SIT has begun probe in realtor death case: K'taka Home min
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara on Sunday said that an SIT constituted to probe the death of C J Roy, Founder and Chairman of the Confident Group, has begun the probe.
Meanwhile, the last rites of Roy, a real estate tycoon who was found dead at his office on January 30 with bullet injuries, were performed on Sunday in the presence of family members, friends and admirers.
He allegedly died by suicide amid Income Tax raids at his premises.
A native of Kerala, he was laid to rest at Confident Cascade near Bannerghatta here, as per his wishes, after a prayer at the church, sources said.
"A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been constituted under the leadership of Joint Commissioner of Police Vamshi Krishna; they have started the investigation from yesterday itself. Until the report comes we cannot say anything, otherwise it will be speculation and not definite information. So we will have to wait," Parameshwara told reporters in response to a question on the probe into Roy's death.
Responding to questions on allegations by some Congress leaders that agencies like IT, ED and CBI were being misused by the central government, and whether there were any links to upcoming polls in Kerala, he said, "without knowing or having information, we cannot say anything. Let the probe report come, after that everything will be known."
An Unnatural Death Report (UDR) has been registered at Ashok Nagar Police Station in connection with the death of Roy, who was Honorary Consul of the Slovak Republic.
Roy had allegedly shot himself when the Income Tax team was conducting searches in his office in Bengaluru, according to police sources.
His brother C J Babu on Saturday had claimed that Roy was under pressure due to the Income Tax department's proceedings.
Babu on Sunday speaking to reporters after the last rites said, he last spoke to his brother on January 30 morning, as Roy had called him a couple of times to enquire as to when he will be back from Thailand, and did not mention anything about IT raids during the conversation.
"Roy has gone, it is difficult for us to digest that he is not there. We don't know what to do. We have to see what the family decides. There is nothing to say....we cannot have one more Roy, who used to attend Kannada programmes and events with excitement," he said.
"He last spoke to me on January 30 at 10:40 am, as I was in Thailand to attend a wedding. He asked me when I will be back, and I told him that I will be back on the next day at 7 pm. He said-- let's speak once back," he added.
Stating that Roy had come to Bengaluru on January 27 and stayed at a hotel, Babu said, "I was not in town, as I left for a marriage on January 28....I don't want to speak about anything else. Let's see what comes from the SIT probe."
Roy's son Rohit said, "My father was a great man and I'm at a loss of words to explain what happened. I'm not very sure what caused it. I would like to thank everyone for attending the last rites today, and thanks to the media for being with him when he was alive and today....I don't have much to say as I'm trying to process what has happened...."
He said he will come back and answer questions in the future.
Meanwhile, state BJP President B Y Vijayendra expressing grief over Roy's demise and offering condolence to his family, expressed suspicion over the government hurriedly forming an SIT, and also about the alleged conduct of some Congress leaders including deputy CM D K Shivakumar.
SITs have been formed by this government whenever it wants to save its own people or wants to target the opposition leaders, he alleged, as he highlighted SIT was formed during Valmiki corporation scam, Chinnaswamy stadium stampede case, among others
"Let's wait and see what happens in the days ahead," he added, without dwelling any further on the topic.
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Seers like Shivakumara Swami shape soul of society, nation: President Murmu
Tumakuru (Karnataka) (PTI): President Droupadi Murmu on Wednesday said seers like Shivakumara Swami give shape to the soul of society and the nation, and their spiritual legacy continues to nourish the country even after their physical departure.
Known as 'Trivida dasohi' for his triple sacraments -- food, shelter and education -- among his followers, Shivakumara Swami was the pontiff of the renowned Siddaganga Math. He passed away at the age of 111 on January 21, 2019.
The President emphasised that diligence, public service, and national service are interlinked, and that spirituality provides a strong and enduring foundation for both public and national service.
Addressing the 119th birth anniversary and Guruvandana of the seer at Sree Siddaganga Math here, the President said, "I believe that seers like Shri Shivakumara Swamiji give shape to the soul of our society and our nation. His physical body merged into the supreme element in the year 2019, but his legacy continues to nourish society and the country."
Murmu said that the seer's life dedicated to the service of the poor and the deprived remained a unique example of expressing spirituality through welfare activities.
"He continued to enrich humanity for many years through his spiritual activity. His life dedicated to the service of the poor and the deprived, and expressing spirituality through welfare activities, is a unique example," she said.
Praising the activities of the Math, the President said, "It is said that through this Math, arrangements for free food, accommodation, and education are made for a large number of rural children, which is highly commendable."
Emphasising that education is the key to development, she said that providing education to deprived and poor children means building the future of the country and advancing the nation's development.
"I am especially pleased to know that from primary school to higher education in engineering and management, arrangements for education have been made by the Math. For this purpose, many educational institutions have been established," she said.
She also highlighted the healthcare initiatives associated with the institution. "I have also been told that the Sri Siddaganga Hospital, established by Shri Shivakumara Swamiji, provides excellent healthcare services to the general public," the President said and added that the Math carried forward a long tradition of service and spirituality.
Referring to the ideals of 12th century social reformer Basavanna, she said, "It is a matter of great happiness that today your spiritual institution is following the ideals of Prabhu Basavanna". She said that the example of a democratic system, based on a society free of discrimination and the participation of all, was presented centuries ago by Basavanna.
Lauding Karnataka, the President said that the state presented one of the most effective examples of public service, national service, spirituality and modern progress, and congratulated the people of the state for their contribution to nation-building.
Murmu said that by walking on the path of nation-building, altruism and dedication to duty, people could truly pay tribute to Shivakumara Swami.
"On this occasion associated with his sacred memory, we will all take a pledge that we will always remain active in enhancing the glory of Karnataka Mata and Bharat Mata," she said.
On the occasion of his Jayanti, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tributes to Shivakumara Swami, recalling his remarkable contributions across education, social welfare and spirituality, which have left an enduring imprint on society.
"He (Swamiji) stands in collective memory as an embodiment of compassion, humility and unwavering service to humanity. Through a lifetime dedicated to uplifting others, he demonstrated that true greatness lies in serving others," PM Modi said in a post on 'X'.
The prime minister recalled that even today, Swami's life continues to guide and inspire countless individuals to walk the path of selflessness and service.
