Ballari violence: Karnataka Home Minister rejects opposition demand for CBI probe
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara on Thursday rejected the opposition's demand to hand over the investigation into the recent clashes in Ballari, which left one dead, to the CBI.
He reaffirmed his confidence in the state police's ability to conduct a probe professionally.
"Our police department has the capability to investigate. They are capable of handling any situation. If the situation comes that they are unable to do it, then we can say CBI or other agency. We have already decided in the cabinet not to give such cases to the CBI. Selectively, we will decide on giving cases to CBI if there is a court order or if the situation demands," Parameshwara said.
Speaking to reporters here, he said, "... there is no need for giving it to the CBI for a probe... We will not hand over the case to the CBI."
Tension prevailed in parts of Ballari on January 1 night after supporters of Ballari Congress MLA Nara Bharath Reddy and Gangavati BJP MLA G Janardhan Reddy allegedly clashed over a banner installation issue.
The situation turned violent with alleged stone-pelting and firing, leaving one person dead.
Addressing criticism from JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy, who called him a 'rubber stamp', Pameshwara dismissed it and said he doesn't take his comments seriously.
"I'm a responsible Home Minister and will ensure that Law and Order is maintained in Karnataka. If something happens, we will take necessary actions accordingly within the framework of law. If he calls me a rubber stamp -- yes thank you so much. I don't want to comment on that. He is a responsible person. He has to mind his statement," he said.
Pointing to Kumaraswamy's background as former CM of the state and current union minister, Parameshwara said he does not need any lessons on administration.
"I have been in politics for 38 years and have worked in various portfolios. I have worked with him (Kumaraswamy) too (as his Deputy CM). He knows both my capability and personality. I don't take his statement seriously," he added.
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On the Hubballi woman arrest row, the minister said, Hubballi police commissioner Shashikumar has already issued a clarification.
"I think that's enough."
"Opposition may say anything, but the commissioner has clarified that the police did not disrobe the woman and while arresting her she herself has disrobed. When the commissioner has issued a clarification, what else do they want? Engaging in politics over everything is not right..." he said.
The BJP accused the police of "disrobing" a woman party worker, after a video of the woman in a police vehicle went viral on Wednesday, leading to a controversy.
The police, however, have refuted the charges, saying the woman had taken off her clothes while being detained on January 5 on charges of abusing, threatening and assaulting a Congress corporator.
Responding to claims that BJP workers are being unfairly targeted, Parameshwara rejected them, saying no one is being targeted based on their political party affiliation. "Police cannot and won't do it. We will not give such an opportunity. Police will not work with political malice."
The Minister also said that any Bangladeshi staying in the state illegally will be deported.
Responding to claims citing reports that there are some illegal Bangladeshi immigrants in Kaggalipura area, he said, "If there are any Bangladeshi nationals living in an unauthorised way in the state, we will nab and deport them after informing their embassy. We have done this in several cases."
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MP HC sets up judicial commission to probe water contamination in Indore
Indore (PTI): The Indore bench of Madhya Pradesh High Court on Tuesday set up a commission of inquiry comprising a former HC judge to probe the issue of water contamination in city's Bhagirathpura, saying the matter requires probe by an independent, credible authority and "urgent judicial scrutiny".
It also directed the commission to submit an interim report after four weeks from the date of commencement of proceedings.
A division bench of Justices Vijay Kumar Shukla and Alok Awasthi constituted the commission while hearing several public interest litigations (PILs) filed simultaneously regarding the deaths of several people in Bhagirathpura due to the consumption of contaminated water.
The HC reserved the order after hearing all the parties during the day, and released it late at night.
The state government on Tuesday told the HC that the deaths of 16 people in Indore's Bhagirathpura area was possibly linked to a month-long outbreak of vomiting and diarrhoea caused by contaminated drinking water.
The government presented an audit report of 23 deaths from the current gastroenteritis epidemic in Bhagirathpura before the bench, suggesting that 16 of these fatalities may have been linked to the outbreak of vomiting and diarrhoea caused by contaminated drinking water.
The report, prepared by a committee of five experts from the city's Government Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Medical College, stated that the deaths of four people in Bhagirathpura were unrelated to the outbreak, while no conclusion could be reached regarding the cause of death of three other people in the area.
During the hearing, the high court sought to know from the state government the scientific basis behind its report.
The division bench also expressed surprise at the state government's use of the term "verbal autopsy" in relation to the report, sarcastically stating that it had heard the term for the first time.
The HC expressed concern over the Bhagirathpura case, stating that the situation was "alarming," and noted that cases of people falling ill due to contaminated drinking water have also been reported in Mhow, near Indore.
In its order, the HC said the serious issue concerning contamination of the drinking water supply in Bhagirathpura area allegedly resulted in widespread health hazards to residents, including children and elderly persons.
According to the petitioners and media reports, death toll is about 30 till today, but the report depicts only 16 without any basis or record, it said.
It is averred that sewage mixing, leakage in the pipeline, and failure of civic authorities to maintain potable water standards have led to the outbreak of water-borne diseases. Photographs, medical reports, and complaints submitted to the authorities prima facie indicate a matter requiring urgent judicial scrutiny, the HC said.
"Considering the gravity of the allegation and affecting the right to life under Article 21 of the Constitution of India and the need for an independent fact-finding exercise, the Court is of the opinion that the matter requires investigation by an independent, credible authority," it said.
"Accordingly, we appoint Justice Sushil Kumar Gupta, former judge of the Madhya Pradesh High Court, a one-man commission of inquiry into the issues relating to water contamination in Bhagirathpura, Indore, and its impact on other areas of the city," the HC added.
As per the order, the commission shall inquire into and submit a report on the cause of contamination -- whether the drinking water supplied to Bhagirathpura was contaminated; and the source and nature of contamination (sewage ingress, industrial discharge, pipeline damage etc).
The panel will also probe the number of actual deaths of affected residents on account of contaminated water; find out the nature of disease reported and adequacy of medical response and preventive measures; suggest immediate steps required to ensure safe drinking water as well as long-term infrastructural and monitoring reforms.
It will also identify and fix responsibility upon the officers and officials found prima facie responsible for the Bhagirathpura water contamination incident, and suggest guidelines for compensation to affected residents, particularly vulnerable sections.
The commission shall have powers of a civil court for the purpose of summoning officials and witnesses; calling up records from the government department, hospitals, laboratories and civic bodies; ordering water quality testing through accredited laboratories; conducting spot inspections.
All state authorities involving district administration, Indore Municipal Corporation, public health engineering department and Madhya Pradesh Pollution Control Board shall extend full co-operation and provide records as sought by the commission, it said.
The state government shall provide office space, staff, and logistical support to the commission, it said.
During the hearing in the day, the state government also presented a status report to the court in this matter.
According to reports, a total of 454 patients were admitted to local hospitals during the vomiting and diarrhea outbreak, of whom 441 have been discharged after treatment, and 11 are currently hospitalised.
According to officials, due to a leak in the municipal drinking water pipeline in Bhagirathpura, sewage from a toilet was also mixed in the water.
