SIT to probe Saudi businessman Shetty murder case?

executive@coastaldigest.com (CD Network)
August 11, 2016

Udupi, Aug 11: Minister of State for Fisheries, Youth Empowerment and Sports Pramod Madhwaraj has assured family members of murdered Saudi businessman Bhaskar Shetty to exert pressure on the home minister to form a special investigation team to probe into the case.

madwaraj

Mr. Madhwaraj said that he would talk to Home Minister G. Parameshwara and the new Superintendent of Police, who would take charge here on Thursday, on the formation of the special team. If it was found that the investigation was still not taking place expeditiously, then it could be handed over to the CID or even the CBI.

He had sent the video-clipping given by the sangha where one of the accused was seen sitting in front of the police van to the Inspector-General of Police (Western Range) to investigate it. Since there were complaints about S.V. Girish, Investigation Officer in the case, he had been replaced with D.P. Suman, Assistant Superintendent of Police.

The demand for the former Superintendent of Police of Udupi district K. Annamalai to head the probe would have to be thought of as he had already been transferred to Chikkamagaluru district.

“We will take action as per law in the matter so that the guilty, however powerful they are, do not go scot-free,” he said.

Earlier, a tearful Gulabi Shetty, mother of Bhaskar Shetty, submitted a memorandum to Mr. Madhwaraj, seeking an impartial and speedy probe into the matter during a meeting organised by the Buntara Sangha at the Ammanni Ramanna Shetty Hall, here. The meeting was called demanding a high-level and impartial probe in the murder case.

Sheela K. Shetty, vice-president of the Udupi Zilla Panchayat, said that the way the police had given “royal treatment” to the accused had made them a suspect in the eyes of the people. Public confidence in the case could only be restored if it was handed over either to the CID or the CBI, she said.

Joggu Shetty, relative of Bhaskar Shetty, said that when he had first approached the Manipal police station to inform the police that Bhaskar Shetty was missing, the attitude of the police officers there was casual. It was only after Ms. Gulabi Shetty went and got the complaint registered that the police took it seriously, he said.

Ajit Kumar Rai M., Indrali Jayakar Shetty, Sukumar Shetty, Appanna Hegde, Ravindranath Hegde and other leaders of Buntara Sangha were present.

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News Network
April 11,2025

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Bengaluru, Apr 11: In a significant development, the Karnataka Cabinet on Friday formally accepted the controversial Socio-Economic and Educational Survey, popularly known as the caste census, nearly a decade after it was conducted. The report will be taken up for detailed discussion in a special Cabinet meeting on April 17.

The survey was originally carried out in 2015 by the Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes under the chairmanship of H. Kantharaj, and finalised in February 2024 by his successor, K. Jayaprakash Hegde. The long-awaited report—comprising 50 volumes of detailed caste- and community-related data—was placed before the Cabinet in a sealed cover, which was opened during Friday’s meeting.

Backward Classes Welfare Minister Shivaraj Tangadagi, while briefing the media, said the report would now be distributed to all Cabinet ministers so they could examine its findings ahead of the April 17 meeting. Though the government did not disclose the contents of the report, it sought to validate the survey’s legitimacy by presenting statistical data.

“As per the 2011 Census, Karnataka’s population was 6.11 crore. By 2015, when the survey was conducted, it had grown to an estimated 6.35 crore. The survey covered 5.98 crore people—a coverage of 94.17 percent,” Tangadagi said.
He added that only 37 lakh people, or 5.83 percent, were left out of the enumeration process.

Highlighting the scale of the operation, the minister said 1.6 lakh government officials participated in the survey. An expert committee was constituted, which developed 54 criteria to guide the data collection. The state government also engaged Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) to manage the survey data under a ₹43 crore agreement, with the total expenditure reaching ₹165 crore.

Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H. K. Patil announced that a special Cabinet session will be held on April 17 to deliberate on the report's contents. When asked about concerns over the completeness of the data, Patil responded, “Even in the national Census, some people are left out. A 94 percent coverage is a very significant achievement.”

The caste census remains a politically sensitive issue in Karnataka. Dominant communities such as the Lingayats and Vokkaligas have questioned the methodology of the 2015 survey, alleging undercounting. In contrast, Other Backward Classes (OBCs) and SC/ST groups have welcomed the report, arguing that it sheds light on social realities long ignored.

The Congress party had pledged to act on the caste census in its manifestos for the 2023 Karnataka Assembly elections and the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. National party leader Rahul Gandhi has also been advocating for a nationwide caste census.

The Cabinet’s acceptance of the report comes just days after Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s meeting with Rahul Gandhi in New Delhi, and the Congress Working Committee’s session in Ahmedabad.

Six Ministers Skip Cabinet Meeting

At least six ministers were notably absent from Friday’s Cabinet meeting. These included:

    S. S. Mallikarjun and Laxmi Hebbalkar (both Lingayats)

    M. C. Sudhakar and K. Venkatesh (both Vokkaligas)

    R. B. Timmapur (SC)

    Madhu Bangarappa (Idiga community)

However, Minister Patil clarified that despite their absence, all ministers have endorsed the Cabinet’s collective decision, regardless of caste or community affiliations.

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coastaldigest.com news network
April 8,2025

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Mangaluru: Scoring an almost perfect 599 out of 600, Amoolya Kamath, a brilliant student of Expert PU College, has topped the Science stream in the PU 2 exams. Calm, composed, and quietly confident, Amoolya says the mock tests at her college were the game changer in overcoming her exam fear.

Coming from a family of doctors — Dr Dinesh Kamath and Dr Anuradha Kamath — Amoolya is charting her own path: “I want to become an engineer,” she said with determination.

Her success mantra? “I revised every day whatever was taught in class. I would reach home by 7 pm and then study till 10:30 pm. But honestly, I never expected the first rank!”

Apart from academics, Amoolya is a trained artist — having cleared the Bharatanatyam senior exam and Carnatic music junior exam. “Music kept my mind calm,” she smiled.

A graceful blend of intellect and art, Amoolya Kamath is an inspiration for students aiming to balance ambition with serenity.

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coastaldigest.com news network
April 8,2025

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Mangaluru: Meet Deepashree S, the state topper in the Commerce stream of the PU 2 exams, scoring an astonishing 599 out of 600. A student of Canara PU College, Deepashree had an inkling of success but admits the first rank was beyond her wildest dreams.

“All our doubts were cleared in the classroom itself,” she said, praising her lecturers. “Their concept-based teaching helped me understand everything thoroughly. I also made it a habit to revise daily.”

Planning her future early, Deepashree is already taking CA coaching and is all set to appear for the CA Foundation exam in May. Her next step? An integrated BCom with CA.

Daughter of Ashok S and Suma P, Deepashree is also a Carnatic classical singer, and attributes her sharp concentration to her love for music.

“Hard work matters, but yes, luck plays a part too,” she added with a wise smile — proving that success is a fine mix of talent, effort, and grace.

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