‘Arrange ammunition to kill Gauri,’ Naveen’s statement indicts Praveen

DHNS
June 8, 2018

Bengaluru, Jun 8: KT Naveen Kumar, the first arrested in the Gauri Lankesh murder case, has said the second accused Praveen had approached him to help kill her.

Naveen said in his statement, a copy of which is available with DH, that he attended a religious seminar in Ponda in Goa, where he spoke about protecting Hinduism with arms. Everyone appreciated his views, the accused said.

He also told one of the organisers that he had guns and bullets to fight for the cause and the organiser responded saying there were people with similar mindset who would call him soon.

Two days later, 37-year-old Sujeet Kumar alias Praveen alias Manjunath alias Sujeet S R, also arrested for Gauri murder case and conspiracy to kill Kannada writer KS Bhagawan, called him from a coin booth and the duo met in Maddur near Mandya.

The same month, Praveen approached Naveen asking for guns and ammos to protect the Hindu religion. Naveen said he had only 18 bullets. Praveen tested a couple of them and asked Naveen to arrange gun and bullets.

Police said both Praveen and Naveen met at Adichunchanagiri Mutt in Vijayanagar in Bengaluru on August 19 and 20 at a spiritual event and went to the BBMP park in the evening.

Praveen informed his companion that the bullets he took from him were not working. He said his boys were ready to kill Gauri Lankesh for her anti-Hindu stand and asked him to arrange the ammo.

“I know it’s illegal, but since even I was against (Gauri’s) anti-Hindu stand and decided to help them,” Naveen said in his statement.

“I went to Kollegala and Ooty but could not get bullets. Since Praveen was not using a mobile phone, I could not communicate this to him. I went to Mangaluru following an invite on September 5, the day Gauri was murdered. I saw the (news of Gauri’s murder) on television,” he added.

In October, when the duo met again in Maddur, Naveen asked him about Gauri Lankesh, to which Praveen replied saying that the task was complete “as we had planned.”  He also asked Naveen to keep silent.

On November 7, 2017, Naveen was invited to Belagavi, where he was introduced to Amol Kale alias Bhaisab alias Sanjay Bhansare, 37, from Pune; Amit Degwekar alias Amit alias Pradeep Mahajan, 38, from Ponda in Goa; and, Manohar Edave alias Manoj, 28, from Vijayapura in Karnataka (all arrested in the Gauri murder case and conspiracy to kill Kannada writer K S Bhagwan).

When Praveen asked the cost of a gun and 50 bullets, Naveen said it could cost between Rs 1,75,000 to Rs 2 lakh and the bullets Rs 40,000. He also said they had decided to eliminate Bhagwan and asked Naveen to watch his house and his movements.

Later, all four of them were in Maddur on January 13, where they asked him about Bhagwan, the gun and bullets.

“I asked them to give me some time,” Naveen said in the confession statement.

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News Network
December 19,2025

Mangaluru: Public transport in Mangaluru is set for a state-led transformation as the government moves to deploy 100 new electric govt buses to replace unreliable private services. The initiative aims to provide a dependable alternative to private operators who have been frequently "cutting trips," leaving thousands of commuters stranded.

The announcement was made by Deputy Commissioner and MCC Administrator Darshan HV during a public phone-in session. The move specifically targets routes where private bus service has become erratic, ensuring that citizens no longer have to rely on a fluctuating private sector for their daily commute.

Restoring the Govt Presence

The transport crisis was brought to the forefront by Ramayya, a resident of Bajal, who highlighted a growing trend of private buses skipping morning and night trips. With the previous KSRTC (govt) services discontinued, residents have been left without a fallback option.

To fix this, the DC confirmed that the PM-eBus Sewa Scheme will bring 100 government-owned electric buses to the city:

•    Phased Deployment: The first 50 of the new 100 government buses are scheduled to arrive by March 2026.

•    State Infrastructure: Two new government depots, including one at Mudipu, are being prepared for operations.

•    Recruitment: The state has already begun training a new batch of government bus drivers to ensure the fleet is operational the moment it arrives.

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News Network
December 17,2025

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Melkar, Dec 17: The 17th Annual Day and Graduation Ceremony of Melkar Women’s PU and Degree College, themed “Fusion-2K25,” was celebrated with dignity and enthusiasm, marking a significant milestone in the institution’s academic journey. The programme reflected the college’s steadfast commitment to academic excellence, character building, and the holistic development of students.

The event was inaugurated by Mr. Asif Mohammed, whose presence greatly enriched the occasion. The celebration was further graced by the chief guests Mr. P. B. Ahmed Mudassir and Mr. Nissar Fakeer Mohammed, along with the distinguished guests of honour Mr. B. A. Nazeer and Mr. Ibrahim Gadiyar. In their inspiring addresses, the guests encouraged the graduating students and appreciated the dedicated efforts of the management, faculty, and students.

The annual report was presented by the Principal, Mr. Abdul Majeed S, highlighting the institution’s academic progress, notable achievements, and extracurricular accomplishments during the academic year.

The presidential address was delivered by the esteemed Chairman of Melkar Women’s PU and Degree College, Dr. Haji S. M. Rasheed, who emphasized the vital role of education in empowering women and shaping responsible citizens. He also stressed the importance of discipline, dedication, and perseverance in achieving success.

Cultural programmes and academic recognitions formed an integral part of the celebration, showcasing the talents and achievements of the students. The graduation ceremony was a proud moment for the outgoing students as they were formally conferred degrees and wished success in their future endeavours.

Ms. Mashmooma Fathima served as the Master of Ceremonies. The welcome address was delivered by Ms. Fathima Nida, and the programme concluded with a vote of thanks proposed by Ms. Ayisha Suhana.

The event successfully achieved its objectives and was highly appreciated by the guests and attendees.

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News Network
December 16,2025

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Melkar (Bantwal): The 9th Annual Day celebration of SMR Public School, titled “EXCELLENTIA”, was held on December 15 with great enthusiasm and dignity, marking a significant milestone in the institution’s journey towards academic excellence and holistic development.

The programme was inaugurated by Dr. U. T. Iftikar Ali. The chief guests were Dr. Akhtar Hussain, Mr. P. Moosabba Beary, Mr. Zakaria Jokattre, and Dr. T. M. Abdul Rahuf—whose inspiring addresses motivated the students and appreciated the school’s contributions to education.

Mr. Abdul Nasir, Mr. Ibrahim Gadiyar, Mr. Razak Golthamajal, Mr. Sali Koya, Mr. Arshad Hussain, Mr. Ismail Balanoor, Mr. Feroz Bawa, Mr. Sahul Hameed, Mr. Abubakkar, Mr. Hameed K. Mani, Mr. Abdul Majeed (Principal, Melkar Women’s College), and Mr. Abdul Lathief (Former Principal, Melkar Women’s College) were the guests of honour.

The Annual Report was presented by the Headmistress, Ms. Fathimathul Zaheera, highlighting the school’s achievements and progress during the academic year. The Presidential Address was delivered by the Chairman of SMR Public School, Dr. Haji S. M. Rasheed, who emphasised the vital role of education in shaping students’ futures and stressed the importance of discipline, dedication, and consistent effort in achieving 100 per cent academic results.

Secretary of SMR Public School, Mr. Rifath Ahmed, and PTA President, Mr. Sandeep Kumar, were also present on the occasion.

The Annual Day celebration showcased the collective efforts of students and teachers and reaffirmed the school’s commitment to quality education and all-round development. The programme concluded with a vote of thanks, expressing gratitude to all dignitaries, parents, and well-wishers for their support. The 9th Annual Day—EXCELLENTIA—was a memorable and successful event, leaving a lasting impression on everyone present. 

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