BJP leader S A Ramdas attempts suicide over 'secret marriage'

February 12, 2014

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Mysore, Feb 12: Karnataka's former BJP minister S.A. Ramdas late Tuesday attempted to commit suicide by hanging in a guesthouse in this city of palaces, about 150km from Bangalore.

"Ramdas is out of danger though under observation in a private hospital," a party source said early Wednesday.

According to unconfirmed reports, Ramdas, a 54-year-old bachelor, was upset after he learnt that a woman, who claimed that he married her recently, threatened to expose his relationship with audio and video evidence.

"We learnt from the guesthouse staff that Ramdas was rushed to Apollo hospital after he was founding hanging in the room where he checked in earlier in the day," the source said on the condition of anonymity.

 Earlier in the day, Premakumari, a second division clerk at the deputy commissioner's office in Tumkur, alleged at a press conference that Ramdas had “sexually and mentally harassed” her. Ramdas “used his authority as a minister to transfer her frequently”, she claimed.

Premakumari said she first met Ramdas in 2009 for a transfer from the assistant commissioner's office in Tarikere to the DC's office in Mysore. Ramdas then befriended her and they were in a relationship, she asserted.

Later, she was transfered to the HMT maternity hospital, Mysore on deputation, where she worked for three years. Thereafter, Premakumari said, she was transfered to the DC's office in Mysore by the end of 2012. “Within three months, Ramdas again transferred me to Tumkur. I refused to go there, as the education of my two children would have been affected,” she added.

At the press meet, Premakumari received a phone call which she said was that of Ramdas and put the phone on the loudspeaker. The caller said, “Don't do anything, or else I will consume poison and commit suicide.”

“Three months ago, Ramdas married me unofficially at his home. Now he should marry me openly and accept me as his wife,” she demanded. Premakumari said she had photographs, videos and mobile phone clippings to substantiate her allegations which would be produced before the media. She said would also make a complaint to the police.

Speaking to Deccan Herald over the phone, Ramdas confirmed that he knew the lady, saying she had approached him for a transfer. But he claimed she was “mentally unstable”. “I transfered her as per government procedure. Let her disclose any documents related to the matter,” he stated.

Ramdas, who held the medical education portfolio in the first Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in the state, lost to the Congress candidate in the May 2013 state legislative assembly elections from the Krishnaraja constituency in the Old Mysore region.

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News Network
December 1,2025

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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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News Network
December 2,2025

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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.

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December 15,2025

Udupi, Dec 15: What was meant to be a post-pilgrimage gathering turned tragic in Padukere village of Brahmavar taluk, Udupi district, late Sunday night, when a clash among youths escalated into a fatal assault, leaving one man dead.

The victim has been identified as 30-year-old Santosh Mogaveera, a resident of Padukere.

According to preliminary information, the incident took place during a late-night drinking party involving a group of local youths who had recently returned after completing their pilgrimage to the Sabarimala shrine. An argument reportedly broke out among the group and soon escalated into a violent confrontation.

During the ensuing brawl, Santosh Mogaveera was allegedly assaulted and collapsed at the spot after sustaining serious injuries. He was rushed by local residents to a private hospital in Brahmavar, where doctors declared him dead.

On receiving information, senior police officials, including Brahmavar Circle Inspector Gopikrishna, Kota Police Sub-Inspector Praveen Kumar T, Station ASI Manthesh Jabagoudar, and head constables Pradeep and Ashok, visited the spot and conducted an inspection.

Police have taken four youths into custody in connection with the incident. A case has been registered at the Kota police station, and further investigation is underway to ascertain the exact sequence of events leading to the death.

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