Lorry owner, others booked for defamation, cyber attack on deceased driver's family
KOZHIKODE (KERALA): Police have registered a case against Manaf, a lorry owner, and others based on a defamatory complaint lodged by the sister of Arjun, who was driving Manaf's lorry when he died in a landslide in Shirur, Karnataka.
In her complaint, Anju alleged that Manaf, capitalising on the emotional state of Arjun's family, carried out propaganda and started a YouTube channel using her deceased brother's photo, thereby defaming the family.
The case was registered by the Chevayur police. They have also booked those who carried out defamatory propaganda against the family on social media.
It further alleged that after the family disclosed these matters to the media, Manaf used that to create a situation to carry out a cyber attack against Anju and her family in a manner that incites communal hatred.
Manaf has been charged under sections BNS 192 (Wantonly giving provocation with intent to cause riot, if rioting is committed) and 120 (O) of the Kerala Police Act (Penalty for causing nuisance and violation of public order).
The family of Arjun had accused Manaf of using their emotions for his personal gain, an allegation denied by him.
Arjun's family held a press conference at their residence here on Wednesday and told reporters that Manaf, who was initially with them, was now using their emotions for his personal gain, including collecting funds from various sources.
They had also claimed that he was characterising them as destitute, which was hurtful as many of the family members have jobs.
Reacting to the allegations, Manaf said he did not want to create a controversy and he was someone who approaches things emotionally.
He also apologised to Arjun's family if things had gone wrong.
On September 25, after Arjun’s remains were recovered along with the lorry from the Gangawali river near Shirur village, Manaf said that his efforts to get Arjun back to his family had been vindicated.
He had also said that he fulfilled the promise to Arjun’s family, especially his father and infant son, that he would be brought back to them.
The July 16 landslide on National Highway 66 claimed the lives of nine people, including that of Arjun.
Manaf had stayed in Karnataka for more than two months till Arjun’s remains were recovered from the river.
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Himanta resigns as Assam CM, paving way for formation of new govt
Guwahati (PTI): Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday resigned along with his cabinet colleagues, paving the way for formation of a new government led by the BJP, officials said.
The BJP-led NDA bagged 102 seats in the 126-member assembly. The assembly elections were held in a single phase on April 9, and counting of votes took place on May 4.
"Following the formal notification of the results of #AssamElections2026 and to enable the formation of the new government, Dr @himantabiswa tendered his resignation as Chief Minister along with that of the council of Ministers to Hon'ble Governor Shri @Laxmanacharya54 today at Lok Bhawan," the Chief Minister's Office said in a post on X.
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The Governor has accepted the resignation, and requested Sarma to continue as the caretaker CM till the new government assumes office, it said.
Later, speaking to reporters outside the Lok Bhawan, Sarma said the oath-taking ceremony is likely to take place after May 11.
“As it was a historic win, we have invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to grace the occasion," he said.
The new Assam chief minister will be selected at a meeting of the BJP legislature party in presence of central observers, Sarma said.
