Bengaluru Apr 25 PTI The Criminal Investigation Department CID probing the irregularities in the recruitment of police sub-inspectors in Karnataka has summoned Congress MLA Priyank Kharge Home Minister Araga Jnanendra said on Monday Kharge had recently released an audio recording of a conversation regarding the irregularities in the SI recruitment which he said was submitted to him Jnanendra said in a statement The CID probing the irregularities in the SI recruitment has issued a notice to Priyank Kharge to appear before it for questioning I appeal to the MLA to display his responsibility and assist the CID which is probing the case in the right direction by sharing evidence with them the minister said Kharge should cooperate with the probe by sharing the documents with him and other information with the CID officials and he should at least assist in ensuring legal action against those involved in the irregularities he said As an impartial probe is on there is no question of sparing anyone however influential that person is Jnanendra said The minister said he ordered a probe into the matter after discussing with Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai to render justice to the candidates who sincerely wrote the SI exam but could not get selected Such irregularities cause immense damage to society when the talented aspirants coming from poor families are cornered due to such illegalities he said Kharge a former minister alleged that the CID served him a notice to divert attention as the investigation is heading nowhere The Congress legislator also said he can give his reply in writing and there was no compulsion on him to appear in person Refuting the charge that he led a sting operation Kharge told reporters in Bengaluru that the information he shared was already in the public domain such as documents signed by the officials replies given in the Karnataka legislature assembly and council The transcript of the audio was published in newspapers he added What information do they have then If they have no information why are they hiding it Shouldnt they give the information I have been served notice but not the person who had meals with the accused and the head of the executive head of recruitment Kharge charged The Congress has reacted sharply to the notice and rallied behind Kharge The notice to PriyankKharge by CID police after karkalasunils statement implies that BJP4Karnataka is trying to silence everyone speaking on the scam Corruption is part of BJPs DNA and no lies can deny this Investigating agencies may be with BJP but people are with us sic Siddaramaiah tweeted He alleged that the demand by Energy Minister K Sunil Kumar to initiate investigation against Kharge for questioning the SI scam exposes the political bankruptcy of BJP government in Karnataka We will not budge to these threats INCKarnataka stands with PriyankKharge Siddaramaiah further tweeted Congress state president D K Shivakumar and senior party MLA U T Khader too took strong exception to the notice and said the party will not be intimidated by such notices Speaking to reporters in Mangaluru Khader said the government should hold a comprehensive probe into the recruitment scam He said the corruption in the process cannot be done without the involvement of officials of the department concerned A blacklisted college was chosen as the examination centre to execute the plan for corruption he alleged Khader also slammed the CID that is probing the scam for issuing notice to Kharge who shared the information on the public domain The scam happened in Kalaburagi district and Kharge is an MLA from Chittapur assembly constituency in the same district His father Mallikarjun Kharge a former Union minister too was an MP from Gulbarga Kalaburagi Lok Sabha constituency More than 10 people have been arrested including the Afzalpur MLAs gunman A BJP leader who was close to many high-profile leaders in Karnataka is on the run while her husband has been arrested The case came to light after an aspirant was given 100 per cent marks though he had attempted only 21 questions in one of the question papers More than 54000 candidates wrote the exam for 545 posts Police sources said the initial probe revealed that up to Rs 75 lakh to 80 lakh was charged from the candidates as bribe PTI GMS MVG HDA HDA

Bengaluru Mar 23 PTI The Karnataka government on Wednesday sought to distance itself from the issue regarding denial of permission for Muslim traders and vendors to carry out business during Hindu festivals and annual temple fairs in parts of the state citing rules Clarifying that the rule does not apply to street vendors outside the temple premises and action will be taken if any obstructions have been caused to them the government said it will look into the rules and actual situation on the ground before taking any further step on the matter This was in response to questions raised by opposition members in the legislative assembly following reports that banners were placed during the annual Kaup Marigudi festival in Udupi district stating that Muslim vendors and traders should not be allowed entry Similar banners were also said to have been displayed at Padubidri temple festival and also at couple of temples in Dakshina Kannada district While framing rules to Karnataka Hindu Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowments act in 2002 Rule 12 states that no property including land building or site situated near the institution shall be leased to non-Hindus Citing these rules posters and banners have been put up Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister J C Madhuswamy said Observing that it is being alleged street vendors are obstructed from engaging in trade he said if any obstruction is being caused to them outside the premise of a religious place it will be rectified and action will be taken If things are happening other community vendors trading within the premises they will have to follow the rules Our BJP government did not formulate these rules The rules were formulated by the Congress government in 2002 and now you are trying to put blame on us he said adding that rules should be followed Stating that the rules are wrong whoever may have made it Leader of Opposition Siddaramaiah said when there is free trade such things cannot be allowed He urged the government to take action against those who are trying to disturb harmony and to restrict such activities How can anyone ask street vendors not to trade for religious reasons he questioned Intervening Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said areas near religious places during temple fairs are leased out and those who take on lease will give sublease to traders These decisions are by those who have taken leasewe will look into what the rules say and what has happened there on the ground he said Raising the issue during Zero Hour Congress deputy leader in the assembly U T Khader said some forces are trying to disturb tranquility in the society by creating issues When street vendors are earning their daily wages by trading at some religious places banners are being put up stating that vendors from certain communities should not trade nearby Some cruel-minded cowards are doing it No religion supports it he said Some BJP MLAs including K G Bopaiah took strong objection to usage of the word coward leading to heated exchange between some opposition Congress and ruling party members Clarifying that he has not taken any religions name Khader questioned why police are not acting against people putting up such banners and urged the government to take strict action against those trying to spread communal hatred Another Congress MLA Rizwan Arshad said an attempt is being made to disturb harmony by putting banners and posters that traders and vendors from a particular community should not trade near a religious place Some fundamental organisations are supporting such things Arshad said as he asked the government to take action pointing out that this is the time of temple fairs and Urs and to protect the constitutional rights of people PTI KSU RS KSU HDA HDA

Belagavi (Andhra Pradesh) [India], December 16 (ANI): Strict action will be taken against the elements who disturb the communal harmony in the coastal district, said Home Minister Aarag Jnanendra said in the Belagavi Suvarna Vidhanasoudha on Thursday.