Manipal, September 15, 2025 – In a swift action against drug peddling, Manipal Police Station arrested a 26-year-old man for possessing and selling MDMA (Ecstasy) in a public place near Vidyarathna Nagar, Manipal. The operation, led by Police Inspector Mahesh Prasad and his team, resulted in the seizure of 6.61 grams of the contraband substance, valued at approximately ₹13,000, along with two mobile phones worth ₹60,000.
Acting on a tip-off received at 07:30 AM, the police team reached the spot near Nandini Milk Parlour on Deputy Commissioner Office Road in Vidyarathna Nagar, Shivalli Village, Udupi Taluk. They confirmed the presence of the accused near a scooter bearing registration number KA20-HF-8927 at 09:20 AM and conducted a raid.
The accused, identified as Mohammed Arfan (26), son of Mohammed Adil, a resident of House No. 2-1-31 near Badriya Masjid, Vinaya Nagar, Belapu Post and Village, Kapu Taluk, Udupi District, was taken into custody. A search of the scooter’s dashboard revealed two mobile phones and a white plastic container. Inside an air zip plastic cover within the container, 6.61 grams of white MDMA powder was recovered.
The accused was allegedly selling the narcotic substance for personal profit. The total estimated value of the seized items stands at ₹73,000.
Manipal Police have registered a case under Crime No. 165/2025, invoking Sections 8(c), 20(B), and 22(B) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.
Beltangadi, September 15, 2025: The Women India Movement Beltangadi unit hosted a seminar at the party office in Beltangadi as part of International Democracy Day celebrations. The event focused on empowering women through democratic values and constitutional awareness.
Shama Ujire, President of the Women India Movement Beltangadi Committee, presided over the program and delivered the introductory remarks, setting the tone for discussions on democracy and women’s roles.
Chief guest Advocate Asma Rizwan emphasized the need for women in politics to recognize their daily necessities and engage in community-oriented activities. She urged women to acquire legal awareness and prioritize empowerment, highlighting how informed participation can strengthen democratic processes.
Another guest speaker, Dr. Ashika, stressed the importance of incorporating democratic principles into everyday behavior. She advocated adopting simple virtues like respect, love, and priority for people, the nation, and the Constitution. “Self-restraint, cooperation, love, and coexistence should be integral to our daily lives,” Dr. Ashika said, calling for a harmonious society rooted in democratic ethos.
Keynote speaker and journalist Fatima Usman delivered a stirring address, warning that anti-Constitution forces are attempting to dismantle India’s democratic system—the world’s largest—and impose authoritarianism. “As true Indians, we must resolve to safeguard democracy and commit to a rigorous struggle to restore constitutional values,” she declared, rallying participants to protect the nation’s foundational principles.
The seminar saw enthusiastic participation from Women India Movement leaders, activists, and democracy enthusiasts. Rubiya, President of the WIM City Committee, welcomed the guests, Rafa conducted the proceedings, and Ramlat proposed the vote of thanks.
Karwar, September 15, 2025 :The Indian Constitution guarantees equal opportunities to every citizen, and people must make the best use of these rights, said Uttara Kannada Deputy Commissioner K. Lakshmipriya. She was speaking at the inauguration of International Democracy Day celebrations held at the Deputy Commissioner’s office auditorium, organized jointly by the District Administration, Zilla Panchayat, and Social Welfare Department, Karwar. The event began with a floral tribute to Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s portrait.
Lakshmipriya emphasized the need for a mindset of equality, free from divisions of caste, religion, or creed. “The Constitution embodies values of equality, harmony, and tolerance, providing equal opportunities to the poor, the rich, and people of all faiths,” she said. She highlighted that the Constitution grants freedom of speech and expression, allowing citizens to voice their concerns boldly. She urged children to actively participate in Gram Sabha meetings, express their needs, and demand facilities for schools and communities with courage, fostering a habit of speaking up confidently.
Encouraging students to utilize constitutional provisions, Lakshmipriya called on them to become responsible citizens, contribute positively to society, and strengthen the nation.
Dr. Dileesh Sasi, CEO of Zilla Panchayat, noted that International Democracy Day is celebrated globally, underscoring that democracy is the soul of the Constitution. “India is the world’s largest democracy, rooted in principles of freedom, equality, and participation. Voting in elections and active engagement at every level of governance are crucial for a thriving democracy,” he said, stressing that it is every citizen’s responsibility to uphold democratic values.
Ullas Shyam Hudhar, a lecturer at Ankola P.M. Pre-University College, delivered a talk on democracy, stating that India’s democratic system is a global model, thanks to its robust Constitution. Unlike other democracies where voting rights were granted post-Constitution, India ensured these rights from the day the Constitution was enacted. He urged youth to recognize the importance of democracy and participate in elections to build a stronger nation.
The event saw the presence of District Superintendent of Police Deepan M.N., Additional Deputy Commissioner Sajid Mulla, Deputy Director of Social Welfare Y.K. Umesh, and representatives from Scheduled Castes and Tribes, along with various district officials. Participants took the Constitutional Preamble Oath, and prizes were distributed to winners of competitions organized as part of Democracy Day.
Full Implementation of Child Protection Policy Urged
In a separate meeting at the same venue, Deputy Commissioner Lakshmipriya directed all educational institutions, hostels, sports facilities, and government offices in the district to fully implement the Karnataka State Child Protection Policy. She emphasized adherence to the policy’s 20-point guidelines, including conducting regular safety meetings and adopting necessary protective measures.
She instructed departments to submit detailed reports on funds allocated for child welfare and safety measures, ensure CCTV installation in school premises, set up complaint boxes for children, and conduct awareness programs on child rights. The toll-free child helpline (1098) must be prominently displayed, and all benefits meant for children should be distributed effectively. Complaints received through Gram Sabhas or school suggestion boxes must be taken seriously and resolved promptly by relevant departments.
Lakshmipriya stressed creating a child-friendly and safe environment across the district, with all departments adhering to guidelines from the Child Protection Commission.
The meeting was attended by IAS trainee Deputy Commissioner Zufishan Haque, Zilla Panchayat Deputy Secretary Alla Baksh, Deputy Director of Women and Child Development Krishnappa, District Child Protection Officer Sonal Aigal, District RCH Officer Dr. Nataraj, DYSP Girish, and other district-level officials.
Kundapura, September 15, 2025: The Kundapura Mandal BJP Yuva Morcha, led by President Kiran Poojary Tekkatte, has submitted a petition to the Kundapur Police Station authorities demanding the registration of a case against Udupi District Congress Social Media Convener Roshan Shetty. The complaint accuses Shetty of engaging in seditious propaganda on social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram.
The petition claims that Shetty shared a satirical image resembling the BJP flag and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with rioting crowds, accompanied by messages that allegedly threaten India’s sovereignty, unity, and integrity. This is described as an act of treasonous propagation intended to incite unrest.
The delegation urged the police to take immediate action under relevant sections of the law to curb such anti-national activities. The submission was made at Kundapur Police Station, where the team pressed for a formal FIR to be filed.
The event saw the presence of several BJP leaders, including Kundapur Mandal President Suresh Shetty Gopadi, former President Shankar Ankadakatte, General Secretary Satish Poojari Vakwadi, Sudhir K.S., District Yuva Morcha Vice President Prasad Billava, Mandal Yuva Morcha General Secretary Chetan Kharvi, Mandal Vice President Sunil Shetty Herikudru, BJP OBC Morcha President Surendra Kanchan, Sangam Mandal Yuva Morcha Secretary Ranjit Devadiga, and Councilors Raghavendra Kharvi and Girish Devadiga. Prominent members such as Divakar Kadgi and Nagaraj Kanchan were also in attendance.
Udupi, September 15, 2025: The Vitla Pindi celebrations during Udupi Sri Krishna Janmashtami festivities are renowned for their elaborate and colorful costumes, and this year was no exception. The procession on the Krishna Math car street featured striking lookalikes of cricket stars, including Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) captain Virat Kohli, explosive batsman Chris Gayle, and the “Mr. Nags” fame Danish Seth, adding an extra sparkle to the event.
These weren’t the actual cricket celebrities visiting Udupi, but meticulously crafted impersonators designed to enhance the grandeur of the Vitla Pindi procession. Dressed in RCB jerseys, the trio of lookalikes drew massive crowds, leaving devotees momentarily stunned as if the real stars had descended upon the festival.
The sight of the “Virat Kohli” leading with his signature intensity, alongside the flamboyant “Chris Gayle” and the charismatic “Mr. Nags,” created a buzz among the gathered bhaktas, blending sports fandom with traditional devotion in a unique spectacle.
The Vitla Pindi day is a highlight of the Janmashtami rituals at Udupi Krishna Math, where participants don vibrant attires and perform in a lively parade, captivating locals and visitors alike.
Ullal, September 15, 2025 – A fishing boat capsized after hitting rocks near Ullal Sea Ground this morning due to sudden engine failure, but all 13 fishermen on board, including the skipper, escaped unharmed by swimming to shore. The incident, occurring around 2:30 AM, resulted in the complete destruction of the vessel, with estimated losses exceeding ₹1.5 crore, including nets and other valuable equipment.
The boat, named Burak and owned by Ashfaq, departed from Mangaluru’s Dhakke fishing harbor at 2:30 AM with 13 crew members for a fishing expedition. While navigating near Ullal Sea Ground, the engine abruptly shut off, causing the boat to lose control and collide with temporary rock barriers placed in the coastal area to prevent erosion. The impact led to the boat overturning, as detailed by the boat’s manager, Khalil, in an interview with Headline Karnataka.
“All 13 fishermen managed to swim to safety, but the boat is a total write-off,” Khalil stated, highlighting the suddenness of the engine malfunction and the hazardous coastal conditions.
The mishap has caused significant financial damage, with the boat, fishing nets, and other gear valued at approximately ₹1.5 crore now lost. Ullal Police have visited the site for inspection and are conducting preliminary inquiries to ascertain the exact cause of the engine failure.
Udupi, September 15, 2025: The Udupi District Civilian Firearm Training Camp was inaugurated today at the District Armed Reserve Force headquarters by Udupi District Superintendent of Police, Hariram Shankar (IPS). During the event, SP Shankar provided detailed information about the firearm training program and its significance.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by key officials, including Deputy Superintendent of Police (Armed Reserve) Thimmappa Gowda and Armed Reserve Police Inspector Ravi Kumar. The five-day training camp has attracted a total of 195 participants, with 59 candidates from the Udupi sub-division, 55 from the Karkala sub-division, and 81 from the Kundapura sub-division.
The training sessions will be conducted at different locations across the district: the Udupi sub-division training will take place in Udupi, the Karkala sub-division training in Hebri, and the Kundapura sub-division training in Kundapura.
The program aims to equip civilians with essential firearm handling skills under the supervision of trained police personnel, ensuring safety and compliance with regulations.
Bhatkal, September 15, 2025 – Venkatesh Navada, the in-charge Chief Officer of Bhatkal Town Municipal Council, has filed a complaint with the Bhatkal Town Police Station against unidentified individuals for spreading false news on social media, alleging a pile of animal bones was dumped in an open hilly area of Makhdoom Colony. The misinformation, accompanied by photos and videos, was shared around 9:00 PM on September 9, 2025, with the intent to incite fear and disrupt public peace, according to the complaint.
The Bhatkal Town Police have registered a case and launched an investigation to trace the culprits and take legal action. Initial findings, corroborated by CPI Diwakar, confirm that the viral photos and videos are old, dating back to 2013-14, and do not reflect the current situation in Makhdoom Colony. A physical inspection by police and municipal officials found no large heap of animal bones as depicted. On Wednesday, municipal workers cleared garbage and waste from the area, though a few old bones were found in a small bundle in a ravine on Thursday, prompting a separate complaint from the Forest Department.
CPI Diwakar stated, “The viral photos of heaps of bones are old. We conducted an immediate inspection after receiving the information, and no such pile was found. The municipality cleared the waste, but a few old bones were detected in a small bundle. Based on the Forest Department’s complaint, a case has been registered, and we are investigating further.”
Additional SP Krishnamurthy clarified, “The scale of bones shown in the viral photos does not exist in Bhatkal’s hilly area. Only two to three small bundles of waste were found.” The police noted that similar incidents occurred in 2013-14 when animal bones and waste were dumped in the same area, causing a public outcry and foul odor, leading to complaints and police action at the time. The current misinformation appears to repurpose those old visuals to create unrest.
The Forest Department has also filed a complaint regarding the recent discovery of a few bones, and a case has been registered for further investigation. Authorities have urged the public to refrain from sharing unverified information to prevent panic and maintain communal harmony.
Malpe, September 15, 2025 – A 33-year-old man from Hassan district passed away due to health complications after collapsing on the roadside in Kinnimulki village, Udupi taluk, on September 13. The incident occurred around 11:00 AM near Abko Steel Shop on National Highway 66.
The deceased, identified as A.M. Devraj, was the second son of Ratna (50), a resident of Hassan. Devraj had previously worked in a bakery in Shivamogga and had been employed in home nursing in Udupi for the past two years. He suddenly felt unwell due to low blood pressure (low BP) and low blood sugar (low sugar), leading to him collapsing on the roadside.
Local social worker Vishu Shetty, who witnessed the incident, promptly rushed Devraj to Udupi District Government Hospital for treatment. Despite medical efforts, Devraj succumbed to his condition at 00:51 on September 14, as treatment proved ineffective.
Following a complaint from the family, the Malpe Police Station has registered a case under UDDR No. 62/2025, Section 194 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), pertaining to unnatural death procedures.
Mysore, September 15, 2025: The Karnataka High Court on Monday dismissed Public Interest Litigations (PILs) filed by former MP Pratap Simha and others challenging the state government’s decision to invite Booker Prize-winning author Banu Mushtaq as the chief guest to inaugurate the world-renowned Mysore Dasara festival.
A division bench, led by Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru and Justice C.M. Joshi, heard three separate petitions filed by Pratap Simha, Bengaluru-based entrepreneur T. Gireesh Kumar, and R. Soumya, the national vice-president of Abhinav Bharat Party. The petitioners sought a directive to the state government to withdraw the invitation to Mushtaq for this year’s Dasara inauguration.
The court ruled, “The petitioners have failed to demonstrate how the participation of a person from a different religion in a state-organized event violates any legal or constitutional rights. Therefore, these petitions are dismissed. A detailed order will be issued later.”
Advocate S. Sudarshan, representing Pratap Simha, argued that Mushtaq had made statements against Hindu traditions and Kannada culture. He further contended that the chief guest for Dasara is expected to visit the Chamundeshwari temple as per protocol, which Mushtaq had not followed. “Mushtaq does not believe in applying turmeric and vermilion. Dasara is a Hindu festival, not a secular one,” Sudarshan stated.
The bench responded, “What constitutional or legal right do you have to question Mushtaq’s selection? Following protocol is a personal matter.”
Advocate Ranganath Reddy, appearing for another petitioner, argued, “Hindu worship cannot be separated from Agama Shastra. The question is whether a non-Hindu can inaugurate Dasara. If Mushtaq clarifies her belief in Hindu deities, we have no objection.”
Advocate General K. Shashikiran Shetty, representing the state government, countered, “Pratap Simha should be fined. When he was an MP, Nisarga Ahmad inaugurated Dasara, and no objections were raised then. Bhanu Mushtaq, a Booker Prize winner, was chosen to inaugurate Dasara, a state festival, in line with Article 15 of the Constitution. The Dasara committee, comprising leaders from all parties, recommended the guest to the Chief Minister.”
Shetty further argued, “Those creating a Hindu-Muslim divide should face strict action. Dasara is a secular festival, but it is being portrayed as a religious event.”
When Simha’s counsel noted that Nisarga Ahmad had written poetry about Kannada and never made anti-Kannada remarks, the bench remarked, “Vijayadashami signifies the victory of good over evil and is celebrated across the country.”
When Simha’s counsel attempted to continue the argument, the bench warned, “We have passed our order. Should we impose a fine? Such arguments cannot be made in this court.”
