Centre clarifies: Siddaramaiah was invited, asked to preside over Sigandur event

Posted on by Vividh Bharathi

Bengaluru, July 14 (IANS) Responding to objections raised by Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah over his request to reschedule the inauguration of the Sigandur cable bridge project, allegedly being neglected by the Union Government, the Centre has clarified that the Chief Minister was invited to the event on June 11 and was also requested to preside over the programme.

Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, taking to social media platform X, on Monday, stated, “A major step towards boosting regional connectivity, the inauguration and foundation stone laying ceremony for multiple key infrastructure projects is being held on Monday in Shivamogga, Karnataka.”

“An official invitation was duly extended to the Chief Minister of Karnataka, Siddaramaiah Ji, on 11th July 2025, inviting him to preside over the programme. In light of any possible scheduling challenges, a subsequent letter was sent on 12th July, requesting his virtual presence,” Union Minister Gadkari stated.

“The Central Government continues to uphold established protocols and has consistently appreciated the contributions and cooperation of the Government of Karnataka and the Chief Minister. It remains committed to cooperative federalism and close coordination with all states,” the Union Minister emphasised.

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari further attached letters sent to CM Siddaramaiah in this regard on his post on X.

The inauguration of the 2.12-kilometre-long Sigandur Bridge, built at a cost of Rs 473 crore, has run into controversy after Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah alleged that protocol was not followed and announced that no local Ministers or MLAs from the state government would attend the event.

Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru on Monday, CM Siddaramaiah stated that it was the Centre that had initiated the conflict.

The Chief Minister stated that he had written a letter to Union Minister Gadkari regarding the timing of the inauguration and had requested that the event be postponed as he had a prior engagement.

Responding to a question on Monday about the inauguration, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said he had spoken to Union Minister Gadkari over the phone and also written to him, requesting a change in schedule for the programme in Sagara taluk.

Although Union Minister Gadkari had agreed to reschedule the event, the programme was schedule for Monday under pressure from local BJP leaders, without informing him, CM Siddaramaiah stated.

He said he would not be able to attend the event in Sagara taluk due to a prior engagement in Vijayapura district.

In protest against what he termed the BJP’s conduct, CM Siddaramaiah declared that no Ministers or local MLAs from the state government would participate in the inauguration. He reiterated that protocol was not followed and held the Union government responsible for the clash.

–IANS

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Mumbai, May 15 (IANS) The Maharashtra government on Thursday issued a gazette notification whereby the police head constable can also now investigate the offence in Greater Mumbai and the rest of the state as per sub-section (1) of section 176 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023.

Earlier, only senior police inspectors or sub-inspectors were empowered to conduct the investigation of offences. Section 176 outlines the procedure for investigation and its legal implications.

As per the gazette notification the police personnel should be Head Constable and above; or Police Constable with degree, seven years of service as police constable and completion of six weeks of special training at Detective Training School, Nashik and passed the examination held in such training can hold an investigation. In addition, there should not be any departmental inquiries pending against him.

Sub section (1) of section 176 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 says: “If, from information received or otherwise, an officer in charge of a police station has reason to suspect the commission of an offence which he is empowered under section 175 to investigate, he shall forthwith send a report of the same to a Magistrate empowered to take cognizance of such offence upon a police report and shall proceed in person, or shall depute one of his subordinate officers not being below such rank as the state government may, by general or special order, prescribe in this behalf, to proceed, to the spot, to investigate the facts and circumstances of the case, and, if necessary, to take measures for the discovery and arrest of the offender.”

Earlier, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who holds the Home Department, in February this year announced the full implementation of new criminal laws in six months.

He said that the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), and Bharatiya Sakshya Sanhita (BSS) would help establish a fast and progressive law and order system in the state.

“Twenty-seven mobile forensic vans have been deployed, and within the next six months, a complete network will be established. In cases where the punishment exceeds seven years, forensic testing will now be conducted on-site through these mobile forensic vans. This will help gather high-quality evidence. Ninety per cent of Maharashtra’s two lakh-strong police force has been trained in these laws, and the remaining 10 per cent will complete training by March 31,” he said.

Fadnavis further stated that to ensure that accused individuals do not have to be physically presented in court repeatedly, new legal provisions allow for testimony to be recorded from prisons through dedicated cubicles connected to courts via online systems. Each court will have its own designated cubicle. This project is expected to be completed within six to eight months. This initiative will reduce pressure on police transport, enhance security, and minimise courtroom congestion.

“Under the new laws, repeated adjournments in courts will not be permitted, and government lawyers will need to be trained accordingly. The meeting provided valuable guidance, and Maharashtra will accelerate efforts to implement these three laws more effectively,” said Fadnavis.

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Housing society residents in Gurugram asked to vacate ‘unsafe’ towers within 15 days

Gurugram, March 20 (IANS) The Gurugram administration, on Thursday, directed the residents of three towers of the Chintels Paradiso condominium in Sector-109 to vacate them within 15 days or else the Disaster Management Act would be enforced, officials said.

Gurugram District Magistrate and Chairman of District Disaster Management Authority, Ajay Kumar, has directed orders to implement Section 163 of the Indian Civil Defence Code regarding the citizens living in these towers of the housing society to vacate their accomodation with immediate effect.

Section 163 of the Indian Civil Defence Code along with Section 34 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, have been imposed to prevent danger to human life, health and safety, in view of the imminent danger to life and property of the residents living in Towers A, B and C of the housing society.

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These towers’ residents after vacating their flats must be handed over to the builder of the housing society, the DM order said.

In a report, Central Building Research Institute (CBRI) declared Towers A, B and C were unsafe to live in.

Towers D, E, F, G, J and H of the housing society have already been vacated.

Gurugram District Town Planner (Enforcement), Manish Yadav has been appointed as the nodal officer and duty magistrate to monitor the orders mandated by the District Magistrate.

It has also been said in the orders that the help of the police personnel can also be taken to comply with the orders.

The matter of payment of compensation to the residents/flat owners by the developer is being dealt with separately by the Special Investigation Team constituted in this matter.

The builder of the housing society has been directed to settle all the claims of all the allottees of the housing society in a time-bound manner.

“If anyone is found guilty of violating the orders issued, then action will be taken under Section 223 of the Indian Penal Code 2023 and Sections 51 to 60 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, and other legal provisions applicable,” the orders stated.

On February 10, 2022, six floors of Tower D of the housing society collapsed partially, killing two residents.

There are nine towers in the housing society, of which all of them have been declared unsafe till now.

The district administration on the recommendations of IIT Delhi and the CBRI declared these towers of the housing society unsafe.

“These towers are unsafe and any unwanted incident can take place anytime. The builder would pay for the relocation of the residents. We cannot let people risk their lives,” said a senior district administration official, requesting anonymity.

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K’taka BJP leader Sriramulu threatens to quit amid rift with party MLA Janardhana Reddy

Bengaluru, Jan 22 (IANS) The infighting within the Karnataka BJP has come to the forefront, with former minister B. Sriramulu accusing mining baron and MLA Gali Janardhana Reddy of attempting to undermine his political career.

Sriramulu, a prominent leader representing the oppressed classes, has expressed his willingness to resign from the party in response to these tensions.

Addressing the media, Sriramulu claimed that BJP Karnataka in-charge Radha Mohan Agarwal had humiliated him during a recent state core committee meeting. According to Sriramulu, Agarwal blamed him for the party’s defeat in the by-election for the Sandur Assembly constituency.

“Agarwal alleged that I did not work for BJP candidate Bangaru Hanumantha, leading to the party’s loss,” Sriramulu said.

Countering these allegations, Sriramulu pointed out that the committee led by former Chief Minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda had not yet submitted its report on the bypoll defeat. “I questioned State President B.Y. Vijayendra’s silence on the matter. Vijayendra knows I actively campaigned in the Sandur constituency from day one, as he was present there. I only left for Shiggaon in the final days of the election to support the BJP candidate there,” Sriramulu explained.

The BJP leader said he was deeply hurt by the accusations and alleged that Janardhana Reddy had been influencing the party leadership against him. “Reddy is acting like a dictator, expecting the party to function according to his whims. I’ve been a loyal party worker for three decades and have never betrayed the BJP. Yet, conspiracies are being hatched against me,” Sriramulu charged.

Sriramulu revealed that he had contemplated resigning from the party but was persuaded otherwise by Agarwal, who intervened and urged him not to take such an extreme step.

According to sources, Sriramulu has raised his concerns with the BJP’s central leadership.

The state BJP core committee meeting, held on Tuesday night, has exposed further cracks within the party. The open rebellion by former ministers Ramesh Jarkiholi and Basanagouda Patil Yatnal against State President Vijayendra has already dented the party’s image and caused confusion among workers statewide.

Meanwhile, the party is gearing up for elections to appoint district and state presidents.

Sriramulu and Janardhana Reddy, once known as close allies in Karnataka politics, now find themselves at odds. While Reddy played a key role in Sriramulu’s rise in state politics, the two have grown apart. Sriramulu chose not to join Reddy’s Karnataka Rajya Pragathi Paksha (KRPP), launched before the state assembly elections. In March 2024, ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, Reddy merged the KRPP with the BJP, further complicating their relationship.

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