Karnataka

Bengaluru | 30 Jan 2026 The power tussle between Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has taken an intriguing turn, with Shivakumar responding to a recent barb from Siddaramaiah in his signature style. At a Youth Congress rally in Bengaluru on 27 January, party workers shouted slogans of “DK, DK” during Siddaramaiah’s speech, prompting him to ask on stage, “Who are these DK–DK people?” Shivakumar was present on the dais along with Karnataka Congress in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala, state ministers, MPs, and local representatives. Three days later, the Karnataka Congress released a video portraying Shivakumar in a confident, larger-than-life avatar. The video described him as a “brand” and “son of the soil,” highlighting his problem-solvin...

A POCSO court in Belagavi has sentenced a man to 30 years of rigorous imprisonment for repeatedly raping a minor girl, which led to her pregnancy and the birth of a child. The convict, identified as 31-year-old Nagesh Kareppa Lamani, a resident of Kangrali (KH) village, was also ordered to pay a fine of ₹2 lakh. The court stipulated that failure to pay the fine would result in an additional one year of imprisonment.

Bengaluru / Davanagere:A tragic chain of events unfolded in Karnataka’s Davanagere district, where a newly married man allegedly died by suicide after his wife eloped with her lover. Deeply distressed by the incident, the man who had arranged the marriage also took his own life, police officials said on Wednesday. According to the police, the first victim, Harish (30), a resident of Gummanur village, had married Saraswathi nearly three months ago. The marriage was arranged by Rudresh (36), a resident of Anagondu and a relative of the woman. Investigators said that Saraswathi left her matrimonial home on the pretext of visiting a temple but later fled with her alleged lover, Kumar. When Harish came to know about the incident, he reportedly wrote a suicide note and ended his life. I...

In a major crackdown on international drug trafficking, customs officials at Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) have arrested a foreign national for attempting to smuggle 7.72 kilograms of cocaine into India by concealing it inside the pages of children’s storybooks. The seized narcotics are estimated to be worth ₹38 crore in the illicit market. Books Used as a Cover for Smuggling According to customs authorities, the accused passenger, a resident of São Paulo, Brazil, arrived in Bengaluru from Brazil and was intercepted during routine screening based on specific intelligence inputs. During inspection, officials recovered several books from his luggage, which he claimed were meant for his children. However, when officers examined the books more closely, they found the pages un...

Bengaluru/Davos: Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar showcased Bengaluru as a global investment hub at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, calling it the “City of the Future.” Addressing international investors, business leaders, and policymakers, Shivakumar highlighted the city’s talent, opportunities, and potential for inclusive growth, appealing for greater corporate and foreign investment. A Strategic Move on the Global StageShivakumar’s speech was widely seen as a strategic effort to position Bengaluru not just as a city, but as a powerhouse of technology, knowledge, and innovation. As both Deputy CM and Chief of the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee, Shivakumar also used the platform to strengthen the city’s image ahead of the upcoming municipal elec...

Koppal: Karnataka Congress MP K. Rajashekhar Hithnal has come under intense criticism after describing last year’s rape of a foreign tourist and the murder of another visitor in Sanpur village as a “minor incident.” His comments have sparked widespread outrage among locals, political leaders, and civil society groups. The statement was made during the ‘Discover Koppal’ event held at the district administration office on Wednesday night. The program was jointly organized by the Ministry of Tourism’s Bangalore unit and the District Tourism Committee. MP Labels Serious Crimes as ‘Minor’Addressing the gathering, MP Hithnal referred to the rape and murder in Sanpur as a “minor incident,” adding that such events should not occur because they negatively impact tourism. He repeated this asse...

Bengaluru: Known nationwide for its traffic snarls, Bengaluru has now earned an unwelcome global distinction. According to the TomTom Traffic Index 2025, the Karnataka capital has been ranked the second most traffic-congested city in the world. The report reveals that traveling just 10 kilometres in Bengaluru takes more than 36 minutes on average, while during peak hours the journey can stretch beyond 40 minutes. The ranking places Mexico City at number one, making it the most congested city globally. Ireland’s Dublin ranks third, followed by Łódź in Poland at fourth place. Pune, Maharashtra’s fast-growing city, stands at fifth position, making it the second Indian city in the global top five. 10 Kilometres, 36 Minutes — A Daily Struggle The TomTom report highlights that an averag...

Bengaluru: Karnataka Police is once again embroiled in controversy following the viral circulation of a video allegedly showing DGP Dr. K. Ramachandra Rao in inappropriate conduct with a woman inside his office at the Directorate of Civil Rights Enforcement. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has suspended Dr. Rao pending investigation into the matter. Dr. Rao has denied the authenticity of the footage, describing it as “false and fabricated.” Speaking to reporters, he stated, “I am trying to understand when and how this happened, and who is behind it. I have no information about it. If the video is old, it dates back eight years to when I was posted in Belagavi.” Profile of Dr. K. Ramachandra Rao Dr. K. Ramachandra Rao is a 1993-batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer currently servin...

Bengaluru, January 12, 2026: Bengaluru police have arrested an 18-year-old man in connection with the murder of a 34-year-old software engineer, Sharmila DK, in Subramanya Layout, Ramamurthy Nagar. The accused allegedly entered the engineer’s rented home, demanded sexual relations, and killed her when she resisted. Police investigations revealed that Sharmila did not die due to a fire, as initially assumed, but was strangled by the teenager. The accused, a second-year undergraduate student residing nearby, reportedly used a pillow to suffocate her. After the killing, he set fire to parts of the apartment to destroy evidence and fled with Sharmila’s mobile phone. Investigation Details Sharmila’s body was discovered on January 3 in her bedroom, where belongings had been partially bu...