Meenakshi Shantigodu elected Dakshina Kannada ZP chief, Kasturi Panja deputy

Mangaluru, Apr 22: Dakshina Karnataka District in-charge Minister Kota Srinivas Poojary on Wednesday warned of invoking Goonda Act against those who attack doctors, police or ASHA workers who are involved in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic.

Addressing a function arranged to distribute food kits to journalists on behalf of SCDCC Bank at the Patrika Bhavan on Wednesday, the Minister said the authorities have been instructed to initiate action without any hesitation against anyone who tries to attack Corona warriors.

It has been observed across the state the incidents of attack and assault on ASHA workers, police and civic workers are increasing hence it was felt the need for severe actions against such elements , he added.

Bengaluru, May 26: The Karnataka high court has rejected bail to a software engineer who was arrested after his sarcastic Facebook post urged people to spread coronavirus by sneezing in public over two months ago.

Mujeeb Mohammed was sacked by Infosys from the post of senior software engineer after his arrest on March 29.

Justice KS Mudagal observed the investigating officer's report and the case diary prima facie show though Mujeeb was well educated and employed, he uploaded messages which are likely to cause disharmony and panic, and are hostile to humanity at a time when the world is facing the pandemic.

The judge noted that the records indicate Mujeeb has six bank accounts, stayed in Bahrain and Kuwait for some years, was influenced by religious fanatics and anti-national ideas and that he had shared a Pakistan WhatsApp number to someone over information about Islam. The National Investigation Agency is probing his links.

Mujeeb, who is in judicial custody now, has been booked under sections 153A, 505, 270 and 109 of IPC.

His counsel submitted the maximum punishment under 153 A of IPC (causing enmity) would be three years and for other offences, it's even less. He also stated the petitioner would abide by the conditions to be imposed by the court.

However, the government pleader said probe provided leads on the petitioner's links with unorganised terrorist groups and it has to be investigated further.

Udupi, Jan 25: The accused, who planted a crude bomb at the Mangalore International Airport on January 20, was brought to Udupi on Saturday, to collect information, as part of the spot investigation, police said here.

According to police officials, accused Aditya Rao was brought to Karnataka Bank Kadiyali branch, where Rao had a Safe Locker. The team opened the locker and seized the documents, along with a Box.

They said the seized documents, along with the Box, will be sent to the FSL for investigation.