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Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Wednesday, September 30, said every genuine voter’s right to vote must be protected and sought constituency-wise details of objections filed through Form 7 during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. In a statement posted on social media, Shivakumar said he had asked the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) to provide details of Form 7 objections, including the number of bulk objections and those filed without specifying the prescribed reasons or providing the mandatory particulars required for seeking the deletion of voters. He expressed concern that bulk objections could be used to target voters belonging to minority communities, Dalits, tribals and other backward communities. The Chief Minister also raised concerns over objections submitted with pre-printed voter details, saying such instances raised questions about a possible systematic attempt to undermine the SIR process. Shivakumar said he had ...

Hyderabad: Atleast 210 kilogram of Nandini milk powder were seized in Yadadri Bhuvanagiri district, Telangana , in the early hours of Wednesday, September 30. Based on a tip off, police searched a private transport office in Aler town, where the milk powder was discovered. Atleast 210 kilogram of Nandini milk powder were seized in Yadadri Bhuvanagiri district, Telangana, in the early hours of Wednesday, September 30. Based on a tip off, police searched a private transport office in Aler town, where the milk powder was discovered. The milk powder… pic.twitter.com/xZouTb0p0m — The Siasat Daily (@TheSiasatDaily) September 30, 2026 The milk powder was allegedly being transported from Karnataka to Hyderabad and was in transit when it was seized. The transport operator was detained for questioning. Police are probing the alleged illegal trade involving a Hyderabad-based person identified as Daya. Nandini Milk is a popular dairy brand owned by the state-owned Ka...

Mangaluru: A massive “explosion” occurred at the MRPL oil refinery near Jokatte in Mangaluru on Wednesday, September 30, local residents claimed, with houses shaking and people reporting “tremor-like” sensations. Reports said a loud explosion was followed by a large plume of thick black smoke that was apparently visible from far away. The explosion reportedly occurred in the Jokatte area, where the refinery’s third plant is located. A large fire and thick smoke were seen emerging from the facility. However, there was no official word from the Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd (MRPL) regarding the incident. A massive "explosion" occurred at the MRPL oil refinery in Mangaluru on Wednesday, local residents claimed, with houses shaking and people reporting "tremor-like" sensations. Reports said a loud explosion was followed by a large plume of thick black smoke that was apparently… pic.twitter.com/bJ4hOTJKfF — Th...

Bengaluru : The Karnataka government has initiated steps to introduce Shakti smart cards for women beneficiaries of its flagship Shakti scheme, aimed at preventing alleged misuse of the free bus travel facility. The Shakti scheme was launched on June 11, 2023, providing free bus travel to women across the four state-run transport corporations. However, complaints have emerged alleging that women from other states are using fake or fraudulent Aadhaar cards to avail themselves of the benefit, resulting in financial losses to the transport corporations. To address the issue, the government has floated a tender at an estimated cost of Rs 250 crore to provide smart cards to around one crore women beneficiaries across Karnataka. The cards are expected to be introduced first for women passengers of the Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC), before being extended to the remaining transport corporations. Officials have proposed issuing the cards based on identity ...

Bengaluru: Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy on Tuesday, September 29, launched a fresh attack on Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, alleging that the Chief Minister’s family benefited from questionable land transactions involving areas connected to the NICE/BMIC project. Addressing reporters at a private hotel in Bengaluru, Kumaraswamy released documents which he said supported his allegations. He claimed Shivakumar’s family assets had increased sharply between 2003 and 2023 and alleged that changes in land-use permissions played a role in the increase. Kumaraswamy specifically referred to land within the NICE project area and alleged that members of Shivakumar’s family had purchased parcels that had earlier been notified for government projects. He cited a parcel of around 10 acres and claimed that the land had been notified as early as 1997 before being purchased through family-linked transactions. The Union Minister further alleged that more than 150-200 acres, incl...

Karnataka: A school-going girl stood defiantly in front of a Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) bus after the driver did not stop at the stop. The incident took place at B Hosahalli village, Tumkur district. The Hatti-Mundargi bus was on its way towards Koppala city. When it reached the B Hosahalli village bus stop, the girls waved at the driver to stop, but he did not. This angered the children, who also had an examination to attend. They reportedly followed the bus and managed to stop it down the road. One of them stood in front of the heavy vehicle and confronted the KSRTC bus driver and conductor about their behaviour. “We have an exam at school today. If you don’t stop, how are we supposed to reach school? Who will be responsible if we miss the exam?” she asked. A school-going girl stood defiantly in front of a Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) bus after the driver did not stop at the stop. The incident took ...

Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court has directed the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), now under the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA), to pay compensation of Rs 2. 77 crore to an individual who suffered severe injuries after a tree branch fell on him, observing that the civic body failed to act despite having prior information about the danger. Justice Suraj Govindaraj, who heard the petition filed by G Chandan, directed payment of the compensation with six per cent annual interest. The amount already paid by the BBMP as Rs 5 lakh will be deducted from the total compensation. The remaining amount, along with interest calculated from March 7, 2024, until the date of payment, has to be deposited through RTGS within 12 weeks of receiving a copy of the order. The High Court also issued several directions to the state government and civic authorities concerning public safety and the removal of dangerous trees and branches in Bengaluru. The court rejected the BBMP’s c...

Bengaluru: Former IPS officer Dr Kiran Bedi emphasised self-discipline, personal responsibility and a positive approach to life’s challenges while speaking on the fundamentals of happiness at India’s first World Happiness Summit in Bengaluru. Addressing the gathering at New Horizon College of Engineering, Bedi said happiness should not be viewed simply as the result of achieving one’s desires. She urged people to first examine whether they genuinely deserve what they seek and, if not, work towards earning it. “Before you desire something, ask yourself, ‘Do I really deserve it?’ If you don’t, put it off, work for it and earn it,” Bedi said. She said developing the right attitude towards difficulties was equally important for maintaining happiness. According to Bedi, problems should not always be seen as setbacks. Viewing challenges as opportunities for growth and learning can help individuals discover their abilities and understand their own potential. “If w...

Mangaluru : A 15-year-old student from Moodbidri has taken an unusual initiative to help fellow students overcome examination anxiety, reaching more than 4,500 students across 51 schools in Karnataka within 15 days. Vishnupriya Pai, a Class 10 student of Alva’s Central School, Moodbidri, conducted an awareness campaign focused on examination stress, time management and effective study techniques. Her initiative has been recognised by the Golden Book of World Records. The campaign was held from August 24 to September 11, during which Vishnupriya visited 51 schools across Hassan, Kodagu, Bengaluru, Udupi and Uttara Kannada districts. She conducted one-hour sessions at the schools, explaining ways to manage examination pressure, organise study schedules and prepare for examinations using simple and practical techniques. Unlike conventional programmes where teachers, counsellors or experts address students about examination stress, Vishnupriya herself took the lead in speaki...

Bengaluru: A proposed increase in the price of KMF Nandini milk has triggered a fresh debate in Karnataka, with milk unions pressing for a Rs 10 per litre hike and the government examining procurement prices, production costs and rates prevailing in neighbouring states. The issue was taken up after representatives of milk unions met Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and sought an increase, arguing that dairy farmers are facing mounting expenses. A delegation led by D.K. Suresh pointed to rising diesel, cattle feed, raw material and other operational costs affecting the dairy sector. Shivakumar has asked officials to prepare comparative data on milk prices and the amount being paid to farmers in Karnataka and other states. The government will study the figures before taking the matter to the Cabinet for a final decision. Procurement rates higher in southern states Karnataka currently pays around Rs 35 per litre to milk producers, according to the figures cited by the union...

Ramanagara: The farmers’ agitation against the proposed Bidadi Township project intensified after police detained protesting farmers and women at Bairamangala, prompting Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy to visit them and question the action taken against the protesters. Farmers from Bairamangala and surrounding areas have been opposing the township project for around 18 months, maintaining that they would not surrender their agricultural land. The protest turned tense after police reportedly took farmers and women into custody while they were staging a dharna after installing a Ganesha idol at Bairamangala. Following the detentions, farmers and supporters gathered outside the Police Bhavan in Channapatna and at Gandhi Circle, where they staged protests and blocked the old Bengaluru-Mysuru highway. The road blockade led to traffic disruption in the area. Kumaraswamy, accompanied by JD(S) youth leader Nikhil Kumaraswamy and former MLA A. Manjunath, visited the protesters a...

Bengaluru: BJP state president B.Y. Vijayendra has said there are no differences between the BJP and JD(S) over the issue of the next Chief Minister, asserting that the alliance partners are working with a clear understanding ahead of the upcoming elections. The issue of the Chief Ministerial candidate had recently resurfaced in political discussions, but Vijayendra and Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy have sought to project unity between the two parties. Vijayendra said there was no dispute with Kumaraswamy over the Chief Minister’s post and ruled out any competition between the alliance partners on the issue. He maintained that the decision on who would become Chief Minister would be taken by the senior leadership of the BJP and JD(S). He also said there was no confusion over seat-sharing between the alliance partners. According to Vijayendra, he and Kumaraswamy have discussed the matter and both parties would sit together and finalise arrangements through mutual consult...

Siasat.com ‘s monthly hate crime tracker in July recorded 63 hate crimes. The number remains more or less the same in August, with 62 incidents targeting religious and caste minorities. From Telugu actor Faria Abdullah facing hate for attending and dancing at Bonalu, a Hindu festival in Telangana, to Mumbai pastors being pressured to have worshippers declare that they converted of their own free will, and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge speaking of experiencing the “sting of untouchability”, August 2026 offered yet another grim snapshot of how deeply religious and caste-based prejudice continues to permeate society. The 62 hate crimes tracked by Siasat.com range from physical assaults and disruptions of religious practices to hate speech, institutional pressure, caste violence and online harassment. Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and Gujarat emerged as the most frequent sites of targeted violence and harassment. Marked by faith: A month of targeting Muslims A q...

Bengaluru: The BJP and JD(S) have reached an agreement to fight the forthcoming elections to four Karnataka Legislative Council seats together, with senior leaders of the NDA partners calling for unity and better coordination at the constituency level. The decision was taken during a BJP-JD(S) coordination committee meeting in Bengaluru on Saturday, September 26. Union ministers HD Kumaraswamy, Pralhad Joshi and Shobha Karandlaje, BJP state president BY Vijayendra, Leader of Opposition R. Ashoka and leaders of JD(S) participated in the meeting. The alliance leaders discussed preparations for the four Council constituencies and urged party workers to campaign jointly. They also stressed the importance of avoiding differences between the two parties and fighting the elections under the broader NDA banner. BJP state president B.Y. Vijayendra later told reporters that BJP and JD(S) would jointly contest the four seats and had decided to work together to secure all the constit...

Bengaluru: Three men have been arrested by Peenya police for allegedly tying up and assaulting a woman before stealing cash and gold jewellery from her at a rented house in Nagasandra. The accused have been identified as Boregowda, Abhi and Satish. The incident allegedly took place after Boregowda invited Sujatha, a woman from Nagamangala, to the rented house on the pretext of conducting a milk-boiling ceremony. Police said Sujatha had become acquainted with Boregowda a few months earlier. Using their familiarity, he allegedly informed her that he had taken a rented house in Nagasandra and asked her to attend the ceremony. Sujatha reportedly arrived at the house without informing her husband, Varadaraju. At the time, she was carrying Rs 1 lakh in cash and wearing a gold mangalsutra. According to the complaint, milk was initially placed on the stove as part of the purported ceremony. Boregowda and his alleged accomplices then attacked Sujatha, tied her hands and legs, ...

Chikkaballapur: Milk cooperatives in Karnataka’s border districts are witnessing a decline in procurement as private dairy companies from neighbouring states offer farmers higher prices for their produce. Private companies are reportedly paying between Rs 42 and Rs 44 a litre in some border areas, while Karnataka’s milk unions are purchasing milk at around Rs 31 to Rs 34 a litre after conducting quality checks. The substantial difference has encouraged several farmers to divert their milk to private dairies. The impact is being felt particularly in Chikkaballapur and Kolar districts. Several border taluks, including Chikkaballapur, Gudibande, Bagepalli, Gauribidanur, Bangarpet and Srinivaspur, have emerged as key procurement zones for private dairy companies. Karnataka’s cooperative milk unions follow prescribed quality parameters while procuring milk. Milk with lower fat or solid-not-fat content can either be rejected or purchased at a reduced price. Private companies op...

Bengaluru: A 66-year-old man airlifted from the UAE to Bengaluru for complex cardiac care has made a remarkable recovery following a multidisciplinary treatment at SPARSH Hospital, Infantry Road. His treatment involved specialists from Cardiology, Pulmonology, Neurology and Thoracic Surgery, who coordinated care as he faced multiple serious medical challenges. The patient, who had a history of diabetes and hypotension, was advised to undergo a coronary angiogram in the UAE after tests showed a significantly reduced ejection fraction (EF). His condition was further complicated by the need for ECMO support and a tracheostomy during treatment in the UAE. He was later airlifted to Bengaluru and brought directly to SPARSH with chest pain, breathing difficulty, stridor and known tracheal stenosis. At SPARSH, the Pulmonology team first assessed his severely narrowed airway. Dr. Venkatesh, Senior Consultant – Pulmonology, and Dr Ganesh Pratap, Consultant Pulmonologist – Allergy &...

Bengaluru: A B.Tech graduate with an unusual travel trail has been arrested by Wilson Garden police for allegedly committing more than 30 house burglaries across Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. The accused, Vinod Kumar from Hyderabad, allegedly travelled to Bengaluru by flight, committed burglaries and returned by air after completing his operations. Police said he spent the money obtained through theft on a luxurious lifestyle. The investigation reportedly revealed that Kumar had a criminal history dating back to his college days. He was arrested in a theft case while pursuing his B.Tech degree and remained in prison for about a year. After his release, he worked at a salon. Police said Kumar subsequently married a Bangladeshi woman he met while working at the salon and shifted to Bangladesh with her. He lived there for nearly nine years and reportedly obtained citizenship. Investigators further found that Kumar later travelled to Italy and Germany usin...

Bengaluru : Nandini milk is set for a price revision in Karnataka, with the state government agreeing to increase the retail rate by approximately Rs 4 to Rs 5 per litre after milk producers’ unions sought a substantial hike. The development follows repeated representations by the 16 cooperative milk unions in the state. The unions had demanded an increase of Rs 8 to Rs 10 per litre, citing a sharp rise in the cost of milk production and dairy management. The unions have maintained that higher cattle feed and fodder prices , along with expenditure on medicines, maintenance and other inputs, have made dairy farming increasingly difficult. They have sought a higher procurement price so that milk producers can receive better returns. A delegation of the unions met Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and placed the demand before the government. The Chief Minister asked the delegation and officials to provide detailed figures on procurement costs, processing expenses, milk sales an...