1. They Hurled Me at Wall Like a Ball: Bengaluru Gang Rape Survivor
She can't move an inch because of injuries on her limbs and hips. Her right knee is swollen while the right hand has a fracture and has been operated upon.
Suma (name changed), 26, says the excruciating pain is bad but worse is the mental trauma of being raped by six men three weeks ago and fending for herself for over 36 hours before being rescued.
"Three men attacked me and hurled me at the wall like a ball. They hit my legs with stones even as they shot videos with their phones. I was crying in pain," says Suma, currently being treated at Bowring Hospital.
(Source: Times of India)
2. BJP Activist's Death: Govt To Hand Over Case to CBI
Following a slug fest between the BJP and the Congress over the death of Paresh Mesta, a BJP worker in Honnavar, the state government has now decided to hand over the investigation to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of an event at Bengaluru Central Prison in Parappana Agrahara here on Wednesday, Home Minister Ramalinga Reddy said the government had decided to hand over the case to the central investigation agency.
“The post mortem report will take another eight to 10 days. Once the report is out, we will get to know the exact reason behind his death. The BJP has been levelling several allegations with regard to the case, as they seem to be interested in keeping the issue alive till the Assembly elections. They had employed the same strategy with IAS officer DK Ravi's case by alleging that police officials were behind his death. However, the CBI gave a clean chit. I have discussed the issue with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and we have decided to hand it over to the CBI.”
(Source: The Hindu)
3. Ravi Belagere Gets Interim Bail
Journalist Ravi Belagere, who was arrested for allegedly conspiring to murder his colleague Sunil Heggaravalli, has been granted interim bail on medical grounds by 65th ACMM Court here on Wednesday. The bail is valid till 16 December.
Belagere, who was shifted to Bengaluru Central Prison in Parappana Agrahara, after a local court remanded him in a 14-day judicial custody till 23 December, has been staying in the hospital ward of the prison.
On Tuesday, he was taken to Victoria Hospital for diabetes-related tests, where the doctors, who examined him, found his vital parameters to be normal. Following the bail, Belagere will be shifted out of the prison, for the time being.
(Source: The Hindu)
4. Metro, BMTC Fares Likely to Be Reduced on Traffic-Less Day
Fares of Namma Metro and city buses in Bengaluru, including Volvo buses, are likely to be reduced on second Sundays starting from February when the government will initiate its Traffic-less Day programme.
Transport Minister HM Revanna said the decision was taken to encourage public transport and regulate private vehicles. "Fares of tickets and daily passes of the BMTC buses as well as Namma Metro fares will be cut on second Sundays. Encouraging the public transport is the best way to check pollution in the city," he said.
The minister, who spoke about the plan for the third time in two weeks, said discussions were going on with officials on the reduction in fares. "We are also talking with metro officials on cutting fares," he said.
(Source: Deccan Herald)
5. BSNL Staff Strike Affects Railway Reservation Centres Across Karnataka
The two-day nationwide strike called by Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) employees from Tuesday has affected several Computerised Passenger Reservation Centres of the railways across the state.
South Western railway officials said telecom communication channels were disrupted due to the strike which affected the functioning of several booking centres on Wednesday.
The booking centers at Bengaluru high court, city civil court, Vidhana Soudha, Banashankari BDA Complex, Jayanagar BBMP Shopping Complex, Koramangala BDA Shopping Complex, NR Road (Majlis-e/Millia Islamia building- KR Martket) and KSSIDC Building at Electronic City Ph-II were affected.
(Source: The Times of India)
6. Early Release for 108 Prisoners
Nearly 13 years ago, Peter Sebastian (name changed) killed a man in coastal Karnataka at the behest of another. Despite the family’s pleas that the then 32-year-old was mentally challenged, he was convicted for life.
On Wednesday, as 108 prisoners, including 50 life convicts from Central Jail in Parappana Agrahara, were released, Peter walked out dazed and confused to meet his family. “We even wrote to the Chief Minister describing this case and asking for an early release...12 years is too long for him. His mental balance has become worse in prison. He has no future now,” said his brother, who said they would take him to their home in Udupi where they would send him for counselling.
While there was a sense of defeat and consternation for the family, for others, the early release, which was approved by the State cabinet earlier this year, has come as a new lease of life.
(Source: The Hindu)
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