Dr Ravikanthe Gowda assumes charge as DK SP, vows to curb criminal, communal elements

coastaldigest.com news network
January 29, 2018

Mangaluru, Jan 29: A week after he was posted as the Superintend of Police of Dakshina Kannada , 50-year-old ‘encounter specialist’ Dr Ravikanthe Gowda on Monday assumed the charge with a promise to handle the situation in the sensitive district which witnessed several communal clashes and killings in recent years.

Dr Gowda, who was serving as the SP of Belagavi, had handed over charge to outgoing DK SP Sudheer Kumar Reddy last Tuesday. After receiving guard of honour, today Dr Gowda took over the charge from Additional SP V J Sajeeth.

Speaking on the occasion, he said that his utmost priority will be people-friendly policing and maintaining law and order in the district, which is known for its rich cultures and traditions.

He expressed confidence of creating a good and healthy relationship between the common men and the policemen with the help of his subordinates and higher authorities. “For some reasons, DK is known as sensitive district, but I have enough experience and guidance of seniors to tackle the situation," he said.

Dr Gowda also warned those who have a penchant for posting provocative and abusive messages on social media. “One can utilize social media for healthy discussions. But, if people misuse social media platforms to spread hatred and disrupt peace they will face legal action,” he said.

The multi-talented cop

A native of Mandya, Dr Gowda is the son of well-known short-story writer Besagarahalli Ramanna. Though he became famous as an ‘encounter specialist’ after eliminating three rowdies when he was serving as DCP in Bengaluru, Dr Gowda is also a poet and singer who has a keen interest in Hindustani music. He also holds a doctorate in Kannada literature.

The 50-year-old is well known for his tactful handling and fearlessness in the police fraternity. He believes in being ruthless towards communal forces and underworld elements. His success in thwarting simmering communal tensions and the guts he showed in raiding the treacherous hooch dens in Hubli-Dharwad, has earned him the sobriquet `Mandyada Huli’. Gowda also nabbed underworld don Sudhir Prabhu in Mysuru.

He began his career in policing as a KSPS officer of 1997 batch and became an IPS officer in 2005. His first posting was as DySP of Nanjangud in 1999, after which he went on to become DCP of Hubballi-Dharwad, DCP (crime) in Bengaluru, DCP (law and order), Mysuru, DCP of north east Bengaluru, DCP of central Bengaluru city, and SP of Belagavi.

Comments

Ibrahim
 - 
Monday, 29 Jan 2018

First and foremost thing cop has to do is control media. They are so negative and communal

Rahul
 - 
Monday, 29 Jan 2018

I heard he is an poet and singer. Cool cop. All the best

Mohan
 - 
Monday, 29 Jan 2018

encounter specialist, strict police is better to maintain peace in city. Hope new sp can maintain peace in Mangaluru

Kumar
 - 
Monday, 29 Jan 2018

The tiltle "encounter specialist" giving hope.

Yogesh
 - 
Monday, 29 Jan 2018

Hope new SP will encounter all muslim goons soon

Hari
 - 
Monday, 29 Jan 2018

Congrats sir. All the very best

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News Network
December 19,2025

Mangaluru: In a decisive move to tackle the city’s deteriorating sanitation infrastructure, the Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) has announced a massive ₹1,200 crore action plan to overhaul its underground drainage (UGD) network.

The initiative, spearheaded by Deputy Commissioner and MCC Administrator Darshan HV, aims to bridge "missing links" in the current system that have left residents grappling with overflowing sewage and environmental hazards.

The Breaking Point

The announcement follows a high-intensity phone-in session on Thursday, where the DC was flooded with grievances from frustrated citizens. Residents, including Savithri from Yekkur, described a harrowing reality: raw sewage from apartments leaking into stormwater drains, creating a "permanent stink" and turning residential zones into mosquito breeding grounds.

"We are facing immense difficulties due to the stench and the health risks. Local officials have remained silent until now," one resident reported during the session.

The Strategy: A Six-Year Vision

DC Darshan HV confirmed that the proposed plan is not a temporary patch but a comprehensive six-year roadmap designed to accommodate Mangaluru’s projected population growth. Key highlights of the plan include:

•    Infrastructure Expansion: Laying additional pipelines to connect older neighborhoods to the main grid.

•    STP Crackdown: Stricter enforcement of Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) regulations. While new apartments are required to have functional STPs, many older buildings lack them entirely, and several newer units are reportedly non-functional.

•    Budgetary Push: The plan has already been discussed with the district in-charge minister and the Secretary of the Urban Development Department. It is slated for formal presentation in the upcoming state budget.

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News Network
December 7,2025

Mangaluru, Dec 7: A 34-year-old fruit and vegetable trader in Mangaluru has reportedly lost ₹33.1 lakh after falling victim to an online investment scam run through a fake mobile app.

Police said the scam began in September, when the victim received a link on Facebook. Clicking it connected him to a WhatsApp number, where an unidentified person introduced a high-return investment scheme and instructed him to download an app.

To build trust, the fraudster asked him to invest ₹30,000 on September 24. The trader soon received ₹34,000 as “profit,” convincing him the scheme was genuine. Over the next two months, he transferred money in multiple instalments via Google Pay and IMPS to different scanner codes and bank accounts shared by the scammers. Between September 24 and December 3, he ended up sending a total of ₹33.1 lakh.

When he later requested a refund of his investment and promised returns, the scammers demanded additional payments, claiming he needed to pay a “service tax” first. Even after he paid a small amount, no money was returned, and the scammers continued pressuring him for more.

A case has been registered at the CEN Crime Police Station.

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News Network
December 20,2025

Mangaluru, Dec 20: The Mangaluru City Police have issued a detailed traffic advisory ahead of the inaugural ceremony of Karavali Utsava, which will be held at the Karavali Utsava Ground on Saturday.

The festival will be inaugurated at 6:00 pm by Dakshina Kannada District Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao. Cultural and public programmes will be held at the venue every evening and will continue until January 2.

According to City Police Commissioner Sudheer Kumar Reddy, parking of vehicles is strictly prohibited on both sides of the road from Lalbagh to Karavali Utsava Ground. Visitors are requested to park their vehicles only at designated parking areas.

To help the public, traffic signboards and parking guidance flex boards have been installed along the routes leading to the venue. The police have urged commuters and visitors to follow these instructions to ensure smooth traffic movement.

Designated Parking Locations

•    Urwa Market Ground – Cars
•    Gandhinagar Government School (near Press Club) – Two-wheelers and cars
•    Ladyhill Church parking area – Two-wheelers and cars
•    Canara School Ground, Mannagudda – Two-wheelers and cars
•    Thimmappa Hotel premises – Two-wheelers and cars
•    Scout and Guide Bhavana premises (behind Karavali Utsava Grounds) – Two-wheelers
•    Urwa Market Road – Two-wheelers
•    Hat Hill Road – Two-wheelers

The police have appealed to the public to cooperate by following traffic rules and parking guidelines to avoid inconvenience during the festival.

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