On any normal day, a teenager eating chocolates would be considered a non-event. But not for 15-year-old Sumina, an orphan from Odisha, who the police say, paid for her ‘aberrance’ with her life itself. When she was brought to Bengaluru by a techie couple in June 2024, it was to take care of their toddler son, despite being a child herself. Merely four months later, on September 27, her employer brutally assaulted her and left her to die in their home. The world would learn of her murder only three days later, when her body was found discarded under a bridge in Salem in neighbouring Tamil Nadu.
The employers – Odisha-native Abinesh Sagu (41) and Ashwini V Patil (37) – took Sumina to Bengaluru from an orphanage in Odisha that was run by Abinesh’s father, Karthi Chandra Sagu. They made her their four-year-old son’s full-time caretaker at their house in Bhoganhalli.
Sumina’s employment was in outright violation of the Juvenile Justice Act (JJ Act) and the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Rules. Not only was she subjected to cruel mistreatment and exploitation as a “child employee”, but her rights as an “adolescent” worker were also denied to her. The orphanage too violated law by sending her away for domestic work.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah was questioned by the Mysuru Lokayukta police on Wednesday, November 6, in connection with the alleged Mysore Urban Development Authority (MUDA) scam. The inquiry, conducted at the Lokayukta office on Dewan’s Road, Mysuru, lasted approximately two hours.
Following the inquiry, Siddaramaiah said, “I have given answers to all questions of the Lokayukta police. My statements were recorded, and they have also read out my answers, and I have endorsed them." He added that no further appearances have been requested by the Lokayukta at this time.
He is the first sitting Chief Minister in Karnataka to face a Lokayukta probe.
The allegations have drawn calls from opposition parties, including the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), for an investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Siddaramaiah, however, countered this demand and said, “ The Lokayukta is an independent agency. If the demand for a CBI probe is made, I will fight the matter in court.”
“The process of allotment of sites has taken place as per the law. The BJP and JD(S) have made false allegations, and I have answered all charges. The sites were not returned because I made a mistake; they were returned by my wife voluntarily after allegations surfaced,” he added.
The Lokayukta police are investigating 14 alternate sites given to Siddaramaiah’s wife Parvathi by MUDA in the Vijayanagar area of Mysuru as compensation. She had received these plots because MUDA reportedly used her 3.16-acre land in Kesare village, Mysuru, without formally acquiring it. The Lokayukta police started investigating after an FIR was filed on September 27 against Siddaramaiah and Parvathi. The Chief Minister has been named as the primary accused in the Lokayukta FIR, while his wife is listed as the second accused.
This came after a Bengaluru court directed Lokayukta police in Mysuru to investigate based on a complaint from Mysuru RTI activist Snehamayi Krishna. Parvathi was questioned by the Lokayukta on October 25.
The Chief Minister denied any wrongdoing and said, “I had no role in the MUDA case; how can I have any document in this regard? Until the court decides, there is no black mark on me.”
RTI activist Snehamayi Krisha on September 27 submitted a petition before the High Court demanding a CBI probe against CM Siddaramaiah. The Karnataka High Court is set to review the petition on November 26 and has asked the Lokayukta to submit its report.
Following the assault and murder of a 15-year-old Dalit girl in Chennai, Penn Thozhilalargal Sangam—a union for women domestic workers, staged a protest at the K3 Anna Nagar police station on November 5, demanding swift and stringent action against the accused.
The protestors also demanded to establish a redressal system for domestic workers to report abuse and sought strict implementation of laws preventing child labour.
On October 31, a teenage girl belonging to the Adi Dravidar community, categorised as Scheduled Caste, was beaten to death by her employers in Chennai’s Aminjikarai. She was also sexually abused, according to the police. The victim was a native of Thanjavur district.
The police have arrested six members of the family including the couple identified as Mohammad Nishad and Nasiya. They were booked charged under Section 3(1) (r)(Intentionally insulting or intimidating with intent to humiliate) of the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and Section 3(2)(v) ( Offences punishable with imprisonment for 10 years or more when committed against SC/ST person) of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS). Police have also invoked the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
Demanding justice for the Dalit teen, Penn Thozhilalar Sangam president Sujata Mody questioned how a minor who should be ideally studying was brought to Chennai to work as a house help.
Reflecting similar sentiments, the union’s secretary D Sumathi added, “Tamil Nadu should not have any child labourers. We are demanding the Tamil Nadu Police to take immediate action and protect every child employed in domestic work.”
The protesting workers also highlighted the problems they face as household workers. They said that they are being treated as ‘slaves’. Even if they request leave, the employers threaten to fire them or cut their salaries, they claimed. Several domestic workers who participated in the protest said that they find it hard to cope with such issues.
A group of dominant caste men attacked a 17-year-old Dalit boy at his house in Melapattam village near Tirunelveli on Monday, November 4, for allegedly confronting them over reckless driving.
According to reports, the boy who belongs to a Scheduled Caste (SC) was walking near his house when the accused sped past him in a car, nearly hitting him. An argument ensued between the boy and the accused, who reportedly belong to a Most Backward Class community.
The tension was diffused by a bystander in the vicinity temporarily, but the accused returned to the spot in the evening, armed with beer bottles and a sickle. They attacked the boy inside his house and also destroyed household items.
The residents of Melapattam staged a road blockade demanding justice, and were pacified by Superintendent of Police N Silambarasan. He told TNM that a case has been filed under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, along with charges of attempted murder and assault.
The accused were traced with the help of CCTV footage. Around six people were reportedly seen exiting the village in two-wheelers after carrying out the attack. Four persons were arrested on Tuesday, November 5, and two are absconding, the police said.
The Madras High Court on Wednesday granted permission to Coimbatore-based veterinary surgeon, V. Valliappan, to meet an infant monkey he rescued and cared for over ten months after it sustained injuries from a stray dog attack.
This directive was issued as part of an interim order on a writ petition filed by Valliappan earlier this week.
A single-judge bench of Justice C.V. Karthikeyan directed Valliappan to visit the Arihant Anna Zoological Park in Vandalur, Chennai, on Saturday and submit a report on the interaction.
The bench also instructed Tamil Nadu Forest Department officials to observe the interaction between Valliappan and the baby monkey and submit a report by November 14.
A decision regarding Valliappan’s plea for interim custody of the monkey will be made after the reports are reviewed.
Addressing Special Government Pleader T. Srinivasan, Justice Karthikeyan emphasised that cases involving human-animal bonds require sensitive handling. The judge expressed an interest in knowing whether the monkey would still recognise Valliappan, as it had been two weeks since their separation.
This comment was in response to the petitioner’s lawyer, R. Sankarasubbu, who argued that Valliappan had looked after the monkey from December 4, 2023, to October 26, 2024.
Justice Karthikeyan also requested that the government pleader provide the court with relevant rules and regulations concerning the granting of interim custody of animals to individual caretakers.
In his affidavit, Valliappan recounted how he first encountered the injured infant monkey during a dog sterilisation camp in Sholingur Municipality of Ranipet district.
The monkey had multiple dog bite injuries and was partially paralysed below the hip. Since then, he provided extensive treatment and nourishment, but the animal was taken from him on October 26 and transferred to the zoological park.
Valliappan, who initially requested interim custody of the monkey on October 28, stated that the animal still requires additional care to achieve full independence. He argued that, while the monkey might eat out of hunger, it may not be able to ensure adequate nourishment on its own.
Citing the bond he developed with the animal over months of caregiving, he expressed concern that it could fall ill again without his supervision. The veterinarian assured the court he would submit regular updates on the monkey’s health if granted temporary custody and would allow Forest Department inspections as necessary.
Valliappan is affiliated with Prani Mithran, an animal welfare organisation based in Madurai that offers free veterinary services throughout Tamil Nadu.
The Karnataka BJP staged a protest on Wednesday demanding Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's resignation, saying that the dignity of the CM's office was being diminished as he was facing Lokayukta probe in connection with the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) case.
The protest, led by BJP MLA T. S. Srivatsa, was staged near the Ramaswamy circle in Mysuru as Siddaramaiah appeared before the Lokayukta.
As the protestors started raising slogans against Siddaramaiah, the police dragged the BJP workers, including women, to the vehicles and detained them.
MLA Srivatsa said though Siddramaiah was being interrogated at a different location, police officers were not letting the opposition stage the protest.
"The police were not even allowing us to talk to the media. What is this system of not allowing the opposition to protest? Does any government behave in such a manner during the by-elections? We have no faith in the ongoing investigation by the Lokayukta and demand a CBI probe," MLA Srivatsa stated.
Reacting to the development, BJP MP B. Y. Raghavendra said Siddaramaiah should tender resignation first and face investigation.
The BJP has been staging protests for two months regarding the MUDA scam.
"Along with the 14 sites allotted to Siddaramaiah's wife Parvathy, the probe will be conducted on the allotment of thousands of sites in MUDA. Siddaramaiah can come back to the position when he gets the clean chit. He should tender his resignation," Raghvendra demanded.
Former Chief Minister and BJP MP Basavaraj Bommai said Siddaramaiah facing the probe has brought down the dignity of the CM's Chair.
Meanwhile, defending Siddaramaiah, State Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H.K. Patil said: "The BJP was politicising the MUDA case. Siddaramaiah will not face any complications in the case. Our CM is a law-abiding citizen. He will be in the forefront to fulfil legal obligations."
Minister Patil claimed that the soaring popularity of Siddaramaiah has left the BJP unnerved.
An FIR was filed against actor Kasthuri on Tuesday, November 5, for her derogatory remarks against the Telugu migrants. She has been booked under Sections 192 (Wantonly giving provocation with intent to cause riot), 196(1)(a) (promoting enmity between different groups on the basis of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, caste, or community), 353(1)(b) (criminal intimidation) and 353(2) (criminal intimidation) of Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS). The case was registered at Egmore F-2 police station.
Kasthuri, who identifies herself as Hindu right-wing supporter, triggered a controversy at the rally against ‘Brahmin persecution,’ held in Chennai on November 3.
Alleging that the Brahmin community is facing threats due to the Dravidian ideology, without mentioning the names of Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) leaders, she alleged that Telugu-speaking women who came to Tamil Nadu as ‘concubines’ to kings, are claiming to be Tamils and attacking Brahmins as ‘invaders.’
“The Telugu-speaking people who came to serve as concubines to a king 300 years ago are now claiming themselves to belong to the Tamil race. Who are you [Dravidians] to tell us Brahmins that we are not Tamils?” she said. She also alleged that Kollywood had denied her opportunities because she’s Brahmin, denied historic caste oppression and also made accusations of “Brahmin genocide”.
After widespread outrage, including condemnation from the BJP, the actor who is residing in Hyderabad retracted her statement with reference to the Telugu population and said that she was only referring to a section of people in the DMK. It may be noted that the Telugu ancestry of Karunanidhi and Periyar has often been cited to call them ‘non-Tamils’.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, November 5, Kasturi said, “I reiterate that my expressed opinions are contextually specific to certain persons and not general to the greater Telugu community. It was never my intention to hurt or offend my Telugu extended family. I am sorry for any inadvertent ill feeling.” (sic)
“In the interest of all round amity, I withdraw all references to telugu in my speech delivered on 3rd november 2024. This controversy has diverted focus from the more important points I raised in that speech. I ask the Telugu brethren of TamilNadu to rally behind TamilNadu's Brahmins in their fight for dignity,” she claimed.
State BJP President, B.Y. Vijayendra has charged that the dignity of the Chief Minister’s Office, a symbol of Karnataka’s sovereignty, is being diminished as CM Siddaramaiah is facing an investigation by the Lokayukta in the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) case.
CM Siddaramaiah on Wednesday appeared before the Mysuru Lokayukta SP for investigation in the MUDA case in which he is named as the first accused.
Vijayendra stated on Wednesday, “Accused number one Mr. CM Siddaramaiah, the entire country is witnessing the notoriety you have gained as a corrupt Chief Minister who clings to the position while facing investigation.”
“In the Assembly, you fled from a discussion on your own infamous MUDA scam, and now you speak on corruption as though a demon is preaching the Bhagavad Gita," Vijayendra charged.
“Your family is accused of defrauding an innocent Dalit family to acquire land, and this very land was misused by MUDA to gain 14 plots, as per the ongoing investigation against you,” he slammed.
“If you had done nothing wrong, and if you were due to receive Rs 62 crore rupees as claimed, why did you hurriedly return the MUDA plots overnight without conditions? If you are so clean, why do you refuse a transparent investigation and instead defend corruption? It is truly harsh to hear words like "honesty" from someone who has thrown morality into the trash,” Vijayendra stated.
“The Governor has granted permission for prosecution against you regarding these allegations. You appealed this, only for the High Court to dismiss it; the people’s court has directed the Lokayukta to file an FIR against you, and an investigation is ongoing in the Lokayukta,” he stated.
With doubts about how far your subordinate officers would go in investigating you, a writ petition has been filed in the High Court seeking an order for a CBI investigation, which is under review, he noted.
“You, who challenged honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi for an open debate, should first try winning against the legal fight of an ordinary citizen, complainant Snehamayi Krishna and then talk about corruption,” Vijayendra commented.
“Focus on cleaning up the stain on your own reputation because the dignity of the Chief Minister’s Office, a symbol of Karnataka’s sovereignty, is being diminished daily by your conduct,” Vijayendra claimed.
“The court has already ruled that the accusations you made against me are baseless,” Vijayendra stated. “As a lawyer yourself, seeing you repeatedly bring up these matters suggests a lack of sound judgment on your part. It seems the tightening grip of the law has disturbed your peace, leading you to a state of deep agitation, and you keep repeating these false accusations, as if out of desperation,” he stated.
“Your government has all the power to conduct an expedited investigation to substantiate any allegations against us, yet your situation of abandoning the dignity of the Chief Minister’s Office to use such trivial accusations as election propaganda is laughable,” he charged.
