Santosh Hegde bats for legalisation of gambling, betting and prostitution

Agencies
July 7, 2018

Hyderabad, Jul 7: Supporting the Law Commission's recommendation on allowing gambling and betting in sports, retired Supreme Court Judge N Santosh Hegde has even favoured legalising prostitution, saying vices cannot be abolished by the state.

"A person who thinks vices can be abolished by law is living in a fool's paradise," said the former Solicitor General of India. The Law Commission on Thursday recommended that gambling and betting in sports be allowed as regulated activities taxable under the direct and indirect tax regimes and used as a source for attracting foreign direct investment (FDI).

"It's a very good recommendation", Hegde told PTI. "There are certain vices which cannot be controlled by law and any attempt to control such vices will lead to illegal systems developing".

"We have experienced it earlier when there was prohibition. There is illicit liquor production there (where prohibition was in place). Government loses excise duty, the vice will continue, you can't control it. These are certain things which can't be controlled by law", he said. Similarly, illegal gambling is going on in the country. Making it legitimate and by controlling it, 70-75% of illegal activities will stop, the former Karnataka Lokayukta said.

"But certain amount of control is absolutely necessary". Asked if he thought prostitution should also be legalised, Hegde said: "It has to be legalised. It's going on everywhere. What's the big idea of..(keeping it illegal). It should be legalised".

"It (prostitution) has become a regular profession now. It should be legalised and people (engaged in prostitution) should be licensed. Then alone there will be control over the system", Hegde said.

These are certain vices which cannot be abolished by the state, he said. Otherwise, it would then go on in an illegal manner. Better than that was to have control over the system. "Which is the city or the state where there is no prostitution? We are just closing our eyes and saying it's not there. And in places like Mumbai, there are certain areas recognised by the Government where prostitution continues. Therefore, morality can't be controlled by law. It can only be controlled by religion and religious leaders", he said.

Comments

Well Wisher
 - 
Sunday, 8 Jul 2018

Effect of old age.

Mr Frank
 - 
Sunday, 8 Jul 2018

All religions respect tradition of marriage universally, if same activity goes without bond humanity,respect,responsibility will derail in society,it is already tested issue in US and Europe,because of that their children lavarish and parents in ashramas,by leagalising crime we are encouraging society to become a criminals it never suit Indian culture.

sharief
 - 
Saturday, 7 Jul 2018

The crime is crime.
If we cannot control it, it is our problem,
we can not make the crime non-crime. 
Therefore there is no chance to make those a legal.
the public, citizens, governments should tackle the issue.

Gaddi
 - 
Saturday, 7 Jul 2018

BETTER fight to give jobs to youth and get money and live a happy family life instead of legaizing gambling and wasting the money and playing with the girls (find them jobs sir)... Hope you will not agree this trail comes in your own house. ofcourse many in US doesnt know their FATHER?

MK
 - 
Saturday, 7 Jul 2018

Western Countries still unable to find control even after it was legalised... Please study before you give permission... There are many children who are unable to identify their parents name while giving admission in their school.... Better dont inviite such things to india... sir.

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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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coastaldigest.com news network
December 2,2025

karkala.jpg

Udupi, Dec 2: A wave of regional pride is sweeping through Udupi district as Shagun S Verma Hegde, a talented Class 9 student from Christ King English Medium High School, Karkala, has been named the captain of the Indian National Team for the Under-15 Girls’ Volleyball Championship.

Shagun holds the unique distinction of being the sole player from Karnataka selected to represent the country in the prestigious international tournament. The championship, organized by the School Games Federation, is scheduled to take place in Shangluo, China, from December 3 to 13, where Shagun will lead the national squad.

A Remarkable Journey to the Top

Shagun’s selection is a testament to her dedication and exceptional skill on the court. Her journey included several rigorous rounds of selection:

•    She was the only player from Udupi district to qualify for the state-level selection camp.

•    Out of eight players from Karnataka who advanced to the national selection camp in Pune, Maharashtra, Shagun was the only one to secure a place in the final national squad.

•    The national camp saw participation from approximately 200 players, which was shortlisted to 23. Shagun not only made the final cut but was also ranked as the second-best player overall, solidifying her leadership role.

Shagun, who is the daughter of Sandesh Verma and Shruthiraj of Kallotte, Karkala, has trained under experienced coaches Santosh D’Souza, Jeevan D’Silva, Jairaj Poojary, and Ramesh. Her selection as the team captain has brought profound honour to her family, school, the Udupi district, and the entire state of Karnataka.

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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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