Kundapura, September 2, 2025: The Kundapur Rural Police registered a case following the discovery of an unidentified decomposed body near Ambedkar Bhavan in Kandavara village, Kundapura, on September 1, 2025. The complainant, Abhijit, a 36-year-old resident of Kandavara and a member of the 2nd Ward Panchayat, reported the incident after receiving information about the body.
Unidentified Decomposed Body Found Near Ambedkar Bhavan | Photo Credit: MHI
On September 1, 2025, at approximately 5:00 PM, Abhijit visited the site in the middle of a family-owned agricultural field belonging to Vithalaraj near Ambedkar Bhavan, where the body was found. The body, estimated to be that of a male aged between 30 and 40 years, was in a highly decomposed state, with skin and flesh partially absent and only skeletal remains visible. A leg bone was found detached a short distance away. Police recovered an empty packet of Rat****nk pesticide and a 500 ml water bottle near the body, raising suspicions about the cause of death.
The advanced state of decomposition has made identification challenging, and further investigation is underway to determine the identity and circumstances of the death. The Kundapur Rural Police, assisted by Mohammed Ibrahim MH Gangolli and his team from 24×7 Helpline Ambulance, including Babba Ibrahim, Abrar, and Vikas, transported the body to the morgue in Manipal for forensic examination.
The case has been registered under UDR No. 30/2025 at the Kundapur Rural Police Station under Section 194(3)(iv) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). Authorities are investigating whether the death resulted from suicide, foul play, or other causes, with forensic analysis of the recovered items and the body expected to provide further clarity.
Unidentified Decomposed Body Found Near Ambedkar Bhavan | Photo Credit: MHI
Udupi, September 2, 2025: The Udupi Traffic Police on September 1, 2025, registered a case against the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), its contractor, and a truck driver for their alleged negligence leading to the death of a 33-year-old motorcyclist on the service road alongside the Kochi-Panvel National Highway 66 (NH 66). The incident highlights ongoing concerns over the poor maintenance of service roads amid construction activities.
Pradeep Kumar, a resident of Udupi, was riding his motorcycle from Karavali Junction towards Kinnimulky when he encountered a pothole at Ambalpady Junction, where NHAI is constructing a vehicular overpass. He lost control, fell on the road, and was fatally crushed under the wheels of a 16-wheel truck. The tragic moment was captured on CCTV footage, which has been released by the Udupi district police to aid investigations.
The stretch of NH 66 between Kinnimulky and Karavali Junction has been closed to facilitate the overpass construction, forcing motorists to use the adjacent service roads. However, these service roads on either side of Ambalpady Junction are in a deplorable condition, riddled with potholes and craters, due to the alleged apathy of NHAI and its contractor.
The complaint was filed by Sudhir Naik from Shivapura in Karkala taluk, who held NHAI, contractor Karla Constructions, and truck driver Lav Kumar Patil responsible for the accident. Naik alleged that NHAI and the contractor failed to maintain the service roads in a motorable state during the construction period, while the driver operated the vehicle rashly and negligently.
Police have invoked sections for rash and negligent driving as well as causing death by negligence against the accused parties. The case underscores the risks faced by commuters on under-maintained infrastructure, especially in areas undergoing major highway projects.
The vehicular overpass at Ambalpady is part of NHAI’s broader efforts to improve connectivity on NH 66, but locals have repeatedly raised complaints about the hazardous conditions of diversion routes. Authorities are yet to respond to the FIR, and investigations are ongoing.
New Delhi, September 2, 2025: The Delhi High Court on Tuesday dismissed the bail pleas of Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam, and seven other accused in the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) case linked to the alleged “larger conspiracy” behind the 2020 North-East Delhi riots. The verdict was delivered by a division bench comprising Justice Naveen Chawla and Justice Shalinder Kaur at 2:30 PM.
The other accused whose bail pleas were rejected include Athar Khan, Khalid Saifi, Mohd. Saleem Khan, Shifa ur Rehman, Meeran Haider, Gulfisha Fatima, and Shadab Ahmed. All had challenged trial court orders denying them bail in the case, which stems from FIR 59 of 2020, registered by the Delhi Police’s Special Cell under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, 1860, and the UAPA, 1967.
Arrest Details of the Accused
Name of Accused
Date of Arrest
Sharjeel Imam
January 28, 2020
Umar Khalid
September 13, 2020
Athar Khan
June 29, 2020
Khalid Saifi
February 26, 2020
Mohd. Saleem Khan
June 24, 2020
Shifa ur Rehman
April 26, 2020
Meeran Haider
April 1, 2020
Gulfisha Fatima
April 4, 2020
Shadab Ahmed
June 11, 2020
Key Arguments from the Defense
During the hearings, Umar Khalid, represented by Senior Advocate Trideep Pais, argued that mere membership in WhatsApp groups without sending messages does not constitute criminal activity. Pais contended that no incriminating evidence, such as money or weapons, was recovered from Khalid. He also challenged the prosecution’s claim of a “secret meeting” on February 23-24, 2020, asserting it was a public gathering, not clandestine as alleged.
Khalid Saifi, represented by Senior Advocate Rebecca John, questioned the applicability of UAPA based on “innocuous messages” and the prosecution’s attempt to weave narratives from them. John argued, “Can UAPA, on the basis of innocuous messages or their attempt to make stories out of such messages, become a reason to deny me bail or even a ground to prosecute me under UAPA?” She also sought bail on grounds of parity, noting that co-accused Asif Iqbal Tanha, Devangana Kalita, and Natasha Narwal were granted bail by the High Court in June 2021.
Sharjeel Imam, represented by Advocate Talib Mustafa, maintained that he was “completely disconnected” from the co-accused and had no involvement in any conspiracy or related meetings. Mustafa highlighted that the prosecution’s allegations against Imam were limited to a speech delivered in Bihar on January 23, 2020, with no subsequent overt acts linking him to the riots.
Prosecution’s Opposition
The Delhi Police, represented by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta and Special Public Prosecutor Amit Prasad, strongly opposed the bail pleas. Mehta argued that the accused intended to “globally defame the nation” by orchestrating riots on a specific date, coinciding with the visit of then-US President Donald Trump on February 24, 2020. He stated, “If you are doing something against the nation, you better be in jail till you are acquitted or convicted.” The prosecution described the riots as a “clinical and pathological conspiracy,” rejecting claims of spontaneous violence.
Case Background
The 2020 North-East Delhi riots, which left 53 dead and over 700 injured, erupted during protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and National Register of Citizens (NRC). The accused, including Tahir Hussain, Umar Khalid, Khalid Saifi, Isharat Jahan, Meeran Haider, Gulfisha Fatima, Shifa-Ur-Rehman, Asif Iqbal Tanha, Shadab Ahmed, Tasleem Ahmed, Saleem Malik, Mohd. Saleem Khan, Athar Khan, Safoora Zargar, Sharjeel Imam, Faizan Khan, and Natasha Narwal, are alleged to be the masterminds behind the violence.
The bail pleas, pending since 2022, faced delays due to judicial recusals and adjournments.
Related Developments
On the same day, a coordinate bench comprising Justice Subramonium Prasad and Justice Harish Vaidyanathan Shankardismissed the bail plea of co-accused Tasleem Ahmed, reinforcing the stringent application of UAPA in this case.
The court’s decision highlights the challenges of securing bail under UAPA’s rigorous provisions, with ongoing scrutiny of the trial’s progress and the accused’s prolonged incarceration.
New Delhi, September 2, 2025: The Delhi High Court on Tuesday dismissed the bail plea of Tasleem Ahmed, one of the accused in a high-profile Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) case alleging a larger conspiracy behind the 2020 North-East Delhi riots. The decision was pronounced by a division bench comprising Justice Subramonium Prasad and Justice Harish Vaidyanathan Shankar.
Tasleem Ahmed was arrested on June 19, 2020, and has been in custody since then. During the hearings, the bench had previously questioned the Delhi Police on the duration an accused can remain in jail, noting that it has been five years since the riots. The verdict was reserved on July 9 after arguments from Advocate Mehmood Pracha, representing Ahmed, and Special Public Prosecutor (SPP) Amit Prasad for the Delhi Police.
Pracha highlighted the significant delay in the trial, emphasizing that his client had not sought even a single adjournment before the trial court and had concluded arguments on charges in just 10-15 minutes on a single day. Despite this, Ahmed has been in jail for five years. He argued, “Forget speedy trial, my bail application is not being heard. It is not about the trial. I am forced to… I can’t think of a better word. I am compelled to give up my rights even when arguing my bail due to the burden. That is the effect of overburdening of the system. I am making a statement at the bar that if I took even one adjournment, my bail may be cancelled.”
In response, SPP Amit Prasad contended that delay alone cannot justify granting bail under Section 43D(4) of UAPA. He further argued that the High Court cannot grant interim bail while hearing an appeal against the trial court’s rejection of bail, unless there are emergent reasons.
The case originates from FIR 59 of 2020, registered by the Delhi Police’s Special Cell under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, 1860, and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967. It pertains to an alleged conspiracy in the communal violence that erupted in North-East Delhi in February 2020, resulting in numerous deaths and injuries.
A coordinate bench of the Delhi High Court is scheduled to pronounce orders today at 2:30 PM on bail pleas filed by co-accused including Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam, Mohd. Saleem Khan, Shifa ur Rehman, Shadab Ahmed, Athar Khan, Khalid Saifi, and Gulfisha Fatima.
Mangalore, September 2, 2025: Mohammed Kunhi, the state secretary of The Karnataka chapter of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, a prominent socio-religious organization, has made the statement in response to recent controversies surrounding Sameer’s AI-generated videos, which have sparked widespread discussion on social media.
Speaking to the media, Mohammed Kunhi emphasized that Sameer’s identity was largely unknown to the Muslim community prior to the controversy. “Sameer is definitely not a representative of the Muslim community,” he clarified. “With approximately 1.5 crore Muslims in Karnataka, how many even know who Sameer is? As part of a major organization, we were not aware of him either.”
Kunhi further noted that Sameer is only recognized as a YouTuber, and if his videos are found to be misleading or inappropriate, he will face legal consequences. “Spreading misinformation about any religious sphere is unacceptable. This is against our fundamental beliefs,” he stated, underscoring the organization’s stance against propaganda targeting religious institutions.
The clarification comes in the context of the Dharmasthala case, where Sameer is currently under investigation at the Belthangady Police Station for sharing AI-generated videos on social media.
Bengaluru, September 2, 2025: In a significant development in the high-profile Renuka Swamy murder case, the 57th Sessions Court in Bengaluru on Tuesday rejected the bail application of prime accused (A1) Pavithra Gowda, who is currently in judicial custody. Pavithra Gowda, a close associate of Kannada actor Darshan Thoogudeepa, had filed the plea seeking relief, but the court dismissed it after considering arguments from both sides.
The case stems from the brutal murder of Renuka Swamy, a resident of Chitradurga, who was allegedly abducted, tortured, and killed for sending obscene messages to Pavithra Gowda. According to police investigations, Renuka Swamy was kidnapped from Chitradurga, brought to Bengaluru, and subjected to extreme violence in a shed in Pattanagere. The assault, reportedly orchestrated by Darshan and his associates, led to his death, with his body later discovered in a stormwater drain. Pavithra Gowda is named as the primary accused for allegedly instigating the crime.
Pavithra Gowda, who had recently been re-arrested following the Supreme Court’s cancellation of bail granted by the Karnataka High Court, approached the sessions court for bail. Her lawyer, Balan, argued that while not challenging a prior Supreme Court order, there were technical flaws in the chargesheet. He contended that the chargesheet was filed under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) instead of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), rendering it legally invalid. On this basis, he urged the court to grant bail to Pavithra Gowda.
Opposing the plea, prosecution lawyer Sachin raised strong objections, emphasizing the severity of the crime and the evidence against her. He requested the court to deny bail to prevent any interference in the ongoing trial.
After hearing the detailed arguments, the judge dismissed the application, citing the gravity of the offenses and the prima facie evidence of Pavithra Gowda’s involvement. This marks another setback for the accused, following the Supreme Court’s directive in August 2025 to cancel all bails and order immediate arrests. Consequently, Pavithra Gowda has been in custody since August 14, 2025.
The Karnataka High Court had earlier granted bail to all accused, including Darshan and Pavithra Gowda, but the Supreme Court set it aside, criticizing it as a “perverse exercise of power” and stressing that no one is above the law. The top court also warned against providing special treatment to the accused in jail.
The Renuka Swamy murder case continues to unfold, with the trial expected to proceed expeditiously as directed by the Supreme Court. More hearings on related matters are anticipated in the coming weeks.
Byndoor, September 1, 2025: To facilitate easier access for devotees visiting the Kollur Mookambika Temple, the Madgaon-Ernakulam Superfast Express, operating between Madgaon in Goa and Ernakulam in Kerala, has been authorized to stop at Mookambika Road Railway Station in Byndoor. This new stop is expected to provide significant convenience for pilgrims traveling to the temple.
The train made its first stop at Mookambika Road Railway Station on August 31, 2025. The event was attended by members of the Byndoor Rickshaw and Taxi Union, along with railway officials, including Commercial Supervisor S. K. Bhat from Udupi and Surendra Kumar, who welcomed the train. Railway authorities stated that this stop will enhance travel convenience for both devotees and local residents.
Bengaluru, September 1, 2025:Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) champions, has announced a significant initiative, “RCB Cares,” aimed at supporting the families of 11 fans who tragically lost their lives in a stampede outside M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on June 4, 2025. The franchise revealed on August 30, 2025, via its official X account (@RCBTweets), that it will provide ₹25 lakh to each bereaved family as part of this initiative, marking a substantial increase from the initial ₹10 lakh compensation announced shortly after the incident.
The stampede occurred during celebrations following RCB’s historic first IPL title win, a six-run victory over Punjab Kings on June 3, 2025, at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium. An estimated crowd of nearly 3 lakh fans gathered outside Chinnaswamy Stadium to celebrate, leading to severe overcrowding and chaos near the stadium gates. The tragedy claimed 11 lives, including a child, and injured over 50 others, casting a dark shadow over RCB’s long-awaited triumph. The Karnataka government and a formal inquiry later blamed the franchise for inadequate crowd management, with reports highlighting that the stadium’s infrastructure was deemed unsafe for such large gatherings.
In response to the tragedy and subsequent public criticism, RCB launched “RCB Cares” to provide not only financial aid but also long-term support for affected families and the broader fan community. The franchise issued a heartfelt statement: “Our hearts broke on June 4, 2025. We lost eleven members of the RCB family. They were part of us. Part of what makes our city, our community & our team unique. Their absence will echo in the memories of each one of us. No amount of support can ever fill the space they’ve left behind. But as a first step, and with the deepest respect, RCB has extended ₹25 lakh each to their families. Not just as financial aid, but as a promise of compassion, unity, and ongoing care.”
The initiative outlines several key objectives:
Providing holistic support beyond financial assistance.
Ensuring safer environments for fans at future events.
Funding independent research on crowd safety measures.
Creating opportunities in sports for communities.
Preserving the memories of fans in meaningful ways.
Investing in the next generation through sports development.
RCB’s initial response to the tragedy—a brief condolence message and ₹10 lakh per family—drew criticism for being inadequate, with many fans and analysts labeling it as “damage control.” The franchise acknowledged the backlash, noting that their prolonged silence was a period of “grief, listening, and learning.” The enhanced ₹25 lakh compensation and the launch of “RCB Cares” aim to rebuild trust and demonstrate a commitment to accountability. The team emphasized that this is “the beginning of a long-term commitment for meaningful action that begins by honoring their memory.”
The Karnataka government’s inquiry, led by the Deputy Commissioner, highlighted lapses in planning by RCB and the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA). A report submitted to the Karnataka High Court declared Chinnaswamy Stadium“unsafe” for large gatherings, leading to the relocation of events like the 2025 Maharaja Trophy and Women’s ODI World Cup matches. The state government also announced ₹10 lakh compensation per family and covered medical expenses for the injured, but faced criticism from opposition leaders for poor crowd control measures.
Fans have expressed mixed reactions on X. While some praised RCB’s increased aid and long-term vision, others felt the response was delayed. “Nothing can fill the void of a life lost, but this is the least they can do,” wrote one user. Another post lauded the initiative, with fans welcoming “RCB Cares” as a step toward genuine care and responsibility.
As RCB prepares for the IPL 2026 season, “RCB Cares” aims to strengthen the bond with its “12th Man Army” by prioritizing fan safety and community welfare. More details about the initiative’s rollout are expected soon, with the franchise promising actions that “reflect what the fans feel, expect, and deserve.”
Mangaluru, September 1, 2025: Four airport staff working in baggage loading and unloading have been taken into custody by Bajpe police in connection with the theft of gold ornaments from a passenger’s trolley bag at Mangaluru International Airport.
According to reports, the victim, Rajeshwari Padmashali, wife of CRPF jawan Harikesh, had traveled on an Air India Express flight from Bengaluru to Mangaluru on Saturday morning to attend a relative’s wedding. She landed at Mangaluru International Airport at 9:30 am.
After collecting her baggage, she noticed the lock of her trolley bag had been tampered with. Upon checking, she found that a gold necklace weighing 56 grams, worth approximately ₹4.5 lakh, was missing.
Rajeshwari immediately lodged a complaint with Bajpe police, who registered a case and launched an investigation. Police sources said four individuals working in luggage handling at the airport were detained for questioning, and two of them have been formally arrested.
Preliminary investigations suggest that similar thefts of gold ornaments, mobile phones, and other valuables from passenger baggage had taken place earlier, leading to growing complaints from travelers. Police are continuing their probe into the incident.
Gangolli, September 1, 2025: The new committee for the Eid Milad celebrations in Gangolli has been officially announced. The committee will oversee the arrangements and activities for the upcoming festivities this year.
The office bearers for 2025 are as follows:
President: Abdul Rasheed (Sulthan Mohalla)
Vice President: Ibrahim Khaleel (Jamiya Mohalla)
Secretary: Fawaz Khalife (Mubarak Mohalla)
Joint Secretary: Zaheer Ahmed Nakhuda (Nakhuda Mohalla)
Treasurer: Mohammed Jalal (Rehmania Mohalla)
The committee members include:
Asif Kalai (Sulthan Mohalla)
Rajjab Budda (Jamiya Mohalla)
Arif Pookaya (Badriya Mohalla)
Abdul Majeed Hajji (Jamiya Mohalla)
Sayeed Basheer (Jamiya Mohalla)
Abdul Muneer (Sulthan Mohalla)
The newly elected committee is expected to ensure smooth and well-organized Eid Milad celebrations, bringing together the community of Gangolli in a spirit of devotion and festivity, according to the committee’s announcement.
Screengrab from 2024 Eid Milad | Youtube | Taj Family
