Let Dakshina Kannada leaders call SIT probe in Dharmasthala politically motivated: Dinesh Gundu Rao
Hubballi: Responding to BJP’s criticism that the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into the Dharmasthala complaint is politically motivated, Health and Family Welfare Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao on Tuesday challenged leaders from Dakshina Kannada district to make such claims themselves.
Speaking to reporters in Hubballi, Rao said that the BJP’s accusation that the SIT probe is politically driven is baseless. "The investigation was initiated due to pressure from the public and various organizations. Based on this, the government formed the SIT and the investigation is proceeding accordingly," he stated.
He acknowledged that there has been widespread confusion regarding the case, with allegations suggesting that several bodies were allegedly buried or disposed of secretly.
“It remains to be seen how much of it is true. Naturally, this has sparked a lot of debate across the state,” he added, stressing that there was no political agenda behind the investigation.
On the BJP’s plan to launch a helpline concerning GST notices issued to small traders by the Commercial Tax Department, Rao remarked that the party, including Leader of the Opposition R. Ashoka, lacks proper understanding of GST mechanisms. "The state government has no authority to intervene in GST matters," he clarified.
Referring to the Enforcement Directorate (ED)’s probe into the MUDA case involving Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s wife, Rao said the Supreme Court had strongly criticized the ED’s actions. “The Court has seriously questioned why the ED is interfering in government-related matters. This is a grave issue,” he said.
He also took aim at Union Minister Pralhad Joshi for frequently commenting on ED investigations. “Now that the Supreme Court has delivered its verdict, let him respond. What moral ground does Pralhad Joshi have, who constantly invoked the ED, IT, and CBI?” Rao questioned, calling the verdict a major embarrassment for the Centre.
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Bangladesh court sentences Sheikh Hasina to 10 years in jail in corruption cases
Dhaka (PTI): A Bangladesh court on Monday sentenced deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to 10 years in jail in two separate corruption cases related to alleged irregularities in allocations of land in a government housing project.
Dhaka Special Judge’s Court-4 Judge Rabiul Alam handed down the verdicts, sentencing Hasina to a total of 10 years’ imprisonment — five years in each case, state-run BSS news agency reported.
The court sentenced 78-year-old Hasina, her nephew Radwan Mujib Siddiq, and her nieces, Tulip Rizwana Siddiq and Azmina Siddiq, and others in the cases over alleged irregularities in the allocation of plots under the Rajuk New Town Project in Purbachol.
The judgment was pronounced at around 12.30 pm.
Tulip Siddiq was sentenced to four years’ imprisonment — two years in each case — while Radwan Mujib Siddiq and Azmina Siddiq were each sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment in both cases.
Rajuk member Mohammad Khurshid Alam, the only accused to surrender before the court, was sentenced to one year’s imprisonment in each case, totalling two years.
The court also fined all convicted persons Tk1 lakh each and ordered them to serve an additional six months in prison in default of payment.
Hasina has been living in India since she fled Bangladesh on August 5 last year in the face of the massive protests. She was earlier declared a fugitive by the court.
The cases were filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) over alleged abuse of power in the allocation of two 10-katha plots.
According to the prosecution, the accused manipulated the allocation process and violated existing rules and regulations of the Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk).
