Udupi: Veteran thinker, activist G. Rajashekhar passes away at 75
Udupi: Veteran thinker, writer, critic, and activist G. Rajashekhar (75), passed away after battling rare health condition here in Udupi on Wednesday evening.
The writer and activist had been suffering Progressive Supra-Nuclear Palsi (PSP or Atypical Parkinson's) since 2019. He was admitted to the hospital in a critical condition due to a lung-related health issue. Despite receiving emergency treatment in the Intensive Care Unit, he breathed his last on Wednesday after the treatments proved to be ineffective.
Known for his strong stance against communalism, Rajasekhar raised his voice against this issue and was at the forefront of all the struggles against it. He used to visit the areas that were affected by communal riots and speak to the people there and write fact-finding reports concerning these instances. He was always willing and ready when it came to participating in the struggles for the rights of minorities, Dalits, and other oppressed sections of society.
G. Rajashekhar was known for his direct, insightful words and analyses. He was especially considered a very close associate, friend, and mentor of rights activists in the coastal districts and a fellow supporter of all pro-people movements.
The deceased is survived by his wife, two sons, and a legion of friends, well-wishers, and admirers.
“My father lived an extraordinary life. He possessed a stunning intellect that was evident even during his last days. His life was marked by great courage -- he always stood up for what's right. Most importantly, he was an incredibly kind and sensitive human being.” His sons G Vishnu, Journalist, and G Raghunandan, artist and an engineer said in an official family statement.
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'Godman' Kharat held in 8th sexual exploitation case; court denies police remand, sends him to jail
Nashik (PTI): Police took custody of self-proclaimed godman-cum-astrologer Ashok Kharat in an eighth case related to sexual exploitation of women and produced him before a Nashik district court which sent him to jail till May 12 after rejecting the plea for his police remand on Thursday.
On April 29, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Nashik police in north Maharashtra filed a request application in the court demanding Kharat's custody in the eighth case.
After the court granted them the necessary permission, the SIT took custody of Kharat, who was in jail in connection with the seventh case of sexual exploitation registered against him.
The 'godman', named in a dozen FIRs related to rape and financial fraud, was produced before Chief Judicial Magistrate B N Ichpurani in the eighth case through video conferencing due to security reasons.
The eighth case related to Kharat allegedly sexually exploiting a woman who had approached him in search of solutions to her family problems, according to police.
During the hearing, the prosecution demanded police custody of the accused in the latest case.
However, the defence strongly opposed the demand and argued that the SIT was giving same reasons for police custody every time and there was no strong reason for accepting their plea.
The court accepted the argument put forth by the defence and remanded Kharat to judicial custody till May 12 in the eighth case.
The SIT will produce Kharat in the court on Friday again and seek his police custody in the ninth case. As the self-styled godman has been granted judicial custody in the eighth case, he will be sent to Nashik Road Central Jail and the SIT will take his custody from there.
Meanwhile, Kharat's judicial custody in the fourth case ended on Thursday. On April 18, the accused was remanded to judicial custody till April 30 in the fourth case of sexual exploitation of women.
In a related development, the SIT conducted a search at Kharat's office in the 'Canada Corner' area of Nashik city on Wednesday. A 'panchnama' (record of search and seizure proceedings) was conducted and the office was locked and sealed again.
Kharat, a well-heeled man with political connections, was arrested for the first time on March 18 after a woman alleged he had repeatedly raped her for three years.
He is accused of sexually exploiting several women by claiming to have divine powers and knowledge of black magic, and also committing large-scale financial fraud.
The SIT is conducting a probe into 12 cases of sexual exploitation and financial fraud registered against the astrologer in Nashik and Ahilyanagar districts.
