Puttur: 24-yr-old tiger dance troupe leader hacked to death after a fight over a minor accident

Bengaluru, July 17: The Karnataka government has placed responsibility on Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), its event partner DNA Networks, and the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) for organizing the June 4 victory celebration at M Chinnaswamy Stadium without police consultation or approval, which led to a deadly stampede claiming 11 lives.

The findings, submitted in a sealed status report now made public following High Court orders in the suo motu PIL, reveal that the event was unilaterally planned and publicized across RCB’s official social media platforms—without obtaining the mandatory licences or informing police authorities in time.

According to the report, no formal requisition or details were submitted to relevant departments, violating the Licensing and Controlling of Assemblies and Processions (Bangalore City) Order, 2009.

On June 4, a massive crowd of over 3 lakh people—including those on foot, using public transport, and private vehicles—began gathering at the stadium, largely in response to a video posted by Virat Kohli earlier that morning at 8:55 am. In the clip, shared on RCB’s official handle @RCBtweets, Kohli invited fans to join the team in celebrating their victory in Bengaluru that very day.

The state report notes that only at 3:14 pm, RCB and its partners issued their first clarification on social media, stating that entry to the event required free passes. This late announcement triggered confusion, anger, and crowd unrest, with thousands already at the venue hoping for entry.

The government also highlighted that the early RCB posts promoting the event went viral—with individual video views ranging from 4 lakh to over 17 lakh, intensifying the public response and contributing to the stampede.

Authorities have emphasized that the event organizers failed to follow basic crowd control protocols and bypassed all essential administrative processes, leading to a preventable tragedy.

The High Court is continuing to hear the matter. Further accountability and corrective measures are expected.

Mangaluru, July 8: In a significant employment push for the region, the Employment Linked Incentive (ELI) Scheme, introduced by the central government through the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO), is expected to generate 20,000 to 25,000 new jobs in Dakshina Kannada district.

Announcing this at a press meet on Monday, Rajib Mukherjee, Regional Commissioner of EPFO Mangaluru, said the initiative targets 2,500 to 3,000 establishments in the district, with a major focus on boosting employment and social security, particularly in the manufacturing sector.

"The ELI scheme is designed not only to support first-time job seekers but also to incentivize employers for generating sustainable employment," Mukherjee said.

Key Highlights of the Scheme:

•    For first-time employees, the government will provide EPF wage support of up to ₹15,000, disbursed in two installments.

•    Employers who create new jobs will receive incentives of up to ₹3,000 per new hire per month for a duration of two years.

•    In the manufacturing sector, these incentives will continue for an additional two years (years three and four), encouraging long-term hiring.

Wider Goals and Eligibility:

The ELI scheme is part of the Prime Minister’s five-scheme package announced in the 2024–25 Union Budget, which aims to generate 3.5 crore jobs across India over two years.

•    The benefits will apply to jobs created between August 1, 2025, and July 31, 2027.

•    Employees with a monthly salary of up to ₹1 lakh are eligible.

•    Employers hiring within this salary range are eligible for government subsidies, provided the job is retained for at least six months.

Awareness and Outreach:

EPFO is conducting awareness camps across Dakshina Kannada to inform businesses and job seekers about the scheme’s benefits and application process.

Officials U Panduranga Kini, Nagendra Babu Gutti, Benny Lobo, and Anita R were also present at the briefing.

Mangaluru, July 4: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Friday arrested a key accused, who had been living abroad for the last two years, in connection with its probe into the sensational murder of BJP leader Praveen Nettaru in Karnataka, officials said.

The accused, Abdul Rahaman, was taken into custody by the NIA team at the Kannur International Airport in Kerala on his arrival from Qatar, they said.

A total of four accused, including Rahaman and two other absconders, were chargesheeted by the NIA in the case in April this year, taking the total chargesheeted in the case to 28.

The NIA had also declared rewards for information relating to six absconders. Rahaman was carrying a reward of Rs 4 lakh for this arrest. He is the 22nd accused to be arrested in the case.

Investigation officers claim that Rahaman, on directions of PFI leadership, harboured the main assailants and others involved in the case, the agency said in a statement, adding that he fled to Qatar after the attackers were arrested.

Nettaru was killed with sharp weapons by assailants on July 26, 2022, in Bellare village of Sullia Taluk in Dakshina Kannada district, Karnataka, the statement said.

According to NIA, the killing was part of a larger conspiracy aimed at striking terror among the people and unleashing communal hatred and unrest in the society.

The NIA, which re-registered the case on August 4, 2022, is trying to track down the remaining absconders.