History-sheeter felicitated by officials in presence of minister, DC and SP

MANDYA: Congress MLA from Srirangapatna, Ramesh Bandisiddegowda, on Wednesday evening got some officials to felicitate a history-sheeter, that too right in front of the district deputy commissioner of superintendent of police.

A programme was held at Krishnaraja Sagar (KRS) Dam yesterday evening wherein a dancing fountain was inaugurated. The MLA got the Cauvery Neeravari Nigam Ltd officials to felicitate history-sheeter and gram panchayat member Devaraju though the latter’s name was not on the official invitation.

The history-sheeter posed for photographs with the MLA and (right) Minister Cheluvarayaswamy.

After receiving the felicitation, Devaraju sought Bandisiddegowda’s blessing by falling at his feet. He also posed for photographs with the MLA and Agriculture Minister N Cheluvarayaswamy who was present at the event. Devaraju has several cases lodged against him.

The Congress MLA later justified the move by stating that he too is facing a CBI case and questioning whether he should not have been at the event. Merely on the basis of an allegation, one cannot be branded a criminal, he said.