Timeline India

Category: State

  • Gold Smuggling Case: DRI Issues ₹102.55 Crore Fine Notice to Actress Ranya Rao

    Bengaluru, September 2, 2025: The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has issued a notice to Kannada actress Ranya Rao, currently in custody for her alleged involvement in a gold smuggling case, to pay a fine of ₹102.55 crore. The notice, accompanied by approximately 2,500 pages of documents, was served in connection with the smuggling of 127.3 kg of gold, as confirmed by DRI investigations.

    Additionally, three other accused in the case—Tarun Kondaraju, Sahil Sakaria Jain, and Bharat Kumar Jain—have been directed to pay fines exceeding ₹50 crore each, according to DRI sources. The notices were served to the four accused, who are lodged in Bengaluru Central Jail, on September 2, 2025.

    The case traces back to March 3, 2025, when Ranya Rao was arrested at Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru for illegally smuggling gold. DRI officials seized 14.8 kg of gold from her possession upon her arrival from Dubai. Further investigation revealed that Ranya had made four trips to Dubai within a span of 15 days, smuggling gold each time. The total quantity of smuggled gold is estimated at 127.3 kg, with significant financial implications.

    The DRI’s probe also uncovered connections to a larger smuggling network, leading to the seizure of assets worth ₹37 crore by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). The agency has warned that failure to pay the fines could result in the attachment of the accused’s properties.

    In a related development, the Karnataka High Court heard a petition under the Conservation of Foreign Exchange and Prevention of Smuggling Activities Act, 1974 (COFEPOSA), which has been adjourned to September 11, 2025, for further proceedings.

  • Renuka Swamy Murder Case: Bail Plea of Prime Accused Pavithra Gowda Rejected Again by Sessions Court

    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.

  • Kundapura: Woman Missing Near Souparnika River in Kollur, Search Operations Underway

    Kundapura, August 30, 2025:The body of Bengaluru-based woman, Vasudha Chakravarthy (46), who had gone missing after being swept away in the Sowparnika river, was found today near Mavinakaru.

    A resident of Tyagarajanagar in Bengaluru, Vasudha had been a frequent visitor to the Kollur temple. On August 27, she reportedly slipped while near the river and was dragged away by the strong current. A rescue team led by expert diver Eshwar Malpe and personnel from the fire department had been conducting searches, but the strong river flow had hampered operations.

    After two days of continuous search, the body was finally recovered today near Mavinakaru. Kollur police, fire service personnel, Eshwar Malpe, and locals including Pradeep Bhat Sampre took part in the operation. The body has been sent for post-mortem examination.

  • Show Cause Notice Issued to 10 Registered Unrecognized Political Parties for Delisting

    Bengaluru, August 28, 2025 – The Office of the Chief Electoral Officer, Karnataka, issued a show cause notice on August 12, 2025, to 10 Registered Unrecognized Political Parties (RUPPs) under Section 29A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, proposing their delisting due to inactivity and untraceable addresses. The notice, signed by V. Anbukkumar, IAS, Chief Electoral Officer, targets parties that have not fielded candidates in Lok Sabha, State Legislative Assembly, or bye-elections since 2019, indicating they no longer function as political entities for the purposes of the Act.

    The listed parties include:

    1. Akhila Bharatiya Rytha Party, Shravanabelagula Town, Channarayapatna Taluk, Hassan District
    2. Badavara Shramikara Raitara Congress Party, Parvathi Nagar Main Road, Bellary
    3. Bhaarateeya Janashakthi Congress, Paniyoor Road, Uchila, Udupi District
    4. Bharatiya Rashtriya Mahila Sarvodaya Congress, Vayuputra Arcade, Dharwad
    5. Dr. Ambedkar Samajvadi Democratic Party, Haradanahalli Hobli, Chamarajanagara
    6. Jana Samanyara Party (Karnataka), Vijaya Nagar, Tumkur
    7. Manava Party, Eureka Towers, Hubli
    8. Praja Parivartan Party, Nanjappa Layout, Anekal Town, Bangalore Urban
    9. Shubha Karnataka, Kustagi Road, Gajendragad, Gadag
    10. Young India Tangress Party, Yelam Galli, Bhalki, Bidar

    Each party must submit a written representation, supported by an affidavit from the President or General Secretary and relevant documents, by September 1, 2025, to justify their continued registration. A mandatory hearing is scheduled for the same date, requiring attendance by the party’s President, General Secretary, or Head. Failure to respond will result in delisting without further notice, as per the Election Commission’s authority under Article 324 of the Constitution and Section 29A.

  • 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.

  • Gangtok: Chitradurga Congress MLA K.C. Veerendra Puppy Taken into ED Custody in Money Laundering Case

    Gangtok, August 22, 2025: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) took Chitradurga Congress MLA K.C. Veerendra Puppy into custody from a hotel in Gangtok, Sikkim, on Thursday night, August 21, 2025, in connection with an ongoing investigation into a money laundering racket linked to online gaming and betting operations. The action was carried out under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), with a special ED team tracking Puppy, who represents the Chitradurga Assembly constituency, according to official sources.

    On Friday morning, August 22, 2025, the ED conducted coordinated raids at 30 locations across six states, including six premises in Chitradurga, ten in Bengaluru, three in Jodhpur, one in Hubballi, two in Mumbai, and eight in Goa. The searches targeted properties linked to Puppy, his brothers K.C. Nagaraja and K.C. Tippeswamy, and associates such as Kusuma Hanumantharayappa, Anil Gowda, and a hawala operator from Hubballi. The raids, including at Puppy’s residence near Veerabhadraswamy Temple in Challakere and an upscale apartment in Bengaluru’s Vasanth Nagar, resulted in the seizure of digital devices, financial records, documents, and one kilogram of gold.

    Preliminary findings indicate that Puppy and his associates operated illegal betting websites, including King567, Raja567, Puppy’s003, and Rathna Gaming, and held stakes in five Goa casinos: Puppy’s Casino Gold, Ocean Rivers Casino, Puppy’s Casino Pride, Ocean 7 Casino, and Big Daddy Casino. These platforms are alleged to have facilitated suspicious money transfers and financial irregularities.

    Pappy, who switched from JD(S) to Congress before the 2023 Assembly elections, previously faced scrutiny in 2016 when the Income Tax Department seized Rs 5.7 crore in new currency, 32 kilograms of gold, and Rs 90 lakh in old notes from his bathroom in Challakere.

    Critical Note: The investigation is ongoing, with no official statement from Puppy, ED or the Congress party addressing the allegations.

  • 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.