6 persons, including two sons of ex-SP MLA booked after explosion at his residence in UP
Farrukhabad (UP) (PTI): Police probing an explosion at a former SP MLA's residence in Farrukhabad have booked his two sons, among others, officials said on Wednesday.
Five people were injured in the blast that occurred on Tuesday evening, reportedly due to the presence of explosive material in the basement at Vijay Singh's house, who is currently serving a life sentence in the murder case of senior BJP leader Brahmadutt Dwivedi, they said.
According to eyewitnesses, the powerful explosion that took place around 8 pm damaged doors, windows, grills and parts of the structure up to the third floor, police said, adding that six people have been booked in connection to the incident.
Police have booked Avinash and Abhishek, both sons of the ex-SP MLA, among others, for their alleged involvement in manufacturing explosives.
According to the FIR lodged by Sub-Inspector Imran Farid of the City Kotwali police station, two severely burnt youths were spotted being taken to the hospital in an e-rickshaw.
Police questioned the injured Avinash and Abhishek, and acting on the information, police rushed to the spot.
Officials said the floor of the house was completely damaged, the basement ceiling had caved in, and debris was scattered all around.
The injured in the incident include Bhaiyalal, Ishu Chaurasia, Ramveer Yadav and Rashu Mishra. They were rushed to the hospital with the help of local residents.
Police said preliminary investigation confirmed the presence of explosive material in the basement. Initial findings suggest that explosive substances may have been illegally stored or manufactured at the premises, leading to the blast.
Senior district officials reached the spot soon after the incident and conducted an inspection. A forensic team from Kanpur was later called in to examine the site in detail.
Police have registered a case against the named accused and launched a thorough investigation. Officials said strict action will be taken based on the findings.
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CM Siddaramaiah alleges ‘criminal conspiracy’ in Sringeri recount, vows legal action
Bengaluru (PTI): Alleging a “criminal conspiracy” by BJP candidate D N Jeevaraj in the Sringeri Assembly poll recounting, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said the outcome was manipulated after valid postal ballot votes in favour of Congress leader T D Raje Gowda were tampered with during the recounting process.
Following a Karnataka High Court order on an election petition filed by Jeevaraj, challenging Raje Gowda’s election, the reverification and recounting were conducted on Saturday.
After the reverification and recount of postal ballots for the Sringeri Assembly constituency, votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda were reduced by 255, the returning officer said.
A report on the matter has been submitted to the Election Commission of India for further action, the officer added.
Congress leader Raje Gowda had won the 2023 Assembly polls from Sringeri by 201 votes, defeating his nearest rival Jeevaraj.
Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru, Siddaramaiah said the High Court had directed the recounting of postal ballots and that irregularities were noticed during the exercise conducted on May 2.
“This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” Siddaramaiah said, alleging that valid votes cast in favour of Raje Gowda were altered after being accepted by counting agents of all parties, including Congress, BJP, and JD(S).
He claimed that during the recounting of postal ballots, 255 votes were initially accepted as valid by all agents but were later tampered with by subordinate officials.
“There is a second mark on the votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda. They had accepted these as valid votes. Subsequently, another mark was made by officials. This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” he said.
When asked who was behind the alleged conspiracy, the CM replied, “It was hatched by Jeevaraj and others. It is planned.”
Siddaramaiah further alleged that the returning officer acted improperly by declaring the result despite the presence of an Election Commission observer during the recounting.
“Immediately after the counting, the returning officer announced the result. He should not have done so; this is against the law,” he said.
He pointed out that Raje Gowda had originally won by 201 votes, but after the recounting, the BJP candidate was declared the winner by 52 votes.
“The BJP has committed a criminal act of conspiracy. This is not vote chori but vote dacoity,” he alleged.
The CM said a police complaint had already been filed by Raje Gowda’s election agent, Sudhir Kumar, and emphasised the need for electoral integrity.
“We want transparency and free and fair elections. That is what our Constitution mandates,” he added.
Stating that the government would pursue legal remedies, Siddaramaiah said, “We are preparing an appeal challenging the returning officer’s announcement in a court of law.”
Responding to a separate query on elections in other states, the CM said there appeared to be an anti-incumbency factor in West Bengal, while results in Tamil Nadu were “surprising,” adding that Vijay’s party was emerging as the largest there.
Following the victory of party candidates in Bagalkote and Davanagere South, Siddaramaiah expressed confidence about future electoral prospects in Karnataka.
“Even in 2028, we will win the Assembly elections. We will come back,” the CM said.
Siddaramaiah added that he would order a forensic examination into the alleged tampering of postal ballots.
