Lokayukta public grievances meeting: 48 cases disposed of in DK

[email protected] (CD Network, Photos by Suresh)
November 22, 2014

Mangaluru, Nov 21: Stringent action will be initiated against government officials for misusing the government funds, warned Lokayukta Justice Y Bhaskar Rao.

In the public grievances meeting at Dakshina Kannada Zilla Panchayat hall here on Friday, he said that withdrawing funds by submitting a few photos of works undertaken and using it for personal benefit will not be tolerated.

Ariyadka gram panchayat member Lokesh Rai said the poor quality of waste management unit is constructed in the gram panchayat limits. Records showed that roads have been developed in the gram panchayat limits. In reality, no development works have been initiated. The Lokayukta gave one month time to the gram panchayat to respond.

Activist G Hanumantha Kamath accused the MCC of giving permission to an unauthorised building near Hampankatta signal. Inspite of bringing the issue to the notice of the MCC, no action was initiated when the building was under construction. The building has no single site approval or parking space.

The Lokayukta directed MCC Joint Commissioner to conduct a survey in the presence of both the parties on December 11, at 11 am. He also directed to pass an order by January 5, after hearing their objections.

Referring to another case, Kamath complained that the work on an illegal building is in progress at Kadri for the past six months. Showing the latest photos, he said that builder does not possess license.

When the MCC Commissioner defended himself saying that license has been issued to the builder, Lokayukta said that he wanted to see the copy of the license.

The MCC officials showed the license copy, which was signed on November 14. If the MCC had issued license few days ago, then how come the work was initiated six months ago, asked Kamath.

Nalini G Shetty of Sinchana Mahila Mandala of Pejavara Kenjar village said that an illegal liquor shop is functioning in Thokkodi. The gram panchayat had passed a resolution against the liquor shop. However, the excise department has issued license to a shop which is functioning on an illegal building.

Additional Deputy Commissioner Sadashiva Prabhu said that the decision of renewal of license was taken following the High Court order to the Excise Department. The Lokayukta said that the authorities should collect public opinion as well.

Gilbert D'Silva of Muduperar village said that funds have been misappropriated in the gram panchayat. However, no action has been initiated against erring officials.

Reacting to it, Zilla Panchayat CEO Tulasi Maddineni said that the Panchayat Development Officer of the village has been suspended and inquiry is is progress.
Krishna Shetty Thamar said that government land has been sold in Kotekar village. There are 400 poor applicants seeking land to construct houses in the gram panchayat. The available 94 acre government land should be distributed among poor. The district administration said that the issue of Kumki land is before the High Court.

Lokayukta directed the CEO to conduct an inquiry on the available government land in the village, except cases pending in the court. In the public grievances meeting, Lokayukta received 72 complaints, 48 were disposed of and notices have been issued to concerned authorities in 24 cases.

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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

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

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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