FIR against Ashok Kheny for abusing TV journalist

June 9, 2016

Mumbai, Jun 9: Independent MLA Ashok Kheny, accused of being part in the recent horse-trading scandal, has now landed into yet another controversy. Kheny was caught on the camera abusing a reporter of television news channel Times Now. The video has been released by the channel and is rapidly turning viral on social media.

ASHOKAn FIR was filed by the Mumbai police against Karnataka MLA Ashok Kheny based on a complaint lodged by Times Now Mumbai bureau chief Megha Prasad. Megha approached the police after the MLA and businessman refused to produce a written apology for abusing her while she was trying to interview him on allegations of horse-trading for elections to the Rajya Sabha.

The case against the MLA under IPC section 509 (using word intended to insult the modesty of a woman) has been registered at the Santa Cruz police station.

"I was just doing my job by quesitoning him. His reaction is just not acceptable. He had no business treating a journalist, who is doing her job, like that. Yesterday when I went to the police station, I just lodged a simple complaint against Kheny. But about 10 minutes later they said they want to register an FIR. I went back and filed a detailed complaint,"said Megha.

The journalist approached him at J.W. Marriot hotel in Juhu area, where few independent MLAs from Karnataka had been brought together by the Congress party.

In her complaint she said "I was following a story about the alleged horse-trading indulged into by a few MLAs from Karnataka, in connection with the Rajya Sabha elections. I spotted MLA Ashok Kheny in the hotel lobby. I first introduced myself and asked for two minutes of his time. He kept walking away from me and called the hotel staff, and in an absolutely unacceptable manner used abusing language for me saying "arrest karo iss saali ko". Such language cannot be tolerated at all."

The channel's editor-in-chief Arnab Goswami called Kheny on Tuesday and asked him for a written apology for using "disgraceful" language against his colleague, who was only doing her job.

In a sting operation conducted by Times Now and India Today last week, it was found that Congress leadership offered lucrative amount of kickbacks to the independent MLAs, in order to win their support for the Rajya Sabha elections. Although, the MLAs were not offered direct cash, a tacit deal was made assuring them that they would be allotted huge sums of amount for development of their respective constituencies.

Comments

M R GOWDA
 - 
Friday, 10 Jun 2016

The allegation of 'bias' towards BJP is baseless. I have been watching \Times Now' since its inception. AG has never spared BJP reps on show whenever they are at fault. Most of the comments seem to be of anti-BJP people! AG thumbs up!!!!!!!!"

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News Network
January 5,2020

Bengaluru, Jan 5: A day after senior Congress leaders in Karnataka met to build consensus for the way ahead, the race for the post of KPCC President hotted up on Sunday with aspirants and their supporters stepping up efforts to secure the coveted posts.

Senior leader D K Shivakumar, seen as a frontrunner for the post, met former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah at his residence amid reports that he was lobbying in favour of one of his confidants.

Meanwhile, another senior party legislator Satish Jarkiholi made it clear he was capable of discharging the responsibility if the high command asked him to do so.

Also, loyalists of senior leader and former Minister Ramalinga Reddy came up with social media posts, pushing forward his name for KPCC President.

Congress Legislature Party leader Siddaramaiah and state Congress chief Dinesh Gundu Rao quit their posts after the party fared poorly, winning only two of the 15 seats in the bypolls while it had held 12 of them.

According to party sources, though Siddaramaiah is likely to retain the position of Leader of Opposition, the CLP leader post may be given to some one else.

The sources also said replacement of KPCC President was most likely as Dinesh Gundu Rao's resignation could be accepted.

Shivakumar is seen as the frontrunner for the KPCC President post and has already held discussions with high command in this regard.

His meeting with Siddaramaiah, who is expected to travel to Delhi soon to hold discussions with the high command, assumes significance amid reports that the former chief minister was favouring one of his confidants for the post.

Shivakumar during the meeting sought Siddaramaiah's cooperation for his appointment to the coveted post, with a promise to work under his leadership, sources said.

However, speaking to reporters after the meeting, Shivakumar said he had worked under Siddaramaiah as legislator and Minister, and there was nothing special about the nearly two-hour-long meeting.

"...Im not a competitor for any post, I won't ask for any post, that time is over. I'm a karyakarta of the party and will work as karyakarta," he said in response to a question, adding he will abide by the party's decision.

On the other hand, Congressleader andYamakanamaradi MLASatish Jarkiholi said he was ready to take up the responsibility if the party high command decides so.

"It has been decided to cooperate and work under the leadership of anyone, whom the party high command decides (as President). Let's see, it is for the high command to decide (who will be KPCC President)," he said.

In response to a question from reporters in Belagavi if he was aspiring for the post, Jarikholi said, "I havent asked, but if given I will manage it efficiently..."

Meanwhile, loyalist of seven-time Congress MLA Ramalinga Reddy, came up with a social media post, demanding KPCC President post for the leader.

"Seven-time @INCKarnataka MLA and former Home Minister Sri @RLR_BTM for #KPCC President. #Congress #Karnataka #RamalingaReddy #BTMLayout #BBMP #Bengaluru," former Mayor of Bengaluru City and a close confidant of Reddy, B N Manjunatha Reddy tweeted.

Last year during the political turmoil faced by the coalition government, Ramalinga Reddy had threatened to resign, unhappy at being sidelined in the party.

He had later decided to stay with the Congress after the high command intervened.

With a virtual vacuum in the state Congress following the resignation of its top leadership after the rout in the recent Assembly bypolls, senior party leaders had met here on Saturday with an aim to build a consensus for the way ahead.

According to sources, the meeting was convened after instructions from the high command to iron out differences and build consensus on taking the party forward and regarding appointments to key posts, before coming to Delhi for discussions.

Senior leader K H Muniyappa and KPCC Working President Eshwar Khandreare seen as the other aspirants for the President post.

Ssenior leaders G Parameshwara along with H K Patil are among those seen as the frontrunners for the CLP leader post vacated by Siddaramaiah.

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News Network
June 3,2020

Mangaluru, Jun 3: Mangaluru MLA and former minister U T Khader has urged the state government and Dakshina Kannada district administration to take steps to facilitate the return of Indians stranded in foreign countries amid covid lockdown.

A delegation comprising Mr Khader, DCC President K Harish Kumar, and MLC Ivan D’Souza met District In-charge Minister Kota Srinivas Poojary and submitted a memorandum on Tuesday.

“Kannadigas who are working outside the state are in distress due to the lockdown. More than 50,000 people had uploaded applications on Seva Sindhu portal seeking permission to return to their villagers and are waiting for permission. With the authorities failing to take any decision, they are worried,” said the delegation.

The government should initiate measures to get them back and quarantine them, urged the delegation.

Mr Khader said, “Many workers stranded in foreign countries are eager to return home. The district administration should make arrangements to quarantine those returning from foreign countries and other states.

There are thousands of migrant labourers from Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand and Bihar stranded in DK. They are waiting to return to their families. The state government should facilitate their return journey, the delegation urged.

MLC Ivan D’Souza said, “Assistance should be provided to private bus staff, beedi workers, tailors, garage labourers and street vendors who are in distress. The price of Covid-19 tests in private laboratories should be reduced.”

The delegation informed that after Wenlock Hospital was converted into the designated COVID-19 hospital, poor patients are facing many inconveniences. A portion of the hospital should be earmarked for treating other patients, they said.

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News Network
January 8,2020

Mangaluru, Jan 8: A 23-year-old youth has been booked under the POCSO Act on charges of abduction and sexual abuse of a minor girl.

Police said on Wednesday day that the accused identified as Aneesh Dias, a resident of Chikkamadnur has reportedly gone absconding. The victim, who hails from Puttur, is a I PU college student.

The victim's parents had filed a missing complaint with Puttur Rural police as their daughter did not return home after leaving home for college. The police investigating the complaint traced the girl.

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