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Bengaluru: The Karnataka Legislative Assembly has debated whether students should be encouraged to clean school premises to improve their hygiene habits. School Education and Literacy Minister Madhu Bangarappa said he would welcome this if the House is willing to pass legislation in this regard. He, however, said that factors like “child rights” should be considered. Lack of sweepers The issue came up for discussion as the JD(S) floor leader highlighted the need to recruit ‘D group’ workers, pointing out that schools lack sweepers and children are made to sweep the premises, during the discussion on the Karnataka State Civil Services (Regulation of Transfer of Teachers) (Amendment) Bill, which was passed on Tuesday. He said, “The government should hire D group workers or provide permission for children to do it themselves,” he added. Also Read Karnataka bans social media for children below 16 years, says CM Speaker U T Khader said that he too had cleaned his school premises ...

Hyderabad: The Hyderabad police, on Monday, March 23, arrested 32 people in connection with four cases of large-scale cheating linked to Vihaan Direct Selling Private Limited, a Hong Kong-based company. The arrests were made by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) of Cyber Crime station (CCS) across Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Bengaluru. In a press conference, Hyderabad City Police Commissioner VC Sajjanar said that Vihaan Direct Selling Pvt. Ltd is owned by the QI Group, also known as Gold Quest and Quest Net. The company projects itself as a product-based business on the front end, but allegedly runs an illegal money circulation scheme in the background Apart from youth seeking employment, they target software engineers, business persons and homemakers. “Promising high-returns, the scammers would take advantage and cheat them,” he said. After gaining trust, the victims were invited to various hotels in Hitech City where the accused explained an investment plan without disclo...

Bengaluru : Karnataka Food and Civil Supplies Minister K H Muniyappa on Monday, March 23, said the state is supplying about 20 per cent of the usual commercial LPG demand, prioritising essential sectors, while urging stakeholders to “adjust” amid constraints. Replying during Question Hour in the Karnataka Legislative Council , the minister said allocations have been streamlined following the intervention by the Centre, with a focus on education, public utilities and the hospitality sector. “Now we are supplying around 16,000 cylinders per day,” he said. Also Read Centre increases commercial LPG allocation to 50 pc for states and UTs The minister noted that against a daily usage of about 45,000 commercial cylinders earlier, the current supply has been rationalised based on priority. He said educational institutions have been allotted 4,200 cylinders, while government establishments, including canteens, airports, railways and bus stations, have been given 1,200 cylinders. “For h...

Bengaluru: Karnataka Primary and Secondary Education Minister Madhu Bangarappa on Monday, March 23, said the government will bring a comprehensive framework to regulate mobile phone and social media usage among students below 16 years, acknowledging growing concerns over its impact on children. He was replying to the question raised by MLCs Pratap Nayak and Javare Gowda, who urged the government to take urgent and stringent measures, warning that mobile addiction among children has reached alarming levels. Replying during Question Hour in the Karnataka Legislative Council, the minister said that while restrictions already exist, enforcement has been weak and the government is now working on stronger guidelines in consultation with multiple stakeholders. “For the first time in India, our government has proposed in the Budget that mobile use should be banned for children below 16 years,” he said. He added that although laws prohibiting the use of mobile phones in schools are in pla...

Belagavi : An 81-year-old businessman has allegedly lost over Rs 15 crore in a ‘digital arrest’ scam after fraudsters posing as CBI officials accused him of involvement in a financial crime, police said. According to officials, the senior citizen received multiple calls, including video calls, for nearly six weeks. The fraudsters claimed that the victim had received a Rs 5 lakh commission for laundering Rs 25 lakh and that complaints had been filed against him for illegal financial activities, police have said on Sunday, March 22. Also Read UP influencer arrested over remarks against Valmiki community Threatening to arrest him in a money laundering case, they coerced the victim into sharing his account and financial details with them and transferring the money to a “safe or government account,” they added. They assured him that the amount would be returned after the investigation. The victim grew suspicious when he received no response from the callers and found all mobile nu...

Bengaluru: CJI Justice Surya Kant has said that AI must be integrated into the judicial system in a manner that strengthens the institution without undermining its core functions. In his inaugural address at a one-day seminar on “Artificial Intelligence – Prevention and Resolution of Disputes” at the Karnataka Judicial Academy, on Saturday, he said, “AI should assist in handling large volumes of data and records, identifying patterns, and reducing procedural delays”. However, he said, “It must not encroach upon the core judicial function of delivering judgments,” according to a release. The Chief Justice cautioned that allowing AI tools to dominate decision-making could compromise transparency and accountability within the justice delivery system. He stressed that the final stage of adjudication must remain in human hands. Also Read India advances AI-ready data infrastructure across key sectors: Govt “The final stage of the judicial process, pronouncement of judgments, must r...

Bengaluru: CJI Justice Surya Kant on Saturday, March 21, said Artificial Intelligence (AI) must be integrated into the judicial system in a manner that strengthens the institution without undermining its core functions. He was speaking after inaugurating a one-day seminar on “Artificial Intelligence-Prevention and Resolution of Disputes” at the Karnataka Judicial Academy, organised in collaboration with the UIA India Chapter, Bar Association of India and the National Law School of India University, an official statement said. “AI should assist in handling large volumes of data and records, identifying patterns, and reducing procedural delays. However, it must not encroach upon the core judicial function of delivering judgments,” the CJI was quoted as saying. The Chief Justice cautioned that allowing AI tools to dominate decision-making could compromise transparency and accountability within the justice delivery system. He stressed that the final stage of adjudication must remain ...

Bengaluru: Karnataka Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy on Saturday ruled out any immediate increase in bus ticket fares despite the recent surge in petrol and diesel prices, attributing the rise in fuel costs to global factors. He said the state government would not burden commuters with higher fares at this stage and indicated that there was no move to initiate the process required for a revision. “Just because diesel prices have gone up, we will not increase ticket fares. We do not have the authority to raise fares now. We are not increasing them,” Reddy told reporters. Responding to queries on whether a committee would be constituted to review fare revision, the minister said the government was not considering such a step at present. He attributed the current spike in fuel prices to ongoing geopolitical tensions and expressed hope that prices would ease once the situation stabilises. “Prices have gone up due to the war situation (Iran-Israel-US). If the war stops, prices wil...

Bengaluru: Hindutva workers allegedly abducted and assaulted a 17-year-old Muslim boy in Karnataka’s Dakshin Kannada district on March 11 at a local fair. The incident came to light recently after the victim’s father filed a complaint on Wednesday, March 18, after discovering the boy’s suicide letter. The assault took place in Ujire under the Belthangady police station limits. The minor had gone to the Jatra Mahotsav fair with his friends, where he was standing beside a ferris wheel, when a group of Hindutva miscreants approached him. Bajrang Dal workers, Gaurav Shetty and Ramesh, reportedly accused the minor of attending the fair with Hindu girls. They allegedly assaulted and abused the boy at the venue and later took him to another location away from the fair on a motorcycle, where they continued the assault. The accused forced him to record a video statement stating he made a mistake by attending the fair. The boy was later released and reached home in a state of fear. Minor...

Bengaluru: A disc jockey has been held for allegedly making a remark referring to a bomb during an argument with airline staff at Kempegowda International Airport here after he was denied entry for arriving late at the boarding gate, police said on Saturday. The accused, Rajatesh Bera (40), a native of North 24 Parganas district in West Bengal, was scheduled to travel from Bengaluru to Raipur on an Indigo flight on March 11, they said. Accused a disc jockey in Bengaluru According to police, Bera, who works as a disc jockey in Bengaluru, went to Gate No 16 at Terminal 1 but was denied entry by gate staff as he had arrived after the boarding time. Following this, an argument broke out during which he allegedly remarked that the flight would stop if there was a bomb inside the aircraft, a senior police officer said. The mention of the word “bomb” triggered security concerns, and he was detained and handed over to the police. A bomb threat assessment committee was subsequently forme...

Bengaluru: Panic enquiries for domestic LPG cylinders have risen at several gas agencies in Bengaluru in the past few days amid concerns over supply disruptions due to the widening West Asia conflict, though dealers said on Wednesday that stocks are adequate as of now. However, there is an acute shortage of commercial LPG cylinders, forcing several hotels and restaurants in the city to operate under strain, an LPG dealer told PTI. Hotel and restaurant owners reiterated that they would be forced to shut down once their stock is exhausted. A representative of Indane distributor, Sri Giridhar Agencies, said there has been no disruption in the supply of LPG cylinders for domestic use. “Every day we have been receiving loads. There is no disruption in supply. However, we have been getting numerous panic calls from customers enquiring whether there is sufficient stock. Calls for bookings have also gone up,” the representative, who did not wish to be identified, said. He assured custom...

Bengaluru : A man was arrested for allegedly setting his partner and her parents on fire following her refusal to give him her two-wheeler, police said on Monday, March 9. The accused has been identified as Panduranga (32), a resident of Nandini Layout, they said. Sumalatha (27), a domestic help, and her parents who sustained injuries in the incident are currently undergoing treatment at a hospital here, a senior police officer said. Also Read Delhi woman accused of hurling racial abuses at NE neighbours arrested Panduranga went to Sumalatha’s house in Tarabanahalli and asked her to hand over her scooter to him. When she refused, a heated argument ensued following which her parents intervened. Suddenly, allegedly in a fit of rage, he poured petrol over them from a bottle and set them on fire and immediately fled the spot, the officer said. Their neighbours rushed the family to hospital, where they are receiving treatment, he said. A case was registered at the Soladevanahal...

Chikkaballapur : A 70-year-old man died after his car caught fire, leaving his body charred, police said on Monday, March 9. The deceased was identified as Uday Kumar, a resident of Raghuvanahalli on Kanakapura Road in Bengaluru , they said. The incident occurred near Achepalli Cross in Bagepalli taluk of Chikkaballapur district on Sunday when he was returning after visiting his mother in his native place, police said. Also Read Bangladeshi nationals residing illegally in Bengaluru taken into police custody Local police were alerted by passersby who noticed the car on fire. Fire tenders rushed to the spot and doused the blaze . However, the flames had spread rapidly through the vehicle, resulting in his death . Later, his charred body was recovered from the car, police said. Citing preliminary investigation, a senior police officer said it appeared to be a case of suicide as investigators did not find any evidence indicating an accident or a mechanical fault in the car that c...

Bengaluru : In a special operation, the CCB on Friday, March 6, took into custody 124 Bangladeshi nationals who were allegedly residing illegally in Bengaluru, police said. Among them 48 men, 42 women and 34 children, they said. In the early hours, four special teams comprising officers and staff of the Central Crime Branch (CCB) conducted a targeted operation in the jurisdiction of Kadugodi and Varthur police stations here, police said. “During the operation, 124 Bangladeshi nationals who had allegedly constructed temporary sheds and were residing there illegally were taken into custody. Among them were 48 men, 42 women and 34 children ,” the office of Bengaluru City Police Commissioner Seemant Kumar Singh said in a statement. Also Read Karnataka to enact Rohith Vemula Bill to curb caste discrimination They have been subjected to inquiry, and a report has been submitted to the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) authorities for further appropriate action to deport...

Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday, March 6, said that usage of social media will be banned for children under the age of 16 and strict action will be taken to prevent drug abuse in schools, colleges and universities. Presenting the state budget for 2026-27, he assured that 15,000 vacant posts of teachers in schools and colleges will be filled next fiscal. ‘Ban to prevent adverse effects of increasing mobile usage’ “With the objective of preventing adverse effects of increasing mobile usage on children, usage of social media will be banned for children under the age of 16,” he said. He announced that a grant of Rs 565 crore will be provided for the construction of new rooms and repair works in government primary, high schools, and Pre-University Colleges, Rs 75 crore for the construction of toilets and Rs 25 crore for the procurement of furniture in schools. A grant of Rs 125 crore will be made for the maintenance of government primary schools, high schoo...

Bengaluru : The Lokayukta on Thursday, March 5, conducted simultaneous raids at the premises of several government officials across different districts of Karnataka in connection with alleged possession of disproportionate assets, officials said. The searches were carried out at multiple locations linked to officials working in various government departments in districts including Bengaluru , Mandya, Dharwad, Hassan, Mysuru , Vijayapura and Yadgir, among others, they said. According to Lokayukta officials, the raids targeted officials holding posts such as Assistant Executive Engineer, Junior Engineer, Deputy Electrical Inspector and Taluk Backward Classes Welfare Officer. Also Read I-PAC raids: SC adjourns next hearing to March 18 Among those raided was Assistant Executive Engineer M C Satyanarayana of the Hassan Municipal Corporation. High drama unfolded during the raid at Satyanarayana’s residence in Hassan, where Lokayukta officials were forced to wait outside the house fo...