Sandalwood drugs case: Bail rejected for Ragini Dwivedi, Sanjana Galrani

Crime

The special court also rejected anticipatory bail applications filed by two other accused.

TNM Staff

In a setback for Kannada actors Ragini Dwivedi and Sanjana Galrani, a special Bengaluru court on Monday denied bail to them in connection with the high-profile Sandalwood drugs case. The bail hearing for the other accused in the case was adjourned. The special Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) court also rejected the anticipatory bail applications filed by two accused in the case, Vinay Kumar and Shiva Prakash, who have evaded arrest till now. The police are also on the lookout for actor Vivek Oberoi’s brother-in-law, Aditya Alva, who has been named in the case.  Police have so far arrested high-profile party planner Viren Khanna, alleged drug peddlers Loum Pepper Samba, Rahul Tonse, Prashanth Ranka and Niyaz in connection with the case.  As reported earlier, even though the Central Crime Branch (CCB) of the Bengaluru police has made high-profile arrests, they might not be able to make a watertight case in absence of material evidence. Sources in the CCB have said that the agency is relying on electronic evidence. Other than the probe by the CCB, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) is also probing the two actors along with other co-accused on charges of money laundering. Incidentally, the First Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate on Thursday had granted ED permission to probe the charges. Among others, the ED is expected to question Viren Khanna, Sanjjana's friend and real estate businessman Rahul Tonse, and Ragini's associate BK Ravi Shankar who are among the arrested in connection with the same case.  Actor Ragini Dwivedi who had initially skipped summons by the Central Crime Branch of Bengaluru police on September 3 was arrested on the next day for allegedly not cooperating with investigation officials, following raids at her residence. Sanjana Galrani, who was also subsequently raided in connection with the same case, was arrested on September 8. After a brief period in police custody, they were sent to judicial custody on September 14.

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Karnataka CM says no land owned by SC/ST will be touched, as farmers protest

Politics

“Even if you protest today, I ask you to come and discuss with us later,” the CM said.

TNM Staff

Reacting to the wide-scale demonstrations by farmers and Dalit groups on account of Monday’s statewide bandh against the recently passed contentious land reforms, Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa called for the withdrawal of protests as he defended his government’s stance. Trying to assuage the protesters, the CM said the interests of Dalits and tribals will be protected. “Even if you protest today, I ask you to come and discuss with us later. No irrigated land will be used for anything other than agriculture. No SC/ ST land will be touched.” He added, “I tried convincing protesters but they had their heart set on satyagraha.” He called for the protests to be withdrawn and claimed that the government has taken these decisions keeping the best interests of farmers in mind. The call by farmer organisations for a state-wide bandh on Monday saw protest marches across the state as many Dalit groups, labour unions and pro-Kannada outfits lent support to the farmers. Defending the new APMC law, Yediyurappa said, “Farmers can sell their crop anywhere where they get a good price, this is complete freedom to sell anywhere and this is what I have fought for many years. There was a time, if farmers sold in other districts, there were cases against them.” He added, “Farmers can also choose to sell in APMC too like earlier. That door is also not closed. It is a historic decision. I ask farmer friends to see how it goes for six months and I believe your issues in selling crops will be eased.” On the new land reforms, Yediyurappa claimed that nobody will have the right to take lands of small farmers. “Due to this amendment, anyone can do agriculture. Where there is no use of agriculture, the land can be used for other purposes and people will get jobs. Keeping this in mind we have brought these Acts. In the coming days, I request farmer groups to not confuse farmers. Farmers, I am with you. Don't encourage the protests,” the CM appealed.  As reported earlier, farmers, Dalits, labour organisations have been up in arms against three ordinances that the state government passed in the recently concluded Monsoon Session of the Karnataka Assembly despite staunch opposition. The three laws are Karnataka Land reforms (Amendment)  2020, Karnataka Agricultural Produce Marketing (Regulation and Development) (Amendment) , 2020 and Industrial Disputes and certain other laws (Amendment)  2020. Protesting farmers and opposition parties have said that the land reforms make it easier for land hoarding as it increases the ceiling for landownership and also removes the non-agricultural income bar on owning farmlands. On the APMC reforms, those opposing have said that it will leave farmers especially marginal vulnerable farmers at the mercy of the corporates in absence of a strong regulated market.

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Karnataka Bandh: Protests across state, partial shutdown in Bengaluru

Protests

The 12-hour bandh was called by farmer organisations, Dalit groups and labour unions; pro-Kannada outfits also joined in.

TNM Staff

Life across Karnataka was affected by the 12-hour state-wide bandh called by farmer organisations, Dalit groups and labour unions against the passing of the contentious farm laws. Many pro-Kannada activists also joined the protests in support of the farmers. No incidents of violence were reported as a result of the bandh. Police across the state detained protesters as they attempted to stop the movement of people. In Bengaluru, areas like Town Hall, City Railway Station and Majestic Bus Stand saw large gatherings of protesters who shouted slogans against the BJP. Activists of the Karnataka Rakshana Vedike’s women wing staged a protest at the Kempegowda International Airport before being arrested. A large rally of protesters, who were part of various groups, marched from Town Hall to Freedom Park via the Mysore Bank Circle in Bengaluru.   A sea of colours marching to recliam democracy, to assert the rights of farmers, workers and all Indians. Withdraw #FarmBills #labourcodes @narendramodi @BSYBJP Green, Blue,Red and Yellow !#ಕರ್ನಾಟಕಬಂದ್#ರೈತಮತ್ತುಕಾರ್ಮಿಕರಜೊತೆಗೆ #Withfarmersandworkers#Karnatakabandh pic.twitter.com/41YLcf5dbL — vinaysreenivasa ವಿನಯ (@vinaysreeni) September 28, 2020   The call for a bandh on Monday comes as farmers urge both the state and union governments to withdraw the “anti-farmer” bills, which according to them, are pro-corporate and against marginal farmers.  In many parts of the state, farmers have blocked state and national highways. Traffic flow in the Outer Ring Road in Bengaluru was also temporarily stopped by protesters.  There was a significant drop in the number of cabs and auto services too, as well as a slight decrease in private vehicle usage. Public transport was also affected to some extent. The Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) said that, out of the 2100-odd scheduled departures, 1700 buses had left their respective stations. “Buses will be run depending on current demand”, a BMTC official said. Protests were held by farmers and pro-Kannada groups in major urban areas of Mysuru and Mangaluru too. Police in Mysuru detained multiple protesters. Many buses going from Mysuru city centre to rural and suburban areas were stopped.  #KarnatakaBandh Protest in #Mysuru pic.twitter.com/bNeixxWFPu — Kiran Parashar (@KiranParashar21) September 28, 2020 Similar protests were held in Tumkur, where a joint protest was led by farmer organisations and pro-Kannada outfits.  The Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) said bus services across the state also took a hit with 1000 out of the 1600 scheduled operations plying only till 11 am. Services were temporarily suspended by the North East Karnataka Road Transport Corporation in Bagalkot in light of the protests.  Amongst districts, town centres of Kodagu, Chikkamagalauru, Hassan and Chamrajanagara in the southern interior of Karnataka wore a deserted look, with many establishments remaining closed. However, bike rallies were conducted by protesters in Shivamogga. In north Karnataka, protests were held in Hubbali, Dharwad, Haveri and Chitradurga.  Farmers in Bellary conducted a bullock cart rally. Other than Mangaluru and Udupi, coastal Karnataka did not see as many protests as the rest of the state. READ| Farmer, Dalit groups protest in Bengaluru ahead of Karnataka bandh on Monday    

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Karnataka unveils new tourism policy, aims to create 10 lakh jobs

Policy

The policy was launched by Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa and Tourism Minister C T Ravi on Sunday.

PTI

KAPU BEACH | SUSHEELA NAIR

On 'World Tourism Day', Karnataka unveiled a new tourism policy aiming to create 10 lakh jobs and attract Rs 5,000 crore investments in the sector by 2025. "Our aim is to increase the contribution of tourism to 20 per cent from 15 per cent of the gross state domestic product (GSDP) and attract more domestic and overseas tourists across the state, which has more to offer than rich flora and fauna," said Chief Minister BS. Yediyurappa on Sunday. The Tourism policy encourages greater participation of the local community in tourism activities to create inclusive socio-cultural growth and generate economic benefits for the people of Karnataka, a press release by the state government said. The policy was launched by Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa and Tourism Minister C T Ravi. A tourism development fund has been established under Karnataka Tourism Infrastructure Ltd (KTIL) as a strategic intervention for the development of land bank under Department of Tourism, it said. Karnataka plans to promote the state in domestic and international markets and leverage the brand of "One State, Many Worlds". An investment facilitation cell shall be set up under the Department of Tourism to act as the nodal agency for enabling, facilitating and monitoring investments, it added. The incentives under the policy include financial assistance of up to Rs 1 lakh for tourism projects undertaking sustainability measures such as water conservation and harvesting, adopting renewable energy sources, and adopting pollution control measures. The policy also provides for capital investment subsidy and interest subsidy with certain specifications. It also provides for concessions like exemption on stamp duty, concessions on registration charges, reimbursement of land conversion charges, exemption on motor vehicle tax, complimentary infrastructure assistance among other benefits. The policy also mentioned the Sustainable Development Goals set by the United Nations.

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Bengaluru records 4217 COVID-19 cases on Sunday in highest single-day spike

Health

With this, the city now has 44,274 active cases.

TNM Staff

PTI : Image for representation

Bengaluru Urban district reported the highest number of COVID-19 cases in a single day since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic with 4,217 cases reported on Sunday. Karnataka's COVID-19 tally shot up to 5,75,566, after 9,543 cases were reported across the state on the same day. This includes 1,04,724 cases which are currently active. The death toll also increased to 8,582 so far with 79 more succumbing to the infection in a 24-hour period. Bengaluru registered 4,217 fresh cases, taking its tally to 2,20,847, including 44,274 active cases, while 1,73,736 were discharged so far, with 3,306 over the last 24 hours. The capital city registered 15 of the 79 fresh deaths, followed by Ballari at nine, while the rest were scattered over 20 other districts. Most of the dead had a history of Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (SARI) or Influenza-like illness (ILI). After Bengaluru Urban, Mysuru district accounted for most number of new cases at 952 followed by Dakshina Kannada at 460, Hassan at 408, Udupi at 320, Ballari at 310 and others. Bengaluru Urban district tops the list of districts in positive cases with 2,20,847 infections, followed by Mysuru at 33,300 and Ballari at 30,943. Among discharges too, Bengaluru Urban tops with a total of 1,73,736 discharges, followed by Ballari at 26,560 and Mysuru at 26,101. A total of 45,86,780 samples have been tested so far, out of which 67,857 were tested on Sunday alone. Of the 835 patients in the intensive care units (ICU), 264 are in Bengaluru Urban district hospitals, while 93 are in Dharwad, 80 are in Ballari, 62 are in Hassan and 47 are in Kalaburagi.  

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Karnataka Bandh on Monday: What to expect

Strike

Bengaluru City Police Commissioner said that free movement of individuals will be ensured.

TNM Staff

File image/PTI

Farmers in Karnataka are holding a statewide bandh on Monday,September 28, in protest against the BJP-ruled state and union governments over the recently introduced contentious farm and land use laws. The call for strike between 6am-6pm called by farmer organisations have been supported by labour unions. Farmers have threatened to block all state and national highways too. Police across the state including in Bengaluru will keep a tight vigil to maintain law and order and allow free movement of people. “We will not let anyone curtail movement of people. We will make adequate security arrangements. We will have 12,000 civil police, 47 KSRP (Karnataka State Reserve Police) platoons, 24 CAR (City Armed Reserve) platoons. Four additional commissioners, 16 DCPs (Deputy Commissioner of Police) will patrol the city,” Bengaluru City Commissioner Kamal Pant told TNM. While the state government has said normal life will remain unaffected, many private stakeholders including those in Bengaluru have voluntarily come forward with their support to the strike. Public buses, metro are likely to run as per normal while cabs and auto services are likely to be affected.  Speaking on the Bandh, Deputy Chief Minister of Laxman Savadi who holds the transport portfolio clarified that services of all the four road transport corporations including the Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation will be available, and the Police Department has been requested to provide additional security. Meanwhile, taxi and auto services are likely to be affected across the state. Tanveer Pasha, President of the Ola TaxiForSure and Uber Drivers' Association, said there won’t be any app-hailed cabs during the bandh. Similarly, Peace Auto and Taxi Association, Bharath Vehicles drivers union have also said that they won’t be operating during the bandh hours. Since the start of the previous week from Monday, Bengaluru had seen many protests by the farmers and Dalit groups who want the government to roll back the newly introduced reforms.  The state government has passed the Karnataka Land reforms (Amendment) Ordinance 2020, Karnataka Agricultural Produce Marketing (Regulation and Development) (Amendment) Ordinance, 2020 and Industrial Disputes and certain other laws (Amendment) ordinance 2020. At the same time, the Union government on September 20 had passed the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Bill, the Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill, 2020 and the Farmers’ (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill, 2020 under controversial circumstances. According to the protesters and the Opposition, these legislations are detrimental to small scale farmers especially Daits who anyway have little patches of land. This is because pre-existing ceilings on land ownership and income bar for land ownership is being diluted creating an ideal ground for land hoarding. Further, they say that the deregulation of Essential Commodities Act, APMC Acts are also going to leave farmers at the mercy of corporations.

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COVID-19 deaths: Chamarajanagara sees spike against state-wide trend

COVID-19

The Case Fatality Rate among COVID-19 patients in Chamarajanagara district is more than four times the state average for the last 7 days.

Soumya Chatterjee

Representational image/PTI

The case fatality rate (CFR) among COVID-19 patients in Karnataka’s Chamarajanagara for the last seven days ending September 25 is at 4.6%, the worst among all districts. This is more than four times the state-wide average of 1.1% for the same period. CFR is the measure of the number of deaths per 100 positive cases.Incidentally, this comes a month after Chamarajanagara had one of the better CFRs in the state when otherwise the district is considered backward due to its longstanding poor socio-economic indicators.   While experts deem that analysing CFR for a week can be misleading subject to temporary accentuations due to reporting delays, there appears to be a consistent downward trend in the district. While the CFR for the whole state has improved steadily, the same for Chamarajanagara has deteriorated for the last 30 days.   A month ago, on August 25, the CFR for Chamarajanagara was at 1.3% when the state average was at 1.7%. As of September 18, the CFR for the district was at 1.6% which was then the state average. Now, the CFR is at 1.9% as of September 25 when the state average is at 1.5%.  Coupled with a considerable arrested growth in the COVID-19 caseload compared to the rest of the state, the district was being considered a dark horse in the pandemic management. But now a combination of slump in surveillance and testing activity seems to have undone the good work done by the district administration.   Slump in contact tracing, quarantine enforcement Chamarajanagara’s COVID-19 indicators were attributed to the district’s effective surveillance and contact tracing work. The district had the highest number of incidents of action taken against violation of COVID-19 regulation and fourth highest contacts per patient. On August 25, the district had 33 FIRs (first information report) and institutional quarantine (IQ) initiated for every 1,000 violations of home quarantine norms and fifth highest (17) contacts per positive patient in the last 10 days.   Now on September 25, the number of FIR+IQ has reduced to 26.1 per 1,000 violations and contact tracing has reduced to 15th highest (9.8 contacts per patient).   Speaking on this, senior IAS officer Munish Moudgil, in-charge of Karnataka COVID-19 War Room, said that pandemic management was a continuous effort. “It’s like a new exam with a new syllabus every week. You don’t study for a week, you flunk. It’s a daily fight and those who sleep even for a day pay for it,” he said. Dr Giridhar Babu, who is part of the Union government’s research task force on Epidemiology and Surveillance and also part of Karnataka’s Technical Committee, said the problem lies in strategy. “How did India become a world leader in eradication of polio? Testing was strengthened in districts that were detecting less than expected minimum number of infections per population,” he said.  He added, “Instead in response against COVID-19, we seem to be doing exactly the opposite of our own successful model. Districts and states with poor reporting of cases (and therefore missing many deaths) are celebrated as success models.”

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