Four arrested for assault on TV journalist in Mumbai
Mumbai, Oct 15: Four persons have been arrested for allegedly assaulting a television journalist near his house in south Mumbai, police said Monday.
The accused, all city residents aged between 20 and 25 years, were nabbed late Sunday night from Tardeo area, a senior police official said.
Herman Gomes, working with a private TV channel, was returning home along with a friend in a taxi on Sunday when he saw four to six men waiting near his house in Gamdevi area.
The men started abusing Gomes and later allegedly assaulted him and also hit his friend, as per the victim.
Gomes was injured in the attack and later received six stitches near his eyes.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (zone-II) Dnyaneshwar Chavan, said prima facie it appears the incident might have taken place in the heat of the moment following some argument.
"However, we are trying to go into the depth of the matter," he said, adding, the accused do not have any criminal background.
Based on Gomes' complaint, the Gamdevi Police had registered a case under IPC sections 143 (unlawful assembly), 147 (rioting), 324 (voluntary causing hurt by dangerous weapons) and other relevant provisions.
Journalists' associations in the city had Sunday condemned the attack and alleged that police did not file the victim's complaint promptly.
The Mumbai Press Club termed the attack on Gomes a "dastardly act".
An association of crime reporters in the city have urged Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to take action against police officers who allegedly delayed registration of the First Information Report (FIR) in the matter.
Minister of State for Home (urban), Ranjit Patil had later said an investigation was on into the incident and "correct steps will be taken in the direction".
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CM Siddaramaiah's economic advisor denies saying 'Karnataka is no: 1 in corruption'
Bengaluru, Apr 9 (PTI): Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s economic advisor, Basavaraj Rayareddi, on Wednesday said he never claimed that "Karnataka is number one in corruption" during the tenure of the present Congress government.
Rayareddi issued a clarification after a few publications in Karnataka reported that, during a review meeting by a committee for the redressal of regional imbalance, he had told officers that Karnataka tops the country in corruption.
Accusing the media of twisting his statement made in Koppal, the Yelburga Congress MLA said he had only highlighted the perception that "Karnataka is branded as the most corrupt state", which, he said, is unfortunate.
"I did not say that corruption has increased during Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s tenure. It’s a phenomenon that has been prevailing for the past two to three decades," Rayareddi told reporters here.
Insisting that he never made such a statement at a press conference, Rayareddi claimed, "I never said Karnataka is the number one corrupt state. I only said that Karnataka is branded as the most corrupt state. This impression has been created due to the poor governance by the previous BJP and JD(S) governments."
The MLA said that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah was doing commendable work by ensuring fair administration and was supported by dynamic ministers such as Krishna Byre Gowda and Priyank Kharge.
"Our government is doing good work. I support our Chief Minister because he is doing a good job. Whether he makes me a minister or removes me from this assignment (as economic advisor), I will continue to support him," Rayareddi said.
His remarks gave ammunition to the opposition, which has been alleging rampant corruption in the state.
BJP MLA C N Ashwath Narayan appreciated the Yelburga MLA for being candid in “accepting” that corruption has increased in Karnataka.
"We are happy that at least someone from within the Congress spoke about it," Narayan said.
In response, Rayareddi hit out at the BJP and JD(S), saying these two parties brought a bad name to Karnataka, and that some of their ministers had even gone to jail during their tenure.
Rayareddi said he was clear in his speech in Koppal on Tuesday that corruption had increased over the last few decades without blaming any one political party.
According to him, "corruption in North Karnataka is more prevalent compared to the old Mysuru region."
He also remarked that schools built these days collapse within five years, while those built during his father’s time remain intact for decades.
The MLA said he was concerned that corruption has escalated mainly due to electoral politics and felt that a public discussion on the issue was long overdue.
"I am happy that the media presented half the truth about what I said. At least this way, a discussion to curb corruption has begun," he quipped.
