Difficult to control grown-up children; my son should be punished: Rai

Mangaluru, Jul 26: Frankly responding to media persons query on reports of his son creating ruckus in public, Congress leader and minister B Ramanath Rai said that no one was above the law.

“Unlike other politicians I don't defend my son if he commits any mistake or crime,” Mr Rai said adding that the law of the land should apply to his son if he has committed a mistake.

He also clarified that he is not responsible for his son's mistake as it is difficult to control grown up children.

Cited Union minister DV Sadananda Gowda's son Karthik's sex with model case, Mr Rai said: “Some people pressured me to hold a protest, but I did not since I know it's difficult to keep a tab on what your children are doing after they cross a certain age."

He said once a person approached him claiming he had a recommendation letter from his (Rai's son) for a transfer. "I sent him away, saying I would transfer him to a place where there is no water,'' he added.

On Sunday, Mr Rai's son Deepu Rai and two of his friends -- Tejas and Ganesh -- were partying in their car parked on a private road leading to the house of former Madikeri gram panchayat president Mandamada Tejappa. Disturbed by the loud music and shouting, Tejappa and neighbours asked the trio to leave the place.

Taking offence, the trio entered into an argument with the public, asking them who they were to question them. Later, angry villagers reportedly thrashed the trio. At Srimangala police station, police made both groups strike a compromise and settled the case by taking written undertakings from both.

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