HC asks govt if it will prosecute Tejasvi Surya, others for flouting COVID-19 rules

Law and Order

On November 7, the state government confirmed in a submission to the High Court that Tejasvi Surya had paid a fine of Rs 250 for appearing in a public rally without a mask.

TNM Staff

The Karnataka High Court on Thursday asked the Karnataka government to inform the court if it will prosecute Bengaluru South MP and the National President of BJP Yuva Morcha Tejasvi Surya and other political leaders for violating the COVID-19 guidelines of wearing masks in public. “If the person concerned has paid the fine, they have admitted their violation and therefore the failure of the state to prosecute them has very serious consequences. The state must take a call or make a statement on the next date," the High Court bench headed by Justice Vishwajith Shetty and Chief Justice Abhay Oka said, as per Livelaw. On November 7, the state government confirmed in a submission to the High Court that Tejasvi Surya had paid a fine of Rs 250 for appearing in a public rally without a mask on September 30. This came after the High Court asked the state government if it had levied fines on Tejasvi Surya and other political leaders for violating COVID-19 guidelines and not wearing masks during public rallies. Under the Epidemic Diseases Act, 2020, persons found violating the directions, orders or regulations can be imprisoned to a minimum three months and a fine of not less than Rs 50,000 or up to Rs 2 lakh.  The High Court made the observation while hearing a plea filed by Bengaluru-based Letzkit Foundation through advocate Ramesh Puthige raising allegations that the guidelines for COVID-19 management were not followed or implemented in Karnataka. Letzkit Foundation files petitions on issues concerning the environment, inconvenience to pedestrians and senior citizens, among others. During the case, the petitioner argued that celebrities and political leaders in Karnataka were not being booked for flouting the COVID-19 norms. Photographs showing Tejasvi Surya without a mask during a rally on September 30 were also shared with the court. The state government reacted by submitting to the High Court that 684 people were fined for not wearing masks during the campaigning for the bye-election to RR Nagar in Bengaluru last week. The same report also mentioned around 18 non-cognisable reports of cases where people were found not wearing masks in public occasions.  The submissions showed Tejasvi Surya was fined at Vyalikaval police station limits along with his associates. 

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Karnataka govt defines 'green crackers' after HC raises questions

Crackers

The Karnataka High Court said that crackers without the distinct green logo of CSIR-NEERI and PESO cannot be sold.

TNM Staff

The Karnataka government on Thursday clarified that green crackers can be identified through the distinct green logo of the CSIR-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (CSIR-NEERI) and Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO) as well as quick response coding systems. "Green crackers packing can be identified through distinct green logo of CSIR-NEERI and PESO as well as a quick response (QR) coding system...The above features will assist in differentiating green crackers from conventional crackers," the new order issued by the Karnataka government stated. The High Court on Friday said that any cracker without the green logo cannot be sold and asked the state government if an officer had been designated to check if green crackers are being sold. The High Court also asked the state government to give wide publicity to the new order issued on Thursday and asked the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) to show 'zero tolerance' to those who violate the order of selling only green crackers.  The clarification from the Karnataka government came after a direction by the Karnataka High Court questioning the state government that it had not specified what constituted green crackers in its order. Earlier this month, Karnataka Chief Minister announced a ban on crackers during Deepaval. However, he soon retracted the ban, announcing that 'green crackers' will be allowed. On Thursday, after the High Court asked the state government to explain what a green cracker is, a new order was issued by Anjum Parvez, Principal Secretary, Revenue Department, stating the green logo of CSIR-NEERI and QR codes will help identify green crackers.  "Green crackers are manufactured as per the formulation developed by Council of Scientific and Industrial Research - National Environmental and Engineering Research Institute (NEER) lab and product approval is given by Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO)...Green firecrackers are available as sparklers, flowerpots and maroons etc," added the order. According to CSIR-NEERI, green crackers produce 30-35% less emission compared to non-green crackers. They also reportedly emit 125 decibels of sound,which is less than the 160 decibels emitted by non-green fireworks. The Karnataka High Court bench was hearing a petition filed by advocate Narendra Babu which claimed that bursting crackers during Deepavali could exacerbate COVID-19 owing to the pollution and smog generated. Read: What are green crackers? Here’s how they’re different

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Bengaluru records 1069 new COVID-19 cases, most in Yelahanka and West zone

Coronavirus

The city also recorded 991 recoveries on Thursday, most of them from Yelahanka and west zone.

TNM Staff

Bengaluru reported 1,069 COVID-19 cases as well as 991 recoveries on Thursday. Most of the cases were from Yelahanka and west zone (16% each). The city also reported eight deaths on the day, all of them being people who were between 50 to 70 years of age. For the second straight day, the number of active COVID-19 cases in Karnataka remained below the 30,000 mark while 2,116 fresh infections took the tally to 8.55 lakh. The active cases, dipping steadily after touching 50,592 on November 1, came down to 29,470 on Thursday, after dropping below 30,000 a day earlier. The day also saw 3,368 patients getting discharged after recovery, the health department said. Twenty-one fresh deaths were reported, taking the toll to 11,474. Cumulatively, 8,55,912 COVID-19 positive cases have been confirmed in the state, which includes 11,474 deaths and 8,14,949 discharges, the department said in its bulletin. It said 28,673 patients were in isolation at designated hospitals and stable. As many as 797 patients were undergoing treatment in intensive care units. Apart from the eight deaths in Bengaluru urban, Bengaluru rural reported three deaths, Ballari and Dharwad two each, Hassan, Kalaburagi, Kolar, Mysuru, Raichur and Tumkur one each. Most of the deceased either had a history of Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (SARI) or Influenza-like illness (ILI). Among the other districts where new cases were reported, Mysuru accounted for 115, Hassan 100, Tumakuru 80, Mandya 74, Belagavi 54, Dakshina Kannada 53, Shivamogga and Kalaburagi 51, followed by others. Bengaluru urban's infection tally stood at 3,54,215, including 3,32,287 discharges, followed by Mysuru 49,212 (47,242 discharges) and Ballari 37,826 (36,774). A total of 91,58,603 samples have been tested so far, out of which 1,15,386 were tested on Thursday, with 27,286 of them using rapid antigen mode.    

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Karnataka govt to convert all primary health centres to 24x7 clinics

Health

Health Minister Dr Sudhakar said that 2,500 doctors, including 1,250 MBBS doctors, 950 specialists and 150 dentists, are being recruited.

IANS

Representational image

The Karnataka government will soon upgrade its existing Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) across the state to function as 24/7 clinics, Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr K Sudhakar said on Thursday. Addressing the media after a meeting with former health ministers and MLAs (who are also doctors) at the Vidhana Soudha, he said that the PHCs will be upgraded with the help of the World Bank and the state will also come up with a new policy for this purpose. "At present, there are 2,300 PHCs in the state. We are securing World Bank funding to make existing PHCs function 24/7. The COVID-19 pandemic has opened our eyes, and based on this experience, I feel we need to improve the quality of health services at all levels," he said. Noting that a large section of doctors are hesitant to serve in rural areas, Sudhakar said, "The proposed new policy plans to give promotion based on the rural service of medical professionals." The minister said that a total of 2,500 doctors, including 1,250 MBBS doctors, 950 specialists and 150 dentists, are being recruited. "Apart from this, 1,500 resident doctors will also be recruited. Vacant posts at all district hospitals, community health centres and PHCs will be filled in by December. Para medicos will also be recruited shortly," he said. Dr Sudhakar also claimed that the COVID-19 pandemic is under control in the state with Bengaluru reporting a case fatality rate of less than 1%. But he warned that the public should not let their guard down and strictly follow physical distancing and wear masks. Prior to the meeting on Thursday, Dr Sudhakar had also inspected the factory fire site in Hosaguddadahall and said action will be initiated against the culprits after an investigation report is submitted. He said huge quantities of chemicals, including hand sanitisers, were being stored here in the godown without obtaining the necessary permission.

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Karnataka cabinet approves borrowing of Rs 7438 crore for suburban rail project

Transport

The Union Cabinet on October 7 had approved the suburban rail project after years of dilly-dallying.

IANS

The Karnataka cabinet on Thursday approved borrowing of Rs 7,438 crore to fund the 148 km suburban rail project across Bengaluru, State Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister JC Madhuswamy said on Thursday. "The state cabinet has approved the proposal to borrow the amount through a special purpose vehicle (SPV) as part of the state's share in the Rs 18,600-crore suburban rail project across the city, being implemented jointly with the Indian Railways," Madhuswamy told reporters in Bengaluru. The state government and the Ministry of Railways will guarantee the loan to be shared equally by them. "The central and state governments will also contribute Rs 2,479 crore respectively to the mega project, which will ease vehicular pressure on city roads and meet the need for alternative transport," said Madhuswamy. The project will have four corridors, connecting Bengaluru with Devanahalli near the international airport (41.4 km and 15 stations), Baiyappanahalli with Chikkabanavara (25 km and 14 stations), Kengeri with Whitefield (35.52 km and 14 stations) and Heelalige with Rajanakunte (46.24 km and 19 stations). According to the plan, the airport line is due to be completed in three years. The Union Cabinet on October 7 had approved the suburban rail project, which has been pending over the years to provide an efficient commuting network to the burgeoning tech city of 1.3-crore citizens. "The Railways will contribute 20% of the equity and guarantee external borrowing up to 60% of the project cost, while the state government will share the remaining 20 per cent equity," an official told IANS in Bengaluru. The suburban rail project is scheduled to be completed by 2025 and become operational from 2026. "The suburban rail service, the metro rail service and the state-run bus service will be integrated to provide a seamless mobility for the people in and around the city," the minister added.

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Senior journalist Ravi Belagere, editor of Hai Bangalore tabloid, passes away

Death

The man who became famous for his coverage of the underworld was also embroiled in many controversies.

TNM Staff

Prominent Bengaluru-based journalist and writer Ravi Belagere passed away on Friday morning. He was 62. According to sources, Ravi suffered a heart attack on Thursday night at tabloid Hai Bangalore office. He was declared dead by Apollo Hospitals in Bengaluru where he was admitted on Thursday night itself. He is survived by two sons, two daughters and his wife. He was running the Kannada tabloid as the editor-in-chief which he started in 1995. Ravi Belagere started his career as a history lecturer in Ballari. He came to Bengaluru in 1984 and worked as receptionist at a lodging facility. He took up many low paying jobs and worked to distribute newspapers and milk. He later began working in a printing press. In 1995, he started the tabloid Hai Bengaluru along with parters RT Vittalmurty, Somnath, Jogi and Sangam Dev.  Ravi Belagere’s tabloid became known for its extensive coverage of the Bengaluru underworld and the dreaded gangsters in Bengaluru. His volume in the tabloid including Love Lavike, Khaas Baat and Paapigala Lokadalli became extremely popular. In the colum Paapigala Lokadalli, he wrote about the inner workings of the underworld and the police force. He later started a magazine called O Manase, which also became a success. Apart from being a noted journalist, Ravi has authored 70 books. Among other works, his Kannada translation of ‘Himalayan Blunder’ enjoyed lasting popularity.  The popularity of his column Paapigala Lokadalli also led him to publish a two-part book of the same name which opened up discussions about the underworld in Bengaluru. He was also a contestant in Bigg Boss Kannada Season 7 The popularity of his column Paapigala Lokadalli also led him to publish a two-part book of the same name which opened up discussions about the underworld in Bengaluru.   His writings were often controversial and they earned him both friends and foes. Controversies and a murder case In 2017, he was embroiled in a controversy after the Karnataka Assembly sentenced him to one year imprisonment for alleged “defamatory writings” against Congress MLA BM Nagaraj and BJP MLA SR Viswanath.  At that time he had prevented his arrest by getting himself admitted to the Karnataka Institute of Medical Sciences in Hubballi. Ravi and Anil Raju of Yelahanka Voice – was sentenced in June, 2017 to one year in prison and fined Rs 10,000 each, by the then Karnataka Assembly Speaker KB Koliwad, a move that was criticised by many in the media. Both editors were found guilty of breach of privilege for publishing allegedly defamatory articles against legislators. However, the editors got relief from the Karnataka High Court. Later that year he was arrested by Central Crime Branch in a separate incident for allegedly hiring a contract killer to murder a fellow journalist Sunil Heggaravalli. Then the police had said that they had found a double barrel gun and 41 bullets, deer skin, 1.5x1.5 ft tortoise shell and  a revolver and 53 bullets. In connection with the case, he had spent many days at the Parappana Agrahara central jail too.  

Body 2: 

 

Ravi Belagere, who died this morning was a kind of phenomenon. His tabloid "Hi Bengaluru" was known for sensational journalism. Highly controversial, not always fair, earned so much money no one could could ever imagine. He was 62. #Bengaluru #Karnataka

— DP SATISH (@dp_satish) November 13, 2020

 

 

Ravi Belagere, the colourful and controversial Kannada journalist, editor, author, anchor and entrepreneur—probably India’s most successful multimedia wordsmith, across platforms—has passed away at age 62. He is survived by two wives, two daughters, and two sons. pic.twitter.com/kM0dKpvY4B

— churumuri (@churumuri) November 13, 2020

 

 

Did not expect the news of #ravibelagere going away so soon. Memory along him of 1994 in #Shivamogga @Sahyadri college ... #ರವಿಬೆಳಗೆರೆ ಜೊತೆ ಒಂದು ನೆನಪು ... pic.twitter.com/cMSTj6QPiP

— Jnaneshwara (@Jnaneshwara) November 13, 2020

 

A man of many facets, many stories, and the one who would bring to print many things hitherto thought unprintable.

There is one story about him which I seem to remember, but can't find anything online or the judgment. https://t.co/azdQkRLcMY

— Vikram Hegde (@vikramhegde) November 13, 2020

 

 

B

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Bengaluru Customs officials seize Rs 1.2 cr worth ecstasy pills hidden in massager

Crime

Bengaluru Customs officials seize Rs 1.2 cr worth ecstasy pills hidden in massager

PTI

Custom officials in Bengaluru on Thursday said that they have recovered ecstasy pills worth Rs 1.2 crore, concealed inside a massager which was sent as a parcel. The contraband was seized at the Foreign Post office in Bengaluru by the Customs Department. The seizure was made on Wednesday when Customs officials opened the parcel declared as 'Foot Massage Machine' following suspicion that it contained contraband goods, Joint Commissioner of Bengaluru City Customs, T Parry Vallal said. The officials of the Postal Appraising Wing and the Preventive Wing of the commissionerate, after conducting a detailed examination, found the packets stuffed with pills, which were concealed inside the massager, Vallal said. It was found to be ecstasy pills, prohibited under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act. "The total quantity of the ecstasy pills was 2.345 kgs which is valued approximately at Rs.1.20 crore in the international market," the officer added. Investigations are underway, he said, adding that any import, export, sale, possession and consumption of prohibited narcotic drugs would attract a punishment of imprisonment up to 20 years. Various security agencies have intensified the crackdown against drugs in the city after the Narcotics Control Bureau arrested three people from Kerala who were supplying drugs to Kannada film actors and singers in August. The arrest led to further investigation by the Bengaluru police which arrested two Kannada film actors, Ragini Dwivedi and Sanjjanaa Galrani, party organiser Viren Khanna, a realtor, and a suspended government employee. The Central Crime Branch police recently busted a racket, which was using the Dark Net for procuring drugs to be delivered through postal service. In a similar haul in October, officers of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) had seized a consignment of 13.2 kg of pseudoephedrine, worth around Rs 13 crore. The drugs was found hidden in photo frames and albums in a package bound for Australia from the Bengaluru International Airport.

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