Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy booked for extortion, criminal intimidation
Bengaluru, Oct 3: A case has been registered against Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy on charges of extortion and criminal intimidation following a complaint by a realtor here, police said on Thursday.
Along with Kumaraswamy, who holds Steel and Heavy Industries portfolio, former MLC of the JD(S) Ramesh Gowda was also booked by the Amruthahalli police in the case.
Vijay Tata, the complainant, alleged that he was the JD(S) social media vice president but had distanced himself from the party as he was focusing on his real estate business.
ALSO READ: Kumaraswamy, Ramesh Gowda demanded Rs 50 cr, issued death threats, alleges JD(S) leader in complaint
However, on August 24, Gowda came home and called Kumaraswamy from his phone. The Minister told him that the party needed Rs 50 crore for the Channapatna by-elections as it has decided to field his son Nikhil Kumaraswamy this time, Tata alleged.
The realtor also claimed that when he expressed his inability to pay, Kumaraswamy allegedly threatened him with dire consequences.
Reacting to the allegation, Kumaraswamy told reporters, “Is this a topic to discuss? Should I answer all this? Should I respond to every other dog on the street?”
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Commission agent's licence suspended in Meerut for storing veggies in toilet
Meerut (UP) (PTI): The market administration in Meerut has suspended the licence of a commission agent or ‘arhtiya’ for storing vegetables inside a defunct toilet at the Mawana Naveen Sabzi Mandi in the city, officials said on Sunday.
The action followed after a video went viral showing vegetables, including tomato, ladyfinger, green chilli, coriander, mint and bottle gourd – packed in polythene bags inside an unused toilet on the market premises.
The secretary of the Mandi committee, Arjun Singh, told PTI that the toilet had been out of use for a long time due to being clogged.
“Abhay Kumar, the proprietor of Pradhan Trading Company, stored leftover vegetables there without permission. Within two hours of receiving information on May 15, a team from the Mandi committee reached the spot, seized about one quintal of vegetables, and buried them in a pit,” Singh said.
A notice was issued to Abhay Kumar, but since no satisfactory response was received, his licence has been suspended, he added.
According to officials, toilets in the market complex meant for use by farmers, commission agents and customers were allegedly being used as storerooms.
Following the incident, SDM Santosh Kumar Singh has sought an explanation from the Mandi committee secretary.
Strict action would be taken against those found guilty after an inquiry report is received, the SDM said.
