HC stays Lokayukta hearing against Roshan Baig
Disproportionate asset case
Bengaluru, June 21: The Karnataka High Court on Thursday stayed a hearing in Lokayukta court against former minister and MLA Roshan Baig and his family members in amassing Rs 56 lakh worth assets disproportionate to his known sources of income.
In their petition, Roshan Baig, his wife Sabeena Roshan and his son Ruman Baig Rehman have appealed the High Court to dismiss the hearing in the Lokayukta court and the summons issued to them. Hearing the case, a Single-Bench Judge Justice K N Phaneendra gave interim stay order for the Lokayukta hearing till further hearing of the case. The HC also served notices to Lokayukta police and private complainant Abdul Haq Surati before postponing the hearing.
About the case
Abdul Haq Surati had lodged a private complaint in Lokayukta against Roshan Baig on June 14, 2012 alleging that that the Congress leader had amassed assets through illegal means by misusing his power and position. Lokayukta court had ordered a probe into the complaint. Based on this, Lokayukta police had registered an FIR against Roshan Baig and his family members on July 12, 2012 and started investigation.
After the investigation, the Lokayukta police had submitted a B-Report to the Lokayukta Court on April 22, 2014 and dropped the charges against Roshan Baig, his wife and son. But the complainant opposed the B report. But the Lokayukta court had accepted the case after four years on May 5, 2018 for hearing and issued summons to Roshan Baig and his family members. It was challenged in the High Court.
However, it was mentioned in the appeal that as the investigating officers did not find suitable evidences on the charges made against Roshan Baig and his family members, the officers had submitted B report. Just for Rs 56.71 lakh disproportionate income, it was not fair to issue summons. But as per the Supreme Court order, if the disproportionate asset is less than 10 per cent, it would not come under the Anti Corruption Act. The case was filed with ulterior motive and though the complainant did not continue the case since 2014, the Lokayukta court did not take this into consideration while accepting the case. So, the case should be dismissed, it was appealed.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Sambhal violence: SP MP Zia-ur-Rehman Barq, SP MLA's son booked; 25 arrested so far
Sambhal (UP) (PTI): Police have lodged seven FIRs in connection with the violence over a court-ordered survey of a Mughal-era mosque here, naming Samajwadi Party MP Zia-ur-Rehman Barq and local SP MLA Iqbal Mehmood's son Sohail Iqbal as accused, officials said on Monday.
The district administration has already imposed prohibitory orders and barred the entry of outsiders into Sambhal till November 30. Internet services are suspended in Sambhal tehsil and the district administration declared a holiday in all schools for Monday.
Three people were killed and scores of others, including security personnel and administration officials, injured on Sunday as protesters opposing the survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid clashed with police. A fourth injured person died on Monday.
Addressing a press conference on Monday, Superintendent of Police Krishan Kumar said seven FIRs have been lodged in connection with the violence. Six people, including Barq and Iqbal, were named and 2,750 others have been mentioned as unidentified, he said.
"Due to Barq's statement earlier, the situation became worse here," he added.
The officer said 25 people have been arrested so far in the case and attempts are on to identify others involved in the violence.
He added that there was peace in the city and people have opened their shops even though it is the day of the weekly closure of markets.
District Magistrate Rajender Pensiya said late on Sunday that the prohibitory orders had been issued under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
"No outsiders, other social organisations or public representatives will enter the district border without the permission of the competent officer," said the order, which came into force with immediate effect.
Violation of the order will be punishable under Section 223 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant) of the BNS.
Earlier, Muniraj told reporters that Naeem, Bilal and Nauman -- the three men who died in Sunday's violence -- had been buried.
All three were aged about 25.
Tension had been brewing in Sambhal since November 19 when the Jama Masjid was first surveyed on the court's orders following a petition claiming that a Harihar temple had stood at the site.
On Sunday, trouble started early when a large group of people gathered near the mosque and started shouting slogans as the survey team began its work.
District officials said the survey could not be completed on Tuesday and was planned for Sunday to avoid interference with afternoon prayers.
Supreme Court lawyer Vishnu Shankar Jain, who is a petitioner in the case, had earlier said the Court of Civil Judge (Senior Division) ordered the constitution of an "advocate commission" to survey the mosque.
The court has said a report should be filed after conducting a videography and photography survey through the commission, he had said.
On Sunday, Jain urged the Archaeological Survey of India to take control of the "temple".
Gopal Sharma, a local lawyer for the Hindu side, had earlier claimed the temple that once stood at the site was demolished by Mughal emperor Babur in 1529.
