DK SP clarifies actions taken against MLA Harish Poonja amid chaotic incident in Belthangady
Belthangady: Dakshina Kannada Superintendent of Police Rishyanth CB provided clarity on the recent disturbances involving local MLA Harish Poonja, addressing the legal actions taken and the ensuing chaos.
Speaking to reporters in Dharmasthala, SP Rishyanth explained that the initial measures followed legal procedures, with a notice issued for the first case and station bail granted for the second. Further actions will depend on the MLA’s response to the notice.
The SP recounted that three police officers were initially dispatched to MLA Poonja’s residence to bring him in for questioning. However, as a crowd began gathering outside the legislator’s house, additional police personnel were deployed. Local representatives noted the congestion on the narrow street and assured the authorities they would disperse their supporters, requesting the police to withdraw. Consequently, the officers were asked to leave, and the MLA was later taken to the police station for questioning, where he was granted station bail for one of the cases against him.
Regarding the ongoing investigation, SP Rishyanth mentioned that the police are determining whether the alleged illegal mining occurred on private or government land. If confirmed as private land, a case will be filed against the accused, who will also face arrest. During an inspection, quarry workers provided the tahsildar with information on the quarry’s ownership, leading to the arrest of one individual while another remains at large. The police are actively investigating and anticipate arresting the second person soon.
SP Rishyanth emphasized that the law must be upheld, regardless of an individual’s status as an elected representative. He criticized the gathering of large crowds to oppose the legal questioning of an MLA or to demand the withdrawal of a notice or case, stating that legal procedures and charges cannot be influenced by public demonstrations. The law, he reiterated, remains impartial and unaffected by the number of supporters an accused individual might have.
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Adani Group emerges lowest bidder for Bengaluru’s 16.75-km tunnel road project
Bengaluru: The Adani Group has become the lowest bidder for both packages of the proposed 16.75-km tunnel road project in Bengaluru, according to sources familiar with the bids opened by Bengaluru Smart Infrastructure Ltd (B-SMILE).
According to a report published by Deccan Herald on Monday, the government estimated the entire project to cost Rs 17,698 crore, while the Adani Group has quoted Rs 22,267 crore. The ports-to-power conglomerate’s bid is about 24% higher for the first package and 28% higher for the second than the government’s estimates, a gap that could prompt authorities to seek the state Cabinet’s approval on the tenders’ fate.
M Maheshwar Rao, Chief Commissioner of the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA), who is also the Managing Director of B-SMILE, declined to comment.
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In all, four infrastructure companies had participated in the tenders for the project, which has been proposed under the build-operate-transfer (BOT) model, with 40% funding from the government and the remaining investment to be raised by the private concessionaire.
During the technical evaluation, the Adani Group and the Hyderabad-based Vishwa Samudra Engineering Ltd qualified for the financial round.
According to the report, Dilip Buildcon was disqualified due to a clause that bars firms linked to collapsed bridges or tunnels, while Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd (RVNL) was rejected because its joint venture (JV) partner did not meet technical requirements.
With only two companies left in the fray, the Adani Group emerged as the lowest bidder, ahead of Vishwa Samudra.
The tunnel project officially named the North–South underground corridor, is part of the Congress government’s ambitious to ease Bengaluru’s traffic congestion by building two major underground roads (totalling 40 km) along with 13 flyovers and elevated corridors.
The project is the brainchild of Deputy CM D K Shivakumar, who is also the Bengaluru development minister.
The proposal, however, has faced criticism and political opposition, especially from senior BJP leaders, who object to the alignment that requires acquiring six acres of Lalbagh Botanical Garden, a historic green space.
As per the report, Urban mobility experts have also warned that the tunnel corridor may clash with the alignment of Namma Metro’s Phase 3A, possibly affecting the metro expansion.
