K'taka HC stays probe into case against Amit Malviya for posting derogatory video on Rahul Gandhi
Bengaluru, July 19: The High Court of Karnataka on Wednesday stayed investigation into the case registered against Amit Malviya, national head, BJP social media wing, for posting a derogatory video against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. Malvia had filed an application seeking quashing of the case registered against him at the city's High Grounds Police Station.
Justice M Nagaprasanna granted an interim stay on the investigation of the case today. He also ordered the issuance of notice to the state government to file its objections and adjourned the case.
Bengaluru South MP Tejasvi Surya, who appeared for the petitioner as advocate during the trial, argued that no statement has been made in the alleged video that would amount to offences punishable under Sections 505(2) and 153A of the IPC.
''There is no averment in the complaint to show how the actions of the petitioner have resulted in commission of the alleged offences. The impugned FIR is liable to be quashed on this ground alone,'' the petition said.
Malviya on June 17, 2023 posted a video on his Twitter account with the caption in Hindi, ''Rahul Gandhi Videshi Taaqaton Ka Mohra? (Rahul Gandhi a pawn of foreign forces)''.
Ramesh Babu, co-chairman of Communications Department of KPCC lodged a complaint on June 19 and the High Grounds police registered the FIR on June 27.
''In the video shared by Mr Amit Malviya, Shri Rahul Gandhi has been made a target of a malicious and false 3D animated video, endorsed by the BJP's key leaders such as Mr Amit Malvia, Mr JP Nadda and Mr Arun Sood. The video was circulated on 17/06/2023 and Mr Malviya's Twitter handle, with a clear and malicious intent of not only tarnishing Shri Gandhi's and INCs reputation, but to instigate communal discord and misrepresent the party and its leaders' persona,'' the complaint had said.
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If asked for commission, contractors should approach Lokayukta: DK Shivakumar
Bengaluru(PTI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Friday suggested that if anyone has demanded commission from contractors to pay their bills, then they should file a complaint with Lokayukta.
His reaction comes a day after the Karnataka State Contractors Association (KSCA) alleged that the menace of commission was now more severe than the previous BJP government.
They claimed that "unseen hands and brokers" were active in the offices of Deputy Chief Minister Shivakumar and two other senior Cabinet Ministers.
Responding to these allegations, Shivakumar denied involvement of ministers and said, "If anyone has asked for commission from contractors to pay bills, they should file a complaint with the Lokayukta. Our ministers Satish Jarkiholi and Boseraju are not involved in this."
Interacting with to reporters in vidhana soudha, Deputy CM said, If contractors are asked for commission, they should file a complaint with the Lokayukta. Shivakumar questioned as to why should contractors ask the minister regarding bill payment? "Are they (contractors) not aware of the department's budget? How did they take up the contract when there is no grant?"
"During the BJP tenure, contracts worth more than Rs 1 lakh crore were awarded by my department alone. MLAs are requesting for payment of these contract bills," he said.
He stated that during the BJP government, they had warned the contractors a year in advance before the assembly elections.
"We warned them not to take up any work without funds. However, without listening to us, they are now issuing letters of request for payment of bills through political leaders," he added.
On Thursday, KSCA president R Manjunath said "brokers" were active in Shivakumar's office and he also alleged interference by one relative of Public Works Minister Satish Jarkiholi in the affairs concerning his department.
He further claimed that Minor Irrigation Minister NS Boseraju's son (Ravi Boseraju) "makes all the deals".
While Shivakumar asked the contractors to lodge a complaint in writing, Boseraju and Jarkiholi have denied the allegations.
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