While merchandise exports are projected to remain under pressure due to US tariffs, India’s services trade surplus is expected to hit a record $205–207 billion in FY26, a report showed on 3 September 2025.
The country’s current account deficit (CAD) narrowed sharply to $2.4 billion (0.2 per cent of GDP) in Q1 FY26, significantly lower than the $8.6 billion deficit (0.9 per cent of GDP) recorded in Q1 FY25. The outcome was also well below ICRA’s earlier forecast of 0.7 per cent of GDP, primarily aided by stronger-than-expected remittances and a higher services trade surplus. Earnings from invisibles rose 19.9 per cent (year-on-year) to $66.1 billion in Q1 FY26, offsetting the merchandise trade deficit of $68.5 billion. ICRA cautions that the CAD is set to widen in Q2 FY26 to $13–15 billion (1.5 per cent of GDP), driven by a sharp expansion in the merchandise trade deficit.
“The recently imposed 50 per cent US tariff on Indian goods is expected to exert significant pressure on India’s exports, particularly textiles, diamonds, seafood, and leather. Should these tariffs persist through the fiscal year, ICRA expects India’s CAD to exceed 1 per cent of GDP in FY26, compared with 0.6 per cent in FY25, the report projected. India witnessed net financial inflows of $8.1 billion in Q1 FY26, after outflows in H2 FY2025. However, reserve asset accretion moderated to $4.5 billion from $8.8 billion in Q4 FY25, the ICRA report mentioned. Forex reserves stood at $691 billion (as on August 22). The INR depreciated 3.2 per cent against the USD in 2025 (till 1 September). ICRA expects the USD/INR to trade in the 87.0–89.0 range in the near term. Commenting on the outlook, the report said the trajectory of the CAD will hinge critically on tariff-related developments with the US.
-IANS
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The Special Investigation Team (SIT) custody of complainant Chinnaiah, known as the “masked man“, ends on 3 September 2025. The SIT is preparing to produce him before the jurisdictional local court and seek an extension of his custody. Sources in the SIT stated that they will seek 10 days of custody for further investigation.
The police have already conducted searches and mahazar proceedings in Dharmasthala, Ujire, Belthangady, and Bengaluru. They are also preparing to take him to Mandya in Karnataka, Salem in Tamil Nadu, and the national capital, Delhi. The SIT is also preparing to question activists Mahesh Shetty Thimarodi, Girish Mattennavar, T. Jayanth, and YouTuber Sameer, who raised their voices against temple authorities and made direct allegations targeting the Dharmadhikari.
In addition, the SIT is interrogating Sujatha Bhat, a complainant who initially claimed that her daughter, Ananya Bhat, an MBBS student, had gone missing under suspicious circumstances. She later retracted her statement, saying she had no daughter, before going on to claim that she was blackmailed into making the allegation.
The SIT had arrested the unidentified complainant on charges of providing false information related to the Dharmasthala case. SIT officials, who interrogated him for more than 15 hours, concluded that he had been misleading the authorities. The sources revealed that he confessed to being lured by certain individuals to make allegations and press for a specific course of investigation.
On 11 July, the complainant claimed that he had been forced to bury the bodies of women and girls who were “raped” and “murdered” in Dharmasthala, and recorded his statement. Following the serious claims made by the complainant, authorities had carried out excavations at 17 different locations in the temple town of Dharmasthala.
In addition, the whistleblower reportedly submitted a skull, allegedly recovered from one of the burial sites, to the SIT. The authorities are awaiting the Forensic Science Laboratory and DNA analysis reports of the sand samples collected from the 17 excavated sites.
-IANS
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With viral fever cases steadily rising across Tamil Nadu in recent weeks, the State Health Department has issued a fresh public advisory urging citizens to adopt precautionary measures, including the use of masks in crowded areas. Officials have emphasised that while the situation is under control, proactive steps are essential to curb further spread.
The department has recommended that members of the public, especially those frequenting marketplaces, public transport, or religious gatherings, should wear face masks to reduce transmission risk. Health authorities have also urged vulnerable groups such as the elderly, children, and people with low immunity to exercise greater caution.
The advisory specifically requests senior citizens and those with chronic health conditions to avoid attending mass gatherings like weddings, cultural programmes, and other public events where exposure is high.
A senior official from the Health Department noted that the recent spike in fever cases has been reported from both urban and rural pockets. While hospitals are equipped to handle the seasonal increase, prevention remains the most effective tool. “We appeal to the public to follow basic hygiene practices, including frequent handwashing, drinking clean water, and avoiding self-medication,” the official said.
Doctors have observed that most patients exhibit symptoms such as high temperature, body ache, and fatigue, which, though not severe in most cases, can cause complications in vulnerable individuals. The department has also directed primary health centres and government hospitals to remain on high alert and ensure adequate stock of medicines. Medical experts have reminded the public that simple measures such as wearing masks, maintaining safe distance in crowded places, and ensuring good nutrition can significantly reduce infection risk.
Meanwhile, civic bodies across districts have been instructed to intensify mosquito control drives, as stagnant water often contributes to the spread of fever-related illnesses during this season. Local officials are also distributing awareness pamphlets and conducting health camps to educate residents about preventive care. The Health Department has reiterated that the public should not panic but remain vigilant. “This is a precautionary phase. If we act responsibly, we can easily prevent the spread of viral fever,” the advisory concluded.
-IANS
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The DMK and its alliance partners never miss an opportunity to frame misleading political narrative to create a conflict between the Centre and the state. A recent example is from a protest in Tiruppur, where Papanasam MLA and Manithaneya Makkal Katchi (MMK) President MH Jawahirullah alleged that the 50% tariff imposed by the United States on Indian goods is part of a deliberate conspiracy by former US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi to cripple local industries of Tamil Nadu.
Speaking at a demonstration organized by the Secular Progressive Alliance to condemn the BJP-led central government’s alleged ‘inaction’ on the U.S. tariff hike, Jawahirullah made baseless claims linking the economic policy to political motives.
He stated, “People say Tamil Nadu is a state that provide a living for the people who come here. In reality, we can say that Tiruppur is the capital of Tamil Nadu that truly helps people make a living who come here. 75 lakh people are employed in the industries here, but this 50% customs duty imposed by the U.S. will immediately take away the jobs of around 30 lakh people. Our Secular Progressive Alliance is a powerful coalition that understands the suffering of the workers while also standing up against those in power. From this alliance, a strong voice rises in Tiruppur today, we must shatter the conspiracy of Trump and Modi. This should be just the beginning. We must continue to fight until we make both Modi and Trump yield to our demands.”
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On 2 September 2025, the Delhi High Court once again denied bail to 2020 Delhi riots accused Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam and the seven others involved in the case. However, a compelling narrative, widely echoed in certain sections of the media and activist circles, claims that the indefinite incarceration of these accused in the Delhi riots larger conspiracy case is a “travesty of justice”, marked by a “sluggish judicial process” that has denied them bail unfairly.
Nonetheless, a detailed examination of court orders and the chronology of proceedings reveal a starkly different reality: the significant delay in commencing the trial was a calculated strategy employed by the accused themselves, particularly those out on bail, who then turned around to use this self-created delay as a ground for seeking liberty.
This strategy has now been explicitly called out and dismantled by the courts in a series of orders, the most recent being a judgement from the Delhi High Court in the Tasleem Ahmed case, which lays bare the tactics used to protract proceedings.
The High Court’s Damning Indictment: Paras 22, 23, and 38
The Delhi High Court, in its recent judgement, left no room for ambiguity. The order sheets of the trial court, upon a bare perusal, clearly indict the defence counsel for the accused.
In Para 22, the Court states, “A bare perusal of the order sheets clearly indicate that the learned Counsel for the accused have taken many adjournments during the course of arguments on charge. The order-sheets show that the learned Counsel for the accused were not ready to argue the matter on charge, thereby protracting the proceedings. The facts and order sheets reveal that the accused themselves have been responsible for delaying the trial at various points in time. The inordinate delay in trial, as alleged by the Appellant herein is not due to the inaction of the Respondent Agency or the Trial Court.”
Para 23 absolves the trial court of any blame, highlighting its efforts to ensure a speedy and structured process – “Material on record shows that at no point of time, the learned Trial Court has or has unnecessarily delayed the arguments on charge. In fact, to facilitate the proceedings properly and in a speedy manner, the learned Trial Court has ensured that the proceedings take place in a structured manner, wherein liberty was given to the accused persons to come to a consensus as to who will argue the case sequentially.”
Perhaps the most revealing observation comes from Para 38, which describes a clear dichotomy between accused who are in prison and those on bail, and a conspiracy of delay: “Material on record indicates that certain accused persons have got bail and some of the accused persons are in prison. Those accused persons who got bail are trying to delay the arguments on charge on the ground that the investigation is still pending. The arguments on charge are being delayed by the accused persons who are out on bail at the cost of those accused persons who are in prison. Despite orders from the Court directing the Counsels for the accused persons to decide amongst themselves as to how and in what order the arguments on charge will be advanced by the accused, there seems to be no consensus among them.”
The court rejected the argument from Umar Khalid’s counsel, Mr. Mehmood Pracha, that they were merely “waiting in queue patiently,” noting that the accused did not advance arguments despite the court’s requests.
The Umar Khalid Bail Saga: A Timeline of Self-Inflicted Delay
The chronology of Umar Khalid’s bail petitions further cements the pattern of deliberate delay:
October 2022: The Delhi High Court denies Khalid bail, finding a prima facie true case against him.
December 2022: Khalid secures a one-week interim bail to attend his sister’s wedding.
April 2023: Instead of immediately appealing the High Court’s order, Khalid waits for four months after his interim bail ends to finally file a Special Leave Petition (SLP) in the Supreme Court – a full six months after the High Court’s rejection.
The Supreme Court Adjournments: Between April 2023 and February 2024, Khalid’s SLP was listed 14 times. An analysis shows that his own legal team, led by Kapil Sibal, sought adjournments in seven of those 14 hearings. This period was also marked by alleged attempts at “forum shopping,” with lawyers like Prashant Bhushan writing to the Chief Justice to have the case moved to a different bench.
February 2024:Kapil Sibal abruptly withdraws Khalid’s SLP from the Supreme Court, citing “changed circumstances,” and stated he would “try his luck” back in the trial court. This withdrawal coincided with a crucial January 2024 Supreme Court judgment in Vernon vs. State of Maharashtra that reinforced the strict standards for granting bail under UAPA, making Khalid’s chances in the top court exceedingly slim.
Even former Chief Justice of India, DY Chandrachud endorses this.
Former CJI DY Chandrachud confirms what I had written about Umar Khalid’s bail application in SC. I had written that 7 times, it was Khalid who sought adjournment, ultimately withdrawing application. The cabal later played victim.
The most blatant example of coordinated delay occurred in September 2023. The trial court had fixed dates for day-to-day hearings on arguments for framing charges – the crucial step needed to finally begin the trial.
However, just as the prosecution was set to begin, several accused who were already out on bail, including Devangana Kalita and Natasha Narwal, filed applications demanding a complete status report on the investigation before the arguments could start. They argued, speculatively, that the prosecution might file more supplementary chargesheets to “cover up” gaps.
This application, with no firm legal footing, was swiftly adopted by other accused out on bail, including Meeran Haider, Asif Iqbal Tanha, and others. The Special Public Prosecutor, Amit Prasad, vehemently opposed this, arguing it was a “frivolous application” filed deliberately to “disrupt the entire proceeding” on the very day hearings were to begin. He noted they had waited 40 days to raise this non-issue.
Significantly, at the same time, Umar Khalid and Tahir Hussain (both in jail) were insisting the hearings should begin. This raised a critical question: why were those out on bail working to delay a trial that those still incarcerated were desperate to expedite? The Sessions Court, in its May 2024 order denying Khalid bail, answered this implicitly, noting that the delay was caused by the accused, not the prosecution.
The Legal Conclusion: Delay Cannot be a Self-Created Ground for Bail
The courts have consistently shut down the argument that delay is a valid ground for bail when the accused are the architects of that delay. The High Court in the Tasleem Ahmed case emphatically concluded in Para 28: “it must be emphasised that in the facts of this case, majority delay is attributable to the accused and not the inability on the part of the prosecution to speed up proceedings”.
Further, in Para 39, the court warned against the tactic of deliberately delaying a trial only to then use that delay to demand bail: “The provision..”can easily be circumvented by delaying trial on one hand and pressing bail applications on the other”.
The evidence from the court records presents an undeniable picture: the much-lamented “delay” in the Delhi riots conspiracy trial was not a failure of the system but a deliberate strategy employed by the defence. The courts have not only seen through this strategy but have also unequivocally recorded it in their orders, debunking the popular media narrative that the accused are merely victims of a protracted judicial process.
This article is based on an X thread by Nupur J Sharma.
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Former Tamil Nadu BJP president K. Annamalai has strongly criticised the DMK government and the Greater Chennai Corporation for their negligence in ensuring public safety around stormwater drainage works. His remarks follow the tragic death of a woman in Choolaimedu, Chennai, who reportedly fell into an uncovered drain.
The incident occurred in Virapandi Nagar, where the woman is said to have accidentally stepped on a flimsy wooden plank placed over an open stormwater drain. The plank gave way, leading to her fatal fall. However, the Greater Chennai Corporation has claimed that the site was not a stormwater drain but a silt pit. Reports also surfaced suggesting the woman’s mouth and hands were tied, though images from the scene indicate her dupatta was tangled around her hands, not tied as speculated.
Annamalai also pointed out, “Just a few days ago, a sanitation worker died from electrocution in stagnant water while on duty.”
He accused the DMK of offering excuses rather than accountability. “For the past four years, stormwater drain work has been ongoing in Chennai. The ministers and the Chennai mayor have been claiming that a certain percentage of the work is complete for four years, but no one knows when the work will be finished. Instead of admitting to their mistakes and finding solutions, the DMK government is focused on diverting attention with various excuses every time a life is lost. After a severe summer, the ground would naturally absorb the rainwater. The DMK government, which rushes to take credit for the lack of waterlogging by putting up stickers saying it’s due to their stormwater drain work, why don’t they take responsibility for the mishaps caused by their half-finished work?” he asked.
Annamalai also mocked the optics of Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, saying, “On top it all off, there was empty publicity saying Chief Minister @mkstalin inquired about the Chennai rains from Germany.”
His full message read, “A woman has died after accidentally falling into an open stormwater drain in Virapandi Nagar, Choolaimedu, Chennai. Reports say the drain was not properly covered but was instead covered with a wooden plank and when the woman stepped on it, the plank broke, and she fell to her death. However, the Chennai Corporation has offered a new explanation, claiming it was not a stormwater drain but a silt pit. Additionally, there are reports that the deceased woman’s mouth and hands were bound. But photographs of the scene show her dupatta entangled in her hands, not bound.
Just a few days ago, a sanitation worker died from electrocution in stagnant water while on duty. Now, another woman has died. For the past four years, stormwater drain work has been ongoing in Chennai. The ministers and the Chennai mayor have been claiming that a certain percentage of the work is complete for four years, but no one knows when the work will be finished. Instead of admitting to their mistakes and finding solutions, the DMK government is focused on diverting attention with various excuses every time a life is lost. After a severe summer, the ground would naturally absorb the rainwater. The DMK government, which rushes to take credit for the lack of waterlogging by putting up stickers saying it’s due to their stormwater drain work, why don’t they take responsibility for the mishaps caused by their half-finished work? To top it all off, there was empty publicity saying Chief Minister @mkstalin inquired about the Chennai rains from Germany. I urge the DMK government to immediately find the details of the deceased woman and take appropriate action. Additionally, they must ensure proper safety for the public in all areas where stormwater drain work is in progress.”
சென்னை சூளைமேடு வீரபாண்டி நகரில், மூடப்படாமல் இருந்த மழைநீர் வடிகால் தொட்டியில் தவறி விழுந்து, பெண் ஒருவர் உயிரிழந்திருக்கிறார். இந்தத் தொட்டியை, சரியாக மூடாமல் மட்டப்பலகையை வைத்து மூடியிருந்ததாகவும், தெரியாமல் அதில் கால் வைத்த பெண், மட்டப்பலகை உடைந்து தவறி விழுந்து இறந்து… pic.twitter.com/ztDvI979py
The woman’s death comes as Chennai is in the midst of pre-monsoon stormwater drain preparations. The Corporation has been deploying jetting and suction equipment to clean out drains and prevent flooding during the upcoming northeast monsoon. Key flood-prone areas from last year, including Ashok Nagar and Jaffarkhanpet, are undergoing drainage system upgrades.
In Choolaimedu, where the incident took place, several portions of the drainage project remain incomplete. While some sections have been finished, many areas still pose risks due to uncovered or poorly marked work zones.
According to reports, the incident occurred early in the morning, and the police were alerted soon after. The woman’s body was recovered, and an investigation is underway to determine the exact cause of death and identify the deceased. Local residents have expressed shock and frustration, noting that their previous complaints about unsafe conditions went unheeded.
Despite public outrage, the Chennai Corporation has denied that the death occurred due to a fall into an open stormwater drain. The body was allegedly found in nearby sand, and Deputy Mayor Mahesh Kumar stated that the woman had fallen into a nearby silt tank, not an open drain. He added that all drainage work was being carried out with appropriate safety protocols under the instructions of the Deputy Chief Minister.
However, locals remain unconvinced, and many continue to demand transparency and accountability from city officials.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said he is anguished and deeply pained over the abuse and insult meted out to his mother from a political stage in Bihar and said that this was not just an insult to his late mother but all the mothers of the country.
Slamming the ‘gaali politics’ and falling political discourse in poll-bound Bihar, PM Modi said that abuses and expletives were hurled at his mother, who is not even on this earth, at the Congress-RJD rally venue, and this has left him deeply hurt.
“As a son, it is a very painful moment for me. I never imagined such a level of politics,” he said, addressing the gathering of women in Bihar via video conferencing. Tearing into Congress-RJD, PM Modi said that the abuse was not just targeted at his mother, but all the mothers of the country have been left humiliated and added the people of the state will not forgive them for such a profane act.
PM Modi also invoked ‘naamdar and kaamdar’ to hit out at the Opposition and said that such abusive conduct was because of their privileged mindset and their belief that those with a poor background remain at their mercy of affluent. He said that naamdars (those belonging to privileged families) consider it their right to abuse and humiliate kaamdars, a term referring to people like him who made their own destiny on the back of hard work.
“Those born in privileged families will never understand the pain and suffering that our mothers go through in raising their children; they can never comprehend what sacrifices our mothers make throughout their lives,” PM Modi said.
PM Modi also took note of ‘tu tadak’ language on the Bihar electoral turf, a reference to Rahul Gandhi’s speech during the Voter Adhikar Yatra and said that such thinking was a reflection of their anti-women mindset. He also called upon the youth of Bihar, including men and women, to demand accountability from those political parties, at every public rally, who don’t respect and recognise the contribution of women in our lives.
“I may forgive you for such brazen insult, but this land of Bihar will never forgive those who hurl abuse at our mothers,” PM Modi remarked. –IANS mr/dpb
-IANS
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Commenting on the row surrounding the inauguration of Mysuru Dasara festivities by Kannada author and Booker Prize awardee Banu Mushtaq, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah stated on Tuesday that the government cannot ask all participants in the festival to wear ‘sindoor’ and identify themselves as Hindus.
Speaking to reporters in Mysuru, CM Siddaramaiah, responding to the BJP’s demand that Banu Mushtaq wear ‘kumkum’, bangles, and flowers if she wished to inaugurate the festival, said, “Banu Mushtaq hails from the Muslim community. She is a Kannada writer. Is there a custom in Islam to wear kumkum? We celebrate Dussehra as the Nada Habba (festival of the land). What if we asked people of other religions to come to the ceremony wearing kumkum and become Hindus?”
When asked about comments suggesting that Banu Mushtaq would attend the Dussehra celebration after eating beef, CM Siddaramaiah retorted, “The Opposition will make claims, but have you seen it?” Answering a question on the alleged fatwa issued by Muslim religious leaders against Banu Mushtaq, the Chief Minister said, “Muslim preachers have clarified that they have not issued any fatwas against her. It is false news.”
Reacting further to the controversy, CM Siddaramaiah said, “When late Mirza Ismail was the Dewan of the Mysuru kingdom, the king carried out his procession on the Ambari. Where were the RSS and BJP then? In 2017, the Dussehra festival was inaugurated by author Nisar Ahmad. Where were they then?”
On Banu Mushtaq’s past comments about turmeric, kumkum, and Goddess Bhuvaneshwari, CM Siddaramaiah said, “I don’t know about those remarks. That is a different issue. She is a Kannada writer. Without love for the language, is it possible to write in Kannada? Without love and interest, is it possible to write? Her work has been honoured with the International Booker Prize.”
Union Minister for Food, Public Distribution and Consumer Affairs Pralhad Joshi had questioned the government over the Dasara inaugural invitation to Banu Mushtaq.
“Why is only Booker awardee Banu Mushtaq invited to inaugurate Dasara, while translator Deepa Bhasti is excluded? Deepa Bhasti is excluded because she is Hindu. Banu Mushtaq has stated that Kannada is equated with a goddess and questioned how she could respect it. Does she not feel ashamed to make such a statement after breathing the air of this land and drinking the waters of the Cauvery? If she respects Chamundeshwari and the sentiments of the people, we welcome her,” Joshi said.
-IANS
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More than 1 crore people globally live with a mental health disorder, and women account for over 53 per cent, according to new data released by the World Health Organization (WHO) on Tuesday.
The WHO reports World Mental Health Today and Mental Health Atlas 2024 stated that conditions such as anxiety and depression inflict immense human and economic tolls and called for greater investment and action to scale up services to protect and promote people’s mental health.
“Transforming mental health services is one of the most pressing public health challenges,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “Investing in mental health means investing in people, communities, and economies — an investment no country can afford to neglect. Every government and every leader has a responsibility to act with urgency and to ensure that mental health care is treated not as a privilege, but as a basic right for all,” he added.
The reports showed that anxiety and depressive disorders are the most common types of mental health disorders among both men and women. However, women are disproportionately impacted overall. Overall, more females (581.5 million) than males (513.9 million) live with a mental disorder.
“Mental disorders were found common among pregnant women and women in the year after birth, often with severe impacts for both mothers and babies. Worldwide, more than 10 per cent of pregnant women and women in the year after birth experience depression. In low- and medium-income countries (LMICs), this figure is estimated to be substantially higher,” the reports said.
Further, the report showed that suicide remains a devastating outcome, claiming an estimated 7,27,000 lives in 2021 alone. It is a leading cause of death among young people across all countries and socioeconomic contexts, and progress in reducing suicide mortality is too low.
Of the targeted one-third reduction in suicide rates by 2030, only a 12 per cent reduction will be achieved. Further, the economic impact of mental health disorders due to loss of productivity is also staggering. Depression and anxiety alone cost the global economy an estimated $ 1 trillion each year, the WHO report said.
The 2024 Mental Health Atlas showed that fewer countries have adopted or enforced rights-based mental health legislation, and only 45 per cent of countries evaluated laws in full compliance with international human rights standards. The report also revealed a concerning stagnation in mental health investment.
Median government spending on mental health remains at just 2 per cent of total health budgets — unchanged since 2017, with low-income countries spending as little as $ 0.04. The WHO stressed to governments to urgently intensify efforts toward systemic transformation of mental health systems worldwide.
This includes equitable financing of mental health services; legal and policy reform to uphold human rights; sustained investment in the mental health workforce; and expansion of community-based, person-centered care.
-IANS
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Karnataka Home Minister G. Parameshwara said on Tuesday that the state government will not hand over the alleged Dharmasthala mass murders case to the National Investigation Agency (NIA).
He, however, clarified that if the Enforcement Directorate (ED) initiates its own probe into the alleged “conspiracy funding” case, the state government cannot stop it. Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru on Tuesday, HM Parameshwara said, “The BJP is demanding an NIA probe into the case. There is no necessity to hand over the Dharmasthala case to the NIA. We have formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT), and it is doing its job. In this background, when the SIT is already investigating, there is no need to transfer the case to another agency.”
“I have already made a statement in this regard, and the Chief Minister has also clarified it. The BJP is taking the case in a different direction every day and making this demand. There is no necessity to hand over the case to the NIA,” he reiterated.
On the issue of alleged funding to hatch a conspiracy to defame Dharmasthala, HM Parameshwara said, “Let the ED investigate funding if they want; we cannot object to it. They will probe financial and related aspects from their own angle.”
Responding to BJP state President B.Y. Vijayendra’s visit to the residence of Soujanya, the minor girl who was allegedly kidnapped, gang-raped, and murdered in Dharmasthala in 2012, HM Parameshwara said, “I will stick to my stand. We have handed over the Dharmasthala murder case to the SIT. They are demanding an NIA probe, but we will not hand over the case to the NIA.”
“Until the investigation is completed, we cannot disclose any details. I have been repeating this. If the investigation is meddled with, such demands may arise. I don’t know their intentions — whether they want to obstruct the investigation. It appears so to me, because the investigation is being carried out properly and there has been no error on the part of the SIT. The question of handing over the case to another agency arises only if there is an error in the current investigation,” HM Parameshwara said.
He underlined that there has been no lapse by the SIT so far. Asked about his meeting with SIT chief Pronab Mohanty, he said, “Mohanty met me for a different reason. Mohanty meets me regarding various matters, and the SIT is one among them. As he is incharge of the Internal Security Division (ISD), he has other responsibilities as well. In that context, he comes to brief me.”
When asked about a woman’s claim that she had seen a minor girl being kidnapped in Dharmasthala, HM Parameshwara said that all such aspects will be part of the investigation and the SIT will look into it.
“I do not respond to every statement made by BJP leaders. Our responsibility is to ensure the SIT investigates and submits its report,” he said.
On the ED’s reported interest in the case, HM Parameshwara said, “I don’t know the terms of reference under which the ED will probe. As per the SIT’s terms of reference, the statement of Chinnaiah, the ‘mask man’ complainant, before the court is being examined.”
-IANS
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