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Udupi: Police have invoked the Karnataka Control of Organised Crimes Act (KCOCA) in last year’s abduction case under Kota police limits and arrested seven accused. A search is underway to trace two key accused who are still absconding.

The arrested have been identified as Deviprasad Shetty (33) of Katipalla, Surathkal; Sudeep (22); Mithun Kaikamba (20); Sreesha Anand Shetty (35) of Krishnapura; Sujith (27) of Anjaru village, Hiriyadka; Suhas (31) of Padukudru, Kemmannu; and Manoj V. Kotyan (34) of Hoode, Kemmannu.

The main accused, Manoj Kodikere (42) of Jokatte, Mangaluru, and Chetan Kulal (38) of Padur Rottigudi in Bantwal taluk, are absconding, police said.

According to the complaint, Tejas, son of Mohan Das Shetty from Siddapur village, was abducted on November 19, 2025, around noon near Coastal Paradise Hotel in Sasthan. When Mohan Das Shetty reached the spot, he found his son’s car abandoned. During enquiries, Tejas contacted him through a WhatsApp audio call and informed that he had been kidnapped by a group of two to three persons acting on the instructions of Manoj Kodikere.

Soon after, an unidentified person called and demanded Rs 50 lakh for Tejas’s release, threatening to kill him if the money was not paid. In a subsequent call, the demand was raised to Rs 3 crore, with a similar threat.

Based on the complaint, a case was registered at Kota police station. During investigation, police found that the accused had acted in an organised manner, following which KCOCA provisions were invoked. Kundapur DySP H.D. Kulkarni led the investigation, arrested the accused and produced them before a court, which remanded them to judicial custody.

Superintendent of Police Hariram Shankar has announced a cash reward of Rs 50,000 for information leading to the arrest of the absconding accused Manoj Kodikere and Chetan Kulal.

Police said Manoj Kodikere has 18 cases registered in Mangaluru city and two in Udupi district, while Chetan Kulal has 11 cases in Mangaluru city and two in Udupi district.

Those with information about the accused can contact Kundapur DySP H.D. Kulkarni at 9480805422. Police have assured that the identity of informants will be kept confidential.

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Noida: Noida: A viral video by an Instagram influencer with the username @just_happie, claiming that crowds at Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Jewar airport inauguration were “paid” or arranged, has reportedly been withheld in India. 

In the viral clip, the influencer is seen showing buses and claiming that students from institutions across Greater Noida were transported to the venue.

“At the inauguration of India's biggest international airport in Jewar, so many devotees of Modi ji have taken their precious time to gather to see him. If you feel like this too, you are wrong. The crowd you see here is not natural but made up.

"All the school and college students of Greater Noida have been brought here. In fact, even my college students will get two whole days of free attendance. I don’t know how many beneficiaries have been reported. After coming here, I want to say one thing to Modiji, there is so much traffic in 29-degree temperature and food being given is Parle biscuit,” the influencer alleged in the video.

At the same time, videos of students from Galgotias University alleging “free attendance” for attending the event are also going viral.

Vartha Bharathi could not independently verify the authenticity of the video.

Reacting to the viral clip, several users on X questioned the arrangements and intent behind the event.

One user asked, “Is Modi on duty or off duty during the inauguration? Is this event paid for by taxpayers? Why do we need to waste taxpayer money on useless inaugurations to promote BJP Modi?”

Another wrote, “Join the rally for one day and bunk college for two days. So basically, three days of education have been wasted for a political rally.”

A third user commented, “the world is on the edge of a global crisis and this man is doing publicity,” while another quipped, “Mobile phones will not be allowed from next event!”

Another post questioned why students were allegedly mobilised despite the party having a large organisational base.

Earlier, a screenshot purportedly from a faculty member also went viral, claiming that attendance was mandatory for students on March 28, 2026, and that buses had been arranged from the campus to take them to the airport inauguration. The message further stated that two days’ attendance would be granted for attending the event.

Separately, Congress leader Supriya Shrinate shared a screenshot allegedly sent to media personnel invited for the event. “I am told this message has been shared with the media, which has been invited for the inauguration ceremony of the Jewar airport. What is Mr Modi so scared of?” she wrote.

The screenshot outlined certain protocols, including restrictions such as no OB vans, prohibition on black clothing, and a ban on live streaming, while instructing media to arrive at the venue by 9:00 AM.

In another viral video, a man is seen showing buses lined up near Galgotias University, alleging that students were being transported to the venue due to low public turnout.

 

 

Meanwhile, in a subsequent post, the influencer said, "as you know that video has been deleted, and on this topic this is my last video. Honestly I did not want to do this video as well, because for the past 60-70 days I have been consistently posting videos daily, and it involves very much hard work. And I don't want to obviously get my channel banned. That video was made only for vlog purpose.”

“Mainly, nation’s interest is first, nothing is bigger than the nation. I did not say anything against any political party or individual. I only pointed out about a lack of management at the event. However, after that social media users started calling me anti-national, congressi and other things,” she said.

She further stated, ' I reiterate once again, my fight is not against any political party, but it's my responsibility to question the party that I voted for. That's why it's also important to question the government equally.”

“I would like to say I need development and safety. We need clean air and clean water. We want the growth and beauty of our country. After this, I will ensure that I don't upload any videos on this topic,” she added.

Meanwhile, several other X accounts and Instagram handles that allegedly posted content critical of the government were also restricted.

According to reports, parody accounts like @DrNimoYadav, @ Nehr_who, @indian_armada satirical handles like @ mrjethwani_and @Doc_RGM. Commentator and activist Sandeep Singh's account were also withheld.

Videos of users sharing their experiences are also doing rounds on social media.

 

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