Sex scandal: Woman releases second video, doubts SIT's credibility
Bengaluru, Mar 25: As the Special Investigation Team is investigating the sex scandal allegedly involving former Minister Ramesh Jarkiholi, the women who is said to be in the purported video has raised doubts over the credibility of investigating agency and sought protection to her family.
This even as Jarkiholi claimed that he had shocking evidence to show who was behind the alleged sex scandal, and will release it at the right time.
The woman on Thursday released a video statement, and this is the second such attempt by her seeking protection.
"I know hundred percent that my parents would not have filed a complaint wilfully, because they know that their daughter has not committed any mistake, so there is no need for them to fear," she has said in the video statement referring to the missing complaint lodged by the family.
Noting that the safety of her parents was of utmost importance to her, she said, "Once I get to know about my parents safety, I will come before the SIT and give whatever statement that I have to and do further procedures."
She has also requested Leader of Opposition Siddaramaiah, state Congress President D K Shivakumar, senior Congress MLA and former Speaker K R Ramesh Kumar, and women's organisations to provide security to her parents.
"... I somewhere have hope that I will get justice."
Further noting that she had sent a video to the Commissioner's office/SIT on March 12, she said, "but the video was made public within 30 minutes after Ramesh Jarkiholi filed a complaint on March 13.
I'm unable to understand the SIT is on whose side. I don't know who they are trying to save."
The woman had earlier released a video addressed to Home Minister Basavaraj Bommai seeking protection, and had also claimed that Jarkiholi had promised her job and later got the video clip released.
Her second video has come a day after the budget session of the state legislature was adjourned sine die, five days ahead of the schedule of March 31, as the alleged sex scandal had rocked the proceedings.
Reacting to the woman's statement, Home Minister Bommai said the SIT was doing an impartial probe and was ready to give protection to her and also her parents.
".. let whoever say whatever they want, we are doing an impartial probe, our officials have said they have inquired Ramesh Jarkiholi also, and are ready to take the woman's statement," Bommai said.
"If she says where she is, we will depute woman police for her security and she can give her statement, or if she wants to come here and give it, we will provide security here too," he added.
Observing that the probe is not in favour or against anyone, the Minister said, "it is being done to bring out the truth.
Such turns keep coming during the course of investigation, taking them positively, without having anything against any one SIT is doing an impartial investigation and they will take necessary action."
Asked about women seeking protection from Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar, he said, "I don't know why she has asked them, the question should be put to them."
Meanwhile, Ramesh Jarkiholi asking media persons to take note of the puppetry and conspiracy involved, said the woman was under pressure.
"First, her video came out half-an-hour after I filed my complaint on March 13. Now, she says her video had been sent on March 12 itself... There's politics behind this. I'm ready to face even if there are ten more CDs... Also, look at the planning...what was (her) voice then and what is it now," he said.
Asserting that he will not remain silent till those behind it are put behind bars, Jarkiholi said, "We have readied evidence.. I haven't done anything wrong and I will 100 per cent succeed. With God's blessings, I will come out of this."
Further claiming that he had shocking evidence to show who was behind the sex scandal, he said, "I will let it out when I have to."
"..this evidence was against that great leader.. I haven't revealed the name of the great leader because what if he is innocent and someone else was just using his name? Let's wait, you will get to know," he added.
Responding to a query on Congress raising the issue against him in the assembly, Jarkiholi said, "Till a few days ago, I had a lot of respect for all leaders, especially Siddaramaiah.
I don't know why he's pressing for a rape case against me. I'm shocked, I don't know why he is saying it. God bless him."
The Congress disrupted the proceedings of the assembly for three days under Siddaramaiah's leadership, demanding for a court-monitored probe into the sex scandal, and to book Ramesh Jarkiholi for rape.
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Karnataka govt directs municipal corps to regulate, prohibit pigeon feeding
Bengaluru (PTI): The Karnataka government has issued directions to municipal corporations across the state to regulate and prohibit feeding pigeons in public places, citing serious public health concerns.
Deputy Secretary to Government V Lakshmikanth has written to the Urban Development Department requesting it to issue directions to the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) and all municipal corporations to take immediate steps to implement the measures.
In an official note dated December 16 issued by the Health and Family Welfare Department and released to the media on Wednesday, the department said uncontrolled feeding of pigeons in public places has resulted in large congregations of birds, excessive droppings and serious health concerns, particularly respiratory illnesses linked to prolonged exposure to pigeon droppings and feathers such as hypersensitivity pneumonitis and other lung diseases.
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"The commissioner, the Greater Bengaluru Authority and the Commissioners and chief officers of other municipal corporations shall take necessary action to mitigate the causes of dangerous disease spread by pigeon and enforce specified guidelines in their respective jurisdiction," the note said.
According to the department, these include a prohibition on feeding pigeons or causing pigeons to be fed in areas where it may cause nuisance or pose a health hazard to the public. Pigeon feeding shall be permitted only in designated areas in a controlled manner, subject to certain conditions.
"The designated areas may be selected in consultation with stakeholders. The responsibility for upkeep of the designated areas and compliance to the directions shall be taken up by some charitable organisation or an NGO. The feeding in designated areas shall be permitted only for some limited hours in the day," it said.
The note further stated that authorised officers of local authorities shall issue on-the-spot warnings and may impose fines for violation of the order, or lodge complaints to prosecute offenders under Sections 271 (Negligent act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) and 272 (Malignant act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
It also directed local authorities to conduct public awareness campaigns, including the display of signboards, banners and digital messages, explaining the health hazards associated with pigeon droppings and feathers, the content of the regulatory directions and penalties for violations, and alternative humane methods of bird conservation that do not endanger public health.
