Belekeri iron ore theft case: MLA Satish Sail, others to receive sentencing today (Oct. 26)
Bengaluru: The Special Court for Elected Representatives, which recently found MLA Satish Sail and others guilty in the Belekeri port iron ore theft case, will announce the sentencing later today.
The court reserved its decision after hearing arguments on Friday. CBI prosecutor K.S. Hema argued that the accused were involved in the illegal export of 3,100 metric tons of iron ore, requesting the maximum prison sentence along with a fine.
Senior advocate Murthy D. Naik, representing MLA Satish Sail, pointed out that Sail suffers from health issues and is under treatment, citing this as grounds for his previous bail. He also noted that the maximum sentence under the anti-corruption and theft laws is three years, requesting a sentence below this limit.
The bench, presided over by Justice Santosh Gajanana Bhat, had declared MLA Sail, former port officer Mahesh Biliya, and five others guilty on Thursday. Following the judgment, CBI authorities took all seven into custody.
Seven await sentencing in custody
MLA Satish Sail, port officer Mahesh Biliya, Lal Mahal company owner Prem Chand Garg, Sri Lakshmi Venkateshwara Traders owner Kharadapudi Mahesh, Swastik company owner K.V. Nagaraj, Govindaraju, and Aashapura company owner Chetan were detained and are currently held in Parappana Agrahara Central Prison awaiting the court’s decision.
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Sport must go on: Sourav Ganguly on India-Pakistan Asia Cup clash
Kolkata, Jul 27 (PTI): Former India captain Sourav Ganguly on Sunday said he has no issues with India being placed in the same group as Pakistan in the upcoming Asia Cup, asserting that while terrorism must end, sport must continue.
As per the schedule, arch-rivals India and Pakistan are clubbed in Group A and are set to face off at the Dubai International Stadium on September 14.
"I'm okay with the schedule. Sport must continue. What happened in Pahalgam should never happen, but we can’t let that stop the game. Terrorism must end. India has taken a firm stand against it, it’s in the past now. Sport must go on," Ganguly told PTI.
The T20 tournament will be held in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from September 9 to 28.
India will begin their campaign against UAE on September 10 and are expected to play all their matches in Dubai. India and Pakistan could also meet again in the Super Four stage on September 21.
Group A comprises India, Pakistan, UAE and Oman, while Group B includes Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Hong Kong.
The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) will allow 17-member squads for the 19-match tournament, with matches scheduled in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
While the BCCI is the official host, the tournament is being held in the UAE as India and Pakistan have agreed to play only at neutral venues till 2027 due to ongoing cross-border tensions.
The two countries had come close to the brink of war following the Pahalgam attack, to which India responded with Operation Sindoor.
