Lingayat row: Ready for debate at Vidhana Soudha, says Pejawar seer

News Network

October 22, 2017

Udupi, Oct 22: Accepting the challenge of retired IAS officer S M Jaamdar, Paryaya Pejawar Mutt pontiff Vishwesha Teertha Swami said on Saturday that he was ready for a debate on how Lingayat–Veerashaiva community was a part of Hindu religion.

Addressing presspersons here, he said that such a debate should be held at the Banquet Hall of Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru after January 18.

The seer’s earlier comments that Lingayats are part of the Hindu faith and that they cannot claim separate religion status have drawn wide criticism by groups campaigning for separate religion tag. Jaamdar had challenged the seer for a debate on the issue.

The seer said: “I am prepared any time to attend the debate. I am not selfish and I have no political motives. I urge the Lingayats to stay in Hinduism as they are part of Hinduism.”

Reiterating that Lingayats were Hindus, the seer contradicted the statements made by Jaamdar. The seers of Siddaganga Mutt and Suttur Mutt participated in the regional conference of Vishwa Hindu Parishad held in 1968 and 1985. The controversy over separate religion tag is a new one and it is diluting the prominence of Lingayats in Hinduism. Basavanna had also agreed on the concept of reincarnation and rebirth, he said.

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‘Profit’ trap: Mangaluru trader duped of ₹33.1 lakh in online App scam

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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Udupi NRI duped of Rs 12.25 lakh in Telegram investment scam

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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