Bengaluru, Oct 23: Former Prime Minister H DDeve Gowda and ex-Chief Ministers H D Kumaraswamy andSiddaramaiah welcomed the Delhi HighCourt order on Wednesday granting bail to Congress leader D K Shivakumar in a money laundering case, filed by the Enforcement Directorate.

As the news about Shivakumar getting bail broke, his supporters and Congress workers celebrated by bursting crackers and distributing sweets in Ramanagara, Belagavi, Tumakuru, Kanakapura, Mandya and near his Bengaluru residence.

"Delhi High Court granting bail to D K Shivakumar has increased common man's trust in country's judicial system. I welcome the court's decision," Gowda tweeted.

Shivakumar, a seven-time MLA, was arrested by the EDon September 3 under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

"Getting bail from Delhi high court is happy news," Siddaramaiah told reporters at Bagalkote.

He alleged that Shivakumar was being politically targeted.

"...let them (ED) investigate, but sending to jail duringinvestigation is not right. On proving to be guilty one can besent to jail, but sending while the investigation is still onis not right. Vengeance politics is not right..," he added.

The 57-year-old Shivakumar is under judicial custody and presently lodged in Tihar jail.

Both the Congress and Shivakumar have claimed he was beingtargeted by the BJP-led government at the Centre by "misusing" investigating agencies.

"Delhi High Court granting bail to D K Shivakumar is a matter of happiness. On Monday I had met Shivakumar and tried to boost his courage, and expressed hope about him getting bail," Kumaraswamy tweeted.

The JD(S) leader who met Shivakumar at Tihar jail on Monday had said that the Congress leader was "bold" to fight "vengeance politics".

Shivakumar and Kumaraswamy, both Vokkaliga strong men, have been bitter political opponents in the old Mysuru region,until they came together for the formation of Congress-JD(S) coalition government, after 2018 assembly polls.

Shivakumar was a key minister in the Kumaraswamy cabinet and played a major rule in the stability of the coalition government until it collapsed in July, following resignation of several MLAs of the two parties, eventually leading to installation of the BJP government.

His arrest had lead to widespread protests, especially in Ramanagara, Bengaluru rural, Mandya and other parts of old Mysuru region.

It had even taken a caste colour with thousands of people belonging to the Vokkaliga community taking out a rally recently in Bengaluru protesting the arrest and expressing solidarity with him.

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.



Mangaluru: A fee payment issue faced by a section of students using the Unified University College Management System (UUCMS) has been resolved, according to the authorities of P.A. First Grade College. The matter, which affected 27 out of 768 students from the institution, had caused confusion and allegations, prompting the college to issue a clarification.

The UUCMS, introduced in 2021 by the Government of Karnataka, requires students to pay their examination fees directly through the portal. Previously, students paid fees to their respective colleges, which then transferred the amount to the university. While most students successfully processed their fees through UUCMS, the payment status for 27 students showed as "INITIATED," even though the amount was deducted from their bank accounts. The issue, however, was not isolated, reportedly impacting around 3,000 students across various institutions affiliated with Mangalore University, read the release.

It further stated that following complaints, the university circulated a Google form to gather details of affected students. Subsequently, during an online meeting on November 28, 2024, the university directed colleges to ask students to pay their fees again to ensure their data would be reflected in the portal for hall ticket generation. Failure to do so would prevent them from appearing in the exam. The directive, communicated to the students, led to dissatisfaction among them, with some expressing resistance to paying the fees twice. A few parents and students sought clarification from the college, which explained that the issue was from the UUCMS system by the Government of Karnataka and not the college.

However, one second-year B.Sc. student, Ayisha Afna, filed a police complaint at Konaje station, alleging illegal fee demands by the college. Following the complaint, students and parents met with the Vice Chancellor of Mangalore University, seeking resolution. The college, meanwhile, continued to engage with university authorities and the UUCMS team to address the issue.

According to the statement, on December 7, 2024, the university authorities informed the college that the issue had been resolved. College staff were directed to submit the necessary student details to the university, ensuring that all students, including those who had filed complaints, would receive their hall tickets. The college principal contacted the complainant's father to inform them of the resolution and reiterated the same during a meeting at the university premises.

Despite the resolution, a press conference held by Aysha Afna, Reshna Misiriya, Parent Abdul Khader and advocate Saheed Badduron December 9, 2024, reportedly alleged that the college and university authorities were pressuring students to withdraw the complaint and denying hall tickets.

The college principal has categorically denied these allegations, asserting that the matter was resolved by the university on December 7, 2024. It was clarified that hall tickets could only be generated from December 9, 2024, as per the university's update.

The college has assured students that their hall tickets will be distributed on the day of the examination to save them unnecessary travel.

Additionally, the college authorities have urged the public to disregard baseless allegations.