Hadiya's father formally joins BJP

New Delhi, Jun 4: The Supreme Court on Wednesday sought response from Prajwal Revanna, the grandson of former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda, on a plea challenging his election in 2019 from Hassan Lok Sabha constituency as a joint candidate of the Janata Dal Secular and the Congress.

A bench of Chief Justice SA Bobde and Justices AS Bopanna and Hrishiksh Roy issued notice to the returned candidate from the high-profile constituency on an appeal challenging the Karnataka High Court's order by which an election petition against his win was dismissed.

In the proceedings held through video-conferencing, the top court issued notice and tagged the appeal filed by G Devarajegowda for hearing with other similar pending plea filed by the BJP candidate on the issue.

Mr Devarajegowda in the plea said that his election petition was dismissed by the High Court on "procedural irregularities". The plea said that Mr Prajwal had resorted to unfair and corrupt practices and his election should be set aside.

It said the High Court did not consider the fact that by dismissing the election petition, it was running a risk of having a representative in parliament who has not got the maximum number of valid votes.

The petitioner, an advocate by profession, sought a declaration of rival BJP candidate, A Manju, as the winner for having secured the maximum number of valid votes.

A separate appeal was earlier filed by Mr Manju against the High Court order and the top court had already issued notice to the retuned candidate on that.

Mr Manju had challenged the 2019 election of Mr Prajwal on the ground that there was allegedly non-disclosure of assets held by him in his election affidavit.

Mr Prajwal was declared winner with 6,76,606 votes. Mr Manju came first runner-up with 5,35,282 votes.

St. Agnes College (Autonomous), Mangaluru, which is celebrating its centenary year, celebrated 99th college day and merit programme of the academic year 2019-20 in P.U College Auditorium on February 11.

Ms. Philomina Lobo, Retired Director, Secondary Education department of public instructions, Government of India was the chief guest of the programme. The programme began by evoking the blessings of God. Sr Dr M Jeswina A.C, Principal, St Agnes College, Sr Dr M Maria Roopa A.C, the Joint Secretary, Mr. Ronald Pereira PTA Vice President, Mr Charles Pais the Controller of Examinations ,Dr Subha Rao were  present.

Ms. Seemanthini, Assistant Professor, Department of Computer Applications presented the annual college report digitally, highlighting the achievements of the institution, staff and students for the academic year.

Addressing the students, Ms Philomina Lobo advised, “You have knowledge and intelligence but you need to pray for wisdom. Use your talents in the right way.” She also mentioned that the companies today are looking forward for skilful youngsters and asked the students to “be skilful” in order to achieve success in life.

Students received Principal's role of honour, various scholarships and merit certificates for their excellence in academics. The cabinet members of the current academic year were also awarded on the occasion. The Principal gave a token of gratitude to Ms Philomena Lobo, who is also an alumna of the college. Mrs Meera, HOD, Department of History proposed the vote of thanks.

Mangaluru, May 4: No major crowds were seen in the coastal city of Mangaluru today except in front of the liquor shops after the district administration relaxed the lockdown norms for 12 hours a day (between 7am and 7pm).

There was no mad rush of vehicles either on city roads when the relaxed lockdown began. There were fewer people to buy essentials in front of grocery and vegetable shops as they had time till late evening.

There was no let down in the number of police pickets as well as curbs on vehicular movement across the city either. 

The government has allowed sale of liquor in CL2 (standalone wine shops) and CL 11 (MSIL outlets) to mop up revenues when Lockdown-3 commenced from Monday. Compared the other parts of Karnataka, the size of queues in front of liquor shops in Mangaluru were smaller. 

Like other parts of the country, the lockdown was imposed in the coastal district on March 24 to prevent the spread of Covid-19. Prior to that, a curfew was imposed in the district from March 22 midnight. The lockdown did not apply to essential services such as sale of food, groceries, milk, vegetables, fruits, and meat and fish. Gradually the district administration had to intensify the lockdown and allow those shops to remain open only between 7 a.m. and 12 noon. 

With the lockdown relaxation extending till 7 p.m., Mangaluru today witnessed people and private vehicles moving freely in the afternoon for the first time in more than a month. However, only those who had to go for work and do other essential activities were seen on roads. After 7 p.m. movements of all kinds of vehicles will be prohibited. 

The relaxation was to facilitate economic activities that had come to a standstill during the first two phases of lockdown. Mangaluru City Police Commissioner Dr P S Harsha, meanwhile, warned the people against misusing lockdown relaxation and venturing out without any genuine reason.