Dharmasthala rape-murder: Family demands CID probe; SP refuses to withdraw cases against protesters

[email protected] (CD Network)
October 18, 2012
Santosh


Mangalore, October 18: The family members of 17-year-old girl, who was found raped and murdered earlier this month in Dharmasthala, have demanded a CID probe to find out the truth behind the incident.



The demand came even as Santhosh Rao Bajagoli, the lonely accused in the case, has been remanded to judicial custody.



Addressing a press meet in Belthangady, victim's father Chandappa Gowda and grandfather Babu Gowda expressed suspicion that arrested Rao may not be the only accused in the case.



They also said that only CID probe can reveal the truth. “There have been many cases of rape and murder in Dharmasthala and surrounding areas in past few months. All these cases should investigated along with this case”, they added.



Meanwhile Hindutva outfits like Bajrang Dal, Hindu Jagaran Vedike, Vishwa Hindu Parishat and Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishat have demanded the police to withdraw cases filed against their supporters who confronted with police in Belthangady.


Bantwal-based advocate Prasad Kumar said it was the residents of Beltangady who had handed over the murder accused to police.


Yet, they filed false cases on the activists. This proves that police enjoy humiliating people, he said and urged the government to hand over the case to the CID.



Former MLA Shakunatala Shetty has warned that if the police repeat such practices, she would be forced to stage a dharna in front of the ASP's office.



It may be recalled here that a day after the brutal rape and murder came to light many organisations staged protests in front of police station.



Later, it was the public who traced the accused and handed him over to Beltangady police. On the same night, a huge crowd had gathered before the police department urging them to hand over the accused. The police filed cases under charges of preventing government official from discharging their duties and other sections.



When contacted, Superintendent of Police Abhishek Goyal said there was no question of withdrawing the cases.



“We were forced to file cases as miscreants damaged a police jeep and roughed up policemen on duty. But we will not punish the innocent,'' he added.

Related:

Santosh Rao raped and murdered 17-year-old girl: SP

Rape & murder: Protests spread across district amidst tardy investigation

Rape & murder: Outrage as police give 'mentally ill' tag to accused

College girl's rape and murder sparks anger among students

PUC girl raped and murdered in Dharmasthala


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News Network
December 2,2025

Mangaluru, Dec 2: Mangaluru International Airport responded to a medical emergency late on Monday night. Air India Express flight IX 522, travelling from Riyadh to Thiruvananthapuram, was diverted to Mangaluru Airport after a passenger in his late 30s experienced a medical emergency on board.

The Airport’s Operations Control Centre received an alert regarding the passenger’s health condition. The airport activated its emergency response protocol, mobilising the airport medical team and coordinating with stakeholders including CISF, immigration, and customs. 

Upon landing, airport medical personnel attended to the passenger, assessed his condition, and arranged to shift him to a local tertiary-care hospital for further treatment. The passenger’s relatives accompanied the passenger, who incidentally received necessary medical care on board, which helped stabilise the situation.

Following the handling of the emergency, the flight departed for Thiruvananthapuram at 2:05 am on Tuesday.

"We appreciate the cooperation of all parties involved, and this incident reaffirms our ongoing commitment to prioritising passenger safety and readiness to respond to unforeseen emergencies with professionalism and care," the Airport spokesperson said. 

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News Network
December 7,2025

Mangaluru, Dec 7: A 34-year-old fruit and vegetable trader in Mangaluru has reportedly lost ₹33.1 lakh after falling victim to an online investment scam run through a fake mobile app.

Police said the scam began in September, when the victim received a link on Facebook. Clicking it connected him to a WhatsApp number, where an unidentified person introduced a high-return investment scheme and instructed him to download an app.

To build trust, the fraudster asked him to invest ₹30,000 on September 24. The trader soon received ₹34,000 as “profit,” convincing him the scheme was genuine. Over the next two months, he transferred money in multiple instalments via Google Pay and IMPS to different scanner codes and bank accounts shared by the scammers. Between September 24 and December 3, he ended up sending a total of ₹33.1 lakh.

When he later requested a refund of his investment and promised returns, the scammers demanded additional payments, claiming he needed to pay a “service tax” first. Even after he paid a small amount, no money was returned, and the scammers continued pressuring him for more.

A case has been registered at the CEN Crime Police Station.

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News Network
December 4,2025

Udupi: A 40-year-old NRI from Udupi has reportedly lost more than Rs 12.25 lakh in an online investment scam operated through Telegram.

According to a complaint filed at the CEN police station, Leo Jerome Mendonsa, who has been working in Dubai for the past 15 years in computer accessories sales, maintains NRI accounts in Karkala and Nitte.

On November 12, 2025, Mendonsa was added to a Telegram group called Instaflow Earnings by unknown individuals. Users identified as Priya and Dipannita persuaded him to invest in “Revenue Tasks.” Initially, Mendonsa transferred Rs 1,100 multiple times and received the promised returns, encouraging him to continue.

On November 14, another user, Nishmitha Shetty, directed him to register on a website, digitvisionuoce.cc, and invest Rs 4 lakh in various shares. Over the next few days, he made multiple transfers totaling Rs 12,25,000, including Rs 50,000 via Google Pay, believing the scheme was legitimate.

After receiving the money, the alleged handlers stopped responding, and neither the invested amount nor the promised profits were returned.

The CEN police have registered a case under Sections 66(C) and 66(D) of the IT Act and Section 318(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), and investigations are ongoing.

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