SDPI stages protest in front Bajpe police station over assault on woman

Mangaluru, Oct 26: The activists of Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) staged a protest in front of Bajpe police station on the outskirts of the city on Thursday, demanding action against a police officer who had allegedly assaulted a Muslim woman recently.

The woman identified as Salika, 40, a resident of Ganjimutt near Kaikamba, is being treated at a private hospital here.

According to Salika, the police had visited her house in search of her husband on October 23, who is absconding since a year, pertaining to a case. They abused her for not helping to find her husband. The woman alleged that she was taken to the police station and then assaulted. She also alleged that the police officer threatened that she would also be put behind bars along with her husband.

SDPI state secretary Ashraf Mazhar said the assault on a woman by a police officer was a black spot on the police department, and demanded immediate suspension of the accused. He warned that the party will intensify protests in case the officer was not suspended.

SDPI DK district president Athavulla Jokatte condemned the incident, demanding a proper investigation and suspension of the police officer. He also demanded that the police department bear the treatment costs, and initiate action against the officer within 48 hours, or else they will picket the police commissioners’ office.

A case has been registered against the accused police officer in the Bajpe police station.

Women of India Movement state general secretary Ayesha Bajpe said it was horrifying to see the police, who are protectors of law, assaulting a woman.

Meanwhile, Dakshina Kannada Muslim Okkoota President K Ashraf condemned the incident and demanded a thorough probe, apart from immediate suspension of the police officer.

Police commissioner T R Suresh said he had received representation from the protestors, and that DCP (crime and traffic) Uma Prashant will inquire into the incident.

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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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