bangalore news times

Bengaluru: A major fire accident at a hotel in Nagarabhavi late on Friday, May 8, night claimed the life of one person and left four others seriously injured after thick smoke engulfed the building. According to preliminary reports, the victims were trapped inside the hotel when the fire broke out. Dense smoke quickly spread through the premises, leading to breathing difficulties and panic among those inside. Fire and emergency personnel rushed to the spot immediately after receiving information about the incident and launched a rescue operation. Officials said a total of five people were trapped inside the building at the time of the fire. Firefighters managed to rescue all of them after a strenuous operation and shifted the injured to a nearby hospital for treatment. The rescued persons have been identified as Bhima, Shivananda, Satish and Rajkumar. However, 45-year-old Rajkumar, who had reportedly inhaled excessive smoke, succumbed during treatment at the hospital....

Bengaluru: In a major move aimed at tightening surveillance and preventing illegal activities inside prisons, authorities at the Parappana Agrahara Central Prison have introduced a comprehensive Prisoners Tracking Movement System, making biometric authentication mandatory for inmates entering every barrack and facility within the prison premises. Prison officials said the new system has been implemented to monitor prisoner movements more effectively and prevent inappropriate behaviour, illegal communication and unauthorised interactions among inmates. The project, introduced at a cost of around Rs 2.25 crore, integrates biometric access, digital visitor tokens, AI-enabled surveillance cameras and digital call monitoring. Officials said artificial intelligence-based cameras had already been installed in the prison to monitor inmates as well as prison staff. The newly introduced tracking system further strengthens surveillance by digitally recording every movement of prisoners ...

Bengaluru: In a magnanimous gesture of devotion, a prominent Hyderabad-based businessman donated gold ornaments worth approximately Rs 2.5 crore to the historic Anjanadri Hill temple in Chikkaramapura village of Karnataka on Friday, May 8. Mahesh Reddy, the owner of the renowned AMR Construction, presented the offerings to the deity during the early morning hours. The donation, weighing roughly 1.5 kilograms, includes a collection of intricately crafted items designed to adorn the idol of Lord Anjaneya. Among the offerings are a golden Prabhavali (halo), a Kireeta (crown), a Gade (mace), a Chakra (discus), a Chhatri (umbrella), and Chamara (ceremonial whisks). Accompanied by his wife and family members, Reddy arrived at the temple at 5:00 AM. The family performed special religious rituals, including Homa-Havana and Suprabhata Seva, before officially handing over the jewelry to the taluk administration. Gangavati MLA G Janardhana Reddy, a close associate of the bu...

Tumakuru: Fear of bird flu continues to spread across the Tumakuru district of Karnataka after the number of peacock deaths crossed 54 within the last month, triggering fresh concern among residents and authorities. A few days ago, laboratory reports confirmed that the deaths of 44 peacocks in the district were caused by the H5N1 Avian influenza virus. Around 30 chickens had also died in a poultry farm, leading to panic among villagers and poultry farmers. Also Read Bird Flu in Tamil Nadu: Poultry farms tighten biosecurity While samples collected from the dead chickens were sent for testing, officials have now confirmed that the poultry deaths were not linked to bird flu . However, peacock deaths are continuing to be reported from different parts of the district, raising fears about the possible spread of the infection. Officials said peacocks have been mysteriously dying across Tumakuru taluk for nearly a month. The situation has now expanded beyond the district, wit...

Bengaluru: Karnataka witnessed record-breaking liquor sales in April 2026, with the state excise department registering its highest-ever monthly sales in the last 13 years. The unprecedented sales boom has generated massive revenue for the state government, with excise collections touching nearly Rs 3,688 crore in a single month. According to official figures, sales of Indian Made Liquor (IML) including whisky, brandy, rum and gin reached a record 68.17 lakh boxes during April. Each box contains 8.64 litres of liquor. In addition, beer sales touched 50.39 lakh boxes, with each box containing 7.80 litres. Overall, the state recorded total liquor sales of 118.56 lakh boxes during the month, making it the highest monthly sale since 2013. Also Read Alcoholic beverage industry seeks price hike amid rising costs from West Asia crisis The previous highest IML sale was recorded in July 2023, when 66.22 lakh boxes were sold. That record has now been surpassed. Similarly, in Ap...

Bengaluru: Parappana Agrahara Central Prison, often in the news for controversies and allegations of irregularities, has now drawn national attention for a different reason. Karnataka has launched what is being described as the country’s first dedicated childcare centre inside a prison premises to support infants and young children living with incarcerated mothers. The initiative has been introduced by the Directorate of Child Protection to ensure that children below six years of age do not suffer mentally and emotionally because of the prison environment. Under prison and Supreme Court guidelines, children below the age of six are allowed to stay with their mothers in jail. However, officials say such children often grow up within prison walls despite having committed no wrongdoing themselves. The newly established childcare centre seeks to provide a nurturing and educational atmosphere for these children and ensure their early development is not affected. At present, ni...

Bengaluru: Following the resignation of Pinarayi Vijayan after the defeat of the Left Democratic Front (LDF) in the Kerala Assembly elections, Siddaramaiah has now become the oldest serving Chief Minister in the country. At 78 years and nine months, Siddaramaiah currently tops the list of India’s senior-most chief ministers. He is followed by N Chandrababu Naidu at 75 and Lalduhoma and Neiphiu Rio, both aged 74. Meanwhile, Pema Khandu remains the youngest Chief Minister in the country at 46. Also Read Karnataka reinstates IPS officer suspended for viral video, appointed DGP Siddaramaiah’s political journey began in 1983 when he was first elected as an MLA at the age of 36. Since then, he has served in various capacities, including minister, Leader of Opposition and currently as Chief Minister for a second term. He has already created history by surpassing the tenure record of former Karnataka Chief Minister D Devaraj Urs, becoming the longest-serving CM in the state...