Ashraf's 'detention' sparks anger, police cane the mob to control supporters

February 20, 2012

Mangalore, February 20: Tension prevailed in Bunder area on Sunday evening after angry mob protested outside the police station against picking up former Mayor and Congress Mangalore Block President K. Ashraf to seek information about the two suspects being hunted by the police in connection with the rape of a minor girl.

Police had to resort to mild lathicharge to control the mob, which vented its anger against "detaining" their leader. The situation was brought under control after Mr. Ashraf was let off following intervention from the senior police authorities, including commissioner Seemanth Kumar Singh.

Ashraf was taken for inquiry from his residence by the Assistant Commissioner of Police Ravindra Gadadi under the pretext of seeking information about the two accused in the sexual assault case Waheed and Mubarak, who have been absconding ever since a complaint was lodged against them.

The news of Ashraf's detention fuelled rumours that he had been arrested in connection with the rape case. People started gathering outside the police station demanding the release of the former mayor.

Congress leaders including MLAs U.T. Khader and Abhayachandra Jain, former mayor Shashidhar Hegde, KPCC secretary Ivan D'Souza, Muslim Central Committee president K.S. Mohammed Masood rushed to the police station and tried to calm the agitated supporters.

Commissioner Singh then held a meeting with the leaders of the party following which Ashraf was released. The protesters, however, stayed put and continued to vent their outcry against the disrespect shown to their leader. When the situation became more serious, police used force to disperse the restive mob.

Meanwhile, reacting to the incident, Mr. Ashraf claimed that he would have cooperated with the inquiry if he had been asked to come to the police station, instead of picking him up from his residence during the night.

“ACP RAvindra Gadadi came to my residence when a Maulood programme was going on. He asked me about the whereabouts of Waheed. When I said I did not know, he asked me to get into his jeep. When I said, I will come to the station on my own, he refused and forced me into his vehicle,” Mr. Ashraf said.

Waheed and Mubarak, two residents of Kandtpalli area, have been accused of repeated sexual assault on a 13-year-old daughter of a migrant couple. The police are on the lookout for the duo after a complaint was lodged in the Bunder police station on Saturday.

Condemned

Bunder Friends have expressed shock at the grisly crime and demanded strict action against the two accused who have been absconding.

"Waheed has been involved in a number of crimes and the facade of the social worker has now been brought down. The police should take stringent action against the criminals," the association said in a press release.

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Respiratory illnesses rise in Karnataka’s capital as air quality deteriorates

News Network

February 5,2026

Bengaluru: As air quality continues to worsen across several parts of the city, hospitals in Bengaluru are reporting a steady rise in patients suffering from respiratory illnesses such as asthma, bronchitis and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), health officials and doctors said.

Data from the Suvarna Arogya Suraksha Trust (SAST) shows that 3,891 patients received treatment for respiratory ailments between April and November 2024. The figure rose to 4,187 during the same period in 2025.

Private hospitals, too, are witnessing a 10–15 per cent year-on-year increase in such cases.

While doctors caution that the rise cannot be attributed solely to air pollution, a significant number of patients are non-smokers with no prior history of respiratory disease.

“Nearly 70 per cent of the patients we see are non-smokers with no previous respiratory issues. When other causes are ruled out, air pollution emerges as the most likely factor,” said Dr Manjunath PH, consultant interventional pulmonologist at a hospital in Kengeri.

Doctors noted that patient footfall spikes during the winter months and around Deepavali, when air quality typically worsens.

“There is a clear correlation between poor air quality and the rise in cases. People commonly present with persistent cough, breathlessness and irritation of the respiratory tract, indicating the impact of polluted air on their health,” said Dr Sheetal Chaurasia, consultant in pulmonary medicine at a private hospital in Whitefield.

Dr Chaurasia added that respiratory tract infections are also on the rise.

“Poor air quality leads to chronic airway inflammation, making the airways more vulnerable to infections. We are seeing an increase in both upper and lower respiratory tract infections,” she said.

Patients with pre-existing respiratory conditions remain the worst affected.

“For those already diagnosed with respiratory illnesses, deteriorating air quality significantly worsens the condition. Both the frequency and severity of attacks increase sharply,” said Dr Vandana P, a pulmonologist at a hospital on Bannerghatta Road.

Doctors also flagged a worrying trend of rising respiratory problems among younger adults and children.

To reduce exposure, they advised people to wear masks while travelling on two-wheelers or autos and ensure adequate ventilation at home to minimise indoor air pollution.

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