POCSO case: Accused journalist remanded to judicial custody
Udupi, Dec 3: The principal district and sessions court remanded journalist Chandra K Hemmadi who was arrested on charges of sexually abusing 21 minor boys under POCSO Act, to 14 days judicial custody.
He was in police custody for three days from November 29 and as his interrogation was completed and his custody was ended on December 2, investigating officer Byndoor circle inspector Parameshwar R. Gunaga produced him before the court on Monday. Judge Venkatesh Naik remanded the accused to 14 days judicial custody and later, he was taken to district jail situated at Hiriyadka.
Following complaints from 21 boys, 16 cases were filed in Byndoor police station, three cases in Gangolli police station and one case each was filed in Kundapura rural and Kollur police stations under the POCSO Act. It is said that few more boys are likely to give complaints against the accused.
Being a singer, Chandra Hemmadi used to visit schools and colleges for giving programmes and later, he used to publish the news of those programmes in newspapers and thus gained the confidence of the teachers, parents and students. Under the guise of journalist, he used to take the students on motorbikes to show him the places of news and sexually exploit them. If any students oppose his act, he was threatening them with knife points and it was disclosed in the interrogation, said SP Lakshman Nimbargi.
First case in state
It is the first case in the history of the state that 21 cases were filed against an accused under the POCSO Act. Now, the investigating officers have been investigating the case in different angles and there are chances of filing few more cases against him. If the charges are proved against the accused, there is an option to impose life imprisonment to the accused, district special public prosecutor Vijaya Vasu Poojary said.
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Have no personal involvement in Cong’s action against some minority leaders: Shivakumar
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Friday said he has no personal involvement in action taken against certain Congress leaders from the minority community following allegations of an internal conspiracy during the recently held Davanagere South bypolls.
He clarified that the decisions were taken by the party high command based on available reports.
Asserting that party discipline is of utmost importance, Shivakumar, who is also the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president, sought to downplay concerns that action against minority leaders may send the message that “Muslims are being targeted.”
“I don’t have any personal involvement in this. Whatever decisions are taken are made by the party leadership. The party has its own reports. Decisions regarding MLAs or MLCs cannot be taken at the state level without instructions from Delhi,” he said.
Speaking to reporters, he added, “People may blame me; I am not concerned. Everyone must function in accordance with party discipline.”
Responding to concerns within sections of the party that recent actions may convey the impression that minority leaders are being targeted, he said the Congress exists for the welfare of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, minorities, backward classes, farmers, and all sections of society.
The Congress has suspended MLC K Abdul Jabbar from primary membership and relieved another MLC, Naseer Ahmed, from the post of Chief Minister’s political secretary.
The action followed allegations by a group of Muslim leaders that certain party members conspired to defeat the official candidate in Davanagere South.
Following the action, speculation has emerged that Housing Minister B Z Zameer Ahmed Khan may also face disciplinary measures during the next cabinet reshuffle.
The three leaders had reportedly sought a Muslim candidate for the Davanagere South bypoll ticket, which the party instead allotted to the late MLA Shamanur Shivashankarappa’s grandson, Samarth Mallikarjun.
They were also said to have not actively participated in the campaign.
Shivakumar also rejected claims of factionalism within the ruling party amid speculation that leaders close to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah were being targeted.
Naseer Ahmed and Zameer Ahmed Khan are considered close to the CM.
Rejecting allegations of factionalism within the party, Shivakumar said, “We speak to each other every day. It is the media that creates divisions. Where is my faction? Has anyone put up a board saying they belong to the Siddaramaiah faction? Have I put up any such board?”
“All 139 legislators are my people, and they are all Siddaramaiah’s people as well. Everyone belongs to the Congress,” he added, saying there are no factions within the party and that such claims are media-driven.
Public Works Department (PWD) Minister Satish Jarkiholi met Shivakumar on Friday, a day after expressing concerns that disciplinary action against minority leaders may send the wrong message.
Shivakumar said he discussed with Jarkiholi the need to decongest Bengaluru traffic by diverting vehicles entering the city from state and national highways, along with party-related issues.
“We also discussed political matters in the interest of the party and the need to work together,” he said.
Later, speaking to reporters, Jarkiholi said he discussed with Shivakumar the issue of withdrawing Jabbar’s suspension. He said he will also visit New Delhi next week to meet the high command and discuss state developments.
“Jabbar’s suspension was discussed (with Shivakumar). It should be withdrawn. Let’s issue him a notice and allow him to reply. Then let’s send the report to the high command and seek their approval. High command approval is necessary because the instructions came from there. It may take some time,” he said.
Stating that he met the KPCC chief for “damage control,” the minister said, “We have tried to convince him. Sometimes certain decisions happen that need rectification.”
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