Mother, sister of Gauri Lankesh join Rahul Gandhi in Bharat Jodo Yatra
Chittanahalli (Karnataka)(PTI): Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi was on Friday joined by the mother and sister of slain activist Gauri Lankesh during the Bharat Jodo Yatra here as he walked with them and said he stood with her and countless others who "represent the true spirit of India".
He said the Bharat Jodo Yatra is the voice of people like Lankesh and that can never be silenced.
Taking to Twitter, Gandhi wrote, Lankesh stood for truth, courage and freedom.
"I stand for Gauri Lankesh and countless others like her, who represent the true spirit of India. Bharat Jodo Yatra is their voice. It can never be silenced," Gandhi wrote while sharing the picture of him walking with Lankesh's family members holding her mother's hand.
Lankesh, who was editor of Kannada weekly Lankesh Patrike, was assassinated outside her home in Rajarajeshwari Nagar on 5 September 2017.
Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh also shared Gandhi's picture walking with Lankesh's mother and sister.
"We all know the ideology that took away Gauri Lankesh's life. Rahul Gandhi walking with Gauri Lankesh's mother and sister tells the world that truth can never be silenced by hate and violence. BharatJodoYatra signifies hope, ahimsa and truth," he said on Twitter.
The 3,570-km-long Bharat Jodo Yatra began from Kanyakumari on September 7.
The yatra has so far covered hundreds of kilometres across the southern states of Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka
Gauri stood for Truth
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) October 7, 2022
Gauri stood for Courage
Gauri stood for Freedom
I stand for Gauri Lankesh and countless others like her, who represent the true spirit of India.
Bharat Jodo Yatra is their voice.
It can never be silenced. pic.twitter.com/TIpMIu36nY
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Karnataka: SP’s gunman among two arrested for extorting money from rice smuggler
Ballari (Karnataka) (PTI): An armed police constable serving as the district superintendent of police’s personal gunman, along with his accomplice, was arrested for allegedly extorting money from a rice smuggler, police said on Friday.
Devaraj, who had been serving as the SP’s gunman for the past four and a half years, was identified as the mastermind behind the incident.
Following an investigation, Devaraj and his accomplice Sairam were arrested on May 6, while efforts are underway to nab a third accused, Gadilinga, a practising advocate in Ballari, who is absconding, police said.
The matter came to light after a complaint was filed by Sharabappa, a habitual offender allegedly involved in illegal rice transport, they added.
According to police, the incident occurred on the intervening night of April 27 and 28, when a group of masked men intercepted Sharabappa’s rice-laden vehicles near the Moka forest area.
The accused allegedly introduced themselves as members of an “SP squad”, threatened to seize the vehicles and file criminal cases, and demanded money to avoid legal action.
Police said the accused initially demanded Rs 5 lakh and later extorted around Rs 3 lakh from the complainant.
Investigation revealed that Devaraj was the main person involved in demanding and collecting the money, while Sairam and Gadilinga were also involved in the offence. Sairam was allegedly involved in similar activities earlier as well.
Devaraj and Sairam were arrested under Sections 308(2) (extortion) and 3(5) (common intention) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
Police also seized the extorted cash, the four-wheeler, and mobile phones allegedly used in the crime. Efforts are underway to trace Gadilinga.
Addressing a press conference, Ballari Superintendent of Police Suman D Pennekar described the incident as a serious offence that has tarnished the image of the police department.
"There is no official ‘SP squad’ or ‘DSP squad’ operating in the district. Such labels are often misused by impostors or corrupt individuals to commit extortion," the SP clarified.
She said no involvement of other police officers has been found so far.
Departmental proceedings have been initiated against Devaraj, and suspension proceedings are underway. The SP added that strict action will be taken against anyone involved in such offences.
Police said Sharabappa, the complainant, is a known habitual offender involved in illegal rice smuggling, and several cases have already been registered against him in the Moka and Peddihalli areas. A separate case has also been registered against him in connection with rice smuggling on the night of the incident.
Authorities are also exploring the possibility of initiating externment proceedings against him under applicable legal provisions.
The SP urged the public to report any extortion attempts by persons claiming to be part of an “SP squad”, assuring that the identity of informants will be kept confidential.
