DK Shivakumar rules out any interference in police action against BJP leader Ravi
Belagavi (Karnataka) (PTI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Friday ruled out any interference in the police action and arrest of BJP MLC C T Ravi, for allegedly using a derogatory word against Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar.
Calling Ravi a "filthy mouth", he accused the former BJP national general secretary of using derogatory words against several people in the past.
"Will they go and do a BJP meeting at Khanapur police station? (referring to BJP leaders meeting Ravi at station) ... police have shown too much courtesy towards him. Police conduct is also not correct. How did the police allow it (meeting)? We are not interfering in anything," Shivakumar said.
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Speaking to reporters, he said, "Family members or one or two people can go and meet, but they were having a meeting inside (the police station)...then what is this allegation of attempting to kill him (Ravi)?"
Ravi has accused the police of "violating" human rights, as he alleged that they took him on rounds the entire night to various places in the district, following his arrest.
He has even claimed that police were behaving on the directions of someone from the "top", and hit out at the state government and the administration, calling it "dictatorial".
Terming Hebbalkar's supporters' anger against Ravi as "natural", the Deputy CM said, "their leader, their daughter was insulted. Why are they - BJP protesting now? They are doing it because their leader is affected."
Calling Ravi a "filthy" mouth, he said, "This is not new for him (Ravi). He had used words against several people in the past...he had even called CM Siddaramaiah as Siddaramulla Khan....this is his culture."
Based on the complaint lodged by Minister Hebbalkar, a case was registered against the BJP leader under sections 75 (sexual harassment) and 79 (word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, on Thursday.
Ravi allegedly used a derogatory word against Hebbalkar in the Legislative Council on Thursday, when the House was adjourned for a while.
Responding to a question, Shivakumar said he would release the audio/video of the incident inside the Council if the media don't have them.
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Meghalaya MP death: Assembly session for Feb 20 likely to be adjourned, says CM
Shillong (PTI): The Meghalaya assembly session for February 20, during which the state budget is scheduled to be presented, could be adjourned as a mark of respect to Shillong MP Ricky A J Syngkon, who died on Thursday evening, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma said.
Syngkon reportedly collapsed while playing futsal on the outskits of the city, and doctors at a private hospital declared him dead around 8:45 pm.
"We have discussed with Deputy Chief Minister and in-charge of Parliamentary Affairs, Prestone Tynsong, and we will have a meeting tomorrow with the Business Advisory Committee (BAC) headed by the Speaker," Sangma told PTI.
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"I have communicated to the Deputy CM that it would be appropriate for the government not to go ahead with the proceedings of the House tomorrow. Even though tomorrow is the day we are supposed to present the budget, it will make absolute sense and a mark of respect to the departed soul if we were to postpone even the presentation of the budget," he said.
Sangma expressed shock over the sudden demise of Syngkon, recalling their recent meeting in Delhi where they discussed development plans for Meghalaya.
"I had met Syngkon about two weeks back in Delhi... that was the last meeting and conversation I had with him," the CM said.
Sangma recalled Syngkon's commitment and passion for the people of Khasi and Jaintia Hills, describing his demise as a "great loss for the state".
"Syngkon served the people with humility, vision and a sincere desire to uplift society. I express my deepest condolences to the family of late Ricky Syngkon, and I pray to the Almighty that he gives strength to the family members as well as his supporters and party leaders to bear the huge loss," the chief minister added.
