After BJP leader, now two cops arrested in Kota double murder case
Udupi: Superintendent of Police, Udupi District, Laxman Nimbargi, on Sunday suspended two assistant police constables who were later arrested for allegedly helping the accused of Kota double murder case, in escaping.
The suspended police personnel have been identified as Pawan Ameen and Veerendra Acharaya, both of them have said to have helped the main accused of the case Harish Reddy, by arranging car, money and cell phone for absconding after the incident.
Both the accused were posted in the Udupi District Armed Reserve Police, (DAR)
After their suspension, both the constables were arrested by the police and were later presented before the magistrate late night on Sunday at his residence, who remanded them in judicial custody.
On January 26, this year, Bharat (30) and Yathish (25) were murdered after a verbal argument over the construction of leach pit.
Pawan Ameen and Virendra Acharya had connections with the murders accused, rowdy-sheeters Harish Reddy, Rajeshhekar Reddy, Mahesh Ganiga and Kanda Kunder. After the murder, on January 26, Pawan Ameen had provided a safe hideout at his residence in Hebri's Kuchoor. The next morning, Harish Reddy had asked Pawan Ameen to provide some equipmentsm including mobile phones and SIM cards. Accordingly, Pawan Ameen had sent the items by Pranab Bhat.
On February 7, the police department made the breakthrough arrest of prime accused Rajshekhar Reddy and Medical Ravi from Madikeri, which led to revelation of a pit of information relating to the case, which led to more arrests, brother of Rajshekhar Reddy, Harish Reddy was also arrested on Thursday morning along with Mahesh Ganiga and Ravichandra Poojary.
BJP ZP member Raghavendra Kanchan, was on Thursday arrested after his role in the murder was suspected, based on the phone calls made to him by the accused before and after the murder. All six were presented before Kundapur court, and were remanded eight days judicial custody till Feb 15.
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Siddaramaiah, I will abide by Cong high command decision on leadership issue, says Shivakumar
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Sunday said both he and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will abide by any decision takeb by the Congress high command on the leadership issue in the state.
Speaking to reporters after returning from Delhi, the Congress state president said, he has full faith in the party leadership and that it would take an approapriate decision at the appropriate time.
The remarks comes amid speculations within the party and political circles about a possible leadership change and cabinet reshuffle after May 4, when the results for assembly elections in four states and one union territory, along with bypolls to two assembly segments in the Karnataka are announced.
"I will not speak about political issues before the media. I have already said that when the time comes you will get to know. So I will not tell you," Shivakumar said in response to a question on discussions with the Congress high command during his Delhi visit over the last couple of days.
He asserted that there are no issues within the party, and whatever has been already decided will take place accordingly.
Responding to a question on senior Minister Satish Jarkiholi's reported statement about internal differences, the Deputy CM said, "nothing like that, they (high command) will do what they have to do at the appropriate time."
"There are no issues, we have faith in our party, they will do what they have to," he added.
Asked about the issue of leadership change as the government is about to complete three years in office, Shivakumar said, "... I have never discussed this issue. The CM and I have both said that we will accept whatever and whenever the high command decides, and we will abide by it."
He declined to comment when asked whether any "good news" can be expected by his birthday on May 15.
The leadership tussle within the ruling party has intensified amid speculation about a possible change of chief minister after the Congress government completed the halfway mark of its five-year term on November 20, 2025. The speculation has been fuelled by the reported "power-sharing" arrangement between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar at the time of government formation in 2023.
Responding to a question on the BJP's criticism against the Congress government over its decision on internal reservation for Scheduled Castes, alleging injustice to several communities and questioning its intent behind the revised quota formula, Shivakumar said the BJP could not do anything on internal reservation while in power, but the Congress has kept its promise.
"We have found a solution and tried to do justice to all sections among SCs. We have fulfilled the promise made and every one should go together," he said.
Shivakumar warned his party workers against erecting flex banners for his birthday on May 15.
"For May 15, I want to tell everyone that no one should put up flex banners or advertisements for my birthday. If flex are installed I will ensure that cases are registered by authorities against those responsible, whether they are party workers or followers....no one should put such things on roads, this is my personal request," he said, adding that he has asked commissioners of the city corporations to register cases and impose heavy fines.
