Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar files appeal against grant of sanction to CBI for prosecuting him
Bengaluru, Jun 12: Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Monday filed an appeal before the High Court against the dismissal of his petition by a single judge in which he had challenged the sanction accorded by the state government to the CBI for prosecuting him.
A division bench comprising Chief Justice Prasanna B Varale and Justice M G S Kamal that heard his appeal ordered issuance of notices to the state government and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to file their objections and adjourned the hearing.
Shivakumar's counsel argued that the sanction was accorded with an ulterior motive and therefore should be quashed.
Following a request by the central agency, the state government gave the sanction on September 25, 2019. The CBI filed an FIR against him on October 3, 2020.
Shivakumar had challenged the sanction before the single judge bench of the High Court. Justice K Natarajan dismissed the petition on April 20, 2023.
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The Income Tax department had conducted a search and seizure operation in the offices and residence of Shivakumar in 2017, following which the Enforcement Directorate (ED) started its own probe against Shivakumar. Based on the ED investigation, the CBI sought sanction from the state government to file an FIR against him.
The CBI had objected to the petition before the single judge stating that the accused cannot demand which agency should conduct investigation against him.
It was argued that since the CBI was enacted under a special act, there was no need to mention the reasons to grant sanction for prosecution. Shivakumar has been charged under Section 13(2) and Section 13(1)(e) of the Prevention of Corruption Act.
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13 lakh litres of 'Rail Neer' supplied to train passengers daily: Government
New Delhi (PTI): Approximately 13 lakh litres of packaged drinking water -- 'Rail Neer' -- are being supplied to train passengers across the railway network daily, the government informed the Lok Sabha in a written reply on Wednesday.
Apprising the Lower House about the Indian Railways' endeavour to provide safe and potable drinking water facilities at all stations, the government also provided zone-wise details of the water vending machines (WVMs) installed there.
"To ensure the quality of drinking water being made available at the railway stations, instructions exist for periodical checking and required corrective action to be taken.
"Regular inspection and maintenance of drinking water facilities is carried out and complaints are attended to promptly," Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said while responding to a question raised by BJP MP Anup Sanjay Dhotre seeking to know the supply of drinking water at railway stations across the country
"Complaints regarding deficiency in services, including water supply, are received through various channels such as public complaints, web portals, social media, etc. These complaints are received at various levels, including the Railway Board, zonal railways, division office, etc.," Vaishnaw said.
"The complaints so received are forwarded to the concerned wings of Railways and necessary action is taken to check and address them. As receipt of such complaints and action taken thereon is a continuous and dynamic process, a centralised compendium of these is not maintained," he added.
Providing zone-wise details of water vending machines, the minister said 954 such machines have been installed across railway stations.
"The Indian Railways also provides safe and affordable packaged drinking water bottles -- Rail Neer -- approved by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) in trains and at stations," Vaishnaw said.
"Approximately, 13 lakh litres of Rail Neer are being supplied per day to the travelling passengers in trains and at stations across the Indian Railways network," he added.
