I stripped Monika to film and blackmail her, then went to Mangaluru: Killer

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October 11, 2016

Panaji, Oct 11: Perfume researcher Monika Ghurde's alleged murderer Rajkumar Singh has revealed that he undressed her to film her in the nude after smothering her with the intention of later blackmailing her into silence. Police said they were still questioning him to ascertain if he had assaulted her sexually.

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Rajkumar, 21, a native of Bathinda, Punjab, was a former watchman at Sapana Raj Valley at Sangolda, where Ghurde's body was found. He was arrested on Sunday afternoon from Bengaluru and brought to Goa by road on a transit warrant.

A senior police officer said that Rajkumar, during his interrogation in Bengaluru, had said that after smothering Ghurde, he thought she was unconscious. "We still don't know whether Singh had actually filmed Ghurde," the officer said.

Rajkumar told cops that after smothering her, he went into the kitchen, boiled two eggs and ate them, thinking she would wake up. But, as Ghurde was still 'unconscious', he checked on her and realised she had died, he told cops, adding that he then fled from the spot.

Police said that Rajkumar, who served as security guard at the housing complex till August and was familiar with the layout, is suspected to have entered the compound on Wednesday afternoon by jumping over the rear fence.

He would be produced before the judicial magistrate first class, Mapusa, on Tuesday to seek his police custody for further interrogation.

The Goa police had zeroed in on Rajkumar after they obtained CCTV footage+ of him withdrawing money from an ATM in Porvorim using Ghurde's ATM card. He travelled from Goa to Mangaluru by train and stayed there for a day before boarding a bus to Bengaluru, police added.

Rajkumar told police that he entered Ghurde's flat on Wednesday with the intention of robbing her. He entered the flat, flashed a knife, threatening her to keep quiet. He later tied her hands to the bed at knife-point and took her ATM card and forced her personal identification number (PIN) from her.

While the postmortem on Saturday revealed that Ghurde died due to smothering, the forensics department reserved its opinion on the alleged sexual assault. The post-mortem report had said there were injury marks on her private parts. A serological examination will be conducted at Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL), Hyderabad.

Also Read:

Celebrity perfumer murder: 21-year-old man held in Bengaluru

Celebrity perfumer murdered in Goa home; body found naked and tied to bed

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News Network
December 15,2025

Mangaluru, Dec 15: Educational institutions in Mangaluru that rely on the popular Mangala Stadium for their annual sports events are bracing for an inconvenience as the city's key sporting venue is set to close its gates for a significant upgrade. The stadium is expected to be unavailable for approximately two months starting from January 15, 2026.

The closure is necessitated by a proposed overhaul of the stadium's facilities, with a special focus on upgrading the synthetic track. Pradeep Dsouza, Assistant Director of the District of Youth Empowerment and Sports (DYES), Dakshina Kannada, confirmed the development.

"Experts have visited the stadium, conducted a thorough inspection, and have given the go-ahead for a complete makeover," Dsouza stated. "Funds have been allocated for the project, and we are currently awaiting the final green signal from state officials to commence the work. We anticipate that the work will likely begin in the second week of January. Consequently, we have stopped renting out the stadium to colleges and other organizations in preparation for the upgrade."

The timing presents a logistical challenge for colleges, as many schools have already concluded their sports meets.

"Colleges will now be organizing their events and will need to find alternative locations to host their sports meets," Dsouza added. He suggested a few potential venues, including the Dakshina Kannada police ground, University College grounds, Panambur grounds, Swaraj Maidan in Moodbidri, and the Mangalore University sports grounds in Konaje.

However, many institutions note that finding a comparable venue will be difficult. While the DK police ground and University College grounds are closer to the city center, they do not possess the extensive facilities and infrastructure offered by Mangala Stadium.

Dr. P Dayananda Pai - P Satisha Govt First Grade College, Carstreet, is one such institution dependent on the stadium. Principal Jayakar Bhandary expressed hope for a swift completion of the work. "We expect the work to be completed at the earliest. If not, we will be forced to look for other venues to host the sports day for our students," Bhandary said, highlighting the pressing need for the city's main sporting facility.

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News Network
December 19,2025

Mangaluru: Public transport in Mangaluru is set for a state-led transformation as the government moves to deploy 100 new electric govt buses to replace unreliable private services. The initiative aims to provide a dependable alternative to private operators who have been frequently "cutting trips," leaving thousands of commuters stranded.

The announcement was made by Deputy Commissioner and MCC Administrator Darshan HV during a public phone-in session. The move specifically targets routes where private bus service has become erratic, ensuring that citizens no longer have to rely on a fluctuating private sector for their daily commute.

Restoring the Govt Presence

The transport crisis was brought to the forefront by Ramayya, a resident of Bajal, who highlighted a growing trend of private buses skipping morning and night trips. With the previous KSRTC (govt) services discontinued, residents have been left without a fallback option.

To fix this, the DC confirmed that the PM-eBus Sewa Scheme will bring 100 government-owned electric buses to the city:

•    Phased Deployment: The first 50 of the new 100 government buses are scheduled to arrive by March 2026.

•    State Infrastructure: Two new government depots, including one at Mudipu, are being prepared for operations.

•    Recruitment: The state has already begun training a new batch of government bus drivers to ensure the fleet is operational the moment it arrives.

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News Network
December 17,2025

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Melkar, Dec 17: The 17th Annual Day and Graduation Ceremony of Melkar Women’s PU and Degree College, themed “Fusion-2K25,” was celebrated with dignity and enthusiasm, marking a significant milestone in the institution’s academic journey. The programme reflected the college’s steadfast commitment to academic excellence, character building, and the holistic development of students.

The event was inaugurated by Mr. Asif Mohammed, whose presence greatly enriched the occasion. The celebration was further graced by the chief guests Mr. P. B. Ahmed Mudassir and Mr. Nissar Fakeer Mohammed, along with the distinguished guests of honour Mr. B. A. Nazeer and Mr. Ibrahim Gadiyar. In their inspiring addresses, the guests encouraged the graduating students and appreciated the dedicated efforts of the management, faculty, and students.

The annual report was presented by the Principal, Mr. Abdul Majeed S, highlighting the institution’s academic progress, notable achievements, and extracurricular accomplishments during the academic year.

The presidential address was delivered by the esteemed Chairman of Melkar Women’s PU and Degree College, Dr. Haji S. M. Rasheed, who emphasized the vital role of education in empowering women and shaping responsible citizens. He also stressed the importance of discipline, dedication, and perseverance in achieving success.

Cultural programmes and academic recognitions formed an integral part of the celebration, showcasing the talents and achievements of the students. The graduation ceremony was a proud moment for the outgoing students as they were formally conferred degrees and wished success in their future endeavours.

Ms. Mashmooma Fathima served as the Master of Ceremonies. The welcome address was delivered by Ms. Fathima Nida, and the programme concluded with a vote of thanks proposed by Ms. Ayisha Suhana.

The event successfully achieved its objectives and was highly appreciated by the guests and attendees.

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