CM Siddaramaiah announces compensation for kin of sub-inspectors killed in accident
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday announced compensation for the families of three police personnel killed in a road accident in Chitradurga district, terming the incident “extremely tragic”.
The Chief Minister said an ex gratia of Rs five lakh each would be provided to the families of the deceased Reserve Sub-Inspectors, while Rs two lakh each would be given to those injured in the accident.
“An amount of Rs 5 lakh each will be provided as compensation to the families of the three Reserve Sub Inspectors who lost their lives in the horrific accident that occurred near Heggere Gate in Challakere taluk of Chitradurga district on Sunday, and Rs 2 lakh each to those injured. This is an extremely tragic incident. I pray that the departed souls find peace and that their families find the strength to bear this sorrow,” Siddaramaiah said in a post on X.
According to police, three sub-inspectors—Amaresh, Manjunath and Sachin—were killed and two others seriously injured after their car rammed into a lorry on the Bengaluru–Ballari highway on Sunday morning.
The accident occurred near Prakash Sponge Iron Company when the car, carrying five sub-inspectors travelling from Bengaluru to Ballari, crashed into a lorry moving ahead. As an impact, the vehicle was dragged for nearly 300 metres, officials said.
The injured, identified as Lakshman and Eshwar, were initially admitted to the Challakere Government Hospital before being shifted to a private hospital in Chitradurga and later referred to Davanagere for further treatment.
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CM Siddaramaiah alleges ‘criminal conspiracy’ in Sringeri recount, vows legal action
Bengaluru (PTI): Alleging a “criminal conspiracy” by BJP candidate D N Jeevaraj in the Sringeri Assembly poll recounting, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said the outcome was manipulated after valid postal ballot votes in favour of Congress leader T D Raje Gowda were tampered with during the recounting process.
Following a Karnataka High Court order on an election petition filed by Jeevaraj, challenging Raje Gowda’s election, the reverification and recounting were conducted on Saturday.
After the reverification and recount of postal ballots for the Sringeri Assembly constituency, votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda were reduced by 255, the returning officer said.
A report on the matter has been submitted to the Election Commission of India for further action, the officer added.
Congress leader Raje Gowda had won the 2023 Assembly polls from Sringeri by 201 votes, defeating his nearest rival Jeevaraj.
Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru, Siddaramaiah said the High Court had directed the recounting of postal ballots and that irregularities were noticed during the exercise conducted on May 2.
“This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” Siddaramaiah said, alleging that valid votes cast in favour of Raje Gowda were altered after being accepted by counting agents of all parties, including Congress, BJP, and JD(S).
He claimed that during the recounting of postal ballots, 255 votes were initially accepted as valid by all agents but were later tampered with by subordinate officials.
“There is a second mark on the votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda. They had accepted these as valid votes. Subsequently, another mark was made by officials. This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” he said.
When asked who was behind the alleged conspiracy, the CM replied, “It was hatched by Jeevaraj and others. It is planned.”
Siddaramaiah further alleged that the returning officer acted improperly by declaring the result despite the presence of an Election Commission observer during the recounting.
“Immediately after the counting, the returning officer announced the result. He should not have done so; this is against the law,” he said.
He pointed out that Raje Gowda had originally won by 201 votes, but after the recounting, the BJP candidate was declared the winner by 52 votes.
“The BJP has committed a criminal act of conspiracy. This is not vote chori but vote dacoity,” he alleged.
The CM said a police complaint had already been filed by Raje Gowda’s election agent, Sudhir Kumar, and emphasised the need for electoral integrity.
“We want transparency and free and fair elections. That is what our Constitution mandates,” he added.
Stating that the government would pursue legal remedies, Siddaramaiah said, “We are preparing an appeal challenging the returning officer’s announcement in a court of law.”
Responding to a separate query on elections in other states, the CM said there appeared to be an anti-incumbency factor in West Bengal, while results in Tamil Nadu were “surprising,” adding that Vijay’s party was emerging as the largest there.
Following the victory of party candidates in Bagalkote and Davanagere South, Siddaramaiah expressed confidence about future electoral prospects in Karnataka.
“Even in 2028, we will win the Assembly elections. We will come back,” the CM said.
Siddaramaiah added that he would order a forensic examination into the alleged tampering of postal ballots.
