BJP-JD(S) protest march is for 'redemption from their sins': Deputy CM DK Shivakumar
Channapatna (Karnataka), Aug 4: Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Sunday termed the opposition BJP and JD(S)' ongoing 'padayatra' against alleged Mysuru Urban Development Authority site allotment scam, seeking to corner the Congress government and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, as a march for "redemption from their sins".
He also questioned JD(S) leader and Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy about the source of his family’s wealth and said he could not have made thousands of crores through farming.
"BJP-JD(S) padayatre is a "Paapa Vimochana Padayatre" (a foot march for redemption from their sins)... it is the march of the corrupt, by the corrupt and for the corrupt," Shivakumar said.
Speaking at the 'Janandolana' event, a public meeting by the Congress to counter BJP-JD(S)' padayatra, he accused BJP leaders and their family, Kumaraswamy and his JDS leaders and their families of indulging in corruption.
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The week long 'Mysuru Chalo padayatre' by BJP and JD(S) from Bengaluru that began on Saturday is against the alleged fraudulent allotment of sites to land losers by MUDA, including Siddaramaiah's wife Parvathi.
Noting that he runs a business along with farming, Shivakumar said while Kumaraswamy has clearly said he is the son of the soil and does only farming. "Did he make thousands of crores of wealth just by growing potatoes and onions?"
He also sought to know about Kumaraswamy's elder brother H D Balakrishna Gowda, a retired KAS officer, and his family's assets.
"Kumaranna (Kumaraswamy), you can discuss my assets. Start from the first, your brother -- Balakrishna Gowda, his wife, her father and family -- in Mysuru, Srirangapatna and Bengaluru. Also their benamis. How much land is in their name, you have to answer it. A government employee, how many thousand crores is he worth?" he asked.
Averring that he hasn't yet spoken about the alleged denotification and mining scams involving Kumaraswamy, the Deputy CM said, "I am yet to release your family’s assets, but I will soon...."
JD(S) won 136 seats under his presidency, but JD(S) secured only 19 seats inder Kumaraswamy, Shivakumar said.
"Now, you (Kumaraswamy) have joined your hands with the BJP to save your party. You are an expert in hit and run and you are a blackmailer... You said you will not attend the padayatra but why are you attending now. You are trying to ruin JD(S) for the sake of power."
Channapatna Assembly segment will be facing the by-polls soon. The date is yet to be announced.
The bypoll in Channapatna is necessitated, following Kumaraswamy's election to the Lok Sabha from Mandya.
Speculations are rife within the Congress circles that either Shivakumar or his brother D K Suresh, a former MP, who unsuccessfully contested from Bangalore Rural Lok Sabha segment, are likely to be Congress candidate from Channapatna.
"Whoever may be the candidate in Channapatna, but your vote goes to Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar. The Congress party symbol is the real candidate. I will work for this constituency like a legislator, give me an opportunity by supporting Congress," he appealed.
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Bengaluru court sentences TN man to 3 years in jail for molesting minor on flight
Bengaluru, Sept 9: A fast-track special court has sentenced a 51-year-old man from Tamil Nadu to three years of imprisonment for sexually harassing a minor girl during a Doha-Bengaluru flight.
The court also imposed a fine of Rs 10,000 on Ammawasai Murugesan.
The incident took place on June 27, 2023, when Murugesan, under the influence of alcohol, inappropriately touched the minor girl while on the flight. The girl’s mother objected to his actions, after which flight attendants changed their seats.
Upon landing, the girl's father reported the matter to Kempegowda International Airport police, leading to Murugesan’s arrest under Section 8 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. He was granted bail on July 27, 2023.
During the trial, the victim testified via video link as she was abroad.
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Last week, the Additional District and Sessions Fast-Track Special Court in Bengaluru Rural district found Murugesan guilty and convicted him under the POCSO Act.
The court order stated that if Murugesan fails to pay the fine, he would face an additional three months of imprisonment. Half of the fine amount -- Rs 5,000 -- is to be paid as compensation to the victim.
The court also noted that Murugesan is entitled to set off the time he spent in judicial custody from June 28 to July 27, 2023, against his sentence.
The court has granted Murugesan bail to appeal against the conviction, citing his cooperative behavior throughout the trial and regular attendance in court hearings. Under Section 389(3) of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), he can remain out on bail until the appeal period expires.
