1. Bandh May Hit Schools, Govt Offices Tomorrow
Most private schools and government offices in the city are likely to remain closed on Thursday, 25 January, in view of the statewide bandh.
Many organisations have called a bandh to support the state's cause in the Mahadayi river water dispute. The Karnataka State Government Employees' Association is not only participating in the shutdown but also giving away a day's salary for the cause.
Citing safety concerns, the Associated Managements of Primary and Secondary Schools in Karnataka said member-schools would remain closed on 25 January. The holiday hinders teachers from covering the syllabus ahead of the upcoming exams, but schools will conduct additional classes on Saturday, the association says.
(Source: Deccan Herald)
2. Undertrials Extort Rs 15 Lakh as 'Protection Money' From Cellmate
When undertrials in Mangaluru district prison came to know that one of their cellmates was a bank manager who had allegedly diverted Rs 55 crore, they decided they were entitled to a share. The criminals beat up the former bank manager and forced his parents to pay Rs 15 lakh as "protection money.”
The "protectee" was identified as Sirin Madhusudan, bank manager of the Kulai Branch of Indian Overseas Bank. He is in jail for allegedly diverting Rs 55 crore belonging to the Karnataka Rural Infrastructure Development Ltd (KRIDL).
Police said Madhusudhan and the accused – a gang including Mithun, Shivu, Nikhil, Shivu and Charan – were lodged in the same cell and when they came to know of his background, they demanded money from him. As Madhusudhan refused many times, the gang members began beating him up.
(Source: The Times of India)
3. Inspired By TV Crime Episodes, Trio Snatched Chains
Three chain-snatchers, who drew inspiration from crime serials on TV, were arrested by Girinagar police who recovered 652 grams of gold chains worth Rs18 lakh from them.
Imran Pasha, 31, Abdul Sharif, 34, and Abdul Shakavath, 22 – all residents of Bommanahalli – had snatched 19 gold chains. They ganged up to make easy money and lead a lavish life. Inspired by crime programmes on local TV channels, they decided to snatch chains. Police sources said police warning public to be wary of chain snatchers helped the trio in coming up with modus operandi.
Pasha, a cab driver, had a debt of Rs 1.5 lakh and was unable to repay it. He and his friend Sharif turned chain-snatchers and purchased a Bajaj Pulsar motorcycle to commit the offences. The duo used a fake registration number plate when they committed the crimes.
(Source: The Times of India)
4. With No Fencing, Storm-Water Drains Continue To Be Death Traps
Months after several lives were lost in the city in overflowing drains, little has been done to erect walls and fences around storm-water drains (SWD). These drains continue to be death traps for city residents, while a survey by the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) in this regard is yet to be completed.
In several parts of the city, residents are still waiting for the promised action from officials. One such instance is at Kurubarahalli where a priest got washed away in an SWD in October last during heavy rain. Three months later, huge stretches of the ‘raja kaluve’ are yet to be fenced. At Jai Maruthi Layout in Kurubarahalli, bordering Laggere, children play next to an open SWD, and many pass the area on their way to a private school nearby. Locals say that though civic officials have started fencing, the work is being taken up only in small patches.
After the October incident, local leaders had promised quick action.
(Source: The Hindu)
5. LPG Dealership: Plea in HC for Disabled Quota
The High Court of Karnataka has issued emergent notices to the Central government, the Indian Oil Corporation, Bharat Petroleum and Hindustan Petroleum on a plea regarding violations in reserving LPG distributorships for persons with disability.
A division bench of acting Chief Justice HG Ramesh and Justice PS Dinesh Kumar heard a petition from the Karnataka Rajya Vikalachetanara Samiti asking the government agencies to notify 5 percent reservation for persons with disability in 238 LPG distributorships.
The petition quoted section 37 of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act that mandates 5 percent reservation for disabled persons in all poverty alleviation schemes.
(Source: Deccan Herald)
6. There’s Prima Facie Case Against Ashoka in Land Allotment Scam: ACB
There is a strong prima facie case against senior BJP leader R Ashoka in bagar hukum land allotment irregularities, the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has told the High Court.
ACB said Ashoka, as chairman of the Bengaluru south taluk bagar hukum land regularisation committee (between 1998-2006), was responsible for grant of land to ineligible beneficiaries, including those who did not even submit applications and a couple who stayed together but submitted separate applications.
The agency has prayed the court not to grant any stay on the investigation and said if any interim order is granted, Ashoka may win over witnesses and also destroy evidence. As regards to another accused B Karthik, the agency claimed that he was just three years old in 1987 when he claimed to have been in possession of the land.
(Source: The Times of India)
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