Chinese vessel near Karnataka coast? Probe launched; Navy vigilant; coast guard on high alert

Mangaluru, July 18: A cab driver sustained head injuries during a scuffle that broke out between cab drivers working for a software company - DIA Systems --in Kavoor police station limits in Mangaluru on Wednesday night.

Sandeep who sustained injuries in the head and other areas after being attacked with a sharp weapon is being treated at a private hospital. Mangaluru Commissioner of Police Anupam Agrawal said Thejas Shetty had an old dispute with Sandeep.

On Wednesday night after completion of night shift, Thejas along with his brother Bhavith Shetty, Preetam and Puneet Devadiga attacked Sandeep with a sharp weapon.

Thejas Shetty also works as a driver in the same company and had an old dispute with Sandeep. An attempt to murder case was registered at Kavoor police station. The reasons behind the altercation is yet to be ascertained, Commissioner added.

New Delhi: In a relief to a Kannada news channel which extensively telecast the sex abuse case involving former JDS MP Prajwal Revanna and his family, the Supreme Court on Friday stayed a Karnataka High Court, stopping broadcast of Power TV on the ground of lack of proper licence.

A bench of Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud and Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra said this was nothing but sheer political vendetta.

"We are inclined to protect the freedom of speech and expression. It looks like a plain case of political vendetta and this court would be failing in its duty if it does not protect the petitioner," the bench said.

The court issued notice to the Union government and others on a petition filed by Power TV and others.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Union government, contended it was not borne out from record.

He said the show cause notice of February 9 was related to the channel subletting its uplink and downlinking licence.

The apex court, however, stayed the High Court order till Monday.

It also fixed the matter for hearing on Monday.

The Karnataka High Court had restrained Power TV from carrying out any broadcasting activity till July 9.

Justice S R Krishna Kumar had passed the interim order on June 25, after hearing two petitions filed by senior serving IPS officer Dr B R Ravikanthegowda, and JDS leader and MLC HM Ramesh Gowda and his wife Dr A Ramya Ramesh.

The petitioners claimed despite proceedings already initiated by the central government against the television channel and other private respondents, they continued to broadcast without arranging for the necessary licence renewal.

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting stated a show cause notice was issued on a complaint, that the permission for Power TV was valid till October 12, 2021, and its renewal application dated December 30, 2022, was under examination.

The channel and its director Rakesh Shetty have reportedly been at the forefront of campaigns against Janata Dal (Secular) leaders like Prajwal Revanna and Suraj Revanna, who have been accused of sexual assault.

Mangaluru/Udupi, July 19: Amid continuous heavy rains in Karnataka's coastal region, the district administrations of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi have declared a holiday for all schools and pre-university colleges on Saturday, July 20.

In response to the persistent rainfall over the past few days, the disaster management authority has implemented several precautions. All Anganwadis, primary and high schools, and pre-university colleges (up to 12th grade), including government, aided, and unaided private institutions, will remain closed.

Parents are urged to keep their children away from low-lying areas, lakes, seashores, and riverbanks. Fishermen have been warned against venturing into the water. Taluk-level officers are required to remain at their headquarters, and district-appointed nodal officers must stay alert and respond to public complaints. Tahsildars have been instructed to maintain constant communication.

Relevant department officers have been directed to open and prepare rescue centers at the taluk level. Emergency services are available 24/7 via the toll-free control room number 1077 and the following telephone numbers: 0824-2442590 (Dakshina Kannada) and 0820-2574802 (Udupi).

As a precaution, both residents and tourists are strictly prohibited from approaching beaches, rivers, and waterfalls and are advised against taking photos and videos in these areas.