K'taka: FIR against contractor who wrote to PM Modi alleging demand of commission by govt officials
Koppal: Gangavathi Rural Police on Friday booked a contractor who wrote to PM Modi alleging that commission was being demanded from him by government officials to release his pending amount.
The contractor, identified as Yerriswamy released a video wherein he claimed that he was booked by Gangavathi Rural Police under section 406 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
Yerriswamy had earlier written to PM Modi alleging that government officials in Karnataka were demanding commission from him for releasing his dues.
He had said that the executive officer and the junior engineer have demanded a 30-40% commission from him as a bribe. He further said that contractors were unable to work with so many bribes.
Contractor Yariswamy had reportedly set up a solid waste management disposal unit. “I had supplied materials for this. They had made a payment of around 4 lakhs. They said go ahead with work, and we won't trouble you. But later, they asked me to pay them a percentage.” He wrote in the letter to PM Modi.
“I said no, clear my payment and I'll finish the work. So, they stopped me and they themselves put a roof on the disposal unit,” said Yariswamy.
He said, “Initially they said no commission was required and told me to finish the work fast. Later, when the payment was being released, they asked for a percentage. How do I trust them? The Executive Officer and Junior Engineer asked for money.”
“I've sent an initial 12,000 through phone pay and 20,000 in cash. They are troubling me. They are demanding a 30% bribe and the total commission comes to 40%,” said the contractor.
The officials reportedly filed a complaint against the contractor over the allegations following which the contractor has been booked by the cops under section 406 of IPC.
This comes after contractor Santosh Patil died by suicide alleging officials in Karnataka State Rural Development and Panchayat Raj (RDPR) ministry were taking bribes to release funds for projects.
Contractor Santosh Patil, who had accused Karnataka BJP minister KS Eshwarappa of corruption, was found dead in a lodge in Udupi city on Monday, April 11.
#BREAKING #FIR regd by gangavathi rural police against #contractor Yerriswamy who wrote letter to @PMOIndia complaining that #Commission is being demanded by govt officials to release his amount. Cops inform based on complaint 4m CEO- FIR regd under IPC 406. Investigation is on pic.twitter.com/ev5flAC3TD
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Maktoob Media’s X account withheld in India after government legal request
New Delhi: Maktoob Media, an independent digital news outlet known for its coverage of marginalised communities and minority issues, announced on Thursday that its official X (formerly Twitter) account has been withheld in India following a legal request from the Indian government.
The media organisation said the action was taken without any prior notice or explanation to its editorial team. In a statement issued on other platforms, Maktoob condemned the move, calling it an attack on press freedom.
“We have no knowledge of the reason for the government’s arbitrary action. It is an assault on press freedom,” the statement said.
Maktoob Media also reaffirmed its commitment to continue reporting, especially “at a time when truth is becoming a casualty.” The editorial team appealed to supporters to help amplify its journalism by sharing links from its website and other platforms.
“At this hour of crisis, we ask our allies to share links from our website to help people access our reporting. We are many, many more than them,” the statement added.
There has been no official comment from the government regarding the legal basis for the withholding of the account.
