ISF urges Indian govt to address the woes of Indian expats in Saudi Arabia

Bengaluru: Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Sunday criticised the Union Budget presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, claiming it offered no tangible benefit to the state.

Though he said he was yet to study the budget in detail, Shivakumar asserted that Karnataka had gained little from it. “There is no benefit for our state from the central budget. I was observing it. They have now named a programme after Mahatma Gandhi, after repealing the MGNREGA Act that was named after him,” he said.

Speaking to reporters here, the Deputy Chief Minister demanded the restoration of MGNREGA, and made it clear that the newly enacted rural employment scheme — VB-G RAM G — which proposes a 60:40 fund-sharing formula between the Centre and the states, would not be implemented in Karnataka.

“I don’t see any major share for our state in this budget,” he added.

Shivakumar, who also holds charge of Bengaluru development, said there were high expectations for the city from the Union Budget. “The Prime Minister calls Bengaluru a ‘global city’, but what has the Centre done for it?” he asked.

He also drew attention to the problems faced by sugar factories, particularly those in the cooperative sector, alleging a lack of timely decisions and support from the central government.

Noting that the Centre has the authority to fix the minimum support price (MSP) for agricultural produce, Shivakumar said the Union government must take concrete steps to protect farmers’ interests.

Kolar / Dammam / Riyadh: An Indian civil engineer from Karnataka, who had gone missing from his workplace in Saudi Arabia, has been freed from jail and safely reunited with his family after three months, bringing immense relief to his relatives and well-wishers.

Mr. Byreddy Chennakeshappa, a native of Kolar district, was working as a site engineer with a construction company in Dammam. In September 2025, he suddenly became unreachable, with his mobile phone switched off and no communication with family members or friends, triggering serious concern back home.

With no clear information available, the family sought help through community networks in the Gulf. The matter was eventually brought to the attention of Riyadh-based social worker and pro bono lawyer P. A. Hameed Padubidri through Rafiq Kundanda, a Dubai-based Kannadiga, and his friend Mr. Varun Kolar (Dubai).

Efforts to Trace His Whereabouts

Following coordinated efforts and inquiries with the concerned company and authorities, it was confirmed that Mr. Byreddy was in Dammam and undergoing legal procedures related to a workplace matter.

Mr. Byreddy has been associated with the same company for several years. He had earlier worked there for nearly nine years, rejoined after a brief gap, and had been working continuously for over two years at the time of the incident.

Support from Official Channels

Dr. P. A. Hameed extended full support and assistance to the family by coordinating with the company, approaching relevant official channels, and seeking the intervention of the Human Rights Commission (HRC), Dammam.

An authorisation letter from the Indian Embassy was also obtained to facilitate communication and legal representation with the concerned authorities, ensuring that the matter was followed up in accordance with local laws.

Positive Outcome After Follow-ups

After sustained follow-ups and coordination with all stakeholders, the issue was resolved. Mr. Byreddy was released and permitted to reunite with his family. He is now safe and back home with his loved ones.

Family Expresses Gratitude

Mr. Byreddy’s brother-in-law, Mr. Naveen (Bengaluru), along with Mr. Varun Kolar (Dubai), expressed their sincere gratitude to Dr. P. A. Hameed for his guidance and unwavering support during the difficult period.

They also acknowledged the cooperation extended by the Human Rights Commission, Dammam, and the Indian Embassy in Riyadh, noting that timely assistance and effective coordination played a crucial role in resolving the matter.

Community Support Matters

The incident underscores the importance of community support systems, social workers, and diplomatic channels in assisting Indian nationals abroad during challenging situations.

What began as a period of uncertainty and anxiety has ended on a reassuring note, offering comfort to the family and renewed faith in collective humanitarian efforts and the Saudi legal system.

Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court has refused to quash an investigation against a WhatsApp group administrator accused of allowing the circulation of obscene and offensive images depicting Hindutva politicians and idols in 2021.

Justice M Nagaprasanna observed that, prima facie, the ingredients of the offence under Section 295A of the Indian Penal Code were made out. “The offence under Section 295A of the IPC is met to every word of its ingredient, albeit prima facie,” the judge said.

The petitioner, Sirajuddin, a resident of Belthangady taluk in Dakshina Kannada district, had challenged the FIR registered against him at the CEN (Cyber, Economics and Narcotics) police station, Mangaluru, for offences under Section 295A of the IPC and Section 67 of the Information Technology Act. Section 295A relates to punishment for deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage the religious feelings of any class of citizens.

According to the complaint filed by K Jayaraj Salian, also a resident of Belthangady taluk, he received a WhatsApp group link from an unknown source and was added to the group after accessing it. The group reportedly had six administrators and around 250 participants, where obscene and offensive images depicting Hindu deities and certain political figures were allegedly circulated repeatedly.

Sirajuddin was arrested in connection with the case and later released on bail on February 16, 2021. He argued before the court that he was being selectively targeted, while other administrators—including the creator of the group—were neither arrested nor investigated. He also contended that the Magistrate could not have taken cognisance of the offence under Section 295A without prior sanction under Section 196(1) of the CrPC.

Rejecting the argument, Justice Nagaprasanna held that prior sanction is required only at the stage of taking cognisance, and not at the stage of registration of the crime or during investigation.

The judge noted that the State had produced the entire investigation material before the court. “A perusal of the material reveals depictions of Hindu deities in an extraordinarily obscene, demeaning and profane manner. The content is such that its reproduction in a judicial order would itself be inappropriate,” the court said, adding that the material, on its face, had the tendency to outrage religious feelings and disturb communal harmony.

Observing that the case was still at the investigation stage, the court said it could not interdict the probe at this juncture. However, it expressed concern that the investigating officer appeared to have not proceeded uniformly against all administrators. The court clarified that if the investigation revealed the active involvement of any member in permitting the circulation of such content, they must also be proceeded against.

“At this investigative stage, any further observation by this Court would be unnecessary,” the order concluded.