Hidden camera at women's toilet: M.Sc. student Santosh M arrested

[email protected] (CD Network)
September 14, 2016

Mangaluru, Sep 1: More than three weeks after a hidden was found inside a women's toilet on Mangalore University campus, the police have managed to arrest the main accused in the case.

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The arrested has been identified as Santosh M (22), a second year student of M.Sc. in Marine Geology.

Mangaluru City Police Commissioner M Chandra Sekhar on Wednesday told media persons that the accused has confessed to the crime.

He said that the accused had left the campus for nearly a week after a complaint was filed at the jurisdictional Konaje police station by Registrar K.M. Lokesh.

Mr. Sekhar said the accused returned to the campus thinking the police would take some time to get the forensics report in light of the trouble in Bengaluru over the Cauvery issue. “But we caught him off-guard as we went ahead with our investigation while waiting for the FSL report,” he said.

The accused has also admitted to purchasing the mobile phone and a power bank and installing them in the washroom. “It was nothing but an act of a perverted mind,” Mr. Sekhar said.

82 suspects quizzed

The top cop said that it was the particular dressing gait of the accused that came in handy in zeroing in on him, after quizzing 82 suspects during the course of investigation.

He was usually wearing the shirt with his vest visible (unbuttoning the first button in the top order). He also turned out to be the same masked man (in particular dressing style) who was actually captured on the same cell phone camera, while keeping the device in the toilet.”

Above all, it was the meticulous groundwork of a posse of policemen led by Shivaprasad K attached to jurisdictional Konaje police station that helped in cracking the case.?Apart from gathering the information, the team was also involved in accessing the closed circuit TV footages, matching the available details.

Mr Sekhar said, it was a second hand phone that had changed several hands before reaching the hands of the accused. He had bought the phone and power bank from different shops in a same commercial complex in the city just two weeks before the incident.

Though the camera was found on August 24, a case was registered in the Konaje police station only on September 1 after the news went viral on social media.

A girl student had noticed the hidden camera in the roof of the toilet on August 24. She immediately informed Bioscience Department faculty Dr Tharavathy N?C, who in turn brought the matter to the notice of Vice Chancellor Prof K?Byrappa. The VC asked Registrar Lokesh K?M to look into the matter.

Prof Lokesh had referred the matter to Sparsh,' a committee in the university that looks into issues related to girl students. The committee headed by Dr Musteri Begaum had reportedly submitted a report to the VC's office on August 28. However, the VC had been to Delhi to attend a meeting on August 28. By the time he returned on August 31, the news had spread.

As the camera phone was on' when it was noticed by the student, it is suspected that the person might have placed it there just a few hours ago. It is also said that the phone was concealed in a paper and was painted so that it is not easily noticed. There was no sim in the phone.

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Comments

Abu Muhammad
 - 
Thursday, 15 Sep 2016

He is a Brahmin n ABVP sex pervert, may be supplying such clips to elderly cheddis. See notorious Coastal Kannada daily indirectly supporting Santosh in its news coverage. Cheddi nexus compromises their own sisters' and daughters' honour.

Satyameva Jayate
 - 
Thursday, 15 Sep 2016

viren.....credible sources.......means ABVP pillas or Saffron Goonys....???

Satyameva Jayate
 - 
Thursday, 15 Sep 2016

Viren.....Ha Ha...
Good you dint say the guy is incharge of toilet sensus....kept the mobile to see how many girls enter the toilet each day.....ha ha....

Sameer
 - 
Thursday, 15 Sep 2016

Viren Kotian.....hahahaha you are really funny joker!!! You have proved it!!!

S Ahamed
 - 
Wednesday, 14 Sep 2016

He must have been misguided, at this level of higher education he must feel shame to do such a bad act...he admitted that himself placed phone....well Viren kotian seems to be still in coma though our police department spend lot of effort and time with forensic report he claims to hav info on real culprit.....uff please wake up Viren,

Rakesh
 - 
Wednesday, 14 Sep 2016

Viren koti father also involved in keeping cam ..please investigate again .. before commenting have some sense idiot

lijoe
 - 
Wednesday, 14 Sep 2016

i am new to Coastal digest, but i am surprised,at the comment by Mr. kotian. If this has any base please provide evidence to the police, the Law will take required action, we are at the service of people after all.

Haneef
 - 
Wednesday, 14 Sep 2016

Sadly this is what happen if they train only for catching cows and not trained to be a good human being with moral and cultural values.
May be he is a expert cow catcher.
# Viren Kotian, dont waste time going behind fake theories.. Better get a medical certificate which shows he is mental patient. WHich may help him to come out fast as they usually do in other cases.

abdul raheem
 - 
Wednesday, 14 Sep 2016

CD PLEASE DONT POST VIREN'S COMMENTS.I THINK HE IS NOT WELL.HE IS ......

Syed
 - 
Wednesday, 14 Sep 2016

CD must inform the contact details of Viren Kotian, Udupi to investigating agencies to find out the real culprit. CD will you do this?.

Satyameva jayate
 - 
Wednesday, 14 Sep 2016

Viren naren and ABVP will protest to release the culprit and return the phone...ha ha......also abvp pilla?

observer
 - 
Wednesday, 14 Sep 2016

Viren Kotian deadly desperate. I like it. Hahah

TRUE INDIAN
 - 
Wednesday, 14 Sep 2016

Viren proved that he is 10 Paisa Kammi

Abbu Beary
 - 
Wednesday, 14 Sep 2016

It seems Viren is unhappy about the arrest of a sadist. Why? The arrested is an ABVP activist???

Viren Kotian
 - 
Wednesday, 14 Sep 2016

I have got information from credible sources that a love jihadist stole mobile from a Hindu boy and placed it in toilet. Police must release this innocent boy and arrest the real culprit.

SHABEER AHAMMED
 - 
Wednesday, 14 Sep 2016

Let him try same in his own home. let see how he will feel..

Chakrapani
 - 
Wednesday, 14 Sep 2016

His name should be changed as 'Vighna Santosh'.

Fahmi
 - 
Wednesday, 14 Sep 2016

This incident has proved that moral education ins must for students even at post graduation level.

Jithendra
 - 
Wednesday, 14 Sep 2016

Shocking. But, he is misguided student. The society spoils innocent youths. University should morally educate students.

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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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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 2,2025

Mangaluru, Dec 2: Mangaluru International Airport responded to a medical emergency late on Monday night. Air India Express flight IX 522, travelling from Riyadh to Thiruvananthapuram, was diverted to Mangaluru Airport after a passenger in his late 30s experienced a medical emergency on board.

The Airport’s Operations Control Centre received an alert regarding the passenger’s health condition. The airport activated its emergency response protocol, mobilising the airport medical team and coordinating with stakeholders including CISF, immigration, and customs. 

Upon landing, airport medical personnel attended to the passenger, assessed his condition, and arranged to shift him to a local tertiary-care hospital for further treatment. The passenger’s relatives accompanied the passenger, who incidentally received necessary medical care on board, which helped stabilise the situation.

Following the handling of the emergency, the flight departed for Thiruvananthapuram at 2:05 am on Tuesday.

"We appreciate the cooperation of all parties involved, and this incident reaffirms our ongoing commitment to prioritising passenger safety and readiness to respond to unforeseen emergencies with professionalism and care," the Airport spokesperson said. 

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