Dalit youngster in Bengaluru dies of alleged custodial violence; case handed over to CID
Bengaluru: A case of the death of a 23-year-old Dalit youngster at a rehabilitation centre in the city, which gave rise to suspicion of custodial violence, has been handed over to the CID.
The deceased, identified as Darshan alias Singamalai, was a resident of Sonnenahalli and allegedly involved in petty cases in the area, according to a report in Deccan Herald.
Based on a complaint by Darshan’s family, Madanayakanahalli Police had registered a case against Viveknagar Police, who had kept the deceased youngster in custody before sending him to a rehabilitation centre.
According to a senior police officer, on Saturday, November 15, Viveknagar Police personnel had picked up Darshan after he gave rise to panic on the premises of a church by displaying a lethal weapon in hand and also assaulting a police personnel during detention. At the request of the family, however, the police withheld from registering a case against him.
The family members told the police that Darshan was under the drug influence and asked the police officers to admit Darshan into a rehabilitation centre. The deceased was treated at the centre for 11 days.
Darshan’s mother Adilakshmi has accused Viveknagar police of illegally keeping her son in custody for three days and subjecting him to assault during the period. The police personnel, who were pleaded by Adilakshmi not to send her son to jail, agreed and shifted Darshan to Unity Rehabilitation Centre near Nelamangala on November 16.
Shortly after, the family received a call from the centre, informing them that Darshan had died, succumbing to the injuries. Doctors reportedly told Adilakshmi that they found injury marks on her son’s body, giving rise to suspicion of assault.
CK Baba, Superintendent of Police, Bengaluru District, has said that Madanayakanahalli Police have registered an FIR under: BNS 103(1) – Murder, BNS 127(3) SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, Section 3(2)(v). He has added that the FIR names Viveknagar Inspector, police constable, and two others.
The Karnataka DG & IGP has transferred the case to CID for further investigation, the SP has stated.
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CM Siddaramaiah alleges ‘criminal conspiracy’ in Sringeri recount, vows legal action
Bengaluru (PTI): Alleging a “criminal conspiracy” by BJP candidate D N Jeevaraj in the Sringeri Assembly poll recounting, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said the outcome was manipulated after valid postal ballot votes in favour of Congress leader T D Raje Gowda were tampered with during the recounting process.
Following a Karnataka High Court order on an election petition filed by Jeevaraj, challenging Raje Gowda’s election, the reverification and recounting were conducted on Saturday.
After the reverification and recount of postal ballots for the Sringeri Assembly constituency, votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda were reduced by 255, the returning officer said.
A report on the matter has been submitted to the Election Commission of India for further action, the officer added.
Congress leader Raje Gowda had won the 2023 Assembly polls from Sringeri by 201 votes, defeating his nearest rival Jeevaraj.
Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru, Siddaramaiah said the High Court had directed the recounting of postal ballots and that irregularities were noticed during the exercise conducted on May 2.
“This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” Siddaramaiah said, alleging that valid votes cast in favour of Raje Gowda were altered after being accepted by counting agents of all parties, including Congress, BJP, and JD(S).
He claimed that during the recounting of postal ballots, 255 votes were initially accepted as valid by all agents but were later tampered with by subordinate officials.
“There is a second mark on the votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda. They had accepted these as valid votes. Subsequently, another mark was made by officials. This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” he said.
When asked who was behind the alleged conspiracy, the CM replied, “It was hatched by Jeevaraj and others. It is planned.”
Siddaramaiah further alleged that the returning officer acted improperly by declaring the result despite the presence of an Election Commission observer during the recounting.
“Immediately after the counting, the returning officer announced the result. He should not have done so; this is against the law,” he said.
He pointed out that Raje Gowda had originally won by 201 votes, but after the recounting, the BJP candidate was declared the winner by 52 votes.
“The BJP has committed a criminal act of conspiracy. This is not vote chori but vote dacoity,” he alleged.
The CM said a police complaint had already been filed by Raje Gowda’s election agent, Sudhir Kumar, and emphasised the need for electoral integrity.
“We want transparency and free and fair elections. That is what our Constitution mandates,” he added.
Stating that the government would pursue legal remedies, Siddaramaiah said, “We are preparing an appeal challenging the returning officer’s announcement in a court of law.”
Responding to a separate query on elections in other states, the CM said there appeared to be an anti-incumbency factor in West Bengal, while results in Tamil Nadu were “surprising,” adding that Vijay’s party was emerging as the largest there.
Following the victory of party candidates in Bagalkote and Davanagere South, Siddaramaiah expressed confidence about future electoral prospects in Karnataka.
“Even in 2028, we will win the Assembly elections. We will come back,” the CM said.
Siddaramaiah added that he would order a forensic examination into the alleged tampering of postal ballots.
