No woman will file false complaints with such allegations: K’taka CM on BJP MLC’s arrest

Posted on by Vividh Bharathi

Mandya (Karnataka), Dec 20 (IANS) Commenting on the arrest of BJP MLC, C.T. Ravi over alleged derogatory remarks against Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar on the floor of the Legislative Council, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said on Friday, “Generally, no woman will file a false complaint with such allegations.”

Responding to media queries in Mandya on Friday regarding the BJP’s protest in support of C.T. Ravi, CM Siddaramaiah questioned that if the accusation of using derogatory language was false, why was C.T. Ravi arrested?

“The BJP is supporting those who speak in a derogatory and insulting manner towards women. People present on the spot heard C.T. Ravi using foul language. There is audio and video evidence of the objectionable language he used,” he stated.

“However, I have not personally seen it. If Ravi’s words were false, why was he arrested? Women usually do not file false complaints in such cases. I do not know why C.T. Ravi used such derogatory language. This is a criminal offense,” the CM added.

Responding to media reports that Council Chairman Basavaraj Horatti mentioned C.T. Ravi used the word “frustration,” and not “prostitute” as is being claimed, the CM said, “C.T. Ravi now claims he used the word ‘frustration.’ This is an afterthought. He is saying this now, but the truth is that derogatory language was used, which is why the minister filed a complaint.”

“Other members also stated that they heard Ravi’s foul language. After the Chairman left the floor, the incident occurred, and many have confirmed that there is audio and video evidence of the derogatory word’s usage,” Siddaramaiah said.

Responding to C.T. Ravi’s statement that he received death threats and the government is responsible, the CM stated, “Once an FIR is filed, the police have to investigate, and legal action must be taken. Due to public outrage against C.T. Ravi in Belagavi, he was moved to Khanapur for his safety.”

Commenting over the issue, former Chief Minister and MP Basavaraj Bommai said the truth behind the alleged inappropriate statement made by MLC C.T. Ravi in the Legislative Council must be investigated.

Speaking to reporters in New Delhi on Friday, he stressed the need for a thorough enquiry into the matter.

“We cannot justify the behaviour of the police. In the past, this government did not punish those who chanted ‘Pakistan Zindabad’ in the Vidhana Soudha. The BJP MLC has very clearly denied making such a statement. We are speaking in a fair manner, and we have not opposed an investigation. However, making a final decision without a proper investigation or verification of facts is incorrect,” Bommai said.

–IANS

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RG Kar rape-murder: Calcutta HC gives conditional nod to protest by doctors’ body in Kolkata

Kolkata, Dec 19 (IANS) The Calcutta High Court on Thursday granted conditional nod to the West Bengal Joint Platform of Doctors, an umbrella body of senior doctors, to conduct sit-in demonstration in central Kolkata to protest the default bail to two accused of tampering of evidence in the case on ghastly rape and murder of a woman junior doctor of R.G. Kar Medical College & Hospital in Kolkata within the hospital premises in August this year.

The single-judge bench of Justice Tirthanka Ghosh permitted the doctors’ body to conduct the sit-in-protest from Friday to December 26 but with a gathering of not more than 200 individuals.

Justice Ghosh directed the doctors’ body to immediately inform the West Bengal government about the details of their demands on which they will be organising the protest demonstration.

He also directed the state government to submit their opinion on the demands to his bench in the first half on Friday, following which he will specify the other conditions for conducting the sit-in demonstration.

The doctors had earlier sent an email to Kolkata Police seeking permission for the sit-in-demonstration at Doreena Crossing in central Kolkata. However, as the police denied the permission citing the possibility of traffic congestion in the area as the reason, the association on Tuesday morning approached the bench of Justice Ghosh, challenging the denial of police permission, and their plea was admitted.

Last Friday, the special court in Kolkata granted default bail to R.G. Kar’s former controversial Principal Sandip Ghosh and the former SHO of Tala Police Station, Abhijit Mondal, following the CBI’s failure to file a charge sheet against them stipulated within 90 days of their arrests.

Both Ghosh and Mondal were accused of misleading the investigation and tampering with evidence during the initial investigation carried out by the Kolkata Police.

The CBI has so far filed only one charge sheet in the matter where civic volunteer Sanjay Roy has been identified as the “sole prime” accused in the rape and murder case. Already, the West Bengal Junior Doctors’ Front has threatened to resume their cease work protest which they withdrew earlier keeping the larger public interest in mind. The parents of the victim have already claimed that following the CBI’s failure in the matter, “protests on the streets” with spontaneous public support are the only way out left for them now.

–IANS

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Dharavi’s upper-floor residents included in rehabilitation scheme

Mumbai, Dec 19 (IANS) In a first-of-its-kind initiative under the Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA), the Dharavi Redevelopment Project (DRP) has introduced a unique policy to include residents of upper-floor tenements, making it the most inclusive and human-centric redevelopment plan in Maharashtra’s history, officials said.

Traditionally, upper-floor tenements in slums have been deemed illegal and excluded from slum rehabilitation projects. This has led to outright displacement of residents, who are often left with no alternatives. These upper-floor residents often relocated to other slums, creating new illegal structures and perpetuating a cycle of displacement.

To address this issue and work towards a slum-free Mumbai, the state government has devised this thoughtful strategy under the Dharavi Redevelopment Project, ensuring housing provisions for those living in upper-floor dwellings as well.

As per a Government Resolution (GR), issued on October 4, 2024, all upper-floor tenement holders in Dharavi up till November 15, 2022, are qualified for rehabilitation on a hire-purchase scheme.

Under this scheme, tenement holders will get a 300 sq ft home in Mumbai, but outside Dharavi, at a nominal rent for 25 years, after which they will gain ownership of the unit. The policy also offers flexibility, allowing residents to make a lump-sum payment at any time within the 25-year period to secure the title ownership of the unit. The rent and the unit purchase amount will be determined and collected by the DRP/state government.

The GR states that only upper-floor residents who provide documents like electricity bills, registered sale or rental agreements, Aadhaar cards, ration cards, or passports mentioning the floor, or an affidavit certified by the eligible ground-floor resident will qualify for the hire-purchase scheme.

“Under the hire-purchase scheme, Dharavikars will move into modern housing with essential amenities such as private toilets and kitchens, ensuring dignity, privacy, and a better quality of life,” a DRP-SRA official said.

The buildings will be maintained by the developer for 10 years post-rehabilitation, reducing financial burdens on residents. Moreover, 10 per cent of the built-up area of the buildings will be developed commercially, creating a permanent income source for the housing societies. The modern townships will have wide roads, green spaces, healthcare, educational institutions, and sports and recreation spaces for children and families.

By addressing the issue of upper-floor tenements, the Dharavi Redevelopment Project has set a precedent for inclusive urban redevelopment.

“This initiative not only improves living standards but also offers residents a sense of ownership and pride, marking a new chapter in Mumbai’s efforts toward slum rehabilitation,” the DRP-SRA official added.

Thousands of families who have lived precariously for years will now have access to stable, affordable housing with a dignified future.

–IANS

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