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  • Dharmasthala Case: Dr. Veerendra Heggade Says “All Allegations Cleared” After SIT Arrests Complainant

    Dharmasthala, August 23, 2025 – In a significant development in the Dharmasthala mass burial case, Dr. Veerendra Heggade, the Dharmadhikari of the Dharmasthala Manjunatha Swamy Temple, responded for the first time since the Special Investigation Team (SIT) arrested the anonymous complainant, identified as Chinnayya, on August 23, 2025. The Beltangady court ordered 10 days of SIT custody for the complainant, who had alleged that numerous bodies were buried in Dharmasthala between 1994 and 2014, prompting a high-profile investigation led by senior officer Pranav Mohanty since July 20, 2025.

    Speaking briefly due to the ongoing investigation, Dr. Heggade expressed satisfaction, stating, “I won’t speak much as the SIT probe is ongoing, but the truth is coming out one by one, and I am happy. All allegations have now been cleared. Let your love and trust in us remain. God’s blessings are on this sacred place, and the divine is with us.” His statement follows the SIT’s findings of inconsistencies in the complainant’s claims, including retracted statements and lack of evidence from excavations at 17 sites, which yielded only minor bone fragments not linked to the alleged crimes. The complainant faces charges under Sections 209, 227, and 229 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023 for perjury, fraud, and obstructing investigation.

    The arrest, confirmed by Home Minister Dr. G. Parameshwara, has shifted the case’s narrative, with Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar previously suggesting a “conspiracy” to defame Dharmasthala. The complainant’s protection under the Witness Protection Act was revoked on August 22, 2025, after he admitted to providing misleading information during interrogation.

  • Manipal: Pet Dog Attacks Women Trainees, 3 Injured

    Manipal, August 23, 2025: A distressing incident occurred on August 20, 2025, near the Canara Bank Training Institute in Ananth Nagar, Shivalli village, Manipal, where a chainless pet dog attacked four women trainees. The complaint, filed by Shrinath Joshi (58), General Manager of the institute, detailed that the incident took place between 9:15 PM and 9:30 PM as the women were walking from Syndicate Bank Junction to the institute after dinner.

    The victims, identified as Revathi P., Jaya Pandey, Kavitha, and Deepika, were undergoing banking training at the institute. According to the complaint, an unchained pet dog, left outside the gate of Gopal Shetty’s residence, attacked Revathi P. and Jaya Pandey, causing injuries. Kavitha sustained injuries while attempting to escape, falling in the process. Deepika escaped unharmed. The injured women were promptly admitted to KMC Hospital in Manipal for treatment, where they received medical attention.

    Manipal police registered a case under Crime No. 153/2025, invoking Section 291 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023, which addresses negligent conduct involving animals, punishable by up to six months imprisonment, a fine up to ₹1,000, or both. The case targets the negligence of the dog’s owner, presumably Gopal Shetty, for failing to restrain the animal. Investigations are ongoing to verify ownership and circumstances, with police likely to summon the homeowner for questioning.

    Section 291 BNS Context: This section, replacing Section 289 of the Indian Penal Code, imposes penalties for negligent handling of animals leading to harm, reflecting a stricter stance on pet-related incidents, as noted in The Indian Express (2023). The rising number of dog bite cases in India, with 27.6 lakh reported in 2023 per the Ministry of Health, underscores the public safety concern.

    • Correction: In an earlier version of this report, the dog was mistakenly described as a stray. It has since been clarified that the incident involved a pet dog.

  • Kolluru and Karkala: Police Register Cases Against Social Media Posts for Inciting Communal Disharmony

    Kolluru, August 23, 2025 – Kolluru police filed a case against Jagadish Udupa under Crime No. 65/2025 for a provocative Facebook post made on August 22, 2025, at 7:00 PM. The complaint, lodged by Santosh Kulal, a member of the Kolluru Police Station’s Social Media Monitoring Cell, flagged a post from Udupa’s account. The police deemed the post inflammatory, likely to incite communal disharmony and provoke conflict. The case was registered under Section 353(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023, which addresses statements promoting enmity between religious or community groups, punishable by up to three years imprisonment, a fine, or both.

    Karkala, August 23, 2025 – In a similar incident, Karkala Rural police registered a case (Crime No. 100/2025) against Sudeep Shetty from Nitte village for a Facebook post made on August 22, 2025, at 5:00 PM. Sub-Inspector Sundar, while monitoring social media, identified a post on Shetty’s Facebook page. The post, linked to a poster about Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announcing Banu Mushtaq, a Booker Prize recipient, for the Dasara inauguration, was deemed to promote enmity and hatred between religious communities. The case was filed under Section 353(2) of the BNS 2023 for inciting communal discord.

    Details of Section 353(2) BNS: This section penalizes the publication or circulation of false information or alarming news, including via electronic means, with intent to promote hatred or enmity between different religious, racial, or community groups. It carries a punishment of up to three years imprisonment, a fine, or both, and is cognizable and non-bailable, triable by any magistrate.

  • Kapu: Renowned DJ Mervin Mendonca Dies in Tragic Car Accident, Three Others Seriously Injured

    Kapu, August 23, 2025 – A tragic car accident in the early hours of Saturday, August 23, 2025, near Kapu resulted in the death of Mervin Mendonca, a 35-year-old celebrated DJ, cinematographer, and newlywed from Belman. Three other passengers, identified as Prajwal from Ambalpady, Prasad from Karkala, and Vignesh, were seriously injured in the incident.

    The group was traveling from Ambalpady to Belman in a car when a dog reportedly crossed their path on National Highway 66 near Muloor, close to Halli Mane Hotel. The driver, Prajwal, swerved to avoid hitting the animal, causing the vehicle to lose control and overturn. The car was completely wrecked, and Mervin succumbed to his injuries at the scene. The injured were rushed to a private hospital in Udupi by Uchila and Muloor SDPI ambulances, with two of them reported to be in critical condition. Ambulance drivers K.M. Siraj, Hameed, and social worker Jamaluddin Uchila assisted in the rescue efforts.

    Kapu police visited the site and initiated an investigation to determine the exact circumstances of the accident. A case is likely to be registered to probe potential factors such as road conditions or speeding. Mervin, a well-known figure in Udupi and Mangaluru, had released a new Konkani music video on YouTube for APD Music just a day earlier, which he had personally directed and filmed. He was also recognized for his cinematography work in several Konkani and Tulu film projects, showcasing his creative talent.

  • Sirsi: Youth Dies in Bike Accident Near Marikamba Government High School

    Sirsi, August 23, 2025 – A devastating road accident occurred this afternoon in front of Marikamba Government High School in Sirsi, resulting in the death of a young motorbike rider. The deceased, identified as Nishant Banwari Singh Chaudhary, a 20-year-old resident of Shanti Nagar and a first-year ITI student, succumbed to severe injuries at the scene.

    According to preliminary reports, Nishant was en route to deliver homemade sweets to a shop when an auto-rickshaw suddenly crossed his path. In an attempt to avoid a collision, he swerved and crashed into a road divider, sustaining fatal injuries. The impact was so severe that he passed away on the spot. Local residents and passersby alerted the authorities, but Nishant could not be saved.

    Following the incident, Circle Police Inspector (CPI) Shashikanth Varma and Police Sub-Inspector (PSI) Ratna Kuri promptly arrived at the scene to conduct an inspection. The police have initiated an investigation to ascertain the exact cause of the accident, including the role of the auto-rickshaw driver.

  • Dharmasthala Case: Anonymous Complainant Placed in 10-Day SIT Custody by Beltangady Court

    Beltangady, August 23, 2025 – The Beltangady court, on Saturday, August 23, 2025, ordered the anonymous complainant in the Dharmasthala case, identified as Chinnayya, to be placed in Special Investigation Team (SIT) custody for 10 days for further questioning. The complainant had claimed that numerous bodies, primarily of women and girls, were buried in Dharmasthala between 1994 and 2014, triggering a high-profile investigation led by senior officer Pranav Mohanty since July 20, 2025.

    The case, which has unfolded over the past two months, took a significant turn with this custody order. SIT sources indicate that inconsistencies and contradictions in the complainant’s statements, particularly regarding the alleged discovery of skulls, led to his detention. The complainant’s protection under the Witness Protection Act was revoked by the Mangaluru competent authority on August 22, 2025, after he retracted parts of his testimony and failed to provide verifiable details about burial sites. Excavations at 17 locations yielded only minor bone fragments, which forensic analysis could not link to the alleged crimes.

    The SIT, acting on credible information, summoned the complainant for questioning on August 22 and arrested him the following morning. After a medical examination at Beltangady Government Hospital, he was produced before the court at 11:00 AM, which granted 10 days of custody to probe the discrepancies and potential perjury. A new FIR has been filed under Sections 209, 227, and 229 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for false information, fraud, and obstructing investigation.

    Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, addressing the media, emphasized the government’s commitment to justice, stating, “We stand for justice, not sides. The SIT’s probe will ensure action against the guilty.” The case has sparked political debate, with Congress leaders like Belur Gopalakrishna demanding strict action against misinformation, while BJP leaders have been accused of politicizing the issue.

  • Udupi: Mahesh Shetty Timarodi Taken into Police Custody for Two Hours in B.L. Santosh Defamation Case

    Udupi, August 23, 2025 – The Udupi Additional Civil Judge and Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC), Nagesh, on Saturday, August 23, 2025, ordered social activist Mahesh Shetty Timarodi to be taken into police custody for two hours for interrogation in connection with a defamation case. The case stems from alleged derogatory remarks made by Timarodi against BJP National General Secretary (Organisation) B.L. Santosh, as reported by Brahmavar police.

    Following a petition by the Brahmavar police requesting custody for questioning, Judge Nagesh directed that Timarodi be produced in court within one hour. Accordingly, Timarodi, who was lodged in Hiriyadka Jail, was brought to the Udupi court under heavy police security around 1:30 PM. After the hearing, the court granted two hours of police custody for interrogation, ordering his return to court by 3:40 PM. The police then took Timarodi for questioning as per the court’s directive.

    The case, registered under Sections 196(1), 352, and 353(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) following a complaint by Rajeev Kulal, president of Udupi Rural BJP Mandal, alleges that Timarodi used abusive language against Santosh on social media, potentially inciting communal enmity. Timarodi’s bail plea hearing, which took place on the same day, was adjourned to 3:00 PM after the prosecution sought time to file objections.

  • 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.”

  • Dharmasthala Case: SIT Arrests Anonymous Complainant for Perjury, Further Investigation Ongoing

    Beltangady, August 23, 2025 – The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the Dharmasthala case arrested the anonymous complainant, identified as Chinnayya, on Saturday, August 23, 2025, for providing false information and obstructing the investigation. The complainant had alleged that numerous bodies, primarily of women and girls, were buried in Dharmasthala between 1994 and 2014, claiming involvement in their disposal. These claims led to the formation of the SIT, headed by senior officer Pranav Mohanty, on July 20, 2025, following public and political pressure.

    The arrest came after the Mangaluru competent authority revoked the complainant’s protection under the Witness Protection Act on August 22, 2025, due to discrepancies in his statements. SIT sources revealed that the complainant retracted parts of his testimony given to a magistrate, admitting to providing misleading information. On Friday, August 22, he was summoned to the SIT office for questioning, and on Saturday morning, he was arrested. After a medical examination at Beltangady Government Hospital, he was presented before the Beltangady court at 11:00 AM and remanded to judicial custody.

    The SIT’s investigation, which included excavating 17 sites based on the complainant’s claims, found no significant evidence, such as skeletal remains, to substantiate the allegations. Only minor bone fragments were recovered, which forensic analysis could not link to the alleged crimes. The complainant’s failure to identify burial sites accurately and the absence of corroborating evidence raised suspicions of perjury, leading to a new FIR under Sections 209, 227, and 229 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for false information, fraud, and obstructing investigation.

    Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar stated, “The government will take action against the guilty. The SIT’s probe has exposed the truth, protecting Dharmasthala’s sanctity.” Congress MLA Belur Gopalakrishna demanded strict action against those spreading misinformation, emphasizing the need to preserve the region’s religious integrity. Home Minister Dr. G. Parameshwara confirmed the arrest, noting that further details would be provided by the SIT after its final report.

  • Shankaranarayana: Four Arrested for Cattle Theft, Case Registered

    Shankaranarayana, August 22, 2025 – Shankaranarayana police arrested four individuals on Friday, August 22, 2025, at 6:00 AM for allegedly stealing five male buffaloes and three female buffaloes from Haveri and transporting them without permits for slaughter and sale in Mangaluru. The accused, identified as Shantesh Chandrappa Javalli, Hinayat Nasipudi, Sunil Lakmappa Javalli, and Arun Chandrappa Javalli, were intercepted near Shankaranarayana Junction on the Shankaranarayana-Haladi road in Kundapur taluk.

    Acting on a tip-off, Sub-Inspector Gaddekar, along with police personnel and witnesses, stopped a white Mahindra Bolero Max (KA68-6605) carrying the stolen livestock. The animals, estimated to be three and four years old, had a combined value of approximately ₹80,000 (₹50,000 for the buffaloes and ₹30,000 for the cows). The vehicle, valued at around ₹8,00,000, and three mobile phones (two Oppo and one Redmi, each worth approximately ₹10,000) were seized. The accused admitted to planning to slaughter the animals and sell the meat, as instructed by Arun Chandrappa Javalli.

    A case has been registered at Shankaranarayana Police Station under Crime No. 77/2025, invoking Sections 4, 5, 7, and 12 of the Karnataka Prevention of Cow Slaughter and Cattle Preservation Act, 1964, Section 11(1)(d) of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, Section 66 read with Section 192(A) of the Indian Motor Vehicles Act, and Section 303(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).