'Sex scandal' continues to rock Karnataka assembly
Bengaluru, Mar 23: The 'sex scandal' allegedly involving BJP MLA and former Minister Ramesh Jarkiholi rocked the Karnataka Assembly again on Tuesday, with the Opposition Congress protesting in the well of the house, demanding an inquiry monitored by the Chief Justice of the High Court.
Repeated adjournments marred the proceedings, pushing it towards a washout, as Congress members prevented any business from taking place by shouting slogans, even as the government did not budge to their demand and remained adamant.
Efforts by Speaker Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri to normalise the situation to transact business by calling a meeting of floor leaders did not make any headway.
However, there was a slight shift in the Congress' stand with Leader of the Opposition Siddaramaiah stating that the Special Investigation Team probing the case should be monitored by the Chief Justice of the Karnataka High Court.
Speaking to reporters outside the assembly,Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa charged Congress with wasting the time of the House as they don't have any issues.
"During the budget session, our Congress friends, by giving lame excuses, are protesting.
Ramesh Jarkiholi has already resigned, taking moral responsibility and investigation is on. The woman (in the video) is not coming forward to give her statement..we are trying to find her... what else has to be done? Why are you (Congress) protesting? I'm not able to understand," he said.
Jarkiholi, BJP MLA from Gokak, resigned as minister on March 3 after a social activist lodged a police complaint alleging sexual harassment to a 'job aspirant' and video clips purportedly showing their intimate moments surfaced. He has repeatedly claimed innocence and that the video was "fake".
Soon after the House paid obituary to former Minister B D Basavaraju, who passed away on Monday,Congress members trooped into the well, demanding a court monitored probe.
"If the government does not agree to our demands, how can we cooperate?" Siddaramaiah asked when the Speaker requested them to cooperate to take up the question hour.
Waving CDs, Congress members shouted "down down CD government,"to which some BJP MLAS like M P Renukacharya "Down down to manufacturers of CDs...Congress, a CD factory."
The Speaker said it was not right to carry CDs to the House and brandish them and asked the members to allow conduct of question hour.
Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Basavaraj Bommai said government has given a detailed reply to the matter after discussions on Monday and there was nothing more to add to it.
"The investigation is already going on... please don't waste the time of the House.By not allowing it to function,the rights of the other members are being infringed. It should not happen," he added.
As his repeated appeals went in vain, Kageri adjourned the House for some time and during the break, summoned the floor leaders to find a way out of the impasse.
When the House resumed, Congress members continued to protest from the well, raising slogans against the government.
The Speaker informed the House he had spoken to floor leaders about finding a way out and transacting the business.
Pointing out that discussion on the budget and demands are pending, he said "this House does not belong to just the opposition or ruling party,but to all 224 members.Everyone has the right to raise their issues and take part in discussion.
It should not be curtailed.
If you are not happy with the government's response, plan activities outside, but allow the house to function."
Bommai again intervened to say government has made its stand clear to the LoP during the meeting. If the opposition was not satisfied with it, they could do anything outside, but not infringe on rights of other members through disruptions.
"If they are in the well, let them stand silently, if not take action against them," he urged the Speaker.
As Kageri requested the LoP to cooperate, Siddaramaiah said they were making a fair demand, that the probe should be under the supervision of the Chief Justice of the High Court.
"Let them get it done by SIT. we are not asking for a Judicial Commission, but our intention is that the truth has to come out... if our demands are met, we will cooperate."
As repeated appeal to members to go back to their seats went unheard and slogans like "Down down CD government" continued, the Speaker adjourned the House till post lunch.
Congress had raised the issue on Monday, demanding that Jarkiholi be booked for rape and for an independent inquiry monitored by the Chief Justice.
The LoP had alleged that the SIT was focusing only on the conspiracy behind the scandal, but not the woman
Bommai had defended the SIT probe and said guidelines are being followed with regard to the woman's video statement.
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Three more arrested in connection with murder of Suhas Shetty in Mangaluru
Mangaluru (Karnataka), May 14 (PTI): The Mangaluru City Crime Branch has arrested three men in connection with the murder of Hindutva activist Suhas Shetty, officials said on Wednesday.
The accused, identified as Azaruddin alias Azar alias Ajju (29), Abdul Khader alias Noufal (24) and Vamanjoor Noushad alias Chotte Noushad (39), were arrested during the last two days, they said.
With the fresh arrests, a total of 11 people have been arrested in connection with the murder so far, police said.
According to a police statement, Azaruddin had previously been booked in three theft cases registered at Panambur, Suratkal, and Mulki police stations. He allegedly provided information about Shetty's movements to the other accused, aiding in the murder.
Khader is said to have assisted the accused during their escape in a car after the murder was committed.
Noushad is accused of having conspired with the others and directly participated in the crime. He has six previous criminal cases, including murder, attempted murder, and robbery conspiracy, registered at various police stations in Dakshina Kannada, police said.
Azaruddin has been remanded in judicial custody, while Khader and Noushad have been taken into police custody for seven days for further investigation.
Police said the investigation is ongoing and efforts are underway to trace other accused involved in the case.
Shetty, a known rowdy sheeter and Hindutva activist, was murdered by a group on May 1 within the Bajpe police station limits in Mangaluru City.
