Govt asked to probe alleged ill-treatment of Bantwala BJP MLA at government function
Belagavi, Dec 12: Karnataka Assembly Speaker Ramesh Kumar Wednesday directed the government to look into the alleged ill-treatment meted out to an MLA at a government function at BC road in bantwala taluk recently.
He said respect and prestige of the House was of utmost importance, and MLAs were its integral part.
Speaker warned against repeat of such incidents in future.
The speaker made these remarks in the State Assembly as Bantwal BJP MLA Rajesh Naik narrated an incident where he was allegedly ill-treated during the inauguration of the 'Indira Canteen' (subsidised canteens run by the government) in his constituency, over which he had presided.
He alleged that slogans were raised against him by a group of people and he was manhandled in the presence of district in-charge minister. Later when he complained to the police, his case was not taken up, Naik said.
Taking strong exception to this, the speaker said "I may take it up as a privilege (issue) next time. Dont give that opportunity...elected representatives should be given respect."
He also directed deputy chief minister G Parameshwara, who also holds the Home Portfolio, to look into the matter and get the case investigated.
"Once elected a MLA, he or she is part of this House, ask your officials to do their duty, instead of showing their loyalty to those who got them transferred or posted," he told the Home Minister.
District in-charge Minister U T Khader, who was present at the inauguration, expressed regret over the alleged ill-treatment to the MLA.
BJP MLAs took strong exception and raised their voice when he said it was not as grave to file a police complaint.
They said many BJP MLAs have experienced similar ill-treatment in their respective constituencies and alleged that government events these days looked like Congress programmes.
They also accused police of siding with those who create such disturbances.
There was a moment of chaos in the House as BJP and Congress MLAs indulged in a heated exchange, resulting in the speaker threatening to walk out.
Intervening, Leader of Opposition B S Yeddyurappa seeking protection from the Chair, asked the Home Minister to take the issue seriously and investigate the case.
Home Minister Parameshwar said he would look into the matter and issue directions to the police.
"It is the duty of police to work in accordance with the law and protecting it," Parameshwara said.
Subsequently, Naik informed the House that he just got information that a case was registered about the incident.
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Man held for cheating IT official by posing as 'parrot astrologer'
Bengaluru (PTI): A 59-year-old man was arrested for allegedly duping an Income Tax department official by posing as a "parrot astrologer" and promising career growth and better life through rituals, police said on Wednesday.
With the arrest of the accused astrologer Shekar, police claimed to have recovered gold ornaments weighing 124 grams and silver articles weighing 796 grams, with a total value of Rs 20.60 lakh.
The matter came to light after the victim, who is a senior administrative officer in the Income Tax department, lodged a complaint at Bharatinagar police station here on March 5, police said.
According to police, in the complaint, the victim stated that while passing near Sri Circle, he was approached by a person claiming to practise parrot astrology. The accused called him over, claimed he could predict the future by looking at his face, and convinced him to perform a ritual.
Initially, the accused collected Rs 50,000 from the complainant. Later, he allegedly told the victim that an elaborate ritual was necessary for career promotion, transfer, and overall improvement in life, and threatened that failure to do so would bring misfortune, he alleged.
"Under this pretext, the accused took 194 grams of gold ornaments and 1.3 kg of silver articles from the complainant, assuring they would be returned after the ritual," police said.
When the complainant later demanded the return of the valuables, the accused allegedly threatened him, they said.
During the investigation, police gathered credible information and apprehended the accused near Cantonment Railway Station on March 12 and upon interrogation, he confessed to committing the offence with the intention of making quick money, a senior police officer said.
He was produced before a court on March 13 and taken into police custody for five days.
During sustained questioning, the accused revealed that he had sold the stolen gold and silver items at a jewellery shop in Halasuru. Based on his information, police recovered 124 grams of gold ornaments and 796 grams of silver articles from the shop on March 15, valued at Rs 20.60 lakh, the officer said.
The accused was again produced before the court on March 17 and was remanded to judicial custody, he added.
