1. Rajesh Bangera Allegedly Trained Gauri Lankesh’s Killers
Rajesh D Bangera, the tenth person to be arrested for the murder of journalist and activist Gauri Lankesh, allegedly imparted weapon training to the youth recruited by Amol Kale, a key suspect, and is believed to be one of the handlers of suspected gunman Prashant Waghmore.
“He trained Kale’s boys and showed them how to handle guns and fire at a safe range for effective results,” said a source from the Special Investigation Team (SIT), which is probing the case.
Bangera, 50, works as a second division assistant in the Education Department in Mangaluru. He was arrested from his hometown in Madikeri. He was in possession of two licenced firearms
(Source: The Hindu)
2. Kukrejas’ Official Investments Stand at Rs 100 cr
The Kukrejas and the company owned by them made official investments or gave loans to the tune of Rs 100 crore to real estate firms in Bengaluru, records show. The revelation comes at a time when income tax officials are trying to dig up the the “unofficial” loans given by Avnash Amarlal Kukreja to real estate firms.
Avinash is at the centre of an investigation after income tax officials recovered Rs 500 crore worth of cash, gold and property documents from three inconspicuous lockers a lockers at the badminton court of Bowring Institute, an elite club in Bengaluru. The property documents recovered from the Bowring Institute locker belong to firms that received unofficial investments from Avnash, well-placed sources said.
(Source: Deccan Herald)
3. Farm Loan is not the Only Reason for Farmer Suicides, says D K Shivakumar
Water Resources Minister D K Shivakumar on Wednesday said many farmers in the state have committed suicide due to personal reasons. “Inability to repay farm loans is not the only reason for farmers suicides reported in the state,” he said. Speaking to mediapersons, the minister said that it is not right to attribute all cases of suicides to farm loans. To help farmers in distress, the state government has recently announced Rs 44,000 farm loan waiver and modalities are being worked out to implement the same.
Shivakumar said the state government is taking all measures to implement the loan waiver scheme and that the chief minister had discussed it with bankers on Tuesday. The minister appealed to farmers not to take any extreme step. “We appeal to farmers not to take the extreme step. Whatever may be the reason, the state government is doing everything possible to address farmers’ problems,” the minister added.
(Source: The New Indian Express)
4. Nalapad Didn't get Water in Jail, Says Now he Understands how Bengaluru Feels
India’s prisons are no joke, and the jury is out on whether they offer convicts and under trials any chance of reform. But for one man – a VIP who was forced to go to jail – the experience has been such that he now finally understands what everyday life in Bengaluru feels like. Mohammad Haris Nalapad – the son of Bengaluru MLA NA Haris – was jailed for allegedly assaulting a man black and blue. And when he went to jail, he apparently realised what life is like without water.
Nalapad claims that his 115 days in prison has reformed him as a human being, and on Wednesday, he apologised to his father and grandfather during a public speech.
Nalapad, who's out on bail for the alleged brutal attack on 24-year-old Vidvat Loganathan at Farzi Café in Bengaluru in February, expressed regret for his actions, in a clear attempt to garner sympathy.
(Source: The News Minute)
6. Painter Crushed to Death Under Lift in Malleswaram
A 50-year-old painter was crushed to death while working under a lift in Malleswaram, North Bengaluru, on Wednesday. Venkatesh, of Srirampuram, was painting the outer wall under the lift of Rajeshwari Apartments at 4th Cross in Malleswaram around 6.30 pm when someone from the building allegedly sent the lift down.
The lift which was on the fourth floor came crashing down on Venkatesh who failed to notice it. The lift is situated in a corner outside the apartment.
The Malleswaram police have registered a case of accidental death due to criminal negligence under IPC section 304A.
(Source: Deccan Herald)
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