Surat: M’luru men marching to Delhi demanding stricter punishment for rapists, die in road accident
Surat: Two individuals from Mangaluru lost their lives and three others sustained injuries when a truck collided with their vehicle during a protest march demanding stricter action against rapists in the country. The incident occurred around 2 PM on Wednesday, approximately 200 km from Surat, Gujarat.
The deceased have been identified as Musa Shariff, a social activist from Charmadi in Dakshina Kannada, and Lingegowda. They were part of a group marching from Mangaluru to Delhi to urge immediate and stringent measures against sexual violence.
The group, comprising five members, had paused for a break and was resting in an Omni car parked on the roadside when a truck rammed into the vehicle. The collision left the car severely mangled and killed Shariff and Lingegowda on the spot. The truck driver fled the scene after the accident, and authorities are investigating the incident.
Musa Shariff was a prominent activist associated with the Karnataka Drivers Trade Union and the KRS party. Known for his dedication to social causes, Shariff had taken up the march to demand punishment for perpetrators of sexual crimes, citing the rising number of such incidents despite campaigns like Beti Bachao Beti Padhao.
The march, which also included participants Naufal Abbas, Praveen, and Hamza, aimed to reach New Delhi, where the group planned to meet the Prime Minister and submit a memorandum highlighting the need for urgent action against sexual violence.
Shariff, who is survived by his wife and three daughters, had been documenting the journey on YouTube, sharing updates under the series “55th Day of the Protest March.” Tragically, their final video was uploaded just hours before the accident.
PC: YouTube Screengrab
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Karnataka: GBA city corporation polls likely between June 14 and 24
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka State Election Commissioner G S Sangreshi on Friday said elections to the five city corporations under the GBA will be held anytime between June 14 and June 24.
He said the exact date for the polls will be announced after a week, asserting that the power to postpone the elections, as requested by GBA authorities, lies with the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court had directed the Karnataka government and the State Election Commission to conduct Bengaluru local body elections by June 30.
On Friday, the SEC held a consultation meeting with the GBA Chief Commissioner and commissioners of the five city corporations regarding the election schedule, as per the provisions of the GBA Act.
“During the meeting, I informed GBA officials that only the election date has to be fixed, as all other measures and formalities for conducting the polls have already been completed,” Sangreshi said.
“They requested the Commission to consider factors such as rains, exams, census work, SIR, and manpower shortages while fixing the date and sought additional time,” he added.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, he said, “I told them this meeting was not for seeking time. Elections to the five corporations under the GBA must be held before June 30, as directed by the Supreme Court, and a compliance report must be submitted to the court. I do not have the power to postpone the elections as requested.”
The Supreme Court has already given a “final opportunity,” and both the SEC and the government must comply with its directions, the State Election Commissioner said.
He asked GBA officials to suggest suitable dates between June 14 and June 24.
“While stating that they are ready for elections, the officials highlighted operational challenges, including manpower shortages. However, I have informed them that the elections will have to be held between June 14 and June 24. After a week, I will announce the final date,” he said.
Reiterating that he does not have the power to postpone the elections, Sangreshi said the authority rests with the Supreme Court, and elections must be conducted as scheduled.
“We have consulted the GBA as per the rules. It is up to them to suggest a date within the given window. If they need more time, they must approach the court. Our responsibility is to fix the date and complete the polls before June 30,” he said.
The matter regarding manpower and other concerns raised by GBA officials is already before the Supreme Court, and the State Election Commission has also filed a petition in this regard. The case is yet to be heard.
“Since the matter has not come up for hearing, the earlier order remains binding. Therefore, preparations are underway,” he added.
The tenure of the previous elected body under the erstwhile Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) ended on September 10, 2020, and since then, a government-appointed administrator has been managing its day-to-day affairs.
Bengaluru was divided into five municipal corporations—Central, East, West, North, and South—under the Greater Bengaluru Authority in September 2025, replacing the BBMP.
Sangreshi had earlier said that elections to the five corporations would be conducted using ballot papers instead of Electronic Voting Machines.
This follows the Congress government’s decision last September to recommend the use of ballot papers in all future panchayat and urban local body elections, citing concerns over declining public confidence in EVMs.
The state government subsequently enacted the Karnataka Gram Swaraj and Panchayat Raj (Amendment) Act, 2026, paving the way for the use of ballot papers in local body elections.
