Wayanad landslides claim at least nine lives from Karnataka
Wayanad: Over 155 people have lost their lives, and scores are injured in the horrific multiple landslides that hit the northern Kerala district of Wayanad in the early hours of Tuesday. At least nine people from Karnataka have been killed in the calamity caused by relentless monsoon rains.
Among the deceased from Karnataka, four are from Chamarajanagar district, including a couple – Rajendra (50) and Rathnamma (45) – whose bodies have not been found yet. The other deceased are Puttasiddi (62) and Rani (50). Rani's husband and nephew are missing. Additionally, five people deceased from Mandya district are Leelavathi and her grandson Nihal (26) from K R Pete taluk, Savithri (54), Achchu, and Sri Kutti from Malavalli. Gundlupet Tahsildar Ramesh Babu, currently in Wayanad, has confirmed the news, as reported by the Deccan Herald.
The Chamarajanagar district administration has requested residents to alert officials if their family members, relatives, or friends are missing in the landslides at Wayanad. A 24/7 helpline has been set up for assistance. The toll-free numbers are 08226-223161, 223163, and 223160 with a WhatsApp number at 9740942901.
Meanwhile, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has promised to provide all possible help for relief efforts and stated that the Karnataka government is in constant touch with the disaster management authorities of Kerala. He has deputed two senior IAS officers, PC Jaffer and Dileesh Sasi, to coordinate with the Kerala authorities regarding the rescue and relief operations. Additionally, he has requested the corporate world to contribute generously to the relief and rehabilitation of people affected by this natural disaster.
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Plea in Madras HC calls for SIT/ED/CBI probe into Gautam Adani's indictment in US bribery case
Chennai: A plea has been filed in the Madras High Court seeking the establishment of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) or directions to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) or Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to probe the corruption charges against Indian businessman Gautam Adani. The plea follows Adani’s indictment by the United States Department of Justice in the Eastern District of New York on bribery charges.
Filed by Advocate and Desiya Makkal Sakthi Katchi President ML Ravi, the plea alleges that Adani, along with other businessmen and power distribution companies in India, was involved in a scheme to bribe Indian government officials. The bribes were reportedly aimed at securing lucrative solar energy contracts with Indian entities. According to the US Department of Justice, Adani’s group paid USD 265 million in bribes, primarily to officials in Andhra Pradesh, to secure contracts with state electricity distribution companies between 2001 and 2023.
Ravi criticised the Indian authorities for their silence on the matter, despite the exposure of the corruption by foreign agencies. He argued that the lack of action by Indian investigation agencies undermines public trust and hinders national development. He called for a thorough investigation to uncover the full extent of the allegations, asserting that public officials had abused their power for personal gain, in violation of their duties.
