Bengaluru, May 30: The exercise on expanding the JDS-Congress coalition government cabinet is almost final and the new ministers are likely to take oath either on Friday or on Monday.

Meanwhile, it is said that former minister Zameer Ahmed is almost certain to become the minister under the minority quota. A few months before the Assembly election, Zameer has joined the Congress and successfully contested from Chamarajpet. He was instrumental in bringing seven MLAs from JDS to the Congress. He has supported the Congress to win in two Rajya Sabha elections. He is also identified as the close aide of former chief minister Siddaramaiah. It is said that Siddaramaiah had promised him of giving ministerial berth if the Congress came to power in the state. Moreover, Congress in-charge in Karnataka Venugopal has also expressed his desire to make Zameer as a minister for the latter’s contribution to the party. So, it is certain that Zameer will get a ministerial berth in the JDS-Congress coalition government.

 

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Mumbai, Jul 25 (PTI): Police have opposed the bail plea of the Bangladeshi national arrested for allegedly stabbing Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan with a knife and injuring him at his home here in January this year, telling a Mumbai court there was "strong evidence" against the accused.

Citing a Forensic Science Laboratory report, police reiterated before the sessions court their earlier claim knife fragments that got lodged near the actor's spine during the attack as well as a part found at the crime spot have matched with the weapon recovered from the accused, Shariful Islam.

These three pieces were part of the same weapon (knife) used to attack the filmstar, the police said in a written response to the accused's plea submitted in the court on Thursday (July 24).

Khan was repeatedly stabbed with a knife by an intruder inside his 12th floor apartment in upscale Bandra on January 16 during a robbery attempt.

The 54-year-old actor underwent surgery at Lilavati Hospital to remove a piece of knife that got lodged near his spine during the attack. He was discharged from the private hospital after five days.

Shariful Islam, a Bangladeshi national, was arrested two days later for allegedly stabbing Khan.

The police, in their response, highlighted that the accused is a Bangladeshi citizen residing illegally in India.

If granted bail, there was a possibility that he may flee India and not appear before the court during the trial. The crime committed by the accused is of a "very serious nature, and strong evidence" is available against him, they argued.

In his bail plea, filed through advocate Vipul Dushing, the accused asserted he was innocent and had no prior criminal record.

Investigation into the case has practically concluded with only the filing of a chargesheet pending, the accused contended while seeking bail.

The alleged attacker has been booked under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) sections related to house trespass, robbery and dacoity with attempt to cause death or grievous injury.