Rape on minor girl: Two including father arrested
Konaje, August 03: Konaje police arrested two persons including the father of a minor girl who is allegedly raped at Pavur in Konaje police station limits, and registered a case under POCSO Act.
The arrested were identified as Hanumantha Laggapura, father of the girl, and Vivek of Killur in Pavur village.
The minor girl hailed from Bagalkot district. Seven years back, her family had migrated from Bagalkot to Mangaluru and stayed at Kamblapadavu. Since last year, they were living in a rented house belonging to Kiran Shetty at Killur. The girl studied upto 9th standard in a local school and when she had been to her native place for summer vacation, she revealed the truth with her aunt that her father was sexually harassing her. In view of this, a case was filed against her father at Bagalkot police station in May and handed over the case to Children’s Welfare department.
After the investigation, the police have transferred the case to Konaje police station in Mangaluru. When the Mangaluru police conducted counseling on the girl, they did not get proper answer. Later, she was subjected to medical check-up and it was confirmed that she was raped. When the Children’s Welfare department again conducted counselling on her, she revealed the name Vivek Shetty of Killur. Based on her information, the police arrested both of them. PSI Ashok P, head constable Sukalatha, police Ashok and Kankanady police station PSI Janaki participated in the investigation.
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SC upholds inclusion of ‘secular, socialist’ in Preamble of Constitution
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday upheld the inclusion of the words ‘socialist’ and ‘secular’ in the Preamble of the Constitution, confirming their retrospective application from November 26, 1949. The court ruled that the power to amend the Constitution under Article 368 extends to the Preamble, which is an integral part of the document.
A Bench led by Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna stated, “The power under Article 368 cannot be curtailed. It will equally apply to the Preamble.” The 42nd Constitutional Amendment, which introduced these terms in 1976 during the Emergency, was challenged on grounds of its retrospective application and the lack of states’ ratification.
The petitioners, including BJP leader Subramanian Swamy, argued that the amendment forced a particular economic theory on the nation and violated the original intent of the Constitution. Advocate Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay contended that the Preamble reflects the will of the people at the time of adoption in 1949 and is therefore unalterable.
The court dismissed these objections, affirming that both socialism and secularism are part of the Constitution's Basic Structure. The Bench clarified that socialism refers to a welfare state ensuring equality of opportunity without negating private sector participation or individualism. It emphasised that secularism is embedded in the Constitution, particularly in the principles of equality and fraternity.
Chief Justice Khanna remarked, “Secularism has always been a core feature of the Constitution.” He added that the amendment did not impose socialism as dogma but aligned with the welfare goals enshrined in various constitutional provisions.
