Bodies of 3 men from Belthangady found inside debris of gutted car in Tumakuru, investigations on
Tumakuru: The bodies of three men hailing from Belthangady were discovered inside a burnt car located on the banks of Kucchangi lake in in Tumkuru district, on Friday.
The victims were identified as Shahul (45), an auto-rickshaw driver residing in TB Cross, Belthangady taluk, Isaac (56) from Maddadka, and Imtiaz (34) from Shirlalu.
Upon receiving information from locals who stumbled upon the car wreckage while heading to the lake, senior police officials, including Superintendent of Police Ashok KV, Additional Superintendent Mariyappa, and Deputy Superintendent Chandrashekhar, visited the scene to assess the situation.
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The Tumakuru Rural Police have initiated a case in response to the incident, with investigations currently underway. To aid in the probe, forensic experts from the Forensic Sciences Laboratory (FSL) and a canine unit have been summoned to conduct thorough examinations. The exact circumstances surrounding the deaths and the cause of the car fire remain subjects of investigation.
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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.
