Primary witness in rape case of Mutt pontiff passes away in Shivamogga
Shivamogga: A 31-year-old man, who is said to have been the primary witness on behalf of the prosecution in a case of sexual assault by the pontiff of a Mutt, has died prematurely.
The deceased witness, Abhiram Hegde, was a native of Siddapur taluk of Uttara Kannada.
He worked at a Mutt since childhood, as a close associate of the pontiff. He had declared in court on behalf of the government that he was aware of the pontiff’s sexual activities at the Mutt.
Hegde is learned to have earlier attempted to commit suicide in a state of depression following his experiences at the Mutt.
He also turned alcoholic and was being treated at a hospital in Sagar to overcome the problem. He passed away as he failed to respond to the treatment.
The rape case against the pontiff was filed in 2009 and the CBI had named Hegde as primary witness in the charge sheet. Hegde’s statements in court had given rise to a furore when published by the media.
Hegde is survived by his mother and four elder sisters; his father passed away two years ago.
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Haryana Congress expels 13 for contesting assembly polls as independents
Chandigarh (PTI): The Haryana unit of Congress on Friday expelled thirteen party leaders for "anti-party activities" over their decision to contest as independent candidates against the party's official picks for the assembly polls.
They were being expelled for six years with immediate effect to curb indiscipline in the party, the Congress said.
Naresh Dhande (Guhla SC seat), Pardeep Gill (Jind), Sajjan Singh Dhull (Pundri), Sunita Battan (Pundri), Rajiv Mamuram Gondar (Nilokheri-SC), Dayal Singh Sirohi (Nilokheri-SC), Vijay Jain (Panipat Rural), Dilbag Sandil (Uchana Kalan), Ajit Phogat (Dadri), Abhijeet Singh (Bhiwani), Satbir Ratera (Bawani Khera-SC), Nitu Mann (Prithla) and Anita Dhull Badsikri (Kalayat) have been expelled as per a party order issued by Congress state unit chief Udai Bhan.
Notably, there were many party leaders who were upset over being denied tickets to contest the October 5 Haryana Assembly polls, but the party had later managed to pacify most of them.
For the Congress, senior leader and former minister Sampat Singh had withdrawn his nomination from Nalwa seat after filing papers while another leader Ram Kishen 'Fauji' also withdrew from the race from Bawani Khera segment.
From Ambala City, former MLA Jasbir Malaur withdrew from the contest against Congress's nominee and former minister Nirmal Singh.
However, Nirmal Singh's daughter, Chitra Sarwara, a Congress rebel, is contesting from Ambala Cantt seat. The party has already taken action against her.
