Arrest, prosecute 'Gau Rakshaks', fake news peddlers: Priyank Kharge orders top police officials
Bengaluru: In an effort to curb the spread of misinformation and prevent communal violence incited through social media platforms, Priyank Kharge, the district in-charge Minister of Kalaburagi, directed top officials of the district to track down and take stringent action against those responsible.
During a meeting with revenue and police officials at the Kalaburagi Deputy Commissioner's office auditorium, Kharge expressed concern over false allegations being circulated on social media. He specifically mentioned a claim circulating that he was involved in the recent murder of a police constable from Jewargi. To address the issue, Kharge instructed senior police officers to form a dedicated team responsible for monitoring social media posts and promptly taking legal action against individuals spreading fake news. He emphasized the importance of preventing communal tension and recommended that individuals claiming to be "Gau-Rakshakas" (cow protectors) and attempting to incite violence be arrested and prosecuted.
Additionally, Minister Kharge sternly ordered the police to refrain from accepting funds from illegal sand smuggling networks. He further instructed officials to seize vehicles carrying overloaded sand and file appropriate cases against the perpetrators. Notably, Medical Education Minister Dr. Sharanaprakash Patil echoed these sentiments, advocating for the seizure of such vehicles and registration of cases against those involved in illicit sand activities.
Furthermore, Minister Patil identified the presence of 22 clubs in the city engaged in unlawful activities. He urged officials to provide information on the police station limits where these activities occur and instructed them to conduct raids on such clubs while suspending police officers within the respective jurisdiction.
Meanwhile, DCP Srinivasalu received explicit instructions from Dr. Patil to ensure that no clubs involved in illegal activities are permitted within the city limits.
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3 Indians arrested in Canada for shooting outside home
Ottawa (PTI): Three Indian nationals have been arrested by Canadian police on an anti-extortion patrol and charged after bullets were fired at a home.
Harjot Singh (21), Taranveer Singh (19) and Dayajeet Singh Billing (21) face one count each of discharging a firearm, and all have been remanded in custody until Thursday, the Surrey Police Service (SPS) said in a statement on Monday.
The suspects were arrested by patrol officers after an early morning report of shots fired and a small fire outside a home in Surrey's Crescent Beach neighbourhood, the LakelandToday reported.
On February 1, 2026, the SPS members were patrolling in Surrey’s Crescent Beach neighbourhood when reports came in of shots being fired and a small fire outside a residence near Crescent Road and 132 Street.
The three accused were arrested by SPS officers a short time later, the statement said.
SPS’s Major Crime Section took over the investigation, and the three men have now been charged with Criminal Code offences, it said.
All three have been charged with one count each of discharging a firearm into a place contrary to section 244.2(1)(a) of the Criminal Code.
The investigation is ongoing, and additional charges may be forthcoming. All three have been remanded in custody until February 5, 2026.
The SPS has confirmed they are all foreign nationals and has engaged the Canada Border Services Agency, it said.
One of the suspects suffered injuries, including two black eyes, the media report said.
Surrey police Staff Sgt. Lindsey Houghton said on Monday that the suspect had refused to comply with instructions to get out of the ride-share vehicle and started to "actively resist."
"As we were trained, he was taken to the ground and safely handcuffed," said Houghton.
A second suspect with a black eye was also injured in the arrest after refusing to comply, Houghton said.
The arresting officers were part of Project Assurance, an initiative that patrols neighbourhoods that have been targeted by extortion violence.
Houghton said the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) is also involved because the men are foreign nationals, and the trio may face additional charges.
It's not clear if the men are in the country on tourist visas, a study permit, or a work permit, but Houghton said CBSA has started its own investigation into the men's status.
Surrey has seen a number of shootings at homes and businesses over the last several months, but there's been an escalation since the new year.
