WhatsApp pics row: Tanveer Sait meets CM, says ready for probe

November 13, 2016

Bengaluru, Nov 13: Amid demands for his resignation for allegedly looking at girls' pictures on his mobile at a public function, Karnataka Minister Tanveer Sait today met Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and said he was ready to face any probe in the incident.

Sait said he will abide by the decision of the Chief Minister and claimed he had filed a police complaint against the reporter and cameraman of a TV News channel, who had made the controversial footage, with an intention to obtain the complete raw video.

"In the wake of media reports about watching mobile during Tipu Jayanti celebrations, I personally met Chief Minister and have given complete information in detail," Sait told reporters after the meeting.

"I have informed the Chief Minister that I have filed the complaint with an intention to get an opportunity to telecast the entire unedited raw video and to get the video for inquiry, as the media were telecasting just 2-3 seconds of video and there was confusion about me viewing some pictures and also video," he added.

Sait, who is the Minister for Primary and Secondary Education, had on Thursday landed in a controversy after video footage emerged showing him purportedly watching pictures of skimpily clad girls on his mobile on dais at a public function to mark Tipu Jayanti celebrations in Raichur district.

Raichur Police had yesterday booked a reporter and a cameraman of a channel, who had taken the controversial footage, under IPC section 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace) on a complaint by Sait.

Opposition BJP and JD(S) besides veteran Congress leader Janardhan Poojary have demanded his removal.

Sait said he had not done anything that would malign his party, government and public who have voted him.

"I have told Chief Minister that I'm ready for any inquiry and will abide by any decision he takes," he said.

Siddaramaiah had earlier said he has sought a report, on the basis of which an inquiry will be conducted before taking any action.

To a question on filing a complaint against journalists belonging to a media channel, Sait said, "When I had sought entire raw video from the media channel, they said they can't give.

"I could have obtained only after filing a complaint. I have clearly said in my complaint also that the background for it is to obtain the raw video and subject it to inquiry."

"I have given complete details, in this regard too, to the Chief Minister," he added.

Sait said the Chief Minister has also obtained certain information about the incident from the Cyber Crime Division.

"I will abide by any decision of the Chief Minister and the party. I will not indulge in any activity that will cause discomfort to them," he added.

Comments

didn't you know to switch off the mobile when you are there around those hawks....

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.

QR-code tips power Mangaluru's major drug bust: 25 arrested in 2 weeks

News Network

December 16,2025

Mangaluru, Dec 16: The Mangaluru City police have significantly escalated their campaign against drug trafficking, arresting 25 individuals and booking 12 cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act between November 30 and December 13. The crackdown resulted in the seizure of a substantial quantity of illicit substances, including 685.6 grams of MDMA and 1.5 kg of ganja.

The success of this recent drive has been significantly boosted by the city’s innovative, QR code-based anonymous reporting system.

"The anonymous reporting system has received an encouraging response. Several recent arrests were made based on inputs received through this system, helping police tighten the noose around drug peddlers," said the City Police Commissioner.

The latest arrests contribute to a robust year-to-date record, underscoring the police's relentless commitment to combating the drug menace.

Up to December 14 this year, the police have registered a total of 107 cases of drug peddling, leading to the arrest of 219 peddlers. Furthermore, they have booked 562 cases of drug consumption, resulting in the arrest of 671 individuals.

The scale of the seizure for the year reflects the magnitude of the problem being tackled: police have seized 320.6 kg of ganja worth ₹88.7 lakh and 1.4 kg of MDMA valued at ₹1.2 crore. Other significant seizures include hydro-weed ganja worth ₹94.7 lakh and cocaine worth ₹1.9 lakh, among others.

The Commissioner emphasized a policy of rigorous enforcement: "We ensure that peddlers are caught red-handed so that they cannot later dispute the case or claim innocence."

To counter the rising trend of substance abuse among youth, the Mangaluru City police have rolled out uniform guidelines for random drug testing across educational institutions.

As part of the drive, tests were conducted in approximately 100 institutions, screening an estimated 5,500 to 6,000 students in the first phase. 20 students tested positive for drug consumption during the initial screening.

Students who tested positive have been provided counselling and are scheduled for re-testing in the second quarter. The testing will also be expanded to students not covered in the first phase. In a move to ensure strict implementation, police personnel were deployed in mufti in some institutions. Reiterating a zero-tolerance stance, the Commissioner confirmed that random testing will continue, and colleges have also been instructed to conduct drug tests at the time of admission to deter substance abuse from an early stage.

Comments