HC stays women commission’s notice against HDK over ‘women going astray remark’
Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court on Friday stayed a notice issued by the State Commission for Women against former Chief Minister and JD(S) state President HD Kumaraswamy over allegations of insulting women.
A bench headed by Justice M.Nagaprasanna hearing the petition filed by Kumaraswamy stayed the notice issued by the State Commission for Women, and also issued a notice to the Chairperson, Dr. Nagalakshmi Chaudhary, and the Commission.
Justice M Nagaprasanna pointed out that no notice or summons, as permitted by the Karnataka State Commission for Women Act, was given to Kumaraswamy. “A clarification is sought which, on the surface, appears to be beyond its authority,” added.
During the hearing of the application, the lawyer arguing on behalf of HD Kumaraswamy, said that despite the JD(S) leader giving a clarification on his statement on April 15, the Commission issued a notice seeking further clarification.
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In his plea, Kumaraswamy also alleged the Chairperson of the Commission being biased and acting to gain the goodwill of her political masters and the order was issued in contrary to the Section 7(3) of the Karnataka State Commission for Women Act, which states that all the orders and decisions issued by the Commission shall be authenticated by the Secretary or any other duly authorised officer of the Commission.
Furthermore, Kumaraswamy has also urged the HC to quash the summons and notice issued by the State Women’s Commission.
The JD(S) leader while campaigning in Tumkur's, Turuvekere for the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) candidate, V Somanna, is alleged to have said that the rural women were being led astray due to Congress government’s guarantee schemes, which triggered a row.
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Karnataka High Court denies anticipatory bail to accused police officials in Bitcoin scam case
Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court has refused to grant anticipatory bail to a police inspector and Deputy Superintendent of Police, who are among the accused in the Bitcoin scam case.
The bail petitions of inspector Chandradhara S R and Deputy Superintendent of Police Shridhar K Pujar, who are accused number three and five respectively in the case were earlier rejected by a sessions court.
Justice Rajendra Badamikar, delivering the verdict, highlighted concerns about potential manipulation of records and destruction of evidence, given the positions held by the petitioners. He emphasised that the allegations included attempts to destroy evidence, making their bail petitions devoid of merit. Special Public Prosecutor B N Jagadeesha, representing the Crime Investigation Department, argued that the accused officers were involved in facilitating illegal activities, including the transfer of funds and Bitcoins.
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The CID also contended that the officers colluded with other accused individuals to destroy evidence and evade legal consequences. The court observed that the actions of the petitioners indicated an attempt to tamper with evidence and assist accused individuals for unlawful gain. It noted instances where the officers allegedly provided illegal substances to detainees and facilitated illegal transactions.
In light of the evidence presented, the court rejected the bail petitions, affirming the seriousness of the allegations and the need for further investigation into the Bitcoin scam case. The Bitcoin scam had surfaced during the previous BJP regime in 2021, and the Congress then in the opposition had accused the government of trying to cover up the scandal as it involved big names. The prime suspect, Srikrishna Ramesh alias Sriki, was accused of hacking the state government's e-procurement site and siphoning off over ₹11.5 crore. There were also charges of cryptocurrency theft, drug peddling and cyber fraud relating to the case.
