After BJP’s complaint Election Commission forces govt to transfer Hassan DC Akram Pasha

News Network
March 31, 2019

Bengaluru, Mar 31: The Election Commission has sprung into action in Hassan and Mandya districts, where JD(S) supremo H D Deve Gowda’s grandsons Prajwal and Nikhil, respectively, are making their electoral debut.

On Saturday, Hassan deputy commissioner Akram Pasha was shunted out close on the heels of Hassan BJP legislator Preetham Gowda complaining against him with the Election Commission. Gowda had charged that Pasha had a good number of relatives and contacts with political leaders in Hassan district, preventing a free and fair election. 

Pasha, who had taken charge only a month ago, has been replaced with IAS officer Priyanka Mary Francis.

The JD(S) has fielded Prajwal, son of Public Works Minister H D Revanna. He is taking on BJP’s A Manju.

Mandya DC to face probe

In Mandya, Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Sanjiv Kumar said allegations that deputy commissioner N Manjushri had taken a “one-sided” decision in clearing the nomination papers filed by Nikhil would be inquired into.

Independent candidate Sumalatha, who is supported by the BJP, had complained that Nikhil’s nomination papers were not in order. Her election agent had pointed out that his papers did not have Form No 26 (affidavit), Column 7, 7A and 8. Manjushri cleared his papers on the grounds that the Representation of the People Act allowed candidates to file the remaining affidavits during scrutiny.

“We have noted the concerns being raised (about one-sided action) and we will have an inquiry,” Kumar said during his visit to Mandya in light of the confusion surrounding Nikhil’s nomination papers.

Kumar also pointed out that once the returning officer accepted the nomination after scrutiny, the legal remedy could be sought only in court. “But we will look at whether or not there were any administrative lapses,” he added.

Nikhil, son of Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy, is the JD(S) candidate against Sumalatha, the wife of late actor-turned-politician Ambareesh, who is contesting as an independent after the Congress denied her the ticket.

Sumalatha has complained that the state government was misusing official machinery to her disadvantage. Earlier in the week, the BJP petitioned the EC seeking the transfer of over a dozen “biased” officers across the state.

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News Network
December 2,2025

DKSsiddu.jpg

Bengaluru: 'Nati koli saaru' (country chicken curry) considered one of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s favourites along with steaming hot idlis was on the breakfast menu at Deputy CM D K Shivakumar’s residence on Tuesday, according to official sources.

The spread also included 'nati koli' fry, vada and pongal, among other items, they said.

In an apparent show of unity, Siddaramaiah visited Shivakumar’s residence for breakfast, just days after the two leaders shared a meal amid a simmering power tussle in the state Congress.

Siddaramaiah drove to the Deputy CM’s residence in Sadashivanagar, where he was received by Shivakumar and his brother D K Suresh, who is a former Congress MP.

Suresh and Kunigal MLA H D Ranganath, a relative of Shivakumar, joined them for breakfast, which featured a mix of vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes.

Speaking to reporters later, Siddaramaiah said Shivakumar had invited him during his visit to the CM’s residence for breakfast on Saturday.

Asked about the difference between the two meals, the chief minister said, "At his (Shivakumar’s) house it was non-veg, while at my house it was veg. He is a vegetarian, I am a non-vegetarian. I had not prepared non-veg. I told DK to get chicken from the village as you won’t get the original in Bengaluru."

Shivakumar said he had initially invited Siddaramaiah to his residence, but the CM had suggested visiting his place first and reciprocating later. "It was a vegetarian breakfast at the CM’s house on Saturday," he noted.

"Today, I invited him (the CM) to my house. He enjoyed the breakfast, which had his Mysuru taste," Shivakumar added. At this point, Siddaramaiah remarked that Shivakumar’s wife is also from Mysuru.

Saturday’s breakfast at Siddaramaiah’s official residence, held as part of efforts by the Congress high command to ease tensions in the leadership dispute between the two, reportedly included idlis and sambar, according to official sources.

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News Network
December 4,2025

Udupi: A 40-year-old NRI from Udupi has reportedly lost more than Rs 12.25 lakh in an online investment scam operated through Telegram.

According to a complaint filed at the CEN police station, Leo Jerome Mendonsa, who has been working in Dubai for the past 15 years in computer accessories sales, maintains NRI accounts in Karkala and Nitte.

On November 12, 2025, Mendonsa was added to a Telegram group called Instaflow Earnings by unknown individuals. Users identified as Priya and Dipannita persuaded him to invest in “Revenue Tasks.” Initially, Mendonsa transferred Rs 1,100 multiple times and received the promised returns, encouraging him to continue.

On November 14, another user, Nishmitha Shetty, directed him to register on a website, digitvisionuoce.cc, and invest Rs 4 lakh in various shares. Over the next few days, he made multiple transfers totaling Rs 12,25,000, including Rs 50,000 via Google Pay, believing the scheme was legitimate.

After receiving the money, the alleged handlers stopped responding, and neither the invested amount nor the promised profits were returned.

The CEN police have registered a case under Sections 66(C) and 66(D) of the IT Act and Section 318(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), and investigations are ongoing.

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News Network
December 4,2025

Mangaluru: Chaos erupted at Mangaluru International Airport (MIA) after IndiGo flight 6E 5150, bound for Mumbai, was repeatedly delayed and ultimately cancelled, leaving around 100 passengers stranded overnight. The incident highlights the ongoing country-wide operational disruptions affecting the airline, largely due to the implementation of new Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) norms for crew.

The flight was initially scheduled for 9:25 PM on Tuesday but was first postponed to 11:40 PM, then midnight, before being cancelled around 3:00 AM. Passengers expressed frustration over last-minute communication and the lack of clarity, with elderly and ailing travellers particularly affected. “Though the airline arranged food, there was no proper communication, leaving us confused,” said one family member.

An IndiGo executive at MIA cited the FDTL rules, designed to prevent pilot fatigue by limiting crew working hours, as the cause of the cancellation. While alternative arrangements, including hotel stays, were offered, about 100 passengers chose to remain at the airport, creating tension. A replacement flight was arranged but also faced delays due to the same constraints, finally departing for Mumbai around 1:45 PM on Wednesday. Passengers either flew, requested refunds, or postponed their travel.

The Mangaluru delay is part of a broader crisis for IndiGo. The airline has been forced to make “calibrated schedule adjustments”—a euphemism for widespread cancellations and delays—after stricter FDTL norms came into effect on November 1.

While an IndiGo spokesperson acknowledged unavoidable flight disruptions due to technology issues, operational requirements, and the updated crew rostering rules, the DGCA has intervened, summoning senior airline officials to explain the chaos and outline corrective measures.

The ripple effect has been felt across the country, with major hubs like Bengaluru and Mumbai reporting numerous cancellations. The Mangaluru incident underscores the systemic operational strain currently confronting India’s largest carrier, leaving passengers nationwide grappling with uncertainty and delays.

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