Mamata slams BJP for 'targeted persecution' of Bengalis in Delhi's Jai Hind colony
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Hans India
an hour ago
- Hans India
High Court stays defamation case against CM
The High Court has stayed the trial proceedings against Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in a high-profile defamation case filed by the BJP, which alleges that the Congress leader defamed the party through front-page newspaper advertisements accusing the previous BJP-led state government of large-scale corruption. A single-judge bench headed by Justice S R Krishna Kumar passed the interim order while hearing a petition filed by Siddaramaiah seeking to quash the private complaint lodged by BJP state secretary and Legislative Council member B.S. Keshav Prasad. During the hearing, Advocate General Shashikiran Shetty, appearing for the Chief Minister, argued that the trial court had already stayed proceedings against the other accused in the same case and hence the same relief should be extended to the Chief Minister as well. After considering the submissions, the bench ordered a stay on the trial pending further hearings. Advocate Surya Mukundaraj also appeared for the petitioner. The defamation case dates back to the run-up to the May 2023 Assembly elections when the Congress made corruption allegations a central theme of its campaign. On May 5, 2023, the Congress published advertisements on the front pages of major Kannada and English newspapers, branding the BJP regime as a '40% commission government.' The ads alleged that the BJP had institutionalised corruption by fixing bribes for postings and tenders, and that kickbacks of 25–30% were being taken in Covid supplies, public works, temple and mutt grants, midday meal eggs, and road projects. The ads concluded with the sensational claim that the BJP government had siphoned off ₹1.5 lakh crore over its term, urging voters to reject what the Congress labelled a 'Trouble Engine Government' — a pun on the BJP's 'Double Engine Government' pitch. Following their defeat in the polls, the BJP hit back legally, claiming the allegations were baseless and amounted to a malicious attempt to tarnish the party's image, mislead voters, and influence the election outcome. The private complaint names not only Siddaramaiah but also Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi as responsible for approving and disseminating the advertisements. While the stay provides temporary relief for Siddaramaiah, the case is expected to remain a point of political friction as the BJP continues to accuse the ruling Congress of crossing ethical lines during the bitterly fought election. The matter will next come up for further hearing in the High Court.
Hans India
an hour ago
- Hans India
Puttur BJP leader's son threatened by underworld for his ‘misdeed'
A controversy involving the son of a local BJP leader, accused of impregnating and deceiving a young woman, has taken an unexpected turn with the alleged intervention of underworld figure Kali Yogeesh, who has threatened violence if justice is not delivered. The case, which centres on accusations that the BJP leader's son lured the woman into a relationship on the pretext of marriage and later abandoned her, had already sparked outrage in local circles. However, the situation escalated after an audio recording surfaced, purportedly featuring Kali Yogeesh warning of retribution if the accused is not forced to marry the woman after his release from jail. In the call made to a prominent media outlet, Yogeesh questioned the silence of Hindu organisations and BJP leaders, expressing disappointment that no one was standing up for the victim, who he claimed was a Hindu girl from a financially weak background. He alleged double standards in the response to such cases, particularly when the accused has political backing. 'If this injustice continues, and she is not married, I will shoot him when he comes out of jail,' the voice in the audio is heard declaring. The speaker also condemned what he termed the hypocrisy of political leaders who rally for causes of Hindu women only when it suits them. The audio has triggered concern among security agencies and has once again highlighted the underworld's lingering shadow over sensitive local disputes in coastal Karnataka. Police are yet to verify the authenticity of the audio or respond to the threat publicly.
Hindustan Times
an hour ago
- Hindustan Times
Not a single religious structure has loudspeaker in Mumbai, says CM Fadnavis
MUMBAI: Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis declared on Friday that the city has been made loudspeaker-free. The police have removed 1,608 loudspeakers from religious structures in Mumbai alone. Out of these, 1,149 were used in mosques, 48 in temples, 10 in churches, four in gurudwaras and 147 in other religious establishments. Thane, India - May 04, 2022: A general view of a loudspeaker atop a mosque in Thane, Mumbai, India, on Wednesday, May 04, 2022. (Praful Gangurde/HT Photo) (HT PHOTO) He was responding to a debate over complaints made by BJP legislators about the daily use of loudspeakers in the state and police inaction. The law is equal for all and appeasement of any community must stop, said BJP MLA Sudhir Mungantiwar. In his response, Fadnavis said, 'Not a single religious structure has a loudspeaker in Mumbai.' The government has formulated a standard operating procedure for removing loudspeakers, which is being implemented across the state. He added that a compliance report was presented to the Bombay High Court, which was pleased with the action. 'We have started this in all districts in the state. A total of 3,367 loudspeakers have been removed from all the religious structures.' The police harmoniously removed all loudspeakers from religious structures in the last few months and registered no cases against anyone while doing so, he said. 'There is no resistance from any community. However, if someone resists or tries to reinstall, then the law will take its course.' To curb illegal use, he said the government plans to hold the local police station accountable if a religious structure in their jurisdiction is found to have an illegally installed loudspeaker. NCP legislator Sana Malik pointed out that the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules (2000), which regulate noise levels and protect citizens from excessive noise, is outdated and needs revision. 'The ambient noise level is much more than what was determined in the rules in 1986. I request the state to recommend a revision in it,' she said. The CM agreed and stated that the state would make such a recommendation to the central government, which could then amend the relevant law. 'I agree with her point. The ambient noise level is very low in the rules. The government will conduct a study and make a recommendation based on its findings,' Fadnavis told the state assembly. He also assured the House that the police would not harass the pandals for using loudspeakers during the Ganeshotsav and other festivals as long as they abide by the decibel rules. Shiv Sena (UBT) legislator Aaditya Thackeray made this request.
