Sons mistake father's body, cremate other

December 27, 2013

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Bangalore, Dec 27: In a bizzare turn of events, the family of an elderly man who died at a City hospital took home the body of another man, a retired lieutenant colonel, and cremated it on Wednesday.

On Friday morning, the ex-service man's son came to the Bangalore Baptist Hospital in Hebbal to collect his father's body and was shocked to find that some one else had alrea¬dy taken the body and even cremated it. Hospital authorities and the police say that it was a case of mistaken identity which had led to the goof-up.

Sohanlal, 82, a retired lieutenant colonel and resident of Yelahanka New Town was admitted to the hospital for diabetes on December 18 and he died on December 24. Venkatraju, 78, a resident of Vinayakanagar, Hebbal, was brought to the hospital on December 20 and was declared brought dead by doctors.

According to a doctor, both the families requested the hospital authorities to keep the bodies in the mortuary as their relatives staying in different parts of the country wanted to attend the funeral and it would take time.

Venkatraju's sons and family members came to the hospital on December 25. The attendant at the mortuary showed them the body of Sohanlal as he thought it was that of Venkatraju. But, Venkataraju's kin who took home the body did not realise that it was not of their family head. They completed the rituals and cremated the body at a crematorium in Hebbal.

Sohanlal's family members who came to collect his body on Thursday told the morturay staff that it was not his body.

The attendant was shocked as there was no other body in the freezer.

Sohanlal's son A K?Ahuja immediately informed the doctor about the goof-up. The hospital staff then contacted Venkataraju's family and requested them to rush to the hospital.

Venkataraju's family members too were shocked on learning about the blunder.

Ahuja even approached the Hebbal police.

“We do not know how the family of Venkatraju could not identify their own father's body despite giving a foam bath to the body. None of those who attended the funeral realised the mistake,” a police officer said.

As a last resort, the ashes of Sohanlal were handed over to his family members. Venkatraju's body will be handed over to his kin after consulting senior police officers, added the local police.

George Wilson, in-charge of the mortuary said Venkataraju and Sohanlal looked almost identical. Their bodies had shrunk after they were kept in the freezer.

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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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News Network
December 20,2025

Mangaluru, Dec 20: The Mangaluru City Police have issued a detailed traffic advisory ahead of the inaugural ceremony of Karavali Utsava, which will be held at the Karavali Utsava Ground on Saturday.

The festival will be inaugurated at 6:00 pm by Dakshina Kannada District Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao. Cultural and public programmes will be held at the venue every evening and will continue until January 2.

According to City Police Commissioner Sudheer Kumar Reddy, parking of vehicles is strictly prohibited on both sides of the road from Lalbagh to Karavali Utsava Ground. Visitors are requested to park their vehicles only at designated parking areas.

To help the public, traffic signboards and parking guidance flex boards have been installed along the routes leading to the venue. The police have urged commuters and visitors to follow these instructions to ensure smooth traffic movement.

Designated Parking Locations

•    Urwa Market Ground – Cars
•    Gandhinagar Government School (near Press Club) – Two-wheelers and cars
•    Ladyhill Church parking area – Two-wheelers and cars
•    Canara School Ground, Mannagudda – Two-wheelers and cars
•    Thimmappa Hotel premises – Two-wheelers and cars
•    Scout and Guide Bhavana premises (behind Karavali Utsava Grounds) – Two-wheelers
•    Urwa Market Road – Two-wheelers
•    Hat Hill Road – Two-wheelers

The police have appealed to the public to cooperate by following traffic rules and parking guidelines to avoid inconvenience during the festival.

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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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