Money laundering case: Delhi court allows Karnataka Dy CM DK Shivakumar to travel abroad
New Delhi, Nov 27: A Delhi court has allowed Karnataka deputy chief minister D K Shivakumar, accused in money laundering case, to travel abroad.
Special Judge Vikas Dhull allowed Congress member Shivakumar to travel to Dubai from November 29 to December 3 on an application moved by him.
The application claimed that he was invited by His Excellency Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, COP28 President-Designate, and Michael R Bloomberg, United Nations Secretary-General's Special Envoy on Climate Ambition and Solution, to attend the upcoming COP28 Local Climate Action Summit in Dubai, which is an annual international climate summit convened by the United Nations.
"It is a settled principle of law that right to travel abroad is part of personal liberty as per Article 21 of the Constitution of India. However, such right is not unfettered and reasonable restriction can be imposed upon the same. One of the restrictions which can be imposed is to curb the said right during the course of investigation or trial if it appears that accused is likely to abscond and will not be available to face the trial," the judge said in an order passed on November 25.
Noting that the accused was eight-time MLA from Karnataka, where he is currently serving as a deputy chief minister, the judge said that the possibility of him fleeing from India was quite remote.
"In the facts and circumstances, there is no impediment in allowing the application of applicant. Hence the application filed by Shivakumar seeking permission to travel abroad is allowed and he is permitted to travel to Dubai with effect from November 29, 2023 till December 3, 2023," the judge said.
The judge, however, put several conditions on the accused, including that he furnishes an FDR of Rs 5 lakh in his name before the court prior to his travel and files his complete travel itinerary, along with a telephone or mobile number.
"Accused shall not try to contact any of co-accused or try to influence any of the witnesses connected with the present case while travelling abroad," the judge said.
Shivakumar was granted bail on October 23, 2019 by Delhi High Court, with the condition that he will not leave the country without the permission of the court.
The application claimed that the accused had on several occasions travelled abroad and returned to India and was not a flight risk.
It was further submitted in the plea that the investigation was complete and prosecution complaint was already filed before the court.
It was further submitted that applicant has no criminal antecedents.
"Thus, there is no likelihood that applicant will commit any offence or tamper with the evidence or influence any witnesses," the application claimed.
The ED opposed the application, claiming that the accused was involved in a criminal conspiracy to move tainted cash and hide the source of such cash with active participation and help of the other accused.
Shivakumar was booked for alleged offences under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.
The case was based on a charge sheet filed by the Income Tax Department in 2018 before a special court in Bengaluru on charges of alleged tax evasion and 'hawala' transactions worth crores of rupees.
The IT department had accused Shivakumar and his alleged associate S K Sharma of indulging in transactions involving huge amounts of unaccounted for money on a regular basis through 'hawala' channels with the help of three other accused.
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Karnataka govt directs municipal corps to regulate, prohibit pigeon feeding
Bengaluru (PTI): The Karnataka government has issued directions to municipal corporations across the state to regulate and prohibit feeding pigeons in public places, citing serious public health concerns.
Deputy Secretary to Government V Lakshmikanth has written to the Urban Development Department requesting it to issue directions to the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) and all municipal corporations to take immediate steps to implement the measures.
In an official note dated December 16 issued by the Health and Family Welfare Department and released to the media on Wednesday, the department said uncontrolled feeding of pigeons in public places has resulted in large congregations of birds, excessive droppings and serious health concerns, particularly respiratory illnesses linked to prolonged exposure to pigeon droppings and feathers such as hypersensitivity pneumonitis and other lung diseases.
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"The commissioner, the Greater Bengaluru Authority and the Commissioners and chief officers of other municipal corporations shall take necessary action to mitigate the causes of dangerous disease spread by pigeon and enforce specified guidelines in their respective jurisdiction," the note said.
According to the department, these include a prohibition on feeding pigeons or causing pigeons to be fed in areas where it may cause nuisance or pose a health hazard to the public. Pigeon feeding shall be permitted only in designated areas in a controlled manner, subject to certain conditions.
"The designated areas may be selected in consultation with stakeholders. The responsibility for upkeep of the designated areas and compliance to the directions shall be taken up by some charitable organisation or an NGO. The feeding in designated areas shall be permitted only for some limited hours in the day," it said.
The note further stated that authorised officers of local authorities shall issue on-the-spot warnings and may impose fines for violation of the order, or lodge complaints to prosecute offenders under Sections 271 (Negligent act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) and 272 (Malignant act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
It also directed local authorities to conduct public awareness campaigns, including the display of signboards, banners and digital messages, explaining the health hazards associated with pigeon droppings and feathers, the content of the regulatory directions and penalties for violations, and alternative humane methods of bird conservation that do not endanger public health.
