National Herald case: Shivakumar calls Delhi Police notice 'harassment'
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Saturday termed the Delhi Police’s notice to him, seeking financial and transactional details as part of its probe into the National Herald case, as “harassment” and said he will fight it legally.
Condemning the move, Shivakumar, who is also the state Congress chief, questioned the need for a separate police probe when the ED had already filed a chargesheet in connection with the case.
The notice issued by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) states that Shivakumar is “supposed to have vital information” pertaining to the National Herald case registered on October 3 this year, against Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi.
“It is very shocking to me. I have provided all the details to the ED. The ED had summoned me and my brother (former MP D K Suresh) also. There is nothing wrong, it is our (party) institution (National Herald, Young India), and we being Congressmen, we have supported the institution, there is no hide and seek, everything is in black and white,” Shivakumar said.
Speaking to reporters here, he said, “I don’t know. After ED has filed a charge sheet, there was no need for the police (Delhi police) to register a case. We will take up the case, we will fight it in the court of law.”
In the notice dated November 29, the EOW has summoned Shivakumar to appear before it or provide the requested information by December 19 latest.
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Calling the move as nothing but “harassment”, the Deputy CM said, “What is there in it? It is our money, we can give it to anyone, whomever we like, when we pay taxes. There is nothing involved.”
Already Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) case has been registered and a chargesheet has been filed, he said. “What more can they do to harass Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and others. They are trying to create confusion.”
Asked if he will appear on December 19, Shivakumar replied that he will examine the legal implications. “It is being done to harass. I condemn it.”
“I don’t know, it was a surprise to me, yesterday I got a notice. I have just studied it, still I will have to go through it again and reply to it. Suresh also had donated some money, earlier being a MP,” he added.
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Eight women labourers killed as truck hits tempo on Nagpur-Mumbai expressway
Jalna/Mumbai (PTI): Eight women labourers were killed, and three others were injured after a speeding truck rammed into a tempo on the Nagpur-Mumbai Expressway in Jalna district of Maharashtra on Wednesday evening, police said.
The incident occurred when a group of women was returning home after completing cleaning work on the expressway.
"A total of 11 persons, including the driver, were sitting in the tempo. As the vehicle was about to start, a speeding truck headed towards Mumbai rammed into it from behind at Kadvanchi village," a police official said, adding that seven women died on the spot and another succumbed in the Jalna government hospital.
The tempo was badly mangled, and the bodies were reportedly strewn across the road.
The deceased have been identified as Alkabai Admane (45), Laxmibai Madan (35), Meena Admane (45), Kanchan Admane (50), Tarabai Choudhari (60), Kadubai Madan (55), and Suman Admane (70), all residents of Jalna tehsil.
The identity of the eighth deceased is yet to be confirmed.
Three people are undergoing treatment at the hospital.
Police have arrested the truck driver and registered a case under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Further investigation is underway.
Expressing grief, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said the death of eight people is extremely unfortunate, and announced a financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh each to the next of kin of the deceased.
Fadnavis paid heartfelt tributes to the deceased and expressed solidarity with their families.
He said in a statement the injured have been immediately admitted to hospitals and the local administration is coordinating relief efforts.
The district collector and the superintendent of police are present at the spot, overseeing the situation, the chief minister added.
Environment Minister and Jalna District Guardian Minister Pankaja Munde has expressed deep sorrow over the incident.
In a condolence message, Munde extended her sympathies to the families of the deceased.
