As protests erupt, Udupi police insist Principal of Don Bosco school killed self

Death

Udupi Superintendent of Police (SP) Nisha James was prompted to make the clarification after a protest was held demanding a deeper investigation into Father Mahesh D’Souza’s death.

Prajwal Bhat

Udupi police stated that preliminary reports suggested that the death of Father Mahesh D'Souza, an assistant parish priest and principal of Don Bosco School, is a case of suicide. Mahesh, 36 was found dead in his office at Don Bosco School at around 9:05 pm on October 11.  Udupi Superintendent of Police (SP) Nisha James was prompted to make the clarification after a protest was held at the Our Lady of Health Church in Shirva in Udupi district of Karnataka calling for a deeper investigation into the incident. Protesters, who were mostly members of the Christian community and other residents of Shirva, suggested that there was foul play involved in the sudden demise of Mahesh, a 36-year-old priest in Shirva.  The police investigating the case have stated that they have not found any suicide note during a preliminary search of his room and his belongings. A case of unnatural death was registered at the Shirva Police Station on October 12.  Nisha James said that the preliminary post-mortem report suggested that there was no foul play involved. "The preliminary post-mortem report suggests that the father took his own life. We are yet to receive the final FSL report from the regional office in Mangaluru but it appears to be a case of suicide due to personal grievances," the SP said. The preliminary post-mortem was conducted at the Forensic Department of Kasturba Hospital in Manipal. The viscera was sent to the FSL Laboratory in Mangaluru for further investigation. Police officials also analysed data from Mahesh's mobile  phone and conducted an inquest into the priest's death by speaking to family members. "If anyone is suggesting foul play or doubt the nature of the investigation, they are free to come forward and register a complaint," added Nisha. Protesters who gathered at the church in Shirva had on Saturday raised doubts about the police's investigation of the case. Hundreds of protesters, mostly members of the Christian community and other residents of Shirva, gathered at the local church and staged a flash protest. The protesters alleged that another leader associated with the church had visited the parish priest on the day he was found dead. "We cannot disclose the full details of the investigation but due to a law and order situation (at the protest), we are giving a clarification. All scientific evidence collected so far suggests that there was no foul play involved. We will be issuing a statement once the final post-mortem reports are filed," a police official in Udupi added.  The members of Mahesh's family in a statement said that they were satisfied with the investigation into the priest's death. However, angry parishioners plan to continue the agitation over the death on Tuesday with another protest planned at the church in Shirva.  Mahesh hailed from Moodubelle and was ordained as a priest in 2013. He was previously the assistant parish priest at Milagres Mount Rosary Church in Kallianpur. In 2016, Mahesh was posted in Shirva and was also made the Principal of the Don Bosco School, Shirva. Mahesh along with Father Ashwin Aranha managed the day-to-day administrative affairs of the parish and the school.  If you are aware of anyone facing mental health issues or feeling suicidal, please provide help.  Tamil Nadu:  State health department suicide helpline number - 104 Sneha Suicide Prevention Centre - 044-24640050 (listed as the sole suicide prevention helpline in TN) Telangana:   Telangana government suicide prevention toll free no - 104  Roshni- 040-66202000, 66202001 SEVA- 09441778290, 040 - 27504682 (between 9 AM and 7 PM)  Karnataka: Sahai : 24-hour helpline numbers: 080- 65000111, 080-65000222 Kerala: Maithri helpline - 0484-2540530 Chaithram helpline: 0484-2361161 Both are 24-hour helpline numbers.  Andhra Pradesh:  Life Suicide Prevention Helpline No.78930-78930  Roshni  Helpline 1: 9166202000  Helpline 2: 9127848584  

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MLA disqualification: Cong tells SC to listen to audio tape allegedly of Yediyurappa

MLAs Disqualification Case

Justice NV Ramana said he would ask CJI Ranjan Gogoi to constitute a three-judge bench to consider the matter.

TNM Staff

The Karnataka Congress on Monday submitted new documents to support its case against the 17 disqualified MLAs in the Supreme Court. The counsel representing the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee – Kapil Sibal, submitted a video, an audio tape and several newspaper clippings about the tape allegedly of Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa that had gone viral on Friday. A video surfaced on Friday evening allegedly showing Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa admitting to carrying out Operation Kamala in the state on the instructions of BJP's national leaders. While the audio was captured, one could not confirm if it was Yediyurappa who was addressing the meeting.   The Supreme Court was slated to issue orders on Monday regarding the petition filed by the rebel leaders to quash their disqualification orders. Justice NV Ramana, who is currently hearing the case, informed Kapil Sibal that he would take up the matter with Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and ask him to set up a three-judge bench to decide on the matter. The hearing has been scheduled for Tuesday. The Congress has accused Yediyurappa of confessing to poaching 17 rebel legislators from Congress and JD(S), which led to the collapse of the coalition. The Congress has requested the Supreme Court to uphold former Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar’s order, which had disqualified the rebel MLAs and made them ineligible to contest bye-elections for the rest of the present Karnataka Assembly’s term. Kapil Sibal told the court that if the Speaker’s order is not upheld, then the 10th Schedule of the Constitution (anti-defection law) would be compromised. Chief Minister Yediyurappa has, however, issued a clarification on Saturday regarding the viral video.  “Yes, I had spoken to the party workers in Hubballi and I told them to say good things about the disqualified MLAs,” Yediyurappa had said.  Karnataka Congress leaders had also met Governor Vajubhai Vala and had asked him to dismiss the Yediyurappa government. Congress leaders say that they will submit a memorandum to the President Ramnath Kovind seeking the dismissal of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who had allegedly overseen Operation Kamala. Read: Cong calls for K'taka govt's dismissal, Yediyurappa rubbishes Operation Kamala claims    

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Bengaluru doctors protesting attack on student call for indefinite boycott of services

Protest

Resident doctors and medical students have been protesting since Saturday after a postgraduate student was allegedly attacked by members of the Karnataka Rakshana Vedike.

TNM Staff

Doctors and medical students belonging to the Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute (BMCRI) Resident Doctors’ Association continue to protest and have called for an ‘indefinite boycott’ of outpatient services. The medicos began protesting on Saturday following the alleged attack on a postgraduate student by members of the Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (KRV). Earlier, Deputy Chief Minister C.N. Ashwath Narayan on Sunday announced that the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) would be sent to the hospital for additional security and also stated that CCTV camera installations would be taken up soon and requested the resident doctors to discontinue their protests. It all started on Friday at around 3.30 pm on the premises of Minto Eye Hospital on the BMCRI campus, when members of the KRV confronted a doctor, who is a postgraduate student at BMCRI, for not speaking in Kannada. They allegedly began arguing with the doctor, alleging that a patient who had been one of the victims of the botched cataract surgeries which took place at the hospital in July, had not been compensated for their losses. The discussion soon turned ugly after the group began confronting the doctor for not speaking in Kannada, according to TNIE. The conversation became even more heated and the group members surrounded the resident doctor and allegedly held her by the arm and made her sit on the floor. Doctors alleged that another doctor who was filming the incident was forcibly made to stop. An FIR was registered by police officials at the VV Puram Police Station against unknown members of the KRV after a complaint was filed by Dr HS Satish, dean of BMCRI. Members of the pro-Kannada outfit were at the hospital to support a protest held by 24 patients who developed severe reactions following cataract surgery at the Minto Ophthalmic Hospital. Two of the patients also lost their eyesight due to the incident. The incident occurred on Karnataka Rajyotsava, a day marking the formation of Karnataka state.

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Bengaluru woman who filed complaint against former minister found dead

Death

City police have registered a case of unnatural death and investigations are underway.

TNM Staff

Image for representation

A thirty-five-year-old woman from Bengaluru allegedly took her own life at her residence in Chandra Layout on Tuesday. The woman, identified as Anjana A Shantaveer had filed a complaint a few years ago against former Congress Minister and current BJP leader Baburao Chinchasur, accusing him of cheating her of money.   According to the police, Anjana reportedly called her son and told him that she was going to take her own life. The boy, who is a student of a private college in RR Nagar, was at his grandmother’s residence when Anjana called him at around 10.30 pm and spoke to him about her decision, citing financial difficulties.   The boy who was visiting his grandmother near Kengeri rushed home at once and took her to the hospital immediately. However, doctors declared her brought dead on arrival.   The police have stated that Anjana left behind a note, written in Kannada, apologising to her son and parents. She was a native of Hubbali district in Karnataka.   According to some reports, several bank managers had filed cases of fraud against Anjana, who had pledged the same property to multiple banks in order to obtain a bank loan.   In 2015, Anjana had filed a police complaint against BJP leader Baburao Chinchansur, accusing him of cheating her of more than Rs 11 crores. As per reports, she also had alleged that the politician was threatening her and had also filed a cheque bounce case against him. The case is yet to be heard in court.   The BJP had taken note of the issue and had even conducted a protest against the minister. However in August 2018, before the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, he joined the BJP.   The Chandra Layout police have registered a case of unnatural death and are currently working to figure out the reason behind her death.   If you are aware of anyone facing mental health issues or feeling suicidal, please provide help.    Tamil Nadu:  State health department suicide helpline number - 104 Sneha Suicide Prevention Centre - 044-24640050 (listed as the sole suicide prevention helpline in TN)   Telangana:   Telangana government suicide prevention toll free no - 104  Roshni- 040-66202000, 66202001 SEVA- 09441778290, 040 - 27504682 (between 9 AM and 7 PM)    Karnataka: Sahai : 24-hour helpline numbers: 080- 65000111, 080-65000222   Kerala: Maithri helpline - 0484-2540530 Chaithram helpline: 0484-2361161 Both are 24-hour helpline numbers.    Andhra Pradesh:  Life Suicide Prevention Helpline No.78930-78930  Roshni -  Helpline 1: 9166202000  Helpline 2: 9127848584

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After Sumanahalli, another Bengaluru flyover on verge of developing hole

Civic Issues

Meanwhile, the Sumanahali flyover has been closed for vehicular movement until the hole is fixed.

TNM Staff

The gaping hole in the Sumanahalli flyover has raised several questions about the Bengaluru civic body, Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike’s oversight in maintaining the city’s infrastructure. Soon after the Sumanahali flyover incident was reported, alert residents of the city’s Gorguntepalya locality (near Yeshwantpur) have now raised concerns over the condition of the Gorguntepalya flyover. Like the Sumanahali flyover, there are several potholes with the iron rods exposed on the Gorguntepalya flyover. It is only a matter of time before the concrete chips off and the potholes turn into a hole. The Gorguntepalya flyover connects BEL Road to Tumakuru Road via the Outer Ring Road. The flyover is located across the railway bridge near Yeshwanthpur.  Narendranath, a resident of Gorguntepalya who uses the flyover for commute every day, says that he noticed that the concrete had chipped off the flyover and the iron rods that hold the concrete together were visible, especially at the gradient level. Speaking to TNM, BBMP Commissioner BH Anil Kumar says that the contractors have been brought in to fix both the flyovers. “Both Sumanahalli and Gorguntepalya flyovers were constructed when it was being managed by the BDA (Bengaluru Development Authority). On Saturday, when I had gone for inspection of Sumanahalli, I also conducted an inspection of the Gorguntepalya flyover. There was a pothole, with the concrete chipped off due to heavy rains. It is being fixed now,” he said. While some potholes have been fixed, many are yet to be repaired. ‘Will inspect Sumanahalli flyover’ Commissioner Anil Kumar said that the Sumanahalli flyover, which was constructed in 2010, was being maintained by the BDA until it was handed over to the BBMP in 2016. The Gorguntepalya flyover was also handed over to BBMP at the same time.  “In 2016, when the transition happened, officials were supposed to conduct inspections and see whether repairs were required; that did not happen. The Sumanahalli flyover developed potholes eventually and in the recent rains, it was further damaged,” a senior BBMP official said. Even while the repair is underway, the BBMP has also hired Bureau Veritas Pvt Ltd, a company that deals with testing, inspection and certification of big infrastructure projects to conduct a probe into the matter. A team of experts from Bureau Veritas will visit the spot in Sumanahalli on Monday to conduct an inspection. Commissioner Anil Kumar said that the team will check whether the quality of the raw materials used for constructing the flyover was up to the mark and a detailed report would be submitted by the end of the week. “They have to check the original drawings and see what went wrong. The (Sumanahalli) flyover is nine years old and it should not have crumbled so soon. There are many factors that could have led to the erosion of the concrete. The report will give us answers. Once the report comes in and if it proves negligence on behalf of BBMP officials, action will be taken,” Commissioner Anil Kumar said. The Sumanahalli flyover has been closed for 10 days until the hole can be fixed. Read: Hole on a Bengaluru flyover, authorities close it for repair

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With not many options left, Kumaraswamy shows signs of warming up to the BJP

Politics

Behind Kumaraswamy's new strategy is his fear that more prominent members of his party will defect to the BJP.

Theja Ram

Former Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy on Saturday said that he does not want the ruling BJP government to fall owing to the issue of flood relief. With the bye-elections slated to be held on December 5, there is much pressure on the BJP to win at least eight out of the 15 segments to retain power. Behind Kumaraswamy's new strategy of wishing well for the BJP government is his fear that more prominent members of his party will defect to the BJP. Several disgruntled JD(S) leaders including party loyalist and Chamundeshwari MLA GT Devegowda are reportedly in talks with the saffron party. “The bye-elections are coming up and we will contest independently. We don’t want another election and the current government should not fall or be unstable because there is much work to be done in terms of flood relief. For the sake of the victims, if need be, I am willing to support the government in any way I can,” he told the media on Saturday during an interaction at Press Club. Soon after Kumaraswamy’s statement, JD(S) MLA Basavaraj Horatti on Sunday said that Kumaraswamy may be willing to hold talks with the BJP to extend his support. “Kumaraswamy does not want the government to fall and he may be willing to hold talks with BJP to extend his support,” Basavaraj Horatti said. These ambiguous statements from two top leaders of the JD(S) has led to speculation that the JD(S) may be warming up to the BJP in Karnataka.  The BJP and JD(S) had formed an alliance in 2006 after Kumaraswamy took several JD(S) MLAs to a resort and orchestrated the break up of the Congress-JD(S) coalition. At the time, Kumaraswamy and the then Deputy Chief Minister Siddaramaiah (who was with the JD(S)), had a massive fallout. Siddaramaiah had quit JD(S) and had threatened to break up the party. Sources with the JD(S) say that several disgruntled MLCs and legislators have openly expressed their concerns regarding Kumaraswamy’s alleged mismanagement of party affairs to supremo Deve Gowda and have threatened to resign and join the BJP. MLC Basavaraj Horatti has on multiple occasions expressed his displeasure over Kumaraswamy’s ways of handling party affairs. “GT Devegowda is likely to quit and join the BJP. If the BJP does not win enough seats on bye-polls, they may ask a few JD(S) MLAs to resign to balance the numbers. Then, there will have to be another round of bye-polls that Kumaraswamy wants to avoid. Hence, he wants to hold talks with BJP regarding offering support in exchange for not poaching JD(S) MLAs,” a JD(S) leader told TNM. However, BJP sources say that the party does not want to forge any kind of agreement with the JD(S) as past experience has made Yediyurappa wary.  When the JD(S)-BJP alliance was forged in 2006, Kumaraswamy and Yediyurappa had agreed to be Chief Minister for 20 months each. Kumaraswamy became the CM first and when his 20-month period was up, he refused to let go of the Chief Minister’s chair. The alliance broke up soon after.    

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Cong calls for K'taka govt's dismissal, Yediyurappa rubbishes Operation Kamala claims

Politics

A video showing BS Yediyurappa allegedly admitting to carrying out Operation Kamala in the state, on the instructions of BJP's national leaders, had emerged on Friday.

TNM Staff

After a video of Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa went viral — in which he is allegedly heard saying that BJP leaders in New Delhi had orchestrated the collapse of the Congress-JD(S) coalition in Karnataka — the CM has clarified that he was asking the BJP party workers in Hubballi to speak respectfully about the disqualified MLAs as they had “sacrificed” their seats in the Assembly to bring down the coalition. A video allegedly showing Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa admitting to carrying out Operation Kamala in the state on the instructions of BJP's national leaders emerged late on Friday night. While the audio was captured, one could not confirm if it was Yediyurappa who was addressing the meeting.   However, on Sunday, BS Yediyurappa told the media, “Yes, I had spoken to the party workers in Hubballi and I told them to say good things about the disqualified MLAs.”   He added, “Everyone knows that they resigned and were staying in Mumbai. They did this because they were not happy with the coalition government. They are responsible for our government to come to power. That’s why I asked the party workers to support them and not create problems for them.”  In the video, which was shot during the BJP core committee meeting in Hubballi, Yediyurappa can be allegedly heard saying: "Don't you know that Yediyurappa took the decision for 17 MLAs? The national leaders knew and they (rebel MLAs) were kept in Mumbai for two months. For three months, they didn't go to their constituency or even see their wives or children. You know that they were there. Whether we win or lose, it is a different issue. We gave it a shot.” Congress demands CM’s dismissal  Several leaders of the Opposition have lashed out against the Chief Minister. Leader of Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly Siddaramaiah has submitted a memorandum to Governor Vajubhai Vala, stating that the 17 disqualified MLAs were coerced into resigning. Members of the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) submitted a memorandum to the Governor, seeking Yediyurappa’s dismissal as the Chief Minister. They also demanded the Governor write to President Ramnath Kovind, to take action against Home Minister Amit Shah for his alleged role in toppling the Congress-JD(S) coalition government in Karnataka. “There is video proof,” Siddaramaiah alleged, “In the core committee meeting, he has clearly stated that he did not carry out Operation Kamala by himself but Amit Shah also helped him. He also said that Amit Shah had taken the responsibility of housing them at a hotel in Mumbai. This is against the Tenth Schedule (of the Indian Constitution). It is unconstitutional and undemocratic. Yediyurappa and Amit Shah are trying to destroy our Constitution.”  Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee President Dinesh Gundu Rao alleged that the BJP had bribed the disqualified MLAs into resigning. “Amit Shah helped with Operation Kamala. Yediyurappa himself said it. They bribed the disqualified MLAs and made them resign. We have requested the Governor to dismiss the Yediyurappa government. I hope he makes the right decision,” Dinesh Gundu Rao alleged. Joining the bandwagon, former Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy accused the BJP of misusing democratic institutions to topple the coalition. “We’ll be submitting this clipping to the Supreme Court, where the disqualified MLAs’ case is being heard. Let the court also see what Yediyurappa has done,” he said. BJP defends Yediyurappa BJP leaders, on the other hand, came to Yediyurappa’s rescue and maintained that the rebel leaders had resigned of their own volition. Speaking to the media at Hubballi on Saturday, Deputy CM Ashwathnarayan said that the Congress leaders were misusing the controversy for political mileage. “We don’t know if it’s Yediyurappa’s voice or someone else’s. People (referring to the Congress) levelling false allegations against him is wrong. No one has established the authenticity of that video,” Ashwathnarayan said. However, BJP MP from Belagavi, Suresh Angadi said that Yediyurappa had “only told party workers that the disqualified MLAs resignation had helped BJP come to power”. “He did not say anything about giving them money to resign. He only told party workers that their resignations helped us come to power. The decision to give them tickets is up to the party’s national leaders,” Suresh Angadi said. Even the disgruntled JD(S) MLC (Member of Legislative Council) Basavaraj Horatti in Hubbali defended Yediyurappa’s stand to protect the disqualified MLAs. “I expressed my opinion that CM should protect disqualified MLAs and ensure that justice is done to them for their sacrifice. The CM should keep his word,” he said.    

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