Karnataka HC directs state government to verify role of Y.Y. Bagali in Veerappan operation
Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court has directed the state government to verify whether retired Assistant Administrative Officer of Mysuru Police, Y.Y. Bagali, was involved in the operation against forest outlaw Veerappan and to provide a detailed report.
The directive was issued during the hearing of a contempt petition filed by retired Commandant Ramadas Gowda and retired Assistant Administrative Officer Y.Y. Bagali. The petitioners alleged that the government and the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) failed to allot them plots in Kempegowda Layout at a subsidised rate of ₹2,100 per square metre, as directed by a previous High Court order.
The division bench of Justice K. Somashekar and Justice Venkatesh Naik noted that the state counsel informed the court that Bagali was not involved in the Veerappan operation. However, Bagali's counsel disputed this claim, asserting that he had actively participated in the operation. Taking note of the submissions, the court directed the state government to verify and report whether Bagali was indeed part of the Veerappan operation. The bench warned that if it is established that Bagali was not involved, he would face consequences, including the possible cancellation of his plot allotment. The court also instructed the government to take appropriate action in such a case. The matter was adjourned to February 12, 2025.
In 2017, BDA allotted a 60x40 sq ft plot to Ramadas Gowda and a 30x40 sq ft plot to Y.Y. Bagali in Kempegowda Layout. However, in 2018, the petitioners approached the High Court, arguing that, under a 2010 government order, police officers who participated in the Veerappan operation were entitled to plots at ₹2,100 per square metre. The petitioners contended that the prices set for their plots—₹24,219 and ₹21,258 per square metre, respectively—were unjustified.
In 2021, a single-judge bench of the High Court ruled in favour of the petitioners, directing the government and BDA to allot plots at the subsidised rate. Claiming non-compliance with this order, the petitioners filed a contempt plea, seeking action against the BDA Commissioner and the Chief Secretary of Karnataka.
During the hearing, the court criticised the government, questioning the allocation of plots in Kempegowda Layout instead of Veerappan's native village, Gopinatham. The bench observed that granting plots in Gopinatham would have been more appropriate and expressed dissatisfaction with the situation.
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Parameshwara rules out internal differences in Congress in Karnataka
Bengaluru (PTI): Ruling out any internal differences in the ruling Congress in Karnataka, senior party leader and Home Minister G Parameshwara on Thursday said there may be certain minor differences of opinion, but there are no major issues or confusions within.
He also said that his absence in Delhi where Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar and several senior Ministers are camping and plan to meet party high command, is not because of any disgruntlement. Even though he agreed he was not invited to Karnataka Bhavan inauguration in Delhi, he said it is not too important to attend it.
"Where is the internal difference? I myself don't know. You (media) may be creating certain things and speaking. There is no difference among us. Congress is in power and we are running the administration and are implementing programmes," Parameshwara said.
Responding to a question whether there will be an end to internal differences in the Congress with the Chief Minister meeting party senior leader Rahul Gandhi and other central leaders in Delhi, he further said, "There may be minor difference of opinion, it will naturally be there, but it cannot be called an issue or confusion."
CM Siddaramaiah met Rahul Gandhi early on Thursday.
The meeting is seen as a significant one in the backdrop of power tussle in the ruling Congress and speculations about the change in Chief Minister's post later this year. Shivakumar and Parameshwara are seen as the major contenders for the post.
Party sources said that issues like demand to replace Shivakumar from the post of state congress chief, honey-trap attempts as alleged by Minister K N Rajanna might have taken up for discussion as well.
Responding to a question on speculations within the party including the one about changing state Congress President, Parameshwara, who held the post in the past said, "Some want change, some want the same person to continue. It was the same thing when I held the post and when my first term ended, high command called all the state leaders and spoke to them, and then I was asked to continue."
Deputy CM Shivakumar is currently on an extension in the KPCC President post.
Asked whether his opinion has been sought by AICC regarding the developments in the state unit and nominations for vacant MLC posts, the Home Minister said, no one has sought any opinion and there has been no discussion in this regard.
"My opinion is not important, with the passage of time things keep changing. With the flow of fresh water, old water has to flow forward. You interpret however you want," he said when reporters tried to elicit his response on whether his opinion is being considered by the party while making decisions.
Parameshwara said he was not invited for the inauguration of the reconstructed Karnataka Bhavan building -1 'Cauvery' on Wednesday evening, but ruled out any disgruntlement.
Noting that he was the one who had laid the foundation for the Karnataka Bhavan, as the then Deputy Chief Minister, he said, "I don't know, no one has invited me. How to go to the event in Delhi without any invite? So I did not go..."
He however also said that he did not find the event to be that important for him to attend. "Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister and PWD Minister were already there and I don't feel that I too should be there. I felt it was not necessary to attend."
Rejecting any difference with Shivakumar as the reason for skipping the event in Delhi and Siddaganga Math event in Tumakuru, he said, "I can even now go to his house immediately if needed. We don't have any such things, we are very good friends."
