Congress demands judicial probe into 'cash gifts' to journalists on Diwali in Karnataka
New Delhi/Bengaluru, Oct 29: The Congress on Saturday alleged that Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai tried to bribe journalists by sending Rs 1 lakh cash gifts to them on Diwali and demanded the registration of a graft case as well as his resignation.
The Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee demanded a judicial inquiry into what it called "Chief Minister's Office (CMO) 'sweet box bribe' to journalists".
According to sources in the CMO, Bommai has said he was unaware that "cash" was given to journalists.
Addressing the media in New Delhi, senior Congress leader Randeep Surjewala said, "The Bommai government's bribegate is now out in the open and this time the responsibility lies at the doorstep of the chief minister himself."
"This time, Mr Bommai has surreptitiously, overtly and in a conspiratorial fashion tried to bribe the entire journalistic fraternity by sending 1 lakh cash to every journalist in Karnataka. Hats off to our journalist friends who openly exposed the bribegate," said Surjewala, who has been looking after the party's affairs in the state.
This is not the first time that the 40 per cent "corrupt Bommai government" has attempted to do so, he alleged.
The BJP government in Karnataka has become infamous for the "PayCM" campaign that the people of Karnataka have launched, Surjewala claimed.
He alleged that under the BJP government in the state, there has been bribery in recruitment, postings and contracts.
"Latest is the CM trying to bribe journalists. Where has the money come from? Was this Rs. 1 lakh withdrawn from the public exchequer and then put in a packet to be sent to journalists on Diwali or has it come from your personal kitty," Surjewala asked.
If the CM is involved in bribery who will protect the state, he asked.
"CM Bommai has been caught red-handed in the bribery to journalists scam. A case of corruption under prevention of corruption act for offering bribes has to be registered against Mr. Bommai and he has to resign immediately," Surjewala said.
Earlier, in a tweet, Surjewala said, "The 40 Percent Sarkar seeks to bribe the journalists with 1 Lakh cash! Will Mr. Bommai answer- 1. Isn't it "bribe" being offered by CM? 2. What is the source of ?1,00,000? Has it come from Public Exchequer or from CM himself? 3. Will ED/IT take note?"
The Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee said the people of the state should know how much money was given as bribe, how much was received, how much was returned.
#BommaiBribeGate stands exposed.
— Randeep Singh Surjewala (@rssurjewala) October 29, 2022
If CM himself is offering ₹1,00,000 cash bribes in garb of Diwali gifts, who’ll protect the law & the Constitution.
Hats off to our brave journalist friends of #Karnataka for exposing the corrupt racket.
Lodge FIR & Sack CM Bommai. pic.twitter.com/elJCzLKSpz
Hats off to the courageous scribes of #Karnataka, who exposed the #BribeGate of CM Bommai & his CMO.
— Randeep Singh Surjewala (@rssurjewala) October 28, 2022
Hope BJP Govt realises that everyone is “Not on Sale”.
Urge National Media friends to take note @ndtv @aajtak @ABPNews @CNNnews18 @News24 @IndiaToday #40PercentSarkara https://t.co/DsUXZwWNTZ
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Florida woman arrested for allegedly selling human bones via Facebook marketplace
New Delhi: A 52-year-old woman from Florida, Kymberlee Schopper, has been arrested for allegedly trading in human bones including skull fragments and ribs through Facebook Marketplace. Authorities said the sales were conducted through her Orange City-based business, ‘Wicked Wonderland’.
Schopper was taken into custody on April 11 and later released on a $7,500 bond from Volusia County Jail. The arrest followed a months-long investigation initiated on December 21, 2023, when Orange City Police received a tip-off about the alleged sale of human remains through a business’s Facebook page.
Police reviewed images shared by the informant, which appeared to show listings of human bones on social media. The business was identified as ‘Wicked Wonderland’, located on North Volusia Avenue. A subsequent review of its website revealed several items for sale, including skull fragments, a clavicle, scapula, rib, vertebra, and a partial skull.
Law enforcement officials visited the store and collected the remains, which were later sent to the medical examiner’s office for analysis. During questioning, one of the business owners confirmed that human bones had been sold for years and stated they were purchased from private sellers. While the owner claimed to have documentation for the transactions, it was not produced at the time.
According to the arrest affidavit cited by FOX 35 Orlando, Schopper described the remains as authentic and delicate. She reportedly believed they were legal to sell under state law, categorizing them as educational models.
However, experts examining the recovered items concluded that some remains could be archaeological in nature. One skull fragment was estimated to be over 100 years old, while another bone appeared to be more than 500 years old. Schopper now faces charges related to the illegal sale and purchase of human tissue under Florida law.
