Woman who accused former CM Yediyurappa of sexual assault dies in Bengaluru hospital
Activists demand investigation into death
Bengaluru: The woman who filed a complaint against former Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa, accusing him of sexually assaulting her minor daughter, died on Sunday, May 26, at a hospital in Hulimavu, Bengaluru. According to sources, she visited the hospital with her daughter citing feelings of weakness. A few hours later, her daughter was informed of her mother's passing.
A human rights activist working with the woman disclosed that she had recently sought legal counsel to take over her case. The activist revealed, "Three days ago, she asked to meet a lawyer and was scheduled to do so today (Monday). Her sudden death is highly concerning." The activist also mentioned that the woman's body was taken from the hospital by her estranged son and brother without an autopsy, prompting demands for a police investigation into her death.
Dr. Mohan MR, Medical Director at Nano Hospital, stated that the woman was brought in at 8:30 pm by her daughter with severe respiratory distress. Her son arrived shortly after. Dr. Mohan said, "The woman informed us she had been treated for kidney issues for eight years and lung cancer for the past one and a half years. Despite efforts by our emergency and ICU doctors, she could not be resuscitated and passed away at 9:30 pm."
ALSO READ: CID takes over investigation of custodial death of Adil in Channagiri
The doctor added that they advised the family to file a medico-legal case for an autopsy if they were dissatisfied with the emergency treatment provided. However, the family declined, expressing satisfaction with the hospital's efforts. Police were present at the hospital during the woman's death.
A police source confirmed that the woman was admitted for respiratory issues and that her pre-existing serious medical conditions were only discovered at the hospital. Her oxygen levels dropped, leading to her death.
The woman had filed a complaint on March 14 at the Sadashivanagar police station, leading to a case being registered under Section 8 (sexual assault) of the POCSO Act and Section 354A (assault or use of criminal force to a woman) of the Indian Penal Code. According to her complaint, the incident occurred on February 2 when she and her minor daughter visited Yediyurappa's residence in Sanjaynagar seeking help. The mother alleged that during this visit, the BJP leader sexually assaulted her daughter in a room.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Bill to set up single higher education regulator likely to be tabled in Parliament next week
New Delhi (PTI): A Bill which seeks to set up a single regulator for institutions of higher education is required to facilitate universities and other higher educational institutes become independent and self-governing, officials said.
The Bill is likely to be introduced in Parliament next week after it got the Union Cabinet's nod on Friday.
The proposed legislation, which was earlier christened the Higher Education Commission of India (HECI) Bill, has now been named Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhikshan Bill.
A single higher education regulator, which was proposed in the new National Education Policy (NEP), looks to replace the University Grants Commission (UGC), the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), and the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE).
"The Bill proposes to set up a Higher Education Commission of India to facilitate universities and other higher educational institutes become independent and self-governing institutions and to promote excellence through a robust and transparent system of accreditation and autonomy. It is likely to be introduced (in Parliament) in the coming week," an official said.
While the UGC presently oversees non-technical higher education in the country, the AICTE oversees technical education, while the NCTE is the regulatory body for teachers' education.
The Commission is proposed to be set up as a single higher education regulator, but medical and law colleges will not be brought under its ambit.
It is proposed to have three major roles -- regulation, accreditation and setting professional standards, officials said.
Funding, which is seen as the fourth vertical, is not proposed to be under the regulator so far. The autonomy for funding is proposed to be with the administrative ministry, they said.
