Four members of family from West Bengal found dead in room near Bengaluru
Bengaluru (PTI): Four members of a family from West Bengal were found dead inside their single room accommodation at a poultry farm in Bengaluru Rural district of Karnataka, police said on Monday.
The deceased have been identified as Kale Sariki (60), Lakshmi Sariki (50), Usha Sariki (40), and Pool Sariki (16), they said.
The family hailed from Alipurduar district in West Bengal and were working at a poultry farm in Holeyarahalli, near Doddabelavangala in Doddaballapur taluk since last 10 days.
Preliminary probe has suggested asphyxiation to be the cause of death. However, police is awaiting autopsy report to ascertain the exact cause of death, a senior police officer said.
According to police, the incident came to light on Sunday morning when Kale's daughter who works in a nearby village approached police. When none of her family members responded to her calls, she came to the poultry farm to check on them and saw smoke coming out of the closed windows of the house.
"Our police team reached the spot and broke open the door of the house which was locked from inside. The entire room was filled with smoke. We found a charcoal heater, some leaves and bodies of the family members lying. Experts from Forensic Science Laboratory were also called in and samples were lifted from the spot. Post-mortem was conducted at Victoria Hospital in Bengaluru following which the bodies were handed over to their relatives on Sunday," the senior police officer said.
Preliminary probe revealed that on Saturday night, after dinner, the four family members slept as usual in their single room accommodation which did not have proper ventilation. Since it was raining, the family had used a charcoal heater and some leaves as an alternative to mosquito repellent to keep them warm and protect themselves from mosquitoes, he said.
"Since the accommodation did not have proper ventilation and the door was closed from inside, gradually the smoke from the burning charcoal engulfed the entire room leading to suffocation. Their (victims) lungs were affected and initial reports suggest that they died due to asphyxiation," the officer added.
Police ruled out any foul play in the incident saying no visible injuries were found on the bodies, Also, there was no sign of any kind of poisonous substance inside.
"A case of unnatural death has been registered at Doddabelavangala police station under Criminal Procedure Code 174 and further investigation is on. We are awaiting post-mortem report to ascertain the exact cause of death," said Bengaluru Rural district Superintendent of Police Mallikarjuna Baladandi.
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Cabinet reshuffle is CM's prerogative in consultation with Cong high command: G Parameshwara
Bengaluru(PTI): Amid speculation that a cabinet reshuffle was on the cards, Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara on Wednesday said it is the prerogative of the Chief Minister and he would take a decision in consultation with the state Congress President and the high command.
Deputy CM and state Congress chief D K Shivakumar's statement on Tuesday indicating the possibility of a cabinet reshuffle in the days ahead, noting that few Ministers have been given a "message" about their term, has further fueled the speculations about the rejig.
"I don't know about it. Cabinet reshuffle is the Chief Minister's prerogative. He will consult the Pradesh Congress Committee President and go about it, this has been the practice. I don't know what decisions they make. It has to be done in consultation with the high command," Parameshwara told reporters.
To a question on Shivakumar's statement, he said, "He (Shivakumar) is the party state President, I don't know what messages he has sent (to some Ministers)."
Speculations are rife about a cabinet reshuffle and evaluation of the performance of the Ministers ever since the Lok Sabha poll results. There has also been demand from a section of MLAs, who are Ministerial aspirants, to be inducted into the cabinet. Some have openly expressed their wish to become Ministers.
To a question on a seer's comments that the voting rights of Muslims should be revoked, the Home Minister said, making remarks contrary to the Constitution is not right, and no one should speak or go against it.
"Probably he (seer) has not properly seen the principles of the Constitution and the rights and opportunities provided in it for every community and religion. It is clear in the Constitution," he said.
Asked about Congress MLA H R Gaviyappa publicly asking the CM to drop at least two of the five ‘guarantee’ schemes to provide money for development works, the state Home Minister said, "Any legislator asking for funds to his constituency is not wrong, so Gaviyappa is not wrong in asking for funds for his constituency."
"But unfortunately he has expressed his personal opinion regarding the guarantee schemes. That has been taken by the party and the government. We had promised the people of the state that we will full the promises, so we are implementing them. We cannot go back on that," he added.
Deputy CM Shivakumar had on Tuesday said he would issue a showcause notice to Gaviyappa and warned party leaders against making such statements regarding guarantee schemes.
Responding to a question on an Assamese girl found murdered at a serviced apartment in east Bengaluru, Parameshwra said such incidents in a way bring bad name to the city.
"It (alleged murder) is on very personal grounds. Both of them (suspect and victim) knew each other and were in love. They had stayed in a hotel room and he has stabbed her there. Both of them are outsiders. She is from Assam and he is from Kerala. Police keep watch on such things, but when such incidents occur, it in a way brings a bad name to the city," he said.
Asked about the suicide of a woman, who is a suspect in the alleged scam in Karnataka Bhovi Development Corporation, the Minister said investigation is on, can't say anything further until the probe is over.
On the protest by prisoners against the jail authorities at Kalaburagi central prison, alleging lack of facilities there, Parameshwara said he will speak to DG (Director General) Prisons about it.
"Already we have reviewed all the jails. If there are any necessities there it will be fulfilled. I will give instructions to the DG," he said.
