Gujarat cops book BJP MLA for rape on HC's directions
Gandhinagar, Oct 19: An FIR on charges of rape and criminal intimidation was registered on Saturday against a BJP MLA from Gujarat following directions of the High Court.
The accused, Gajendrasinh Parmar, a former minister of state, was also booked under the provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act as the victim is a Dalit, the FIR stated.
The alleged incident occurred in July 2020.
The case was registered at Sector 21 police station in Gandhinagar under sections 376 (Punishment for rape) and 506 (Punishment for criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code, days after the High Court questioned the police for not registering an FIR on the victim's complaint against the MLA, who represents the Prantij Assembly seat in Sabarkantha district.
The complainant stated that Parmar had called her to the MLA quarters in Gandhinagar on July 30, 2020, and established physical relations with her on the pretext of marrying her.
She claimed in the FIR that the MLA, subsequently, started ignoring her phone calls. Upon attending her call once, he used casteist remarks and threatened to get the woman kidnapped and harassed if she talked about their relationship, the FIR stated.
In 2021, the woman moved a special criminal application in the high court, requesting that the police be directed to register an FIR.
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KSCA expresses disappointment over missing IPL playoffs, says it was ready to host matches in B’luru
Bengaluru: The Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) has issued a clarification stating that it was fully prepared to host the IPL playoffs and final matches in Bengaluru but the fixtures were allotted to other venues.
In a media note, KSCA said it was disappointed with the decision. The association stated that its president, former India cricketer Venkatesh Prasad, had been in touch with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and had formally conveyed the association’s readiness and interest in hosting the matches at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.
KSCA said the IPL matches held in Bengaluru this season were appreciated for smooth conduct, crowd management and overall experience for spectators. It said this reflected its ability to handle high-profile matches.
The association also stated that it had sent a detailed communication to the BCCI explaining its preparedness and the operational arrangements followed during the current IPL season. According to KSCA, these systems have been in place since the start of the Indian Premier League in 2008 and were followed consistently, including during previous playoff matches hosted in Bengaluru.
The clarification added that the communication sent to the BCCI was only meant to provide factual and operational details and to bring clarity on logistical and stakeholder-related requirements involved in hosting such matches.
KSCA said that although it had shown willingness and preparedness, the BCCI has decided to allocate the playoff matches to other venues. It added that the reasons for this decision have not been formally shared with the association, but it respects the authority of the board in taking such decisions.
The association further said it remains ready to host matches of national and international importance and will continue to cooperate with the BCCI, franchises, government authorities and other stakeholders for conducting cricket events.
The statement was issued by KSCA official spokesperson Vinay Mruthyunjaya, who also thanked the media and cricket fans for their continued support.
