Kremlin dismisses rumors of Putin's illness, use of body doubles
MOSCOW: The Kremlin has refuted recent reports suggesting that President Vladimir Putin is unwell and has categorically denied persistent rumors about the use of body doubles to substitute for him during public appearances.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, addressing the allegations, stated, "Everything is fine with him; this is absolutely another fake." He was responding to an unsourced report circulating on a Russian Telegram channel, which had been picked up by certain Western media outlets, claiming that the president had experienced a serious health incident on Sunday evening.
Peskov openly laughed off inquiries about the existence of body doubles for Putin, denying any such practice. "This belongs to the category of absurd information hoaxes that a whole series of media discuss with enviable tenacity. This evokes nothing but a smile," Peskov remarked.
Despite recent speculation, Putin, a judo enthusiast known for his "action man" image, celebrated his 71st birthday on October 7. He continues to maintain a busy schedule filled with meetings and public appearances, many of which are televised. His recent engagements included a visit to China last week, with stopovers in two Russian cities on his return journey.
In a 2020 interview, Putin directly addressed longstanding rumors about the use of body doubles, vehemently denying the claims. He did mention that he had been offered the option to use one in the past due to security concerns, but he had declined the offer.
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Puttur: Four arrested for alleged negligent disposal of Dalit labourer’s body
Puttur (Karnataka), Nov 26: Four people have been arrested for allegedly disposing of a Dalit labourer’s body negligently in Puttur taluk of Dakshina Kannada district, police said on Tuesday.
The deceased, Shivappa (70), a resident of Keremoole near Sullia, worked as an assistant mason at Tauro Cement Fabrication Unit in Salmara village. He reportedly collapsed and died during work hours on November 16.
Instead of providing medical assistance or notifying his family, the factory owner, Henry Tauro, allegedly loaded Shivappa’s body onto a pickup truck and dumped it near his home, placing it on wooden logs by the roadside, according to police.
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The incident sparked outrage among Dalit organisations in Puttur, including the Adi Dravida Samaja Seva Sangha, who demanded a thorough investigation.
Protests over delays in apprehending the accused intensified public pressure, leading to the arrests of Tauro, his son Kiran, their assistant Prakash, and a mason named Stany.
According to a complaint lodged by Shivappa's son-in-law, the accused brought Shivappa home unresponsive on the evening of November 16. He was rushed to a hospital but was declared dead on arrival.
A case has been registered under the Prevention of Atrocities Against Dalits Act, and investigations are underway to establish the cause of death and examine allegations of mishandling the victim’s body, police added.
