Muthi-ur-Rahman will continue his journalism career'

[email protected] (CD Network)
February 25, 2013

Hubli, Feb 25: A lively and festive atmosphere prevailed among the family members of journalist Muthi-ur-Rahman Siddiqui following National Investigation Agency's verdict to release him. The family lives in a small house near Bandiwad Base in Hubli.

The special court of the NIA?is expected to give out a detailed written order on the release of Muthi and his room-mate Syed Yusuf Nalaband soon.

"The court order on his release has vindicated us. We thank Allah. We had total faith in Allah that our brother will be released from jail soon,” said Zia-ur-Rahman, brother of Muthi, who was among 15 men arrested in September 2012 in a controversial anti-terror operation by Bangalore CCB police.

MuthiurrahmanSiddiqui

“Muthi is a true Hindustani, and a good journalist. We could never think that he could do anything that was against the nation”, he said adding that they had never lost faith in the almighty because they knew that their brother was not guilty.

Zia-ur-Rahman also thanked the Association for Protection of Civil Rights (APCR), which fought his brother's case.

Zia-ur-Rehman said his brother was proud to be a journalist and would continue his journalistic career event after his release. That even the country's highest investigative agency could not find any evidence against his brother only proved his innocence, he said.

Born on September 9, 1985, Muthi studied in a government Urdu school in Hubli, before moving to Hassan for SSLC. He joined Nehru College in Hassan for his PU course in science, but later moved to Karnataka College, Dharwad, for his BA degree. He became a reporter and translator in a newspaper in Dharward. Four years ago, he moved to Bangalore and later joined Deccan Herald English daily.

People who have known Muthi say he is a soft-spoken person serious about journalism, without any extremist beliefs, and is helpful to colleagues.

'Our pride is redeemed'

Another victim of Bangalore CCB police's controversial anti-terror operation, Syed Yusuf Nalaband, is a private company employee. A native of Bagalkot, Nalaband was staying with Muthi and four others in a residence at JC Nagar from where they were picked up in late August 2012.

Sakeena Bi, elder sister of Nalaband, said the family is rejoicing over his release. She said the court order had redeemed the family's pride. Sakeena said they had always known that Yusuf had committed no crime.

She said a flood of unverified and unsubstantiated allegations against her brother had left the family distraught. "His release has vindicated our faith in the system. A fair probe is possible when minorities are involved," Sakeena added.

She said Yusuf would continue to work in Bangalore, and they could now move about with their heads held high in Bagalkot.

Related:

Release Muthi-ur-Rahman immediately: NIA court

NIA finds no proof against arrested journalist, scientist

Comments

Add new comment

  • Coastaldigest.com reserves the right to delete or block any comments.
  • Coastaldigset.com is not responsible for its readers’ comments.
  • Comments that are abusive, incendiary or irrelevant are strictly prohibited.
  • Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name to avoid reject.
News Network
December 4,2025

Udupi: A 40-year-old NRI from Udupi has reportedly lost more than Rs 12.25 lakh in an online investment scam operated through Telegram.

According to a complaint filed at the CEN police station, Leo Jerome Mendonsa, who has been working in Dubai for the past 15 years in computer accessories sales, maintains NRI accounts in Karkala and Nitte.

On November 12, 2025, Mendonsa was added to a Telegram group called Instaflow Earnings by unknown individuals. Users identified as Priya and Dipannita persuaded him to invest in “Revenue Tasks.” Initially, Mendonsa transferred Rs 1,100 multiple times and received the promised returns, encouraging him to continue.

On November 14, another user, Nishmitha Shetty, directed him to register on a website, digitvisionuoce.cc, and invest Rs 4 lakh in various shares. Over the next few days, he made multiple transfers totaling Rs 12,25,000, including Rs 50,000 via Google Pay, believing the scheme was legitimate.

After receiving the money, the alleged handlers stopped responding, and neither the invested amount nor the promised profits were returned.

The CEN police have registered a case under Sections 66(C) and 66(D) of the IT Act and Section 318(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), and investigations are ongoing.

Comments

Add new comment

  • Coastaldigest.com reserves the right to delete or block any comments.
  • Coastaldigset.com is not responsible for its readers’ comments.
  • Comments that are abusive, incendiary or irrelevant are strictly prohibited.
  • Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name to avoid reject.
News Network
December 1,2025

hindutvaboy.jpg

Udupi, Dec 1: A horrific case of alleged rape has unfolded in Udupi, where a worker from a Hindutva organisation, previously arrested and released on bail for harassing a young woman, is now accused of waylaying and sexually assaulting her.

The arrested individual has been identified as Pradeep Poojary (26), a member of the Hindu Jagarana Vedike's Nairkode unit in Perdur.

Poojary had allegedly been relentlessly harassing the young woman, pressuring her to marry him. When she bravely stood up to him and refused his demands, she filed a formal complaint at the Hiriyadka police station. He was subsequently arrested in that initial harassment case but was later granted bail.

According to police reports, driven by the same malicious grudge, Poojary allegedly intercepted the woman again on November 29. While she was walking through a deserted area, the accused is claimed to have threatened her by grabbing her neck. When she again refused to marry him, he allegedly proceeded to rape her.

The survivor immediately informed her family about the traumatic assault. Following this, her parents lodged a complaint at the Udupi women’s police station.

Police arrested Poojary again and produced him before the court. He has since been remanded to judicial custody.

Comments

Add new comment

  • Coastaldigest.com reserves the right to delete or block any comments.
  • Coastaldigset.com is not responsible for its readers’ comments.
  • Comments that are abusive, incendiary or irrelevant are strictly prohibited.
  • Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name to avoid reject.
News Network
December 2,2025

DKSsiddu.jpg

Bengaluru: 'Nati koli saaru' (country chicken curry) considered one of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s favourites along with steaming hot idlis was on the breakfast menu at Deputy CM D K Shivakumar’s residence on Tuesday, according to official sources.

The spread also included 'nati koli' fry, vada and pongal, among other items, they said.

In an apparent show of unity, Siddaramaiah visited Shivakumar’s residence for breakfast, just days after the two leaders shared a meal amid a simmering power tussle in the state Congress.

Siddaramaiah drove to the Deputy CM’s residence in Sadashivanagar, where he was received by Shivakumar and his brother D K Suresh, who is a former Congress MP.

Suresh and Kunigal MLA H D Ranganath, a relative of Shivakumar, joined them for breakfast, which featured a mix of vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes.

Speaking to reporters later, Siddaramaiah said Shivakumar had invited him during his visit to the CM’s residence for breakfast on Saturday.

Asked about the difference between the two meals, the chief minister said, "At his (Shivakumar’s) house it was non-veg, while at my house it was veg. He is a vegetarian, I am a non-vegetarian. I had not prepared non-veg. I told DK to get chicken from the village as you won’t get the original in Bengaluru."

Shivakumar said he had initially invited Siddaramaiah to his residence, but the CM had suggested visiting his place first and reciprocating later. "It was a vegetarian breakfast at the CM’s house on Saturday," he noted.

"Today, I invited him (the CM) to my house. He enjoyed the breakfast, which had his Mysuru taste," Shivakumar added. At this point, Siddaramaiah remarked that Shivakumar’s wife is also from Mysuru.

Saturday’s breakfast at Siddaramaiah’s official residence, held as part of efforts by the Congress high command to ease tensions in the leadership dispute between the two, reportedly included idlis and sambar, according to official sources.

Comments

Add new comment

  • Coastaldigest.com reserves the right to delete or block any comments.
  • Coastaldigset.com is not responsible for its readers’ comments.
  • Comments that are abusive, incendiary or irrelevant are strictly prohibited.
  • Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name to avoid reject.