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 15,2025

Mangaluru, Dec 15: Air India Express has announced that it will resume direct flight services between Mangaluru and Muscat from March 2026, restoring an important international air link for passengers from the coastal region.

Airport authorities said the service will operate twice a week—on Sundays and Tuesdays—from March 1. The initial flights are scheduled on March 3, 8 and 10, followed by March 15 and 17, with the same operating pattern to continue thereafter. The flight duration is approximately three hours and 25 minutes.

The Mangaluru–Muscat route was earlier operated under the 2025 summer schedule, with services beginning on July 14. At that time, Air India Express had operated four flights a week before suspending the service.

Officials said the summer schedule will come into effect from March 29, after which changes in flight timings and departure schedules from Mangaluru are expected. Passengers have been advised to check the latest schedules while planning their travel.

The resumption of direct flights to Muscat is expected to significantly benefit expatriates, business travellers and others, further strengthening Mangaluru’s air connectivity with the Gulf region.

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News Network
December 15,2025

Mangaluru police have arrested a 27-year-old NRI on his return from Saudi Arabia in connection with an Instagram post allegedly containing derogatory and provocative remarks about the Hindu religion, officials said on Monday.

The accused, Abdul Khader Nehad, a resident of Ulaibettu in Mangaluru, was working in Saudi Arabia when the post was uploaded, police said.

A suo motu case was registered at the Bajpe police station on October 11 after an allegedly offensive post circulated from the Instagram account ‘team_sdpi_2025’. Police said the content was flagged for being provocative and derogatory in nature.

During the investigation, technical analysis traced the Instagram post to Nehad, who was residing abroad at the time, a senior police officer said. Based on these findings, a Look Out Circular (LOC) was issued against him.

On December 14, Nehad arrived from Saudi Arabia at Calicut International Airport in Kerala, where he was taken into custody on arrival. Police said further investigation is underway.

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News Network
December 15,2025

Udupi, Dec 15: What was meant to be a post-pilgrimage gathering turned tragic in Padukere village of Brahmavar taluk, Udupi district, late Sunday night, when a clash among youths escalated into a fatal assault, leaving one man dead.

The victim has been identified as 30-year-old Santosh Mogaveera, a resident of Padukere.

According to preliminary information, the incident took place during a late-night drinking party involving a group of local youths who had recently returned after completing their pilgrimage to the Sabarimala shrine. An argument reportedly broke out among the group and soon escalated into a violent confrontation.

During the ensuing brawl, Santosh Mogaveera was allegedly assaulted and collapsed at the spot after sustaining serious injuries. He was rushed by local residents to a private hospital in Brahmavar, where doctors declared him dead.

On receiving information, senior police officials, including Brahmavar Circle Inspector Gopikrishna, Kota Police Sub-Inspector Praveen Kumar T, Station ASI Manthesh Jabagoudar, and head constables Pradeep and Ashok, visited the spot and conducted an inspection.

Police have taken four youths into custody in connection with the incident. A case has been registered at the Kota police station, and further investigation is underway to ascertain the exact sequence of events leading to the death.

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