BJP trying to murder democracy in Himachal with money power: CM Sukhu
Nahan (PTI): Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu on Wednesday said it's been 15 months since the people of the state rejected the BJP, but it was still struggling to digest the defeat and trying to capture the reins of power through money power.
Addressing a public meeting in Shillai area of Sirmaur district, the CM blamed the BJP for the ongoing political crisis in the state and alleged that the BJP was trying to murder the democracy.
He made the remarks after inaugurating or laying foundation stones of development projects worth Rs 110 crore in Shillai assembly constituency
Sukhu said such unethical practices were never witnessed in Himachal's politics and the people will not forgive the forces who were trying to make the state unstable.
"No conspiracy of BJP will be allowed to be succeeded and the Congress government will complete its five-year term comfortably,"he said.
Expressing his resolve to fight the ongoing political crisis in the state Congress, Sukhu said he has 35 years of experience in active politics which were full of struggle.
"I am not a power hungry person. I was offered a ministerial berth in Himachal Pradesh by former chief minister Virbhadra Singh many times, but I chose to be in the organisation and struggle for the improvement of the party throughout my career," he said.
"For the welfare of the state, I will fight in every situation with my full ability, I won't give up so easily," he added.
Sukhu said that the six Congress rebel MLAs are regretting their act of backstabbing the party. They will never be forgiven by the people, he said.
These MLAs broke the trust reposed in them by the thousands of voters and betrayed the values of 'Devbhumi' Himachal Pradesh, which is unacceptable to its people, he said.
Accusing the BJP for financial is management, Sukhu said that when he took over the coffers were empty and there was no money to run even the day-to-day expenses of the government.
After struggling for the past 15 months to save the money, plugging all routes of corruption, the state government has earned an additional Rs 2,200 crore which are now being used in giving pension to women, improving health services, and education and running several welfare activities in the state, Sukhu said.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
NIA court to complete framing of charges against 2010 hand-chopping case accused on May 15
Kochi (PTI): A special court here will complete proceedings for framing charges against the prime accused in the 2010 hand-chopping case involving professor T J Joseph, in which PFI activists were accused of attacking him at Muvattupuzha.
Ernakulam Special Court for NIA cases judge P K Mohandas, on April 30, heard the arguments of counsel for accused Savad and Shafeer C and decided to proceed with framing charges against the duo.
A group chopped off Thodupuzha Newman College professor Joseph's right hand in July 2010, accusing him of religious blasphemy in a question paper he had prepared.
The case, later taken over by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), resulted in the conviction of 19 accused.
The first accused, Savad, who allegedly chopped off Joseph’s palm, was arrested in Berram in Mattannur, Kannur, in January 2024, where he had allegedly been hiding under the pseudonym Shajahan.
The NIA also arrested Shafeer, who allegedly arranged shelter and provided logistical support to Savad at Chakkad and Mattannur in Kannur since 2020.
On April 30, the court heard the counsel for the accused and the NIA prosecutor on framing charges against the duo.
"On going through the documents and evidence in the case and on hearing the counsel for the accused and the prosecutor, I am of the opinion that there are grounds for presuming that the first accused has committed offences punishable under provisions of the IPC, the Explosive Substances Act and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, and that the second accused has committed offences punishable under the IPC and the UAPA, and there are materials for framing charges under these provisions against the accused," the court said.
The court directed that Savad be produced and Shafeer, who is on bail, appear before it on May 15 for recording their pleas as part of the charge-framing process.
After framing the charges, the court will schedule the trial in the case.
