Kundapur, September 18, 2025: In a raid on an illegal gambling den, Kundapur Rural Police Station arrested four individuals caught playing cards in Gulwadi village on September 17. Several other gamblers fled the scene upon spotting the police.
The arrested are Samarth (27) from Karkala, Kishan (45) from Tagarse in Byndoor, Pradeep (42) from Mangalore, and Nisar Shekh (42) from Gulwadi. Police seized Rs 11,620 in cash used for the game, along with gambling paraphernalia and a car.
A case has been registered at Kundapur Rural Police Station, with investigations ongoing.
Udupi, September 18, 2025 – Lingayat religion is not a derivative of Sanatan Dharma but an independent faith born to oppose caste and varna systems, declared Dr. Basavalinga Pattaddevaru of Bhalki Hiremath Sansthana. Speaking at a Vachana Samvada event for college students and the public, organized by the Lingayat Mathadipathigala Okkuta at Udupi Town Hall on Thursday, he emphasized that Lingayat is a distinct religion, not a caste. “Lingayat is a complete religion, not a caste. Caste is like darkness, and religion is like light. The light of religion is essential to dispel the darkness of caste,” he said.
Shivananda Swamiji of Handigunda Math reiterated this, demanding constitutional recognition for Lingayat religion akin to Sikhism and Jainism. “This is not a fight but our right. Lingayat is not part of Hindu or Sanatan Dharma. Basavanna is our religious guru, Vachana literature is our holy text, and Basava Dharma/Lingayat Dharma stands alone,” he clarified.
Dr. Mahantha Prabhu Swamiji from Belagavi Segunise coordinated the dialogue. Notable attendees included Dr. G.S. Chandrashekar, Honorary President of Akhil Bharatiya Veerashaiva Mahasabha (Udupi District), and Niranjan Cholayya, President of Sharana Sahitya Parishat (Udupi District). Discussions were also joined by Ramesh Kanchan (President, Udupi Taluk Panch Guarantee Implementation Committee), Dasansa leader Sundar Master, Billava leader Geetanjali Suvarna, and others.
Udupi: The Karnataka State Backward Classes Commission will conduct a Social and Educational Survey to collect information about the social and educational status of people across the state.
The survey will be held from September 22 to October 7, 2025, during which enumerators will visit households and collect required information, according to a press release from the Udupi Deputy Commissioner’s office.
Citizens are requested to cooperate with the survey process and keep the following documents ready:
Ration Card
Aadhaar Card of all family members and a mobile number linked to Aadhaar (if not linked, visit the nearest Aadhaar centre or post office to get it linked)
Voter ID Card
UID Card or Disability Certificate (if any family member is differently-abled)
The Deputy Commissioner and District Magistrate have appealed to the public to extend full cooperation for the successful completion of the survey.
Udupi, September 18, 2025 – The Karnataka government has appointed Mushthak Hennabail as a member of the Kannada Development Authority’s Udupi district committee, as per an official order. This appointment aims to bolster efforts in promoting and preserving the Kannada language and culture within the district.
Mushthak Hennabail, recognized for his contributions to Kannada advocacy in coastal Karnataka, will play a pivotal role in the committee. His responsibilities include organizing local events, workshops, and campaigns to enhance the use of Kannada and strengthen cultural initiatives in Udupi.
Mushthak Hennabail Appointed to Kannada Development Authority | Photo: Facebook
Byndoor, September 18, 2025: The Byndoor Taluk Farmers’ Union, along with local residents, will stage a protest in front of the Deputy Commissioner’s office in Manipal on Friday, September 19, opposing the unscientific inclusion of rural areas into the Byndoor Town Panchayat limits and demanding their immediate exclusion. Farmers’ Union President Deepak Kumar Shetty announced this during a press meet in Udupi today.
Shetty criticized the authorities for forming the Town Panchayat five years ago without consulting locals or political parties, noting that elections have not yet been held despite the announcement of reservations for its 20 wards. The Town Panchayat spans 54 sq km, with 47% classified as dense forest and rural land. This merger has deprived residents of various government schemes meant for rural areas.
“We have already submitted a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner requesting the exclusion of rural segments. The DC has proposed a new 11-ward Byndoor Town Panchayat to the government. We demand its implementation and the declaration of the remaining rural areas as Gram Panchayats,” Shetty said. He recalled a major protest last Friday in front of the taluk office and affirmed that tomorrow’s demonstration will continue the demand.
Byndoor and surrounding areas include 23 sq km of 14 hamlets where agriculture is the primary livelihood. However, the merger under the guise of development has denied farmers basic facilities, Akrama Sakrama benefits, and agricultural amenities, forcing them to travel to Udupi even for minor tasks. “The district administration has yet to respond to this issue,” Shetty added.
Shiruru, September 18, 2025 – The five guarantee schemes of the Congress government are designed with women at the center, recognizing the continuous labor of women, said Udupi District Guarantee Schemes Implementation Committee President Ashok Kumar Kodavoor. He inaugurated the Guarantee Scheme Convention and Adalat program organized by the Byndoor Taluk Panchayat, Byndoor Taluk Guarantee Schemes Implementation Committee, and Shiruru Gram Panchayat at the Venkataramana Temple hall in Shiruru Pete on Thursday.
Kodavoor emphasized that the guarantee schemes have not caused any setback to the state’s welfare programs. “Governments allocate funds for development from time to time, and these schemes have boosted per capita income, increased economic transactions, and benefited the public,” he added.
Byndoor Taluk Guarantee Schemes Implementation Committee President Mohan Poojari Uppunda presided over the event. Attendees included Byndoor Constituency Akrama Sakrama Committee President and former MLA K. Gopal Poojari, District Guarantee Committee Member Aravinda Poojari, Shiruru Gram Panchayat President Nagarathna Acharya, Vice President Noor Mohammad, Taluk Panchayat EO Rajakumar, Guarantee Committee members, and officials from various departments.
Mohan Poojari delivered the introductory remarks, and Ganesh Poojari moderated the program.
Udupi, September 18, 2025 – Tanushree Pitrodi, a second-year PU student at St. Cecelia’s School, is set to create history by performing 300 yoga asanas in one hour at the Bahrain Kannada Sammelana on September 24, earning a place in the Golden Book of Records. Her father, Udaykumar, announced this during a press conference, highlighting her determination to surpass her previous achievement.
In 2023, Tanushree had already made headlines by completing 245 yoga asanas in 45 minutes, securing a spot in the Golden Book of Records. This upcoming feat will not only break her own record but also mark her first international accomplishment abroad.
The event will feature participation from India’s Ambassador to Bahrain, Vinod Chakko, adding official recognition to the performance. Bahrain Kannada Sangha President Ajit Bangeri noted that the sammelana brings together numerous talents from the Karavali region, honoring their contributions.
Kurkalu Gram Panchayat member Pravin Kumar Kurkal and Tanushree Pitrodi were present at the press meet.
Udupi, September 16, 2025 – Udupi City Police arrested a 33-year-old man, Iqbal, for illegally selling MDMA (Ecstasy) and ganja in a public area near John Haven Construction on 1st Cross, Garadi Road, Moodanidamboor village, Udupi taluk. Acting on a tip-off, a police team seized drugs and related items worth ₹43,800 from his scooter (KA-20-HC-0462).
The operation, conducted on September 16, 2025, was led by Deputy Superintendent of Police Prabhu T. and Inspector Manjunath V. Badiger of Udupi City Police Station. The team, including Sub-Inspectors Bharatesh Kankanwadi and Gopal Krishna Jogi, and constables Surendra D. and Harish Naik, raided the location after receiving information about drug trafficking. During interrogation, Iqbal confessed to selling ganja and MDMA in the Udupi-Manipal area.
A search of his TVS Jupiter scooter revealed:
205g of ganja (₹12,600)
0.49g MDMA in a zip-lock plastic cover (₹1,000)
Another 0.49g MDMA in a zip-lock plastic cover (₹1,000)
0.33g MDMA in a zip-lock plastic cover (₹500)
ATOM silver-colored weighing machine (₹200)
Black box (₹200)
52 zip-lock plastic covers (₹10)
Electronic vape and 3 plastic filters (₹10)
Black OPPO mobile phone (₹8,000)
Cash of ₹4,760 in a brown purse
Brown purse
Weighing machine (₹600)
Handbag
Yellow handbag
TVS Jupiter scooter (KA-20-HC-0462)
The total value of seized items amounts to ₹43,800. A case has been registered at Udupi City Police Station under Crime No. 172/2025, invoking Sections 8(C) and 20(b)(II)(A) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985. The accused was produced before the court.
Atradi, September 17, 2025 – On the occasion of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s birthday celebrations, BJP workers in Atradi honored auto driver Gopal Krishna Acharya, a veteran party activist from the Jan Sangh roots, for his unwavering dedication. For the past five years, Acharya has been operating his auto-rickshaw with a banner of PM Modi affixed to it, symbolizing his support for the leader.
The felicitation was led by Udupi District BJP President Kuttyaru Navin Shetty, who draped a shawl over Acharya in a ceremonial gesture at a local event. The program is part of the extended birthday observances from September 17 to October 2, aligning with Modi’s birth anniversary and Mahatma Gandhi’s legacy.
The event saw participation from prominent figures, including District BJP Office Secretary Satyananda Naik (Atradi), District Executive Member Pravin Poojari, Panchayat President Harish Shetty, Vice President Sharada Shettigar, former Panchayat Presidents Ratnakara Shetty and Prameela Shettigar, members Gangadhara Prabhu Jadd, Harini Shetty, Ayyappa Seva Samiti President Sadhu Poojari, Cheni Betta Naga Brahma Sthana Moktesar Vasanth Shetty (Cheni Betta), Balakrishna Hegde (Beerbetta), Muralidhara Halobi, Devendra E. Kamath, Sadasiva Naik, Harish Medical, Devadas Naik, Devendra Naik Madaga, Shridhara Shettigar, Umesh Acharya, Jai Hanuman Sangha President Uday Naik, Satish Naik, Puneet Parik, Naveen Poojari Parik, Ramesh Hegde, Hari Mam, auto driver Kamalax Kamaath, Gurudath Malya Madaga, Gopal Naik (Atradi), and others.
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.
