CPI(M) slams FIR against Munir Katipalla, Abdussalam Puthige, calls it anti-democratic
Mangaluru: The Dakshina Kannada District Committee of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has strongly condemned the filing of an FIR against its district secretary Munir Katipalla and Vartha Bharati Editor-in-Chief Abdussalam Puthige, calling it an act of "desperation" and "anti-democratic behavior."
In a press statement issued on Monday, the CPI(M) accused the Puttur unit of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) and its secretary Dr. Ganesh Prasad Mudraje of targeting Munir Katipalla over his persistent criticism of private hospitals and his role in exposing the alleged communal role of certain doctors in the Puttur Government Hospital incident.
The FIR was reportedly filed through a court directive by the Puttur Medical Association, which the CPI(M) claims is politically motivated and intended to silence dissenting voices. The party alleged that some office bearers of the association have communal inclinations, and the move to file a complaint is an attempt to divert attention from the larger issues affecting the public health sector in the region.
“This is a private complaint aimed at damaging the dignity of the medical profession,” the CPI(M) said. It further stated that false allegations are being made to suppress those speaking up against the corporatization of healthcare and the alleged communalization of medical spaces.
The party said it will launch a legal battle and a public protest movement against the FIR. It also announced plans to hold condemnation meetings in association with like-minded groups and to file a detailed petition with documents to the party's Central Committee, demanding that action be taken to seek the cancellation of the medical registration of the Puttur and Mangaluru branches of the association.
The CPI(M) also criticised the silence of the Doctors' Association on pressing issues such as corporate control over the health sector and the rising cost of treatment. According to the statement, the association has failed to speak up for the common people but is now targeting individuals raising their voice for justice.
“The misuse of the regulations to shield vested interests is unacceptable and will be strongly opposed,” the party said. It called the recent press releases from the Puttur and Mangaluru branches of the association oppressive and dictatorial in tone, accusing them of trying to intimidate the public through goon-style tactics.
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Belagavi youth’s murder case projected as road accident, cracked in Uttara Kannada; Three arrested
Karwar: Uttara Kannada police have cracked a murder case in which a Belagavi youth was killed and his body burnt inside a car to make it appear like a road accident.
Addressing a press meet in the city, Superintendent of Police Deepan M.N. said three accused from Old Hubballi have been arrested in connection with the case. The crime was a pre-planned act driven by personal enmity, he said.
The case came to light on April 8 morning when a car (KA-04/MJ-8996) was found completely burnt in a roadside ditch near Talekumbri bus stand in Yellapur. Only charred human remains were found inside the vehicle. Initially, it was suspected to be an accident caused by overspeeding, and a case was registered at Yellapur police station based on a complaint filed by the deceased’s father, Jagannath Dhapale.
However, the father later expressed suspicion that his son’s death was not accidental, prompting a detailed investigation.
Taking the matter seriously, two special teams were formed under the leadership of Yellapur Inspector Ramesh Hanapur. On analysing technical evidence and CCTV footage, police found that it was a planned murder.
The accused have been identified as Abdul Raheem Basheer Ahmed Mujawar (32), Maulasab Bavahan Wada (36) and Dadapeer alias Aftab Mehboob Saab Balasangi (22), all chicken traders from Old Hubballi.
Police have seized the car used in the crime along with two scooters. The accused have been remanded to judicial custody.
Investigations revealed that the accused killed Nitesh Dhapale due to personal enmity and later set the car on fire along with the body to project it as an accident.
SP Deepan M.N. appreciated the efforts of Inspector Ramesh Hanapur, PSIs Rajashekhar Vandali and Siddappa Gudi, and the entire team for solving the complex case.
