Building collapses in Bengaluru: Three including toddler dead, over six rescued

Accident

The under construction building only had permission for three floors, but a fourth was being constructed.

Soumya Chatterjee

At least two women and a four-year-old toddler lost their lives while over six others were rescued on Wednesday morning after an under construction four-storey building collapsed in Bengaluru’s Pulikeshi Nagar area. The deceased has been identified as Manjudevi, wife of a construction worker Ram Balak belonging to one among the four families staying in the building. The other woman who died has been identified as Nirmala, and the deceased child as Anushka. Rs 5 lakh compensation will be given to the family of the deceased, the state government has said. All those rescued have been shifted to Bowring Hospital and are under observation. According to Disaster Management officials, a coordinated effort by firemen, National Disaster Response Force, State Disaster Response Force, and Quick Response Team of the Civil Defense began swiftly. On Wednesday morning, the accident spot was visited by Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara, local MLA and former minister KJ George and City Mayor Gangambike Mallikarjun.  Preliminary investigation has revealed that permission was only granted for three floors; however, the building had an extra floor which affected the foundation of the building, leading to the collapse. Speaking to reporters, the Mayor said that that action would be taken against the engineer who sanctioned the construction in violation of the BBMP’s guidelines. She further said the building will be demolished by the BBMP’s technical team once the rescue operations conclude. This tragedy comes less than a month after three labourers had succumbed to their injuries after the collapse of an under-construction water tank in Bengaluru’s Amruthahalli. A pillar, which was constructed to support the inside part of the tank, had developed a crack, resulting in the collapse of the centering. They were constructing a dome. The weight of the dome was too much which resulted in the pillar developing cracks. The project was being carried out after BWSSB (Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board) had issued tenders to construct the STP.  

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Mumbai hotel housing rebels cancels DK Shivakumar's reservation, denies him entry

Politics

The hotel stated that they had to cancel DK Shivakumar's reservation due to "some emergency".

TNM Staff

There was more drama in Mumbai as Congress leader DK Shivakumar rushed to the city on Wednesday with the aim of bringing back 10 rebel MLAs back to the party. After being denied entry into the Renaissance Hotel in Mumbai, where 10 rebel MLAs have been staying for the last two days, DK Shivakumar’ s reservation at the hotel was cancelled.  “As per our conversation we wish to inform you that we have reservation in the name of DK Shivakumar: REZ77566SD2 due to some emergency in the hotel we need to cancel the reservation,” the hotel said.  This comes after the 10 rebel MLAs wrote to the Commissioner of Police in Mumbai alleging they were “threatened” by Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy and DK Shivakumar who were coming to meet them, and requested the police to not allow them to enter the hotel premises.   “We the following elected members of Legislative Assembly of the state of Karnataka are staying at Hotel Renaissance Powai in Mumbai, we have heard that [Chief Minister] Sri Kumar Swamy and DK Shivakumar and others are going to storm in the hotel premises, we feel threatened for the same. We do not want to meet him, kind request to help us in this matter and do not allow them to enter the hotel premises,” the letter said.  The letter was signed by Shivaram Hebbar, Pratapgouda Patil, BC Patil, Byrati Basavaraj, ST Somashekar, Ramesh Jarkiholi, Gopalaiah, H Vishwanath, Narayan Gowda, and Mahesh Kumatahalli. The rebel MLAs staying in Mumbai made it clear that they intend to follow through with their resignations. When DK Shivakumar reached the hotel in the morning, he was greeted with protests from BJP supporters and was barred from entering the hotel by the police. Police was present in large numbers as the MLAs sought protection. Unable to meet the MLAs, DK Shivakumar had said, "I don't have weapons. I only have a heart. Those are my brothers inside, members of my family. There is an issue going on in the family, but we can't immediately divorce," he said.  At the time, DK Shivakumar said that he had reserved a room, and that anyone could come there. "Is this a BJP hotel? Anyone can come to the hotel. I have booked a room here, I have a card here. I am not a threat. I am here to talk to them," he had said.  "They should be proud of a customer like me. I love Mumbai. I love this hotel. Let them cancel. I have other rooms also," DK Shivakumar told ANI. Meanwhile, rebel Congress MLA Ramesh Jarkiholi told ANI that he doesn’t want to meet DK Shivakumar. “I don't want to meet DKS. I won't meet him for any reason. I have been saying the same for a year and my decision is final,” he said. “Let all this drama end and I will tell you why this has happened, because of who this happened. Right now, there is no reason I will meet DK Shivakumar. We are firm and four more people will join us,” he added.

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'We feel threatened': 10 K'taka MLAs seek protection against DK Shivakumar in Mumbai

Politics

The letter to the Mumbai Police Commissioner says that they feel threatened by HD Kumaraswamy too.

TNM Staff

The Karnataka political crisis took a new turn on Wednesday morning as the 10 rebelling MLAs at the Hotel Renaissance Powai in Mumbai said they feel “threatened” by Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy and Congress Minister and troubleshooter DK Shivakumar who was attempting to meet the MLAs.  A letter to the Commissioner of Police in Mumbai signed by 10 Karnataka MLAs, according to reports, states that, “We the following elected members of legislative assembly of the state of Karnataka are staying at Hotel Renaissance Powai in Mumbai, we have heard that [Chief Minister] Sri Kumar Swamy and DK Shivakumar and others are going to storm in the hotel premises, we feel threatened for the same. We do not want to meet him, kind request to help us in this matter and do not allow them to enter the hotel premises.”  10 rebel Karnataka Congress-JD(S) MLAs write to Mumbai Commissioner of Police stating "We are staying at Hotel Renaissance Powai in Mumbai, we have heard HD Kumaraswamy & DK Shivakumar are going to storm the hotel, we feel threatened. Do not allow them to enter hotel premises" pic.twitter.com/rvMa2If8eH — ANI (@ANI) July 9, 2019 The letter was signed by Shivaram Hebbar, Pratapgouda Patil, B C Patil, Byrati Basavaraj, S T Somashekar, Ramesh Jarkiholi, Gopalaiah, H Vishwanath, Narayan Gowda, and Mahesh Kumatahalli. The rebel MLAs staying in Mumbai have made it clear that they intend to follow through with their resignations. Three MLAs - Anand Singh, Narayan Gowda and Pratapgouda Patil - will meet the Speaker on Friday, on the day the monsoon session of the Karnataka Assembly is set to begin. Outside the hotel, Shivakumar was met by protesters and police who did not allow him to enter the hotel. The 10 MLAs were flown to the Sofitel Hotel in Mumbai on Sunday, and DK Shivakumar has been attempting to pacify the rebelling MLAs since the crisis began.  When Shivakumar was asked about the letter, he responded, "We believe yesterday [BJP MLAs] R Ashoka and KG Bopaiah forced them to complain against us. We are here to talk in friendly terms." On Tuesday, Speaker Ramesh Kumar said that he would personally speak to all the MLAs who had given their resignations before taking a decision. According to sources, Congress will use the delay as an opportunity to convince the MLAs to re-pledge their loyalty to the Congress-JD(S) coalition and prevent its collapse.  13 MLAs of the JD(S)-Congress coalition government attempted to submit their resignation letters to the Karnataka Assembly Speaker, who is the only person who can accept the resignation of elected legislators in the state.  The strength of the Assembly is 224 including Speaker. With the resignation of 13 MLAs, the quorum will reduce to 211. Following the spate of resignations, the Congress-JD(S) coalition has 104 MLAs while the BJP has 107 MLAs on its side. The coalition does not have the majority to rule the government if the speaker accepts the resignations.

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High drama at Mumbai hotel, DK Shivakumar stopped from meeting rebel MLAs

Politics

'I have no weapons with me, I only have a heart,' DK Shivakumar told the media.

TNM Staff

The drama surrounding the political rebellion in Karnataka peaked on Wednesday, when Congress leader and troubleshooter DK Shivakumar and JD(S) MLA Shivalinge Gowda reached the Renaissance Hotel in Mumbai. It is in this hotel that 10 rebel MLAs have been staying for the last two days.  As the two leaders reached the hotel, protests awaited them. Kannada channels reported that the protests were by supporters of the BJP. The duo were not allowed to enter the hotel by the sloganeering supporters and the police. Police were present in large numbers as the MLAs had sought protection citing threat from DK Shivakumar and HD Kumaraswamy.  Unable to meet the MLAs, DK Shivakumar said, "I don't have weapons. I only have a heart. Those are my brothers inside, members of my family. There is an issue going on in the family, but we can't immediately divorce," he said.  DK Shivakumar also said that he had reserved a room in the hotel and no one had the rights to stop him. "Is this a BJP htel? Anyone can come to the hotel. I have booked a room here, I have a card here. I am not a threat. I am here to talk to them," he said. Shivalinge Gowda questioned why they were denied entry. "This is a hotel, not a private space," he said.  On Tuesday, Mirror Now channel had telecast visuals of Mumbai BJP leader Jatin Desai chaperoning the MLAs in the hotel. BJP leader from Karnataka, R Ashok is also reportedly at the Mumbai hotel. These developments come after DK Shivakumar in another bid to save the coalition government had travelled to Mumbai to pacify the rebel MLAs and take them back to the Congress fold. The resignation of these MLAs, has not been accepted by the Speaker on grounds of technicalities.

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IMA scandal: 7-time Bengaluru MLA Roshan Baig asked to appear before SIT

Crime

According to officials, Roshan Baig been asked to appear before the police on Thursday.

TNM Staff

Seven-time Bengaluru MLA R Roshan Baig, who is currently suspended from the Congress party, has been summoned by the Special Investigating Team probing the multi-crore IMA scandal. The notice to Baig comes hours after he submitted his resignation as an MLA. Joining the rebellion against the Congress, Baig resigned on Tuesday and also publicly attacked former CM Siddaramaiah for the party’s poor results in the recent Lok Sabha elections. Mansoor Khan, the founder of IMA Jewels, in a widely circulated audio clip claimed that he had paid Rs 400 crore to Roshan Baig which had not been returned to him. Even though the allegation was denied by the Shivajinagar MLA, other ministers in the Karnataka cabinet like RV Deshpande told media persons that Roshan Baig had known Mansoor earlier and was seeking a loan from him. According to officials, Roshan Baig been asked to appear before the police on Thursday. "A notice has been given to ex minister Mr Roshan Baig to appear on the 11th July," a member of the SIT probing the case told The Mint. This development also comes just a day after the SIT had arrested Bengaluru Urban Deputy Commissioner Vijay Shankar (IAS) for allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 1.5 crore.   Earlier, the police arrested Assistant Commissioner of the Revenue Department LC Nagaraj, BDA Executive Engineer Kumar, city corporator Syed Mujahid and village accountant Manjunath for allegedly accepting bribes to the tune of crores from the tainted IMA founder Mansoor Khan. Those arrested include the 12 board directors of the compan, while Mansoor Kumar continues to avoid arrest and is allegedly hiding out in the United Arab Emirates.

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Congress seeks disqualification of rebel MLAs, urges Speaker to debar them for 6 years

Politics

The Speaker has set up meetings with 3 of the rebel MLAs - Anand Singh, Pratapgouda Patil and Narayana Gowda - on Friday and will only meet Ramalinga Reddy and Gopalaiah on Monday.

TNM Staff

Karnataka Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar on Tuesday said that eight of the 13 MLAs who submitted their resignations from the Karnataka Assembly have not followed procedure in their submissions. "Only 5 MLAs have submitted their resignations as per the format - Anand Singh, Ramalinga Reddy Pratapgouda Patil, Narayana Gowda and Gopalaiah," stated KR Ramesh Kumar said.  The Speaker has set up meetings with Anand Singh, Pratapgouda Patil and Narayana Gowda on Friday, the first day of the monsoon session of the Karnataka Assembly. The Speaker will meet Ramalinga Reddy and Gopalaiah only on Monday. "The rest of them have not submitted their resignations as per the correct format. Our office has intimated them to tell them this," said the Speaker.  He further added that he has no role to play in the resignations of independent MLAs H Nagesh and R Shankar as ministers in the Karnataka cabinet. " All copies are available. I will be transparent and will provide all the documents. There is no need to do investigative journalism to get it," he added.   ‘Not resigning from party’ Meanwhile, in Mumbai, the ten Congress and JD(S) MLAs who submitted their resignations from the Karnataka Assembly said that they intend to meet the Speaker and resign but clarified that they are not resigning from their parties.  Speaking to reporters at a hotel in Mumbai, rebel MLA ST Somashekar said, "We have grown in the Congress and even now we are Congress workers. We have submitted our resignations as MLA. In the last 15 months, there has been a public debate that the coalition government might stabilise and work for the development of constituencies. We have waited 15 months and we are hurt by one or the other issue." Somashekar further clarified that the rebel leaders are united in their decision to resign and will meet the Speaker to formalise their resignations soon. "The Speaker has said he wants to meet us. As soon as he calls us to meet, we will go and meet. Till now, nobody has contacted us," he added.  CLP seeks disqualification of MLAs The Congress Legislature Party (CLP) submitted a petition to the Speaker of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly KR Ramesh Kumar, asking him to disqualify the rebelling MLAs who have resigned and debar them from contesting elections for six years.  “Today we decided to petition the Speaker seeking disqualification of members who are trying to destabilise the government and indulging in anti-party activities. They have colluded with BJP and trying to destabilise the government. I request them to come back and withdraw their resignations. The party has taken a firm stand to request the Speaker to disqualify them. We also informed the Speaker that the resignations are not voluntary and genuine. This attracts anti defection law,” Congress Legislature Party chief Siddaramaiah said. Siddaramaiah accused the rebels of colluding with the BJP and attempting to destabilise the government. He accused the BJP of luring the rebel MLAs by offering them money and ministerial berths.  “Ever since this government was formed, BJP despite failing to prove majority in the floor of the house, they have been constantly trying to destabilise this government. This is the sixth attempt. In this attempt, not only is Karnataka BJP involved, but national level BJP leaders Amit Shah and Narendra Modi are directly involved in this. Only under their direction, the BJP in Karnataka is putting in efforts to destabilise the government. This is against parliamentary system of democracy and against the mandate of the people,” Siddaramaiah added.  Speaking to the media, Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee President Dinesh Gundu Rao said that the party has an alternate plan to prove majority in case the rebels to not withdraw their resignations despite the ultimatum.  “Speaker is supreme. He will decide whether or not the MLAs have to be disqualified. We have submitted all proof to the Speaker showing that the MLAs have indulged in anti-party activities. If they (Rebel MLAs) di not return despite the warning, we have an alternate plan to prove majority when the BJP pushes for a no confidence motion on July 12,” Dinesh Gundu Rao added.    

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Juul arms to fight sweeping e-cig ban on its home turf

Juul defiantly announced its purchase two weeks ago of a 28-story downtown office building

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