Dharmasthala Mass Burial Case: Court denies lawyer’s presence during statement
Belthangady, July 11: The complainant in the ongoing Dharmasthala mass burials case appeared before the Principal Civil Judge and JMFC Court in Belthangady Taluk, Dakshina Kannada district, on Friday for the recording of his statement under Section 183 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), earlier Section 164 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC).
According to a press statement issued by advocates Ojaswi Gowda and Sachin Deshpande, who are representing the complainant, the latter had specifically instructed that at least one of the advocates be present during the statement recording process. The complainant, who is reportedly illiterate and unfamiliar with court procedures, had expressed concern about understanding the legal process and requested the assistance of his legal counsel during the proceedings.
The advocates claim they had clearly communicated this concern to the Court, but the judge did not permit them to remain present in the courtroom and the complainant’s statement was recorded in the absence of his lawyers.
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PM Modi to address the nation tonight at 8.30 PM
New Delhi (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the nation tonight at 8.30 PM, a day after a bill to implement women's reservation in legislatures was defeated in the Lok Sabha.
"The Prime Minister will address the nation at 8.30 PM (April 18, Saturday)," an official said.
Modi is expected to delve into the issue of implementation of women's quota and the happenings in Parliament, where opposition parties on Friday voted against the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill.
Under the Bill, Lok Sabha seats were to be increased up to 816 from the current 543 to "operationalise" the women's reservation law before the 2029 parliamentary polls, following a delimitation exercise based on the 2011 Census. Seats were also to be increased in state and UT assemblies to accommodate 33 per cent reservation for women.
A two-thirds majority was required for the passage of the crucial bill but the ruling BJP-led alliance could not muster the numbers.
During polling on the bill in the Lok Sabha on Friday night, 298 members voted in its support, while 230 MPs voted against it.
Out of 528 members who voted, the bill required 352 votes for a two-thirds majority.
