Timeline India

Category: Bengaluru

  • Bengaluru: DCM D.K. Shivakumar Addresses Dharmasthala Complainant’s Arrest, Emphasizes Justice Over Politics

    Bengaluru, August 23, 2025 – Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, speaking to the media near his Sadashivanagar residence on Saturday morning, addressed the arrest of the anonymous complainant in the Dharmasthala case by the Special Investigation Team (SIT). Emphasizing impartiality, he stated, “We are neither on their side nor this side; we stand for justice. We only ask that politics not be played in matters of religion.”

    Responding to questions about his earlier mention of a “conspiracy” in the case, where the complainant alleged multiple murders and burials in Dharmasthala, Shivakumar remarked, “The BJP was silent until now, speaking vaguely. It was only after I raised the conspiracy angle that they started commenting.” He noted that the Dharmasthala family had met Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, praising the formation of the SIT, led by senior officer Pranav Mohanty, on July 20, 2025. “The investigation is ongoing. Whether it’s the guilty or the innocent, our government will take action,” he added, citing assurances from the CM and Home Minister Dr. G. Parameshwara in the Assembly and CLP meetings.

    The SIT arrested the complainant, identified as Chinnayya, on August 23, 2025, after the Mangaluru competent authority revoked his protection under the Witness Protection Act on August 22, due to inconsistencies in his claims. The accused was presented in Beltangady court and remanded to judicial custody, with further interrogation expected.

    On Sujatha Bhat’s statement denying Ananya Bhat as her daughter, Shivakumar said, “The Home Minister will handle it.” Regarding a meeting with Congress leader Randeep Surjewala, he explained it was to prepare for local body elections, stating, “The court has directed us to hold elections, so we’re assigning responsibilities.” He also confirmed his participation in the Congress Janadhikara Yatra in Bihar, noting, “The CM has been invited and will join on another day.”

  • Bengaluru: Formation of Namma Nada Okkoota Bengaluru Unit

    Bengaluru, August 22, 2025: Namma Nada Okkoota (NNO) held a pivotal meeting on August 20, 2025, at Darussalam Hall in Bengaluru to discuss current community issues and strengthen its organizational framework. Chaired by NNO Central Committee President Mohammed Saleem Moodubidire, the gathering saw participation from leaders of various community organizations, marking a significant step toward unified action.

    The session began with a Qur’an recitation by General Secretary Maulana Zameer Ahmed Rashadi, followed by a welcome address from NNO Bengaluru Convener Janab Aziz. Central Committee Organizing Secretary Hussein Haikadi delivered an introductory speech, setting the tone for the discussions. President Muhammad Saleem emphasized the need for unity, stating, “As khalifas endowed with capabilities by the Creator, our collective efforts can overcome challenges and uplift the community for a better future.” He urged social workers and leaders to join hands with NNO for impactful change.

    Janab Tauseef highlighted how strategic initiatives had saved crores of rupees for the community, proposing this model for adoption across Karnataka’s taluks. Janab Haris Saheb endorsed NNO’s plan to establish community centers in every taluk, pledging support, while Janab Fauzan called for collaborative efforts among organizations. Janab Tanveer committed to providing office space for NNO in Bengaluru, strengthening its operational base.

    Notable attendees included Treasurer Peeru Saheb from Udupi, Central Committee members Shabbir Karkala and Mustak Belve, Udupi District Committee Treasurer Yahya Nakhwa, and members Haroon Rasheed, Nazir Nejar, Abdul Khadar Moodugopadi, Nihar Kundapur, Rasheed Kapu, and Asif Belve, among others.

    The meeting culminated in the formation of an ad hoc committee for NNO Bengaluru, with consensus from all present. The committee comprises Abdul Aziz (Convener), Tanveer Ahmad, Haris Siddique, Muhammad Wasif, Tauseef, Bahawuddin, Fauzan, Farooq Azmi, Dada Peer, Dr. Naseem, Advocate Kaleemulla, Muzaffar, Abdul Rasheed (Kolar), Shafeevulla (Chitradurga), Abdul Majeed, and Inayat.

  • Bengaluru: Booker Prize Winner Banu Mushtaq to Inaugurate Mysuru Dasara 2025

    Bengaluru, August 22, 2025: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced that renowned Kannada author and International Booker Prize 2025 winner Banu Mushtaq will inaugurate the prestigious Mysuru Dasara festival this year. Speaking to reporters at Vidhana Soudha, Siddaramaiah expressed pride in Mushtaq’s achievement, noting that her book Hridaya Deepa (Heart Lamp), translated by Deepa Bhasthi, earned her the coveted award, making her the first Kannada author to receive this honor.

    “Banu Mushtaq, a woman from Karnataka, winning the Booker Prize is a matter of great joy. She comes from a background of struggle, having worked with farmers’ movements, Kannada agitations, and progressive causes. Therefore, we have invited her to inaugurate the Dasara Mahotsav,” Siddaramaiah said. The 11-day festival, set to take place from September 22 to October 2, 2025, will celebrate Karnataka’s rich cultural heritage, with Mushtaq’s participation highlighting the state’s literary pride. The Mysuru district administration will extend a formal invitation to her with full honors.

    Banu Mushtaq, born in 1948 in Hassan, Karnataka, is a writer, activist, and lawyer whose short story collection Heart Lamp explores themes of women’s rights and social justice. Her historic win has been celebrated as a milestone for Kannada literature, with the Karnataka government lauding her contribution to global recognition of regional voices.

  • Karnataka govt announces 50% discount on pending traffic fines

    Bengaluru, August 22, 2025: The Karnataka government has launched a limited-period scheme offering a 50% discount on pending traffic violation fines to provide relief to vehicle owners. The initiative, detailed in an official order by Pushpa V S, Under-Secretary of the State Transport Department, is effective from August 23 to September 12, 2025, and applies to violations recorded under the police department’s e-challan system up to February 11, 2023.

    This marks the second time the state has introduced such a concession, following a successful earlier scheme that saw significant recovery of pending fines. The current offer targets motorists with long-pending dues, encouraging them to clear penalties by paying only half the amount. For violations recorded after February 12, 2023, the government has indicated that a similar discount may be considered in 2026.

    The Transport Department urges vehicle owners to take advantage of this window to settle their dues and avoid legal complications. Details on accessing the e-challan system and paying fines are available through official police and transport department portals.

  • Vidhana Soudha: Karnataka Assembly Passes Child Marriage Prohibition (Amendment) Bill

    Bengaluru, August 18, 2025: The Karnataka Legislative Assembly unanimously passed the Child Marriage Prohibition (Amendment) Bill on Monday, presented by Women and Child Development Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar. The bill introduces stringent measures to combat child marriage, a persistent social issue in the state, with the goal of eradicating it at the grassroots level.

    Speaking after presenting the bill, Hebbalkar highlighted the severity of child marriage as a social evil that successive governments and laws have struggled to eliminate. She noted that in 2024-25, the Women and Child Development Department identified 1,828 child marriage cases, successfully preventing 1,460 of them. However, 369 cases still occurred, leading to the filing of FIRs. The minister emphasized the department’s commitment to rooting out the practice entirely.

    Under the amended law, stricter enforcement will be applied, including legal action against those involved in arranging child engagements. Offenders face a penalty of ₹1 lakh and up to two years of imprisonment. “Our department’s primary objective is to eradicate child marriage at its core,” Hebbalkar stated, underscoring the need for robust measures to protect young girls and boys from early marriages that hinder their education and well-being.

    The passage of the bill marks a significant step in strengthening Karnataka’s legal framework to address child marriage, aligning with broader efforts to promote gender equality and child welfare.

  • Bengaluru: Home Minister Parameshwara Issues Stern Warning to YouTubers Over Misinformation

    Bengaluru, August 18, 2025 – Karnataka Home Minister Dr. G. Parameshwara issued a strong warning to YouTubers during a Legislative Assembly discussion, responding to complaints from opposition leaders about baseless propaganda videos targeting individuals, organizations, religious centers, and the state government. He urged YouTubers to cease such activities, warning that failure to comply would result in stringent legal action, as unregulated reporting could harm societal well-being.

    Addressing the Assembly, Parameshwara expressed concern over YouTubers violating confidentiality and spreading misinformation without evidence, stating, “YouTubers must stop here, or we will take tough measures.” He highlighted the government’s commitment to maintaining confidentiality, noting that ministers are bound by an oath of secrecy and cannot disclose sensitive information as demanded by some members. Responding to dissatisfaction from certain legislators about his replies, he retorted, “I have answered responsibly. Some call it evasive, but former Home Minister Araga Jnanendra and Law Minister Suresh know the internal protocols. I assumed you understood the Lakshman Rekha.”

    On the topic of the Special Investigation Team (SIT), Parameshwara welcomed the opposition’s support for its formation and assured that any shortcomings would be addressed to uncover the truth. He noted that the SIT has been instructed to submit its report as soon as possible, though the timeline could range from one to six months depending on the investigation’s complexity.

    Concluding his remarks, the Home Minister reiterated the need to regulate YouTubers’ activities, emphasizing that unchecked reporting could disrupt social harmony. “We have noticed individuals, organizations, and the government being targeted with unverified reports. This must stop, or we will be forced to act,” he warned, underscoring the government’s resolve to maintain order and protect public trust.

  • Renukaswamy Murder Case: Actor Darshan, Pavithra Gowda Arrested After Supreme Court Cancels Bail

    Bengaluru, August 14, 2025 – Following the Supreme Court’s decision to cancel the bail granted to Kannada actor Darshan Thoogudeepa, Pavithra Gowda, and other accused in the Renukaswamy murder case, Bengaluru police took both Darshan and Pavithra into custody on August 14, 2025. Pavithra Gowda was arrested by Annapoorneshwari Nagar police in the afternoon, while Darshan was apprehended near an apartment in Hosakerehalli, Bengaluru. Arrangements are being made to bring Darshan to the Annapoorneshwari Nagar Police Station.

    The Supreme Court bench, comprising Justices J.B. Pardiwala and R. Mahadevan, overturned the Karnataka High Court’s bail order of December 13, 2024, criticizing it as riddled with “serious infirmities” and resembling a pre-trial acquittal. The court emphasized that “all are equal before the law” and cancelled the bail due to the potential risk of the accused influencing witnesses and derailing justice. The bench ordered immediate arrests and directed the trial to proceed expeditiously.

    The Renukaswamy murder case came to light on June 9, 2024, when the body of 33-year-old Renukaswamy from Chitradurga was found near a stormwater drain in Sumanahalli, Bengaluru. Police allege that Renukaswamy was abducted, tortured, and killed for sending obscene messages to Pavithra Gowda, a close associate of Darshan. In September 2024, Bengaluru police filed a 3,991-page chargesheet, naming Pavithra Gowda as accused number one and Darshan as accused number two, along with 15 others. The investigation revealed that the victim was held in a shed for three days before his death.

  • Renukaswamy Murder Case: Supreme Court Cancels Bail of Actor Darshan, Pavithra Gowda, and Other Accused

    New Delhi, August 14, 2025: The Supreme Court, in a significant ruling, set aside the Karnataka High Court’s order granting bail to Kannada actor Darshan Thoogudeepa, actress Pavithra Gowda, and five other accused in the Renukaswamy murder case. The bench, comprising Justices J.B. Pardiwala and R. Mahadevan, delivered the verdict on an appeal filed by the Karnataka government challenging the High Court’s December 13, 2024, bail order. The court cited the risk of witness tampering and the seriousness of the crime as key reasons for the cancellation.

    The case pertains to the brutal murder of 33-year-old Renukaswamy from Chitradurga, who was allegedly abducted, tortured, and killed in Bengaluru on June 8, 2024, after sending inappropriate messages to Pavithra Gowda. His body was found near a stormwater drain on June 9, 2024. Darshan was arrested on June 11, 2024, along with Pavithra Gowda and others. The Bengaluru police filed a 3,991-page charge sheet in September 2024, naming Pavithra as accused number one and Darshan as accused number two.

    During hearings, the Supreme Court criticized the Karnataka High Court’s bail order as a “perverse exercise of discretionary power,” noting that it appeared akin to a pre-trial acquittal without due consideration of the case’s gravity, forensic evidence, and witness statements. The bench emphasized that the High Court failed to apply judicial discretion appropriately, especially given the serious allegations and potential for evidence tampering.

    On July 24, 2025, the court directed both sides to submit written arguments within a week, which were reviewed before the verdict was reserved. The Supreme Court’s ruling on August 14, 2025, also included a stern warning against providing special treatment to the accused in custody, stating that any “five-star treatment” would lead to the suspension of jail officials.

    The verdict reinforces the principle that no one is above the law, with the court underscoring the need to maintain the rule of law in such grave cases. The accused have been ordered to be taken into custody immediately, and the trial court is deemed the appropriate forum for further proceedings.

    Supreme Court Cancels Bail of Actor Darshan, Pavithra Gowda, and Other Accused | File Photo

  • PM Modi Inaugurates Three Vande Bharat Express Trains in Bengaluru

    Bengaluru, August 10, 2025: Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched three Vande Bharat Express trains on Sunday, marking a significant step in bolstering India’s high-speed rail network. The inauguration took place at Krantiveera Sangolli Rayanna (KSR) Railway Station in Bengaluru, where Modi personally flagged off the Belagavi–Bengaluru Vande Bharat Express.

    Arriving in Bengaluru at 10 AM on a special flight from New Delhi, the Prime Minister landed at HAL Airport and proceeded by helicopter to a military base near Mekhri Circle. From there, he traveled by road to KSR Railway Station for the event.

    In addition to the Belagavi–Bengaluru train, Modi virtually inaugurated two other Vande Bharat Express trains: the Amritsar–Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra and the Ajni (Nagpur)–Pune routes, further expanding the reach of India’s semi-high-speed rail services.

    The launch underscores the government’s commitment to modernizing rail infrastructure and enhancing connectivity across key regions.

    PM Modi Inaugurates Three Vande Bharat Express Trains in Bengaluru | Photo Credit : Suchith Kidiyoor | X

  • Mallikarjun Kharge Alleges Vote Theft Led to His First Electoral Defeat in 2019

    Bengaluru, August 8, 2025: Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, known for his undefeated record in elections, alleged on Friday that his first-ever defeat in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections was due to widespread electoral fraud orchestrated by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

    Speaking at a massive Congress protest against alleged vote theft at Freedom Park in Bengaluru, Kharge claimed, “In my over 50 years of political life, I won more than 12 elections. However, in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, I faced my first defeat due to electoral rigging.”

    Kharge accused the BJP of engaging in “fake voting” across five Assembly segments within the Gulbarga Lok Sabha constituency, where he contested in 2019. He alleged that the BJP secured approximately 20,000 votes per segment through fraudulent means.

    Targeting the Modi government, Kharge further claimed that the BJP has misused agencies like the Enforcement Directorate (ED), Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), and Income Tax Department to intimidate opponents and cling to power.

    Citing Karnataka as an example, he said, “Despite lacking a clear majority, the BJP toppled the then-ruling coalition government by inducing defections of several MLAs. The same tactics were used in Goa, Maharashtra, and Manipur. They didn’t win elections but bought governments with money.”

    Kharge also alleged that the BJP’s victory in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections was not legitimate. “The secret behind BJP’s win has now been exposed. They secured victory through vote theft,” he stated, adding that the Congress would take this issue to the people across the country.