Karnataka minister calls out BJP after SC rejects H D Kumaraswamy’s plea in corruption case
Bengaluru: With the Supreme Court dismissing Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy’s plea seeking the quashing of proceedings in a graft case, Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge on Wednesday questioned the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on their "na khaunga, na khane dunga" slogan.
The Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed a plea by former Karnataka CM Kumaraswamy seeking to quash the proceedings in a corruption case related to the de-notification of two plots of land.
"What does the BJP have to say about the Supreme Court order yesterday in connection with Kumaraswamy? Our Prime Minister says na khaunga, na khane dunga (will not indulge in corruption, nor allow anyone to indulge in corruption), but such cases exist in his cabinet," Kharge said.
Speaking to reporters here, he said, "The Supreme Court has clearly stated that Kumaraswamy misused his office for personal benefit when he was Chief Minister, and it needs to be investigated. So, it cannot grant a stay order."
Pointing to the BJP and JD(S) for organising a 'Mysuru Chalo' padayatra (foot march) demanding Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s resignation when allegations surfaced against him in the MUDA site allotment case, the Minister asked, "Will the BJP do a 'Mandya Chalo' now? The BJP has to clarify whether they stand with him (Kumaraswamy) or not."
Mandya is the parliamentary constituency represented by Kumaraswamy.
A bench of Justices Dipankar Datta and Rajesh Bindal refused to entertain Kumaraswamy’s plea against an October 9, 2020 order of the Karnataka High Court.
The High Court had earlier refused to quash the proceedings against him in the matter.
The case relates to a private complaint filed by one M S Mahadeva Swamy before the special judge under the Prevention of Corruption Act in Bengaluru, seeking the prosecution of Kumaraswamy and others.
The complaint alleged that the de-notification of two plots of land in Halagevaderahalli Village, Uttarahalli Hobli, Bengaluru South Taluk, during Kumaraswamy’s tenure as Chief Minister between June 2006 and October 2007, was carried out for pecuniary gain.
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UAE condemns 'terrorist' attack on Indian-flagged vessel off Oman coast
Dubai (PTI): The UAE has condemned a strike on an Indian-flagged vessel off the coast of Oman, calling it a "terrorist attack" and a "dangerous escalation" that threatens the stability of critical waterways.
The commercial vessel, which was sailing from Somalia, came under attack on Wednesday, according to India's Ministry of External Affairs.
All 14 crew members were rescued by Omani authorities, but it was not immediately known who carried out the strike, it said.
"The UAE strongly condemns terrorist attack on Indian-flagged ship off the coast of Oman," the UAE's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) said in a statement issued on Thursday. "This attack constitutes a grave threat to the security of international navigation and represents a dangerous escalation aimed at undermining the stability of critical waterways."
The incident took place amid the fragile situation in the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway close to the coast of Oman through which roughly one-fifth of the world's energy supplies pass.
It has been severely disrupted by the conflict in West Asia that started on February 28, with the US and Israel launching joint attacks on Iran, triggering retaliatory strikes.
The MoFA further said that the attack on the India-flagged vessel on Wednesday was a violation of UN Security Council Resolution 2817, which affirms the importance of freedom of navigation and rejects the targeting of commercial vessels or the obstruction of international maritime routes.
It emphasised that "targeting commercial shipping and using the Strait of Hormuz as a tool of economic coercion or blackmail represent acts of piracy and constitute a direct threat to the stability of the region, its peoples, and global energy security".
The UAE expressed solidarity with India and its support for all measures aimed at safeguarding the security and safety of its vessels and interests, the statement said.
Earlier, India had described the attack as "unacceptable".
At least two other Indian-flagged ships have been attacked since the conflict broke out.
