CM assures solving problem regarding extension of BBMP land lease agreement of UNI Building
Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa today assured a delegation of senior journalists drawn from major Kannada and English publications from across the country and National News Agencies that he would resolve the problem relating to extension of lease of BBMP land on which United News of India (UNI) had built its building more than 35 years ago, within two days on priority basis, a press release from UNI informed.
The lease of land of UNI building had expired a few years ago but BBMP had not extended the lease despite several requests from the news agency but, instead, in a surprise move the BBMP officials had seized the building resulting in stoppage of operations of the national news agency.
When the delegation of senior journalists headed by UNI Editor-in-Chief Ashok Upadhyay met the chief minister, he reportedly said that he was in favour of UNI and its requests will be considered and asked the officials present to present the issue during meeting.
Speaking to the chief minister Mr Upadhyay said UNI had not violated any court order but some BBMP officials had misguided the chief minister. UNI with a history of over 60 years is run by its employees and it was not owned by any one. It was a Section 25 company and had built high reputation supplying credible and unbiased news service in Kannada, English, Hindi and Urdu.
‘’Due to BBMP action UNI staff members have been thrown on street and the operation of the news agency was severely hampered due to non-operation of its South India Headquarters in Bengaluru,’’ he said.
Speaking on the occasion, Samyukta Karnataka Editor Hunasewadi Rajan said attempts to curtain the freedom of the press should not be allowed and requested the chief minister to study the matter in detail and bring justice to UNI.
According to the press release, Yeddyurappa said he was aware of the UNI matter and would ask the officials to place relevant files before him and assured that he would solve the problem faced by UNI.
Karnataka Home Minister Basavaraj Bommai, who was present, later told the journalists’ delegation that he had requested the chief minister to renew the land lease agreement of UNI building with necessary conditions, the press statement added.
The delegation included besides Mr Upadhyay and Mr Rajan, senior journalists like Press Club President Sadashiva Shenoy, PTI Bengaluru Chief-of-Bureau Ramanatha Shenoy, Manohara Yadavatti, K J Vasuki and others.
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UP: Fake IAS officer marries woman, flees with Rs 15 lakh dowry
Gorakhpur (UP) (PTI): A newly married man fled with the Rs 15 lakh given to him as dowry by the bride's family, and it came to light later that he was an alleged serial scammer, police said on Sunday.
The accused, identified as Pritam Kumar Nishad from Etawah, allegedly posed as an IAS officer to deceive the woman into marrying him. He is currently absconding with his sister, and a case has been filed against him for cheating, dowry harassment, and forgery, officials said.
According to the police, the woman's family claimed that they spent nearly Rs 30 lakh for the wedding that was solemnised on March 11.
The match was arranged through a matrimonial group, where the accused introduced himself as an IAS officer, sharing purported interview clips, office visuals, and photographs with politicians to gain the family's trust.
Despite initially claiming he would marry without dowry, the accused allegedly demanded Rs 15 lakh shortly before the engagement. The bride's family paid Rs 10 lakh in cash during the engagement and the remaining Rs 5 lakh on the wedding day, the police said.
The fraud came to light on Saturday after the woman reached Etawah, and a wedding attendee informed the family that the accused was not a civil servant. When her relatives visited the address provided by him, they found her in a small rented room, while the accused and his sister had fled, the police added.
The woman has also alleged that the accused planned to take her to Goa and sell her, and accused him of inappropriate behaviour.
The police suspect that the accused may have been involved in multiple such marriages in the past. Based on a complaint lodged at the cantonment police station, an FIR was registered on Saturday evening.
Senior Superintendent of Police Dr Kaustubh said efforts are underway to arrest the accused.
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