Belekeri iron ore theft case: MLA Satish Sail, others to receive sentencing today (Oct. 26)
Bengaluru: The Special Court for Elected Representatives, which recently found MLA Satish Sail and others guilty in the Belekeri port iron ore theft case, will announce the sentencing later today.
The court reserved its decision after hearing arguments on Friday. CBI prosecutor K.S. Hema argued that the accused were involved in the illegal export of 3,100 metric tons of iron ore, requesting the maximum prison sentence along with a fine.
Senior advocate Murthy D. Naik, representing MLA Satish Sail, pointed out that Sail suffers from health issues and is under treatment, citing this as grounds for his previous bail. He also noted that the maximum sentence under the anti-corruption and theft laws is three years, requesting a sentence below this limit.
The bench, presided over by Justice Santosh Gajanana Bhat, had declared MLA Sail, former port officer Mahesh Biliya, and five others guilty on Thursday. Following the judgment, CBI authorities took all seven into custody.
Seven await sentencing in custody
MLA Satish Sail, port officer Mahesh Biliya, Lal Mahal company owner Prem Chand Garg, Sri Lakshmi Venkateshwara Traders owner Kharadapudi Mahesh, Swastik company owner K.V. Nagaraj, Govindaraju, and Aashapura company owner Chetan were detained and are currently held in Parappana Agrahara Central Prison awaiting the court’s decision.
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Activists write open letter to Odisha govt flagging anti-Christian violence
New Delhi: Activists and rights campaigners John Dayal, Aakar Patel, Vidya Dinker and Harsh Mander have expressed serious concern over the alleged rise in violence and intimidation against Christians in several districts, accusing both Hindutva organisations and sections of the police of targeting the minority community.
In a strongly worded communication addressed to the state administration, the signatories said they had received disturbing testimonies from affected people regarding social boycott, denial of burial rights, physical assaults and police intimidation.
According to the activists, Christians in some areas were allegedly boycotted by villagers, while people who traded with them, employed them or provided them shelter were also targeted.
The letter also highlighted what it described as “gruesome” incidents involving the prevention of burials of Christians within village burial grounds and even on privately owned lands belonging to Christian families. The activists said there were cases where bodies remained unburied for days due to opposition from local groups, while in some instances burials were allegedly forced to take place in forest areas outside village limits. Funeral prayers were also reportedly disrupted.
The signatories further alleged that in certain districts the violence escalated into physical assaults on Christians. They claimed that some victims were tied to trees and beaten, while others were allegedly placed inside sacks and assaulted. The letter also mentioned a few reported instances of sexual violence and attempts to burn people alive, which, according to them, were stopped at the last moment.
Expressing particular concern, the activists said many victims had testified that police personnel joined hands with Hindutva organisations to force Christians into signing “compromise” agreements. These agreements allegedly required them to give up their faith and stop collective worship.
The letter also accused the police of registering serious criminal cases against victims of attacks instead of taking action against the attackers. According to the signatories, many of those attacked were detained in police stations and jails, while in some cases the police themselves allegedly played a direct role in intimidation and violence against Christians.
Stating that there appeared to be a “complete breakdown in the constitutional machinery of the state” in relation to Christian minorities, the activists urged the administration to uphold and protect the constitutional and religious rights of all citizens without discrimination based on religion, caste or creed.
The letter was signed by John Dayal, Aakar Patel, Vidya Dinker and Harsh Mander.
