After arrest of actress Anikha in Karnataka drug case, her husband arrested in Kerala drug case

News Network
September 6, 2020

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Kochi, Sept 6: The husband of Kannada serial actress D Anikha, who was arrested in a Bengaluru drug case, and Okawo Collins, a Nigerian prisoner on trial in a Kochi drug case, are close friends, investigations have revealed. 

Anikha’s husband, a Nigerian, has gone into hiding after her arrest. Although documents show his name to 'Rahman', the investigation team suspects it could be fake. The two Nigerians arrived in Goa in 2014. 

On January 31, 2015, actor Shine Tom Chacko, Reshma Rangaswamy, Blessy Sylvester, Tinsey Babu and Sneha Babu were arrested during a night party at a private flat in Kadavanthara. Okawo was arrested on the basis of Reshma's statement. 

He told the investigators that the drugs for the party were supplied by one Franco in Goa. However, Franco could not be found. The police felt that Franco was a fictional character created by Okawo to mislead the investigation. But, now, they suspect that Franco could be the husband of the arrested Anikha.

This could, in effect, mean that the drug racket uncovered in Bengaluru may have had connections with the Malayalam film industry since 2015, say officials in the  investigation team. 

Although Okawo Collins had revealed to the police that four newgen actors, two directors and two producers in Kochi were his clients, the investigation did not reach them.

Some of the filmmakers who are said to be in the friend circle of Kochi native Anoop Mohammad, who has been arrested in the Bengaluru drug case along with Anikha, were the ones named by Okawo, too, in 2015, the police said. 

According to Rijesh Raveendran, an accomplice of Anoop who is also in police custody, he started dealing in drugs in 2015. He said he met Anoop at a music concert in Goa that year. Okawo had also told the police that it was during a music concert in Goa that Franco gave him the packets of cocaine to be delivered to Kochi.

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News Network
January 13,2025

Mangaluru: Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) in Singapore remain determined to establish direct air connectivity between Mangaluru and Singapore despite setbacks. This follows Air India Express' (AIE) recent decision to postpone its planned direct flight service on this route, disappointing many expats.

In response, NRIs have proposed an alternative solution: extending IndiGo's existing Singapore-Bengaluru flight to Mangaluru. Currently, the Singapore-Bengaluru flight lands at Kempegowda International Airport at 7:40 AM, but passengers cannot board the 9:00 AM Bengaluru-Mangaluru connection due to insufficient transit time. Extending the Singapore-Bengaluru flight to Mangaluru would address this issue and benefit travelers.

Rajesh H. Acharya, director of HQ Connections in Singapore and coordinator of the Singapore Tuluver community, expressed disappointment over AIE's handling of the situation. "We’ve been advocating for this route since 2017, and it was close to becoming a reality. However, the sudden postponement and lack of stakeholder support have delayed our efforts," he said.

A petition has been submitted to IndiGo Airlines requesting the introduction of a direct Mangaluru-Singapore flight. Alternatively, it suggests extending IndiGo’s existing Singapore-Bengaluru flight to include Mangaluru. Expats have also approached Scoot Airlines in Singapore for direct connectivity. However, the lack of 'Point of Call' status for Mangaluru Airport remains a significant hurdle for international flights.

Despite the challenges, NRIs continue their efforts to make direct air connectivity between Mangaluru and Singapore a reality.

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News Network
January 18,2025

Sullia, Jan 18: In a shocking incident, a man shot his wife dead during a fit of rage over a minor argument and later took his own life by consuming poison. The heartbreaking event unfolded late Friday night in Kodimajalu in Sullia taluk of Dakshina Kannada.

The accused, identified as Ramachandra Gowda alias Chandra (53), used his licensed firearm to commit the crime. His wife, Vinoda (43), tragically lost her life in the incident.

On the fateful night, Ramachandra reportedly started an argument with his family after dinner over a trivial matter. The heated exchange escalated, and in a fit of uncontrollable anger, he allegedly aimed his firearm at his elder son, Prashanth. Vinoda intervened to prevent the attack, attempting to wrest the gun from Ramachandra.

However, enraged by her intervention, Ramachandra turned the gun on Vinoda and shot her, leaving her dead on the spot. Overwhelmed by the gravity of his actions, he consumed acid, commonly used for rubber processing, to end his own life.

Based on Prashanth’s statement, a case has been registered at the Sullia police station. The tragic sequence of events has left the village in shock and mourning, raising concerns about the unchecked escalation of domestic disputes.

This devastating incident underscores the importance of addressing domestic tensions before they spiral into irreversible tragedies.

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News Network
January 7,2025

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Mangaluru: A tragic road accident claimed the life of a young medical store owner on Monday, January 6, near Tiblapadavu, Natekallu, located on the outskirts of the city.

The victim, identified as 25-year-old Ausaf, was the proprietor of Hajira Medicals and the son of Jaleel, a resident of Derlakatte. 

The unfortunate incident unfolded as Ausaf was riding his bike from Derlakatte toward Tiblapadavu. Upon approaching a divider near Tiblapadavu, a lorry made a sudden turn, resulting in a collision between the motorbike and the rear of the lorry. Ausaf succumbed to his injuries on the spot.

Having completed his education a few years ago, Ausaf had taken up the responsibility of managing Hajira Medicals at Derlakatte Junction. He was well-known in his community for his dedication and service.

Authorities at the Mangaluru South Traffic Police Station have registered a case, and CCTV footage capturing the incident is under review. The tragic loss has left the local community in shock, mourning the untimely demise of a promising young entrepreneur. 

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