Category: Uttara Kannada

  • Bengaluru: High Court Directs Centre to Repatriate Mother and Children Living in Gokarna Cave to Russia

    Bengaluru, September 27, 2025: The Karnataka High Court has directed the Central Government to facilitate the repatriation of a Russian woman and her two children, who were found living in a cave on Ramatirtha Hill in Gokarna, to Russia.

    The order was issued by Justice B.M. Shyam Prasad while hearing a petition filed by the woman’s husband, Dror Goldstein, a Russian resident. The court disposed of the petition with instructions to provide necessary travel documents for the woman, Nina Kutniya, and her two daughters to return to their home country.

    The woman and her children had come to India from Russia and overstayed their visa, residing in the cave. Goldstein’s petition sought their return, urging the Centre to coordinate with the Russian government and provide all necessary details and permissions.

    The court noted that the Russian government has also instructed its officials to assist in bringing them back. The bench emphasized the urgency of repatriating the mother and children with all required documentation.

    On July 9, 2025, Gokarna police, during an inspection following a landslide, noticed clothes drying near the cave and discovered Nina and her children inside. Meanwhile, Goldstein, an Israeli businessman, had initiated a legal battle for custody of his two daughters.

  • Shivamogga: Government Committed to Permanent Solution for Sharavati Displaced; Minister Madhu Bangarappa

    Shivamogga, September 22, 2025 – With the blessings of the revered deity Sri Sigandureshvari Amma, timely rains have blessed the Malenadu region, filling reservoirs, canals, and ponds, and raising hopes for a bountiful harvest. This has naturally brought joy to the people, said State School Education and Literacy Minister and District In-Charge Minister Madhu S. Bangarappa.

    He was speaking after inaugurating the Sigandooru Dasara celebrations on the 25th day of Navratri at the Sri Chaudeshwari Amma temple in Sigandooru, Sagar taluk, on Monday.

    Bangarappa assured that both central and state governments will continue to provide necessary assistance for the comprehensive development of this sacred site, as they have in the past.

    Addressing the long-standing issue of Sharavati displaced persons and forest land cultivators, he reiterated the government’s commitment to a permanent resolution. “The government is bound to protect the rights of those who have lived in forests for decades without displacement. Officials have already been instructed accordingly.”

    He noted that the survey work, as per the Supreme Court’s directives, has been completed and the report submitted. “The displaced need not worry; we expect a favorable verdict in line with our expectations,” he added.

  • Karwar: Avoid Delays in Disbursing Loans for Govt Schemes, Urges CEO Dr. Dileesh Sashi

    Karwar, September 22, 2025 – Dr. Dileesh Sashi, CEO of Zilla Panchayat, directed bank officials to promptly process loan applications under various government schemes without unnecessary delays. He was speaking while chairing a Lead Bank Progress Review Meeting at the Zilla Panchayat auditorium on Monday.

    Dr. Sashi instructed banks not to reject applications due to incomplete documents but to assist beneficiaries in providing additional paperwork to ensure timely loan approvals. He emphasized the need for continuous monitoring by relevant departments to track application progress.

    He urged banks to raise awareness about schemes like Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana and Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana, aiming to increase registrations. Additionally, banks were directed to organize loan melas to educate the public, prioritize educational and housing sector loans, and avoid rejecting applications due to lack of credit history. Financial literacy programs in rural areas were also recommended to enhance banking access.

    Canara Bank Regional Manager Nagaraj Reddy reported that by June 2025, Rs 1,522 crore was disbursed for agriculture, Rs 1,123 crore for small and medium industries, Rs 9 crore for education, and Rs 14 crore for housing. With Rs 24,527 crore in deposits, efforts are underway to improve the credit-deposit ratio, targeting Rs 9,980.25 crore in loan disbursals this year.

    Dr. Sashi stressed linking Aadhaar to PM Jan Dhan Yojana accounts and promoting schemes like PM SVANidhi, PMEGP, and PMFME to ensure benefits reach eligible recipients.

    The meeting was attended by RBI representative Maniraj, Zilla Panchayat Project Director Kareem Asadi, NABARD DDM Sushil Naik, Lead Bank Manager Rajappa, bank managers, and district-level department officials.

  • Chikmagalur: Teacher Dies After Falling into Waterfall While Taking Selfie at Kemmannugundi Viewpoint

    Chikmagalur, September 21, 2025 – A tragic accident claimed the life of a 40-year-old teacher from Shivamogga district’s Shirasi when he fell from a viewpoint at Kemmannugundi tourist spot while posing for a selfie with his wife. The incident occurred on Sunday, leaving his wife in shock.

    The deceased, Santosh (40), a teacher at a government school in Lakshmi Sagar village, Tarikere taluk, was on a picnic with his wife Shweta during the Dasara holidays. While enjoying the scenic beauty at Kemmannugundi, Santosh climbed to a viewpoint to take a selfie. His foot slipped, and he plunged hundreds of feet into the waterfall below.

    Santosh died on the spot, and Shweta fainted upon hearing the news. A case has been registered at Lingadahalli Police Station in Tarikere taluk. Police, fire brigade personnel, and local assistance helped retrieve the body.

  • Karwar: Youth Honored for Rescuing Injured Naval Officer from Railway Tracks

    Karwar, September 20, 2025 – In a heartwarming gesture, naval officers from INS Tabar honored Nagaprasad Raikar, a young goldsmith from Karwar’s Nandan Gadde neighborhood, for saving the life of a naval officer who fell from a train and sustained serious injuries.

    On August 1, Saket Kashyap, an officer on INS Tabar, slipped and fell onto the tracks while boarding a train from Karwar to Mumbai. Unconscious and bleeding profusely, he went unnoticed until Raikar spotted him near Shirawad Maruti Temple. Without hesitation, Raikar lifted the officer onto his bike and rushed him to the district hospital, where emergency surgery was performed on his face. The naval base later transferred him to Patanjali Hospital for further treatment.

    As Kashyap recovered, naval officials contacted Raikar and invited him to the base. On Wednesday, when INS Tabar returned from Mumbai to Kadamba Naval Base, the ship’s commander welcomed Raikar aboard. In the presence of all crew members, they felicitated him with gifts, expressing gratitude for his life-saving act.

    Raikar, who acted selflessly without knowing the officer’s identity, said, “I just wanted to save a life, regardless of who it was. This honor is the greatest opportunity in my life.”

    The monthly “Gabbar Singh” award, given to exemplary crew members on INS Tabar, was bestowed upon Raikar this time, recognizing his heroic deed.

    Raikar’s quick thinking prevented a potential tragedy, as another train approached the tracks.

  • Karwar: Speech Competition Organized for International Democracy Day

    Karwar, September 20, 2025 – The Karnataka Residential Educational Institutions Society (KREIS), under the Social Welfare Department, has announced a speech competition for students of residential schools and colleges in observance of International Democracy Day. The event aims to foster awareness of democratic values among young minds.

    The competition will focus on three themes:

    1. “My Vote, My Right”
    2. “The Importance of the Preamble to the Constitution”
    3. “Gandhi’s Vision of India”

    The contests will be held at taluk and district levels, concluding by October 31, 2025.

    Taluk-Level Competition
    Judges appointed by taluk administration will select winners, awarding cash prizes of Rs 15,000 (first), Rs 10,000 (second), and Rs 5,000 (third). These will be distributed by the District In-Charge Minister on Children’s Day, November 14, 2025.

    District-Level Competition
    The top three winners from each taluk will advance to the district level, where a jury will award Rs 25,000 (first), Rs 15,000 (second), and Rs 10,000 (third). Prizes will also be distributed on November 14, 2025, by the District In-Charge Minister.

    State-Level Competition
    District-level winners will compete at the state level, with the top three selected by a state jury receiving Rs 1,00,000 (first), Rs 50,000 (second), and Rs 25,000 (third). These awards will be presented on Constitution Day, November 26, 2025.

    District Collector K. Lakshmipriya announced the initiative, encouraging students to participate enthusiastically to deepen their understanding of democracy and constitutional values.

  • Honnavar: Two Arrested in Bike Overtake Altercation; Victim Stabbed with Knife

    Honnavar, September 19, 2025 – Uttara Kannada police have arrested two individuals in connection with a violent altercation stemming from a bike overtaking incident in Honnavar on September 18, 2025, as detailed in an official press release.

    Around 1:45 PM, Vivek Suresh Naik and Sudeep Naik from Santhi village were riding their bike from Gerusoppe towards Uppooni. Near Mavina Hole Bus Stand, Vivek attempted to overtake another bike, leading to an altercation. The occupants of the other bike, accused Mohammed Adnan (26, Muslimkeri, Honnavar) and Pradeep Ambiga (26, Mavina Hole, Honnavar), allegedly made obscene gestures, escalating into a verbal fight.

    During the scuffle, Mohammed Adnan reportedly pulled out a knife from his pocket and attempted to stab Vivek Naik, causing injuries. Vivek was immediately hospitalized and is reported to be stable.

    A case has been registered at Honnavar Police Station, with Circle Inspector conducting the investigation. Considering the gravity of the incident, police swiftly apprehended Mohammed Asnan and Pradeep Ambiga, producing them before the court, where they were remanded to judicial custody.

    Investigations confirm the clash was not motivated by communal or old enmity but arose from a sudden provocation. Authorities have warned against spreading false news or misinformation about the incident, stating that legal action will be taken against those engaging in such activities.

  • Bhatkal City Police Arrest Two for Slaughtering Animals and Dumping Remains in Forest Area

    Bhatkal, September 18, 2025: Bhatkal City Police Station has arrested two individuals accused of illegally slaughtering animals and dumping their remains, skins, and bones in a forest area within the station limits. The arrests were made following a complaint lodged on September 11, 2025, at 16:00 hours.

    The complainant, Maruti ( Sub-Divisional Forest Officer, Bhatkal, residing at Sagar Road, Forest Quarters, Bhatkal), reported that unidentified persons trespassed into the forest survey No. 74 area in Mukhdoom Colony hill on September 11 at 14:00 hours, slaughtered animals brought from elsewhere, and discarded the remains, skins, bones, and other parts. The case was registered under Crime No. 105/2025, invoking Sections 4 and 12 of the Karnataka Prevention of Slaughter and Preservation of Cattle Act-2020, and Section 329(3) of the BNS-2023.

    Acting on the complaint, police teams were formed, and on September 17, 2025, the accused were apprehended:

    1. Mohammed Saman (son of B.K. Abu Mohammed, aged 19, Mukhdoom Colony, Bhatkal);
    2. Mohammed Rahin (son of Mohammed Rizwan, aged 20, resident of Chauthani Main Road, Bhatkal).

    The vehicle used in the crime was seized, and both were produced before the court, which remanded them to judicial custody.

    The operation was directed by SP Deepan M.N. (IPS), Karwar; Additional SP-1 Krishnamurthy G., Karwar; and Additional SP-2 Jagadish Naik, Karwar. It was guided by DySP Mahesh M.K. and led by PI Divakar P.M. of Bhatkal City Police Station, with assistance from PSI Naveen Naik (Crime & Support), PSI Thimmappa S., and constables CHC-1475 Dinesh Naik, CHC-713 Devu Naik, CHC-860 Deepak Naik, CHC-1347 Vinayak Patil, CPC 583 Kashinath Kotagonasi, CPC 1663 Suresh Marati, CPC-1772 Kiran Patil, and CPC 1008 Revanasiddappa Magi. Technical support was provided by Uday Gunaga and Baban Kadam from the District Police Office’s technical wing.

    All officers and personnel involved in the swift detection and arrest have been commended for their exemplary performance.

  • Sirsi: Basavaraj Kanasetti Assumes Charge as New PSI at City New Market Police Station

    Sirsi, September 18, 2025 – Basavaraj Kanasetti has been appointed as the Police Sub-Inspector (PSI) for Sirsi City New Market Police Station in Sirsi taluk, Uttara Kannada district. He assumed charge this evening, marking the start of his tenure at the station.

    The previous PSI, Ratna Kuri, has been transferred to Mangalore’s West Zone.

  • Tragic Road Accident Near Ankola: Two Dead, Nine Injured in KSRTC Bus-Tanker Collision

    Ankola, September 18, 2025 – A horrific accident on National Highway 52 near Adlur in Ankola taluk claimed two lives and injured nine others when a KSRTC bus collided head-on with a tanker lorry. The tanker driver and one bus passenger died on the spot, with the bus overturning and being severely damaged.

    The KSRTC bus (KA 31 F 1247), traveling from Makki Gadde to Ankola, and the tanker (KA 29 C 2998), heading from Ankola to Yellapur, crashed in front of Taranga Hotel. The tanker driver, Sharappa S. from Muddebihaal, succumbed at the scene. The passenger who died was Bhaskar Ganvkar from Keni in the taluk.

    The bus driver, Ratnakar Naik from Aversa Dandebaag, suffered leg injuries, along with eight other passengers. The injured include school teacher Veena Venkataramana from Makki Gadde, Pragna Pradeep Naik Alageri and her daughter Sanvi, Savitri Daaku Gowda Okkal Belase, Raksha Raghavendra Banavali from Aversa, bus conductor Chandrashekar Narayana Naik Kodkani, Shridhar Ishwara Harikant from Balale, Radhakrishna Mahabaleshwar Naik from Makki Gadde, and another passenger who self-transported to Karwar District Hospital. Ambulances from Ankola, Ramanguli, Gokarna, and Gullahpur rushed the injured to taluk and district hospitals for treatment.

    The crash occurred when the tanker, attempting to overtake, lost control and slammed into the oncoming bus, causing it to flip and shatter into pieces. PSIs Gurunath Hadimani and Sunil Hullolli arrived to oversee the investigation and legal proceedings.

    SP Deepan M.N., en route to a Sharavati Pumped Storage hearing in Gerusoppe, rushed to the scene and Ankola Government Hospital upon learning of the accident. CPI Chandrashekar Mathapati coordinated with senior officials. KSRTC Divisional Officer Shivanand and others inspected the site.

    Highway patrol ASI Devidas and constable Umesh, 112 emergency staff, police, and Home Guard personnel managed traffic and cleared the road using cranes to move the vehicles. Social workers Vijayakumar Naik from Kanasi Gadde and Bommayya Naik assisted in transporting bodies to the taluk hospital mortuary. Locals like Ganapati Naik from Moolmane, Manjunatha, and residents from Agasur, Adlur, and nearby areas provided humanitarian aid.