NIA searches houses of 3 absconding suspects in BJP worker's murder case in Karnataka
New Delhi (PTI): The National Investigation Agency has conducted searches at the houses of three absconding suspects in a case related to the killing of BJP Yuva Morcha member Praveen Nettaru by members of the banned Popular Front of India in Karnataka last year, an official said on Wednesday.
Three locations were searched in two districts of Karnataka as part of the NIA's efforts to hunt down the absconders, a spokesperson of the federal agency said.
The official said several electronic gadgets and documents were seized during the searches at the houses of Abdul Nasir and Abdul Rahaman in Kodagu district and Naushad in Dakshina Kannada district.
"All three are suspected of harbouring the main assailants of Nettaru at various hideouts across Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Besides the trio, five other accused are still absconding in the case which NIA took over in August 2022," the spokesperson said.
A total of 21 people, including the absconders, have been chargesheeted by the NIA under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, the Indian Penal Code and the Arms Act.
Nettaru was hacked to death on July 26, 2022, in Bellare village of Sullia Taluk in the Dakshina Kannada district allegedly by PFI 'Killer Squads' or 'Service Teams'.
"PFI has been indulging in such targeted hate killings to drive a communal wedge and spread communal hatred with its ultimate objective of establishing an Islamic Rule in India by 2047," the spokesperson said.
The NIA said efforts to track down the absconding accused are continuing.
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BESCOM to organise EV expo for Secretariat employees in Jan 2025
Bengaluru (PTI): To encourage the adoption of electric vehicles (EV), Bangalore Electricity Supply Company Limited (BESCOM) announced on Friday that a special EV fair will be organised for the Secretariat employees in January 2025.
During a meeting at the BESCOM office, Managing Director Mahantesh Bilagi said, "The fair is being organised following a directive of Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh and will be conducted under the supervision of Energy Minister K J George and Additional Chief Secretary of the Energy Department Gaurav Gupta."
According to him, the event aims to educate attendees about the benefits of environmentally friendly EVs and to encourage the adoption of two-wheeled EVs.
"During the fair, dealer discounts to government employees, particularly those in the Secretariat will also be offered. There will also be opportunities for practical demonstrations of the vehicles at the exhibition site," added Bilagi.
He said the Secretariat employees will also benefit from no down payment and low-interest loans to purchase the EV vehicles.
"EV companies are eager to participate and the sales will extend beyond the exhibition, continuing in the future," the Managing Director said.
The state, particularly Bengaluru, has the highest electric vehicle (EV) users, said Bilagi, adding that to support this, the Energy Department has provided essential infrastructure.
"BESCOM's efforts in promoting EV usage have been recognised with the 'Charge India 2024 Excellence' award. This award is a testament to our commitment to establishing excellent charging facilities. Karnataka has the country's most public electric vehicle charging stations, with a total of 5,765 stations, of which 4,462 are located in the Bengaluru Urban district," said Bilagi.
The Secretariat Employees' Association president Ramesh Sanga and other office-bearers, BESCOM Technical Director H J Ramesh as well as senior officials attended the meeting.
