Madras High Court questions basis of Shobha Karandlaje’s allegation on Rameshwaram Cafe Blast
Chennai: The Madras High Court on Wednesday sought clarification from Shobha Karandlaje, Union Minister of State for Labour and Employment, regarding her allegation that the bombers involved in the Rameshwaram Café blast in Bengaluru on March 1 were trained in Tamil Nadu.
Justice G Jayachandran, who presided over the hearing of Karandlaje's petition to quash the FIR filed against her by the Madurai City Cybercrime Police, questioned the minister about the basis of her claims. The FIR was lodged following a complaint by a local resident who objected to the minister's allegations.
The judge pointed out that Karandlaje made the allegations about the bombers' training before the National Investigation Agency (NIA) conducted searches in Chennai. He indicated that this timing suggested Karandlaje had prior knowledge of details related to the bombing, including the identities and activities of the bombers and their trainers. Justice Jayachandran emphasized that if Karandlaje had such information, she should have disclosed it to the police as a responsible citizen but had failed to do so.
Karandlaje's advocate, R Hariprasad, argued that the FIR was politically motivated and sought an interim injunction to prevent the police from continuing the investigation. However, the public prosecutor, KMD Muhilan, opposed the request for an interim injunction. Muhilan urged the court to view the video clip in which Karandlaje made her comments about the blast. He noted that the NIA's investigation had not implicated any individual or organization from Tamil Nadu, yet the minister publicly made the unfounded allegation.
After reprimanding Karandlaje for her statements, the Madras High Court adjourned the case to Friday, July 12.
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Messi's Delhi arrival delayed as fog disrupts flight
New Delhi (PTI): Argentine football great Lionel Messi's arrival for the final leg of his G.O.A.T Tour here has been delayed after his flight was deferred due to inclement weather.
Messi, who was in Mumbai for the second day of his three-day whirlwind trip to India, was to land in the national capital earlier this morning but his charter flight was held up due to foggy conditions here.
Messi is currently at the Mumbai airport and is expected to leave shortly for the final set of engagements, which includes an appearance at the Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium for a ticketed event.
The World Cup winner regaled fans in Mumbai last evening, posing alongside cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar and a bevy of Bollywood stars and politicians. Before Mumbai, he also made similar appearances in Hyderabad and Kolkata.
The Kolkata leg was marred by chaotic scenes at the stadium as frustrated fans ripped apart seats and stormed the Salt Lake Stadium pitch after failing to catch a glimpse of the superstar, who was surrounded by politicians and officials.
