Mangaluru: BJP demands NIA probe into Suhas Shetty murder, announces Rs 25 lakh compensation
Mangaluru: BJP state president B.Y. Vijayendra has demanded that the murder case of Suhas Shetty, who was killed in Bajpe on Thursday, be handed over to the National Investigation Agency (NIA). Vijayendra, along with Leader of Opposition R. Ashok and other senior BJP leaders, visited Suhas Shetty’s residence on Friday to meet and console the bereaved family.
Addressing the media after the visit, Vijayendra expressed strong dissatisfaction with the state government and the police department. “There is public outrage across Karnataka over the murder of Suhas Shetty. The incident is condemnable. It is unfortunate that despite threats to his life, the police failed to provide protection. This reflects a complete failure on the part of the state government, the Home Department, and the police,” he said.
He accused the Congress-led government of neglecting the safety of Hindu activists and organisations. “The present government’s policies have created an unsafe environment for Hindu workers and organisations. People have lost trust in the Congress government,” Vijayendra added.
He further announced a financial compensation of Rs 25 lakh on behalf of the BJP to Suhas Shetty’s family. “We have assured the family of our support. Their world has been shattered by this incident. The government should also come forward and announce compensation, recognising the seriousness of the matter,” he said.
Vijayendra also pointed out that such targeted killings were being repeated in the state. “Whenever such incidents happen, the government has failed to support Hindu organisations. If there is any humanity left in this government, they should act now,” he said.
Leader of Opposition R. Ashok, MLAs Bharat Shetty, Rajesh Naik, Yashpal Suvarna, Bhagirathi Murulya, and BJP district president Satish Kumpala were present during the visit.
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Defamation case: Rahul alleges political malice; UP court sets March 9 hearing
Sultanpur (UP) (PTI): Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Friday appeared before an MP-MLA court in Uttar Pradesh's Sultanpur and recorded his statement in a 2018 defamation case related to his remarks against Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
Gandhi told the court of Special Judge Shubham Verma that the allegations against him were made out of political malice and with an aim of destroying his image and that of his party, the Congress leader's advocate Kashi Prasad Shukla told PTI.
The court fixed March 9 as the next date of hearing on which the Lok Sabha MP from Raebareli has been asked to furnish evidence in his defence, the lawyer said.
Elaborating about the statement given by the Congress leader in the court, his lawyer said Gandhi denied all allegations levelled against him.
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"The allegations are baseless and unfounded. I have never used derogatory words against anyone, nor have I used such language with the intention of defaming anyone. A false complaint has been filed by distorting my statement," Shukla quoted Gandhi as saying.
"The allegations have been made against me out of political malice with the aim of destroying my image and that of my party. I have never used derogatory words against anyone, nor have I used such language with the intention of defaming anyone," Gandhi told the court
As the Congress leader emerged from the court after recording his statement, party supporters raised slogans hailing him. Gandhi smiled and waved at the crowd before leaving.
Gandhi entered the Sultanpur court around 10.40 am and left after recording statements around 11.15 am.
Ahead of the court hearing, some local Congress leaders had put up posters in Sultanpur that read 'Satyamev Jayate' (truth always triumphs).
The case dates back to 2018 when local BJP leader and former chairman of the District Cooperative Bank Vijay Mishra had filed a defamation complaint against Gandhi, alleging that during the Karnataka elections in 2018, the Congress leader made derogatory remarks against the then BJP president and current Union Home Minister Shah.
Santosh Kumar Pandey, the lawyer representing Mishra, said the cross-examination of the plaintiff and two witnesses has been completed.
The trial has been underway for the past five years. In December 2023, a warrant was issued against Gandhi for non-appearance before the court. He surrendered in February 2024, following which a special magistrate granted him bail on two sureties of Rs 25,000 each.
On July 26, 2024, Gandhi recorded his statement before the court, claiming innocence and terming the case a political conspiracy. Thereafter, the court directed the complainant to produce evidence in the case.
