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Bengaluru: Police on Monday, November 9, recovered the last two bodies of seven members of a family allegedly murdered by a cab driver over domestic disputes, finding them in the Shiradi Ghat forest area. “Two more dead bodies have been found in the Shiradi Ghat forest area. The deceased have been identified as Shankar and Nalini. With this, all seven bodies have been recovered,” the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) North, BS Nemagoud, said in a press note. Police had earlier recovered the bodies of the accused’s wife and mother-in-law from the Yercaud forest area in Salem district of Tamil Nadu.  Two others, identified as Shivakumar and Divya, were found near the Chamundi Hills in Mysuru district, while the body of a seven-year-old boy, Puneeth, was recovered near Nandi Hills. Can driver kills all 7 family members The accused, cab driver Indusekar alias Sekar, allegedly killed the seven-year-old at his house within the Rajajinagar Police Station limits i...

Bengaluru : Karnataka minister Rizwan Arshad on Monday, November 9, said that the state government stood by its findings that oil marketing companies (OMCs) were blending more than the prescribed 20 per cent ethanol in petrol, with some samples showing levels of up to 31.2 per cent, and accused them of evading questions on the issue. The minister for Food, Civil Supplies, Consumer Affairs and Legal Metrology said the state government had followed the prescribed sampling and testing procedures and challenged the OMCs to explain the actual ethanol content in 63 samples collected from petrol pumps across the state. He also demanded that consumers be given the choice of buying E10, E20, E30 and pure petrol, depending on their vehicles ‘ compatibility. “I want to assure everyone in the country that the government of Karnataka stands by its report and its claim that oil marketing companies are blending more than 20 per cent ethanol in petrol. This can cause serious...

Bengaluru : A comprehensive review of Bengaluru’s development projects will be held on Monday, November 9, under the leadership of Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, with the BDA and officials from other departments expected to participate. The review will focus on the progress of ongoing infrastructure projects and measures to address the city’s increasing traffic congestion. Planned urbanisation, civic facilities and long-pending residential site and housing issues are also expected to feature in the discussions. The Chief Minister will examine the status of major projects taken up by the BDA and seek details about their implementation schedules, land acquisition, funding and administrative processes. Officials are expected to present updates on the pace of work and the challenges holding up individual projects. The meeting is likely to result in directions to departments to remove bottlenecks and ensure that development works are completed within the prescribe...

Kalaburagi : A 15-year-old boy died in a powerful explosion at Handarki village in Sedam taluk after he reportedly mistook an explosive substance stored at home for a Diwali firecracker. The victim, identified as Bhimraya, was killed instantly when the material exploded as soon as he lit it. The blast caused severe injuries to his head, leaving him dead at the spot. Preliminary details indicate that the explosive had been brought home by the boy’s father to drive away wild boars. It was not an ordinary firecracker , but a material intended to frighten animals away from agricultural areas. Unaware of its purpose and the danger involved, Bhimraya reportedly assumed that it was a firework kept for Diwali celebrations. He lit it, triggering a powerful explosion. The sudden death has left the family inconsolable. What was believed to be a moment of festive excitement turned into a devastating loss for his parents and relatives. The incident highlights the serious...

Sirci : Residents of Omkara Nagar in Dodnalli village of Sirsi taluk in Uttara Kannada district are facing an unusual and alarming water contamination problem, with water in around six wells reportedly turning black and catching fire when exposed to a flame. Villagers said an oily layer had formed on the surface of the well water, which also emits a smell similar to petrol or diesel. In a disturbing demonstration, a piece of paper dipped in the water reportedly caught fire when a matchstick was applied. Residents said the problem persisted even after the wells were emptied, as oil-contaminated water continued to seep back in. The development has raised serious concerns among families who depend on these wells for their daily water requirements. After noticing the contamination, residents alerted gram panchayat officials, who visited the locality and confirmed the presence of an oily substance on the water surface. Water samples from the affected wells have been collecte...

Bengaluru : An 18-year-old engineering student from Karnataka has achieved a remarkable milestone by topping the National Defence Academy (NDA) entrance examination across the country. Shreya N Gowda, a native of Bhadravathi in Shivamogga district, secured the all-India first rank in the examination conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), succeeding in her maiden attempt. Her achievement is the culmination of a dream she nurtured from childhood. While studying in Class 8, Shreya learnt that women were eligible to join the NDA and decided to work towards a career in the armed forces. She had set her sights on securing a position among the top 10, but her performance exceeded her own expectations. Shreya studied at BGS Central School in Karehalli, Bhadravathi, until Class 10 and secured the top position in her taluk. She then moved to Bengaluru for her pre-university course at BASE PU College in Rajajinagar. Her preparation for the JEE examination strengthened h...

Bengaluru : Investigators probing the murder of seven members of a family allegedly by Indushekhar have found that the accused pawned and sold jewellery taken from the bodies of his wife and mother-in-law to finance the transportation and disposal of the victims’ remains. According to police sources, the accused removed bloodstained ornaments from the bodies, washed them and subsequently pledged some of them at jewellery shops. The money was allegedly used to meet expenses connected with the crimes. He reportedly sold some other ornaments to buy diesel for his car, which was used to transport the bodies, while the remaining jewellery was handed over to his daughter. The investigation has also established that the accused travelled extensively to dispose of the bodies. He allegedly drove from Bengaluru to Mangaluru and returned, later travelled to Chennai and subsequently went to Nandi Hills. Between October 16 and November 3, he allegedly murdered seven members of ...

Bengaluru : Fresh signs of unease within the Karnataka Congress have emerged after former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah skipped a Diwali friendship gathering hosted by Rahul Gandhi in Delhi on Friday, November 6, despite being invited. His absence comes amid the controversy surrounding an alleged sting operation against him and has fuelled speculation about strained relations with the party high command. Siddaramaiah is believed to be displeased with the way the state government has dealt with the investigation into the sting operation. He had reportedly expressed his concerns to Rahul Gandhi as well. His decision not to attend the Delhi event has prompted questions about whether he is indirectly conveying his displeasure to the central leadership. Adding to the political debate, Siddaramaiah’s son Yathindra Siddaramaiah claimed that the mobile network associated with the person behind the sting video had been traced to Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy ‘s residence i...

Gundlupet: Allegations that hazardous medical waste from Keralam hospitals is being illegally dumped along National Highway 766 near Gundlupet have sparked anger among residents and activists, who fear the consequences for public health and the environment. The waste is reportedly being thrown near Bolu Gudda in the Bandipur forest area by goods vehicles returning from Keralam. Lorries and vehicles that transport vegetables and other commodities are allegedly unloading the waste along the highway before disappearing. Activists said the dumping had continued despite the presence of police and forest department checkposts at Moolehole and Maddur. Muneer Pasha warned that the foul smell emanating from the waste had become a cause for concern, particularly for villagers living nearby, who fear possible infections. Ashok alleged that enforcement agencies had failed to prevent the movement and disposal of the waste. He pointed out that members of the public had previously caugh...

Bengaluru: Diwali travel has turned into an expensive affair for thousands of people leaving Bengaluru for their hometowns, with private bus operators sharply increasing ticket prices. Fares on several popular routes have risen two to three times, and in some cases substantially more, compared with regular days. Amid growing passenger demand, the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) has announced 2,600 additional buses to facilitate festival travel. The Kempegowda Bus Station at Majestic witnessed a heavy rush on Friday, November 6, as people began travelling to their native places ahead of the festival, which begins on Sunday, November 8. KSRTC Chief Traffic Manager Prabhakar Reddy said additional buses had been arranged to cater to the increased passenger movement. “From today, 2,600 additional vehicles will operate from Bengaluru to various destinations within Karnataka and outside the state. These services will depart from Kempegowda Bus Sta...

Bengaluru: Congress minister Rizwan Arshad has alleged that petrol samples collected from seven districts in Karnataka contained ethanol in excess of the prescribed 20 percent blend, raising concerns over fuel quality, vehicle performance and consumer rights. Citing test results, Arshad claimed that samples collected from Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) outlets showed ethanol content of 31.2 per cent and 30.5 per cent, respectively. He alleged that the findings indicated a serious violation of standards and called for immediate intervention by the authorities. Describing the alleged excess blending as a breach of public trust, the minister demanded strict action against the oil marketing companies if the violations were established. He said consumers should not be made to bear the financial burden of problems arising from fuel that does not conform to declared specifications. #WATCH | Bengaluru, Karnataka: On the ...

Hosur : Alleged safety lapses at an under-construction factory near SIPCOT in Hosur resulted in a major accident on Friday, November 6, leaving three workers dead and four others seriously injured. The incident took place at the premises of Balaji Gears, where construction workers were engaged in pouring concrete into a mould. The wooden centring supports suddenly collapsed, unable to withstand the load, bringing down the structure and burying several workers beneath the debris. The deceased were identified as Kumareshan (39), Michael (26) and Srinivasan (26). The injured were admitted to a private hospital for treatment. Emergency rescue operations were launched immediately. Cranes were deployed to remove the collapsed material and retrieve the bodies of the trapped workers. District Collector Dinesh and SP Anita visited the factory and reviewed the rescue operation. Preliminary inspection suggested that the structure lacked sufficient supporting pillars and the ne...

Bengaluru : In a major crackdown on alleged irregularities in property documentation, the Greater Bengaluru Authority has suspended two senior revenue officials for issuing illegal e-khatas to more than 100 flats by exploiting a special facility in its e-Aasthi software. Basavaraj Magi, in-charge revenue officer of Bengaluru East City Corporation, and Lokamatha D.S., in-charge revenue officer of Bengaluru West City Corporation, were placed under suspension following the discovery of violations in property records in the KR Puram and Kengeri zones. The alleged fraud involved misuse of a software provision designed to facilitate the transfer of properties sold through bank auctions under the SARFAESI Act. Banks can seize and auction properties of loan defaulters under the Act, and the software had a special facility to process such transactions based on valid sale certificates. Instead, the officials allegedly used ordinary sale deeds and other documents to approve e-kha...

Bengaluru : In a gruesome case of multiple murders, a cab driver allegedly killed seven members of his wife’s family, including a seven-year-old boy, following a prolonged domestic dispute. The accused, identified as Indushekhar, has been arrested by Rajajinagar police. The killings, believed to have taken place two days ago, came to light during an investigation into a missing-person complaint. The victims were identified as Rupavathi, her daughter Sunitha, sons Shivakumar and Shankar, daughters-in-law Divya and Nalini, and seven-year-old Puneeth. According to police sources, the accused allegedly attacked the victims with a grinding stone before disposing of their bodies at different locations. Indushekhar had married Sunitha around 20 years ago. Investigators suspect that he was unhappy with her continued relationship with her parental family. Frequent quarrels reportedly took place between the couple, with the accused allegedly resenting the support Sunitha received...

Bengaluru: Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has urged private companies in Karnataka to ensure a fair share of employment for local candidates, saying that talented Kannadigas must get priority in recruitment without compromising merit-based selection. Addressing concerns over alleged discrimination against Kannadigas in private sector employment, particularly in information technology (IT) and biotech companies, Shivakumar said the state government wanted to resolve the issues through constructive engagement with employers. “There are plenty of talented Kannadigas in Karnataka. They must get the opportunities they deserve. I once again appeal to companies to ensure fair employment opportunities for local people,” he said. ‘Will not allow anyone to take law into their hands’ The Chief Minister said the government would support Kannadigas seeking legitimate employment opportunities but would not allow anyone to take the law into their hands. He warned tha...

Bengaluru : A man has been arrested in Bengaluru on charges of allegedly raping a woman from Jaipur whom he befriended at a pub in Koramangala. The accused, Sameer, was arrested by the Madiwala police and remanded to judicial custody. The incident reportedly began when the woman, who had come to Bengaluru from Rajasthan, visited a pub in Koramangala. According to her complaint, she asked Sameer for a lighter while trying to smoke. He used the opportunity to strike up a conversation and subsequently obtained her phone number. The accused allegedly stayed in touch with the woman and later invited her to a hotel in Madiwala. The two consumed alcohol in the hotel room, where Sameer allegedly sexually assaulted her after she became intoxicated, the complaint stated. The woman reportedly walked out of the hotel in the early hours and approached the Madiwala police . Based on her statement, the police registered a case and initiated action against the accused. Sameer was ...

Mysuru: Pramoda Devi Wadiyar has accused the Karnataka government of failing to implement a court order directing it to return Mysuru Palace to the royal family within 30 days. She also clarified that the Ambari and royal throne are private properties of the Wadiyar family. Addressing a press conference in Mysuru, she said the royal family’s private properties were not covered under the palace acquisition legislation. The list of such assets was submitted to the Union government in 1947 and approved by V P Menon in 1951, she said. Explaining the background of the palace dispute, Pramoda Devi said the government had agreed to maintain the palace after the death of Jayachamaraja Wadiyar, when the family faced tax liabilities of over Rs 8 crore. However, the government allegedly failed to honour the agreement, following which the family approached the judiciary. Though the court ordered the palace to be returned within 30 days, the government had not complied with the di...

Bengaluru : A woman’s presence on professional networking platforms such as LinkedIn and social media sites such as Facebook cannot establish that she is financially independent, a Bengaluru sessions court has observed while granting her monthly maintenance of Rs 20,000. Judge Mohan Prabhu made the observation while disposing of appeals filed by an estranged husband and wife against a magistrate court’s maintenance order. The husband had opposed his wife’s demand for maintenance, claiming that she was educated and capable of earning. His lawyer submitted photographs and screenshots of her LinkedIn and Facebook profiles to support the contention that she was employed. Rejecting the argument, the sessions court said the husband had not produced sufficient evidence to establish the woman’s actual income. A social media profile or an assumption that she was employed could not prove that she had adequate financial resources to maintain herself and thei...

Bengaluru : Karnataka has stepped up its campaign against rice smuggling and illegal stockpiling, with the Food and Civil Supplies Department seizing more than 18 lakh kg of rice and over 250 trucks during the past two months. Food Minister Rizwan Arshad said more than 232 people had been arrested and sent to jail as part of the intensified enforcement drive. The department was maintaining continuous surveillance to prevent subsidised rice supplied through the public distribution system from being diverted into the open market. The minister said the government would take stringent action against individuals and traders involved in the illegal transportation, storage and sale of rice. Expressing concern over the impact of inadequate rainfall on agricultural production, Arshad said Karnataka had received around 40% less rainfall than normal. The rainfall deficit across the country had also affected rice production, contributing to concerns over availability and rising pri...

Chamarajanagar : A pregnant wild elephant was found dead on private land near Gopalaswamy Betta in the Bandipur Tiger Reserve, adding to concerns over the safety of wildlife in the forest landscape. The female elephant, believed to be around 35 years old, was found in a private property in the Gopalaswamy Betta range of Gundlupet taluk. The location was about 150 metres from the forest boundary. Forest officials reached the spot and began an investigation. Veterinarian Dr Mirza Wasim conducted the post-mortem examination and found that the elephant was carrying a foetus. Details about the age of the unborn calf remain unclear, with preliminary information containing discrepancies. Officials suspect that the animal may have died in a fight with another wild elephant. However, the department has not established the cause of death , which will be determined after the post-mortem report is assessed. The incident follows other disturbing developments in Bandipur. A tiger...