CM Siddaramaiah launches works worth Rs 1,146 crore; approves 100ft road in Maddur town
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Time of India
32 minutes ago
- Time of India
K'taka ex-MP Prajwal gets life term for raping domestic help
. BENGALURU: Former JD(S) MP Prajwal Revanna was sentenced to life imprisonment Saturday after being found guilty of repeatedly raping a 47-year-old domestic worker, the first of three rape cases filed against him. The 34-year-old grandson of former PM HD Deve Gowda, once seen as a rising political star, became the first former MP in Karnataka to get life term as a convicted rapist. Special court judge Santosh Gajanan Bhat delivered the sentence in a packed courtroom, a day after Prajwal was convicted under eight sections of IPC. Two of those - IPC 376(2)(k) and 376(2)(n) - triggered a life sentence for rape by a person in a position of control and for repeated rape of a woman. Prajwal stood still, wearing a striped light blue shirt with a vermilion-sandal mark on his forehead. As the sentence was read out, he broke down. "Sir, I'm a mechanical engineer, I have passed all my exams on merit," the former Hassan parliamentarian said. "I bow to the court, but I request a lesser sentence." You Can Also Check: Bengaluru AQI | Weather in Bengaluru | Bank Holidays in Bengaluru | Public Holidays in Bengaluru The court fined Prajwal Rs 11.6 lakh, Rs 11.25 lakh of which is to be paid as compensation to the survivor. Earlier in the day, additional special public prosecutor BN Jagadish urged the court to impose the harshest punishment. "The accused was an MP when he committed the offence. He raped an illiterate woman earning just Rs 10,000 a month. He blackmailed her, made obscene videos, and is facing similar charges in other cases," he said. "She even contemplated suicide." Special prosecutor Ashok Nayak added: "He's a crorepati, elected to serve the public. Instead, he ruined a woman's life. The fine must be heavy so that she gets justice." The case followed an FIR in April last year against Prajwal. The woman alleged sexual abuse when she worked in Prajwal's household between 2019 and 2022. The survivor alleged Prajwal exploited her over months, filmed her without consent, and used them to blackmail her. The woman alleged sleaze videos of Prajwal surfaced during 2024 LS election campaign, and her husband began suspecting her. Prajwal was arrested in June. His conviction put his family under intense scrutiny as his father HD Revanna, a former MLA, mother Bhavani, and brother Suraj, a surgeon-turned-politician, also face serious allegations. SIT chief BK Singh praised the survivor's courage. 'She stood like a rock. The defence tried every possible way to derail the proceedings,' he said. SIT faced challenges in gathering evidence since the crime occurred nearly four years before the survivor filed her complaint. 'Despite the time gap, her testimony proved crucial,' Singh said. Prajwal's counsel Nalini Mayegowda, alleged political conspiracy. 'Why did the woman come forward only just before the elections, despite SIT inviting complaints earlier? Is this not politically timed to ensure his defeat?' she said, pleading for leniency based on his age, character, and political record. . Prajwal addressed the court saying, 'If I raped her, why didn't she tell her sister who worked on our farm? She never came forward until the videos went viral. Now they say I've raped multiple women — but no one filed complaints voluntarily.' Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Friendship Day wishes , messages and quotes !
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
EC doubles pay for BLOs involved in roll revision
. NEW DELHI: A day after asking its poll personnel in the field to ignore repeated threats and allegations by some opposition netas and continue working impartially, the Election Commission decided to reward the officers involved in electoral roll revision, reports Bharti Jain. For booth-level officers (BLOs), annual remuneration and incentive for roll revision stands doubled to Rs 12,000 and Rs 2,000 respectively. These rates were last revised in 2015. BLOs will also get Rs 6,000 as special incentive for special intensive revision (SIR). The BLO supervisor will receive an annual remuneration of Rs 18,000 as against Rs 12,000, in force since 2015. EROs and assistant EROs, who did not get any honorarium so far, will now receive an honorarium of Rs 30,000 and Rs 25,000 each. Stating that pure electoral rolls are bedrock of democracy, EC Saturday commended the electoral roll machinery comprising EROs, Asst EROs, BLO supervisors and BLOs for doing "a lot or hard work" and playing "a pivotal role in preparation of transparent rolls". The commission said decision to raise their remuneration/incentive 'reflects EC's commitment to adequately compensate election personnel who work tirelessly at field level to maintain accurate poll rolls, assist voters and strengthen the electoral process'. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Moose Approaches Girl At Bus Stop In As Suways - Watch What Happens Happy in Shape Undo The raised compensation comes after repeated attacks by opposition parties against the EC. On Friday, Rahul Gandhi had accused the EC of 'vote chori' (vote theft) during Lok Sabha polls in Karnataka and said he had an 'atom bomb' of evidence to back his claim.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Tomatoes get expensive as rains hit supply, quality
Pune/Nashik: Tomato prices in the city soared to Rs 60 to Rs 70 per kg in retail markets and hit Rs 90 to Rs 100 a kg on quick commerce platforms. Rainfall and supply disruptions have led to limited supply in the market, pushing up prices. A Pune Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) official said, "Owing to the rainfall, the supply of tomatoes has reduced in the market. The quality is also compromised usually in the monsoon. Wholesale rates are trending at around Rs 40 per kg," said Sharad Gongade, secretary of the Narayangaon market, a major hub for tomatoes in the state, said, "Prices have increased to Rs 700 to Rs 800 per 20kg crate now owing to lesser supply in the market. Prices should come down in a few weeks in August." You Can Also Check: Pune AQI | Weather in Pune | Bank Holidays in Pune | Public Holidays in Pune The average wholesale tomato price was recorded at Rs 911 a crate or Rs 45.55 per kg at Pimpalgaon and Nashik APMCs in Nashik district on Friday. The average wholesale tomato price increased by 153% in the last 14 days, from Rs 18 per kg on July 18 to Rs 45.55 per kg on Friday at Pimpalgaon and Nashik APMCs. In retail markets of Nashik, the tomato price increased from Rs 25 per kg on July 18 to Rs 70 per kg to date. Rajendra Khare, an official from Nashik APMC overseeing the tomato section, said rain damaged tomato crops, causing a drop in the arrivals of the produce. The arrivals of the tomatoes have dropped by around 40% in the last fortnight, from 10,500 crates per day around a fortnight back to around 7,000 crates per day so far. "The price of tomatoes depends on the quality of the vegetable. People have no choice but to buy it. In wholesale markets, the price for small tomatoes is Rs 30 to Rs 35 per kg, and in retail, we are selling at Rs 50 to Rs 60 per kg," said Rajesh Borude, a vendor at Somwar Peth. Rohit Suryanwanshi, a vendor at the Hadaspar vegetable market, said that prices in the retail market are between Rs 45 to Rs 60 depending on the quality. "Supply is less in the market, and that is the reason prices are higher. Best quality tomatoes are selling at around Rs 60 a kg," he said. Traders said the upward trend of prices is likely to continue till mid-August or more until the new produce reaches markets. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Friendship Day wishes , messages and quotes !
