Hubballi (K'taka) (PTI): Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara on Monday ruled out handing over the probe into the murder of a Jain monk in Belagavi district, as he complimented the efficiency of the state police in investigating the case and arrests made so far.

Kamkumar Nandi Maharaj from Nand Parvat Ashram at Hirekodi village in Chikkodi taluk was allegedly murdered and his body was dumped in a borewell pit at Khatakbhavi village in Raibag taluk.

"No one will do politics or other kinds of discrimination in such cases...After the police got to know about the incident and the complaint was filed...Police have immediately swung into action, and have arrested the culprits. They have recovered the body parts that were dumped in a borewell pit and have taken necessary action. I compliment the police for the swift action," Parameshwara told reporters here.

Noting that he has spoken to Jain seer Varuru Gunadhara Nandi Maharaj, who has launched a sit-in protest in Hubballi following the incident, and that he has come to meet him, Parameshwara said he has come listen to the seer's demands and give assurances that actions will be taken, and it will be ensured that such incidents don't repeat.

Responding to a question on the demand for a CBI probe into the incident, the Minister said the police department is efficient and has arrested the culprits immediately.

"The inquiry is underway, so I don't see the need for the probe to be handed over to CBI or any other agency immediately. The police department has started the inquiry and once it is completed the truth will be known," he said.

Replying to a question about allegations in some quarters that the case has been "neglected as the Jain community is a small vote-bank," Parameshwara said making such false charges is not right; things should be left for the law to take its course.

"Police function in a non-partisan manner without coming under any pressure," he added.

Jain community members have demanded a CBI investigation into the murder of Kamkumar Nandi Maharaj.

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New Delhi (PTI): The Supreme Court on Monday pulled up Madhya Pradesh minister Kunwar Vijay Shah for not issuing a public apology over his remarks against Indian Army officer Col Sofiya Qureshi, saying he is testing the court's patience.

A bench of Justice Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi said the conduct of the minister was making the court doubt his intentions and bonafide.

Senior advocate K Parmeshwar, appearing for Shah, said he had issued a public apology, which was online, and would be placed on court's record.

The bench asked the special investigation team (SIT) constituted to probe the statements made by the minister to submit its report by August 13.

The top court noted 87 people were examined by the probe team, which was currently examining the statements.

The bench also refused to examine a plea filed by Congress leader Jaya Thakur seeking Shah's resignation but said some of the allegations made in the writ petition about the past instances would be looked into by the three-member SIT.

The top court posted the hearing for August 18.

The SIT constituted by the Madhya Pradesh government was in compliance with the top court's order.

On May 19, the top court chided Shah and constituted the SIT to probe the FIR lodged against him.

Shah came under fire after a video, which was circulated widely, showed him allegedly making objectionable remarks against Col Qureshi, who gained nationwide prominence along with another woman officer, Wing Commander Vyomika Singh, during the media briefings on Operation Sindoor.

The Madhya Pradesh High Court rebuked Shah for passing "scurrilous" remarks and using "language of the gutters" against Col Qureshi, and ordered police to file an FIR against him on the charge of promoting enmity and hatred.

After drawing severe condemnation, Shah expressed regret and said that he respects Col Qureshi more than his sister.