Gauri Lankesh murder case: Plot hatched in cop’s house !
Bengaluru: A special investigation team has reported that the accused in the murder of Journalist Gauri Lankesh had hired a police officer’s home and hatched the plot there itself.
Suresh Kumar, a resident of Tumkur, had hired the house belonging to an ACB Inspector in Seegehalli on Magadi Road to reside with his wife and children. After few days, he sent his family to the town and allowed Amul kale of Pune, Maharashtra’s Sujit Kumar and other accused to stay in the house. Besides, he facilitated food and other things for them.
After killing Gauri, the arrested Parshuram Waghmore and Ganesh Miskin returned to the house and picked up their belongings and vacated the home on September 06, 2017. Even Suresh also escaped.
After their arrest, Maddur’s Naveen Kumar and Parshuram Waghmore, who gave these statements in front of the SIT officials, attempted to derail the investigation by telling the officials that they did not know about the Gauri’s murder in later stages.
Officials said that the Suresh's role was found recently when Rajesh Bangera and Mohan Nayak of Madikeri and a few others were arrested and interrogated.
A police officer was unaware
The police officer had given his Seegehalli house to his relative to look after it. That relative rented it out to them. Therefore, this matter had not come to his attention. Even the accused Suresh had hired the house by telling that he wanted to reside with his family and shown his wife and children, the officials said.
Custody hearing on Monday
The court has adjourned to Monday for hearing the petition filed by SIT officials seeking the custody of accused Suresh Kumar for inquiry.
The special prosecutor for SIT argued that Suresh had provided shelter and other facilities to the accused. Therefore he needs to be detained and prosecuted. But Suresh's advocate has asked for more time to argue. The trial was held on Friday and was adjourned to Saturday.
"Suresh is likely to have concealed or destroyed the important evidence, including the weapon. He has to be taken into custody," SIT officials said.
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Karnataka govt directs municipal corps to regulate, prohibit pigeon feeding
Bengaluru (PTI): The Karnataka government has issued directions to municipal corporations across the state to regulate and prohibit feeding pigeons in public places, citing serious public health concerns.
Deputy Secretary to Government V Lakshmikanth has written to the Urban Development Department requesting it to issue directions to the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) and all municipal corporations to take immediate steps to implement the measures.
In an official note dated December 16 issued by the Health and Family Welfare Department and released to the media on Wednesday, the department said uncontrolled feeding of pigeons in public places has resulted in large congregations of birds, excessive droppings and serious health concerns, particularly respiratory illnesses linked to prolonged exposure to pigeon droppings and feathers such as hypersensitivity pneumonitis and other lung diseases.
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"The commissioner, the Greater Bengaluru Authority and the Commissioners and chief officers of other municipal corporations shall take necessary action to mitigate the causes of dangerous disease spread by pigeon and enforce specified guidelines in their respective jurisdiction," the note said.
According to the department, these include a prohibition on feeding pigeons or causing pigeons to be fed in areas where it may cause nuisance or pose a health hazard to the public. Pigeon feeding shall be permitted only in designated areas in a controlled manner, subject to certain conditions.
"The designated areas may be selected in consultation with stakeholders. The responsibility for upkeep of the designated areas and compliance to the directions shall be taken up by some charitable organisation or an NGO. The feeding in designated areas shall be permitted only for some limited hours in the day," it said.
The note further stated that authorised officers of local authorities shall issue on-the-spot warnings and may impose fines for violation of the order, or lodge complaints to prosecute offenders under Sections 271 (Negligent act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) and 272 (Malignant act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
It also directed local authorities to conduct public awareness campaigns, including the display of signboards, banners and digital messages, explaining the health hazards associated with pigeon droppings and feathers, the content of the regulatory directions and penalties for violations, and alternative humane methods of bird conservation that do not endanger public health.
