Secure Saudi court's order in Mangaluru man's conviction, HC tells Union govt, flags slow response
Bengaluru, Aug 8: The High Court of Karnataka on Tuesday directed the Union government to secure a copy of the judgment by a Saudi Arabian court convicting Indian national Shailesh Kumar.
Justice Krishna S Dixit, who is hearing a petition by Kumar's wife alleging that the local police's delay in investigation led to her husband's conviction in a foreign court, said that securing the judgment copy will be helpful in submitting a clemency petition.
Upset with the slow response to its earlier directions, the HC said, "When a citizen of this country is suffering abroad, the authorities have to show due seriousness and secure justice for him."
Shahilesh, who hails from Mangaluru, has been convicted and imprisoned in Saudi Arabia, where he was working, for alleged derogatory posts against the King of Saudi Arabia and Islam.
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His wife Kavitha has petitioned the high court, claiming that the posts dated February 12 and 13, 2020 were made from a fake profile on Facebook and the local police had failed to provide the proof to Saudi Arabian authorities.
The local police had blamed Facebook for not cooperating with the investigation.
On Tuesday, Justice Krishna S Dixit ordered the Union government "to secure a copy of the conviction, and order confirming the conviction order at the earliest and place the same on record before this proceeding."
The court also directed that the details of procedure followed to file a clemency petition before the King of Saudi Arabia be placed before the court.
Shailesh had put up a post in support of the Indian Government's Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the National Register of Citizenship (NRC). He allegedly received a threat call and deleted his account.
Subsequently, a derogatory post against the Saudi king and Islam was uploaded. He was arrested in Saudi Arabia, tried and sentenced to 15 years in jail.
His wife filed a police complaint in India alleging that her husband had informed her that a fake Facebook account was used to upload the post in his name. He was arrested and jailed on February 23, 2020 and has been in prison ever since.
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CEO’s Rs 14 lakh Louis Vuitton dog suitcase triggers social media debate
New Delhi: An Indian CEO has triggered widespread debate on social media after reportedly spending Rs 14 lakh on a Louis Vuitton suitcase designed for his dog. Ajay Thakore, CEO of Doctor Multimedia, shared a video on Instagram showcasing the extravagant purchase, which has since drawn mixed reactions.
In the video, Thakore is seen entering a Louis Vuitton store, stating, "I think my dog has something to pick up." He then reveals the "Bone Trunk," a bone-shaped, hard-shell suitcase complete with a varnished wooden tray and two bowls. The video’s caption read, "Aspen's always spending money like there's no tomorrow. $20k Louis Vuitton bone trunk."
The post quickly went viral, with many users expressing shock and disbelief. Some criticized the CEO’s indulgence, questioning the morality of spending such a large sum on a pet accessory when pressing issues like poverty and animal welfare exist. Comments ranged from disbelief to sharp criticism, with one user remarking, "Imagine how far $20k would go at an animal rescue." Others viewed it as a reflection of societal excess, calling it a "grotesque illustration of what's wrong in society."
However, Thakore also found support from some users, who defended his right to spend his wealth as he pleased. One commenter noted the irony of criticism coming from people who indulge in expensive gadgets, writing, "It's funny how many condemn this spending yet think nothing of buying an $800 iPhone without considering charity."
