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Kalburgi murder probe to be conducted by SIT investigating Gauri Lankesh killing, orders SC

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The Supreme Court today (Tuesday February 26), directed the Karnataka police’s Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing journalist Gauri Lankesh’s murder to also take over the investigation into rationalist MM Kalburgi’s killing.

Noting the similarities in the manner in which the Kalburgi and Lankesh murders were executed, the apex court bench of Justices Rohinton Fali Nariman and Vineet Saran ordered the SIT to investigate both the cases.

The Bench also directed the Dharwad bench of Karnataka High Court to monitor the probes.

Kalburgi’s widow, Uma Mallinath Devi, had moved the top court in 2017, seeking an SIT probe into his murder. The top court had on November 26, 2018, pulled up the Karnataka Police for its tardy progress in the murder investigation. Kalburgi, former Vice-Chancellor of Hampi University and a well-regarded rationalist, who was honoured with the Sahitya Akademi award in 2006, had been gunned down at his residence in Dharwad, Karnataka, on August 30, 2015.

Uma Devi alleged that shooters from the same organisation were allegedly involved in all the three murders. Investigations by the SIT had suggested that both, Kalburgi and Gauri Lankesh had been killed with the same gun.

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On Tuesday, as Uma Devi’s petition came up for hearing, the bench of Justices Nariman and Saran noted that there were similarities in the way Kalburgi, Lankesh and two other rationalists – Narendra Dabholkar and Govind Pansare – were gunned down by alleged Hindu-right wing radicals. The court said that since all these murders followed a similar pattern, they should be investigated by a common agency.

The counsel for Karnataka government then informed the court that an SIT was already probing the Lankesh murder following which the bench directed that the Kalburgi murder investigation may also be transferred to this team. The SIT had been constituted in September 2017 by then Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah soon after Lankesh was gunned down outside her home in Bengaluru’s Rajarajeshwari Nagar locality.

The CBI is currently investigating the murder of Dabholkar, who spoke against superstition, the Indian caste system and for Dalit rights. Dabholkar was shot dead on August 20, 2013 by bike-borne assailants while he was out on a morning walk near the Omkareshwar temple in Pune.

Pansare, a political activist associated with the CPI and a rationalist was shot at by two men on a motorcycle while he and his wife were out on a morning walk in their hometown of Kolhapur on February 16, 2015. Pansare had succumbed to his injuries on February 20 after he was airlifted for treatment at a private hospital in Mumbai. The CBI has also maintained that there is a similar pattern to the four murders.

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The Supreme Court bench in December 2018 had told the CBI to find out if there was ‘any common thread’ in the alleged murders of Lankesh, activists Narendra Dabholkar and Govind Pansare and Kalburgi so that one agency could investigate all the four cases.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

India News

Himanta Biswa Sarma attacks Congress after Assam win, says people made Pawan Khera eat Pera

Himanta Biswa Sarma targets Congress after BJP’s Assam win, saying voters made Pawan Khera eat pera.

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Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma launched a sharp attack on the Congress after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led alliance secured a decisive victory in the 2026 Assam Assembly elections.

Reacting to the results, Sarma took a swipe at Congress leader Pawan Khera, saying that the people of Assam had made him “eat pera,” a remark aimed at highlighting the party’s defeat in the state.

The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) registered a commanding win, marking its third consecutive term in Assam. The BJP itself won a significant number of seats, while its allies — the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) and Bodoland People’s Front (BPF) — also contributed to the alliance’s strong tally.

The victory underlines the BJP’s continued dominance in the northeastern state, with Sarma emerging as the central figure in the party’s campaign and governance narrative.

Political observers note that the scale of the mandate reflects voter support for the party’s leadership and its governance approach, even as the opposition struggled to mount an effective challenge.

With this result, the BJP has further strengthened its position in Assam’s political landscape, while the Congress faces renewed questions over its performance in the state.

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Yogi Adityanath warns of strict action against forcible land occupation

Yogi Adityanath has warned of strict action against those forcibly occupying land, directing officials to ensure quick resolution of complaints.

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Yogi Adityanath has reiterated that strict action will be taken against anyone found forcibly occupying others’ land, underlining his government’s firm stance against illegal encroachment.

According to media reports, the Chief Minister issued the directive while addressing grievances, making it clear that such cases will not be tolerated and will be dealt with through strong legal measures. He instructed officials to ensure that victims receive timely relief and justice.

Adityanath emphasised that protecting citizens’ property rights remains a priority for the state government. He directed administrative and police authorities to act promptly in cases of land grabbing and ensure that illegal कब्ज़ा is removed without delay.

The Chief Minister has consistently maintained a tough position on land-related disputes. In recent interactions with the public, he has stressed the need for swift resolution of complaints and warned officials against negligence in handling such matters.

He also highlighted that strict legal action should be taken against those involved in unlawful occupation, ensuring accountability and deterrence against repeat offences.

The move is seen as part of the government’s broader push to strengthen law and order and curb the activities of land mafias in the state.

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Suvendu Adhikari after Bengal win, says Akhilesh Yadav is next

Suvendu Adhikari says Akhilesh Yadav is next after BJP’s Bengal win, shifts focus to Uttar Pradesh elections 2027.

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Following the Bharatiya Janata Party’s sweeping victory in the West Bengal Assembly elections 2026, senior leader Suvendu Adhikari made a strong political statement, indicating that the party’s next focus will be the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections in 2027.

Riding on the momentum of the party’s performance in Bengal, Adhikari said that several opposition leaders have already lost political ground and added that Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav would be “next” in line.

The BJP leader, who secured key victories in constituencies such as Bhabanipur and Nandigram, also claimed that the defeat of the ruling Trinamool Congress marked the beginning of a political decline for Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. He asserted that her “political exile has started,” referring to her electoral losses in recent contests.

Adhikari further criticised the Trinamool Congress, comparing it with other opposition parties and alleging that it lacked ideology and was driven by family-based politics. He also suggested that several leaders and workers from the TMC could shift allegiance to the BJP in the coming period.

The BJP’s strong showing in West Bengal marks a major political shift in the state, where the party has managed to significantly expand its footprint. Political observers say the latest remarks underline the party’s intent to carry its electoral momentum into upcoming state elections, particularly in Uttar Pradesh, which is expected to be a key battleground in 2027.

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