Court approves SIT’s plea to record fresh statement of Chinnayya in Dharmasthala case
Belthangady: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the Dharmasthala case has obtained permission from the Belthangady court to question and record a fresh statement from Chinnayya, who was initially a witness and complainant but is now an accused and lodged in jail.
According to reports, the SIT will conduct the interrogation and record his statement on October 17 and 18.
The SIT sought court permission after noticing discrepancies between Chinnayya’s earlier statements, one made before the SIT, where he allegedly admitted to being involved in the burial of bodies, and another made later before the Belthangady court. The court, after considering the SIT’s plea, granted approval on October 16 to record Chinnayya’s statement at Shivamogga Jail, where he is currently lodged.
It may be recalled that the SIT was originally constituted based on Chinnayya’s initial statement, which alleged key details about the case. However, during the investigation, he retracted his earlier version, claiming that he had given false testimony. Despite his retraction, the SIT has continued its probe, recording statements from multiple individuals.
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Karnataka govt to strictly implement the paid menstrual leave policy, after HC directive
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Labour Minister Santosh Lad has said that the government will strictly implement the paid menstrual leave policy across all sectors at the earliest, following the High Court directive.
The High Court of Karnataka had recently directed the state government to "strictly and faithfully" implement the menstrual leave policy, pending formal enactment of the proposed legislation.
"I welcome the directive issued by the Karnataka High Court in support of our state government's ambitious menstrual leave policy," Lad said.
The state government has taken firm steps to implement the menstrual leave policy comprehensively, and as a model to the country, he said in a post on 'X' on Thursday.
"In line with the court's opinion that menstrual leave is a matter of women's dignity, justice, and humane recognition of their lived realities, we will strictly implement the paid menstrual leave policy--equivalent to one day per month, or 12 days per year--across all sectors at the earliest," he added.
The court had said that in the interregnum, it shall be incumbent upon the state to ensure effective operationalisation of the policy through the issuance of suitable guidelines, circulars, and administrative instructions, as may be necessary to secure its uniform, consistent, and rigorous implementation across all sectors.
The court issued the directive while hearing on a petition filed by 41-year-old Chandravva Hanumant Gokavi, who works in a hotel in Mudalgi of Gokak taluk in Belagavi district, before the Dharwad bench, seeking implementation of the November 20, 2025, order of the government providing one-day menstrual leave for all working women.
