‘CM still an accused’: Vijayendra on MUDA row

OB Bureau

BJP Karnataka unit president B.Y. Vijayendra has maintained that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his family members continue to be accused in the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) scam, asserting that the Supreme Court has not cleared them of wrongdoing.

Speaking to the press midweek, Vijayendra said that although the Supreme Court had rejected the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) petition, this did not amount to a clean chit for the Chief Minister. He pointed out that an FIR in the case remained active and insisted that Siddaramaiah still stood accused.

He acknowledged the apex court’s dismissal of the ED’s Special Leave Petition (SLP) challenging a Karnataka High Court order that had quashed a notice issued to Siddaramaiah’s wife. He stated that the BJP respected the observations made by the court but added that this should not be interpreted as exoneration.

Vijayendra reiterated the party’s demand for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the matter, claiming that the case was serious and warranted deeper investigation.

The Chief Minister, on the other hand, had welcomed the Supreme Court’s decision and demanded public apologies from BJP and JD(S) leaders, saying the verdict vindicated him.

During the hearing, the Chief Justice of India, B.R. Gavai, had questioned the ED’s conduct, warning the agency against being used for political ends. The bench noted that political disputes should be resolved through the electoral process, not through enforcement actions, and hinted that it could issue harsh observations against the agency if necessary.

Vijayendra also responded to the state government’s recent decision to form a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe allegations of mass graves found near a Hindu pilgrimage centre in coastal Karnataka. He said the investigation should be conducted in a transparent and thorough manner, but cautioned the government against using the issue to spread disharmony or misinformation.

He further condemned alleged disruptions outside the BJP headquarters, Jagannath Bhavan, by Congress workers. He said such acts were unacceptable and claimed that a memorandum had already been submitted to the Bengaluru Police Commissioner, urging authorities to curb what he described as political mischief. He also called upon Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar to take responsibility and put a stop to such behaviour.

BJP to hit streets on Aug 1

OB Bureau

The BJP, in collaboration with Madiga community organisations, has announced statewide protests across the state on August 1 to push for the implementation of internal reservations for the Scheduled Caste Madiga community.

Former Union Minister A. Narayanaswamy and BJP MP Govind Karjol, speaking at a press conference in the city, said demonstrations would be held outside Deputy Commissioners’ offices in every district. The protests mark one year since the Supreme Court’s ruling on internal reservations, delivered by Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud.

Narayanaswamy cautioned that if the state government fails to bring a resolution on internal reservation to the Assembly by August 10, a Karnataka bandh would be called. He added that a massive gathering involving over 4,000 people is being planned to decide the next steps.

He accused the Congress government of dragging its feet on the issue and not cooperating with the Naganmohan Das Commission, which was formed to look into internal quota implementation. “The commission hasn’t received basic data on political and employment representation, and there’s no clarity on its status even after six months,” he said.

Citing examples from other states, he pointed out that internal reservation had been introduced in Telangana in 1999, supported by its High Court, and later implemented in Andhra Pradesh and Punjab. He claimed that the Congress, despite past promises, had failed to act decisively.

Karjol demanded that the quota be implemented by August 16 and warned that failure to act would lead to intensified protests. He recalled the Congress’ manifesto promise during the 2023 elections and criticised the delay in the Naganmohan Das panel’s report, which was due in 40 days but remains pending.

Both leaders said the government’s inaction over the Kantharaj Report and delays in Panchayat elections highlight its disregard for backward communities.

Other BJP leaders, including party spokesperson H. Venkatesh Dodderi and SC Morcha Vice-President Hoodi Manjunath, were also present at the briefing.

BJP MLA’s son named in sexual assault FIR

OB Bureau

A 25-year-old woman has accused Prateek Chouhan, son of BJP MLA Prabhu Chouhan, of repeatedly raping her under the false promise of marriage. She has also alleged harassment and issued a desperate appeal for justice, warning that she and her family would end their lives if action is not taken.

Addressing the media on Monday, the woman alleged that she had met Prateek through social media, and over time, a relationship developed during which he promised to marry her. She claimed that he took her to a lodge in Bengaluru where he sexually assaulted her. She further stated that despite claiming to see her as a daughter, MLA Prabhu Chouhan had defamed her instead of supporting her.

According to her statement, after the alleged assault in Bengaluru, the two got engaged. However, the marriage was repeatedly postponed, and the accused and his family allegedly began questioning her character. She accused Prateek of continuing to exploit her sexually and claimed he was involved with multiple women.

The woman also recounted a second alleged incident of rape in Shirdi, where she said Prateek confined her to a room and assaulted her despite her resistance. On another occasion, she alleged that Prateek came to her house on November 1 and asked her to cut her wrist to prove her love. When she refused, she said he took her hand and inflicted an injury himself. She was later taken to hospital for treatment.

She has expressed trust in the Bidar police and the State Women’s Commission but said that no local politician had come forward to support her. She also alleged that she and her family were receiving life threats from the MLA’s supporters and sought police protection.

The Bidar Women’s Police Station has registered an FIR under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code, including Section 376(2)(n) for repeated rape, 366 for abduction, 506 for criminal intimidation, and 324 for causing hurt using dangerous weapons. An investigation is underway.