Bommai welcomes SIT probe into Dharmasthala case, demands time-bound, unbiased investigation
Bengaluru: Former Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai has welcomed the state government's decision to constitute a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the alleged serial murders in Dharmasthala. However, he stressed that the investigation must be conducted within a stipulated timeframe and adhere strictly to legal norms.
Speaking to the media on Monday, Bommai cautioned that the SIT should not function with a predetermined target in mind. "The people of Dharmasthala and the local police are well aware of the region. The complainants have alleged that they were under pressure. The source of that pressure must be investigated," he said.
Bommai further stressed that police should act responsibly and take appropriate legal action in connection with the incidents at Dharmasthala. "Dharmasthala is a historic and revered temple. Undermining public faith in such an institution must be strictly avoided," he said.
On a separate issue, Bommai criticised the state government for issuing tax notices to small and micro traders. He accused Chief Minister Siddaramaiah of deflecting responsibility by blaming the Centre. "The notices have shocked small traders, but instead of addressing the issue, the Chief Minister is trying to wash his hands of it," Bommai alleged.
Commenting on internal developments within the ruling Congress party, Bommai predicted significant political shifts in the coming days. "No matter what anyone says, these changes are inevitable," he claimed. Responding to speculation about efforts to unite former ministers Sriramulu and Janardhan Reddy, Bommai dismissed it, stating that the trio has always shared a strong understanding.
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Bangladesh court sentences Sheikh Hasina to 10 years in jail in corruption cases
Dhaka (PTI): A Bangladesh court on Monday sentenced deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to 10 years in jail in two separate corruption cases related to alleged irregularities in allocations of land in a government housing project.
Dhaka Special Judge’s Court-4 Judge Rabiul Alam handed down the verdicts, sentencing Hasina to a total of 10 years’ imprisonment — five years in each case, state-run BSS news agency reported.
The court sentenced 78-year-old Hasina, her nephew Radwan Mujib Siddiq, and her nieces, Tulip Rizwana Siddiq and Azmina Siddiq, and others in the cases over alleged irregularities in the allocation of plots under the Rajuk New Town Project in Purbachol.
The judgment was pronounced at around 12.30 pm.
Tulip Siddiq was sentenced to four years’ imprisonment — two years in each case — while Radwan Mujib Siddiq and Azmina Siddiq were each sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment in both cases.
Rajuk member Mohammad Khurshid Alam, the only accused to surrender before the court, was sentenced to one year’s imprisonment in each case, totalling two years.
The court also fined all convicted persons Tk1 lakh each and ordered them to serve an additional six months in prison in default of payment.
Hasina has been living in India since she fled Bangladesh on August 5 last year in the face of the massive protests. She was earlier declared a fugitive by the court.
The cases were filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) over alleged abuse of power in the allocation of two 10-katha plots.
According to the prosecution, the accused manipulated the allocation process and violated existing rules and regulations of the Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk).
