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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Cong leader Prithviraj Chavan defiant after facing verbal missiles on Op Sindoor remarks
Mumbai (PTI): Despite facing criticism, senior Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan on Wednesday stood by his controversial comments that India faced a "total defeat" in aerial fight with Pakistan on the first day of Operation Sindoor on May 7.
The former Union minister refused to apologise for his comments on the Indian military operation against terror hubs in Pakistan and PoK in aftermath of massacre of tourists at Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir in April.
Talking to reporters in Pune on Tuesday, Chavan claimed India faced a "total defeat in the aerial fight (with Pakistan) on May 7 which lasted for half-an-hour".
"One may believe this or not. After that the Indian Air Force got grounded and not a single aircraft took flight that day.... be it Gwalior, Bhatinda or Sirsa, there was a possibility of aircraft being shot down, so our complete Air Force was grounded," the former Maharashtra chief minister had said.
Hitting out at Chavan, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde accused the Congress of speaking the language of Pakistan. He said questioning the military action was akin to demoralising the morale of armed forces.
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"The criticism does not stem from the love of the nation, but love for Pakistan," said the chief leader of the Shiv Sena, a key constituent of the BJP-led NDA.
Chavan, however, remained defiant.
"There is no question of apologising. The Constitution has given me the right to ask questions," the Congress veteran asserted.
Chavan also questioned the need of having a 12-lakh strong Army when future wars will be about aerial combats and missiles. "During Operation Sindoor we saw that there was no movement of the Army even for a kilometre," he had said.
BJP Lok Sabha MP and spokesperson Sambit Patra said Chavan's remarks are loaded with sedition.
"He (Chavan) has refused to apologise. The Indian armed forces struck 100 kms inside the Pakistan territory and destroyed 11 air strips (of the Pakistani Air Force). He made remarks that the Indian Army did not even move an inch (during the military operation). This is nothing but a statement full of sedition, a statement of a traitor," Patra said, lashing out at the Congress leader.
The BJP spokesperson maintained the Congress appears to be standing with Chavan and alleged the Opposition party is playing into foreign hands.
Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra should apologise for it, he added.
Union minister Giriraj Singh of the BJP insisted it was not right to devalue the valour of Indian armed forces.
Samajwadi Party MP Virendra Singh suggested that wherever armed forces are concerned, every Indian should be mindful of statements they make and ensure their comments do not demoralise the military.
Operation Sindoor was a result of "mistakes of politicians", he claimed.
TDP MP Krishna Devraylu said after the poll defeat in Bihar, the Congress is rattled and their leaders have been talking absurdly.
"Chavan's remarks are a prime example of this. This kind of disrespect to our armed forces is not necessary. If the Congress is angry with the NDA, it should show it in a different way and not drag armed forces into it," Devraylu opined.
AAP MP Ashok Mittal said such statements should not be made by any senior politician, especially by someone who has been a former chief minister.
The Indian armed forces registered a strong victory and destroyed terror launchpads in Pakistan during Operation Sindoor, Mittal added.
