QBengaluru: No Happy Ending as Karnataka ‘Bans’ Sunny Leone & More
Catch all the day’s news from Bengaluru.
1. Not a Happy Ending, Karnataka 'Bans' Sunny Leone
The Karnataka government on Friday denied permission to Bollywood actor Sunny Leone to perform at a New Year's Eve show in Bengaluru.
"We have denied permission fearing law and order problems in the wake of protests by pro-Kannada outfits and also keeping in view the directions of the Karnataka high court in a molestation case reported on MG Road last New Year's Eve," home minister R Ramalinga Reddy told TOI.
He added that they decided not to grant permission considering that her fans in Kochi went berserk during her visit there in August. "We took feedback from Kochi police before taking the decision," Reddy added.
Source: Times of India
2. Use Ballot Paper, Not EVMs for 2018 Polls: CM
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday pitched for ballot papers to replace electronic voting machines (EVM) in the 2018 Assembly polls, expressing concern that the machines were prone to tampering.
"We will write to the Election Commission and even meet the officials there insisting on ballot papers," Siddaramaiah told reporters. "I have spoken to some experts about the EVMs. There is scope for tampering. What is the problem in going back to the old system of ballot papers?" he asked.
This is the first time Siddaramaiah, who will lead the Congress party in the 2018 elections, has publicly commented on the ongoing debate on the EVMs. Taking on the BJP-led Centre, he said, "They have power. The Election Commission is in their hands, although it is supposed to be an independent Constitutional body. They can appoint whoever they want as the Chief Election Commissioner," he said, pointing out that the US and Germany had switched back to ballot papers after trying EVMs.
Source: Deccan Herald
3. Toddler Falls to Death From Balcony
A 15-month-old died after falling from the third floor of her house near Sollapuramma temple near Nayandahalli here on Friday.
According to the police, the incident took place around 12.30 pm when the toddler Maitreyi’s mother, who was feeding her in the balcony, went into the kitchen for a moment. The baby, who was playing, stuck her head out of the balcony grill and lost her balance, falling on her head. Maitreyi’s mother rushed her to a nearby hospital. However, severely injured, the baby succumbed to injuries later in the afternoon.
Maitreyi’s parents Karthikeyan and Anitha are from Kollegal in Chamarajanagar district. Her father owns a watch repair shop while her mother is a homemaker. The Chandra Layout police have registered a case and are investigating.
Source: The Hindu
4. Bengaluru Police Promise a Safer NYE
In the aftermath of the High Court seeking explanation and assurance for the city police about the security measures initiated to avert a rerun of last year’s lawlessness on MG Road and Brigade Road during New Year celebrations, city police commissioner T Suneel Kumar on Friday filed an affidavit in the High Court promising to take “all necessary steps to ensure that no untoward incidents occur in Bengaluru on 31 December 2017 and 1 January 2018.”
The court had intervened after a PIL sought a two-day ban on liquor ahead New Year celebrations on MG Road and Brigade Road. Bangalore Mirror had reported last year about the plight of women caught in the midst of unruly and inebriated revelers on MG Road.
Source: Bangalore Mirror
5. Three Killed as Truck Rams Into Car and Autorickshaw
A truck crashed into an autorickshaw and then collided with a car killing three women occupants at Honganahatti village, about 40 km from here on Friday, the police said.
The drivers of the car and the autorickshaw, who were seriously injured, have been admitted to a nearby private hospital. The truck driver has been arrested.
Police identified the deceased as Jyothi (29), Pushpa (25) and Chennamma (45). They were residents of Kamakshipalya in Bengaluru and were on the way in the car to attend an event, the police said. CCTV footage showed the speeding truck hitting the autorickshaw first and then colliding with the car before overturning.
Source: Times of India
6. STP: Government to Suspend Penalty Clause for Existing Apartments
After months of petitions, meetings with officials, court cases and even major protests, apartment dwellers have finally secured relief, with the State government on Thursday agreeing to suspend a rule that would have imposed penalties on existing apartment complexes that have not installed sewage treatment plants (STPs).
For the second time in less than a year, Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) will have to amend the Bangalore Sewerage Regulations.
While the rules were amended in April to exclude apartment complexes that have between 20 and 50 units, officials said it was now decided to exclude even existing 50-unit apartment complexes from installing STPs.
Source: The Hindu
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