SIT probing into Vikas Dubey's criminal antecedents solicits info from people
Lucknow: A SIT set up to enquire into the Kanpur ambush in which eight policemen were killed by Vikas Dubey and his henchmen, has sought information from the people on the gangster's criminal antecedents, including his alleged connivance with various authorities.
The three-member Special Investigation Team, headed by Uttar Pradesh Additional Chief Secretary Sanjay R Bhoosreddy, on Friday issued a mobile number besides an e-mail id and postal addresses for the people, including their representatives, to contact the SIT to apprise it of whatever they may know about a nine-point probe agenda of the enquiry team.
Maintaining that it has to submit its probe report to the office of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath by July 31, the probe panel, also comprising Additional Director General of Police Hariram Sharma and DIG J Ravindra Goud, said people can contact it between July 20 and 24 in the afternoon.
"The enquiry will be conducted at the office of ACS Bhoosreddy. Those who want to provide evidence, documentary or oral, can meet him personally between Jul 20 and Jul 24 in the afternoon," an official statement issued here said.
Those interested in providing details or evidence can also give the same on phone and email or through a letter, it said.
The team is probing the sequence of events leading to the Kanpur ambush and the role of Dubey's sympathisers and political patrons and had visited Kanpur on Sunday, said an official.
The SIT had also gathered information from the Kanpur's district magistrate and senior superintendent of police Kanpur about Dubey's rise and the cases lodged against him apart from the post-ambush actions, the official said.
They had also asked the DM and SSP to explain as to why no process was initiated to cancel the gangster's bail in earlier cases lodged against him and the arms licenses issued to Dubey's henchmen.
The SIT is probing how despite being involved in several criminal cases, the gang members could manage to get arms licenses, it said
The team has been asked to probe into what effective action was taken in all the cases against Dubey.
The SIT will also ascertain what actions were taken to cancel the bail of "such a dreaded criminal", besides the actions against him under the Goonda Act, the National Security Act, Gangsters Act, and if there was any laxity and at what level, it added.
On July 3, eight police personnel, including a DSP, were gunned down in Bikru village in Kanpur by the henchmen of Dubey.
Dubey was killed in an encounter on July 10 after a police vehicle carrying him from Ujjain to Kanpur met with an accident and he tried to escape from the spot in Bhaunti area in Kanpur.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Karnataka rolls out climate action plan to tackle global warming: Minister Khandre
Bengaluru (PTI): Minister Eshwar Khandre on Tuesday said that a Karnataka state action plan on climate change has been formulated to mitigate the impact of global warming and climate change, and directions have been issued to ensure its proper implementation.
Speaking after presiding over a seminar on extreme heat and its impact on Bengaluru, organised by the Karnataka Media Academy, he said the Environmental Management and Policy Research Institute (EMPRI), which comes under the environment department, has taken steps to implement the action plan in coordination with various state government departments.
He said training programmes are being organised in cooperation with zilla panchayat offices for district officials and other related institutions regarding the implementation and progress of the Karnataka state action plan on climate change.
The Forest, Ecology and Environment minister said such programmes will be conducted in all 31 districts of Karnataka.
According to a statement issued by the minister’s office, in terms of climate resilience, Khandre said a dedicated radio programme, “Havamaana Mitra” (weather friend), was launched in April 2025 to share information on best practices, and 24 programmes have so far been broadcast on Akashvani.
ALSO READ: Passenger held at BLR airport with hydroponic ganja worth Rs 1.28 crore
He said these efforts aim to create public awareness.
Khandre emphasised that due to global warming and climate change, even seasons are changing today.
“Keeping this in mind, after becoming Forest Minister, I have been making every effort to increase green cover, especially in Bengaluru city,” he said.
He noted that during the last three years, about 11 crore saplings have been planted in the state, and information on their survival rate has been made available on the Forest Department website.
According to him, encroachments on about 250 acres of forest land worth around Rs 10,000 crore in several parts of Bengaluru, including Kothanur, Kadugodi, B M Kaval, and Turahalli, have been cleared.
Thousands of saplings have been planted and groves created on the cleared land, thereby preserving lung spaces essential for Bengaluru city.
The minister also recalled that more than 400 acres of forest land in Peenya plantation had earlier been allotted to the central government-owned HMT for industrial purposes.
He said HMT had sold 160 acres of this land, while 280 acres remain, and a decision has been taken to reclaim it for the department to preserve an essential lung space for Bengaluru. A legal battle is underway, and the case is currently in the Supreme Court.
In addition, he said 444 acres in the Jarakabande area had been allotted to the Indian Air Force. Under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, forest land cannot be diverted without due process. Hence, in 2017, the then Deputy Commissioner cancelled the land allotment.
“Steps are now being taken to reclaim this forest land and preserve the green space,” he said.
Khandre also highlighted that the Yelahanka Air Force Station in Gantiganahalli, where the international air show is held once every two years in Bengaluru, is on forest land.
He said 159 acres in Gantiganahalli village is classified as a reserved forest area.
“If the Air Force submits a proposal for diversion and provides alternative land, this area may be considered for transfer; otherwise, steps will be taken to reclaim it for the forest department,” he said.
“The Indian Air Force is presently using this area as a runway. However, the RTC and mutation records are in the name of the Forest Department, and the land has not been legally converted. Hence, this forest land will be reclaimed,” he said.
He added that the government has resolved to construct a major biological park on 153 acres at Madappanahalli in Bengaluru North taluk, and cabinet approval has been obtained.
“The CM will lay the foundation stone next month. This will be the largest park after Lalbagh and Cubbon Park. It would not be incorrect to call this an achievement of the century,” he said.
