Report linking Kalkuli Vittal Hegde, Kadidal Shamanna to Naxalism: Two scribes fined
Chikmagaluru: Sringeri First Sessions Court on Friday slapped a fine of Rs 20000 each on two journalists on charges of publishing a defamatory report on environmental activist Kalkuli Vittal Hegde and farmers leader Kadidal Shamanna linking them with naxal activities.
The court has fined an editor and residential editor of a state level newspaper.
On June 3, 2007, Hosadiganta newspaper has published the report on its front page against Kalkuli Vittal Hegde and Kadidal Shamanna under the headline 'Kalkuli Vittal Hegde, Kadidal Shamanna have naxal links: Here is proof', alleging that they have naxal links.
Against the report, Hegde moved the court and filed a defamation case saying that it was a false news. By making a news, the newspaper has tarnished his image and insulted him, he complained.
After a prolonged hearing of the case, judge S Suryanarayan, on January 25, 2019, had announced the verdict citing that the editor of the newspaper have failed to prove their version of the news. Based on publishing the defamatory news, the court opined that newspaper editor Du Ga Lakshman and resident editor S Shantaram have done cognizable offence under IPC Section 500, 501 and 502.
For this case, the court has slapped a fine of Rs 20,000 to each of the journalists and if they failed to pay the penalty, the journalists have to undergo seven months imprisonment. Moreover, the photo published in the newspaper was taken in 1998 and during that time, there was no naxal movement in Malnad region. That photo was taken during public awareness meetings related to Kudremukh National Park issue. Parvathi who was with Vittal Hegde and Shamanna, in that photo, was not involved in naxal movement at that time, the court observed in its verdict.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Bengaluru: Four arrested for housebreaking, threats, extortion; fake PSI among accused
Bengaluru: Vidyaranyapura police have arrested four persons, including a man posing as a Police Sub-Inspector (PSI), for allegedly breaking into a house, threatening the occupants, and extorting money while wearing police uniforms.
The arrested accused have been identified as Mallikarjuna, Pramod, Vinay, and Hrithik.
Police said the accused had hatched a plan to pose as police personnel, conduct fake raids, and extort money from residents by intimidation.
ALSO READ: Bantwal police arrest two men for illegal sale of narcotics, seize two vehicles, 810 gm ganja
According to the police, Mallikarjuna had failed the PSI examination twice and later falsely projected himself as a PSI. He allegedly conducted photo shoots in his hometown, Siraguppa, wearing a police uniform, baton, cap, and shoes, claiming to be serving as a PSI in Bengaluru.
On December 7, the four accused allegedly went to the house of Naveen in the Vidyaranyapura limits, threatened him with a stick and an iron rod, and claimed they had information that he was selling ganja. Under the pretext of searching, they allegedly extorted ₹87,000 through bank transfer, ₹53,000 in cash kept in the house, and ₹2,000 from his wallet.
Following Naveen’s complaint, Vidyaranyapura police registered a case and launched an operation, leading to the arrest of all four accused. Police have seized ₹45,000 in cash and the car used to commit the crime.
Further investigation is underway.
