The Election Commission of India officers in charge of Special Intensive Revision have rejected the demand for scrutiny and deletion of around 2,598 votes sought by BJP leader and MLA Abhay Patil in Belagavi North constituency.

M. Karthik, Belagavi city corporation commissioner and the Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) has replied to the MLA’s letter, saying that there was no legal provision for bulk scrutiny or deletion of votes under the SIR process.

He has, however, clarified that Booth Level Agents (BLAs) could file objections to the inclusion of doubtful electors through the concerned Booth Level Officers (BLOs).

In a letter dated September 19, Mr. Patil had alleged that the BLAs from his constituency had detected over 2,598 bogus voters. He had given details of the number of suspect voters along with their part numbers and booth numbers.

B.K. Hariprasad, MLC and KPCC chairman, had objected to this, saying Mr. Patil had no locus standi in sending a letter to SIR officials seeking bulk deletion of voters. He alleged that the BJP MLA was targetting Muslim voters only to help his cause in the next elections.

‘Not seeking bulk deletion’

Speaking to reporters in Belagavi on Friday (September 25, 2026), Mr. Patil said that he had not sought bulk deletion of voters.

“I have not asked for deletion of names of any elector. I am only asking SIR officers to conduct an inquiry, look into allegations of inclusion of bogus voters, scrutinise the Forms 6 and 7 submitted by suspect voters and delete their names if found false. I am not only a MLA, but also the Booth Level Agent number 1 for my constituency. I have a right to do so. I also have a responsibility towards ensuring clean elections and a duty to express solidarity with BLA 2 and my other associates who have gone door-to-door to trace bogus voters,’’ he said.

Mr Patil said that Deepak Patil, the BLA 2, and his team, had found some false voters and filed objections through Form 7 to the respective BLOs. “But the BLOs had not acted on those objections. I wrote the letter only to remind them of their duties. Along with my letter, I have submitted a proof of all objections filed by the BLAs in my constituency,’’ he said.

Mr. Patil also denied Mr. Hariprasad’s allegations. “I know the rules well. I am a four-term MLA and I am only exercising my right.” He said that he would appeal to the ECI if his objections were not considered by local SIR officers.

The Kanyakumari District Railway Users’ Association (KKDRUA) has said the South Western Railway and people’s representatives should utilise integration of Mangaluru Railway region with SWR as momentum to aggressively execute further Railway development projects in the region.

Congratulating Dakshina Kannada MP Captain Brijesh Chowta on Railway Board’s August 21 decision to bifurcate Mangaluru from Southern Railway’s Palakkad Division and bring it under SWR’s Mysuru Division, Association Secretary P. Edward Jeni in a letter to the MP said the landmark step fulfils a long-pending demand of the region and significantly boosts connectivity across Karnataka.

The Kanyakumari Association in Tamil Nadu, like passenger associations in coastal Karnataka, has been fighting alleged step-motherly treatment of the region by Southern Railway’s Thiruvananthapuram Division.

The Association said while this jurisdictional shift is a historic victory, it must mark the beginning of active development, not the end of people’s efforts. The railway authorities and people’s representatives should use it as momentum to aggressively execute further railway development projects in the region.

Post-transfer growth

It said the integration should be treated as a springboard for active development with push for new projects, speeding up stalled works and ensuring Mangaluru receives fair share of budgetary allocation from SWR.

A joint task force comprising people’s representatives and senior officials from SWR and Konkan Railway Corporation Ltd., should conduct a comprehensive survey of Mangaluru Central and Junction Stations to assess present bottlenecks, execute essential passenger amenity upgrades and draft a Master Plan to develop Mangaluru as a Mega Terminal.

The task force should also undertake an operational audit of the existing pit lines at Mangaluru and shift primary maintenance of select long-distance trains to destination stations outside Mangaluru to decongest the region. Pit lines capacity should be enhanced to accommodate 24-coach trains to maximise services.

There is a need to undertake station-by-station audit across all railway stations under Mangaluru region to identify missing infrastructure, including full platform sheltering, improved lighting, and modern, clean toilet facilities. Focus should also be given to providing escalators, lifts, and foot overbridges (FOBs) for seamless platform accessibility while platform lengths at suburban stations should be extended to accommodate full-length express trains.

It suggested introduction of new daily express trains connecting Mangaluru to major cities in Karnataka, including Bengaluru, Hubballi, Belagavi, Kalaburagi etc., and extension of long-distance trains terminating at Bengaluru to Mangaluru to improve direct interstate and intrastate connectivity.

Freight handling

The Association suggested to develop dedicated freight handling terminals and improve port connectivity with New Mangalore Port (NMP) to leverage the full economic potential of the SWR network.

The grand Gajapayana of the first batch of Dasara elephants was flagged off at Veeranahosahalli on the outskirts of the Nagarahole Tiger Reserve in Hunsur taluk on Wednesday (August 26, 2026), marking the beginning of preparations for the world-famous Mysuru Dasara festivities.

Nine specially decorated Dasara elephants were accorded a traditional welcome at Veeranahosahalli before embarking on their journey to Mysuru. The event was held with much fanfare in the presence of hundreds of locals and tribal people from neighbouring hamlets, who gathered to witness the spectacle.

Minister in-charge of Mysuru district Yathindra Siddaramaiah flagged off the Gajapayana in the presence of other dignitaries. The first batch comprises Mahendra, Srikanta, Lakshmi, Ekalavya, Dhananjaya, Gopi, Kaveri, Prashantha and Srirama.

Adieu to Abhimanyu

The Gajapayana also witnessed an emotional moment as legendary Dasara elephant Abhimanyu, who carried the golden howdah during the Jamboo Savari for six consecutive years, was accorded a ceremonial farewell ahead of his retirement from active Dasara duties.

Celebrated elephant Abhimanyu raising its trunk as a mark of respect after a ceremonial farewell was accorded to it during Gajapayana at Veeranahosahalli on the outskirts of Nagarahole Tiger Reserve in Hunsur taluk on August 26, 2026, following its retirement from active Dasara responsibilities.
| Photo Credit:
M A Sriram

The 60-year-old tusker was given a red-carpet welcome and showered with flowers as a mark of respect for his decade-long service as one of the leading elephants in the Dasara jumbo squad. His contribution to the Dasara festivities was specially remembered during the ceremony.

The first batch of elephants will travel to Mysuru in specially arranged trucks and will be stationed at Aranya Bhavan before being formally welcomed into the Mysuru Palace premises on August 28.

A woman and her three children reportedly jumped into the Tunga river from a railway bridge in Shivamogga on Monday (August 24, 2026) night. Locals who witnessed the incident rescued the woman and one of her children, while two children remain missing.

The woman, reportedly a native of Chitradurga, jumped into the river along with her 11-month-old son and two daughters. Locals Naveen and Dadapeer got into the water and rescued the woman and her son.

Local police and staff of the Fire and Emergency Services rushed to the spot. The rescue operation could not continue for long due to darkness, and the search resumed on Tuesday (August 25) morning. The search operation continued till late in the evening on Tuesday. However, they could not find the two other children.

The police shifted the woman and her rescued infant son to McGann Hospital for treatment. It is not clear yet what prompted the woman to take the extreme step.

(If you are in distress or having suicidal tendencies, please reach out to these 24/7 helplines: KIRAN at 1800-599-0019 or Arogya Sahayavani at 104 for help.)

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) on Tuesday (August 25, 2026) conducted a second search at the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) office in Bengaluru as part of its investigation into alleged irregularities in the recruitment examination for veterinary officers.

A CID team investigating the case, led by SP Raghavendra Hegde, searched the KPSC office and examined recruitment-related documents and other records.

The CID also issued notices to all 329 candidates who appeared for the examination, directing them to appear for questioning before the investigating officers.

658 OMR sheets seized

Investigators have already seized 658 OMR carbon sheets from the candidates and sent them to the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) for examination. The sheets are being compared with the original OMR sheets to detect any discrepancies or evidence of manipulation.

The CID has intensified the probe based on information and statements reportedly obtained by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) during its separate investigation into the alleged recruitment irregularities.

The ED had earlier conducted searches at more than 21 locations in connection with the alleged large-scale recruitment and financial irregularities. The agency had also searched the residence of IAS officer Gyanendra Kumar Gangwar, who was entrusted with overseeing the examination.

The ED officials conducted the search at the IAS officer’s residence in his absence and later pasted a notice on the door directing him to appear for questioning.

The CID is now examining the material gathered by the ED and the statements recorded during its investigation to establish the extent of the alleged malpractice and identify those involved in the recruitment process.

Legislative Council member Ivan D’Souza demanded the creation of a separate sub-category for the Christian community within the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category and sought 2% reservation for the community.

Speaking in the Legislative Council on Wednesday, he said the Christian community was unable to obtain adequate benefits in government employment and education through the existing reservation system. At present, Christians fall under the ‘3B’ category and are unable to compete with other mainstream communities.

He therefore urged the government to provide Christians with a separate ‘2B’ reservation, similar to that available to the Muslim minority community.

Responding to this, Minority Welfare, Haj and Wakf Minister U.T. Khader said that the creation of a separate sub-category was a matter to be decided by the Backward Classes Commission. He therefore advised them to submit their demand to the commission.

Mr. D’Souza also appealed to the government to provide funding for the Christian community’s pilgrimage to Jerusalem.

Following reports that a mobile phone was found in the Central Prison barrack housing former MP Prajwal Revanna, DIG of Prisons and Correctional Services Jinendra Khanagavi has initiated a probe into how the phone reached the barrack despite security arrangements. The CCB raid also led to the seizure of a pen drive and a notebook.

The investigation team has been directed to examine all aspects of the incident, including how the phone entered the prison, who supplied it, how long it was used, and whether prison officials or other personnel facilitated its use.

According to sources, the notebook allegedly contained several phone numbers, including those identified as belonging to Revanna’s family, as well as acquaintances. Investigators are examining the numbers and digital evidence retrieved from the mobile phone.

The incident has raised questions about security lapses at the prison. Despite repeated warnings about the use of outside SIM cards inside the facility, investigators have reportedly detected SIM cards issued in Andhra Pradesh being used inside the prison.

Following the incident, Prison Department DGP Alok Kumar directed Mr. Khanagavi to conduct a comprehensive inquiry and submit a report.

According to sources, the seized mobile phone had been in use since March, and investigators suspect that several more phones may have been smuggled into the prison and could still be operational. The probe is also examining allegations that prison officials may have facilitated access to the mobile phone in return for money.

Assistant Superintendent Iranna Rangapur has already been suspended following the incident. According to officials, CCB personnel had earlier planned a raid but allegedly faced delays in gaining access to the prison premises. During this period, prison staff and inmates were reportedly alerted, raising concerns that some contraband could have been concealed.

Home Minister Priyank Kharge has said action will be taken against anyone found to have helped Revanna obtain or use the phone. He also said the investigation would establish who supplied the device and identify those responsible for any security breach.

Raids

Meanwhile, three mobile phones and two pen drives were recovered from the Parappana Agrahara Central Prison during separate searches.

According to a complaint filed by prison in-charge Superintendent B.R. Andani, prison officials conducted an unannounced search of Security Divisions 1, 2 and 3 between 11.30 p.m. on August 11 and 2 a.m. on August 12.

Following the recovery, an FIR was registered at the Parappana Agrahara police station.

DCP, Electronic City Division, M. Narayana, meanwhile, refuted reports that the seized devices contained pornographic or other objectionable videos and photographs.

Mr. Narayana also said investigators had noticed that a particular brand of Android phones was being used inside the prison despite the security arrangements and jamming systems. The police are examining whether certain devices can bypass the 3G/5G security jammers. They are planning to write to the mobile phone manufacturer seeking technical information.

Investigators are also probing a lead regarding the purchase of the phones from a particular shop to establish the chain through which the devices entered the prison.

A portion of the Pune-Bengaluru National Highway collapsed near Nippani on July 29. This led to panic among motorists.

The portion is part of the work of expanding the carriageway to a six-lane highway. The work has been going on for over two years now.

MLA Shashikala Jolle visited the site and expressed dissatisfaction with the quality of work. She promised to bring it to the attention of Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari. She demanded that the strip be rebuilt.

A portion of the Pune-Bengaluru National Highway collapsed, at Nippani in Belagavi district of Karnataka, on July 29, 2026. NHAI stated that movement of vehicles was not affected.
| Photo Credit:
SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) issued a clarification regarding the incident. Officials of the NHAI Regional Office stated that restoration work is being carried out on priority to repair the damaged embankment and resume construction on the carriageway.

Explanation by NHAI

The affected portion was an under-construction approach of a Light Vehicular Underpass (LVUP) on the Sankeshwar Bypass to the Maharashtra border section, near Nipani, on NH-48.

According to NHAI, the incident did not involve the main carriageway. The authority explained that the Pavement Quality Concrete (PQC) had not yet been laid, and the work was still at the sub-grade level, with only part of the Dry Lean Concrete (DLC) completed.

NHAI said that heavy rainfall caused water to flow through the unfinished sub-grade, resulting in the erosion of a 7–10 metre portion of the approach embankment.

The authority clarified that movement of vehicles was not affected, as motorists were already being diverted through the service road while the main carriageway was being constructed.

The clarification came after images of the collapsed side wall and eroded embankment at the construction site were shared by Belagavi resident Uday Kinjwadkar.

NHAI reiterated that the incident is confined to the under-construction approach embankment, and that there is no impact on movement of vehicles on the existing route.

Construction and debris (C&D) as well as inert waste lying on streets and footpaths across the city will be cleared as part of the Freedom from Waste special drive starting August 1. This is the second such special drive after the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) launched the Safe Footpath drive on July 1.

Bengaluru Solid Waste Management Ltd. (BSWML) has developed a dedicated app, Clearit, for the purpose. Ward engineers have been directed to upload geotagged photos of the waste dumps in their wards on the app. BSWML will clear them.

The GBA has identified eight land parcels totalling 57 acres across the outskirts of the city where this waste will be shifted. A recent estimate by the five corporations pegged C&D and inert waste lying on the streets at 22,372 tonnes.

Likewise, all parastatals — Bangalore Development Authority (BDA), Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (BMRCL) and Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB), among others, that carry out civil works have been instructed to clear all C&D waste from their work sites and transport it to the same land parcels.

A circular issued by GBA Chief Commissioner M. Maheshwar Rao on Tuesday for the Freedom from Waste drive asked ward-level and zonal officials to take up special cleaning drives at public places such as bus stops, skywalks, flyovers, underpasses and places of worship. It also directs officials to work with educational institutions in their jurisdictions to launch zero-waste campaigns, apart from ensuring routine SWM practices.