Muthi-ur-Rahman will continue his journalism career'

February 25, 2013

Hubli, Feb 25: A lively and festive atmosphere prevailed among the family members of journalist Muthi-ur-Rahman Siddiqui following National Investigation Agency's verdict to release him. The family lives in a small house near Bandiwad Base in Hubli.

The special court of the NIA?is expected to give out a detailed written order on the release of Muthi and his room-mate Syed Yusuf Nalaband soon.

"The court order on his release has vindicated us. We thank Allah. We had total faith in Allah that our brother will be released from jail soon,” said Zia-ur-Rahman, brother of Muthi, who was among 15 men arrested in September 2012 in a controversial anti-terror operation by Bangalore CCB police.

“Muthi is a true Hindustani, and a good journalist. We could never think that he could do anything that was against the nation”, he said adding that they had never lost faith in the almighty because they knew that their brother was not guilty.

Zia-ur-Rahman also thanked the Association for Protection of Civil Rights (APCR), which fought his brother's case.

Zia-ur-Rehman said his brother was proud to be a journalist and would continue his journalistic career event after his release. That even the country's highest investigative agency could not find any evidence against his brother only proved his innocence, he said.

Born on September 9, 1985, Muthi studied in a government Urdu school in Hubli, before moving to Hassan for SSLC. He joined Nehru College in Hassan for his PU course in science, but later moved to Karnataka College, Dharwad, for his BA degree. He became a reporter and translator in a newspaper in Dharward. Four years ago, he moved to Bangalore and later joined Deccan Herald English daily.

People who have known Muthi say he is a soft-spoken person serious about journalism, without any extremist beliefs, and is helpful to colleagues.

'Our pride is redeemed'

Another victim of Bangalore CCB police's controversial anti-terror operation, Syed Yusuf Nalaband, is a private company employee. A native of Bagalkot, Nalaband was staying with Muthi and four others in a residence at JC Nagar from where they were picked up in late August 2012.

Sakeena Bi, elder sister of Nalaband, said the family is rejoicing over his release. She said the court order had redeemed the family's pride. Sakeena said they had always known that Yusuf had committed no crime.

She said a flood of unverified and unsubstantiated allegations against her brother had left the family distraught. "His release has vindicated our faith in the system. A fair probe is possible when minorities are involved," Sakeena added.

She said Yusuf would continue to work in Bangalore, and they could now move about with their heads held high in Bagalkot.

NIA finds no proof against arrested journalist, scientist

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JD(S) leader G T Devegowda backs CM Siddaramaiah in MUDA row, taunts HDK

News Network

October 4,2024

Mysuru: Chairman of JD(S) core committee and Chamundeshwari constituency MLA G T Devegowda on Thursday expressed his solidarity with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah saying the latter need not resign, while lambasting leaders of his own party and alliance partner BJP, including Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy.

In his speech during Mysuru Dasara inauguration he said that if persons against whom FIR is registered have to resign, many leaders from all the three parties, including Opposition Leader R Ashoka, will have to resign.

“All are sitting in glass houses... Since I know Siddaramaiah well, I am talking about him. At a time when mines and real estate are ruling politics, Siddaramaiah has survived in politics. He has never done any favour,” Devegowda said.

He added, “Allegations against Siddaramaiah are unexpected and accidental. If the Governor and Chief Justice order an investigation, it does not mean that he should resign."

He continued, asking, "Have they told Siddaramaiah to resign or have they asked to imprison him? When a person becomes a Central minister, he or she should realise their dignity and responsibility. Instead of recognising the good work done by Siddaramaiah, they ask him to resign. Will Kumarswamy (facing an FIR) resign? Should Siddaramaiah, who has become CM with a support of 135 MLAs, resign?"

"Opposition leaders are not remembering the good work of earlier CMs Kengal Hanumanthaiah, Veerendra Patil, Ramakrishna Hegde, H D Deve Gowda or S M Krishna. Karnataka is a model state. It is a bad trend to topple an elected government which is doing good work,” he further said.

Devegowda added, “Siddaramaiah is Goddess Chamundeshwari’s ‘Varaputra’ and hence has her blessings during tough times. He won the election in Chamundeshwari Assembly constituency, when the BJP-JD(S) government was in power in 2006. With the blessings of the Goddess, he has held varied positions right from becoming an MLA for the first time in 1983. He presented 15 budgets and has become CM for a second time. He took H C Mahadevappa, a Dalit leader to the state level. Siddaramaiah has the support of Deputy CM D K Shivakumar as ‘Jodeththu’. Blessings of the beneficiaries of guarantee schemes are with him (Siddaramaiah).”

Siddaramaiah said, “Devegowda was a MUDA member. He knows the truth. Hence, he is saying this. His words have filled strength in me. ‘Satyameva Jayate’, Truth will always triumph.”

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