Mangaluru: Two get life sentence in 2016 Panambur murder case

News Network
February 18, 2021

Mangaluru, Feb 18: More than four years after the murder of a man in Panambur, two youths who were found guilty of murdering him, were sentenced to life imprisonment by Third Additional District and Sessions Court Judge Basappa Balappa Jakati.

The convicts are Nagaraj Govindappa Lamani (28) and Veeresh Shivappa Lamani (32), both from Ranebennur taluk. They were working as labourers and staying in a rented room in Hosangady in Manjeshwara taluk in Kasaragod district.

The duo had murdered Rekappa Lamani in Panambur in 2016. Rekappa was in fact Nagaraj's relative. The latter had even helped Rekappa find work in Hosangady.

However, Nagaraj became intimate with Rekappa’s wife. On learning about it, Rekappa decided to return to his native on September 4, 2016. Nagaraj, who got to know about it, decided to eliminate Rekappa. He took Rekappa to a bar in Mangaluru and made him consume alcohol.

Later, Nagaraj and his friend Veeresh took Rekappa to a secluded area in Panambur in an autorickshaw. The duo then strangulated Rekappa had smashed his head with a boulder. After committing the crime, Nagaraj reached Kuloor on a bike and later left for Hosangady.

The then inspector of Panambur police station Lokesh A-C had filed the charge sheet to court.

As many as 22 witnesses were produced before the court. Though there were no direct eyewitnesses in the case, the court had considered the circumstantial pieces of evidence. 

The statement of a man who had given him a drop till Kuloor in a bike, driver of an autorickshaw who had dropped him to Pumpwell from Kuloor, supervisor of the bar where they consumed alcohol, statement of the doctor who had conducted post mortem, bloodstains on the clothes worn by the accused, statement given by the Forensic lab experts about the soil found on the clothes worn by the accused and the soil test conducted from the spot where the body was found were recorded during the trial.

The Judge also slapped a fine of Rs 10,000 on each. Of the fine amount Rs 10,000 should be given to Rekappa Lamani’s wife, the court declared.

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News Network
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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News Network
November 22,2025

The Karnataka government has announced a 50% rebate on pending traffic and transport fines. The discount is available from November 21 to December 12.

The rebate applies to all traffic e-challans and violation cases booked by the RTO between 1991–92 and 2019–20. Officials clarified that the offer is not applicable to pending tax dues and is restricted only to traffic-violation fines.

Across Karnataka, more than 4 lakh RTO cases remain pending, including those involving transport vehicles. While thousands of vehicle owners have already cleared their dues, the department expects to generate substantial revenue through this limited-period rebate.

How to Pay and Avail the Discount

There are three ways to check and pay your pending fines:

1. Through Mobile Apps
Available on both Play Store and App Store:
•    Karnataka State Police (KSP) app
•    KarnatakaOne app
•    ASTraM app

Steps:
•    Enter your vehicle number in any of the above apps
•    Verify the photo/details of your vehicle
•    Pay the fine with the 50% discount applied

2. Visit a Traffic Police Station

You can pay your pending fine at any nearby traffic police station.

3. Visit the Traffic Management Centre (TMC)

•    Location: First Floor, Infantry Road, near Indian Express, Bengaluru

Transport Commissioner Yogeesh A M said, “We don't issue e-challans, so there's no online payment system.”

The department estimates ₹52 crore in pending RTO fines up to March 2020. “With the 50% rebate, we expect to collect around ₹25 crore if all dues are cleared,” he added.

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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.

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