Journalist booked for anti-Shivaji Maharaj remarks held from Telangana
Mumbai/Pune, Mar 24 (PTI): Maharashtra Police arrested Nagpur-based journalist Prashant Koratkar from Telangana on Monday for allegedly making derogatory remarks against 17th-century Maratha ruler Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and his son Chhatrapati Sambhaji.The arrest comes after a formal case was registered against Koratkar in Kolhapur concerning his controversial statements."We have taken him into custody and a police team is bringing him to Kolhapur. Further legal procedure will follow," Kolhapur Superintendent of Police Mahendra Pandit said.
During investigation, police found Koratkar's location in Telangana and a police team was rushed immediately to arrest him. He will be presented before a court in Kolhapur after being brought back to Maharashtra.
Koratkar was booked on February 26 under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita provisions for promoting hatred or enmity among groups on the basis of an audio conversation between him and Kolhapur-based historian Indrajeet Sawant.
Koratkar had allegedly made the objectionable comments during this conversation, which Sawant posted on social media, resulting in widespread outrage and calls for the former's arrest.
Earlier, Additional Sessions Judge DV Kashyap had granted him protection from arrest till March 1, following which Kolhapur police approached Bombay High Court seeking cancellation of this interim protection.At the time, the Bombay HC asked the Kolhapur sessions court to hear the matter.
On March 18, the court of Additional sessions judge D V Kashyap in Kolhapur rejected Koratkar's anticipatory bail plea.
While seeking pre-arrest bail, Koratkar had claimed his phone was compromised and that the audio was doctored. He also mentioned that he had issued a public apology.
He had also contended that Sawant’s decision to release the video before registering the FIR was intended to incite communal tensions and provoke breach of peace.
On Saturday, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis refuted allegations that police is shielding Koratkar, who is based in the senior BJP leader's home town Nagpur.
"Police are looking for him and action will be taken against him wherever he is," the CM had asserted.
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KSRTC to run 1000 special services to clear Christmas rush
Bengaluru: The Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation will operate 1000 additional special services in view of the Christmas festival.
In addition to the existing schedule, the special services will run on 19.12.2025, 20.12.2025 and 24.12.2025. Further, special buses will be operated from various places of intra & Interstate places to Bengaluru on 26.12.2025 & 28.12.2025.
Special buses will be exclusively operated from Bengaluru Kempegowda Bus Station to Dharmastala, Kukkesubramanya, Shivamogga, Hassan, Mangaluru, Kundapura, Shringeri, Horanadu, Davangere, Hubbali, Dharwad, Belagavi, Vijayapura, Gokarna, Sirsi, Karwar, Raichur, Kalaburagi, Ballari, Koppala, Yadgir, Bidar, Tirupathi, Vijayawada, Hyderabad and other places.
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Special buses from Mysuru Road Bus Station will be exclusively operated towards Mysuru, Hunsur, Piriyapatna, Virajpet, Kushalanagar, Madikeri.
The corporation has also announced a discount of 5 per cent on the fare if four or more passengers book tickets under a single reservation. A discount of 10 per cent will be extended on return journey tickets if onward and return tickets are booked simultaneously.
In addition to the above, special buses will be operated from all Taluk/District Bus Stands in the jurisdiction of KSRTC based on the traffic needs.
