Bengaluru: A gun-wielding man on Monday went close to Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah while he was on an open vehicle here, and garlanded Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy standing next to him.

The incident happened at Bhairasandra in the city when Siddaramaiah was campaigning for Reddy’s daughter and Congress’ Lok Sabha candidate Sowmya Reddy.

The man, whom police identified as Riyaz, suddenly climbed on the vehicle with a gun fastened to his waist.

Raising slogans in support of Congress, Riyaz garlanded Reddy, his daughter Sowmya and others.

As he was getting down from the vehicle, Siddaramaiah and others on the vehicle noticed the gun.

Police said Riyaz has been carrying a gun since a murderous assault on him a few years ago, and he has been exempted from surrendering his gun.

In a post on the microblogging site ‘X’, the BJP targeted the chief minister, saying this proves that “those who garland” Siddaramaiah are hooligans, rowdies, street thugs.

“Gun-wielding rowdies, who used to be seen in the birthday posters, are now posing in front of the society with guns and garlands the CM and deputy chief minister in the rallies. Although the election code of conduct is in force, they are carrying guns and demonstrating like this to intimidate the voters in the area,” the party said.

Bengaluru: As many as 47 students from Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute (BMCRI) here have been hospitalised after they complained of loose stools and dehydration, officials said on Saturday.

According to Ramesh Krishna, Dean and Director of BMCRI, 47 students from the Institute’s girls hostel were admitted to Victoria Hospital on Friday.

Out of these, 28 are in Trauma Care Centre, 13 are in H Block and three are in ICU for observation. All of them suffered from loose stools and dehydration. They have been diagnosed with acute gastroenteritis.

“Investigations have been sent and antibiotics & IV fluids are being administered. We are awaiting the reports,” he stated. A doctor from Victoria Hospital said, “All students are stable now. They have been diagnosed with acute gastroenteritis. Though there is a suspicion of cholera, we are waiting for reports for clarity. Reports are expected soon.”

Karnataka Health and Family Welfare Department had on Friday said six confirmed cases of cholera have been reported in the state so far this year of which five were reported in March. Amid reports that extreme heat compounded with the water crisis has led to a scare of a cholera outbreak, the department however clarified that all these cases are “sporadic” and that there was no outbreak.

Bengaluru: City’s northeast division Women’s Police Station has reportedly arrested three individuals for allegedly running a prostitution racket in different hotels across the city.

The police have confiscated 13 mobile phones, 1 active scooter, a Toyota Etios car and 30,000 rupees from the possession of the accused.

According to the police, the raid was conducted under the leadership of Laxmi Prasad, Deputy Commissioner of North-Eastern division based on a tip-off. Additionally, the police said that the individuals were illegally earning money through the racket and were using mobile websites to gain customers.

The police reportedly conducted raids in Koramangala, Madiwala and other parts of the city based on the information, in addition to the arrests made three women were also rescued during the operation.

Bengaluru: Karnataka has seen the seizure of unaccounted cash of Rs 20.14 crore and alcohol valued at over Rs 26 crore since the model code of conduct went into effect on March 16, the Election Commission announced on Thursday.

They claimed that the total seizures, which include a variety of freebies, come to Rs 60.38 crore.

Karnataka’s 28 constituencies will be the subject of two rounds of general elections, scheduled for April 26 and May 7.

A statement from the Karnataka Chief Electoral Officer’s office states that since the Model Code of Conduct went into effect, police, flying squads, and static surveillance teams have confiscated Rs 20.14 crore in cash and Rs 65.43 crore in property.

Bengaluru: The Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) has taken action against 22 families for utilizing drinking water for non-essential purposes, such as washing cars and gardening, amidst a severe water scarcity in the state. The board has collected fines totaling Rs 1.1 lakh, with each family being levied a fine of Rs 5,000 for violating water conservation directives issued by the board.

According to BWSSB officials, the restrictions were enforced on March 22, and by March 24, 22 instances of violations had been recorded, with fines being collected on the spot and receipts issued. Most of the complaints against the offenders were received through various social media platforms, officials noted.

In the second week of March, the BWSSB imposed a ban on various water-consuming activities in the city, including cleaning vehicles, gardening, construction work, operation of fountains, entertainment purposes, and non-drinking water usage in cinema halls, malls, as well as for road construction and cleanliness.

With Holi celebrations approaching, the BWSSB has also urged residents to refrain from using Cauvery and borewell water for pool parties and rain dances. Additionally, the board has encouraged the installation of aerators in hotels, apartments, and industries to reduce water consumption.

V Somanna, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate for the Tumkur Lok Sabha constituency

In Turuvekere on Monday, V Somanna, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate for the Tumkur Lok Sabha constituency, addressed the media, shedding light on the denial of ticket to MP Anantkumar Hegde this time around. Somanna attributed Hegde’s exclusion from the ticket to his repeated statements regarding the alteration of the Constitution.

Reflecting on Hegde’s political career as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Uttar Kannada, Somanna remarked that the constituency had not witnessed significant development during his six-term tenure. Somanna criticized Hegde for primarily focusing on issues related to Hindutva and advocating for changes to the Constitution rather than actively engaging in developmental initiatives.

“Despite serving as an MP for approximately 28 years, Anantkumar Hegde’s tenure did not yield notable developmental outcomes for the constituency,” Somanna asserted. He further highlighted Hegde’s conspicuous absence from public engagements following his victory in the 2019 elections and his lack of involvement in party organization activities.

Somanna underscored that Hegde’s controversial remarks regarding the alteration of the Constitution had repeatedly caused embarrassment to the BJP. These collective factors, according to Somanna, led to the party’s decision to withhold the ticket from Hegde for the upcoming elections.

Mysuru: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, addressing reporters at Mandakalli Airport in the city on Sunday, expressed optimism about the Congress party’s prospects in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in Karnataka, foreseeing a victory in at least 20 seats.

While refraining from echoing the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) claim of a clean sweep across all 28 seats, Siddaramaiah asserted the Congress’s confidence in securing a minimum of 20 seats. He underscored the party’s strategic approach amidst the BJP-JD(S) alliance dynamics in the state.

Commenting on the alliance, Siddaramaiah suggested that it had inadvertently favored the Congress, though he declined to elaborate further, citing the need for discretion on certain matters.

Criticizing the BJP’s performance, Siddaramaiah questioned the fulfillment of the party’s electoral promises, highlighting unmet pledges such as the distribution of Rs 15 lakh to each family and the creation of two crore jobs. He accused the BJP of propagating hollow assurances and misleading the public.

Responding to queries about ticket allocations to ministers’ children, Siddaramaiah clarified that such decisions were made considering public sentiment and trust in the candidates. He emphasized that the Congress remained committed to meritocracy and denied engaging in dynastic politics.

Addressing remarks by MLA and former Congress minister SR Srinivas regarding his potential resignation, Siddaramaiah dismissed any suggestion of stepping down in case of an electoral setback. He clarified that Srinivas had expressed support for Siddaramaiah’s leadership, citing his contributions to guarantee schemes and welfare initiatives for the underprivileged.

Parmesh S Jain special correspondent

Continuing investigations into Rameshwaram cafe blast case,the National Investigation Agency (NIA)trailing the accused who reportedly travelled in a bus to Tumakuru, Ballari to Bhatkal. 
Several teams dispatched to different directions to track the accused and gathering more CCTV footage where the accused movement was recorded .

The officials also questioning few people along the way to get more details about the suspect.The suspect said to have changed the attire and avoiding CCTV cameras to conceal his identity . 
He is also trying to misguide the probe teams,a police officer part of the investigations, said .
Meanwhile Home Minister G.Parameshwar speaking to the media updated that seven teams have been formed and dispatched to different directions to follow the leads .

Parmesh S Jain Special correspondent

Youth Stabbed to death by armed men over trivial row during a program at temple in Bytarayanapura 
A 23-year-old youth was stabbed to death by an armed men over a trivial row during a program at a temple in Byatarayanapura police station limits on Friday. 
The deceased Yogesh,working at a car wash centre , was dancing in front of the temple during the Shivaratri program and accidentally brushed against another group who were also dancing in front of the temple. 
Heated argument ensued between them but other intervened and pacified the duo.
Enraged by this the accused followed Yogesh while he was returning home and stabbed him repeatedly . 
Yogesh tried to escape and jumped the compound and got hurt with the broken glass pieces put up on the compound wall and severely injured.He was rushed to a private hospital where he succumbed .
Initially the police thought that Yogesh tried to jump over the compound and got hurt from the glass pieces , but after verification of the CCTV footage from in and around, the police concluded that it was a planned murder.
Based on the information,the Bytarayanapura police have registered a case of murder and picked up four suspect as part of the investigations for questioning.
Rowdy-sheeter hacked to death by his rival gang in cottonpet 
In another incident,a 30-year-old Rowdy-Sheeter was hacked to death allegedly by his rival gang in Anjinappa garden in cottonpet on Friday afternoon.
The deceased Shiva alias Varthe having multiple criminal cases against him was operating in and around KR Market and cottonpete area.
The accused used to have tussle with his arch rival gangs and would use to compete with each other to dominate the area .
On Friday armed gang attacked Shiva while he was walking in Anjinappa garden and fled the scene.The injured Shiva was rushed to hospital where he succumbed later.The Cottopete police have registered a case of murder and efforts are on to track down the accused.
Farmer stabbed his wife to death suspecting her fidelity accused arrested by Patapalya police station 
In the third incident,a 55-year-old farmer stabbed his 45-year-old wife to death suspecting her fidelity in Chinaganapalli village in Patapalya police station limits in Chikkaballapura on Friday.
The deceased has been identified as Narasamma,living with husband Gangulappa. The accused used to suspect wife cheating on him and they duo used to have frequent fights.
On Friday,Gangulappa called his wife to help cut the grass in the backyard of the house after a heated argument and stabbed her to death before fleeing the spot .
The incident came to light on Saturday morning,when Villagers noticed Nasaramma lying in a pool of blood and alerted the police .
The Police rushed to the spot and later arrested Gangulappa who tried to feign ignorance about the murder and later confessed to the crime .