Sorry Pranita... The gut-wrenching truth behind Gokarna selfie death'!

[email protected] (Coasaldigest.com News Network)
June 3, 2016

Mangaluru, Jun 3: Contrary to media reports that the death of a law student at a beach in Uttara Kannada district last weekend was the result of her selfie craze', the eye witnesses and friends of the 21-year-old victim claimed that she was washed away by high tides while sitting on a boulder.

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Pranita Mehta from Jodhpur National Law University, holidaying with a group of friends at Gokarna drowned in Arabian Sea on May 29. Various news reports had claimed that she slipped and fell to her death while trying to take the “perfect selfie” from the top of a light house. Based on the localites' version, Coastaldigest.com report also had claimed that she lost her balance and slipped into sea from a boulder while taking selife.

However, the friends of Pranita, who were hurt by the media reports, on Friday contacted Coastaldigest.com to give the correct version of the incident.

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Kruti Venkatesh, a law student from the same university and also a close friend of Pranita, said that the latter was sitting on rocks when she was swept away by high tide unexpectedly. “She was not taking selfie. It was absolutely false report,” she said.

It is learnt that the girl was trying to fight for her life for almost half an hour. According her friends, Pranita held on to a rock and tried to swim to the shore braving the high tide, but unfortunately she was carried away deep into sea.

“Everyone created the selfie' version. None of the news reports brought to light the fact that she was struggling in the water for almost 30 minutes after being taken in by a wave,” said another friend of the victim.

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The first information report filed by the local police states that Pranita was one the five persons who visited Gokarna. From there, they went to the lighthouse on Belekan beach, where they sat on some rocks near the sea. A strong wave suddenly came and carried Pranita into the water. The friends tried to save her but in vain.

Though her friends asked local fishermen for help, it was too late. They could only pull out her body from the swirling sea waters. Gokarna was the third stop for Pranita and her friends from Rajasthan who also visited Mumbai and Goa.

Coastaldigest.com apologises for the hurt caused to the girl's family and friends by the report, which quoted the local residents instead of eye-witnesses of the incident.

Comments

Meghna
 - 
Saturday, 4 Jun 2016

Thank you for the truth! #forPranita always always always. We love you.

Arjun
 - 
Friday, 3 Jun 2016

Really sad to hear this, red this story few days back and thought that crazy girl. sorry for everything.

Janaki
 - 
Friday, 3 Jun 2016

Punsa! This one's for you. The batch of 2017 will never stop loving. #forPranita always.

Bhavana
 - 
Friday, 3 Jun 2016

Thank you CD for apologising and correcting your version. It means a lot to her friends and family.

Priyanka
 - 
Friday, 3 Jun 2016

Really Shocking!! bad luck its all about the game of god, for half an hour she was struggling and what coast guards are doing?

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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
November 30,2025

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Udupi: The pontiffs of Sri Paryaya Puttige Mutt, the sacred seat of Jagadguru Shrimad Madhvacharya Moola Samsthanam, have submitted a proposal to the Prime Minister seeking comprehensive development for Udupi district. 

Proposal for International Airport

A key request is the establishment of an international airport. Highlighting that around 1,000 acres of land are available and suitable, the pontiffs noted that the existing Mangalore Airport provides limited international connectivity. They suggested the airport be developed under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) or as a Greenfield Airport to boost trade, education, healthcare, and spiritual tourism.

Metro and Rapid Transit Connectivity

The proposal also calls for Metro Rail or Rapid Transit between Mangaluru and Udupi. The 55 km coastal stretch experiences heavy daily commuter traffic, causing congestion. The district administration is ready to prepare an initial project report for a Mass Rapid Transit corridor and requested inclusion under national urban mobility programmes to ensure safe, green, and time-efficient regional transport.

Port and Coastal Development

The pontiffs urged the development of an international-standard port with a cruise terminal along Udupi’s coast. They also requested fast-tracking of pending coastal tourism projects and revising Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) norms to encourage sustainable infrastructure and hospitality investment.

IT, AI and Technological Infrastructure

Support was sought for an IT and AI Innovation Park with incubation facilities under Digital India and Startup India initiatives. The proposal also emphasized the need for strengthened data security and cloud computing infrastructure to boost India’s technological independence.

Sports and Education Initiatives

The pontiffs requested national sports status for Kambala, along with financial and infrastructure support. They also sought the establishment of an AIIMS in Udupi, a new IIT campus, and approval for an IIM to promote higher education in the district.

Representation to the Prime Minister

Sri Sugunendra Tirtha Pontiff and Sri Sushrendra Tirtha Swamiji represented the pontiffs in submitting the comprehensive development proposal to the Prime Minister during his recent visit.

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News Network
December 1,2025

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Udupi, Dec 1: A horrific case of alleged rape has unfolded in Udupi, where a worker from a Hindutva organisation, previously arrested and released on bail for harassing a young woman, is now accused of waylaying and sexually assaulting her.

The arrested individual has been identified as Pradeep Poojary (26), a member of the Hindu Jagarana Vedike's Nairkode unit in Perdur.

Poojary had allegedly been relentlessly harassing the young woman, pressuring her to marry him. When she bravely stood up to him and refused his demands, she filed a formal complaint at the Hiriyadka police station. He was subsequently arrested in that initial harassment case but was later granted bail.

According to police reports, driven by the same malicious grudge, Poojary allegedly intercepted the woman again on November 29. While she was walking through a deserted area, the accused is claimed to have threatened her by grabbing her neck. When she again refused to marry him, he allegedly proceeded to rape her.

The survivor immediately informed her family about the traumatic assault. Following this, her parents lodged a complaint at the Udupi women’s police station.

Police arrested Poojary again and produced him before the court. He has since been remanded to judicial custody.

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