The Supreme Court on Tuesday agreed to examine Karnataka Lokayukta's plea challenging anticipatory bail granted by the high court to BJP MLA Madal Virupakshappa, accused in the Karnataka Soaps and Detergents (KSDL) contract scam.
A counsel mentioned the plea for urgent listing before a bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) D.Y. Chandrachud. The Chief Justice asked the counsel to mention it before a bench headed by Justice S.K. Kaul, pointing out that the CJI's court is hearing a constitution bench matter, and it will not be possible for the bench to hear it. The counsel pressed that the matter could be taken up at 2 p.m.
The bench said, "We are hearing a constitution bench matter or else we would have taken it at the end of the board". After hearing the brief submissions, the bench asked the counsel to mention the matter before Justice Kaul.
The counsel mentioned the matter before Justice Kaul, who asked him what was the urgency in listing the case?
The counsel replied that the accused is a sitting MLA and a large amount of money was seized from his possession and requested the court to hear the matter at 2 p.m. The bench said the high court has already applied its mind and the matter will be listed in due course.
Earlier this month, the Lokayukta police arrested BJP MLA's son Prashanth Madal, who is the chief accounts officer of the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board, while allegedly receiving a bribe of Rs 40 lakh on behalf of his father at the KSDL office. Virupakashappa resigned as chairperson of KSDL following his sona's arrest.
The high court granted anticipatory bail to the MLA after hearing his petition.
Amit Shah to virtually distribute job offer letters in Tripura today
Union Home Minister Amit Shah would virtually distribute job offer letters to those selected for various posts in the Tripura government departments on Wednesday, officials said on Tuesday.
CPI-M seeks Centre’s 'urgent intervention' in Manipur situation
The Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) urged the Central government to immediately intervene to remove Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh and initiate dialogue with all sides in the conflict to ensure that the rights of all communities are safeguarded and peace and normalcy restored.
CPI(M) rallies against union budget; says it’s a budget to deceive people
The opposition CPI(M) on Tuesday staged a rally to oppose the union budget presented by the Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in the parliament on February 1 last and termed the budget as a ‘cheat’ to the people of this nation.
Unemployment, militancy can be resolve through cooperative societies: Tripura CM
Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Tuesday said that through the expansion of cooperative societies not only the unemployment problems would be resolved but militancy activities would be curbed as well.
Drugs valued at Rs 3.50 crore seized in Tripura, Mizoram
The Assam Rifles and other security forces in different places have destroyed a marijuana (ganja) plantation area, seized drugs valued at Rs 3.50 crore and also busted an inter-state drug peddling gang in Tripura and Mizoram, an official said on Tuesday.
Govt begins probe after medicines found dumped on roadside
The Tripura Government has launched an investigation and filed an FIR following the discovery of a large quantity of discarded government-supplied medicines near the roadside in the Durga Chowmuhani area of Agartala.
PACs to be computerized, multi-purpose PACs at Panchayat level Soon: CM
Chief Minister Prof. Dr. Manik Saha today said that initiatives have been taken to strengthen PACs by computerizing them and to establish multi-purpose PACs at the Panchayat level.