Pascal bail plea deferred to Sept 27

The High Court of Karnataka on Tuesday adjourned to September 27, the bail plea of Pascal Mazurier, a French diplomat, arrested on the charge of raping his three-and-a-half-year-old daughter.

C V Nagesh, the counsel for Mazurier claimed during his arguments, that while a medical report indicated that Mazurier had committed the crime, the DNA report exonerated him. He contended that there were variations in the statements given by Suja, the complainant, to the police.

“The daughter, who is the only direct witness in the case, has never been brought before the investigating officers so far. Statements by the housemaid, cook and car driver attached to Mazurier’s family indicate his innocence,” he said. Justice H N Nagmohan Das adjourned the matter.

Report sought

The High Court has directed the State government to submit a report on the facilities provided to inmates at the Beggars’ Rehabilitation Centre, Sumanahalli.

Members of the Rashtrothan Sankalp in their public interest litigation have challenged the State government's decision to transfer Beggars' Colony land to the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA). The 308 acres and three guntas of land was allotted to the Rehabilitation Centre by Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar in 1944.

They further alleged that government was taking away beggars' land and using it for commercial purposes.

Meanwhile, the rehabilitation centre filed an application before the State government for renewal of their land lease. The counsel for the petitioners submitted that the Palike had not given beggars’ cess to the Central Relief Committee and the BDA had acquired the colony land to construct outer ring road without paying any compensation.

The Division Bench headed by Chief Justice Vikramajit Sen directed the BDA to announce compensation and warned of seizing the bank account in case of non-compliance. The case was adjourned for further hearing.