Raghupathy Bhat pleads innocence in Padmapriya 'suicide' case

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May 27, 2012

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Udupi, May 26: Udupi MLA Raghupathy Bhat exactly after 3 years 11 months and 15 days of the incident has come out before media to plead his innocence as he was suspected following the unnatural death of his wife Padmapriya.

“I have taken oath before Dharmasthala Manjunatha Swamy in the presence of my mother and kids telling that I am innocent in the case and whatever has happened, is without me playing any role in it. I am in no way connected to her death. The reports tell the death is due to suicide,” he said.

The Padmapriya missing case was registered on June 10, 2008. It was followed by dramatic twists and ended in her suspicious death raising several vague queries.

Speaking to media persons here on Friday, the MLA clarified that he has no role in the suspicious death of his wife Padmapriya. “I neither murdered her nor conspired for her murder,” he categorically stated and added that CoD has already finished the inquiry and has submitted the charge sheet before court.

The report holds Atul responsible for the death. The case is in the inquiry phase in Udupi's Sessions court. The case was handed over to CoD on July 16, 2009, he said.

Stating that he had to break his silence over the issue before media after a long gap as he was deeply hurt and his children were put in confusion, owing to opposition parties indulging in maligning his character by making him responsible for Padmapriya's death.

“It is totally untrue and opposition parties are doing it specially to ruin my political career. The attempt to defame me has gone deep especially during recent Lok Sabha elections. The tragedy has struck my family. I and my kids are trying hard to cope with the situation and the developments pointing me as the culprit,” he added.

Giving ample evidences including forensic report, post mortem report and death certificate to prove his innocence, the MLA said that he always maintained silence as he felt the issue was within family and that he did not want to come before public.

The Forensic report was made available on April 13, 2009. The post mortem was conducted by R K Sharma in Delhi who is an expert in handling complicated cases.

Moreover, the door of the Dwaraka apartment where Padmapriya committed suicide was opened in the presence of Delhi and Karnataka police as there was a need to maintain transparency in every act, he added.

Bhat said the trauma took place for the sake of trusting a beloved friend who stabbed at back.

The chargesheet filed by CoD against Atul contains no charges against him for abetting Padmapriya to commit suicide. So I appealed before High court to add the said charges against Atul in the chargesheet filed by CoD.

However, Atul has got the stay order in connection with the charges alleged against him following which the case is under trail in Udupi Sessions court, he added.

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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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News Network
December 16,2025

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Melkar (Bantwal): The 9th Annual Day celebration of SMR Public School, titled “EXCELLENTIA”, was held on December 15 with great enthusiasm and dignity, marking a significant milestone in the institution’s journey towards academic excellence and holistic development.

The programme was inaugurated by Dr. U. T. Iftikar Ali. The chief guests were Dr. Akhtar Hussain, Mr. P. Moosabba Beary, Mr. Zakaria Jokattre, and Dr. T. M. Abdul Rahuf—whose inspiring addresses motivated the students and appreciated the school’s contributions to education.

Mr. Abdul Nasir, Mr. Ibrahim Gadiyar, Mr. Razak Golthamajal, Mr. Sali Koya, Mr. Arshad Hussain, Mr. Ismail Balanoor, Mr. Feroz Bawa, Mr. Sahul Hameed, Mr. Abubakkar, Mr. Hameed K. Mani, Mr. Abdul Majeed (Principal, Melkar Women’s College), and Mr. Abdul Lathief (Former Principal, Melkar Women’s College) were the guests of honour.

The Annual Report was presented by the Headmistress, Ms. Fathimathul Zaheera, highlighting the school’s achievements and progress during the academic year. The Presidential Address was delivered by the Chairman of SMR Public School, Dr. Haji S. M. Rasheed, who emphasised the vital role of education in shaping students’ futures and stressed the importance of discipline, dedication, and consistent effort in achieving 100 per cent academic results.

Secretary of SMR Public School, Mr. Rifath Ahmed, and PTA President, Mr. Sandeep Kumar, were also present on the occasion.

The Annual Day celebration showcased the collective efforts of students and teachers and reaffirmed the school’s commitment to quality education and all-round development. The programme concluded with a vote of thanks, expressing gratitude to all dignitaries, parents, and well-wishers for their support. The 9th Annual Day—EXCELLENTIA—was a memorable and successful event, leaving a lasting impression on everyone present. 

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News Network
December 7,2025

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Mangaluru, Dec 7: A rare bamboo shrimp has been rediscovered on mainland India more than 70 years after it was last reported, confirming for the first time the presence of Atyopsis spinipes in the country. The find was made by researchers from the Centre for Climate Change Studies at Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai, during surveys in Karnataka and Odisha.

The team — shrimp expert Dr S Prakash, PhD scholar K Kunjulakshmi, and Mangaluru-based researcher Maclean Antony Santos — combined field surveys, ecological assessments and DNA analysis to identify the elusive species. Their findings, published in Zootaxa, resolve decades of taxonomic confusion stemming from a 1951 report that misidentified the species as Atyopsis moluccensis without strong evidence.

The shrimp has now been confirmed at two locations: the Mulki–Pavanje estuary near Mangaluru and the Kuakhai River in Bhubaneswar. Historical specimens from the Andaman Islands, previously labelled as A. moluccensis, were also found to be misidentified and actually belong to A. spinipes.

The rediscovery began after an aquarium hobbyist in Odisha spotted a shrimp in 2022, prompting systematic surveys across Udupi, Karwar and Mangaluru. Four female specimens were collected in Mulki and one in Odisha, all genetically matching.

Researchers warn the species may exist in very small, vulnerable populations as freshwater habitats face increasing pressure from pollution, sand mining and infrastructure development. All verified specimens have been deposited with the Zoological Survey of India for future reference.

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