Karnataka High Court dismisses plea challenging arrest of Congress MLA K.C. Veerendra by ED
Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court has dismissed a petition challenging the arrest of Chitradurga Congress MLA K.C. Veerendra alias Veerendra Pappi by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with an alleged money laundering case.
The petition was filed by Veerendra’s wife, R.D. Chaitra, seeking to declare her husband’s arrest illegal and to direct his immediate release. After completing the hearing earlier, Justice M.I. Arun of the single-judge bench pronounced the verdict on Wednesday, rejecting the plea.
The court ruled that the arrest of MLA Veerendra cannot be termed illegal and noted that the amendments made to Section 2(1)(u) of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) had strengthened the powers of the Enforcement Directorate. The court observed that the amendment allows the ED to continue its investigation based on the pending case registered at Harohalli Police Station in Kanakapura.
The High Court also clarified that the dismissal of the current petition will not affect other proceedings, including the bail plea filed by Veerendra before different courts. It added that if the competent court accepts the ‘B Report’ filed by the police in the Harohalli case, the petitioner would still have the liberty to challenge Veerendra’s arrest order again.
The detailed order of the court is awaited.
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.
Sitharaman highlights India's expanding trade architecture in meeting with Norwegian CEOs
New Delhi/Oslo (PTI): Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday highlighted India's expanding trade architecture and said the country provides a durable framework for trade, industrial collaboration and long-term investments.
In a roundtable meeting with prominent Norwegian CEOs and investors in Oslo, Sitharaman said her official visit to Norway has witnessed engaging and positive discussions on India as an investment destination and the fastest-growing major economy in the world.
"In the light of India's expanding trade architecture, including agreements with European Free Trade Association (EFTA), the EU, the UK and the US, the Union Finance Minister highlighted the conditions in India that provide a durable framework for trade, industrial collaboration and long-term investments,” the Union Finance Ministry said in a X post.
She said that Union Budget 2026-27 also underpins the reform focus of the Government of India on easing regulatory and compliance burden for citizens and companies.
ALSO READ: Rohit Pawar seeks Civil Aviation Minister's removal till probe into Ajit Pawar crash ends
The participants appreciated the predictable policy and macroeconomic environment in India and acknowledged the reform efforts and momentum by the government, the Ministry said.
The CEO of National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF) made a presentation highlighting India's growth and reform story and the potential and scope of investment opportunities between the two countries across key sectors.
The roundtable covered deliberations around the existing and potential opportunities for business and investment cooperation across key sectors, including renewables, carbon capture, rare earths, and financial services.
Separately, Sitharaman met Norway Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store, who said that the country is looking forward to the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi scheduled for later in the year and conveyed his confidence that it would further expand India-Norway cooperation.
Store appreciated India's reform momentum and said that Norway and India can collaborate in the sectors of fisheries, health tech, maritime and space.
The two leaders discussed EFTA and TEPA operationalisation and outlined key areas of collaboration between the two countries, including in areas related to high-tech manufacturing, carbon capture storage, start-ups, semiconductors, renewable energy, and waste management, among others.
India-EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) came into effect on October 1, 2025, while India and the U.K., in July 2025, signed the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA).
In January this year, India and the EU concluded negotiations for a historic free trade agreement (FTA). Earlier this month, India and the US agreed to an interim trade deal.
Sitharaman also met Norway's Minister for Trade & Industry, Cecilie Mysreth and Even Tronstad Sagebakken, State Secretary, Fisheries and Ocean Policy, in Oslo.
The leaders discussed ways of forging deeper cooperation and exploring mutual opportunities in the areas of green tech, rare earth processing, maritime and shipping industries, and fisheries, among others, especially in the context of the India-EFTA TEPA deal.
Sitharaman said the effective operationalisation of TEPA will foster mutual benefits for both sides and that she looked forward to the timely operationalisation of the same, the Finance Ministry said.
