A delegation of Honorary Consuls, led by Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, called on Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar at the Vidhana Soudha on Tuesday. “The interaction focused on strengthening Karnataka’s engagement with the global community and unlocking new opportunities for investment, innovation and economic growth,” the Chief Minister said in a post on X.

He praised the pivotal role played by Honorary Consuls in deepening international partnerships and expressed confidence that their continued support would further enhance Karnataka’s standing as a preferred global destination for enterprise, technology, education and innovation.

Speaking to The Hindu, one of the consuls said, “The main focus of the meeting was to make Bengaluru and Karnataka more attractive to global investors. Issues such as traffic congestion and waste management were also discussed.”

On International Domestic Workers’ Day, a group of nearly 150 domestic workers in the city, under the banner of Domestic Workers’ Rights Union Karnataka, submitted a memorandum to the Additional Labour Commissioner demanding a framework for a robust grievance redressal mechanism for the workers and consultation with the workers on the draft of the Karnataka Domestic Workers Social Security Bill 2025.

Noting that a weaker version of the Draft Bill was discussed in the Cabinet recently, the union demanded that a consultation on the Bill in Kannada be held with workers before approval. “After objections from the public, mainly employers, a very weak Bill was placed before the Cabinet recently. Our continued discussions with the Labour Secretary came to a halt with the change of the Cabinet, with the new leadership of Mr. D.K. Shivakumar… After the political changes settle down, we request a full consultation on the Draft Bill in Kannada,” the memorandum read.

As discussions on the Bill are ongoing, the workers proposed setting up a grievance redressal mechanism to ensure domestic workers’ constitutional rights to safety, health and social protection. They pointed out that a framework for this already exists in the Janaspandana portal.

The memorandum further demanded the establishment of a Domestic Workers Taskforce with a dedicated helpline to address instances of inhumane treatment by employers, stringent action against those involved in trafficking and exploitation of domestic workers, smart card facilities and accident insurance coverage for senior domestic workers, ratification of the ILO Convention 189, and implementation of the Karnataka High Court’s 2015 guidelines on trafficking, among others.

Bengaluru’s lack of an effective waste management system has spilled over from inside its homes onto the streets, becoming a sore point for its citizens. The city’s garbage crisis can be witnessed every day, specifically through the unscientific garbage logistics, which have been a major inconvenience to commuters for years.

Persistent irregular garbage collection and the daily delay in tipper arrivals have worsened the city’s black spot problem, now compounded by the onset of the monsoon, leaving residents in misery. Visibly, black spots that were cleared earlier are reappearing, drawing public anger.

The crux of the issue, however, lies in the delay in finalising garbage collection tenders for 13 years. This is has created a ripple effect, leading to shortage of tippers and staff, irregular availability of personnel, delays in salary payments, and vehicle breakdowns, resulting in the collapse of the city’s garbage collection system.

“My wife and I recently built a memorial and planted trees in Sahana’s memory on our two-gunta farm near Badavarahalli in Kolar district. Whenever we miss her, we go and stay there for a day or two to feel her presence and console ourselves,” said Suresh Babu, father of 23-year-old Sahana, who along with 10 others, lost her life one year ago in the city’s worst stampede tragedy.

How did celebration of RCB’s historic win in IPL spiral into chaos and crisis? | Explained

Thursday, June 4, marks one year since the tragic stampede near M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru during last year’s RCB victory celebrations. The incident claimed 11 lives, with victims aged between 16 and 29. Their families recall it as a dark day and say they never want such an incident to recur. While all have received compensation from the State government, they question whether money can ever restore lost lives and happiness.

On the afternoon of June 4, 2025, thousands of fans gathered after news of the RCB team’s arrival in Bengaluru went viral on social media. However, there was confusion over whether the felicitation would be held at Vidhana Soudha or at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. This led to large crowds thronging the streets, with many climbing the stadium’s walls and gates to catch a glimpse of their favourite players. In the ensuing rush, several people were trampled, injured, and suffocated to death.

Haunted by sorrow

Mr. Suresh cried inconsolably as he said, “Going by the Hindu panchanga, we observed our daughter’s death anniversary on May 24 and served food to 800 people. I was supposed to do this for her wedding, but fate had other plans. We are living only for our younger daughter, Chandana, who is in II PU. Sahana supported her sister’s education and never allowed us to spend a single penny. She was passionate about sports from her school days and participated in several tournaments organised at her workplace. This wasn’t the first time she had gone to the stadium. Whenever there was an IPL match, she would buy tickets and go with her friends.”

He added that the family has withdrawn from social life. “We haven’t attended any events or gatherings. We have lost the happiness and peace that Sahana brought into our lives,” he said.

Rewind 2025: Fatal crowd crush

Lakshman D.H., father of Bhoomik — who was 19 years old and studying engineering at a private college in Banashankari when he died in the tragic incident — said, “He was our only son, and we see no purpose in life now. My wife and I haven’t smiled a single day since his death. Bhoomik had gone out with friends to eat shawarma near M.G. Road. After hearing that the RCB team was arriving at the stadium, they went there. What followed was completely unexpected. Yes, we received compensation, but can money, the government, or RCB bring back my son?”

Awaiting justice

Meanwhile, Karunakar Shetty, father of Chinmaya Shetty — who was 19 at the time of her death — said he was still waiting for justice. “All parties involved, including the government, blamed each other. Can someone take responsibility for the deaths of 11 people? That is why I initially refused to record my statement when the police called me during the investigation. Later, my friends convinced me to do so, but I asked them what the point was if the culprits would be let off despite our efforts. Had she been alive, she would now have been in his second year of engineering,” he said.

Shridhar K.T., brother of victim Shravan K.T. who was 20, said, “My brother was a dental student at a private college in Bengaluru. We are originally from Chintamani, and he was the first in our family to attend college. After his death, my mother fell ill and developed tuberculosis. She slipped into depression and stopped taking her medication. It took a long time for us to convince her to live for the sake of the rest of the family. Even now, she remains depressed and has not been able to accept his death.”

11 die in stampede as RCB victory celebrations turn tragic at Bengaluru

What began as a day of rapturous celebration over the IPL victory of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) turned into one of crushing tragedy in Bengaluru on Wednesday evening when 11 people — all aged below 40 — died and 33 were injured when a massive build up of fans at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium led to chaos and stampede.
| Video Credit:
The Hindu

The continuous hike in fuel prices is likely to impact school fees in Bengaluru, with many private schools planning to raise transport fees by around 9% this academic year.

As of Wednesday, the petrol price stood at ₹110.93 per litre, while the diesel price stood at ₹98.80 per litre.

D. Shashikumar, general secretary of the Associated Management of English Medium Schools in Karnataka, said, “Every year, school fees rise by 5% to 10%, but transport fees have remained unchanged. We have been using overall fee collections to cover the maintenance and fuel costs of buses and vans. However, with the recent surge in fuel prices, we are now obligated to increase transport or school bus fees. While some schools collect transport charges annually, others do so on a monthly basis.”

He added, “The transport fee depends on the location of the school and the distance from the students’ homes to the school. It also varies depending on the type of school. At present, schools charge somewhere around ₹1,500 to ₹2,500 per month, which might increase to ₹3,000 to ₹3,500.”

Lokesh Talikatte, president, Karnataka Recognised Unaided Private School Association (KRUPA), said, “Around 11,000 schools from across Karnataka, including CBSE and ICSE schools, have registered with our organisation. We are planning to increase the transport fee by 8% to 10%. This will be done after conducting a meeting with the parents. We have also started informing them about the increase in the transport fee. Some parents have already responded that it is an added financial burden on them. At present, schools under KRUPA are charging somewhere around ₹11,000 to ₹18,000, which will increase to around ₹22,000.“

He also said that KRUPA has received requests from teachers to increase their salaries due to the increase in fuel prices, but no decision has been taken yet.

Meanwhile, parents of school-going children, already burdened by rising fuel prices, said a hike in the school transport fee would strain their budgets further. Raghava M, whose daughters study in a CBSE school in Vijayanagar, said, “At present, I pay ₹36,000 a year as transport fee for both my daughters. Even a ₹2,000 increase would be an added burden. The school fee itself is ₹75,000 annually. I work in a salon and earn about ₹2,000 a day. For middle-class families like ours, it is a significant strain.”

Freeda M., another parent, said, “My son is in class 6, and his school is six kilometres away from home. As heavy vehicles ply on the road connecting Kengeri, I prefer sending him by school van rather than buying a cycle. If the transport fee increases, we may opt out next year and send him by BMTC buses. At present, we cannot opt out as we have already submitted the forms and paid the first instalment of the school fee.”

Krishnappa, whose daughter is studying in a school 2.5 kms away from home in Hulimavu, said the school had already increased the transport fee by ₹4,000 before the fuel price hike to factor in inflation. “We are already paying ₹40,000 per year for transport. I fear there will be one more hike with the continuous hikes in fuel prices,” he said.

A team from Bagalagunte Police Station sustained injuries while attempting to arrest a notorious rowdy-sheeter, who allegedly jumped from the first floor of an under-construction building in Soladevanahalli to evade arrest on Thursday.

The accused, identified as Nagaraj, sustained serious injuries in the fall and has been admitted to hospital and is recovering.

Police Sub-Inspector Pradeep Kumar C. stated in his complaint that he had recently taken charge as PSI at Bagalagunte Police Station and was investigating a case registered under the SC/ST Act and various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

As part of the investigation, the police were searching for the prime accused, Nagaraj, who was absconding. Based on credible information that he was hiding in a house under construction at Soladevanahalli, PSI Pradeep Kumar, along with ASI Srinivas and other police personnel, visited the location around 1.30 p.m. on May 21.

After confirming the accused’s presence on the terrace of the building, the police team approached him and identified themselves. However, Nagaraj allegedly pushed the police personnel, obstructed them from discharging their duty, and attempted to flee from the spot.

During the escape attempt, the accused reportedly jumped from the first floor of the building and sustained severe injuries. PSI Srinivas also suffered injuries during the scuffle, the police said.

The accused was later secured and shifted to the hospital for treatment. Medical reports confirmed that he suffered compression injuries due to the fall. The police are waiting for his recovery to arrest him.

A fresh case has been registered against Nagaraj at Soladevanahalli Police Station for assaulting and obstructing police officers while they were discharging official duty.

Cyber fraudsters posing as Mumbai Crime Branch officials allegedly cheated a 76-year-old Bengaluru resident of over ₹16.24 lakh by threatening him with fake criminal cases and staging a fake virtual court proceeding.

Based on the complaint, the South East Division Cyber Crime Police registered a case on Saturday under relevant sections of the Information Technology Act, 2000, and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.

The complainant, a resident of Pai Layout, stated that on February 16, 2026, he received a WhatsApp call from a person who introduced himself as Rakesh Gupta and claimed to be an officer from the Mumbai Crime Branch.

According to the complaint, the caller alleged that a mobile number obtained using the victim’s identity was being used to circulate illegal and obscene messages and that multiple complaints had been registered against him. The fraudsters allegedly kept the elderly man under constant psychological pressure and intimidation.

A few days later, another person contacted the victim, introducing himself as Vijay Khanna. He allegedly claimed that the complainant’s bank account had been used in a money laundering case involving transactions worth ₹2 crore to ₹3 crore and directed him to appear before the Mumbai police for investigation. When the victim expressed an inability to travel due to his age and health condition, the fraudsters allegedly told him that he could appear before a “Crime Branch Court” through an online hearing.

During a WhatsApp video call, another accused posing as a judge conducted what appeared to be a fake court proceeding and threatened the victim with arrest, while falsely assuring him that he would be granted bail, considering his age. The police said the accused continued to mentally harass and frighten the victim for several days, making him believe that an official investigation was under way.

The fraudsters later convinced the complainant that all his money had to be transferred temporarily for “verification” purposes and assured him that the amount would be returned once the probe was completed. Believing the claims and acting out of fear, the victim allegedly transferred ₹16,24,107 in multiple transactions through RTGS and IMPS to bank accounts provided by the accused.

After realising he had been cheated, the victim approached the police seeking legal action against the fraudsters. Further investigation is under way. The victim discussed his ordeal with his family members and friends, who suggested that he approach the police.

Yet another case has been registered against M. Kripalani, an electronics goods dealer from Bengaluru, who has been accused of allegedly sexually assaulting a customs official. This time, a 50-year-old customs officer has filed a complaint alleging that he and his family received death threats from Kripalani, after the officer imposed penalties in a customs evasion case.

According to the complaint registered at Halasuru Police Station under Sections 308(4), 351(1), and 351(3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, the complainant, identified as D. Anthony, stated that he was involved in an investigation related to alleged GST and customs duty evasion in Mangaluru.

During the inquiry, authorities allegedly imposed a customs duty penalty of ₹6.07 lakh, an importer penalty of ₹5 lakh, and an additional penalty of ₹2.5 lakh under Section 114AA of the Customs Act, 1962, against the accused, identified as Kripalani M.

Anthony alleged that following the action, the accused developed a grudge against him and began issuing threats. On April 1, 2026, Anthony’s colleague allegedly forwarded him a WhatsApp message containing an audio clip in which the accused was purportedly heard threatening to harm Anthony and his family.

The following day, Anthony allegedly received an envelope from an unidentified person containing another audio recording. In the clip, which the complainant heard on his laptop, the accused had allegedly threatened that he would not spare Anthony, his wife, or children. Anthony, who is currently posted in Mangaluru while his family resides in Bengaluru, stated in the complaint that the threats caused fear for the safety of his family members. Police have registered a case and launched an investigation.

Kripalani is already facing allegations of blackmailing and sexually harassing a woman customs officer. According to investigators, the accused allegedly threatened to leak private photos and videos if his demands were not met. He is alleged to have harassed many customs officials. 

In addition, two more FIRs were filed against him for allegedly assaulting and misbehaving with police personnel while being escorted to a hospital for medical examination following his arrest.

Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Wednesday revealed that the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) will be allotting sites to land losers for the Shivaram Karanth Layout and selling flats built in Whitefield.

He said that as many as 3,052 landowners had given their land for the Shivaram Karanth Layout (S.K. Layout) and that there were several complications, including cases where multiple owners had sold their properties to others.

“With court permission, 18,000 sites are now being allotted to landowners. They may take possession of the sites from May 15. A software developed through the central e-governance system has been used for the allotment,” he said.

“Special provision has been made for owners who had 1, 2 or more acres of land. For those who wanted a single large site, we had promised to accommodate them, but only 7 people applied for it. For one acre of land, a single site of 9,583 sq. ft. would be given. This arrangement facilitates high-rise construction,” he explained.

BDA flats

Mr. Shivakumar announced that about 1,900 new flats have been built in Whitefield. “A 1-BHK flat of 760 sq. ft. is being offered at ₹6,686 per sq. ft. Applications will be accepted from May 15. A 3-BHK flat of 1,733 sq. ft. is being offered at ₹8,309 per sq. ft., totalling ₹1.44 crore,” he said.

Further, speaking about infrastructure projects, he said that traffic congestion exists in Chennai, Hyderabad, Delhi, and Mumbai as well. “We have eased some pressure near Hebbal and are continuing to streamline further,” he said.

“Work on constructing a short tunnel connecting Hebbal Junction to the University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS) will start soon. A three-lane cut-and-cover tunnel will be built, with a total of six lanes. The tunnel will be 2.2 km long. This project has been awarded to Rutvik Tunnels and must be completed within 18 months,” he said.

Near Mekhri Circle, a 1.7 km elevated corridor with four lanes will also be built. The foundation stone-laying ceremony for both projects will be held by the end of this month, he noted.

He further reiterated projects such as Phase 1 of the Bengaluru Business Corridor, for which 80% of the land acquisition has already been completed, and the opening of the Major Arterial Road (MAR), passing through the Nadaprabhu Kempegowda Layout, spanning 10.77 km. The MAR, built at a cost of ₹631 crore, will be inaugurated within the next 15 days, he said.

On the occasion of Kempegowda Jayanti and the BDA completing 50 years, about 15 lakh saplings will be planted across Bengaluru under a programme titled “Green Bengaluru”, according to Mr. Shivakumar. The event will be held on June 27. He further said that about 150 schemes have been planned, and all announcements will follow in the next 15 days.

These announcements coincide with the possibility of long-pending civic elections possibly taking place in the city this year. While the Karnataka State Election Commission had earlier stated that civic polls in Bengaluru would be held between June 14 and 24, it has recently filed an application before the Supreme Court seeking an extension until September 30 to conduct the polls, following a request from officials in the State government.

Three people lost their lives in separate road accidents reported in different parts of Bengaluru and nearby areas on Tuesday night and early Wednesday.

In the first incident, a speeding car allegedly rammed into a motorcycle near Kote Cross in Devanahalli around 9 p.m. The victim, identified as Shekar, 28, a resident of Neeleri village, died on the spot. He was employed at a private company. The Devanahalli traffic police have registered a case and have taken the driver into custody for further investigation.

As per the complaint filed by Vinay Kumar, 25, a relative of the deceased, Shekar had come to visit his wife at their house in Devanahalli on Tuesday and had left the residence at around 10.15 p.m. on his scooter.

At around 10.45 p.m., when the complainant called Shekar’s mobile phone, a member of the public answered and informed him that Shekar had met with an accident near Devanahalli Kote Cross and had been shifted to the Government Hospital in Devanahalli by ambulance. The driver of the car, who was driving from the Chickballapur direction, is said to have jumped over a road bump before colliding with the scooter.

In another incident, Arun Kumar, 26, a native of Virajpet in Kodagu district, died after a speeding canter vehicle allegedly rammed into his motorcycle near the Biocon Metro Station on Hosur Road around 1.30 a.m.

Arun, who worked as a car driver, was residing with a friend at Ananthanagar in Hebbagodi. The police said he was returning home when the accident occurred. He sustained severe injuries in the crash and died on the spot.

In the third incident, Ram Kishan, a retired serviceman and resident of Anekal, was killed after a heavy vehicle allegedly hit his scooter near Hebbagodi bus stand around 6.15 a.m.

According to the police, Ram Kishan was travelling towards Electronic City on his scooter when the speeding vehicle knocked him down, leaving him critically injured. He succumbed to injuries at the scene.

The Electronic City Traffic Police have registered separate cases and are investigating both incidents.