bangalore news times

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...

Karnataka’s Social Welfare Department inaugurated the state’s first government-run barber shop in Gadag district on February 26, weeks after a barber refused to cut the hair of a Dalit customer and others in the village followed suit by shutting their shops. Residents said tensions had been simmering in Shingatalur village after the incident. The barbers, rather than backing down, justified their refusal. They claimed that since the deity Veerabhadreshwara Swamy visits the homes of the Hadapada community during Mahanavami every year, cutting the hair of Dalits during this period would bring misfortune upon them, the  Indian Express  reported “Every year, the deity visits the homes of the Hadapada community, and the barbers claimed they could not serve Dalits during this period,” a government official said. Also Read Telangana: NHRC seeks report from Nagarkurnool Collector, SP on baby’s death Local administration officials attempted to reason with the barbers, but warni...

Bengaluru: Chaos prevailed at Kempegowda International Airport here after passengers bound for Nepal had staged a protest against a private airline, alleging gross mismanagement that disrupted their travel plans for two consecutive days. According to passengers, the flight departed Bengaluru for Kathmandu at 10.30 am on Thursday. However, the aircraft returned without landing in Kathmandu under circumstances that were not clearly communicated to travellers, they alleged. The same aircraft reportedly took off again on Friday morning, but once again failed to land in Kathmandu and was diverted to Lucknow . Passengers alleged that they were made to remain seated inside the aircraft for several hours after landing in Lucknow. “We were kept inside the plane for hours without proper information. No one clearly explained what was happening,” a passenger said during their protest on Friday. Also Read 74 pc passengers unaware of low-cost Udaan Yatri Cafe at Hyderabad airport Chaos...

Bengaluru: Karnataka Minister H K Patil said that the state Cabinet has discussed key legislations, including the proposed Rohith Vemula Bill and the honour killing Bill, and decided to seek further inputs before taking them forward. Briefing reporters after the Cabinet meeting on Thursday, February 26, the law and parliamentary affairs minister said the proposed legislations were examined in detail, and certain aspects required additional consultation with the home department. “The Karnataka Freedom of Choice in Marriage and Prevention and Prohibition of Crimes in the Name of Honour and Tradition Bill, 2026, was discussed in the Cabinet. “As certain aspects require the opinion of the home department, it has been referred back to it and will be placed before the next Cabinet meeting. This relates to human rights,” the minister said. He said the draft Karnataka Rohith Vemula (Prevention of Exclusion or Injustice) Right to Education and Dignity Bill, 2026, was also deliberated upo...

Bengaluru: The ruling Congress and the opposition BJP on Wednesday engaged in a war of words over an Urdu advertisement published in an Urdu daily regarding a Health Department programme. The Karnataka government today launched the “Kusuma Sanjeevini” programme of “prophylactic treatment” for haemophilia patients and free ambulance services. Advertisements for the event were published in various publications, including some Urdu dailies published from Karnataka. The advertisements in Urdu dailies were in the Urdu language, which has become a bone of contention. The BJP accused the Congress government of neglecting Kannada and indulging in appeasement politics by allegedly issuing an official invitation in Urdu, while Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao hit back, stating that it was only a newspaper advertisement meant to reach Urdu readers. “For the sake of appeasement politics, the anti-Kannada, anti-State Congress government is even neglecting Kann...

Yadgir : A case has been registered against BJP MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal for allegedly delivering a hate speech during a Shivaji Jayanti celebration in this district, police said on Wednesday, February 25. The incident occurred in Gurumathkal town of this district, where the MLA attended an event as the chief guest following a grand procession on February 21 on the occasion of Shivaji Jayanti, they said. According to the FIR , Yatnal allegedly made several controversial remarks during his address. He quoted a Hindi poem targeting a particular community and made statements concerning Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru . Also Read BJP MP terms Revanth Reddy most ‘chichora’ CM, Congress rebukes He also referred to “ love jihad ” while allegedly targeting a particular community, and made derogatory remarks on certain historical figures. Police said the speech triggered backlash across the news and social media platforms, with many accusing the leader of inciting communal dish...

Bagalkote : Two persons have been arrested in connection with communal clashes during a Shivaji Jayanti procession in Bagalkote, police said on Sunday, February 22. An FIR was registered following the incident in the Qila Oni area, where stones were allegedly thrown during the procession. “Based on video footage and photographic evidence, we have arrested two persons in connection with the stone-pelting,” a police officer said. Police said the duo had been booked on charges of attempting to incite violence , obstructing police personnel from discharging their duties and damaging private property. Also Read Andaman: 4 arrested for extorting money from man after honey trapping man “The accused have been remanded to judicial custody,” the officer added. The city witnessed communal clashes when stones and slippers were reportedly hurled at a Shivaji Jayanti procession near a mosque at Qila Oni locality on Thursday. Meanwhile, police said restrictions have been imposed on Pram...

Bengaluru: Artifical Intelligence is rewriting the grammar of software development. And writing codes will no longer be the central role for tech professionals, Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani said Tuesday. AI, he said, is being adopted faster than any previous technological transition, from the internet to smartphones, and is poised to fundamentally reshape how businesses operate. “Talent will have to deal with a world where writing code will not be the goal. It’ll actually be making AI work, orchestration, and those kinds of things,” Nilekani said at Infosys’ Investor Day. “Customer journeys, operating models, and mental models all have to change. Every enterprise must rethink how it operates.” While coding may end, new jobs will be created. The talent transformation is huge, he said, adding there will be a need for AI engineers, forward deployment engineers, forensic analysts – roles that didn’t exist a few years ago. Greenfield coding productivity is not the real challeng...

Bengaluru : As the Valentine’s season drove peak demand of fresh roses worldwide, Kempegowda International Airport here shipped around 60 million rose stems, weighing more than 2,700 tonnes, across 26 international destinations, officials said on Tuesday. The facility, operated by Bangalore International Airport Limited, also transported roses to 47 domestic destinations. The exports mark a 38 per cent year-on-year increase in stem volumes and a 64 per cent rise in tonnage, reinforcing the Bengaluru Airport ‘s position as India’s leading gateway for perishable exports for five consecutive years, they said. Also Read French defence major Thales sets up R&D centre in Bengaluru According to a BIAL statement, international shipments remained steady at 305 MT with Singapore emerging as the top overseas destination, followed by Kuala Lumpur, Abu Dhabi, New York and Kuwait. New international destinations added this season include Los Angeles , London Gatwick , Dallas Fort Worth, To...

Hyderabad: Two Muslim mini truck drivers transporting eggs were allegedly attacked by a mob at around midnight in Tukkuguda, Hyderabad, on February 15. Syed Ali and Waseem Ali were transporting eggs from Shadnagar. At around midnight, as their vehicle reached near the Tukkuguda bus stop, around 15 people with wooden sticks and some with rods, blocked them. Sensing danger, the drivers did not stop. At that instant, the mob launched an attack, causing damage to the windshield. There were other vehicles behind that were also allegedly damaged. Majlis Bachao Tehreek (MBT) Spokesperson Amjed Ullah Khan shared the incident on his social media platform. Communal attack reported in Tukkuguda (Maheswaram, Ranga Reddy). Two Muslim youth Syed Ali and Waseem transporting eggs in TG 07 U7645 were stopped, assaulted and their auto damaged. Shockingly, Pahadeshareef Police allegedly delayed action. Immediate intervention needed.… pic.twitter.com/P7f7DlAfAC — Amjed Ullah Khan MBT (@amjedmb...

Bengaluru: French defence major Thales on Monday announced setting up an R&D centre here that will serve as a hub for advanced research, supporting the country’s self-reliance vision. With this, India has joined the ranks of Thales’ five global corporate laboratories for Research & Technology, alongside those in France, the UK, Canada, and Singapore, it said. According to the company statement, Thales Research & Technology India, unveiled during the week of the India AI Impact Summit, will serve as a hub for advanced research, supporting the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ vision. The centre will also provide a special emphasis on open innovation in the hardware domain, enabling stronger collaborations with start-ups, industry partners and academic research community to develop breakthrough technologies for critical systems, it said. It will have a dedicated team of researchers, including Master’s and PhD scholars, the company said, adding that Thales dedicates more than four ...

Bengaluru: A day after police registered a case over a fake note purportedly issued from the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) in Karnataka, BJP MLA V Sunil Kumar escalated his attack on Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday, February 14, demanding a forensic probe into the document and questioning the CMO’s functioning. Police registered the case against an unidentified person on Friday, following a complaint from the CMO over the circulation on social media of the fake note, which falsely claimed that a district health and family welfare officer in Mandya was posted as the deputy commissioner of excise in Mysuru. The case was lodged at the Vidhana Soudha police station under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) provisions relating to forgery and the use of forged documents. Also Read Karnataka locals ‘celebrate’ Deepawali by lighting diyas in potholes The CMO has alleged that the act was carried out with malicious intent to bring disrepute to the chief minister and the Congress g...

Bengaluru: Karnataka Deputy CM D K Shivakumar, who returned from New Delhi after meeting the Congress high command amid the leadership tussle in the state, on Friday, February 13, said he lives with “hope and confidence” and that there will always be fruit for the efforts made. He also reiterated that “time will answer”, in the wake of reports that both he and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah may soon be called to New Delhi by the party leadership to discuss a possible transition of power. Also Read Telangana MP seeks forest project clearances from Environment Minister “I always live with hope and confidence. There will always be fruit for the effort, whether it is for you, for me, or for anyone else. Where there is effort, there is fruit; where there is devotion, there is God,” Shivakumar told reporters in response to a question after returning from New Delhi. Asked whether the fruit of his efforts could be expected soon, he said, “Let’s talk about that some other time.” Respondi...

Hyderabad: In times of communal tensions across India, a Muslim couple, Mehboob Hasan Naikwadi and Noor Jahan, organised the wedding of their son Somashekar Pujeri with Poonam as per Hindu rituals, in the quaint town of Hukkeri, Karnataka. Proving that love holds no barriers of caste or religion, the family, drawn from different traditions, the elderly Muslim couple conducted the wedding in harmony, inviting villagers to share in their shared celebration. Several community leaders, including Basavaprabhu Vantamuri, participated with enthusiasm. Mehboob Hasan Naiwadi’s act is an example for society, which has been seeing an increase in communal tensions, Vantamuri said during his speech at the wedding. The Naikwadis had adopted Somashekhar and his brother almost 20 years ago when they were left orphaned after their parents died in an untimely road accident. The children had no immediate relatives who could take care of them. Also Read After 13 years, Centre revives Rs 3.6 lakh c...

Ramzan has always been a vibrant and unforgettable affair in Hyderabad, transforming the city’s nights into a bustling tapestry of culinary delights, festive shopping, and communal spirit. For years, residents and visitors alike have flocked to the city’s iconic bazaars and eateries to soak in the unique atmosphere that only Ramzan in Hyderabad can offer. If you have ever dreamt of experiencing those electrifying vibes but live in Bengaluru, worry not. The festive spirit of Hyderabad is making its way to your city, promising an experience that will bridge the miles. Hyderabad’s coveted Daawat-e-Ramzaan is coming to Bengaluru in Ramzan 2026. Daawat-e-Ramzaan in Bengaluru For years, Anam Mirza’s Daawat-e-Ramzaan has been one of the highlights of Hyderabad’s festive calendar. Traditionally held at King’s Palace, the expo blends fashion, food and festivity into a single, high-energy celebration. Known for its carefully curated designer stalls, the exhibition showcases Pakistani suit...

Bengaluru: Actress Tamannaah Bhatia formally took on her role as the brand ambassador of KSDL, amid objections from some persons, including a BJP MP, who questioned the rationale behind picking a non-Kannada speaking actor to represent the famous Mysore Sandal Soap. The government defended its pick, saying Bhatia was selected based on merit and business considerations. As part of efforts to strengthen the market presence of products manufactured by the State-owned Karnataka Soaps and Detergents Limited (KSDL), an organisation with a legacy of more than a century, the two-year tenure of Bhatia as the company’s brand ambassador commenced from Tuesday. As part of the occasion, at an event held here, Bhatia unveiled 57 products of the organisation, including Mysore Sandal Soap, which has now been introduced in a refreshed and contemporary packaging. The products that have received innovative packaging include sandalwood oil, jasmine-scented soaps, perfumes, toothpaste, coconut oil, p...

Bengaluru: In a shocking incident, a 33-year-old man has allegedly stabbed his father and mother to death at their residence in Adarsha Vista Apartments in Vignan Nagar. The accused has been arrested by the police. The deceased have been identified as Naveen Chandra Bhatt, 60, a retired Captain of the Indian Navy, and Dr Shyamala Bhatt, 55, a dentist. The couple were residing in the apartment along with their son, the accused, Rohan Bhatt. According to the police, the incident is suspected to have occurred following a domestic dispute. During an argument, Rohan allegedly attacked his parents with a knife in a fit of anger. The injured couple were immediately rushed to a nearby hospital; however, they were declared dead despite medical efforts, police said. Also Read Bengaluru metro puts annual fare revision on hold The jurisdictional HAL police have arrested Rohan Bhatt and are questioning him in connection with the case. A detailed investigation is underway to ascertain the ex...

Bengaluru : Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar will go to New Delhi to meet party leaders on Tuesday, February 10. “I will be meeting the party leaders who have called me to Delhi. During the visit, I will also meet Union Water Resource Minister C R Patil and legal counsels as well,” he told reporters here on Monday. Asked if top Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has called him to Delhi , Shivakumar said, “I can’t disclose names of all the people I will be meeting. Why are you so curious? I am not just the Deputy CM but also the Congress state president. I will complete six years as the KPCC President on March 10 and it is my duty to meet party MPs and party leaders.” “I keep meeting my party leaders and share my difficulties, sorrows, joys and aspirations,” Shivakumar added. Also Read CM Siddaramaiah, Shivakumar lead “Raj Bhavan chalo” protest against MGNREGA ‘repeal’ Asked about his Delhi visit when his department pre-budget meetings are scheduled, the Deputy CM said...

Bengaluru: BMRCL on Sunday, February 8, said it has put on hold the implementation of the annual fare revision, which was scheduled to come into effect from February 9. In a statement, the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited said the earlier announcement regarding the fare revision would not be implemented until further orders, indicating that a final decision is still pending. Clarifying its position, BMRCL said, “The media release dated February 5 announcing the implementation of the annual fare revision with effect from February 9 has been kept on hold till further orders.” The corporation added that the matter would be taken up by its board before any final decision is made. “The decision on the revised fare will be communicated after the board’s review,” the release added. Earlier in the day, BJP MP Tejasvi Surya spoke to commuters to gauge their views. Later, he told reporters that they were upset over frequent fare revisions and accused Chief Minister Siddaramaiah ...