Karnataka High Court dismisses plea challenging arrest of Congress MLA K.C. Veerendra by ED
Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court has dismissed a petition challenging the arrest of Chitradurga Congress MLA K.C. Veerendra alias Veerendra Pappi by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with an alleged money laundering case.
The petition was filed by Veerendra’s wife, R.D. Chaitra, seeking to declare her husband’s arrest illegal and to direct his immediate release. After completing the hearing earlier, Justice M.I. Arun of the single-judge bench pronounced the verdict on Wednesday, rejecting the plea.
The court ruled that the arrest of MLA Veerendra cannot be termed illegal and noted that the amendments made to Section 2(1)(u) of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) had strengthened the powers of the Enforcement Directorate. The court observed that the amendment allows the ED to continue its investigation based on the pending case registered at Harohalli Police Station in Kanakapura.
The High Court also clarified that the dismissal of the current petition will not affect other proceedings, including the bail plea filed by Veerendra before different courts. It added that if the competent court accepts the ‘B Report’ filed by the police in the Harohalli case, the petitioner would still have the liberty to challenge Veerendra’s arrest order again.
The detailed order of the court is awaited.
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Elderly Dalit woman cremated on road after family denied access to village cremation ground in Bihar
Vaishali: An elderly Dalit woman was cremated on a public road in Bihar’s Vaishali district after her family was allegedly prevented from using the village cremation ground, triggering outrage and tension in the area, The Observer Post reported.
The incident occurred on Thursday at Sontho Andhari village under the Goraul police station limits. The deceased, identified as Jhapki Devi (95), belonged to a Mahadalit family. According to locals and police, when her family tried to take her body to the cremation ground, some people blocked the route, leaving the family with no option but to perform the last rites on the road.
Family members and residents said the obstruction has been a long-standing issue. “Every time we take a body for cremation, the way is blocked. This has happened earlier too, but no permanent solution was given,” said a local resident from Manjhi Tola, expressing anger over repeated denial of access.
As tensions rose, the funeral procession stopped at Andhari Gachi Chowk, where the body was placed on a pyre in front of a Shiva temple and cremated on the road. Villagers alleged that the pathway connecting the main road to the cremation ground had been encroached upon by local landowners.
Police and administrative officials later reached the spot. A fire brigade vehicle was deployed to extinguish the pyre, and the road was cleaned after the cremation. Public representatives who arrived at the scene were reportedly chased away by protesting villagers, who accused the administration of ignoring their complaints for years.
Vaishali Superintendent of Police Vikram Sihag said the issue arose due to the absence of a clear path. “Earlier, there was a route to the cremation ground, but some people built a temple on that path. Due to the lack of access, the family carried out the cremation on the road,” he said. He added that discussions were held with local officials and that arrangements would be made to restore access to the cremation ground. “The situation is currently under control,” the SP said.
Block Development Officer Pankaj Kumar Nigam and Circle Officer Divya Chanchal said the area had been cleared and an inquiry was under way. “All aspects will be examined, and steps will be taken to ensure that such incidents do not happen again,” they said.
