Owner of car used for youth's murder in Mangaluru held
Mangaluru(PTI): One person has been arrested in connection with the murder of a youth from minority community in Surathkal here, police said on Sunday.
The person arrested is the owner of the car that is said to have been used by the culprits for the crime.
"More than 51 people have been inquired into in connection with the murder. We got the traces of a car while scanning the CCTV footage- White Hyundai Eon car- on the basis of footage and registration number we had taken eight cars into custody and inquired its owners," Mangaluru Police Commissioner N Shashi Kumar said.
Speaking to reporters here, he said, based on available information and inquiry, the owner of one specific car has been taken into custody on the outskirts of Surathkal last evening.
"During the inquiry he has disclosed certain information regarding who took the car from him... Now he will be presented before the court and taken into custody. He will be further questioned from which we may get further information on those involved," he said adding that based on the information gathered so far, police teams are at work to nab the culprits.
Mohammed Fazil (23) was hacked to death on July 28 by three to four miscreants at Surathkal near here.
The killing had come close on the heels of the killing of Bharatiya Yuva Morcha member Praveen Nettar by unidentified motor bike-borne assailants on Tuesday night at the district's Bellare in Sullia taluk, following which tension had prevailed in several parts of Dakshina Kannada. .
Kumar said one of the accused had good contact with the car owner and had taken the car from him earlier too. "We will be inquiring him (owner) further....we have not yet got the car, but have information about it, we are tracking it."
Police are investigating the case and are also taking all the necessary measures to see to it that there is no disturbance to peace and order, he said, as he appealed to social media users and media to show restraint about sharing certain information, which may hamper investigation.
Noting that the father of the deceased Fazil has requested for inquiry from a higher ranking official, the Commissioner said, following this request, he has made an order appointing ACP North Mahesh Kumar as the investigating officer.
He also warned that police are registering cases against those spreading fake, offensive and inflammatory messages on social media or the internet or making such statements. "Eight member team is watching such social media activities in Mangaluru Commissionerate limits and things are getting documented.
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Karnataka HC sets aside NGT order against MEG over Halasuru Lake pollution
Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court has quashed a May 20, 2022, National Green Tribunal (NGT) order that held the Madras Engineering Group (MEG) and Centre, Bengaluru, responsible for pollution in Halasuru Lake.
A division bench comprising Chief Justice NV Anjaria and Justice KV Aravind ruled that the NGT's order, which imposed an environmental compensation of ₹2.94 crore on MEG, was issued without granting them an opportunity to be heard, violating principles of natural justice.
The court has remanded the case back to the NGT, Southern Zone, Chennai, for reconsideration. The NGT has been directed to decide afresh on the imposition of environmental compensation after providing a fair hearing to MEG.
However, the High Court ordered MEG to deposit ₹1 crore with the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) as per the August 2024 NGT directive. This deposit will remain subject to the outcome of the fresh proceedings.
The NGT initiated the case in March 2016 following a news report that alleged pollution by a slaughterhouse, MEG, and the Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB). The BWSSB was also directed to pay ₹1 crore as environmental compensation.
Additional Solicitor General Arvind Kamath, representing MEG, argued that an open stormwater drain under BWSSB flows through MEG’s premises into the lake, contributing to the pollution. He stated that the sewage load from MEG is minimal and plans for a 1,200-KLD sewage treatment plant (STP) are underway.
The bench noted that no proper liability assessment had been conducted against MEG, and no opportunity was provided for them to present their defence before the demand notice was issued.
The matter will now be re-examined by the NGT.
