Trust accuses Dharmadhikari of land-grabbing

[email protected] (CD Network)
October 15, 2013
somanatha1
Mangalore, Oct 15: Dharmasthala Dharmadhikari D Veerendra Heggade has landed in a yet another controversy, with Nagarika Seva Trust President Somanatha Nayak alleging that he has furnished false declarations before Land Tribunal.

Speaking to media persons on Tuesday in Mangalore Mr Nayak said that as per the land declaration made by Heggade in the year 1974 he holds 4, 671 acre agriculture land in which 3, 620 acre land was given to tenants. Out of 1,051 acre land, only 137 acre land is farm land. In the declaration, Mr Heggade claimed that the land had been divided into deemed conversion land, plantation land and converted land.

“However, an agriculture land cannot be declared as'Deemed' without government's order. Though there was no government order regarding Mr Heggade's land which was declared as'deemed' and no spot inspection by AC conducted,” he alleged.

He also alleged government had given around 44 acre of DC Manna land for the purpose Dharmasthala Education Trust and Siddavana Gurukula run by Mr Heggade. As per the rules, the Trust should have allocated alternative land to be distributed among dalit beneficiaries.

However, Mr Heggade violated the rule not earmarking the land for dalits. He also demanded the government to direct Mr Heggade to earmark alternative land for the poor.

Mr Nayak also alleged that around 42.05 acre government land on different survey numbers in Ujire village has been leased out to Sri Dharmasthala Education Trust for 30 years for an annual fee of Rs 420 per cents in 1970. It was on April 1, 2008, the Deputy Commisioner continued the lease for 30 years for an annual fee of Rs 9, 500 per cents. By leasing out the land for such a low price when the market value per cent is Rs five lakh to Rs seven lakh, the government is incurring a huge loss to the exchequer. At the same time, when renewing the lease period, the name of the leasee has been changed from Sri Dharmasthala Education Trust to Society, which amount to violation of rules,” he claimed.

‘Make income details public'

Mr Nayak said that Heggade should make public the income of Sri Kshethra Dharmasthala. “Income details from the rented shops in the temple premises, lodges, special pooja and money order should make public as he claimed in an interview to a private news channel that he was transparent,” he said.

‘Hold secret voting'

Mr Nayak also challenged that Veerendra Heggade should hold secret voting in Belthangady taluk to find out how many people favour him. “Then he may realize the feelings of people,” he said.

He also maintained that he is not fighting against the temple or the believes of the people.

“We are also devotees. But, we won't tolerate injustice in the name of God,” he asserted.

‘Probe 452 suicide cases and 16 murder cases in Dharmasthala in 11 years'

He also said that the CBI should investigate all 452 suicide cases and 16 murder cases happened in Dharmasthala in the last 11 years. The arrested Santhosh should be subjected to narco analysis test to find out the truth behind the rape and murder of Saujanya,” he added.

‘Will rise issue in the UNO'

Federation of Indian Rationalists' Association President Prof Narendra Nayak said that if need arises, then incidents of human rights violation in the name of God and religion will be raised in the United Nations Organistaion.

Comments

Add new comment

  • Coastaldigest.com reserves the right to delete or block any comments.
  • Coastaldigset.com is not responsible for its readers’ comments.
  • Comments that are abusive, incendiary or irrelevant are strictly prohibited.
  • Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name to avoid reject.
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.

Comments

Add new comment

  • Coastaldigest.com reserves the right to delete or block any comments.
  • Coastaldigset.com is not responsible for its readers’ comments.
  • Comments that are abusive, incendiary or irrelevant are strictly prohibited.
  • Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name to avoid reject.
News Network
December 15,2025

Mangaluru police have arrested a 27-year-old NRI on his return from Saudi Arabia in connection with an Instagram post allegedly containing derogatory and provocative remarks about the Hindu religion, officials said on Monday.

The accused, Abdul Khader Nehad, a resident of Ulaibettu in Mangaluru, was working in Saudi Arabia when the post was uploaded, police said.

A suo motu case was registered at the Bajpe police station on October 11 after an allegedly offensive post circulated from the Instagram account ‘team_sdpi_2025’. Police said the content was flagged for being provocative and derogatory in nature.

During the investigation, technical analysis traced the Instagram post to Nehad, who was residing abroad at the time, a senior police officer said. Based on these findings, a Look Out Circular (LOC) was issued against him.

On December 14, Nehad arrived from Saudi Arabia at Calicut International Airport in Kerala, where he was taken into custody on arrival. Police said further investigation is underway.

Comments

Add new comment

  • Coastaldigest.com reserves the right to delete or block any comments.
  • Coastaldigset.com is not responsible for its readers’ comments.
  • Comments that are abusive, incendiary or irrelevant are strictly prohibited.
  • Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name to avoid reject.
News Network
December 15,2025

Mangaluru, Dec 15: Educational institutions in Mangaluru that rely on the popular Mangala Stadium for their annual sports events are bracing for an inconvenience as the city's key sporting venue is set to close its gates for a significant upgrade. The stadium is expected to be unavailable for approximately two months starting from January 15, 2026.

The closure is necessitated by a proposed overhaul of the stadium's facilities, with a special focus on upgrading the synthetic track. Pradeep Dsouza, Assistant Director of the District of Youth Empowerment and Sports (DYES), Dakshina Kannada, confirmed the development.

"Experts have visited the stadium, conducted a thorough inspection, and have given the go-ahead for a complete makeover," Dsouza stated. "Funds have been allocated for the project, and we are currently awaiting the final green signal from state officials to commence the work. We anticipate that the work will likely begin in the second week of January. Consequently, we have stopped renting out the stadium to colleges and other organizations in preparation for the upgrade."

The timing presents a logistical challenge for colleges, as many schools have already concluded their sports meets.

"Colleges will now be organizing their events and will need to find alternative locations to host their sports meets," Dsouza added. He suggested a few potential venues, including the Dakshina Kannada police ground, University College grounds, Panambur grounds, Swaraj Maidan in Moodbidri, and the Mangalore University sports grounds in Konaje.

However, many institutions note that finding a comparable venue will be difficult. While the DK police ground and University College grounds are closer to the city center, they do not possess the extensive facilities and infrastructure offered by Mangala Stadium.

Dr. P Dayananda Pai - P Satisha Govt First Grade College, Carstreet, is one such institution dependent on the stadium. Principal Jayakar Bhandary expressed hope for a swift completion of the work. "We expect the work to be completed at the earliest. If not, we will be forced to look for other venues to host the sports day for our students," Bhandary said, highlighting the pressing need for the city's main sporting facility.

Comments

Add new comment

  • Coastaldigest.com reserves the right to delete or block any comments.
  • Coastaldigset.com is not responsible for its readers’ comments.
  • Comments that are abusive, incendiary or irrelevant are strictly prohibited.
  • Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name to avoid reject.