Bengaluru: R Ashok, the Leader of the Opposition in Karnataka, has condemned actor Darshan for allegedly taking the law into his own hands to commit a murder. Addressing media persons in Bengaluru on Thursday, Ashok emphasized that no one is above the law and called for a thorough police investigation into the incident.

“Darshan could have approached the police to handle the matter with Renukaswamy. Instead, if he has indeed committed a murder, it is a grave mistake,” Ashok stated. He expressed concern over the rising crime rates in the state, mentioning recent incidents such as the Chennagiri Police Station being set on fire and instances of police officers being assaulted. He criticized the law enforcement’s inability to maintain control, citing that the police station had to be shielded by a shamiyana. “We are in Karnataka, not Jammu and Kashmir. It is not right to prevent the media from covering these events,” he added.

The former Deputy Chief Minister expressed hope that a proper investigation would reveal the truth. He stressed that the victim had a clean record and condemned the idea of resorting to murder over social media messages. “It’s a disgrace to the entire film industry that a murder has been committed over such a trivial issue. The government should provide financial assistance to the victim’s family on humanitarian grounds,” Ashok urged.

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Ashok also criticized the Education Department for delays in supplying textbooks on time, which he said has caused confusion among parents and students. He pointed out that this problem has arisen despite a significant decrease in the number of students attending government schools. “On one hand, the government makes guarantees, and on the other, it fails to provide textbooks. The state treasury is empty, and now they are trying to impose unnecessary taxes. The Finance Department should release a progress report for the year to demonstrate what the so-called ‘Karnataka Model’ is,” Ashok asserted.

Referring to a statement by Navalagund Congress MLA N H Konaraddi, Ashok accused the state government of delays in distributing drought relief to farmers. He highlighted that CM Siddaramaiah dismisses opposition criticism as ignorance while failing to address the real issues. “Congress MLA’s letter to the government, indicating that farmers have not received the drought relief they deserve, exposes the government’s inefficiency. The Modi-led Central Government released Rs 3,454 crore for drought relief, but the CM has failed to distribute it to the farmers. If the CM cannot ensure the relief amount reaches the farmers, he should resign. The government must not play with the lives of farmers,” Ashok declared.

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New Delhi (PTI): A 16-year-old boy was stabbed to death at Ramleela ground in northwest Delhi for allegedly making social media comments that police described as "controversial", an official said on Wednesday.

According to the police, the assailants, also minors, attacked him with a knife, inflicting multiple stab wounds.

"A PCR call was received in the Shalimar Bagh Police Station regarding an injured boy lying in Ramleela ground. The police team reached the spot and found him with multiple stab wounds," a police officer said.

He was working as a labourer in a banquet hall for the last two days, the officer said. An FIR was registered and the police apprehended two juveniles in the case.

Preliminary investigation reveals that the deceased was stabbed due to an ongoing enmity, the officer said.

During questioning, the accused told the police that the victim had made "controversial comments" against them on social media. Following which, they intercepted him at Ramleela ground and stabbed him. He died on the spot, officer said.

"We have recovered a dagger and the victim's mobile phone. Further investigation in the case is underway," he added.