Security failure in Pahalgam attack raises serious questions: K’taka Home Min. Dr. G. Parameshwara
Bengaluru: Karnataka Home Minister Dr. G. Parameshwara on Wednesday raised serious concerns over the security lapse that led to the deadly terrorist attack on tourists in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed the lives of at least 27 people.
Addressing the media in Bengaluru, he questioned how such a well-coordinated strike could occur despite the country's robust military and intelligence infrastructure.
Referring to the country's history of effective counter-intelligence, Parameshwara said, "This is not a common occurrence. Our military intelligence has proved its efficiency on many occasions. The question now is how did it fail this time? From where did these terrorists infiltrate, and how did they execute such an attack in a heavily guarded area?" He urged the central government to take the incident with utmost seriousness, emphasizing that immediate and decisive action is necessary to prevent further incidents.
Connecting with the 2019 Pulwama attack, he noted that such a massive casualty had not occurred in recent years, and this sudden lapse demands a transparent investigation.
"We lost more than 27 innocent lives, including civilians and a Navy officer. I offer my deepest condolences to the families and pray for their strength," he added.
In response to Union Minister V. Somanna's accusation that the Congress was politicizing the tragedy, Parameshwara denied the claim. "We are not making this about Congress or BJP. This is about the security of our nation and the safety of our people. I never mentioned the BJP, I only said the central government needs to act. Why should we politicize such a serious issue?" he asked.
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Cash row: Probe panel confirms allegations against Justice Varma, CJI seeks his reply
New Delhi (PTI): The Supreme Court-appointed panel has confirmed the cash discovery allegations against Allahabad High Court's Justice Yashwant Varma in its inquiry report, sources have said. Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna is also learnt to have nudged the judge to step down in view of the critical findings in the report.
The CJI has forwarded the panel's report to Justice Varma and sought his reply following the principle of natural justice, the sources said.
The report was submitted to the CJI by the three-member panel comprising Punjab and Haryana High Court Chief Justice Sheel Nagu, Himachal Pradesh High Court Chief Justice G S Sandhawalia and Justice Anu Sivaraman of the Karnataka High Court. It was finalised on May 3.
The panel analysed evidence and recorded the statements of over 50 people, including Delhi Police Commissioner Sanjay Arora and Delhi Fire Service chief who were among the first responders to the fire incident at Justice Varma's Lutyens Delhi residence at around 11.35 pm on March 14. He was Delhi High Court judge at the time.
Sources said the panel found clear evidence to confirm the allegations that a huge stash of cash was found in the storeroom of Justice Varma's official residence at the time of fire incident. The allegation was repeatedly denied by the judge in his reply to the Delhi High Court chief justice.
The sources said CJI Khanna, who is set to superannuate on May 13, is likely to take the issue to its logical conclusion and has informally discussed the findings of the report with senior collegium members of the apex court.
The controversy was raised following a news report in the cash discovery row and led to several steps, including a preliminary inquiry by Delhi High Court Chief Justice D K Upadhyaya, judicial work being taken away from Justice Varma in the Delhi High Court, and later his transfer to the Allahabad High Court sans judicial work.
On March 24, the apex court collegium recommended the repatriation of Justice Varma to his parent Allahabad High Court.
On March 28, the top court asked the chief justice of the Allahabad High Court not to assign any judicial work for now to Justice Varma.
