Karnataka HC issues notice to state govt over appointment of Upa Lokayukta

Politics

The petitioners had claimed that Karnataka Chief Justice AS Oka was never made part of the consultation process even though it is mandated in the Karnataka Lokayukta Act.

TNM Staff

In an embarrassment to Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa, the Karnataka High Court on Wednesday issued a notice to the state government over the issue of appointing Justice (retired) BS Patil as the Upa Lokayukta of the state. The HC was hearing a public interest litigation claiming Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa had bypassed protocol over the matter. The petitioners had claimed that Karnataka Chief Justice AS Oka was never made part of the consultation process even though it is mandated in the Karnataka Lokayukta Act. The law mandates the CM shall advise the Governor following a consultation with the Chief Justice of the High Court, the Chairman of the Karnataka Legislative Council, the Speaker of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly, the Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka Legislative Council, and the Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly. The petitioners Samaj Parivartana Samudaya, an NGO has claimed while former Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy in July had asked an opinion from the former Acting Chief Justice Dinesh Maheshwari, the latter had said retired Justice AN Venugopala Gowda is the most suitable candidate. Even when Justice Oka took charge, then CM Kumaraswamy had asked for his opinion. Justice Oka had endorsed the choice of his predecessor. Justice Patil was appointed as the Upa Lokayukta based on an order issued by Governor Vajubhai Vala. However, the petitioners noted that CM Yediyurappa after assuming office wrote to CJ Oka that after consulting all other stakeholders, it has been decided to appoint Justice Patil. This the NGO has termed as sheer fraud on power. The NGO wants the HC to quash Justice Patil’s appointment. Incidentally, Yediyurappa whose party, the BJP (like the Congress) had promised to restore the power of the Lokayukta ahead of the elections in 2018 has not walked the talk yet. It may be recalled that it was the indictment by then Lokayukta Justice Santosh Hegde in an illegal mining case that forced Yediyurappa to step down from the Chief Minister’s chair in 2011. The powers of the Lokayukta to probe corruption cases on its own has been diluted with former CM Siddaramaiah forming an Anti-Corruption Bureau which reports to the CM’s office. Under the present circumstances, the Lokayukta can probe only once a complaint is made and senior government staff can be questioned only once cleared by the government.

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Bengaluru cops pose as passengers, collect Rs 8 lakh in fines from errant auto drivers

Law and order

Bengaluru autorickshaw drivers were fined for refusing to ply to certain destinations, demanding more fare and also not having valid or improper documents.

Soumya Chatterjee

Traffic police in Bengaluru on Tuesday went on a crackdown against errant autorickshaw drivers who refused to ply on metered fares or denied rides in three out of the seven zones of the city. To catch offenders in the act, police officials posed as regular commuters in prime junctions under these zones and asked to be dropped at various locations in the city. In total more than 5,200 drivers were slapped with fines by the police across the city. The violations included refusing to ply to certain destinations, demanding more fare and also not having valid or improper documents. The number of auto drivers refusing rides were 797 in the East zone, 697 in the West zone and 81 in the North zone. Similarly, those demanding extra fare were 682 in the East, 604 in the West and 60 in the North zone. Another 212 autos from the East zone and 280 from West zone were seized by the police for having no or improper documents carried by the drivers. In these three zones, another 2,000-odd auto drivers were fined for minor offences like not wearing uniform and other violations. All these violations resulted in the traffic police collecting Rs 8,06,200 in fines. One traffic constable working in Chickpet Police Station in the West Zone said, “Only two out of 10 auto drivers will agree to go to a distance of more than 4-5 km on metre. This is the complaint we keep on getting from the public as well.” Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic) BR Ravikant Gowda said that similar drives will be carried out in other zones of the city as well in light of multiple complaints against auto drivers. This drive from the traffic police comes after a similar initiative in July when more than 9,000 auto drivers were fined. Narayan Swamy, President of Adarsh Auto Driver Union in Bengaluru said, “These drives are important. Because of some auto drivers who over charge, all auto drivers get a bad name and people prefer Uber/ Ola cabs instead of autos. This results in less business for us”  

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Karnataka State Cricket Assoc member Sudhindra Shinde arrested in KPL betting scam

Crime

The Central Crime Branch (CCB), which is probing the case, conducted a search operation at Shinde’s home in Bengaluru at around 11 am on Tuesday.

TNM Staff

The Bengaluru Police on Wednesday arrested Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) management committee member Sudhindra Shinde in connection with the Karnataka Premier League (KPL) match-fixing case. The Central Crime Branch (CCB), which is probing the case, conducted a search operation at Shinde’s home in Bengaluru’s Domlur at around 11 am on Tuesday. The search operation went on till 3 pm. "We took him in for questioning and he was arrested on Wednesday," the police said.  CCB Chief and Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime), Sandeep Patil, said that 39-year-old Shinde was allegedly involved in recruiting players and fixing matches. “Sudhindra Shinde is the director of the Karnataka Under-19 team and also a former coach of the Belagavi Panthers cricket team. He is also a member of the KSCA’s managing committee in Raichur,” the police said. The Karnataka Premier League (KPL) was hit by the multi-crore match-fixing scam in September. The tournament, which concluded on August 31, was mired in controversy in September when police officials arrested the owner of Belagavi Panthers franchise Asfaq Ali over charges of match-fixing. It was alleged that players accepted money to fix matches in the league, including the final, in which two players have been accused of “slow batting”. Further investigation revealed a wide web of match-fixing in the Twenty20 cricket league, where players were allegedly blackmailed through honey-trapping tactics by bookies.  Sandeep Patil said that Shinde was running a cricket club in Jayanagar when he met Ashfaq Ali, the prime accused in the match-fixing case in 2016. “Ashfaq Ali was a travel agent and in 2016, he offered to sponsor players who were a part of Shinde’s cricket club. Ashfaq Ali went on to form the Belagavi Panthers team in the KPL and he offered sponsorships for players in Shinde’s club to be a part of various KPL teams. These players were involved in match fixing,” Sandeep Patil said. Bengaluru Commissioner Bhaskar Rao revealed that players were filmed during expensive trips abroad to Dubai and the Caribbean after they were 'honey-trapped'. The videos were used to blackmail them into fixing games.  Earlier, the police issued a lookout circular against former Bellary Tuskers' owner Arvind Venkatesha Reddy, who is suspected to have fled overseas for his involvement in the KPL betting scam. Since the investigation began after Belagavi Panthers' owner Asfaq Ali Thara was arrested on September 25, six persons have been taken into custody — Bengaluru Blasters players Gautam, Kazi, Nishant Singh Shekawat and Vishwanathan, their bowling coach Vinu Prasad and Bellary Tuskers drummer Bhavesh Bafna. The police also arrested Haryana-based bookie Sayyam for his role in the KPL betting scam. CM Gautam and Abrar Kazi are former Karnataka Ranji players.   Started in 2008, and functioning as a feeder tournament for the IPL, KPL has emerged as a leading local franchise-based league with BCCI's approval. KPL also provides a platform to tap cricket talent from the Karnataka hinterland. As many as 16 KPL players have featured in the IPL.    

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Karnataka govt sets up 3-member committee to probe Hulimavu and other lake breaches

Civic Issues

The technical committee will be headed by retired IAS officer Dr BR Srinivas Murthy, with ML Madaiah and Dr Shantarajanna HR as the other members.

Theja Ram

The Karnataka government has set up a three-member committee to probe the reasons behind the flash floods that occurred in Bengaluru after bunds of three lakes breached in a span of two months. The latest one was at Hulimavu when the bund’s wall collapsed and water flooded the homes of people in a 2 km radius. The technical committee will be headed by retired IAS officer Dr BR Srinivas Murthy, with retired IAS officer ML Madaiah and Dr Shantarajanna HR, Chief Engineer of the Tumakuru Smart City Project, as the other members. The committee has to submit its reports within 10 days according to the Karnataka’s government’s notification. The state government set up the committee to probe the matter as the police and the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike, who are conducting separate probes, have not been able to identify the people or entities responsible for the breach in the three lakes. On October 11, an earthmover had tried to dig up the bund of the Doddabidarakallu Lake. The bund’s walls collapsed and the water from the lake flooded the homes of residents in the area. Just a month after this incident, on November 11, the Hosakerehalli Lake breached and flooded homes and roads in the area. Residents had blamed the Bengaluru Development Authority for digging up the bund. On November 25, the Hulimavu Lake’s bund too was dug up and lake water flooded Krishna Layout, BTM Layout, RR Layout, Saraswatipuram and Vysya Bank Colony. The BBMP Lake Department has estimated that around 10,000 people were affected by the flash floods due to the Hulimavu Lake breach. According to the Hulimavu Police, who are probing the case, say that the suspicion is currently on both the BBMP and the Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Board. Police say that the BBMP Assistant Executive Engineer in-charge of Hulimavu Lake, K Shilpa, had allegedly received a call on the morning of November 25 from BWSSB Assistant Engineer Karthik, who is monitoring the construction of the sewage treatment plant for the lake at its southern border. “Karthik informed Shilpa that residents were complaining of excess water flowing into the temple nearby and asked if the water could be let out of the northern exit, which had been blocked by the bund,” the police said. Investigating officers say that neither the BBMP nor the BWSSB are cooperating with the probe and that the police have sent a report to the Palike asking for more information on the matter.  “The suspicion is on the BBMP, it received Rs 6 crore for rejuvenation of the lake. It could not do this if the lake was filled to the brim. We suspect that BBMP officials wanted a portion of the bund to be dug up so that the water could flow out quickly. Either that or the BWSSB dug up the bund so that water wouldn’t flood the temple in the southern side,” the police said. Police allege that BBMP is not cooperating with the probe and that its officials are not responding to queries as to why they allowed the bund to be dug up without issuing tenders for any repair works. Currently, an FIR has been registered against BWSSB engineer Karthik and the driver of the earthmover, Nagaraj, under section 431 (mischief by injury to public road, bridge, river or channel) of the IPC and the Karnataka Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act. “So far no arrest has been made,” the police said.    

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Ahead of bye-polls, I-T dept searches former Karnataka Speaker KB Koliwad’s home

Politics

A complaint was filed alleging that alcohol and cash amounting to Rs 10 crore were stashed at Koliwad’s residence in Ranebennur, but nothing was found in the search.

TNM Staff

The Income Tax Department and the Karnataka Excise Department officials conducted a search and seizure operation at the home of former Karnataka Legislative Assembly Speaker and Congress candidate from Ranebennur – KB Koliwad – late on Tuesday night. The search operation was conducted after a BJP leader filed a complaint with the Income Tax Department that cartons of alcohol and cash amounting to Rs 10 crore were allegedly stashed at Koliwad’s residence in Haveri district’s Ranebennur. Haveri Excise Commissioner Nagashayan told the media that they did not find anything at KB Koliwad’s house. “There was a complaint that was initially given to the returning officer and the Income Tax Department. We searched the premises for a few hours and did not find anything,” he said. Speaking to TNM, KB Koliwad said that he was being targeted by the BJP as the party did not want him to win the bye-elections. “There is a BJP councillor named Buradikatti Kittappa from Haveri. He went and filed a complaint with the returning officer and Income Tax Department stating that I was hoarding Rs 10 crore cash and cartons of whiskey bottles,” the Congress leader said. The former Karnataka Assembly Speaker said that he was being targeted as he is a veteran politician, whose chances of winning were higher than the BJP’s candidate, Arun Kumar Pujar. “The police have put up CCTV cameras in front of my house to monitor my every move. They have not done this for the BJP candidate. When the IT officials and Excise Department officials came to my house, I welcomed them. They did not find anything. This clearly proves that the BJP is using central agencies for its personal use,” he said. KB Koliwad also said that he is going to file a defamation case against Buradikatti Kittappa for trying to malign his name and tarnish his reputation just a day before the elections. “I have instructed the Deputy Commissioner to take action against Kittappa. I am also going to file a defamation case against them if no action is taken immediately. They are trying to destroy my reputation before the elections,” he said.    

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Onion prices likely to rise further in Bengaluru despite assurance from govt

Food

The price of 1kg onion is roughly around Rs 110 across the city, which is four-times the regular price.

Soumya Chatterjee

Like in many other states across the country, Bengaluru has also seen the price of onions soaring since mid-November. And it appears there is no respite for households or businesses which use the staple ingredient despite the government’s assurance.  The current going rate for 1 kg of onions is Rs 110 across the city which is four times the regular price. And if traders are to be believed then the situation is likely to worsen before it gets better. Naushad Ahmed, an onion and garlic merchant based in Bengaluru said that while the government has promised relief, there is none on the ground or the vegetable mandis. “The price has increased this week further. The wholesale price for grade A onion has touched Rs 120/ kg. Regular onions and smaller onions are costing Rs 80 and above per kg. Whatever the government says, there is no change on the ground,” Naushad said. He added, “Onions are a staple in most households and also used for many traditional dishes like sambar. So people are making a compromise. We are forced to sell at minimal margins as we know people won’t be able to afford. In Shivajinagar, some shops have started adding or replacing onions with cabbage in their samosas.” There have been reports of restaurants removing onion dosas from their menu as well.   While there was a similar crisis in 2017 as well, the situation was contained within a short period of time.  Idrees Chaudhury, general secretary Russell Market Trader's Association, said, “The crisis this time around compared to that of 2017 has affected Bengaluru much more. Last time around, we had seen the problem last not more than two weeks.” He added, “Sadly while prices are very high, neither the farmers or traders are profiting from it. It is only the hoarders who are making things worse even though there is a genuine dearth of supply. The government should ensure that every gram of produce is accounted for from the farm to the mandi with the help of government societies. Unfortunately, not all of the products are reaching the mandis which is resulting in this artificial rise of prices.” Primarily the price hike has been due to the low production of the crop this year due to both drought and excess rainfall. The phenomenon was also witnessed in north Karnataka itself.  Karnataka grows 13% of the country’s onion and is third-largest producer. Maharashtra which produces 38% of the country’s onion and also the largest onion producing state also suffered similar extreme climatic conditions. The prevailing crisis saw the Centre asking the states to impose stock limits on traders and to ensure strict action against hoarding on Monday. In Monday’s review meeting with Committee of Secretaries on onion prices, Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba directed the states to maintain considerable buffer stocks, impose stock limits on traders and to ensure strict action against hoarding. Earlier the export of onions was also restricted for the entire season.  Chief Secretaries from Maharashtra, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Telangana, Madhya Pradesh, Chattisgarh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana participated in the video conference. Gauba said that the Union Government has approved the import of 11,000 metric tonnes of onions from Turkey to tide over the situation. The deliveries are expected from the last week of December. This is in addition to the decision of the government to import 6,900 metric tonnes of onions from Egypt. The deliveries are expected from second week of December. The Cabinet Secretary also directed the states to utilise their Food and Civil Supply Departments to procure and distribute onions at reasonable prices. Speaking to TNM, Sujatha H, Additional Director of Karnataka Food and Civil Supplies Department said, “We have been carrying out raids based on inputs from other departments and our intelligence inputs. But so far we have not come across such cases.”  “We can’t do anything about prices. That has to be decided by the Horticultural and Agriculture departments,” she added.  GR Sreenivasan, Chairman of Horticultural Producers’ Co-operative Marketing and Processing Society (HOPCOMS) was unavailable for comment. Deputy CM Laxman Savadi’s office who holds the Agriculture Ministry refused to comment citing model code of conduct for the byepolls. 

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Rohan Murty and Aparna Krishnan get married in private ceremony in Bengaluru

Wedding

The intimate ceremony was attended by family and friends, including Infosys co-founders.

TNM Staff

Rohan Murty, son of NR Narayana Murthy and Sudha Murty, married Aparna Krishnan in a private ceremony in Bengaluru on Monday. The couple decided to go for an intimate setting instead of a big wedding and took their wedding vows surrounded by family and friends. The wedding was followed by a reception at the same hotel venue in the city. While Rohan wore a simple olive coloured kurta and pants, Aparna was dressed in an elegant white lehenga with floral embroidery for the reception. The couple, who met through common friends, knew each other for three years before they decided to take the big step. Among the attendees for the couple’s big day were Infosys co-founders Nandan Nilekani, Kris Gopalakrishnan, SD Shibulal, and K Dinesh, CEO Salil Paresh. Also present were former Infosys board members TV Mohandas Pai and V Balakrishnan, along with former CFO Mavinakere Ranganath. Congratulations Rohan Murthy & Aparna Krishnan.  It was a pleasure spinning. pic.twitter.com/JuwOQV0Itf — Jasmeet Singh (@DJJasmeet) December 3, 2019 Other guests included family members like Rohan’s sister Akshata Murty, and ace badminton coach Prakah Padukone. Carnatic vocalist Bombay Jayashree was also present, and mesmerised guests with her music.   Thirty-six-year-old Rohan holds a PhD in computer science from Harvard University on ‘Opportunistic Wireless Network Architectures’ and is the founder a company called Soroco that uses algorithms and does away with human intervention in certain processes. He is also founder of the Murty Classical Library of India. He is also a junior fellow at Harvard Society of Fellows. Aparna’s parents are Savithri Krishna, a retired SBI employee, and Commander KR Krishnan, who served in the Indian Navy. The Bengaluru resident went to Leser B Pearson United World College of the Pacific in Canada, and then graduated in economics from Dartmouth College. She also studied political science in London School of Economics. She has worked in Goldman Sachs, McKinsey, Sequoia Capital and has been working at Soroco, a computer software company founded in 2014 by Rohan, as the Engagement Manager from April 2017.

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