Congress stages dharna in K'taka Council

Bangalore, Apr 5 (UNI) The Opposition Congress today staged a dharna in the Karnataka Legislative Council, demanding immediate suspension of a police officer in Bidar district who had allegedly filed a false criminal case against a member of the House.

As soon as the House adopted a condolence motion on the death of renowned Kannada writer Poornachandra Tejaswi, Leader of the Opposition H K Patil referred to the privilege notice issued on the incident and demanded a statement from the State Government.

Karnataka Home and Parliamentry Affairs Minister M P Prakash informed the House that Congress member Basavaraj Patil Humnabad had attended a peace committee meeting convened by the district administration over the desecration of a statue of 'Bharat Ratna' Ambedkar at Mannakhehalli village in Humnabad taluk of Bidar district. The Sub-inspector of Humnabad had filed a criminal case against the Congress Legislator, which appeared to be false, and the State Government had ordered a Corps of Detective (COD) inquiry into the incident. The COD police were expected to submit its report in a week, after which the Government would initiate action against the erring officials. The Government had no objection to the matter being referred to the Privileges Committee, he added.

However, Mr Patil, urging the House Chairman to refer the matter to the Privilege Committee without any delay, strongly appealed to the State Government to suspend the officer concerned.

Mr Prakash, sticking to his stand that punitive action would only follow the COD report, rejected the Opposition demand for immediate suspension of the police officer.

Not satisfied with the Minister's reply, the Congress members trooped to the well of the House and staged a dharna.

Intervening, Higher Education Minister and floor leader D H Shankaramurthy appealed to the Congress members to withdraw their dharna as the Government had decided to take action after receiving the COD report.

Council Chairman Prof B K Chandrashekhar announced that he was referring the privilege notice issued by the Congress leaders to the Privileges Committee and appealed to the Congress members to resume their seats.

Mr Patil, after securing an assurance from the State Government that strict action would be taken against the errant police officer, announced withdrawal of the dharna.

UNI