SC issues notice to K'taka govt for dropping charges of KCOCA against Gauri Lankesh murder accused
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday issued notice to the Karnataka government for quashing charges under the Karnataka Control of Organised Crime Act (KCOCA) against one of the accused in the murder case of journalist Gauri Lankesh.
The Apex Court was hearing an appeal filed by filmmaker Kavitha Lankesh challenging the move to remove the KCOCA charges against the accused number 6 in the case Mohan Nayak.
In the plea, Kavitha had stated that Mohan Nayak in the last few months had moved to Karnataka HC for bail after charges against him under KCOCA were mysteriously dropped by the police
The bail hearing is completed and is pending in the High Court, the plea said.
A Bench of Justices AM Khanwilkar, Dinesh Maheshwari, and Aniruddha Bose issued a notice in the matter to the Karnataka government and posted the case for further hearing on July 15.
Senior counsel Huzefa Ahmadi assisted by advocate Aparna Bhat represented the petitioner.
The Bench while issuing notice in the matter observed that the accused cannot be granted bail till the plea is heard and disposed of by the Supreme Court.
The order in challenge before the top court was delivered on April 22, 2021, by which the Karnataka High Court had quashed the order of Bengaluru Commissioner of Police passed in 2018 and the supplementary charge sheet filed thereafter.
Offences under Sections 3(1)(i), 3(2), 3(3) and 3(4) of the Karnataka Control of Organised Crime Act, 2000 (“KCOCA”) against Mohan Nayak were, thereby, dropped.
The appeal before the Supreme Court alleged that Nayak was actively involved in providing shelter to the killers prior to and after committing the offence.
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Delhi Police busts LPG black marketing racket in Bawana, 75 cylinders seized; 1 held
New Delhi (PTI): Delhi Police has busted an LPG cylinder hoarding and black marketing racket in the Bawana area, an officer said on Friday.
A 50-year-old man, identified as Anil, has been arrested and 75 cylinders seized, he said.
The accused was apprehended following a tip-off about the illegal storage and transportation of LPG cylinders in the industrial area.
Acting on the input, a police team laid a picket near District Park in Bawana on Thursday evening. Around 4 pm, a pickup truck was intercepted and checked, leading to the recovery of 27 LPG cylinders, including both domestic and commercial units.
"When questioned, the accused failed to produce any valid documents, including a licence, permit, stock register or proof of ownership for the cylinders," the officer said.
During interrogation, Anil revealed that more cylinders were stored at nearby premises. Based on his disclosure, police raided two rooms and an iron shed near a factory in the area.
"A total of 48 additional cylinders were recovered, taking the overall seizure to 75. The cylinders were stored without safety measures or legal authorisation, posing a serious risk," the officer said.
Disruptions in maritime supply routes through the Strait of Hormuz amid the ongoing US-Israel and Iran conflict have caused an LPG crisis in India.
