I have surrendered my son as I respect law,' says ex-mayor Ashraf

January 16, 2012

ashraf_1

Mangalore, January 16: “My son is innocent. He has been made a scapegoat by my political adversaries. Since I have enormous respect for law, I have asked him to surrender before the police. But I am hopeful that justice will prevail,” said K. Ashraf, former mayor, reacting to the 15-day judicial remand given to his son Araf in a drug-related case.

Araf, 17, has been named a key accused in the case of alleged drugging following which a teenaged girl was hospitalized for nearly two months in Mangalore six months ago.

In response to the complaints lodged by the girl's father Arjun, separate FIRs had been filed by Kadri and Kankanady police. Araf and his friends were also accused of threatening the girl and her parents while undergoing treatment at the hospital.

Araf had evaded arrest and was said to be staying in his relative's place in Mumbai. The police had even gone to Mumbai looking for him, but had to return empty handed.

“Although the police had filed booked cases against several people, only my son was being chased like a criminal,” Mr. Ashraf said, but insisted the justice will prevail. He also wondered how did the police book a case against his son of threatening the girl on the hospital premises, where there had not been any complaint from the concerned hospital.

“This is a clear case of vendetta. There are people both inside my party and outside, who want to finish me politically, they have foisted a case against my son. They cannot take me on politically,” Mr. Ashraf, who is also the president of the Congress City Block.

The former mayor had a couple of months ago threatened to resign from the party for leaving him in the lurch when he had been unnecessarily harassed by the police. But following assurances from the Congress leaders including Veerappa Moily and Oscar Fernandes he had backed out. In fact, he had convened a press meet to announce his resignation and called off the briefing at the last minute, without citing any reasons.

The Hindutva organisations had supported the cause of Arjun's daughter and had demanded action against the accused. They had also given memoranda to the city police several times and had accused them of yielding to political pressure when the “drug mafia was gaining strength”.

The outfits had also warned of Hindu girls being lured into drug abuse as part of “Love Jihad”, and being converted to Islam in places like Ponnani.

Comments

Add new comment

  • Coastaldigest.com reserves the right to delete or block any comments.
  • Coastaldigset.com is not responsible for its readers’ comments.
  • Comments that are abusive, incendiary or irrelevant are strictly prohibited.
  • Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name to avoid reject.
coastaldigest.com news network
July 11,2020

Mangaluru, Jul 11: Under the fourth phase of Vande Bharat Mission, the government of India has announced as many as 42 repatriation flights from Saudi Arabia to various Indian destinations including four flights to Karnataka. 

On July 25 an Air India flight will fly from Dammam International Airport to Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru.

On July 26 another Air India flight will take off from Dammam and land in Bengaluru and then again it will continue its journey till Mangaluru International Airport. 

On July 27, Air India will operate a flight from Jeddah’s King Abdulaziz International Airport to Bengaluru. 

On July 28, Air India will operate another flight from Jeddah to Mangaluru. It will be the last flight from Saudi to Karnataka under the fourth phase of Vande Bharat Mission.

Comments

Add new comment

  • Coastaldigest.com reserves the right to delete or block any comments.
  • Coastaldigset.com is not responsible for its readers’ comments.
  • Comments that are abusive, incendiary or irrelevant are strictly prohibited.
  • Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name to avoid reject.
News Network
May 4,2020

Mangaluru, May 4: Bunder Shramika Sangha (BSS) general secretary B K Imthiyaz on Monday urged the district administration to restart Bengre ferry and passenger boat services as it has affected the wholesale market in Old Port.

A majority of the labourers engaged in loading and unloading at the wholesale market in Old Bunder hail from Bengre area. Without the ferry service, the labourers cannot come to work, said Imthiyaz.

He said no positive cases had been reported from Bengre area. Thus, the district administration should give permission for operating ferry services between 7 am and 12 noon. 

Comments

Add new comment

  • Coastaldigest.com reserves the right to delete or block any comments.
  • Coastaldigset.com is not responsible for its readers’ comments.
  • Comments that are abusive, incendiary or irrelevant are strictly prohibited.
  • Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name to avoid reject.
News Network
April 24,2020

Bengaluru, Apr 24: Karnataka is likely to start Convalescent Plasma Therapy for COVID-19 patients, who are critical, from tomorrow, Medical Education Minister K Sudhakar said here on on Friday. "We have already got approval for Convalescent Plasma Therapy.

There is no need for any special permission for it....when I was in BMC (Bangalore Medical College) I spoke to We may probably start it for the first patient from tomorrow itself. The donor has also agreed," Sudhakar said.

Speaking to reporters here, he said the convalescent Plasma Therapy was only for patients who are critical, in Intensive Care Units or on ventilator. According to the latest update, five COVID-19 patients are in ICUs in the state.

After attending video conferencing by Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan with health and medical education Ministers of all states, Sudhakar said the Minister lauded the good practices adopted by Karnataka in its fight against COVID-19 and asked to share the same with other states.

Responding to a question, he made it clear that COVID-19 is something that was not going to end by May 3 or by May end and like other viruses, would continue to exist. Sudhakar, who is leading the government's efforts against COVID-19 in Bengaluru and is in charge of the state war room, said many people are treating corona as a social stigma, which was not right.

There was no reason to get frightened about it as the infection can be cured, he said. "We have to take precautions so that it doesn't spread further....like fever, cold and cough- corona also can be cured... 97% people it can be cured, those with comorbidity and those above 60 years have to take some precautions. We have to bring in certain changes in our lifestyle and maintain social distancing," he added.

Comments

Add new comment

  • Coastaldigest.com reserves the right to delete or block any comments.
  • Coastaldigset.com is not responsible for its readers’ comments.
  • Comments that are abusive, incendiary or irrelevant are strictly prohibited.
  • Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name to avoid reject.