Karnataka govt to hand over Kalburgi murder case probe to CBI too

September 1, 2015

Bengaluru/Dharwad, Aug 31: The Karnataka government today decided to hand over to CBI the probe into the murder of noted Kannada progressive thinker and scholar M M Kalburgi even as his body was laid to rest with full state honours.

kalburgi
The state Cabinet took the decision to refer the case to the central agency, a day after the 77-year-old vocal and outspoken rationalist fell to the bullets of two unidentified men at his residence at Dharwad in north Karnataka, considered the state's cultural capital.

"We have decided along with handing over the case to CID, also to refer it to CBI," Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister T B Jayachandra told reporters in Bengaluru after a Cabinet meeting.

"CID will immediately start the investigation, we will also write to CBI. CBI can take over any time...," he said hours after Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had announced that the murder case would be probed by CID.

Holding that there were no proper updates from CBI on cases handed over to it earlier by the state government, Jayachandra said, "In such cases we will have to work immediately, we cannot wait for CBI. For immediate action CID will probing.

"There are some doubts and smell that is emerging, so investigation has to start immediately," he added.

Siddaramaiah had earlier said, "We have decided to hand over the case to CID...This incident should not have happened. It is highly condemnable.

"Whoever is behind this, we will catch them and punish according to law," said the Chief Minister, who visited Dharwad to pay last respects to Kalburgi yesterday.

Home Minister K J George said, "It will be investigated from all angles."

As the murder shook the Kannada literary world, Dharwad saw hundreds of admirers, students and citizens pay their last respect to Kalburgi before his body was taken in a procession, with many litterateurs and religious and political leaders paying homage.

The body was laid to rest with state honours in Dharwad as per the custom of the Lingayat community.

The murder of Kalburgi has prompted the state police to provide security to some noted litterateurs, including Jnanpeeth award winner Girish Karnad and S L Byrappa, who have often faced the anger of some groups for their views on different issues.

Meanwhile, a Bajrang Dal local activist was today arrested by Bantwal police in Dakshina Kannada district for allegedly posting remarks on Twitter threatening writer K S Bhagwan for his 'derogatory' remarks on the Bhagavad Gita.

Bajrang Dal co-convener Bhuvith Shetty was arrested after a case was registered against him, police said.

Bhagwan had drawn the wrath of right-wing activists after he allegedly disparaged the Bhagawad Gita while speaking at a programme in Mysuru in February this year.

The Mysuru police had strengthened security outside the residence of Bhagwan in Kuvempunagar. Shetty's tweet targeting Bhagwan for making "fun" of Hinduism had gone viral after it was circulated through WhatsApp.

Shetty later deleted the post but screen shots of the tweet had already been circulated.

Superintendent of Police S D Sharanappa said a suo motu case had been registered under section 153 (wantonly giving provocation with intent to cause riot) and section 506 (criminal intimidation) of IPC.

Kalburgi was an associate of rationalist Govind Pansare of Kolhapur in Maharashtra, who also fell victim in similar circumstances in February, and had drawn the ire of some right-wing Hindu outfits like VHP and Bajrang Dal with his remarks about idol worship by Hindus.

He had often spoken against superstitions and courted controversies with his outspoken stand.

Yesterday, the attackers had knocked at the door of Kalburgi's house claiming to be his students and as it was opened, they pumped bullets into his forehead and chest and fled. He died in a hospital.

Kalburgi had raised the hackles of right-wing outfits when he made certain remarks about idol worship by Hindus that were considered "derogatory" and "blasphemous" and also led to protests by them.

A winner of central and state "Sahitya Akademi" awards, he had also suggested the need for a better state anthem.

Part of his works on "Vachana"(verses)" literature had also come under criticism of the state's majority "Veerashaiva" (Lingayat) community, a liberal Shaivism founded by 12th century philosopher, poet and social reformer Basaveshwara.

Comments

Add new comment

  • Coastaldigest.com reserves the right to delete or block any comments.
  • Coastaldigset.com is not responsible for its readers’ comments.
  • Comments that are abusive, incendiary or irrelevant are strictly prohibited.
  • Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name to avoid reject.
News Network
May 6,2024

Bengaluru, May 6: Arrested JD-S MLA H.D. Revanna, the son of former PM H.D. Deve Gowda, on Sunday said that there is no evidence against him in the sex video scandal kidnapping case and that it was a "conspiracy" against him.

Talking to the media, while being taken for a medical test before being produced in front of a court here, Revanna stated that a kidnapping case had been lodged against him though he does not have 'one black mark' against him in his entire career of 40 years.

"Without evidence, I have been targeted... All allegations against me are false. My arrest has been made out of ill intention," he claimed.

"The case was lodged on April 28, then, they did not have any evidence. Later, the fake evidence was created on May 2 and I was fixed," he alleged.

Home Minister Dr G. Parameshwara stated on Sunday that a Blue Corner notice has already been issued against Revanna's son and MP Prajwal Revanna, the prime accused in the sex video scandal, as he is believed to be abroad.

"The Interpol will communicate to all nations and he will be located. Once he is located, the SIT will take a call on how he should be secured and brought back to India," he added.

Revanna was arrested on Saturday on charges of kidnapping one of the victims of the sex video scandal.

Parameshwara further maintained that the arrest of Revanna has saddened JD-S leaders and if action was not taken, the SIT would be blamed too.

Meanwhile, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge refused to comment on the alleged sex video scandal involving Prajwal Revanna.

About Revanna's arrest, he said that the SIT would initiate action as per the law. "Those indulging in such acts must be taught a lesson and justice should be given to the families of victims. No one can escape the law. No one should use this case politically," he stated.

Comments

Add new comment

  • Coastaldigest.com reserves the right to delete or block any comments.
  • Coastaldigset.com is not responsible for its readers’ comments.
  • Comments that are abusive, incendiary or irrelevant are strictly prohibited.
  • Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name to avoid reject.
News Network
May 19,2024

sirsi.jpg

In a heart-wrenching turn of events, the serene town of Banavasi in Sirsi taluk of Karnataka’s Uttara Kananda district, was struck by tragedy. A young boy lost his life after being struck by lightning on a fateful Saturday evening around 4p.m.

The victim, identified as 16-year-old Sajid Ashfaque Ali, was a bright tenth-grade student at Eden Way High School. Full of dreams and youthful energy, Sajid was enjoying an innocent game with his friends on the Jayanthi High School grounds when the unthinkable happened.

As ominous clouds gathered and rain began to pour, an unexpected bolt of lightning pierced the sky, striking Sajid. His friends watched in horror as he collapsed. Despite the desperate rush to get him to the hospital, Sajid's injuries proved fatal, and he passed away, leaving his family and community in shock and grief.

The rain that had started earlier that afternoon became a backdrop to this devastating incident, casting a pall over the Banavasi police station limits. Sajid’s body has been taken to the government hospital for a post-mortem examination, as the community grapples with the sudden and tragic loss of such a young life.

The tragic death of Sajid Ashfaque Ali is a poignant reminder of the unpredictability of nature and the fragile thread of life. His memory will linger in the hearts of those who knew and loved him, a young life taken too soon.

Comments

Add new comment

  • Coastaldigest.com reserves the right to delete or block any comments.
  • Coastaldigset.com is not responsible for its readers’ comments.
  • Comments that are abusive, incendiary or irrelevant are strictly prohibited.
  • Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name to avoid reject.
News Network
May 10,2024

girlKodagu.jpg

Madikeri: A 15-year-old was bludgeoned to death and the accused fled with her severed head at Mutlu village in Somwarpet of Kodagu district on Thursday late night, hours after her SSLC examination result was declared.  

The victim has been identified as US Meena, a 10th grade student of Surlabbi High School. She had passed the SSLC examination and her school attained 100% results. 

However, she was brutally murdered by accused Prakash (32), a resident of the village. The police have launched a search operation to find the suspect, said Kodagu SP K Ramarajan 

It is said that the minor girl's engagement with the suspect was thwarted by officials from Women and Child Development department on May 9, and later officials had even convinced her parents of not to marry the minor girl.

However, the suspect barged into her house in the night and allegedly kidnapped her. Later, he took her to an area near the periphery of the forest and murdered her after which he fled with her severed head.

Victim's mother too has suffered injuries and is admitted to a hospital for treatment. The reason for the murder will be known after the probing officials have inquired the victim's mother, said the SP. 

Comments

Add new comment

  • Coastaldigest.com reserves the right to delete or block any comments.
  • Coastaldigset.com is not responsible for its readers’ comments.
  • Comments that are abusive, incendiary or irrelevant are strictly prohibited.
  • Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name to avoid reject.