“ECIR filed against CM Siddaramaiah is politically motivated,” says HK Patil
Bengaluru: Karnataka's Law Minister HK Patil has accused the Enforcement Directorate (ED) of filing an Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) against Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) land allotment case out of political malice.
Speaking to reporters at his residence on Tuesday, Patil questioned the basis for the allegations, stating, "Where is the money laundering in the MUDA case?" He criticized the union government for allegedly misusing the law for political gain, asserting that such actions are beneath the dignity of the government.
Patil mentioned that they have ample opportunities to contest the case in court and expressed his intent to meet with the Chief Minister to discuss the matter further. He also addressed the recent letter from Siddaramaiah's wife, Parvathi, regarding the return of the plots allocated to her.
He remarked on the emotional distress she has endured, emphasizing that no one should be subjected to slander and political malice. Patil commended Parvathi's decision to return the plots as a commendable action in light of her situation.
In response to speculation about Siddaramaiah's potential resignation, Patil firmly stated, "There is no question of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah resigning." He affirmed that the party high command, the people of Karnataka, and all legislators and ministers support him. Patil asserted that the public is aware of attempts to destabilize the elected government.
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Prime organiser of Messi event in Kolkata arrested over ‘mismanagement’ after stadium chaos
Kolkata (PTI): The police on Saturday arrested Satadru Datta, the prime organiser of the Lionel Messi football event at Salt Lake Stadium here, following widespread chaos at the venue, which prompted the Argentine World Cup-winning captain to leave the field early.
Taking suo motu cognisance of the stadium unrest, Datta was held by the Bidhannagar Police for “mismanagement” of the event from the Kolkata airport, where he had gone to see off Messi and his entourage on their way to Hyderabad.
"We are looking into whether there was any mismanagement from the organiser's side, which led to the chaos at the stadium. He has been detained, and the police have now brought the situation under control," West Bengal DGP Rajeev Kumar said at a press conference.
A senior police officer later confirmed that Dutta has been arrested. Till reports last received, the police were interrogating him and his manager inside one of the departure lounges of the airport.
The organiser has given in writing that he will refund the prices of tickets he sold to the disappointed spectators, Kumar said.
What was supposed to be a marquee football spectacle turned into widespread violence and disorder at the stadium after Messi’s brief and tightly ring-fenced appearance, his first at the venue since 2011, left large sections of the crowd frustrated, as they failed to catch a glimpse of their superstar despite having travelled from far and wide, paying hefty sums for tickets.
Police said they were also investigating how organisers allowed sale of bottled waters and beverages inside the stadium premises, which are banned items during such events.
Thousands of water bottles were used as missiles and lobbed inside the pitch by angry spectators, who also uprooted bucket seats from the gallery and used them as ammunition inside the field against the defending police and security personnel.
Spectators alleged that water bottles were being sold at a massive premium inside the stadium despite police disallowing such items from outside at the entry gates.
Police agreed there was an underlying tension in the galleries on account of Messi not showing his footballing skills on the field, which only got aggravated after a bunch of VIPs, including State Sports Minister Aroop Biswas and unidentified people, blocked the football icon’s view during the limited time he spent on the ground.
“We are on the job, and will ensure that whoever is responsible for what happened today at Salt Lake Stadium will be punished, and action will be taken against the authorities concerned,” said Jawed Shamim, ADG, Law and Order.
