Bengaluru: Women residents of Rajaghatta village, located on the outskirts of Bengaluru, have raised serious concerns over the unchecked sale of liquor in their locality, claiming it is wreaking havoc on families by pushing men into alcoholism and unemployment. The villagers, particularly women, have approached the police for immediate intervention.

Lakshmamma, a resident speaking on behalf of the women in the village, highlighted to Superintendent of Police C.K. Baba that liquor shops in the area operate from as early as 6:00 a.m. and remain open until midnight or even later.

“This is posing a threat to the families, as the men get drunk early in the morning and do not go to work. Most of the families face a difficult situation due to the alcohol menace and it is pushing them into penury. Even grocery and vegetable shops have started stocking up liquor, making them accessible round the clock,” the newspaper quoted her as saying.

In response, SP Baba directed excise department officials to ensure liquor vendors strictly follow the timings prescribed in their licenses. He also instructed the jurisdictional police and excise department to conduct routine inspections to curb the illegal sale of alcohol in the region.

During the same meeting, a few students expressed distress over caste-based humiliation in schools. “We were mocked and called casteist names. The teachers and village elders are not doing anything despite being aware of this situation,” one student shared with the senior police officials.

Taking a serious view of the complaint, Baba instructed the Panchayat Development Officer and education department officials present to take immediate corrective measures to prevent such discriminatory practices, added the report.

Police officials also visited Dalit colonies, where they pasted posters displaying the names and contact numbers of police officers to be contacted for any help, aiming to reassure residents of their support.

Villagers were encouraged to work alongside law enforcement in maintaining peace and combating crime in the area.

Bengaluru: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Monday predicted heavy to very heavy rain for the next 24 hours in parts of Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Uttara Kannada districts.

Meanwhile, Hangaloru in Udupi district received the highest rainfall on Sunday, measuring 92mm, Gadag district reported 77.1mm rainfall, the third highest rainfall for July so far, it said.\

It recorded 89.7mm in 2005 and 87.1mm in 2022. The all-time high of 136.4mm rainfall was witnessed in Gadag on September 29, 1960.

In Bengaluru, rainfall between 4 and 10mm is expected in the Greater Bengaluru area on Monday. The state capital received 6.5mm rainfall on Sunday.

Renjala (73.5mm) and Hakladi (70mm), also in Udupi District, are the other places in Karnataka where rainfall over 70mm was received on Sunday.

IMD has predicted heavy rainfall on Monday in parts of Bidar, Kalburgi, Raichur and Yadgir districts of north interior Karnataka.

In south interior Karnataka, parts of Chikkamagaluru, Kodagu, Hassan, Shivamogga, Mandya, Mysuru, Chamarajanagar, Ballari, Chikkaballapura, Chitradurga, Davanagere, Kolar and Vijayanagara districts are likely to witness heavy rains.

Bengaluru: A travel blogger’s viral post on Bengaluru’s infamous traffic has struck a chord online, prompting a flood of responses from residents sharing their own nightmare tales of being gridlocked in the city.

From missed flights to hours-long commutes for just a few kilometres, the post has reopened a collective wound—reminding many that in Bengaluru, getting stuck in traffic isn’t the exception, it’s the routine.

Posting a video of a jam-packed road ahead of her on her Instagram account (@travel_foodie_gals) four days ago, a travel blogger joked that her friend—whom she had dropped off at the Bengaluru airport—had already reached Dubai, while she was still stuck in traffic.

By July 20, the post had gone viral, triggering an avalanche of comments from people sharing their own traffic “horror stories”.

Shilpa Sarkar Majumdar added that it takes her just two hours by air to reach her hometown, Port Blair, from Bengaluru.

“It’s traumatic that it takes the same amount of time to get from the airport to Koramangala,” she wrote.

Bengaluru: Karnataka Director General of Police (DGP) Dr. M.A. Saleem on Monday issued a directive prohibiting the use of sirens during the movement of dignitaries and VIPs, in order to curb noise pollution and enhance public safety.

According to the order, officers and personnel accompanying VIPs should rely on wireless communication systems instead of sirens to manage traffic and coordinate movement.

Dr. Saleem noted that the use of sirens on public roads can cause confusion among motorists, potentially leading to accidents. “The sudden blaring of sirens may prompt other drivers to react unpredictably, creating chaos for both the convoy and surrounding vehicles,” the order stated.

He further emphasized that sirens often alert unauthorized individuals to the movement of VIPs, posing potential security risks. Moreover, their indiscriminate use contributes significantly to noise pollution and public inconvenience.

The DGP clarified that sirens should be reserved strictly for emergency service vehicles such as ambulances, police patrols, fire engines, and other essential emergency responses.

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar

Ramanagara (Karnataka): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Monday said that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) was being misused for political purposes, and cited his own case as an example of such “abuse”.

Speaking to reporters in Kodihalli, Kanakapura, he said the Supreme Court’s observations in the MUDA case, where it dismissed the ED’s appeal, reflected a pattern of selective targeting.

“My case itself is proof of the ED being misused politically. They filed a case against me, sent me to Tihar Jail, and eventually the case was dropped,” he said.

The Deputy CM urged the ED to introspect and examine whether it is succumbing to political pressure.

Referring to the MUDA case, he said, “Once a ‘B’ report was submitted, there was no question of further appeal. That is probably why the Supreme Court made such observations.”

Shivakumar questioned why ED cases were being filed only against Congress leaders.

“Why are there no ED cases against BJP leaders? Why are only Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi, Robert Vadra and other Congress leaders targeted? Has everyone who joined the BJP suddenly become pure? Isn’t this the BJP’s washing machine?” he asked.

Shivakumar’s remarks follow the Supreme Court’s dismissal of the Special Leave Petitions (SLPs) filed by the ED in the MUDA (Mysuru Urban Development Authority) land allotment case involving Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s wife Parvathi B M and Congress MLA Byrathi Suresh.

The Karnataka High Court had earlier quashed the ED’s notices in the case, observing that the agency acted without legal basis under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

The Supreme Court upheld that decision, stating that it found no fault in the High Court’s ruling.

The MUDA case involves the allotment of compensatory sites to Parvathi in an upmarket Mysuru locality in lieu of 3.16 acres of land acquired from her by MUDA.

The ED had issued notices alleging irregularities in the allotment, but the courts have now rejected those proceedings.

Bengaluru: Karnataka’s Minister for Large and Medium Industries, M.B. Patil, has dismissed concerns over Andhra Pradesh’s minister Nara Lokesh inviting industrialists to relocate, asserting confidently that no entrepreneur will abandon Karnataka on such invitations alone.

Responding to media queries on Wednesday about Lokesh’s open invitation to industries, Patil said, “Karnataka holds 65% of the aerospace share in the country. Globally, we rank third in providing the best business environment. Merely offering land does not prompt industries to relocate; the overall working environment plays a critical role.”

He emphasised that Karnataka’s competitive edge goes beyond infrastructure. “In the proposed Devanahalli Defence and Aerospace Park, we withdrew the land acquisition process in consideration of farmers’ interests. Still, we are ready to provide land wherever required by the industries. But for aerospace industries, it’s not just land, we provide water, electricity, and a conducive ecosystem. I will not let a single industrialist leave the state,” he declared.

Patil also acknowledged Lokesh’s tweet and said he had already responded to it.

Bengaluru: Once a frontrunner in digital payments, Bengaluru is reportedly witnessing a sudden shift back to cash as small vendors—spooked by recent GST notices from the Commercial Taxes Department—begin refusing UPI transactions. QR code stickers are being replaced with signs reading “No UPI, only cash,” as traders fear tax scrutiny and demand customers pay in physical currency instead.

The department recently stated that businesses with an annual turnover exceeding Rs 40 lakh for goods or Rs 20 lakh for services must register under the Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime and pay the applicable taxes, as reported by Deccan Herald on Wednesday.

The directive has triggered panic among small, unregistered vendors—such as bakeries, tea stalls, cigarette kiosks, and gift shops—now facing tax scrutiny. Many are reportedly hiding UPI QR codes or removing them entirely, while others are stuck in a dilemma as most customers no longer carry cash.

Authorities have obtained data from UPI service providers regarding payments received by businesses from 2021–22 to 2024–25. Businesses found to have received more than Rs 40 lakh via UPI payments during this period—without GST registration or tax payments—are now being served notices.

The impact is visible across Bengaluru’s streets and markets. From food street stalls to gift shops, vendors say the tax enforcement fails to reflect their operational realities. While many operate on high turnover, their profit margins remain razor-thin due to rent, supply costs, and wages. They argue that this policy would threaten their survival.

A juice stall cashier near Indiranagar said they were told to remove UPI scanners but were unsure how to proceed. “Most customers don’t carry cash. We’re stuck,” DH quoted the cashier as saying. In RR Nagar, a stationery shop employee echoed similar concerns: “We use both UPI and cash. But with this rule, we either lose customers or lose money.”

A bakery and tea stall owner expressed frustration over the policy’s failure to account for ground realities, noting, “My sales look high, but most of it goes into rent, supplies, and staff. If I’m taxed on this, I’ll have to remove my UPI scanner and go cash-only.”

Bengaluru: A 48-year-old Bangalore Electricity Supply Company (BESCOM) employee died by suicide after he allegedly fell prey to a “digital arrest” scam, losing Rs 11 lakh, police said on Wednesday.

Kumar K, who was employed on a contractual basis with BESCOM, hailed from Kelagere village in Channapatna taluk in Bengaluru South district, they said.

He was found hanging from a tree in his village on Tuesday, police said.

In the purported suicide note recovered from the spot, he has cited his health issues and harrasment by cyber fraudster in the name of digital arrest as the reason behind him taking the extreme step.

Digital arrest is a term used in cyber frauds where victims are falsely told they are under surveillance or legal custody through digital means. They are often isolated via continuous video or call surveillance by fraudsters posing as officials, and manipulated into following instructions without alerting others – often leading to extortion or fraud.

According to the police, in the death note, Kumar stated that he received a call from a man named Vikram Goswami who claimed to be a CBI officer and threatened him of digital arrest. The fraudster claimed he had an arrest warrant against Kumar and demanded money to evade digital arrest.

Owing to alleged harassment and fear of being arrested, Kumar initially deposited Rs 1.95 lakh as per the demands of the fraudster. However, he kept demanding more money, a senior police officer said, citing the note.

In total, Kumar claimed to have transferred Rs 11 lakh into several bank accounts as instructed by the fraudsters, he said.

M K Doddi police in Channapatna are investigating the matter and are looking into the allegations levelled by Kumar, the officer said.

“Only after analysing the bank transaction details of Kumar, we will be able to ascertain the exact amount that was transferred,” he said.

Kumar is survived by his wife and an eight-year-old son, police added.

Bengaluru: A group of advocates met Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday, urging him to constitute a Special Investigation Team (SIT) monitored by a sitting or retired judge of the Supreme Court or High Court to probe cases of disappearances, unnatural deaths, and sexual assaults in Dharmasthala over the past two decades.

Dharmasthala, in Dakshina Kannada district, is a major pilgrimage centre, with Lord Manjunatha as the presiding deity.

Citing recent media reports and a statement made in court by an individual who claimed that “hundreds of bodies” had been buried in the area, the advocates—including former chairman of the Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes, C S Dwarakanath — alleged that although an FIR has been registered and an investigation is underway, these bodies reportedly remain unexhumed.

“Furthermore, it appears that the investigation is not progressing following the mandate of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS),” the representatives stated in a memorandum submitted to the Chief Minister today.

Given the gravity of the alleged crimes, the memorandum added that the “distressing information” suggested the involvement of “highly influential” and “powerful personalities” with significant political clout.

The advocates urged Siddaramaiah to constitute a SIT monitored by an Additional Director General of Police (ADGP)-level officer, along with a sitting or retired judge of the Supreme Court or Karnataka High Court. “This will ensure impartiality, thoroughness, and public confidence in the investigation,” the memorandum said.

They also called for the involvement of a dedicated Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) team, including experts in DNA analysis, digital forensics, and other specialised units, which they said is crucial for gathering irrefutable scientific evidence.

The advocates further requested that the entire investigation be video recorded to ensure transparency and accountability at every stage.

“The crime scene must be thoroughly analysed to gather all possible evidence, and all individuals—regardless of their influence—who are found to be involved must be arrested immediately and subjected to custodial interrogation,” the memorandum stated.

They urged the Chief Minister to take appropriate and decisive action in the interest of society and to ensure that justice is served.

Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court on Wednesday declined to grant a stay on the state government’s decision to take control of the renowned Gali Anjaneya Temple, following allegations of corruption and administrative irregularities by its managing trust.

Justice Sunil Dutt Yadav heard a petition filed by the temple’s trustees challenging the takeover order.

The trust, represented by advocate P Prasanna Kumar, accused the government of acting without due process or a detailed inquiry into the temple’s internal affairs.

The temple’s legal counsel argued that the move was precipitate and based on incomplete data. He asserted that the trust had submitted the necessary records as required and claimed the government acted without considering the documents in full.

Countering these claims, the government’s counsel alleged that the temple trust had not provided satisfactory responses to repeated requests for financial and administrative records.

“Over the last 19 years, the income has been entirely shown as expenditure, with no proper documentation. Not a single financial record has been submitted. Devotees have welcomed the Muzrai Department’s decision to step in,” the government lawyer stated.

The state also pointed to a recent theft from the temple’s donation box as evidence of poor management. While two individuals were dismissed and an FIR was filed, authorities noted that a year later, no charge sheet had been filed, raising further concerns about the trust’s functioning.

A report by an assistant commissioner flagged not only the theft incident, but also internal discord among trust members. The inquiry highlighted widespread dissatisfaction among the devotees, with growing concerns expressed on social media. These findings prompted the Muzrai Department to issue an official order taking over temple management.