Based on the statement of the girl, a case was registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act against the two boys and an investigation is underway to ascertain the sequence of events and verify facts, said Mandya Superintendent of Police Mallikarjun Baladandi.

As part of the investigation, police are also reviewing the CCTV footage from the school premises.
However, the medical examination report of the girl did not reveal any such injury on private parts, police said, adding that statements of the boys will be recorded and further action will be taken accordingly.

"We are currently investigating the case and are verifying details given by the girl in her statement. There are some inconsistencies in her account," he added.

Meanwhile, BJP State President B Y Vijayendra condemned the incident on social media platform X alleging that law and order in the state had completely deteriorated with cases of rape of minors, assault on women and daylight robberies being reported in the state.

He demanded that strict action be taken against the perpetrators.

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