bangalore news times

Bengaluru: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)’s IT Cell In-charge and West Bengal Co-Incharge, Amit Malviya, on Wednesday, May 13, accused the Congress government in Karnataka of withdrawing the February 5, 2022, order on school uniform and allowing the use of hijab in schools under the guise of permitting “limited traditional and faith-based religious symbols”. In a statement, Malviya alleged that the state government had made the move “surreptitiously” through a new government circular. He claimed that points 3 and 4 of the government circular, while speaking about preserving school uniforms, explicitly permitted religious symbols and headscarves inside educational institutions. Also Read Karnataka govt withdraws 2022 hijab ban order “This is not empowerment. This is the institutionalisation of religious identity in classrooms and the slow burial of childhood under layers of dogma,” Malviya said. He added that schools and colleges sho...

Bengaluru: In a serious lapse that has raised questions about the implementation of the state government’s flagship Gruha Lakshmi scheme, it has been revealed that nearly Rs 22 crore was credited to the bank accounts of deceased beneficiaries in Karnataka’s Dakshina Kannada district. The shocking discrepancy came to light during a district-level review meeting on the guarantee scheme implementation held at the Zilla Panchayat hall. Officials confirmed that payments under the scheme continued to be transferred even to inactive or closed accounts, including those belonging to deceased individuals, triggering immediate concern among the district administration. Also Read College student arrested in Mangaluru with Rs 35 L hydroponic ganja Following the disclosure, authorities have initiated urgent steps to identify such cases and recover the misdirected funds. Officials from the Women and Child Development Department informed the meeting that Dakshina Kannada has 4,25,7...

Bengaluru: A shocking electric scooter explosion inside a residential house in Halasuru has claimed the life of a 65-year-old man, raising fresh concerns over battery safety in EV vehicles. The deceased has been identified as Lourdes Nathan, a resident of Mersy Town, Halasuru. Police said the incident occurred when the electric scooter, belonging to the victim’s son, was being charged inside their home. As per routine, Lourdes Nathan had plugged in the Okinawa electric scooter on Monday night around 11 pm and gone to sleep. Around 3 am, a loud blast was heard, followed by fire spreading rapidly inside the house. The explosion reportedly occurred near the scooter’s battery unit, causing severe burn injuries to the elderly man who was sleeping nearby. His son and daughter-in-law, staying on the upper floor, rushed down after hearing the sound and found him critically injured. Despite being shifted to a nearby hospital immediately, he died on the way due to severe burns....

Chikkamagaluru: In a major wildlife crime crackdown, the Crime Investigation Department Forest Mobile Squad police have arrested five persons for allegedly attempting to sell a rare two-headed red sand boa snake, estimated to be worth over Rs 1 crore in the illegal wildlife market. The accused were caught during a raid conducted at Vajpayee Layout in Chikkamagaluru city following credible information about the illegal transaction. Forest officials said the suspects were trying to strike a deal for the highly protected reptile when the team intercepted them. The arrested accused have been identified as Vamsikrishna and Arif Basha from Andhra Pradesh, along with Yatheesh, Shafi and another Arif Basha from Karnataka’s Shivamogga and Tumakuru districts. Also Read Karnataka: Hunt to capture leopard underway after boy killed near MM Hills According to investigators, the gang had allegedly procured the rare snake and was attempting to sell it to prospective buyers for a hug...

New Delhi: In a major relief to Congress leader TD Rajegowda, who had recently lost his MLA position following a recount of postal ballots in the Sringeri Assembly constituency, the Supreme Court on Monday stayed the Karnataka High Court order directing recounting of votes and allowed him to continue as MLA until further hearing. The apex court issued notice to the Election Commission of India and adjourned the matter to May 21. With the interim stay order, the status quo in the constituency will continue, effectively restoring Rajegowda’s position as the sitting legislator. The development also comes as a temporary setback for BJP leader DN Jeevaraj, who had been declared elected after the recount and had recently taken oath as MLA. The Supreme Court heard a petition filed by Rajegowda challenging the Karnataka High Court ’s order that had directed recounting of postal ballots in the 2023 Assembly election. During the hearing, the court stayed both the High Court verdict and ...

Chikkaballapur: Allegations of medical negligence have surfaced at a government hospital in Chintamani taluk after a 24-year-old woman reportedly died following complications arising from a sterilisation surgery. The incident triggered protests by family members and relatives, who staged a demonstration in front of the hospital with the woman’s body, demanding strict action against the doctors concerned. The deceased has been identified as Narmada G.N., a resident of Batlahalli village. She is survived by her husband and two young sons. According to family members, Narmada had undergone a family planning sterilisation procedure at the Chintamani Taluk Government Hospital. However, during the surgery, doctors allegedly damaged her small intestine, leading to severe infection and subsequent deterioration in her health. Relatives alleged that the complication was concealed initially and proper treatment was not provided in time. They claimed the woman’s condition worsened due to...