Police inspector suspended for misconduct in K'taka
Mangaluru (PTI): A police inspector was placed under suspension on Tuesday after audio and video clips purportedly showing alleged inappropriate behaviour towards a woman surfaced, officials said.
According to a statement issued by the Police Commissioner of Mangaluru city Sudhir Kumar Reddy, multiple complaints had earlier been filed by two women against the inspector. However, officials clarified that both cases are part of larger, unrelated legal disputes.
Police also clarified that these two women are not the same individuals seen in the viral video and audio clips.
Despite the absence of formal complaint from the woman featured in the footage who has declined to file a case so far, authorities noted that the content of the video and audio indicates inappropriate conduct by the officer.
"In view of the questionable behaviour reflected in the material, the inspector has been placed under suspension," the Commissioner said, adding that the women involved have been informed they can record their statements at a later stage if they choose to do so.
Further inquiry into the matter is underway.
Meanwhile, Home Minister G Parameshwara said he spoke to the Mangaluru Police Commissioner immediately and sought a report. Once the report comes, necessary action will be taken.
"I spoke to Mangaluru commissioner and sought for an immediate report regarding the allegations made by the woman and the behaviour of the officer. Commissioner may send the report today, I have asked the ADGP Law and Order to oversee," he told reporters in Bengaluru.
Taking cognisance of this matter, Nagalakshmi Choudhary, Chairperson of Karnataka State Women's Commission said they have written to the Commissioner of Dakshina Kannada.
"I have already spoken to the Commissioner, who informed me that no victim has come forward to lodge a complaint so far. However, we are proceeding with the investigation," she said.
Choudhary said that she also met Parameshwara, who said the police need not wait for any direction from him and can immediately take suo motu action, as they are empowered to initiate the investigation.
"He (Home Minister) has sought a report within two days, after which appropriate action will be taken," she said.
"Every time there is an incident against a woman, the police department seems to wait for the Women's Commission to intervene. Does this reflect on the discipline and responsibility of the police," she added.
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China asks Iran to ensure freedom of navigation through Strait of Hormuz
Beijing (PTI): Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has asked Iran to ensure freedom and safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, a first such call issued by Beijing ever since Tehran started to put a squeeze on the critical waterway in the midst of its war with the US.
Wang has sought guarantees of freedom and safety of international navigation through the Strait of Hormuz in a phone call with Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi on Wednesday.
Wang’s call coincided with a Pakistan mediation delegation headed by Field Marshal Asim Munir reaching Tehran on Wednesday to discuss new peace proposals for a second round of talks between the US and Iran in Islamabad.
China, a close ally of Iran and the largest importer of Iranian oil, was also concerned over the energy crisis accentuated by the US blockade of the Strait, preventing ships from carrying oil and gas from Iran's ports.
The Strait of Hormuz is a vital 55-km-wide maritime choke point between Iran and Oman, managing roughly 20 per cent of global oil trade.
Opening of the Strait was the second most important demand by US President Donald Trump, besides halting Iran's nuclear energy.
"The current situation has reached a critical stage of transition between conflict and peace, and a window for peace is opening,” Wang told Araghchi, according to a statement by the Chinese foreign ministry.
Wang said Iran, as a coastal state of the Strait of Hormuz, should have its sovereignty, security and legitimate rights and interests respected and safeguarded.
"At the same time, the freedom and safety of international navigation through the strait should also be ensured, and efforts to restore normal transit through the strait are a shared call of the international community,” he said.
Araghchi said Tehran expected China to play an active role in promoting peace and ending the conflict, and that Iran was willing to continue seeking a rational and realistic solution through peaceful negotiations, Hong Kong based South China Morning Post reported.
The US blockade followed an initial round of talks in Islamabad over the weekend that had aimed at permanently ending the conflict but failed to produce an agreement, with divisions remaining over thorny issues, particularly Iran’s nuclear programme and the Strait of Hormuz.
The Chinese foreign ministry on Tuesday sharply criticised the US blockade as “dangerous and irresponsible”, saying it risked escalating tensions and undermining the shaky ceasefire.
