Drug Trafficking Racket Busted In Dharwad, Ganja, and Vehicles Seized

Dharwad: Acting on a tip-off, officers from Old Hubli Police Station conducted a raid that led to the arrest of 12 individuals allegedly involved in drug trafficking on Thursday. The operation resulted in the seizure of ganja and vehicles. On the night of July 24, the police received confirmed information about individuals selling ganja and potential buyers in an old building of Aravinda Nagar. Acting swiftly on this intel, the police team raided the location, apprehending 12 people. The raid yielded 1 kg 365 grams of ganja valued at Rs 1 lakh, Rs 2,000 in cash, three two-wheelers, and nine mobile phones. The arrested individuals have been identified as Abhishek, Mohammad Ayaz, Ismail, Jafar, Juber Ahmed, Purakan, Shanawaz, Sohil, Mohmad Sadik, Roshan Soyab, Salim, and Karim. All the accused are from the Old Hubli area.

Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20: Chethan LR Becomes The Most Expensive Player In Auction

Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20: The player auction for the Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20 tournament, held at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, saw Chethan LR emerge as the most expensive player, joining the Bengaluru Blasters with the highest bid of Rs 8.2 lakh on Thursday. From a pool of 240 players, other significant acquisitions included Shreyas Gopal, Krishnappa Gowtham, and J. Suchith. Among the standout young talents, the Mysore Warriors secured the promising 18-year-old Samit Dravid for Rs 50,000. Additionally, Luvnith Sisodia, Mohd. Taha and Lavish Kaushal also commanded impressive bids as each of them were sold far above their base prices. In Category A, which includes Indian and IPL players, the auction saw some exciting bids. The seasoned Shreyas Gopals versatile skills were highly valued by Mangaluru Dragons, fetching Rs 7.6 lakh and making him the most expensive purchase within the category. The Mysore Warriors made notable acquisitions with the experienced all-rounder Krishnappa Gowtham for Rs 7.4 lakh, the southpaw all-rounder J. Suchith for Rs 4.8 lakh, and pacer Prasidh Krishna, who is not at full fitness, for Rs 1 lakh. The crafty leg-spinner K.C Cariappa was secured by the Hubli Tigers for Rs 4.2 lakh, and Praveen Dubey went to the Gulbarga Mystics for Rs 6.8 lakh. Wicketkeeper-batter Sharath B.R, who is still recovering, was also snapped up by Gulbarga Mystics for Rs 1 lakh. Among the big purchases in Category B, which includes senior state players, Chethan LR emerged as the most expensive player of the auction, commanding a price of Rs 8.2 lakh from the Bengaluru Blasters. Luvnith Sisodia, one of last seasons top scorers, was acquired by Gulbarga Mystics for Rs 7.2 lakh to bolster a formidable batting lineup that already features Devdutt Padikkal. The explosive Mohd Taha returned to Hubli Tigers with a price tag of Rs 6.6 lakh, while the 23-year-old speedster Vidyadhar Patil was in high demand and eventually secured by Mysore Warriors for Rs 6.4 lakh. In Category C, Goutham Mishra joined Mysore Warriors for Rs 2 lakh. Meanwhile, the prolific Smaran R returned to Gulbarga Mystics for Rs 3.15 lakh. Bowling all-rounder Avinash D was a significant acquisition for Shivamogga Lions at Rs 5.4 lakh, along with Rajvir Wadhwa for Rs 2.2 lakh. The Gulbarga Mystics also added pacer Monish Reddy and all-rounder Yashovardhan Parantap, each for Rs 1.8 lakh. Additionally, Hubli Tigers bought Thippa Reddy for Rs 3.4 lakh and Karthikeya KP for Rs 1.2 lakh. Left-arm pacer Lavish Kaushal was the most notable acquisition in Category D, joining Bengaluru Blasters for Rs 6.2 lakhs. The Shivamogga Lions were aggressive in this category, securing several players including Aditya Mani for Rs 1 lakh, and Bharath Dhuri, Aadithya Vishwa Karma, and Rohan Naveen, each for Rs 25,000. Hubli Tigers acquired Shreesha S. Acahar for Rs 2.3 lakh. Gulbarga Mystics expensive purchase in Category D was Nathan Dmello Joachim at Rs 60,000 while Deepak Devadiga was picked up by the Mysore Warriors for Rs 65,000. Speaking on the purchase of Chethan LR, Bengaluru Blasters captain, Mayank Agarwal said, We are very happy to have Chethan LR with as a part of our squad. He was a treasured find for the Bengaluru Blasters during the first season of the Maharaja Trophy and I am looking forward to playing with him this season. The third edition of the Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20 is scheduled to begin on August 15. The tournament will be broadcast on Star Sports 2, StarSports Kannada and streamed on FanCode. Team squads: Hubli Tigers: Manish Pandey, Shrijith KL, Vidhwath Kaverappa, Manvanth Kumar L, Cariappa KC, Mohammed Taha, Thippa Reddy, Karthikeya KP, Kumar LR, Aadarsh Prajwal, Kruthik Krishna, Aneeshwar Gautam, Madhav Prakash Bajaj, Shreesha S Acahar, Daman Deep Singh, Mitrakant Yadav, Nishchith Pai, Rishi Bopanna. Mysore Warriors: Karun Nair, Karthik CA, Manoj Bhandage, Karthik S U, Suchith J, Gowtham K, Vidyadhar Patil, Venkatesh M, Harshil Dharmani, Goutham Mishra, Dhanush Gowda, Samit Dravid, Deepak Devadiga, Sumit Kumar, Smayan Srivastava, Jasper EJ, Prasidh Krishna, Mohammed Sarfaraz Ashraf. Shivamogga Lions: Abhinav Manohar, Nihal Ullal, Koushik V, Shivaraj S, Pradeep T, Hardik Raj, Dhruv Prabhakar, Anand Doddamani, Rajvir Wadhwa, Avinash D, Dheeraj Mohan, Bharath Dhuri, Aadithya Vishwa Karma, Aditya Mani, Rohit K, Rohan Naveen, Sharath HS, Mohith BA. Gulbarga Mystics: Devdutt Padikkal, Vyshak Vijaykumar, Smaran R, Aneesh KV, Pravin Dubey, Luvnith Sisodia, Sharath BR, Aaditya Nair, Monish Reddy, Sharan Goud, Yashovardhan Parantap, Nathan Dmello Joachim, Faizan Riaz, Ritesh Bhatkal, Wahid Faizan Khan, Abhishek Prabhakar, Prithvi Shekhawat, Shimon Luiz. Shivamogga Lions: Abhinav Manohar, Nihal Ullal, Koushik V, Shivaraj S, Pradeep T, Hardik Raj, Dhruv Prabhakar, Anand Doddamani, Rajvir Wadhwa, Avinash D, Dheeraj Mohan, Bharath Dhuri, Aadithya Vishwa Karma, Aditya Mani, Rohit K, Rohan Naveen, Sharath HS, Mohith BA. Also Read: Akram hopes Indian Team Will Travel To Pakistan For Champions Trophy Mangaluru Dragons: Rohan Patil, Paras Gurbax Arya, Siddharth KV, Nikin Jose, Shreyas Gopal, Dheeraj J Gowda, Darshan MB, Macneil Hadley Noronha, Tushar Singh, Lankesh KS, Samarth Nagaraj, Sankalp SS, Abhilash Shetty, Nischith Rao, Lochan S Gowda, Pranav Bhatia, Sanjay Ashwin, Sagar Solanki.

Small town Kannadigas triumph as Indias first Miss Universal Petite winner

Kannadiga Doctor Wins First Miss Universal Petite Crown for India Dr. Shruti Hegde from Hubli, Karnataka has shown that it is possible to balance a medical career with passion for pageantry. In a remarkable achievement, she became the first Indian to win the Miss Universal Petite title, cementing her place in the country's beauty pageant [] The post Small town Kannadigas triumph as Indias first Miss Universal Petite winner appeared first on Northlines .

The doctor who became India's first Miss Universal Petite: Shruti Hegde's inspiring journey

Hubli native Shruti Hegde, an MD student in Dermatology, balanced pageants and won Miss Universal Petite. Despite surgery for benign tumours, she became Miss Asia International India 2023 second runner-up. Acting in 'Sharanara Shakti,' 'Basavanna,' and 'Janumadata,' Hegde demonstrates resilience and versatility.

The doctor who became India's first Miss Universal Petite: Shruti Hegde's inspiring journey

Hubli native Shruti Hegde, an MD student in Dermatology, balanced pageants and won Miss Universal Petite. Despite surgery for benign tumours, she became Miss Asia International India 2023 second runner-up. Acting in 'Sharanara Shakti,' 'Basavanna,' and 'Janumadata,' Hegde demonstrates resilience and versatility.

How A Small-Town Kannadiga Brought India Its 1st Miss Universe Petite Crown

Imagine doing a 36-hour shift in a hospital and then turning up willingly the next day to chip away the imperfections to become a beauty queen? That is what Shruti Hegde, a doctor and a beauty queen from Hubli, Karnataka, has been doing since 2018.

Karnataka: Two former chief ministers to enter Lok Sabha

Haveri: Two former Karnataka Chief Ministers- Jagadish Shettar and Basavaraj Bommai, who contested the Lok Sabha elections from North Karnataka have emerged victorious. While Shettar defeated minister Laxmi Hebbalkars son Mrinal Hebbalkar in Belagavi by a margin of 1,78,437 votes, Basavaraj Bommai defeated Congress candidate Anandswamy Gaddadevarmath by a margin of 43,413 votes. Shettar was a BJP member and served in various capacities including party's state president. In 2023 Shettar, a former Chief Minister, Speaker, and cabinet minister, quit the party as he was not given ticket to contest from Hubli-Dharwad central (earlier Hubli Rural), a constituency which he has been winning since 1994 for BJP. He joined Congress and lost the Hubli-Dharwad central constituency to BJP candidate Mahesh Tenginakai. However, Congress had made him a Member of the Legislative Council. In a major development, Shettar quit the Congress and rejoined the BJP a few months ago and was also declared as the party candidate from Belagavi. Though he is a native of Dharwad district, Shettar won from Belagavi with a margin o f more than 1 lakh votes. Belgaum has been with the BJP since 2004. Suresh Angadi had been representing the seat since 2004. After his death, his wife Mangala contested in BJP ticket and won the by-election held in 2021. Bommai, a former Chief minister and senior BJP MLA from Shiggaon won from Haveri. Shivkumar Udasi, sitting MP who represented the seat since 2009 had opted not to contest the election. Meanwhile, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi won the Dharwad constituency. He won the first election in 2004 (from the erstwhile Dharwad North constituency). After delimitation in 2008, he has been winning the Dharwad constituency continuously for the party. Joshi defeated Congress candidate Vinod Asooti by a margin of 97,324 votes.

Bridging the Financial Gap for India's LGBTQIA+ Community: Max Life's Landmark Survey

Bridging the Financial Gap for India's LGBTQIA+ Community: Max Life's Landmark Survey The flagship study of Max Life Insurance Company Limited (Max Life), the India Protection Quotient Survey (IPQ), in partnership with KANTAR, has revealed insights into the financial preparedness of the LGBTQIA+ community in India from the perspective of life insurance. This pioneering initiative, conducted in partnership with Pride Circle, one of India's premier Diversity and Inclusion Advisory firms, represents a significant step forward in understanding and addressing the specific financial needs of the diverse community. Under the vision of 'One India-Protection for All', the PAN-India survey includes the LGBTQIA+ community for the first time to understand their financial preparedness. With a population estimated to be around 135 million people, or around 10% of India's 1.4 billion population, the LGBTQIA+ community represents a significant segment whose financial preferences and challenges cannot be overlooked.1, 2 With a Protection Quotient of 37 points, the LGBTQIA+ community exhibited a 17-point difference in financial preparedness, as compared to the digitally-savvy urban Indian at 54 points. In contrast, the LGBTQIA+ community has displayed a commendable level of awareness, understanding, and proactive engagement in financial planning, with 99% individuals aware of life insurance products. Despite high awareness, ownership of life insurance in the community stands at 68%, as opposed to 80% ownership in the digital cohort. Prashant Tripathy, CEO and Managing Director, Max Life said, ''As India advances towards a more inclusive and sustainable future, the need to create comprehensive financial solutions for all is more critical than ever. At the heart of this mission is our flagship India Protection Quotient survey, which not only measures awareness levels of life insurance but also strives to achieve a deeper, more unbiased understanding of financial protection. This year, with the inclusion of the LGBTQIA+ community, the India Protection Quotient reaffirms our commitment to diversity, inclusion, and equitable access to financial security for all Indians. We are dedicated to ensuring that everyone has the protection they deserve, driving forward a vision where every life is valued and safeguarded.'' Ramkrishna Sinha, Co-Founder, Pride Circle said, ''The inclusion of the LGBTQIA+ community in Max Life's India Protection Quotient study is an important step to uncovering the gaps and challenges faced. We are optimistic that this will lead to enhanced attention, addressing the needs of this community, and a deeper understanding of the importance of life insurance. We at Pride Circle remain committed to working for the enablement of the LGBTQIA+ community, and this is a step toward financial wellbeing.'' Awareness, Ownership and Barriers of the Indian LGBTQIA+ Community The LGBTQIA+ community demonstrates exceptional levels of awareness regarding life insurance products, with 82% awareness of Term Life Insurance, and 88% awareness of Savings Life Insurance products. These figures surpass the slightly lower awareness levels (81% and 79% for Term Life Insurance and Savings Life Insurance products, respectively) observed in the digital segment. However, high premiums (35%) and a higher inclination towards health insurance (48%) remain the top barriers for the community to adopt life insurance offerings. Additionally, more than 80% of the respondents have made parents nominees in their life insurance policies, in stark contrast to overall India, where 15%-25% of respondents have parents as nominees. Overall, the cohort remains acutely aware of Term products but lags in ownership compared to the digital audience. Further, ownership and awareness of ULIPs and market-linked products remain lower within the community, presenting an opportunity for focused education and outreach efforts for the industry. Concerns and attitude towards financial prudence Concerns voiced by LGBTQIA+ respondents underscore their high awareness of financial vulnerabilities, particularly regarding rising medical expenses, mental health, and inflationary pressures. Despite these challenges, the community remains steadfast in their commitment to financial discipline, with 9 in 10 respondents prioritizing savings over spending, embodying a forward-thinking approach to securing their financial future. A significant portion of the community allocates a substantial portion of their income towards savings - 30% as compared to 36% by the digital respondents, albeit with higher proportions dedicated to luxury (19% vs. 14%) and basic expenses (33% vs. 28%) as compared to the digital cohort. Preference of Life Insurance Players The LGBTQIA+ community has a strong preference for private companies in the life insurance sector, with close to 80% expressing an inclination, while only 40% of the IPQ digital respondents favour private companies. The respondents also revealed that they are highly influenced by LGBTQIA+ support groups and forums, believing and following influencers from the community while making financial decisions. Max Life continues to remain keenly attuned to the evolving demands of its consumers across all cohorts and social groups. Through initiatives like the India Protection Quotient survey, the company remains committed to derive valuable insights into the financial preparedness of the nation and develop tailored financial security solutions that meet the needs of modern consumers. 1 https://orfonline.org/expert-speak/indias-pink-economy (Kinsey scale) 2 https://kinseyinstitute.org/research/publications/kinsey-scale.php About India Protection Quotient Instituted in 2019, India Protection Quotient is an annual property by Max Life Insurance in association with KANTAR aimed at understanding the pulse of Indian consumers in the financial protection space. Launched with the underlying objective of increasing penetration of term insurance as the most fundamental and economical form of life insurance, the survey aims to reveal the state of urban Indians with regards to current financial security levels, changing savings and investment patterns, key anxieties, and triggers of financial protection in a contemporary world. The India Protection Quotient is a proprietary tool developed by Max Life in partnership with KANTAR to gauge the degree to which Indians feel protected from future uncertainties on a scale of 0 to 100. It is based on attitudes, mental preparedness around future uncertainties, awareness, and ownership of life insurance product categories (term, endowment, and ULIP). Disclaimer: The study is conducted in partnership with KANTAR in the top 25 Urban metros, Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities; hence, its findings are representative of metro, Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities in Urban India only. Metro Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Mumbai Tier 1 Ludhiana, Jaipur, Lucknow, Patna, Bhubaneshwar, Vizag, Ahmedabad, Bhopal, Pune Tier 2 Dehradun, Moradabad, Guwahati, Bokaro, Kolhapur, Jamnagar, Raipur, Ujjain, Hubli-Dharwad, Tiruchirappalli IPQ 6.0 vs IPQ 5.0 data comparison is amongst 25 markets only (6 metros, 9 Tier 1 and 10 Tier 2) The minimum sample to conclude any findings of the study is 270 with an error margin of +-5.964% *Findings represented here are as per the IPQ 6.0 survey and Max Life doesn't assume responsibility or liability for any contradictions. **The LGBTQIA+ edition of IPQ 6.0 was administered digitally and hence the comparison with online results of the mainstream IPQ 6.0 Survey. About Max Life Insurance Max Life is a Joint Venture between Max Financial Services Limited (''MFSL'') and Axis Bank Limited. Max Life offers comprehensive protection and long-term savings life insurance solutions through its multi-channel distribution, including agency and third-party distribution partners. Max Life has built its operations over two decades through a need-based sales process, a customer-centric approach to engagement and service delivery and trained human capital. As per the annual audited financials for FY2022-23, Max Life has achieved a gross written premium of INR 25,342 Cr. For more information, please visit the Company's website at www.maxlifeinsurance.com. About KANTAR KANTAR is the world's leading marketing data and analytics business and an indispensable brand partner to the world's top companies. We combine the most meaningful attitudinal and behavioral data with deep expertise and advanced analytics to uncover how people think and act. We help clients understand what has happened and why and how to shape the marketing strategies that shape their future. For more information, visit www.kantar.com. About Pride Circle India's Premier Diversity & Inclusion Advisory Consultancy with a mission of Social Equity by affirmative action for LGBTQIA+ community in India. They have partnered with over 450 companies across India to provide Executive Leadership Development, comprehensive Diversity & Inclusion Training, Sensitization, Consultation, Industry Roundtables, Research & Publications, job placements and professional networking opportunities that build safe, inclusive, and welcoming work environments. With their experience and growing roster of national and international partner companies, government & non-profit organizations, Pride Circle is leading the LGBT+ inclusion revolution in India. They conduct Audits & Assessments, Training & Sensitization, Industry Roundtables, Job Placement, Research & Publications. Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1992948/4492032/Max_Life_Insurance_Logo.jpg

Eco-Friendly Tunes: Swarathmas Solar Concerts to Transform Live Music in India

Folk-rock band, Swarathma, is all set to make history with India's first ever solar-powered concert tour! This groundbreaking initiative will revolutionize the live music experience in our country, as Swarathma takes the stage powered entirely by clean energy sources. Deccan Chronicle caught up with the band members, Varun and Jishnu to learn more about this initiative. Excerpts from the exclusive interview. Congratulations on this innovative initiative! What inspired Swarathma to embark on Indias first ever solar powered concert tour? Varun - Thank you. The first conversation about this happened when we were travelling to Hubli for a project which required us to visit multiple sites with the good folks from Selco Foundation. While we were talking about how Solar powered systems have helped out many small scale businesses in these small towns, we started talking about what if this could power an entire concert. The idea in itself was exciting and everyone in the car were jumpy about it. From there, it took shape when this conversation went much further to understand what would be required to make this possible and I will say this is our first attempt to try this out. Were powering only the sound system of all the shows with solar and clean energy. Were hoping that we can only make this better and bigger over time. How did the band come up with the idea of using clean energy sources to power the live music experience? Varun - It begins with the kind of songs we love to write - many of them are about the Earth and how we feel about nature. With this tour, we are making a start towards a more sustainable concert experience. We have worked with our partners at AmpereHour to build a sustainable power source that has the capability to power the sound system of a concert. This is a leap of faith for us, because I don't think it has been attempted at this scale. We hope that this concept is proof enough for other concert promoters and artists to consider touring with clean energy as an option over diesel generators in the future. Can you share more about the logistics of the solar-powered concert tour? How will the energy be generated and stored? Jishnu - Reliable energy for music concerts today is usually generated by diesel gensets. What we are attempting to do is to replace that power source by something more sustainable. Our concerts will be powered by a 100KVA 450 KWH battery bank that will do the work of the genset. It will be charged from cleaner energy sources and solar fields where available. It will charge Li-ion batteries with in-built inverters, transformers, cooling, safety and control systems, housed within a 20ft container truck. This truck will also have an array of solar panels on its roof that will allow it to be topped up while parked or traveling. Once fully charged, it is expected to give us 4 hours of power with another 4 hours of back-up. What kind of impact do you hope this initiative will have on the environment and the music industry as a whole? Varun - Again, since this is our first attempt, it might be too early to talk about the impact and influence this can have in such a big industry. Our hope is, if we can make concerts more environment friendly and sustainable, then we should do that as temporary citizens of this planet. We hope that this enables more people to integrate it in their concerts and someday, perhaps even music festivals. How do you see this tour setting a precedent for future live music events in India? Jishnu - This isn't the first time that concerts have been powered by solar energy - but it is the first time that it is being attempted at this scale, with multiple cities. While by no means a perfect solution, it is a start towards more sustainable concert experiences. It is too early to state whether this will become a precedent that will influence people's choices, but we do hope that it will help showcase the sustainable energy solutions that can be built for the live concert industry. What challenges did the band face in planning and executing this groundbreaking tour? Jishnu - This dream of ours required a unique group of collaborators: a rock band and its management, a foundation working on renewable energy solutions, an energy technology company, concert venues, and ticketing platforms. We had the gigantic task of getting everyone to share this vision and work towards it. Of course, there were technical and logistical challenges on the way which we were able to address. However, the real test of the system will be once the concerts actually begin. How will the solar-powered setup affect the overall sound and quality of the live performance? Jishnu - If we go by the design of the system, there should be no impact on the sound quality at all - the system perfectly emulates a power source in terms of voltage and current. An amplifier or speaker doesn't care whether you're plugged into clean power or not. Are there any plans to incorporate other sustainable practices into the tour, such as eco-friendly merchandise or waste reduction measures? Jishnu - Yes! Our focus on sustainability begins with our on-stage practices: we avoid single-use plastic bottles on stage or at the venue. We encourage our fans to car-pool or take public transport. We are planning to tie-up with waste segregation organizations to ensure our concert does not leave behind rubbish that will adversely affect the venues we are working with. How can fans support this initiative? Jishnu - Come for the shows, and get your friends! We wouldn't presume to call it a moment in music history; it is very kind of you to do so, however! All we want to do is play concerts for our fans that are memorable and enjoyable. So the most important thing we want is for our fans to come for the concerts with friends! It is also an opportunity for us to perform songs from our new album and I'm sure we will make new friends among those who hear our music for the first time. Our partner Selco Foundation is putting together a microsite where our fans can learn more about the initiative and be a part of the journey. What's next for Swarathma and how does this initiative align with Swarathma's values and mission as a band? Jishnu - Sustainability is second nature to us. Right from the songs we write to the causes we support, living as much in harmony with nature as possible is something that comes naturally to us. That is why the India Tour initiative is so much in line with our idea of being a band. For example, we recently performed an acoustic concert inside Cubbon Park as part of our Tour of Trees initiative - in support of the trees of the city's lung space that are at risk of being felled to make way for a proposed 10-storey building. Right now, we're focusing on releasing the songs in the album Raushan over the next few weeks as the tour progresses. Are there any collaborations or partnerships with environmental organizations or sustainable energy companies for this tour? Jishnu - Yes, our partners for this tour are Sustain Plus, Selco Foundation and AmpereHour Energy.

Rameshwaram cafe blast: NIA raids 11 locations across 4 southern states

NEW DELHI: The anti-terror federal probe agency NIA has on Tuesday conducted raids at 11 locations across four states in the country in connection with its probe into a case linked to the Rameshwaram cafe blast in Bengaluru, officials said. They said that the searches were conducted with an aim to uncover the entire conspiracy behind the blast and also to identify the other conspirators involved in helping and supporting the accused from abroad. In a coordinated action, NIA teams searched 11 locations in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh. Extensive searches were conducted at the premises linked with 11 suspects in the case, in which an IED explosion at the caf on ITPL Road, Brookefield in Bengaluru, Karnataka had left several customers and staff members injured, a senior agency official said, adding that the attack, which took place on 1st March 2024, had also caused massive damage to property. The 11 suspects whose premises were searched today include individuals convicted in the 2012 LeT Conspiracy case of Bengaluru and Hubli Districts. The targeted searches led to the seizure of various digital devices and documents, which the NIA is examining exhaustively, the official said. It is to be noted here that the NIA took over the case from Karnataka Police on March 3, 2024, and arrested two accused - Mussavir Hussain Shazib and Abdul Matheen Taha - from their hideout in Kolkata (West Bengal) on April 12, after a nationwide hunt. According to the official, the accused, both residents of Thirthahalli, Shivamogga district of Karnataka, were identified as the perpetrator and the mastermind of the attack. He added that further probe in the case is ongoing.

Dinesh Shahra Foundation Encourages Excellence in Indigenous Cow Care as they present Gopal Gaurav Awards

Dinesh Shahra Foundation Encourages Excellence in Indigenous Cow Care as they present Gopal Gaurav Awards PNN Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], May 17: Dr Dinesh Shahra, renowned philanthropist and founder of Dinesh Shahra Foundation (DSF), presented the esteemed Gopal Gaurav Awards, initiated by Shankaracharya Raghweshwara Bharati to five awardees, Subrahmanya Prasad Kasaragod, Smt Nagaratna Hebbar, Dr Jeevankumar Doddaballapur, Baburao Patil Bailahongal, Mahendra Singhi Hubli, recognizing their outstanding contributions to the preservation of indigenous cow care practices, further to DSF's initiative of Gau Shakti. The awards ceremony, held at Ramdeva Ashram, Bhanukuli, Karnataka, was graced by the esteemed presence of spiritual leader Sri Sri Raghaveshwara Bharathi ji, marking a significant celebration of traditional cow care values. The Gopal Gaurav Awards, in alignment with Dinesh Shahra Foundation's vision and pioneered by Shankaracharya Raghweshwara Bharati, were presented by Dr. Dinesh Shahra, emphasizing the importance of cow care and the preservation of indigenous cows. The Gopal Gaurav Awards are a testament to DSF's commitment to promoting Sanatan values of cow care and Vedic education. During the ceremony, Dr. Shahra delivered an impassioned speech, highlighting the timeless significance of Shankaracharya's teachings in promoting cow care practices and the integration of Sanatan values into contemporary life. Emphasizing the importance of sustainability and cultural preservation, he reiterated DSF's mission to bridge the gap between tradition and modernity through initiatives like the Sanatan Living movement. Apart from the awards ceremony, Dr. Shahra actively participated in Shankaracharya Jayanti celebrations and cultural events, showcasing his dedication to spiritual enrichment and fostering cultural exchanges. Through DSF's multifaceted initiatives focusing on cow care, tree plantation, and Vedic education, Dr. Shahra continues to lead efforts aimed at fostering unity, sustainability, and holistic development in society. Dr. Dinesh Shahra's unwavering commitment to social welfare and environmental stewardship serves as an inspiration, motivating collective action towards building a more harmonious and sustainable future for generations to come. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)

Police Officers Suspended After Anjali Ambigers Murder in Hubballi

Hubballi : In the wake of Anjali Ambiger's murder in Hubballi, two officers from Bendigeri Police Station have been placed under suspension for dereliction of duty. The murder occurred at around 5.30 am on Wednesday in Veerapur Oni, within Bendigeri station's jurisdiction. Girish Sawanth allegedly murdered Anjali at her house for refusing his romantic advances. Anjali's family had said that she had received death threats from Girish days before the murder and had alerted the police. On Wednesday Hubli-Dharwad Central MLA Mahesh Tenginakai criticized the police for failing to act, stating the tragedy could have been prevented with timely intervention. City Police Commissioner Renuka Sukumar has issued an order placing Bendigeri Police Inspector CB Chikkodi and Woman Head Constable Rekha Havaraddi under suspension for dereliction of duty. An inquiry has been ordered which will be led by DCP (Crime and Traffic). The murder has sparked protests from BJP and ABVP activists, who demanded immediate action. Various seers visited Anjali's family, calli ng for strict measures against the perpetrator. Former Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai criticized the police for not acting on the death threat complaint, accusing them of indirectly causing Anjali's murder. He condemned the current state government, claiming that law and order have deteriorated, allowing criminals to act with impunity. Bommai accused the police of being preoccupied with political cases rather than ensuring public safety. He pointed out parallels with the murder of Neha Hiremath and criticized the lack of action in both cases. He accused Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Home Minister Dr. Parameshwara of inaction and demanded accountability from the Congress government. On one side, Neha was murdered in the midst of students. On the other hand, Anjali was murdered by forcibly entering the house. Is this not a Goonda Raj? Both Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Home Minister Dr Parameshwara are like nothing has happened, he alleged. The state is witnessing a rise in crime, and there is an atmosphere of fear and lawlessness. The government must explain its failure to protect its citizens, Bommai asserted. Bommai demanded accountability from the government for not addressing severe crimes against women, including a gang rape in Haveri and an assault on a Dalit woman in Belagavi.

Young Woman Murdered in Hubballi After Rejecting Romantic Advances

An 18-year-old first-year engineering student died by suicide at GITAM University's building at Rudraram in Patancheru on Friday afternoon.(Representational Image:DC) An 18-year-old first-year engineering student died by suicide at GITAM University's building at Rudraram in Patancheru on Friday afternoon.(Representational Image:DC) Hubballi: In a chilling echo of the recent murder of Neha Hiremath, a 20-year-old woman was brutally killed in front of her family on Wednesday morning in Hubballi. The victim, Anjali, was attacked allegedly by a man whose romantic advances she had spurned. The incident occurred in Veerapur Oni, in the 68th ward of the Hubballi-Dharwad City Corporation, represented by Neha Hiremaths father, Niranjan Hiremath. Anjali, 21, who worked at a canteen, lived with her two sisters at their grandmothers house. On Wednesday around 5.30 am, Girish knocked on the door of Anjali's house. When the door was opened he forced his way into the house. He wanted to marry Anjali and when she refused, he allegedly stabbed her in front of her family and fled from the spot. The incident provoked an angry protest, who demanded immediate arrest of the accused, strict action against him, and compensation for Anjali's impoverished family. Officials finally pacified the crowd and made arrangements for Anjalis last rites. Anjalis sister recounted the horrifying events before the reporters. He came into the house, declared his love for Anjali, and proposed marriage. Our grandmother asked him to involve his family. He called Anjali to come. As she too was not willing to accept his proposal he stabbed her in the stomach, Anjali's sister said. She added that the accused had been harassing Anjali over the phone and had previously threatened her. We had told this to the police. They had assured to look into it, she added. Anjalis father, who lives separately, said he had warned the accused to stay away from his daughter. Girish had promised to cease his advances. Niranjan Hiremath, corporator of the ward and father of the late Neha Hiremath, expressed his outrage. First, my own daughter was murdered. Now, another girl in my ward has faced the same fate. We need stringent measures against these criminals to prevent such tragedies, he demanded. He expressed unhappiness over the police officials. Hubli-Dharwad Central MLA Mahesh Tenginakai also voiced his dissatisfaction, criticizing the lack of preventive action following Neha's murder. The family of Anjali had approached the police. If strict action had been taken then, this incident would not have occurred, he stated. The murder of Neha Hiremath, the daughter of Congress corporator Niranjan Hiremath, by her former classmate on April 18, had already sparked widespread outrage and became a significant political issue during the parliamentary elections.

Fraudulent SIM Card Business Unearthed: Abdul Roshan Arrested with 40,000 Fake SIM Cards

Bangalore: T he Malappuram Cyber Crime Police has apprehended Abdul Roshan, a resident of Hubli, Karnataka, in connection with a fraudulent SIM card operation. During the arrest in Madikeri, Karnataka, authorities seized 40,000 counterfeit SIM cards and 180 mobile phones. Abdul Roshan's arrest followed an investigation conducted by Malappuram District Police Chief S. Sasidharan and Cyber Inspector I.C. Chitharanjan. The investigation was initiated after a cyber fraud case was reported involving a victim from Vengara, who suffered significant financial losses. The victim had engaged with a share market website advertised on Facebook, and cyber criminals, posing as customer care representatives, convinced the victim to deposit large sums of money into various accounts. However, the victim neither received any returns nor recovered the deposited funds. The cyber criminals managed to extort Rs 1.08 crores from the victim. Abdul Roshan is allegedly involved in a fraudulent SIM card business, operating through a network of mobile shop owners across the state. These shop owners obtain customers' fingerprints to activate counterfeit SIM cards, which are then sold to Roshan for Rs 50 each. Roshan subsequently provides these SIM cards to cyber criminals. This illicit activity not only violates individuals' privacy but also poses a serious threat to national security. The illegal SIM card trade has been linked to terrorist and anti-national activities in the past. In a previous incident, terrorists were found to have obtained SIM cards using counterfeit copies of innocent individuals' ID cards. In 2023, the Tamil Nadu Cyber Crime Police busted a cyber-crime gang in Coimbatore, seizing 22,735 SIM cards, along with laptops, desktop computers, mobile phones, SIM modem boxes, and ATM cards with chequebooks. The mastermind of this operation, Syed Raghib Khursheed, was arrested in New Delhi. Similarly, in June 2023, Assam police arrested Mustakin Ali and Ashraful Islam in Morigaon district, who were found in possession of 24,000 fake SIM cards obtained using fake IDs. In April 2024, Haryana police arrested 42 cyber criminals involved in fraud cases across the country. Among the accused were Deen Mohammad, Asif, Arif, Sarfaraz, Saqib, Ijaz, and Munajir. These cases underscore the existence of a vast network within the country, posing a significant national security risk. Terrorists could potentially access fraudulent SIM cards, implicating innocent individuals whose documents have been compromised without their knowledge or involvement. Kerala Nadwathul Mujahideen Opposes Reduction in Muslim Reservation Uttar Pradesh: Elderly Man Killed, Family Brutally Assaulted During Election Debate India Plans Massive Defense Sector Investment in Next Decade, says an International report

This Karnataka Museum Teaches People How To Use Solar Energy

The Sun Ray Solar Museum at Hubli was founded by solar scientist Mahesh Shivashimpiger and is the first of its kind in the world.

Looks like love jihad case, CM trying to protect culprits: Karnataka BJP chief on Hubli murder

Looks like love jihad case, CM trying to protect culprits: Karnataka BJP chief on Hubli murder The murder of Karnataka college student Neha Hiremath by her former classmate Fayaz has triggered a political row, with BJP terming it a case of 'love jihad', while the Congress party has denied the allegation. According to sources, BJP Karnataka is likely to hold protests across the state over the incident. Speaking on the case, that took place on the college campus Hubli-Dharawad, BJP President BY Vijayendra told ANI that prima facie it looks like a love jihad case. So rather than getting into the investigation, the CM is trying to protect the culprits. The present Congress government does not care about anything. Earlier when a blast took place in Mangalore, Deputy CM DK Shivakumar said it was a small stray incident and not a terrorist attack. Later when an investigation was carried out, many people were arrested. As far as the Hubballi- Dharwad incident is concerned, it is very unfortunate on the part of the CM. Instead of coming to the rescue of the family, he says the murder took place due to a personal vendetta. Women across the state are questioning the state government, he said. Further, the state BJP chief said that the Congress is talking about guarantees but there is no safety of women here in Karnataka. In the last three days, more than eight murders have happened in the state but there is no action. Even the state Home Minister is talking along the same lines. There is no doubt, Vijyendra added. Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah reacted to the situation and said that whichever murder happened was due to personal reasons. The law and order situation is very good in Karnataka, It is our duty to maintain law and order and we are doing it. Congress Corporator and father of the deceased, Niranjan Hiremath said, After my daughter' was returning from college, an unknown person came and stabbed her seven times and she died on the spot. The accused has already been arrested. The motive of the murder is that the victim rejected the accused's love proposal. We had a conversation with the accused before the incident took place where we explained to him that we are Hindu and you are Muslim, so we cannot allow you to get married. (ANI)

BJP leader Sumalatha Ambareesh expresses concern over murder of Congress corporator's daughter

BJP leader Sumalatha Ambareesh expresses concern over murder of Congress corporator's daughter Karnataka BJP leader and Mandya MP, Sumalatha Ambareesh, expressed her concern and sadness over the murder of the Karnataka Congress corporator's daughter in Hubbali. It's very unfortunate. Nobody can predict anything like this happening, but the very fact that these culprits are going unpunished is going to lead to more such incidents in the future. That's what is very, very worrisome, she told ANI on Friday. The victim, Neha Hiremath, daughter of Congress Corporator Niranjan Hiremath, succumbed to multiple stab wounds inflicted by Fayaz, a former friend and classmate who has since been arrested. The last rites of the twenty-four-year-old daughter of a Congress corporator, who was killed on the college campus in Hubbali, were performed by her parents on Friday. The Congress government in Karnataka is facing severe criticism for its handling of law and order in the state after the daughter of a Congress corporator was stabbed to death on a college campus in Hubbali. The state unit of the ABVP and the BJP protested the murder in Hubballi and Bengaluru on Friday and the issue is likely to flare up with the state going to the Lok Sabha Polls on April 26 and May 7. Hubballi-Dharwad Police Commissioner Renuka Sukumar informed that an FIR had been registered and the accused had been apprehended within an hour. The accused has been sent to judicial custody, she added. FIR has been registered in this case and the accused was also secured within an hour. He has been sent to judicial custody. It is a very serious case and we are investigating. In the course of the investigation, everything will come to light, the Hubballi-Dharwad Police Commissioner said. The Leader of the Opposition of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly, R Ashoka, on Friday, termed the Hubbali college campus murder as shameful and raised questions about the law and order situation in the state. The incident in Hubli is shameful. The daughter of a Congress corporator has been stabbed to death. Such an incident in the middle of elections raises questions about law and order, he said. Karnataka state BJP President BY Vijayendra took on the state government, accusing them of going slow on the case to appease a certain faction. In a horrific incident, a 24-year-old girl, daughter of a Congress corporator has been has been hacked to death in broad daylight by Fiyaz, reportedly for refusing his marriage proposal. Guarantee of Safety for Women has been pathetically absent since Congress came into power. Repeated incidents of crimes against women like assaults and murder raises concerns about the seriousness of the Siddaramaiah government in providing a safe environment for our sisters and daughters. Women have been highly vulnerable under this incapable government and have been living under extreme fear as Criminal elements have been on the rise and are operating without any fear of law and order, Vijayendra said. However, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said that the Hubballi campus murder occurred due to personal reasons. The CM added that the law and order situation in Karnataka is good and that they must maintain it. Whatever murder happened was due to personal reasons. The law and order situation is very good in Karnataka. It is our duty to maintain law and order and we are doing it, the CM said. Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar said the law will be applied to all. BJP is trying to threaten by showing that there is no law and order in Karnataka. Karnataka has the best law and order. They are just trying to tell the voters that they are going to put the governor's rule in the state. They cannot do it. The law will take its own course for everyone, Shivakumar said. Karnataka's Home Minister, G Parameshwar, denied the presence of a communal angle in the Hubballi campus murder case and dismissed the allegations of 'love jihad'. It appears there was mutual love between the two. However, when the girl started walking away, the boy stabbed her. I fail to see any evidence of love jihad here. It seems that he (the accused) believed she was going to marry someone else. I don't know all the details, he said. (ANI)