BJP MLA K Gopalaiah alleges death threats from Bengaluru ex-Corporator, demands protection
Bengaluru: BJP MLA and former Minister K Gopalaiah on Wednesday told the Legislative Assembly that he and his family have received death threats from an ex-Corporator of the city's civic body and demanded protection.
Alleging that Padmaraj called him last night in an inebriated condition and used derogatory language against him and his family, he said, despite a complaint being filed immediately, police had still not arrested him.
Home Minister G Parameshwara, subsequently informed the Assembly that Padmaraj had been arrested some time ago, and legal action would follow.
''Last night around 11 pm, I received a phone call from Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike ex-Corporator Padmaraj, he demanded money. I cannot repeat the words he used insulting me in this House. He made derogatory comments against my family. He has even threatened to loot my house and has issued death threats to me and my family,'' Gopalaiah said.
Raising the issue during ''Zero Hour,'' he said he had information about Padmaraj, in an inebriated condition, issuing similar threats to several former Ministers and legislators like senior BJP MLA Suresh Kumar in the past.
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Stating that Padmaraj runs clubs in Basaveshwaranagar limits and is ''intoxicated'' with the money he gains from it, the MLA said, the former had taken help from him in the past in getting job or medical seats for people from his family or friends.
Demanding action against Padmaraj and that he should be exiled, he also sought protection to his family, fearing danger to them from him. He also urged shutting down all illegal clubs in Bengaluru, to put an end to such elements.
Noting that he has already given a police complaint in this regard, Gopalaiah said police have been waiting since last night in front of Padmaraj's house. ''After coming out from the inebriated condition he is said to come out of his house....police are waiting outside his house for about 10-11 hours now.'' Several BJP legislators including Leader of Opposition R Ashoka backed Gopalaiah and demanded justice for him.
''Gopalaiah's family is in politics, his wife was a Deputy Mayor in the past, if such a family has to go through all this, what's the situation of a common man? It has been several hours since the complaint was made, are the police waiting for him to come out of his inebriated condition to arrest him? It seems like royal treatment is being given to him,'' Ashoka said, demanding immediate strict action.
There should be no politics in this issue, he said, adding Padmaraj had been with all political parties in the past.
As Home Minister Parameshwara was initially not present in the House, Minister H C Mahadevappa, replying on behalf of the government, said action will be taken as per law.
Questioning the delay in the police taking action, Speaker U T Khader too directed the government to get Padmaraj arrested by the evening or suspend the police inspector there. ''The government has to give a strict message to such elements.'' Later, when Parameshwara came to the Assembly, he said a case has been registered in the Kamakshipalya police station, and police will arrest him by entering his house if required.
He subsequently on receiving an update from the officials, told the Assembly that Padmaraj has been arrested and legal action will follow.
Earlier, BJP MLA and state General secretary Sunil Kumar said, the situation has come to such a pass that even a legislator is forced to seek protection in the House. ''The Chair has to come to the protection, and the Speaker should direct the government,'' he said, questioning the delay in the arrest.
Another BJP MLA Suresh Kumar said, Ashoka and himself too have faced similar ''things'' from Padmaraj, and his activities are going on for a long time now. ''No where in Bengaluru clubs are functioning, but he is still running...The complaint was given last night against Padmaraj, who is in his house, but still why arrest has been made, he asked.
Former Home Minister and MLA Araga Jnanendra too, expressing similar sentiments, asked for a clarification on police inaction.
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Jan Shatabdi loco pilot spots iron pole on tracks near Rudrapur, averts accident: Railways
New Delhi/Rampur (PTI): The driver of the Naini Jan Shatabdi Express averted a possible accident when he slammed the emergency brakes on finding an iron pole across the tracks in near Uttarakhand's Rudrapur, officials said on Thursday, alleging that it could be sabotage.
The incident occurred on Wednesday near Rudrapur City Railway Station, approximately 43 kilometres from Uttar Pradesh's Rampur, Railway officials said.
"On September 18 at 10.18 pm, the loco pilot of train number 12091 reported to Station Master/Rudrapur City that he found one 6-metre-long iron pole on track between Bilaspur Road and Rudrapur City," a spokesperson from the Railway Ministry said suggesting an act of sabotage.
"The driver stopped the train to clear the track. He started the train safely afterwards," the spokesperson said.
On the complaint of Rudrapur City Section Railway Engineer Rajendra Kumar, an FIR was lodged at GRP Police Station Rampur under sections of the Railways Act 1989 against unnamed people.
"On seeing the electric pole, the loco pilot applied emergency brakes and stopped the train and after removing the pole the train resumed its journey," the FIR read.
Personnel from Government Railway Police(GRP), Railway Protection Force (RPF) and police outpost arrived at the scene and initiated an investigation.
Of late, some railway divisions have reported cases in which obstructions in the form of gas cylinders, boulders or broken rails have been placed on the railway tracks with an intent to cause damage to train operations.
In Farrukhabad on August 24, a passenger train was stopped on the Kasganj-Farrukhabad railway track near the Bhatasa Railway Station after its engine hit a log placed on the tracks.
Earlier, in Kanpur an FIR was lodged for suspected sabotage in the derailment of 20 coaches of a passenger train.
The divisions have lodged FIRs in these cases and investigations are going on to trace the anti-social elements and prosecute them.
