How media tried to drag UTK’s name into Deepak Rao murder case using an unrelated photo

coastaldigest.com news network
January 5, 2018

Everybody knows that social media platforms are notorious for baseless rumours and fake news. But, in a bizarre development, the mainstream media in Karnataka has apparently tried to drag a minister’s name to a murder case by using an old and unrelated photo.

Deepak Rao, a resident of Katipalla in Mangaluru taluk was hacked to death by a gang of notorious criminals on January 3 in his hometown. Police have arrested six persons in connection with the murder including Pinki Navaz, who is said to be an activist of the Minority Morcha of Bharatiya Janata Party. 

The BJP is holding PFI, SDPI and ruling Congress government of Karnataka responsible for the murder whereas Congress leader suspecting BJP’s hand behind the murder. The Congress leaders are claiming that murder of a Hindu youth by miscreants belonging to Muslim community will politically help BJP in the elections.

Meanwhile, the social media wing of the saffron party started spreading an old photo in which Food and Civil Supplies Minister U T Khader can be seen having food. The photo was taken a few months ago when Mr Khader had attended a wedding in his constituency on the request of localites when he was passing through that way. In the same photo Ilyas, a member of infamous Target Gang, also seen having food along with Mr Khader. Ilyas is said to be an associate of Pinki Navaz. While circulating the photo, the BJP activists claimed that Mr Khader has links with Pinki Navaz. Interestingly, a few television channels and newspapers too published the same photo. 

Reacting to the allegations made against him, Mr Khader said that in the past too, the miscreants had tried to malign him using the same photo. “My opponents also know that I do not support any criminals. But, some miscreants often try to malign me for political gains,” he said.

Comments

Viren Kotian
 - 
Friday, 5 Jan 2018

This is called putkosi journalism. Why CD team gets hurt if other media publish report against UTK with proof? There should be a limit for bias

Ismail
 - 
Friday, 5 Jan 2018

If you read the various statements of his opponents, it is clear that this was a part of their political strategy.

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News Network
December 7,2025

SHRIMP.jpg

Mangaluru, Dec 7: A rare bamboo shrimp has been rediscovered on mainland India more than 70 years after it was last reported, confirming for the first time the presence of Atyopsis spinipes in the country. The find was made by researchers from the Centre for Climate Change Studies at Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai, during surveys in Karnataka and Odisha.

The team — shrimp expert Dr S Prakash, PhD scholar K Kunjulakshmi, and Mangaluru-based researcher Maclean Antony Santos — combined field surveys, ecological assessments and DNA analysis to identify the elusive species. Their findings, published in Zootaxa, resolve decades of taxonomic confusion stemming from a 1951 report that misidentified the species as Atyopsis moluccensis without strong evidence.

The shrimp has now been confirmed at two locations: the Mulki–Pavanje estuary near Mangaluru and the Kuakhai River in Bhubaneswar. Historical specimens from the Andaman Islands, previously labelled as A. moluccensis, were also found to be misidentified and actually belong to A. spinipes.

The rediscovery began after an aquarium hobbyist in Odisha spotted a shrimp in 2022, prompting systematic surveys across Udupi, Karwar and Mangaluru. Four female specimens were collected in Mulki and one in Odisha, all genetically matching.

Researchers warn the species may exist in very small, vulnerable populations as freshwater habitats face increasing pressure from pollution, sand mining and infrastructure development. All verified specimens have been deposited with the Zoological Survey of India for future reference.

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News Network
December 19,2025

Mangaluru: The Mangaluru CEN police have arrested a 23-year-old man for allegedly posting provocative and misleading content on an Instagram page named “mr_a_titude”, targeting the Bajpe police.

Mangaluru Commissioner of Police Sudheer Kumar Reddy C H identified the arrested as Abhishek M, a resident of Katipalla in Mangaluru.

A case has been registered at the Bajpe Police Station under Sections 353(1)(c), 353(2), 56, and 57 read with Section 189 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) in connection with the post.

According to police, the accused uploaded a photograph of a hotel on the Instagram page and alleged that accused persons in a murder case under the Bajpe police jurisdiction were being given “royal treatment” by the police, including being served beef meals daily from the hotel.

The post further accused the police of supporting criminals, misusing their authority, and betraying public trust. Police said the content was provocative in nature and aimed at inciting public outrage against the police.

Following the post, a case was registered at the Bajpe police station, and further investigation was transferred to the CEN police station.

Police records indicate that the accused has a criminal history, with multiple cases registered against him, including murder, attempt to murder, assault, and robbery at the Surathkal Police Station, and one case at the Kaup Police Station.

The Commissioner said the accused was traced and arrested using technical evidence.

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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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