Minister Byrati Suresh announces 7-day closure of GT Mall over farmer insult
Bengaluru: Minister Byrati Suresh has announced that GT Mall will be shut down for seven days as a response to alleged disrespect towards farmers.
The decision was announced in the Monsoon session of the Legislature, where the issue of denial of entry to a farmer into GT Mall was raised.
Minister Suresh, speaking on behalf of the government, stated, "We have engaged with the BBMP commissioner regarding this matter. Legal provisions allow for government action. Consequently, we have decided to close the mall for seven days as a disciplinary measure."
Background
On July 17th, a farmer and his son visiting GT Mall on Magadi Road in Bengaluru were allegedly denied entry due to the farmer's attire—a dhoti and white shirt. The incident sparked outrage after the farmer, identified as Fakirappa from Haveri, was initially refused entry while accompanying his family for watching a movie.
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Following the incident, which was recorded on video by his son and circulated on social media, there was widespread condemnation from pro-Kannada and farmers' organizations across the state. They demanded an immediate apology from the mall authorities and threatened protests if their demands were not met.
On Wednesday, activists led by Rupesh Rajanna from a Pro-Kannada organization gathered outside GT Mall, protesting vehemently against the discrimination faced by Fakirappa. The demonstrators called for stringent action against the mall authorities, after which police personnel were deployed to maintain order and prevent any potential disruptions.
Subsequently, the mall authorities issued an apology and later honored Fakirappa.
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Man held for killing teacher over Rs 13 lakh loan in Karnataka
Kalaburagi (Karnataka) (PTI): A 27-year-old man has been arrested for allegedly killing a teacher after she repeatedly demanded repayment of a Rs 13 lakh loan that he had taken from her, police said on Wednesday.
The accused, Amar, allegedly attacked the woman with a sharp weapon and later set the body on fire on the Kamalapur-Kalmood road in the district in an attempt to destroy evidence, they said.
Police identified the victim as Jyoti (57), a resident of Kalaburagi city, who was working as a teacher in Bidar district.
The matter came to light after an unidentified female body was found beside the Kamalapur-Kalmood road, they said.
Initially, it was treated as an unidentified body. Based on a complaint from a local resident, a murder case was registered under 109 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita at Kamalapur Police Station limits in Kalaburagi district, police said.
The investigation was immediately taken up and her photographs were widely circulated and later, the woman was identified.
During the investigation, police identified Amar, a resident of Kapnoor area, who owns and runs a milk parlour as the accused, Adduru Srinivasulu, Kalaburagi Superintendent of Police told reporters here.
According to him, Amar had borrowed Rs 13 lakh from Jyoti. She had been repeatedly asking him to return the money and had warned that she would lodge a police complaint if he failed to repay the amount. Fearing this, Amar allegedly planned to kill her.
He reportedly took Jyoti towards the Kamalapur-Kalmood road in a vehicle on April 4. On the way, he stopped the vehicle saying that water needed to be poured into the engine. "When she got down, he allegedly threw chilli powder on her face and attacked her with a sharp weapon. After the murder, he allegedly poured fuel on the body and set it on fire before fleeing the scene," the officer said.
Based on the accused's statement, police recorded his confession, collected evidence in the case, arrested him and produced him before a court, which remanded him to judicial custody, he added.
