Kundapur, August 16, 2025: A businessman and his son had a miraculous escape when a lorry transporting onions from Pune to Mangaluru crashed into their parked Innova car on National Highway-66 at Thekkatte, Kundapur, late on August 15, 2025. The collision left the car completely mangled, but the occupants, Ananth Nayak (57), managing director of Sri Ganesh Silks, Thekkatte, and his son Anoop Nayak (23), emerged unscathed.
The incident occurred while Ananth and Anoop were waiting by the roadside with the car’s parking lights on, preparing to head to Koteshwar Sri Pattabhi Ramachandra Temple for a bhajanotsava program. Anoop credited their survival to wearing seat belts at the time of the crash.
Kota police promptly arrived at the scene, conducted an inspection, and registered a case to investigate the accident. Further details regarding the cause and any legal action against the lorry driver are under review.
Udupi, August 15, 2025 – During the 79th Independence Day celebrations at Mahatma Gandhi District Stadium in Ajjarkad, Udupi, Minister for Women and Child Development and Udupi District In-Charge, Laxmi Hebbalkar, hoisted the national flag and received a guard of honor. In her address, she described Karnataka as a “garden of peace for all communities,” stressing equality for all religions under the Constitution and the state’s commitment to these values.
Hebbalkar highlighted Karnataka’s economic achievements for 2024-25, noting the state’s highest per capita income in India and second-rank position in GST collection, reflecting a robust economy. The state topped the Central Panchayat Raj Ministry’s decentralization index, showcasing effective governance. She emphasized initiatives to boost industrialization, job creation, and infrastructure, including investor summits and policy reforms, positioning Karnataka as a leader in science, technology, IT-BT, and startups.
The minister outlined efforts to combat Naxalism through stringent legal measures and praised Karnataka’s sportspersons for their national and international achievements. Community policing has been strengthened with the “Police to Every Home” program for responsive grievance redressal. The Karnataka Building and Other Construction Workers’ Welfare Board launched 100 high-tech mobile health units costing ₹129 crore to provide healthcare at worksites.
Social welfare initiatives include direct benefit transfers (DBT) for 82.57 lakh pension beneficiaries via Aadhaar-linked accounts. The Gruha Lakshmi scheme has disbursed ₹47,400 crore to 1.23 crore beneficiaries statewide, including ₹870.83 crore to 2.25 lakh beneficiaries in Udupi. Disaster relief measures include ₹114 crore for flood-related damages and ₹30 crore for permanent landslide prevention walls. Land records are being digitized for transparency, and free land document services are provided to farmers under the “Nanna Bhoomi Nanna Darkhasu” campaign.
In fisheries development, significant infrastructure projects are underway: ₹85 crore for Maravanthe port expansion, ₹180.84 crore for Hejamadi Kodi fishery harbor development, ₹78.28 crore for Hangarkatte coastal berth construction, ₹95.88 crore for Gangolli coastal berth construction, and ₹22.18 crore for Gangolli fish harbor upgradation. Additionally, ₹4.5 crore is allocated for 10 sea erosion prevention walls. Last year, 91,954 kiloliters of tax-exempt diesel and 636.36 kiloliters of subsidized kerosene were distributed to 9,328 fishing boats.
Four Indira Canteens operate in Udupi, with two new ones launched in Byndoor and Kapu in June 2025. Tourism and industrial growth are prioritized, with 1,207.34 acres identified for new industrial zones in Shivapura, Kerebettu, Nitte, Uppooru, Santhuru, and Yellur. The Koraga community received ₹4.5 lakh housing aid and nutritional support. Social welfare hostels accommodate 7,008 students, providing free food and lodging.
The minister noted that the five guarantee schemes have empowered citizens to live with dignity, reducing financial hardships. A special task force addresses communal violence in Udupi, Dakshina Kannada, and Shivamogga. Udupi City Municipality’s proposal to upgrade to a municipal corporation is under review. Health initiatives include the Puneeth Rajkumar Hrudaya Jyoti scheme for heart attack prevention and mandatory annual health checkups for schoolchildren. Additionally, 10,000 anganwadis have been identified to start LKG and UKG classes, with 4,000 to 5,000 commencing soon.
The event was attended by MLA Yash Pal Suvarna, Udupi Urban Development Authority Chairman Dinakar Heruru, District Guarantee Schemes Implementation Committee Chairman Ashok Kumar Kodavoor, Deputy Commissioner Swaroopa T.K., Zilla Panchayat CEO Prateek Bayal, SP Hariram Shankar, Additional DC Abhid Gadyal, various officials, and schoolchildren.
Udupi, August 14, 2025: In a colorful prelude to Independence Day, the Udupi District Police Department organized a Rangoli competition exclusively for women police personnel at Shamili Hall, Udupi. Nine teams from various police stations across the district participated, creating intricate and vibrant Rangoli designs that captivated attendees and provided a refreshing break from their routine duties.
Women Police Shine in Vibrant Rangoli Competition Ahead of Independence Day | Photo Credit: Udupi Police
District Superintendent of Police Hariram Shankar visited the event, commending the women officers for their creativity and artistic skills. Known for promoting welfare and fitness initiatives, SP Shankar has been introducing programs to boost morale and reduce stress among the police force. The Rangoli competition highlighted the department’s focus on fostering unity and cultural expression, creating a lively atmosphere of celebration and camaraderie.
Women Police Shine in Vibrant Rangoli Competition Ahead of Independence Day | Photo Credit: Udupi Police
Udupi, August 14, 2025 – The Karnataka government has launched the registration process for the Yuvanidhi Scheme 2025-26, targeting unemployed youth who completed their degree, diploma, or postgraduate programs (including professional courses) in 2025. Eligible candidates in Udupi can apply online through Karnataka One, Grama One, or the Seva Sindhu portal, or directly at the District Employment Exchange Office, Rajatadri, Manipal.
Under the scheme, unemployed graduates will receive a monthly allowance of ₹3,000, while diploma holders will get ₹1,500, directly credited to their bank accounts. Beneficiaries must submit a self-declaration online via the Seva Sindhu portal quarterly (by the 25th of May, August, November, and February) to continue receiving the allowance. Failure to submit the declaration will result in the suspension of the monthly payment.
For more details, candidates can contact the District Employment Exchange Office, Rajatadri, Manipal, at 0820-2574869, as per the official release.
Kundapur, August 14, 2025 : On August 13, 2025, at around 4:00 PM, Lokesh (38), a gram panchayat member from Koteshwara village, Kundapur, received information about a body in Sannakere near Kotilingeshwara Temple. Upon inspection, he found a man’s body floating in the water, wearing a red shirt, slippers on both feet, and carrying a mobile phone and purse in his pant pocket. The mobile phone revealed the deceased’s identity as Ganesh from Hombadi, aged approximately 40-45, with a wheatish complexion and average build.
Police suspect that between August 12 and August 13, 2025, Ganesh may have accidentally slipped and fallen into the lake near the temple, leading to his death. A case has been registered at Kundapura Police Station under UDR No. 45/2025, Section 194 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). Investigations are ongoing to confirm the cause of death and other details.
Udupi, August 14, 2025: The District Child Protection Unit, Udupi, has announced a recruitment drive for part-time Math and Science tutors to teach students in grades 8, 9, and 10 at the Government Girls’ Children’s Home in Nittur and the Government Boys’ Children’s Home in Kunjibettu. The positions are on an honorarium basis, and preference will be given to local candidates.
Interested applicants must submit their applications by August 22, 2025. Application forms and further details can be obtained from the District Child Protection Officer’s office at B Block, First Floor, Deputy Commissioner’s Office Complex, Rajatadri, Manipal, Udupi, or by contacting 0820-2574964 during office hours.
Udupi, August 13, 2025: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has issued a show-cause notice to the Bharatiya Janashakti Congress, an unregistered political party based in Udupi, on August 12, 2025. The ECI cited the party’s failure to contest any elections since 2019, rendering it inactive for six years, as the basis for proposing the cancellation of its registration under Section 29A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951.
The party, registered at D.No. 4-148/A, Paniyoor Road, Uchila, Udupi, is required to submit a certified written response from its president or general secretary by September 1, 2025, and mandatorily participate in a hearing. Failure to comply will result in the party’s deregistration without further notice.
Hebri, August 13, 2025: Hebri police have registered a case against Vijay and his associates for allegedly threatening Supreeth (32), a resident of Chantaru village, Brahmavar, and his family, preventing them from entering the Nandal Shri Durgaparameshwari Temple in Nadpalu village, Hebri taluk. The incident occurred on August 12, 2025, at around 12:30 PM, when Supreeth and his family were in their car at the temple premises.
According to the complaint, Supreeth’s grandmother, Manorama, is the hereditary administrative trustee of the temple. Vijay and others approached the vehicle, blocked it, and issued life threats, explicitly denying the family entry to the temple. The accused have reportedly made similar threats in the past over temple-related matters, raising concerns about potential harm to Supreeth’s family. Based on the complaint, Hebri Police Station registered a case (Crime No. 52/2025) under Sections 126(2) (wrongful restraint), 351(2) (criminal intimidation), and 3(5) (acts done with common intention) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Investigations are underway to address the recurring threats and ensure the safety of the complainant’s family.
Udupi, August 13, 2025: Udupi City Police have arrested two individuals involved in the theft of copper pipes, fittings, and old copper strips valued at ₹6.31 lakh from a government hospital under construction in Ajjarkad, Moodanidamboor village, Udupi taluk. The stolen materials were intended for the hospital’s oxygen pipeline installation.
The arrested individuals are Mohammad Javeed (29, Dr. Shivarama Karanth Nagar, Bengaluru) and Sayyad Dada Peer alias Liaqath (28, Shira taluk, Tumakuru district). A special police team, led by Inspector Manjunath V. Badiger, apprehended the accused in Shivamogga on August 12, 2025. The team recovered copper pipe pieces worth ₹2.81 lakh, a Maruti Swift Desire car, and an axle frame, totaling ₹6.31 lakh in seized property.
The theft came to light when hospital authorities noticed missing copper materials from the storeroom and reviewed CCTV footage. The footage revealed that on July 20, 2025, Liaqath and another individual loaded copper pipes, fittings, and old copper strips worth approximately ₹8 lakh into a car and fled. Based on the complaint, a case was registered at Udupi City Police Station.
This swift action by the police underscores their commitment to tackling theft at critical public infrastructure projects, with investigations ongoing to identify any additional accomplices.
Byndoor, August 13, 2025: The Udupi District Police, in collaboration with Byndoor Police Station, inaugurated the ambitious Drishti scheme at Byndoor Rotary Bhavan on Tuesday, aimed at enhancing public safety and reducing crime across the district. The initiative, launched under the directives of the State Home Department, seeks to ensure safety reaches every household.
District Superintendent of Police Hariram Shankar, who inaugurated the event, outlined the scheme’s objectives. “Under the Drishti scheme, each guard will be responsible for overseeing 50 to 150 households, providing critical information to police teams. Trained and skilled personnel will be appointed to reduce criminal activities,” he said. Additionally, he announced the Garuda scheme, under which 600 CCTV cameras will be installed across 110 locations, with a pilot implementation at 20 sites.
K. Babu Shetty, president of the Kollur Sri Mookambika Temple Management Committee, emphasized the importance of people-friendly initiatives. “Such programs strengthen police-public collaboration, helping reduce crime rates and prevent incidents like theft,” he said.
The event was attended by prominent figures, including Gireesh Byndoor, president of the Seneshwara Temple Management Committee, nominated members of the Town Panchayat Nagaraj Ganiga, Nagaraj Shetty, and Sadashiva D. Paduvari, Taluk Guarantee Implementation Committee president Mohan Poojari, and Kavya H.R., HR officer of Jumbo Star Security. Kundapur Deputy Superintendent of Police H.D. Kulkarni delivered the introductory remarks, while Byndoor Police Station Officer Timmhesh B.N. welcomed the gathering. Journalist Arun Kumar Shirur compered the event, and Crime Inspector Naveen P. Borkar proposed the vote of thanks.
Udupi Police Launch Ambitious Drishti Scheme to Enhance Safety
