Saujanya case: Justice Saldanha says no to CBI probe

November 9, 2013

Mangalore, Nov 9: Taking exception to the state government's decision to hand over the probe of Saujanya rape and murder case to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Karnataka High Court former justice M F Saldana has opined that it is better to appoint a senior judicial officer from the district to supervise the investigation instead.

Addressing a press conference organised by PUCL here on Saturday, Saldana said that the government was forced to take this decision due to mounting public pressure.

“The CBI is an overloaded organization. In such a situation it will take over ten years for the CBI to submit its report.

While demanding investigation under the direct supervision of the Supreme Court is also not practical, the only advisable move is to have a senior judicial officer from the district to supervise the investigation. With this, it is possible to get the judgement within four to five months,” he said.

Shameful

Lamenting over the rise in atrocities against women, Justice Saldanha said that it is an irony to know that over 434 unnatural deaths have occurred in a rural area within ten years.

“Justice should be given for the girl's soul and to the society,” he said demanding the media to highlight issues of injustice done on the poor by the powerful.

“Media should start a revolution and garner public opinion. The cases which are reported as suicide should be investigated properly based on the post mortem report,” he said.

SPCA is a good move

Calling the direction of the Supreme Court of forming State Police Complaints Authority (SPCA) as'revolutionary', Justice M F Saldana said that with this it is possible take action against atrocity in police custody and even file complaints against officials of the rank of the SP and above.

“The body can control misuse of power and has the potential to grow stronger than Lokayukta,” he said.

PUCL State President P B D'sa said that the organisation would start agitation if the government fails to appoint State and district level committee members for SPCA within a month.

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Lokayukta team arrives at disputed plot; CM likely to get ED summons

News Network

October 1,2024

Mysuru, Oct 1: The Karnataka Lokayukta team on Tuesday arrived at the disputed plot in Mysuru and began investigation into the MUDA case against CM Siddaramaiah and his wife, news agency ANI reported. Snehamayi Krishna, the complainant in the case was also present with the team.

Sources stated that ED sleuths might issue a notice to CM Siddaramaiah at any time and issue summons to him for questioning. The sleuths are also keenly watching the movements of CM Siddaramaiah’s close associates and relatives, including a cabinet minister in connection with the MUDA scam.

Sources further said that there is a possibility of the ED conducting raids across the state on offices and residences of close associates of CM Siddaramaiah. The ED has also gathered information on bank accounts and financial transactions of CM Siddaramaiah and his associates.

The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) on Monday registered an Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR), equivalent to an FIR by the police, against CM Siddaramaiah over the alleged irregularities in the allotment of 14 sites to his wife Parvathi B.M. by the Mysore Urban Development Authority. The ED registered the case taking cognisance of the FIR registered against the Chief Minister by the Lokayukta police on September 27.

Meanwhile, the Karnataka Lokayukta probing the MUDA case has also expedited the probe. The sleuths led by Mysuru Lokayukta SP T.J. Udesh have visited the controversial land on the outskirts of Mysuru city. The petitioner, Snehamayi Krishna, also accompanied the team.

The move of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s wife to return 14 sites allotted by the MUDA to her has triggered a debate. BJP MLA from Mysuru T.S. Srivatsa stated on Tuesday that the move of CM’s wife is not acceptable. "The two commissioners who colluded in the MUDA scam are roaming freely even today," he said.

"CM Siddaramaiah first claimed that there was no scam at all. Later, he formed a commission and now there is an FIR against him. After committing the mistake, you offer to return the sale deed. The time is up. He will have to tender his resignation and I am sure he won’t be in the position until Dasara festivities," MLA T.S. Srivatsa stated.

T.J. Abraham, one of the petitioners in the MUDA case said, “I had demanded the MUDA commissioner to take back the allotted sites. He had written back saying the process would be initiated. They were waiting for the investigation report."

"CM Siddaramaiah has not approached the division bench or the Supreme Court to challenge the order against him because there is nothing to be challenged. Returning sites is not a big sacrifice. The Chief Minister has lost it," Abraham stated.

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