Contractor dies by suicide, alleges Minister Priyank Kharge’s aide responsible

Vartha Bharati | 26-12-2024 | 21:18:00 IST

Karnataka Information Technology Minister Priyank Kharge

Bidar (Karnataka), Dec 26: A 26-year-old contractor allegedly died by suicide by lying in front of a train in Bidar on Thursday, police said.

Sachin Panchal, a native of Tungadakatti in Bhalki Taluk of Bidar, had taken a contract in the Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department.

In a suicide note, he alleged that former councillor Raju Kapanur and seven others were responsible for his death.

Kapanur is reportedly a close aide of Karnataka Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister Priyank Kharge.

Reacting to the incident, Kharge said, "I have just learned about it through the media. I am personally demanding an inquiry. We will ensure that the truth comes out. Whether my supporters or anyone else is involved, as this is the concerned department, nothing will be hidden." He said, "Wrong is wrong. No matter who it is. I will have it investigated by my department, and if necessary, I will request the Home Minister to look into it." When asked whether his close associate was involved, he stated that he did not have complete information.

"Whether it is my close associate or a Congress supporter, the law is equal for all, and the Constitution is equal for all. Whatever the case, we will take action," he added.

Later, the minister’s office shared a video statement from Kapanur in their WhatsApp group.

Kapanur stated that Panchal had approached him, claiming he had completed his BTech and was looking to secure contracts. He added that Panchal said he had a licence and was capable of taking up work.

"I told him that since we did not have the licence, we couldn’t apply for tenders. He assured me he would handle it. The first tender was related to the airport. We deposited Rs 65 lakh into his account and Rs 15 lakh in cash," Kapanur said.

"Panchal continued to mislead us for six months, saying he would apply for the tender. When we inquired in Bengaluru, we discovered that everything was fake," he added.

Kapanur mentioned that he had lodged a police complaint against Panchal.

The BJP has demanded the resignation of Priyank Kharge.

In a post on 'X', BJP state president B Y Vijayendra said, "It seems that some ministers in the Congress government have given General Power of Attorney (GPA) to their right-hand men and close aides." Recalling incidents where people died by suicide due to torture by the close aides of ministers, Vijayendra alleged, "The Congress government is making unfortunate families orphans." Claiming that Kharge was responsible for the death, the BJP leader stated, "Chief Minister Siddaramaiah should immediately ask Kharge to resign."

ಕಾಂಗ್ರೆಸ್ ಸರ್ಕಾರದಲ್ಲಿ ಕೆಲವು ಮಂತ್ರಿಗಳು ತಮ್ಮ ಬಲಗೈ ಬಂಟರು ಹಾಗೂ ಆಪ್ತ ಸಹಾಯಕರಿಗೆ ಜನರಲ್ ಪವರ್ ಆಫ್ ಅಟಾರ್ನಿ (GPA) ನೀಡಿದಂತಿದೆ. ಇತ್ತೀಚೆಗಷ್ಟೇ ಸಚಿವೆ ಲಕ್ಷ್ಮೀ ಹೆಬ್ಬಾಳ್ಕರ್ ಅವರ ಆಪ್ತಸಹಾಯಕನ ಕಿರುಕುಳಕ್ಕೆ ತಹಸೀಲ್ದಾರ್ ಕಚೇರಿಯ ಎಸ್‌ಡಿಎ ರುದ್ರೇಶ್ ಆತ್ಮಹತ್ಯೆ, ಇದರ ಬೆನ್ನಲ್ಲೇ ವಿಧಾನ ಮಂಡಲದ ಸುವರ್ಣ ಸೌಧಕ್ಕೆ ನುಗ್ಗಿ… pic.twitter.com/H2rE4PI94l
— Vijayendra Yediyurappa (@BYVijayendra) December 26, 2024

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South African police arrest suspect in mass shooting that killed 12, including 3 children

23-12-2025 ¦ 23-12-2025 IST

PC: X.com/@deeptirana65058

Johannesburg (AP): A 32-year-old suspect has been arrested in connection with a mass shooting which claimed the lives of 12 people including three children at an unlicensed pub earlier this month, South African police said on Monday.

The man is suspected of being one of the three people who opened fire on patrons in a pub at Saulsville township, west of South Africa's capital Pretoria, killing 12 people including three children aged 3, 12 and 16.

At least 13 people were also injured during the attack, whose motive remains unknown.

According to the police, the suspect was arrested on Sunday while traveling to Botlokwa in Limpopo province, more than 340 km from where the mass shooting took place on Dec 6.

An unlicensed firearm believed to have been used during the attack was recovered from the suspect's vehicle.

“The 32-year-old suspect was intercepted by Limpopo Tracking Team on the R101 Road in Westenburg precinct. During the arrest, the team recovered an unlicensed firearm, a hand gun, believed to have been used in the commission of the multiple murders. The firearm will be taken to the Forensic Science Laboratory for ballistic analysis,” police said in statement.

The suspect was arrested on the same day that another mass shooting at a pub took place in the Bekkersdal township, west of Johannesburg, in which nine people were killed and 10 wounded when unknown gunmen opened fire on patrons.

Police have since launched a search for the suspects.

South Africa has one of the highest homicide rates in the world and recorded more than 26,000 homicides in 2024 — an average of more than 70 a day. Firearms are by far the leading cause of death in homicides.

The country of 62 million people has relatively strict gun ownership laws, but many killings are committed with illegal guns, according to authorities.

According to police, mass shootings at unlicensed bars are becoming a serious problem. Police shut down more than 11,000 illegal taverns between April and September this year and arrested more than 18,000 people for involvement in illegal liquor sales.