Saudi-based NRI Zakariya Jokatte chosen for Karnataka Rajyotsava Award
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Mangaluru: The Karnataka government’s Department of Kannada and Culture has announced the 2025–26 Karnataka Rajyotsava Awards, honouring Zakariya Jokatte, founder of Al Muzain Company in Jubail, Saudi Arabia, and chairman of M Friends Charitable Trust in Mangaluru, under the “Non-Resident Kannadiga (NRI)” category.
Born on May 10, 1958, in Thokur, Jokatte, Zakariya is the eldest of five children of Haji B. Shekhoonji and Katheejamma. His journey from humble beginnings to becoming a successful global entrepreneur is marked by sheer hard work and perseverance. Having discontinued his formal education early, he began his career doing small-scale jobs, selling jaggery, welding, and working as a daily-wage labourer. During his early years abroad, he even carried cement up to the 28th floor of a building as part of construction work.
After years of tireless effort, Zakariya established Al Muzain Manpower Company in 2008 at Jubail, along with his eldest son Zaheer and three employees. The company gradually expanded to employ over 8,000 workers, with a target of creating 10,000 jobs by 2027.
Following the success of Al Muzain, Zakariya went on to set up several other enterprises, expanding his business footprint across Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, UAE, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, London, and India. He also entered the education sector by founding an international school in Al Khobar in collaboration with Yenepoya Institutions. Plans are underway to establish a hospital and medical college as part of his future vision. He is also working on AI innovation projects and development initiatives for the coastal region.
Currently residing in Bolar, Mangaluru, Zakariya lives with his wife Hazra Zakariya. Their three sons Zaheer, Nazir, and Zahid, are involved in various business ventures abroad.
As chairman of M Friends Charitable Trust, Hidaya Foundation, and Zara Family Charity Trust, Zakariya has been at the forefront of social service. He serves as a director, advisor, and sponsor for several organisations across Karnataka, contributing extensively to the welfare of the poor and underprivileged. His philanthropic work and business excellence have earned him numerous awards and recognitions at national and international levels.
Reacting to the award, Zakariya said he had never applied for the recognition, and it came as a pleasant surprise.
“I never sought awards while doing social work. I didn’t even know about the nomination some of my friends worked behind the scenes to make this happen. I grew up in poverty, so I understand the pain of the needy and always try to help them. When the award was announced, I was in Saudi Arabia, preparing to travel to Jaipur for a friend’s wedding on November 1. The news left me overwhelmed. This honour has not only brought joy but also reminded me of my greater social responsibility. I sincerely thank the state government for this recognition,” he said.
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UP man gets life term for electrocuting mentally challenged wife to death in Bareilly
Bareilly (UP) (PTI): A local court here has sentenced a man to life imprisonment for murdering his mentally challenged wife by repeatedly electrocuting her while she was tied to a cot, lawyers said on Thursday.
Additional district government counsel Harendra Singh Rathore said Additional Sessions Judge Avinash Kumar Singh on Wednesday convicted Vinod Kumar (45) for killing his wife, Satyavati, in Chaina village of Bareilly district and imposed a fine of Rs 15,000 on him.
According to the prosecution, he was allegedly frustrated with his wife Satyavati's mental illness and often assaulted her.
Rathore said the prosecution examined nine witnesses to establish the charges against him.
As per court records, on the night of May 1-2, 2022, when Satyavati was asleep, Vinod tied her hands and legs to a cot using ropes and then connected an aluminium cable to an electric board to repeatedly administer electric shocks to her.
"She writhed in pain, but the accused continued to electrocute her until she died," the prosecution said.
The court observed that the murder was carried out in an inhuman manner.
After committing the crime, the accused threw the rope and cable on the roof and left for work at a brick kiln around 2 am to create a false alibi.
He later tried to mislead the police and the victim's family by claiming that Satyavati, whose mental condition was unstable, had accidentally died by suicide after grabbing a live electric wire.
However, the victim's brother, Sanjeev, a resident of Shahjahanpur district, suspected foul play and lodged an FIR under sections 498A (husband subjecting wife to cruelty) and 302 (murder) of the Indian Penal Code at Nawabganj police station.
During the trial, the prosecution relied on the post-mortem report prepared by Dr Faraz Anwar, who stated that multiple electrocution marks found on different parts of the victim's body could not have been self-inflicted.
The police also recovered the rope and electric wire used in the crime on the accused's identification, officials said.
