Padubidri: Couple crossing NH 66 in Mulooru hit by private bus; husband killed on spot, wife injured
Padubidri: In a road accident reported from Mulooru, a couple was hit by a private bus while crossing the National Highway 66 near Mirchi hotel on Wednesday night, resulting in the husband dying on the spot and the wife being injured grievously.
The couple was living in Bharat Nagar, Kapu, of Udupi district. The accident victim is identified as Hidayatullah (55). The wife, Savar, is being treated at a private hospital.
Hidayatullah and Savar were traveling on a motorbike from Uchila to Kapu and had stopped at Mulooru. Parking the bike beside the highway, the couple was crossing the road to reach the hotel when the private bus, which was traveling from Udupi to Mangaluru, is reported to have hit them. Hidayatullah, who fell on the road and was grievously injured due to the collision, died on the spot.
ALSO READ: Elderly man's ATM card swapped, ₹49,200 stolen in Belthangady
The deceased man is survived by his wife, a son and a daughter. He had been working in Saudi Arabia and had recently taken leave to visit his family in Kapu. He was also expected to return to work in a couple of days, sources have said.
Padubidri Police reportedly visited the accident spot and conducted an inspection.
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.
Modi govt's 'calibrated erosion' of EC's integrity: Kharge on election rule
New Delhi (PTI): Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday hit out at the government for tweaking an election rule to prevent public inspection of certain electronic documents, alleging it is part of the Modi government's "systematic conspiracy" to destroy the institutional integrity of the Election Commission.
Kharge also said the Modi government's "calibrated erosion" of the ECI's integrity is a frontal attack on the Constitution and democracy.
The government has tweaked an election rule to prevent public inspection of certain electronic documents such as CCTV camera and webcasting footage as well as video recordings of candidates to prevent their misuse.
Based on the recommendation of the Election Commission of India (ECI), the Union law ministry on Friday amended Rule 93(2)(a) of the Conduct of Election Rules, 1961, to restrict the type of "papers" or documents open to public inspection.
Reacting to the development, Kharge said, "Modi government's audacious amendment in the Conduct of Election Rules is another assault in its systematic conspiracy to destroy the institutional integrity of the Election Commission of India." "Earlier, they had removed the Chief Justice of India from the Selection panel which appoints Election Commissioners, and now they have resorted to stonewall electoral information, even after a High Court order," he said in a post on X.
Everytime the Congress party wrote to the ECI, regarding specific poll irregularities such as voter deletions and lack of transparency in EVMs, the ECI has responded in a condescending tone and chosen not to even acknowledge certain serious complaints, Kharge said.
"This again proves that the ECI, even though it is a quasi-judicial body, is not behaving independently," he said.
"The Modi government's calibrated erosion of ECI's integrity is a frontal attack on the Constitution and Democracy and we will take every step to safeguard them," Kharge said.
Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh had said the party would legally challenge the amendment.
Lok Sabha MP and Congress general secretary (organisation) KC Venugopal said the poll panel had chosen opacity and a pro-government attitude in its dealings thus far.
According to Rule 93, all "papers" related to elections shall be open to public inspection.
The amendment inserts "as specified in these rules" after "papers".
Law ministry and ECI officials separately explained that a court case was the "trigger" behind the amendment.
While documents such as nomination forms, appointment of election agents, results and election account statements are mentioned in the Conduct of Election Rules, electronic documents such as CCTV camera footage, webcasting footage and video recording of candidates during the Model Code of Conduct period are not covered.
"CCTV coverage, webcasting of polling stations are not carried out under Conduct of Election Rules but are the result of steps taken by the ECI to ensure a level playing field," a former ECI official explained.
