Bengaluru : Karnataka Housing Minister B.Z. Zameer Ahmed Khan has sought exemption from hoisting the national flag at the Independence Day celebrations in Vijayanagara district on August 15, citing his inability to attend the programme, triggering criticism from the Opposition BJP on Friday. The BJP has urged the Chief Minister to dismiss him from the cabinet for ignoring a sacred duty such as hoisting the Tricolour.

Zameer, in a letter to Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, said he had been assigned the responsibility of hoisting the national flag in Vijayanagara district in North Karnataka on the occasion of Independence Day. However, he said the upcoming Bengaluru civic polls, other local body elections, Assembly bypolls and party organisational responsibilities had left him with limited time.

He also requested the Chief Minister not to assign him the responsibility of District In-charge Minister for Vijayanagara or any other district.

“In the state, in the coming days, including Bengaluru civic polls, various local body elections, bypolls of Assembly segments and also in view of organisation of the party, there is shortage of time to take on the responsibility of district in-charge minister of Vijayanagara district,” Zameer said in the letter.

He further said that he had been assigned the responsibility of hoisting the national flag on August 15 but was unable to attend the programme and therefore sought exemption from the duty.

Zameer also referred to the drought situation in Vijayanagara district, stating that he had already submitted the report assigned to him in this regard.

The request comes just two days after portfolios were allocated to ministers in the Karnataka government following the recent Cabinet expansion.

Reacting sharply to the development, senior BJP leader and Leader of Opposition in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly R. Ashoka accused the Congress government of putting party politics ahead of national interests.

“Congress shamelessly puts party politics above the nation,” Ashoka said in a statement on Friday.

He alleged that Zameer’s decision to seek exemption from hoisting the Tricolour showed “total disrespect” for the country and criticised the minister for citing election-related and party organisational responsibilities as the reason for being unable to attend the Independence Day programme.

Ashoka said hoisting the national flag on Independence Day was a “sacred duty” and accused Zameer and the Congress government of giving greater importance to electoral calculations and party activities.

He also demanded that CM Shivakumar dismiss Zameer from the Cabinet, alleging that the minister’s decision had brought “shame” upon the state and disrespected the national flag.

The BJP leader further targeted the Congress leadership, including Rahul Gandhi, and demanded an apology over the issue.

The controversy comes as Karnataka gears up for Independence Day celebrations across the state on August 15.

Mumbai, Aug 13: The Directorate of Enforcement (ED), Mumbai Zonal Office, has filed a charge sheet under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, against Jayesh Vinod Tanna, Deep Vinod Tanna, Vivek Jayesh Tanna and seven entities of the Sai Group.

According to a press release, the charge sheet was submitted before the Special Court (PMLA), Mumbai, after extensive investigations into alleged financial irregularities tied to redevelopment projects across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.

The case traces back to 2024, when Mumbai Police registered multiple FIRs under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Maharashtra Ownership Flats Act (MOFA), 1963.

The ED’s probe revealed that the promoters of Sai Group diverted funds collected from flat and shop buyers in several redevelopment projects. Instead of channelling the money into construction, the funds were allegedly siphoned off, leaving buyers and investors in distress, the agency said.

According to the findings, the diversion of funds amounted to Rs 43.73 crore, affecting projects in DN Nagar, Andheri, Kandivali and Goregaon. The promoters are accused of misleading buyers, failing to deliver promised housing units and breaching financial trust.

To secure the proceeds of crime, the ED has attached assets worth Rs 43.73 crore under Section 5 of the PMLA. These include properties in Mumbai and Ahmednagar, as well as overseas holdings in the United Kingdom, it said.

The filing of the charge sheet highlights the ED’s intensified scrutiny of real estate‑linked money laundering cases, which have become increasingly common due to misuse of redevelopment funds. The agency emphasised that such fraudulent practices not only undermine the housing sector but also erode public confidence in redevelopment projects.

With the charge sheet now before the Special Court, the matter will proceed to trial, where evidence presented by the ED will be examined to determine the culpability of the accused individuals and entities.

This marks a significant step in the broader crackdown on financial crimes in the real estate sector, reinforcing the government’s stand to protect homebuyers and investors from exploitation.

Guwahati, Aug 13: Tensions along the Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border remained high on Thursday as an ongoing economic blockade over a recent firing incident escalated into stone-pelting, leaving police and CRPF personnel caught in clashes involving protesters from both sides.

The situation continued to remain sensitive in parts of Assam’s Dhemaji district and Arunachal Pradesh’s Lower Siang, amid heightened tensions between members of the Mising and Galo communities following the August 10 firing incident.

The incident took place at Mingmang Basti along the inter-state border under the Gogamukh revenue circle of Gerukamukh police station in Dhemaji.

At least 12 people were injured in the firing, which reportedly followed a dispute over alleged encroachment of Assam land by people from Arunachal Pradesh.

Following the incident, the Takam Mising Porin Kebang (TMPK) launched an indefinite economic blockade from August 12, disrupting movement between the two neighbouring states at multiple points.

The blockade has particularly affected the Silapathar-Likabali highway, where tensions intensified on Thursday after protesters allegedly resorted to stone-pelting.

Security personnel, including police and CRPF personnel deployed to maintain law and order, were also targeted.

Vehicles carrying Arunachal Pradesh registration numbers have reportedly been stopped at several entry points as part of the agitation.

The TMPK, along with the Mising Mimag Kebang (MMK) and Takam Mising Mahila Kebang (TMMK), has demanded the arrest of those allegedly involved in the firing and their handover to Assam Police.

The organisations have also sought an early settlement of the long-pending Assam-Arunachal Pradesh boundary dispute and action against alleged encroachment on Assam territory.

The administration has appealed to residents and protesters to maintain peace and refrain from actions that could further aggravate the situation.

Assam and Arunachal Pradesh share an 804.1-km boundary, with several areas remaining disputed. The two states have been pursuing a negotiated settlement through regional mechanisms and the Namsai Declaration framework.

With tensions still simmering, security forces and civil authorities are maintaining close vigil in the affected areas to prevent further escalation.