Sasikala case: State government orders ACB probe against ex-DGP
Bengaluru: The Karnataka government has ordered a probe by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) against former Director-General of Police (Prisons), in connection with the allegations of bribery for reportedly giving special privileges to former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa’s aide V.K. Sasikala.
This is based on the recommendations of the Vinay Kumar Fact Finding Committee on alleged irregularities in the Parappana Agrahara Central Prison.
It was alleged that Mr H.N. Satyanarayana Rao, who has since retired from service, accepted illegal gratification of ₹ 2 crore for giving special privileges to Ms. Sasikala.
The ACB had earlier conducted a preliminary inquiry into the allegations, based on a complaint by IPS officer D. Roopa, and closed the inquiry, RTI documents revealed. The agency will now have to begin the probe afresh, following a specific order from the government.
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Karnataka approves railway barricades in Madikeri, Nagarhole to curb human-elephant conflict
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre on Tuesday said a 7-km railway barricade has been approved for the Madikeri division and 20 km for the Nagarhole division in 2025–26 to curb human-elephant conflict in the regions.
Responding to a proposal raised by BJP MLC Suja Kushalappa during Zero Hour in the Legislative Council, he assured that work on the proposed railway barricades would begin soon.
Citing the death of a 17-year-old girl in an elephant attack on February 28 and that of a tribal woman on March 9 in the state, the minister said these deaths caused by elephant attacks were "extremely painful".
"Human life is very precious and cannot be valued in monetary terms. The Forest Department is taking all measures to prevent human-wildlife conflict."
The minister further said steps such as maintenance of elephant-proof trenches and solar-powered fencing were being undertaken, while two elephant task forces were currently in operation.
Orders have also been issued by the Chief Wildlife Warden to capture two rogue elephants.
In both cases, Rs 5 lakh compensation has already been disbursed to the families of the deceased, and the remaining Rs 15 lakh each will be provided within a week, he added.
Khandre said the government was making sincere efforts to find a permanent solution to the human–elephant conflict.
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