Karnataka: Amidst protest, funeral of COVID-19 victim held in Mangaluru
Mangaluru: The funeral of a 75-year-old woman, who died of COVID-19, was held amid opposition from local people in Dakshina Kannada district in Karnataka, police said on Friday.
The final rites of the woman from Kasba village were held at the Hindu Rudrabhoomi at Kaikunje near Bantwal town, about 30 kms from here, on Thursday night under strict police protection, even as local people who feared risk to their health raised protests, they said.
The funeral was held as per the protocol for COVID-19 deaths, police said.
The authorities had earlier decided to hold the cremation at Pachanady, but changed their plans after stiff opposition from the local residents there.
Local MLA Bharath Y Shetty denied reports that he had objected to the cremation at Pachanady. There will not be any danger to the local people if COVID-19 victims are cremated in their places, he said in a post on social media.
Such protests due to misconception about spread of coronavirus had been witnessed in some other parts of the country, including in Chennai, and the governments have warned of action against those opposing cremation or burial of COVID-19 patients.
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HC rejects Mahesh Shetty Thimarody’s plea challenging externment
Bengaluru: The High Court has rejected the application filed by activist Mahesh Shetty Thimarody challenging Puttur Assistant Commissioner’s externment order sending him out of Dakshina Kannada district.
Puttur AC Stella Varghese had issued the order, externing Shetty to Manvi taluk of Raichur district on March 13, 2026.
Justice Sachin Shankar Magadum, who earlier heard the plea filed by Shetty and kept the judgment pending, said on Thursday that the activist’s application was being rejected.
Stating that the petition was invalid, the judge clarified that the activist could file an application challenging the order with the Home Secretary. He also directed the state government not to take any action in connection with the case for two weeks.
A detailed version of the verdict, however, is awaited.
