Modi govt exposed again, Sonam Wangchuk jailed without evidence: Kejriwal
New Delhi (PTI): The Centre's decision to revoke the detention of Ladakh-based climate activist Sonam Wangchuk after almost six months has drawn sharp reaction from the AAP, which said that it "exposes" how individuals can be jailed for months, "without evidence".
AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal said the case of Wangchuk mirrors the treatment meted out to his party's top leadership in the alleged Delhi liquor scam, claiming they were kept in jail "for months and years" under fabricated charges.
"The Modi government stands exposed once again. A scientist and climate activist who had dedicated his life to the nation was arrested without any evidence," Kejriwal said in a post on X.
ALSO READ: Ladakh leaders welcome Wangchuk's release, demand others' freedom
"The months he spent in jail were not only a personal loss for him but also a loss to the country. This sheer dictatorship must be called out and stopped immediately," he added.
Wangchuk was detained on September 26 last year under the National Security Act (NSA), two days after protests over demands for statehood for Ladakh and its inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution rocked Leh.
More than 45 people, including 22 police personnel, were injured in the protests.
He was released from a Jodhpur jail around 1.30 pm on Saturday following an order from the Centre after already undergoing nearly half of the detention period stipulated under the NSA.
Reacting to the revocation of Wangchuk's detention order, Delhi AAP chief Saurabh Bharadwaj questioned the circumstances surrounding the detention and the delay in addressing a habeas corpus petition challenging it.
"About six months ago, a renowned scientist from Ladakh who has made countless innovations for Ladakh and the Indian Army and is known around the world for educating poor children was arrested by the Central government under the NSA, claiming that he was a threat to national security," Bharadwaj said.
"His wife has been fighting a habeas corpus petition in the Supreme Court for months. The case had been going on for a long time, and the Central government kept seeking new dates with different excuses," he alleged.
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.
316 domestic LPG cylinders used for commercial purposes seized in Karnataka
Bengaluru (PTI): The Karnataka Food and Civil Supplies Department said on Saturday that authorities have seized 316 domestic LPG cylinders allegedly being used for commercial purposes across the state and registered cases against those involved.
Also, a case has been registered against a gas agency which was illegally refilling gas cylinders.
"Following the minister's (K H Muniyappa) instructions to take appropriate legal action if domestic cylinders are used for commercial purposes, cases have been registered under the Essential Commodities Act and seizures have been made across the state, including 45 in Peenya and 209 in Chikkajala of Bengaluru, 3 in Shivamogga district, 46 in Davanagere and 13 in Yadgir district," the department said in a release.
Similarly, a case has been registered against a gas agency shop in KGF, Kolar district, which was conducting illegal refilling of gas cylinders, it said.
As per the central government guidelines, 20 per cent of the total commercial cylinders will be distributed to hospitals, schools, educational institutions, airports, railway stations, bus stands, canteens, important temples for distribution of prasad, government offices, old age homes, and important private sector offices on priority, the department said.
Further, it said that a total of 3,86,363 domestic cylinders (14.2 kg) and 6,371 commercial cylinders have been distributed across the state today. Steps have been taken to ensure that there is no problem with the supply of domestic cylinders, it added.
