Relief for HD Kumaraswamy as Karnataka High Court stays SIT probe in land case

The Karnataka High Court on Thursday granted interim relief to Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy by staying the proceedings of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into alleged land encroachment in Kethaganahalli, Ramanagara District.The decision comes after Kumaraswamy challenged the formation of the SIT, which had been constituted by the state government in January 2025 to investigate accusations of illegal land occupation.advertisementThe court, during a hearing held on June 19, observed that prima facie there appeared to be no formal notification issued to accompany the Government Order that formed the SIT.
Justice ES Indiresh, who presided over the matter, noted this procedural lapse and ordered that both the Government Order forming the SIT and the summons issued to Kumaraswamy be stayed until the next date of hearing.The High Court also directed the Learned Government Advocate to take notice in the case. Senior Advocate Udaya Holla and Advocate Nishanth AV appeared on behalf of the Union Minister.This ruling offers significant relief to Kumaraswamy, who had contested the legality of the SIT's constitution and its summons in relation to the land encroachment charges.Kumaraswamy had previously called the land survey in Ramanagara politically motivated, accusing the Chief Minister Siddaramaiah-led Congress government of targeting him. 'Earlier, SITs were under IPS officers, now they are under IAS officers too,' he mocked.advertisementHe had claimed he legally purchased the Kethaganahalli land in 1984 and has been unfairly scrutinised for decades. 'Unlike Siddaramaiah, I have not looted government land. Let them investigate - I have nothing to hide,' he had said.Criticising the survey process, he had alleged it was planned without notice and questioned the sudden emergence of complaints. He had also claimed to have records of others involved in illegal land deals.

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Time of India

38 minutes ago

• Time of India

President inaugurates Rashtrapati Niketan, Tapovan on 67th birthday

Dehradun: President Droupadi Murmu on Friday inaugurated part of the Presidential Retreat in Dehradun, now renamed Rashtrapati Niketan, on her 67th birthday and Rashtrapati Tapovan which will be open for public viewing from June 24. The president, who is on a three-day visit to Uttarakhand that began Thursday, also laid the foundation stone for Rashtrapati Udyan, a 132-acre public garden at Rashtrapati Niketan. She also visited the National Institute for the Empowerment of Persons with Visual Disabilities (NIEPVD) and was moved to tears when a group of visually impaired children sang for her on her birthday. Union Minister for social justice and empowerment, Virendra Kumar was also present on the occasion. "The progress of a country or society can be judged by the way it treats persons with disabilities," she said. "India's history is full of inspiring incidents of sensitivity and inclusiveness. Elements of human compassion and love have always been present in our culture and civilisation. Through the Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan, which focuses on creating an accessible physical, transport, information, and communication ecosystem, the govt is striving for empowerment and equal participation of the divyangjan. " She added, "Today's era is one of science and technology. With the help of advanced tools, even people with disabilities can contribute meaningfully to the mainstream. Society must support and encourage them in every sphere." Later, Murmu inaugurated the Rashtrapati Niketan in the presence of Uttarakhand Governor Lt Gen Gurmit Singh (retd) and chief minister Dhami. She also released a postage stamp marking 125 years of the Raj Bhavan in Nainital. The 172-acre Presidential Estate has been transformed from an exclusive retreat into a public space celebrating biodiversity, heritage, and sustainability. Established in 1838 as a camp for the Governor General's Bodyguard, the estate later served as a private retreat for India's presidents. For decades, its serene orchards, colonial stables, and forest trails remained off-limits to the public till the creation of Rashtrapati Niketan, Rashtrapati Tapovan, and Rashtrapati Udyan. Spread across 21 acres, Niketan blends natural beauty with heritage. It now features a 200-seat amphitheatre and visitor amenities designed to foster cultural engagement and reflection. Its corridors showcase curated archival photographs from the Presidential Archives, offering glimpses into key moments of India's history and the evolving role of the presidency. The presidential rooms have been adorned with Uttarakhand's traditional art including Pahari miniatures, Aipan designs, and local crafts reflecting the region's cultural richness. Rashtrapati Tapovan, developed in collaboration with the Uttarakhand forest department, is a serene forest zone inspired by India's ancient tradition of learning in nature. It features silent zones, forest trails, meditation huts, shaded pergolas, and hosts 117 plant species, 52 butterflies, 41 bird species, and seven wild mammals, including protected species. Natural bamboo groves and undisturbed woodland ecosystems enrich the landscape. While Tapovan will open to the public on June 24 while Niketan will open on July 1. Biodiversity conservation lies at the core of the experience. Visitors can join expert-led walks to explore native medicinal plants, understand forest ecology, and learn from local ecological knowledge. Rashtrapati Udyan, for which the president laid a foundation stone, is a 132-acre sustainable public park designed through public consultation. It will include walking and cycling tracks, butterfly domes, an 800-seat amphitheatre, an aviary, and boating zones. Intended as a green lung for Dehradun, it also aims to serve as a national symbol of environmental responsibility. Officials said biodiversity restoration is central across all three zones. Native trees have been replanted, degraded grasslands left untouched to encourage pollinators, and wetlands revived to support amphibians, birds, and aquatic life. Interpretive boards throughout the estate explain these efforts: how the estate's microclimate supports the Doon Valley watershed, why native bees are vital for agriculture, and how small ecological interventions can have lasting impact. Heritage and ecology come together here to create a space that is intellectually enriching, emotionally grounding, and environmentally conscious. A book documenting the biodiversity of Rashtrapati Niketan, Tapovan, and Udyan was also released on the occasion. It catalogues over 300 species of flora and 170 species of fauna, including butterflies, birds, and mammals found across the estate.

News18

39 minutes ago

• News18

BJP's Sukanta Majumdar Writes To Amit Shah Flagging 'Threat To Life' Over Attack

Last Updated: Sukanta Majumdar said Diamond Harbour Police DSP Rahul Goswami was physically present at the spot but "failed to take any preventive or protective action" Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar on Friday wrote to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, alleging a 'grave breach of privilege" and a 'threat to life" following an alleged attack on his convoy in the Budge Budge area of West Bengal's South 24 Parganas district a day earlier. Majumdar, who is also the BJP's West Bengal unit president, was visiting the area on Thursday to meet party workers who were reportedly injured after being attacked outside the Budge Budge-1 BDO office on Wednesday. His visit triggered tensions in the area, where TMC supporters allegedly surrounded his convoy, raised slogans, and pelted it with stones. In a letter written to the Speaker under Rule 222 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha, Majumdar, the Balurghat MP, described the attack as a serious threat not only to his life but also to the safety of those accompanying him. In another letter written to Shah on Friday evening, Majumdar drew his attention to the 'highly alarming and deteriorating law and order situation in West Bengal, specifically in Diamond Harbour area which has witnessed continuous political violence targetting elected representatives and party workers." 'On June 19, during my official visit to meet victims of earlier assaults and assess the situation on ground, my convoy was attacked by a violent mob reportedly comprising TMC workers, stones were pelted, vehicles were vandalised and several individuals accompanying me sustained injuries… The attack posed a serious threat to my life and those in my entourage," Majumdar wrote in the letter to Shah. 'The attack posed a direct and serious threat to my life and the lives of those present," the letter said. 'This constitutes not only a collapse of law and order but also a direct assault on the dignity and security of a Union minister and an MP," he added. Majumdar said Diamond Harbour Police District Superintendent of Police Rahul Goswami was physically present at the spot but 'failed to take any preventive or protective action," which the minister termed as 'wilful negligence" and 'dereliction of duty." He also noted that the SDPO of Diamond Harbour was absent from the scene despite prior intimation of his scheduled visit. 'The situation was brought under control only due to the timely intervention of CISF personnel assigned to me as I have Z category security cover provided by the Union government," Majumdar wrote. 'As a consequence, I have submitted a notice of Breach of Privilege under Rule 222 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha to the Speaker," he informed Shah. Majumdar said while on his way to visit Bharatiya Jana Sangh founder Syama Prasad Mookerjee's house in Kolkata to offer floral tributes on Paschim Banga Divas he was planning to visit the ailing mother of London-based doctor Rajatshubhra Bandyopadhyay but personnel from West Bengal police attempted to prevent him from proceeding. 'In light of the above, I earnestly request your urgent intervention to address the alarming law and order situation in West Bengal, particularly in politically sensitive regions like Diamond Harbour by initiating an immediate review of the prevailing conditions, deploying central paramilitary forces to restore peace and ensure the safety of elected representatives and ordering a prompt inquiry to hold accountable the concerned district officials whose dereliction of duty and inaction enabled such a grave security lapse," he said. In his letter to the Lok Sabha Speaker, Majumdar called the incident at Budge Budge an 'assault on the dignity and privilege of a Member of Parliament", Majumdar urged the Speaker to treat the matter as contempt of the House and refer it to the Committee of Privileges for appropriate action. 'This incident not only endangered the life of a public representative but also constitutes a direct assault on the dignity and privilege of a Member of Parliament. 'Such acts of violence and inaction by state officials severely compromise the democratic functioning of our institutions and the constitutional rights granted to elected members of this House," the letter stated. The BJP leader also took to social media to express his outrage. 'Yesterday in Budge Budge, Diamond Harbour, I was subjected to a brutal, orchestrated attack by TMC-backed criminal mobs, while the @WBPolice stood as mute, spineless spectators. 'The police not only failed to act during the violence, they also failed to take any preventive action, despite clear signs of escalating tension. Even when a Union Minister of State and sitting Member of Parliament was targeted, the state machinery looked the other way," Majumdar posted on X, attaching a copy of his letter to the Speaker. 'This is a grave breach of parliamentary privilege… a direct and dangerous assault on Indian democracy. Today, I have formally apprised Hon'ble Speaker Shri @ombirlakota ji of this shocking breakdown of law and order in West Bengal," he added. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from politics to crime and society. Stay informed with the latest India news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : bengal BJP Sukanta Majumdar First Published: June 20, 2025, 23:43 IST

India Gazette

an hour ago

• India Gazette

"PM Modi's leadership spurs Rs 17 Lakh crore in Investment proposals in 2 days," says Odisha CM Majhi

Bhubaneswar (Odisha) [India], June 20 (ANI): On the occasion of the one-year anniversary of the BJP-led government in Odisha, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi commended Prime Minister Modi's leadership and highlighted contributions to the state's development. 'In January, PM Modi urged the investors to participate in the Utkarsh Odisha 2025 conclave. We received proposals worth Rs 17 lakh crores in just two days, which is a record. This happened because the investors trusted you. We are working to make Odisha the industrial hub of eastern India...,' he said. On Operation Sindoor, Majhi lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, stating, 'Under your leadership, the terrorist has been eliminated. Operation Sindoor was not just an operation; it was a symbol of the trust of mothers and sisters. With Operation Sindoor, India rises to a new role, one that does not bow. Earlier, people said, 'Modi hai toh mumkin hai'; now they say, 'Modi hai toh desh surakshit hai.' Under your leadership, development is touching new heights. In 11 years, all sectors have made progress, and India has become the world's fourth-largest economy.' PM Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for multiple development projects worth over Rs 18,600 crore in Bhubaneswar. These projects will cover critical sectors, including drinking water, irrigation, agricultural infrastructure, health infrastructure, rural roads and bridges, sections of national highways, and a new railway line. He will also release the Odisha Vision Document, which is anchored around the landmark years of 2036 (when Odisha completes 100 years as India's first linguistic state) and 2047 (when India celebrates 100 years of independence). Odisha has set an ambitious target to become a $500 billion economy by 2036 and $1.5 trillion by 2047. Earlier today, PM addressed the rally in Bihar's Siwan said that the Congress and RJD supported Gundaraj and corruption.'RJD and Congress are against Bihar and investments. They can never make a place in the heart of Biharis.' Launching a scathing attack on the opposition parties in Bihar for the slow progress of the state during their tenure, Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier in the day said that the opposition Congress and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) are anti-Bihar and anti-investment. (ANI)