Questions raised over slow pace of probe into Shiroor seer’s death

coastaldigest.com news network
August 19, 2018

Udupi, Aug 19: The speakers at a public condolence meet for late Sri Lakshmivar Theertha Swami of Shiroor Mutt held on Saturday at Mathura Chathra near Sri Krishna temple in Udupi expressed dissatisfaction over the police probe into the suspicious death case.

The Shiroor seer died on July 19 at the Kasturba Hospital in Manipal. The hospital had said that that there was “suspicion of poisoning” and that toxicological samples had been sent for testing.

The district police received the post-mortem report from the hospital about three weeks ago, which stated that the final cause of death had been kept pending for the Regional Forensic Science Laboratory report which is still awaited.

Esha Vavittala Dasa Swami of Kemar Mutt said that the kin of the departed seer should lodge a murder complaint regarding his death.

He said suspicions about the Shiroor seer’s death were raised after the statement issued by the hospital. The ‘aradhane’ ritual, which should be have been held after 13 days of the seer’s death, should be held immediately, he said.

Ravikiran Murudeshwar, Shiroor seer’s advocate, demanded to know the delay in getting the RFSL report. “There is a serious issue. No one from the mutt has filed complaint in this case. I really don’t understand for the unprecedented delay in getting the RFSL report. There are chances of destroying the evidence,” he said.

Vadiraja Acharya, Shiroor seer’s ‘purvashrama’ brother, said he was saddened that barring Vidyadheesha Tirtha Swami of Paryaya Palimar Mutt, the other seers of the ‘Ashta Mutts’ had avoided the Shiroor seer immediately after his death.

After the condolence meeting, a silent procession was taken out on Car Street.Some people objected to the main door of Shiroor Mutt being closed during the offering of tributes. But Radhakrishna Shetty, Samiti president, said that the representatives of Sode Mutt, which was in charge of Shiroor Mutt, had given permission only for paying tributes outside.

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coastaldigest.com news network
December 20,2025

Mangaluru, Dec 20: City Police Commissioner Sudheer Kumar Reddy has issued a high-alert warning to vehicle owners regarding a surge in cyber fraud targeting those looking to pay traffic violation fines. Fraudsters are reportedly exploiting recent government discount schemes on traffic penalties to deceive citizens.

The Scam: How Fraudsters Strike

Criminals are using SMS, WhatsApp, and social media to circulate suspicious links and APK files (Android application packages). They claim these apps allow users to pay e-challans at a discount.

•    Device Hacking: Downloading these unauthorized apps gives hackers full access to the victim's smartphone.

•    Financial Theft: Once the phone is compromised, fraudsters intercept OTPs and personal data to drain bank accounts.

•    Phishing Sites: Fake websites mimicking official portals are also being used to harvest banking credentials.

Already, two residents within Mangaluru city limits have reported significant financial losses after falling victim to these fraudulent apps.

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News Network
December 7,2025

SHRIMP.jpg

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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News Network
December 19,2025

Mangaluru: The Mangaluru CEN police have arrested a 23-year-old man for allegedly posting provocative and misleading content on an Instagram page named “mr_a_titude”, targeting the Bajpe police.

Mangaluru Commissioner of Police Sudheer Kumar Reddy C H identified the arrested as Abhishek M, a resident of Katipalla in Mangaluru.

A case has been registered at the Bajpe Police Station under Sections 353(1)(c), 353(2), 56, and 57 read with Section 189 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) in connection with the post.

According to police, the accused uploaded a photograph of a hotel on the Instagram page and alleged that accused persons in a murder case under the Bajpe police jurisdiction were being given “royal treatment” by the police, including being served beef meals daily from the hotel.

The post further accused the police of supporting criminals, misusing their authority, and betraying public trust. Police said the content was provocative in nature and aimed at inciting public outrage against the police.

Following the post, a case was registered at the Bajpe police station, and further investigation was transferred to the CEN police station.

Police records indicate that the accused has a criminal history, with multiple cases registered against him, including murder, attempt to murder, assault, and robbery at the Surathkal Police Station, and one case at the Kaup Police Station.

The Commissioner said the accused was traced and arrested using technical evidence.

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