Mangaluru: A formal complaint has been filed at the Mangaluru South Police Station against three individuals and a news website for allegedly spreading false and provocative information linking the name of journalist B.M. Basheer and the Kannada daily Vartha Bharati to a fabricated story titled ‘Operation Sindoor’.

The complaint was lodged by B.M. Basheer, News Editor of Vartha Bharati, who has demanded legal action against those involved in sharing what he termed as misleading and inflammatory content on social media platforms and websites.

According to the complaint, a Facebook post by a user named Nitin Shamanur titled ‘Operation Sindoor: Kannada journalist's cousin's wife is finished’ included false claims along with a photograph of a woman and soldiers. The same post was reportedly shared by Santosh Hegde on his Facebook account and also posted from another Facebook profile under the name Bettampady Chandra.

Basheer further alleged that the same content was published on a website named newsputtur.com, contributing to the spread of misinformation.

“This misleading and provocative rumour under the name ‘Operation Sindoor’ is circulating fake news in the public domain. It is likely to disturb communal harmony and create unrest in society. The coastal region is already witnessing a sensitive situation due to recent developments, and such false narratives could further aggravate tensions,” Basheer stated in his complaint.

He has demanded that a case be registered and legal action be initiated against the individuals – Santosh Hegde, Nitin Shamanur, Bettampady Chandra – as well as the editor of newsputtur.com, following a thorough investigation.

The Mangaluru South Police have taken note of the complaint and initiated a preliminary inquiry into the matter.

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Karwar: Uttara Kannada police have cracked a murder case in which a Belagavi youth was killed and his body burnt inside a car to make it appear like a road accident.

Addressing a press meet in the city, Superintendent of Police Deepan M.N. said three accused from Old Hubballi have been arrested in connection with the case. The crime was a pre-planned act driven by personal enmity, he said.

The case came to light on April 8 morning when a car (KA-04/MJ-8996) was found completely burnt in a roadside ditch near Talekumbri bus stand in Yellapur. Only charred human remains were found inside the vehicle. Initially, it was suspected to be an accident caused by overspeeding, and a case was registered at Yellapur police station based on a complaint filed by the deceased’s father, Jagannath Dhapale.

However, the father later expressed suspicion that his son’s death was not accidental, prompting a detailed investigation.

Taking the matter seriously, two special teams were formed under the leadership of Yellapur Inspector Ramesh Hanapur. On analysing technical evidence and CCTV footage, police found that it was a planned murder.

The accused have been identified as Abdul Raheem Basheer Ahmed Mujawar (32), Maulasab Bavahan Wada (36) and Dadapeer alias Aftab Mehboob Saab Balasangi (22), all chicken traders from Old Hubballi.

Police have seized the car used in the crime along with two scooters. The accused have been remanded to judicial custody.

Investigations revealed that the accused killed Nitesh Dhapale due to personal enmity and later set the car on fire along with the body to project it as an accident.

SP Deepan M.N. appreciated the efforts of Inspector Ramesh Hanapur, PSIs Rajashekhar Vandali and Siddappa Gudi, and the entire team for solving the complex case.