Secret tunnel found at Delhi Assembly, connects to Red Fort, dates back to British era
New Delhi – A secret tunnel of the British Era that connects to the Red Fort was discovered on Thursday at the Delhi Legislative Assembly.
Delhi Assembly’s Speaker, Ram Vilas Goel in a conversation with ANI said, that the tunnel connects the Legislative Assembly with the Red Fort, and was used by the British to move freedom fighters.
"When I became an MLA in 1993, there was hearsay about a tunnel present here that goes till Red Fort and I tried to search for its history. But there was no clarity over it," The speaker was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.
The speaker further added that the Delhi Legislative Assembly was used as Central Legislative Assembly after shifting the capital from Kolkata to Delhi in 1912. The Assembly was later turned into court by the British government. The tunnel was used to bring freedom fighters to the court.
"We all knew about the presence of a gallows room here but never opened it. Now it was the 75th year of independence and I decided to inspect that room. We intend to change that room into a shrine of freedom fighters as a tribute to them," he added.
Goel said that he intends to turn the place into a tourist destination and open the gallows for people by the next Independence Day. The work for the same has already begun he added.
"This place has a very rich history in the context of the freedom struggle. We intend to renovate it in a way that tourists and visitors can get a reflection of our history," he concluded.
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BJP leader Ravi using derogatory word against Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar is an 'offence': CM
Mandya (Karnataka) (PTI): Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday termed BJP MLC C T Ravi allegedly using a derogatory word against Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar as an "offence".
He also hit out at the BJP and questioned whether the party supports derogatory comments made against a woman.
Ravi allegedly used a derogatory word against Hebbalkar in the Legislative Council on Thursday, during an altercation between them, when the House was adjourned for a while.
"Will they (BJP) support derogatory comments made against a woman?...What they are saying is lies. Will anyone accept the mistake and that he has used a derogatory word against Laxmi Hebbalkar? Then why was he (Ravi) arrested? " Siddaramaiah said in response to a question about BJP staging a protest and Ravi denying allegations.
Speaking to reporters here, he said, "Normally women don't give false complaints about comments made against them...I don't know why C T Ravi used such a word...It is an offence."
Noting that Ravi had said that he had not used any derogatory word and the word used by him was "frustrate", Siddaramaiah said, "This seems to be an afterthought. I don't know, but Hebbalkar has clearly said that derogatory word was used against her and others too have heard it. Also, I'm told there is audio and video. I don't know."
To a question, Ravi claiming threat to his life and the government is responsible for it, he said, "All offenders say such things. If that is the case no one can be prosecuted."
Ravi was arrested on Thursday evening and taken into a police van from the premises of Suvarna Vidhana Soudha.
Based on the complaint lodged by Hebbalkar, a case was registered against the BJP leader under sections 75 (sexual harassment) and 79 (word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
Ravi has accused the police of "violating" human rights, as he alleged that they took him on rounds the entire night to various places in the district, following his arrest.
Reacting to this, the CM said, "He was taken to Khanapur keeping his interest in mind, as, if he was in Belagavi (from where Hebbalkar hails) people might have indulged in disturbance."
