Five booked for illegal sale of infant

November 10, 2012

Mangalore, November 10: Police have registered cases against five persons, including the biological mother of the child for selling an infant to a couple.

Addressing media persons at his office in Mangalore on Saturday, Abhishek Goyal, SP, Dakshina Kannada district, said that Usha (name changed) from Belthangady taluk had delivered a child at Lady Goschen Hospital in Mangalore on April 2. The child was illegitimate and hence Usha had intimated her sister Champa that she does not want to keep the infant with her and accordingly it was given to Pramila and Sukanya, nurses at the hospital who gave it to another lady by name Gulabi. She sold the child to a couple Jayaraj and Rajeevi of Vorkady, Kasaragod.

A complaint had been filed at Venur Police Station from Gram Panchayat with regard to illegal sale of the child. Accordingly, cases have been registered against Usha, Champa, Pramila, Sukanya and Gulabi, and further investigation is in process, Mr. Goyal said.

On a query as to why the police had not filed the case against the Vorkady couple, Mr. Goyal said that the case is still under investigation and right now no action has been taken against them since they claimed that they were not aware of the child's birth and selling being illegal.

The child is now in the custody of Child Welfare Committee (CWC).

Vanitha T, Member, Karnataka Child Rights Commission, said that cases of illegitimate births are on the rise and women must not give scope for illegal pregnancies. She opined that hospitals must take down identity details of pregnant women who come for delivery besides their family background to ensure that illegal sale of infants is checked.

She also said that people wishing to adopt children must take the legal way by approaching adoption homes and other lawful channels and not resort to illegal purchasing of children. In this particular case, the child was sold for Rs. 22,000.

Asha Nayak, Chairperson, CWC, said that there is a provision under law to give back the child to its biological mother. But so far no application has come from her side and hence the child would continue to be in CWC's custody, she said.

When asked if the child can be given back to the Vorkady couple, who had bought the child from Gulabi for adoption, Ms. Nayak said that since the child was sold illegally to the couple, they will have to wait for the CWC procedures to get back the child. The CWC has the right to give away the child for adoption to any parent who applies with them, she said.

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Flight cancellations strand passengers overnight at Mangaluru Airport

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December 4,2025

Mangaluru: Chaos erupted at Mangaluru International Airport (MIA) after IndiGo flight 6E 5150, bound for Mumbai, was repeatedly delayed and ultimately cancelled, leaving around 100 passengers stranded overnight. The incident highlights the ongoing country-wide operational disruptions affecting the airline, largely due to the implementation of new Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) norms for crew.

The flight was initially scheduled for 9:25 PM on Tuesday but was first postponed to 11:40 PM, then midnight, before being cancelled around 3:00 AM. Passengers expressed frustration over last-minute communication and the lack of clarity, with elderly and ailing travellers particularly affected. “Though the airline arranged food, there was no proper communication, leaving us confused,” said one family member.

An IndiGo executive at MIA cited the FDTL rules, designed to prevent pilot fatigue by limiting crew working hours, as the cause of the cancellation. While alternative arrangements, including hotel stays, were offered, about 100 passengers chose to remain at the airport, creating tension. A replacement flight was arranged but also faced delays due to the same constraints, finally departing for Mumbai around 1:45 PM on Wednesday. Passengers either flew, requested refunds, or postponed their travel.

The Mangaluru delay is part of a broader crisis for IndiGo. The airline has been forced to make “calibrated schedule adjustments”—a euphemism for widespread cancellations and delays—after stricter FDTL norms came into effect on November 1.

While an IndiGo spokesperson acknowledged unavoidable flight disruptions due to technology issues, operational requirements, and the updated crew rostering rules, the DGCA has intervened, summoning senior airline officials to explain the chaos and outline corrective measures.

The ripple effect has been felt across the country, with major hubs like Bengaluru and Mumbai reporting numerous cancellations. The Mangaluru incident underscores the systemic operational strain currently confronting India’s largest carrier, leaving passengers nationwide grappling with uncertainty and delays.

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Air India Express brings back Mangaluru–Muscat direct flights from March 2026

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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