Karnataka HC directs state government to verify role of Y.Y. Bagali in Veerappan operation
Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court has directed the state government to verify whether retired Assistant Administrative Officer of Mysuru Police, Y.Y. Bagali, was involved in the operation against forest outlaw Veerappan and to provide a detailed report.
The directive was issued during the hearing of a contempt petition filed by retired Commandant Ramadas Gowda and retired Assistant Administrative Officer Y.Y. Bagali. The petitioners alleged that the government and the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) failed to allot them plots in Kempegowda Layout at a subsidised rate of ₹2,100 per square metre, as directed by a previous High Court order.
The division bench of Justice K. Somashekar and Justice Venkatesh Naik noted that the state counsel informed the court that Bagali was not involved in the Veerappan operation. However, Bagali's counsel disputed this claim, asserting that he had actively participated in the operation. Taking note of the submissions, the court directed the state government to verify and report whether Bagali was indeed part of the Veerappan operation. The bench warned that if it is established that Bagali was not involved, he would face consequences, including the possible cancellation of his plot allotment. The court also instructed the government to take appropriate action in such a case. The matter was adjourned to February 12, 2025.
In 2017, BDA allotted a 60x40 sq ft plot to Ramadas Gowda and a 30x40 sq ft plot to Y.Y. Bagali in Kempegowda Layout. However, in 2018, the petitioners approached the High Court, arguing that, under a 2010 government order, police officers who participated in the Veerappan operation were entitled to plots at ₹2,100 per square metre. The petitioners contended that the prices set for their plots—₹24,219 and ₹21,258 per square metre, respectively—were unjustified.
In 2021, a single-judge bench of the High Court ruled in favour of the petitioners, directing the government and BDA to allot plots at the subsidised rate. Claiming non-compliance with this order, the petitioners filed a contempt plea, seeking action against the BDA Commissioner and the Chief Secretary of Karnataka.
During the hearing, the court criticised the government, questioning the allocation of plots in Kempegowda Layout instead of Veerappan's native village, Gopinatham. The bench observed that granting plots in Gopinatham would have been more appropriate and expressed dissatisfaction with the situation.
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14 arrested in Mangaluru unisex salon vandalism case
Mangaluru: The police have arrested 14 individuals in connection with the vandalism at a unisex salon near the Bejai KSRTC bus stand on Thursday afternoon.
The attack, carried out by members of the Ram Sena Karnataka, was targeted at the Colors Unisex Salon, where the activists accused the establishment of engaging in immoral activities.
According to reports, a group of around ten activists barged into the salon while four women and a man were present. They attacked the man and vandalized the premises before fleeing the scene. Barke police, who were alerted about the incident, launched an investigation and arrested the accused.
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The arrested individuals have been identified as Harsharaj alias Harshit of Farangipet, Mohandas alias Ravi of Moodshedde, Purandara of Uppal, Sachin of Vamanjoor Ambedkar Nagar, Ravish of Ulaibettu, Sukhet of Benjanapadavu Shivajinagar, Ankit of Vamanjoor, Kalimuthu of Moodshedde Shivajinagar, Abhilash of Tarigudde, Deepak of Moodshedde, Vignesh of Saripalla, Sharan Raj of Mangaluru, Pradeep Poojary of Moodshedde, and Prasad Attavara.
Authorities have registered a case and are investigating further.
