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  • Byndoor: Khidma Foundation Donates Chairs and Stretcher Trolleys to Byndoor Community Health Centre

    Kundapur, August 17, 2025: As part of Independence Day celebrations, the Khidma Foundation’s Kundapura and Byndoor taluk units donated chairs and stretcher trolleys to the Byndoor Community Health Centre to improve patient facilities. Additionally, fruits were distributed to patients at the hospital during a program held on August 15, 2025.

    Dr. Rajesh C. Saukoor, Administrative Medical Officer of the health centre, addressed the gathering, noting that the hospital serves numerous patients from surrounding villages daily but faces a shortage of medical equipment. He expressed gratitude for the donation, stating it would enhance service delivery. Dr. Saukoor also highlighted the need to upgrade the facility to a taluk hospital, with a proposal already submitted to the government, especially since Byndoor has been designated a taluk centre.

    Former Zilla Panchayat member Suresh Batwadi praised the hospital staff’s dedication and the foundation’s contribution, emphasizing that patients from all communities benefit from the facility, and the donation will significantly improve public convenience. Mobi P.C., president of the Byndoor Lawyers’ Association, commended the foundation’s efforts and extended best wishes.

    The event was presided over by Khidma Foundation president Sheikh Abu Muhammad. Maulana Zameer Ahmad Rashadi delivered the introductory speech, and secretary Muhammad Rafeeq Wandse compered the program and offered the vote of thanks. Attendees included social worker Fayaz Ali Byndoor, foundation vice-president Muhammad Haris Golihole, pharmacy officer Ashfaq Nagur, members Bedre Ibrahim Kundapur, Abdul Rahman Shirur, Rizwan Nagur, Aslam Tallur, Irfan Nagur, Hasan Shabbar Shirur, Jalal Sheikh Kandlur, hospital staff, and others.

  • Kundapur: Mujawar Abu Muhammad Elected as President of Jamiayyatul Falah Kundapur Taluk Unit

    Kundapur, August 17, 2025 – Mujawar Abu Muhammad, a prominent social worker, Kundapur Municipal Council member, and Udupi District Muslim Federation committee member, has been elected president of the Jamiayyatul Falah Kundapur taluk unit for a two-year term. The announcement was made on August 16, 2025, during a program attended by the organization’s office-bearers, members, and local community leaders.

    The meeting included a Quran recitation, introductory speech, biennial report, and financial overview, reflecting the organization’s transparent and comprehensive approach. A spokesperson for Jamiayyatul Falah stated, “Under Abu Muhammad Mujawar’s leadership, we are confident that the Kundapur taluk unit will continue to make a meaningful impact in our community.” The press release further noted that his vision and dedication will guide initiatives in education, social harmony, and welfare over the next two years.

  • Bhatkal: Two Arrested in Attempted Kidnapping of Minor Girl, Rescued Within Hours

    Bhatkal, August 16, 2025 – In a swift operation, Bhatkal Rural Police arrested two individuals on August 13, 2025, for attempting to kidnap a minor girl from Hanifabad 1st Cross in Bhatkal. The accused, identified as Asif Jamalasab from Shivapura, Haveri district, and Mohammad Mosin from Jali Taggargod, Bhatkal, tried to forcibly abduct the girl in a Bolero pickup vehicle on Wednesday night.

    Following a complaint filed by the girl’s mother at the Bhatkal Rural Police Station, a team led by CPI Manjunath Lingareddy, including ASI Narayan, Head Constable Narayan, and staff member Akshaykumar, launched a rapid response. Within six hours, they apprehended the accused near Mavingundi in Siddapur and safely reunited the girl with her parents.

    District Superintendent of Police Deepan M.N commended the team for their efficient operation. A case has been registered at the Bhatkal Rural Police Station, and further investigations are underway to determine the motive and any additional involvement.

    In the picture: Police officers with the child's parents.

  • Karwar: Indian Navy Soldier Vinod Tukaram Kharvi Passes Away in Visakhapatnam

    Karwar, August 17, 2025 – Vinod Tukaram Kharvi, a native of Karwar serving as a Physical Training (PT) officer in the Indian Navy, tragically passed away while on duty in Visakhapatnam on Friday, August 15, 2025. The exact cause of his death has not been disclosed.

    His mortal remains will be brought to his residence near Swami Vivekananda High School in Panchrishivada, Kodibag, Karwar taluk, for public viewing on Sunday, August 17, 2025, at 9:30 AM. Following this, his last rites will be performed with full Indian Navy honors at the Rudrabhumi cremation ground in Karwar, as confirmed by family sources.

  • Legislation in the Shadows: India’s Privacy and Democracy at Risk

    Last week, as India was consumed by controversies over voter list tampering, stray dog policies, and electoral concerns in Bihar, the Indian Parliament quietly passed three major bills: the Income-Tax (No.2) Bill, 2025, the National Sports Governance Bill, 2025, and the National Anti-Doping (Amendment) Bill, 2025. These laws, which could reshape your taxes, your privacy, and the future of Indian sports, were rushed through with barely any debate or opposition. For every Indian, this is a wake-up call: when laws slip through in silence, our privacy and democracy are at stake.

    The Income-Tax (No.2) Bill, 2025, passed in the Lok Sabha on August 11 and the Rajya Sabha the next day, replaces the 1961 Income-Tax Act with what the government calls a simpler, modern system for a digital India. But here’s the alarming part: it gives tax officials sweeping powers to access your emails, social media accounts, WhatsApp chats, and other digital spaces if they suspect tax evasion. Imagine tax authorities reading your private messages or scrolling through your Instagram DMs without clear oversight. With over 500 clauses, this bill needed thorough discussion, but it was approved in just three minutes. This isn’t just about taxes—it’s a direct threat to your privacy, a right upheld by the Supreme Court in 2017. For salaried workers, small business owners, or anyone with a smartphone, this means your personal data could be an open book to officials, with little to stop misuse.

    The sports bills, passed in a mere 34 minutes on August 11, carry their own concerns. The National Sports Governance Bill, 2025, creates a National Sports Board and a tribunal to streamline sports management, while the National Anti-Doping (Amendment) Bill, 2025, strengthens penalties and testing to align with global standards, eyeing India’s 2036 Olympics bid. But a controversial detail stands out: the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) was exempted from the Right to Information (RTI) Act. Initially, the bill proposed making all sports bodies, including the BCCI, answerable under RTI, which would let fans question team selections or how cricket’s billions are spent. An amendment, however, limited RTI to bodies receiving direct government funds, letting the BCCI—a financial giant that doesn’t take such funds—stay opaque. Despite calls from the Supreme Court and others for transparency, cricket, India’s biggest sport, remains shielded from public scrutiny. These bills, with only two MPs speaking and amendments ignored, missed the debate they needed to protect athletes and fans alike.

    How did this happen? The opposition was nowhere to be found, caught up in protests outside Parliament. Allegations of “vote chori” (vote theft) and voter list tampering in Bihar’s Summary Intensive Revision (SIR) process had leaders like Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge marching to the Election Commission on August 11. Many were detained by police, leaving Parliament’s opposition benches nearly empty. Meanwhile, a Supreme Court order to relocate stray dogs from Delhi-NCR sparked outrage, with MPs like Shashi Tharoor and Priyanka Gandhi pushing for humane solutions like shelters. These issues—electoral integrity and animal welfare—mattered, but they distracted the opposition from their duty to scrutinize laws that could invade your privacy or shield powerful bodies like the BCCI.

    This feels like a calculated move. With opposition MPs detained or protesting, the government pushed these bills through with quick voice votes, no real debate, and no changes allowed. Trinamool Congress MP Derek O’Brien called it a “murder of Parliament,” and he’s right. Laws that let tax officials into your private chats or keep cricket’s operations secret need rigorous discussion. Without it, we risk laws that prioritize control over fairness. The Income-Tax Bill’s privacy intrusions could chill free expression, while the BCCI’s RTI exemption keeps a national institution unaccountable. The sports reforms, though promising, needed more input to ensure they truly serve athletes.

    Democracy thrives on open discussion, not hurried decisions. All MPs, whether from the government or opposition, should prioritize debating laws that affect us all. As citizens, we can play a role too—by staying informed and asking questions about what these laws mean for our taxes, our privacy, and our sports. Last week, Parliament acted while India was focused elsewhere. Let’s hope for more transparency and engagement in the future, so our voices—and our rights—are fully heard.

    Sources

    • “Finance Minister Sitharaman introduces Income-Tax (No.2) Bill in Lok Sabha.” The Economic Times, August 11, 2025.
    • “Lok Sabha passes Income-Tax (No.2) Bill, 2025.” The Hindu, August 11, 2025.
    • “Rajya Sabha clears Income-Tax Bill, 2025.” Hindustan Times, August 12, 2025.
    • “National Sports Governance Bill, 2025 introduced in Parliament.” The Indian Express, August 11, 2025.
    • “Anti-Doping Bill passed in Lok Sabha.” Times of India, August 11, 2025.
    • “Opposition protests ‘vote chori’ in Bihar voter lists.” The Statesman, August 11, 2025.
    • “Supreme Court orders removal of stray dogs from Delhi-NCR.” India Today, August 12, 2025.
    • “Rahul Gandhi slams stray dog order as cruel.” The Times of India, August 12, 2025.
    • “BCCI exempted from RTI in Sports Governance Bill.” The Hindu, August 11, 2025.
    • “Derek O’Brien calls bill passage ‘murder of Parliament’.” The Indian Express, August 12, 2025.
    • “Income-Tax Bill raises privacy concerns with digital access powers.” Mint, August 12, 2025.

  • Haliyal: KSRTC Bus Hits Pedestrian in Karlakatta, Woman Dies on the Spot

    Haliyal, August 16, 2025 – A tragic accident occurred near Karlakatta in Haliyal on Saturday afternoon when a KSRTC bus from Yellapur depot, traveling towards Haliyal, struck Rupa Sahadev More (34), a resident of Sambrani village, who was walking along the road. The incident took place around 12:15 PM as Rupa was heading from Haliyal towards Sambrani via Kurigadda. The bus, driven recklessly at high speed, hit Rupa, causing severe injuries to her head and body, resulting in her death at the scene.

    Haliyal police have registered a case and initiated an investigation to determine the circumstances of the accident, focusing on the driver’s negligence and overspeeding. Further details are awaited as the probe continues.

  • Hassan: Landslide on NH-75 Halts Traffic on Shiradi Ghat, Stranding Thousands

    Hassan, August 16, 2025 – Continuous heavy rainfall in the Malenadu region of Hassan district has caused multiple landslides on National Highway-75 (NH-75) near Maranahalli in Sakleshpur taluk, leading to a complete suspension of vehicle movement on the Shiradi Ghat road. The landslides, which brought down soil, trees, and shrubs onto the highway, have resulted in severe traffic disruptions, stranding hundreds of commuters.

    The weekend has intensified vehicle movement, exacerbating the traffic jam on Shiradi Ghat. Persistent rain is hindering police efforts to clear the congestion, with the road remaining impassable. Authorities have set up barricades near Maranahalli and are directing vehicles to use alternate routes. District Collector Dr. Latha Kumari has instructed vehicles traveling from Bengaluru to Mangaluru to take the Hassan-Belur-Charmadi Ghat route, while those from Mangaluru to Hassan should use the Sampaje or Charmadi Ghat routes.

    The landslides have severed the Bengaluru-Mangaluru connectivity, and efforts to clear the debris are ongoing but face challenges due to continuous rainfall. Police and local administration are working to manage the situation and have urged commuters to exercise patience and use the designated alternate routes.

  • New Delhi: Supreme Court Overturns Haryana Gram Panchayat Election Result After Historic EVM Recount

    New Delhi, August 16, 2025: In an unprecedented move, the Supreme Court of India conducted a manual recount of Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) votes within its premises, marking a historic first in Indian judicial history. The court overturned the 2022 Gram Panchayat election result for Buana Lakhu village in Panipat, Haryana, declaring Mohit Kumar as the duly elected Sarpanch, replacing Kuldeep Singh, who had held the position for nearly 33 months.

    The case arose from significant vote-counting errors at Booth No. 69, where 254 votes cast for Mohit Kumar were erroneously credited to Kuldeep Singh. Out of a total of 3,767 votes, the corrected tally showed Mohit Kumar leading by 51 votes. Initially, Kuldeep Singh was declared the winner and assumed office. However, the Returning Officer ordered a recount after noticing irregularities, which favored Mohit Kumar. Kuldeep challenged this in the Punjab and Haryana High Court, which ruled that post-declaration corrections required an election petition.

    Mohit approached the Election Tribunal, which in April 2025 ordered a recount for the disputed booth. Kuldeep obtained a stay from the High Court, prompting Mohit to escalate the matter to the Supreme Court. In July 2025, the apex court directed that all five EVMs used in the election be presented to its Registrar (OSD) for a recount under video surveillance, with both parties present. The Registrar’s report, reviewed on August 11, confirmed Mohit’s lead, leading the court to void the original result.

    A bench of Justices Surya Kant, Dipankar Datta, and N. Kotiswar Singh ordered the Panipat Deputy Commissioner to issue a fresh notification within two days, declaring Mohit Kumar as Sarpanch. Mohit was sworn in on August 14, 2025, stating, “Justice was delayed but ultimately delivered. The truth has won, and the entire village is rejoicing.”

    The Supreme Court clarified that the Registrar’s recount findings are final, though other related disputes may be addressed by the Election Tribunal.

  • Nagpur: Court Acquits Eight Men in 18-Year-Old SIMI Case for Lack of Evidence

    Nagpur, August 16, 2025: After over 18 years, a Nagpur court acquitted eight men accused of organizing meetings and distributing pamphlets linked to the banned Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI). Judicial Magistrate A.K. Bankar ruled that the prosecution failed to provide evidence of the accused’s participation in unlawful activities, stating, “Mere possession of literature or documents allegedly connected to an unlawful association, without proof of active intent or participation, does not meet the legal threshold.”

    The acquitted individuals, booked in 2006 under Sections 10 and 13 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), were in their 30s at the time of their arrest. Police had claimed to possess confidential information linking them to SIMI and alleged that incriminating materials were recovered from their residences. However, the prosecution could not substantiate these claims with records or credible witness testimony. Independent witnesses did not corroborate the police’s case, and allegations of one accused being sheltered by others remained unproven.

    This acquittal adds to concerns raised by rights advocates about the misuse of stringent anti-terror laws, particularly against young Muslim men, leading to prolonged incarcerations with weak evidence. A similar case in Surat in 2021 saw 122 individuals acquitted in a 2001 SIMI-related case due to lack of proof. The Nagpur court’s decision underscores the need for robust evidence to justify charges under laws like the UAPA.

  • Kollur: 5 Pavan Gold Chain Stolen from Devotee at Shri Mookambika Temple

    Kollur, August 16, 2025 – A theft incident occurred at Shri Mookambika Temple in Kollur village, Byndoor taluk, Udupi district, where a 64-year-old woman from Mudradi village, Hebri, lost a 5 pavan gold chain on August 15, 2025. The incident took place near Sri Veerabhadra Gudi during a chaotic crowd rush caused by sudden rainfall. A case has been registered at Kollur Police Station under Section 303(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) (Crime No. 64/2025).

    The complainant arrived at the temple around 12:30 PM with her daughter and son-in-law. While they were in the queue, the complainant visited the Sri Veerabhadra Gudi. Heavy rain triggered a rush toward the gudi, causing some people to fall on her. After the crowd dispersed, she returned to the queue and noticed the gold chain was missing. The theft is believed to have occurred between 12:30 PM and 1:00 PM near the gudi.

    Kollur police have registered a case based on the complaint and initiated an investigation to identify the culprits and recover the stolen jewelry.