Mangaluru: Cop gets lifer for sexual abuse, instigating minor girl to suicide
Mangaluru(PTI): The additional district and sessions (POCSO) court here has sentenced a constable attached to the district armed reserve (DAR) police to life imprisonment for instigating a minor girl to suicide after sexually abusing her.
The POCSO court judge Manjula Itty also imposed a fine of Rs 10,000 on the convicted person, Praveen Salian (35) of Bajpe in the city.
The prosecution case was that Salian befriended the minor girl on Facebook in 2015 and was in touch with her through social media and phone and used to have obscene sex chats with her.
Later, he demanded Rs one lakh cash or gold from her threatening to reveal the chats, after which the panicked girl committed suicide at her home. She left a death note holding Salian responsible for her death, which turned out to be the crucial evidence in the case.
The case was investigated by Ullal police and a charge sheet was filed in the court. Special public prosecutor Sahana Devi appeared for the prosecution.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Amid Middle East tensions, flights cancellations at M’luru airport to continue on March 1, 2; Here’s
Mangaluru: Several flights operating to Gulf destinations from Mangaluru International Airport will remain cancelled on March 1 amid escalating tensions in the Middle East.
The cancellations follow the closure of multiple airspaces after strikes on Iran by Israel and the United States on Saturday. As a precautionary measure, Indian airlines have suspended services to several destinations in the Gulf region.
According to airport sources, the following Air India Express (IX) flights scheduled for March 1 and March 2 have been cancelled due to operational reasons:
IX845 (March 1) – Mangaluru–Jeddah
IX846 (March 1) – Jeddah–Mangaluru
IX817 (March 1) – Mangaluru–Muscat
IX818 (March 1) – Muscat–Mangaluru
IX831 (March 1) – Mangaluru–Dubai
IX832 (March 1) – Dubai–Mangaluru
IX813 (March 1) – Mangaluru–Dubai
IX814 (March 2) – Dubai–Mangaluru
IX841 (March 1) – Mangaluru–Bahrain
IX842 (March 2) – Bahrain–Mangaluru
IX815 (March 1) – Mangaluru–Abu Dhabi
IX816 (March 2) – Abu Dhabi–Mangaluru
Among these, the inaugural Mangaluru–Muscat service also stands cancelled.
IndiGo (6E) has also cancelled the following flights on March 1:
6E1468 (March 1) – Dubai–Mangaluru
6E1467 (March 1) – Mangaluru–Dubai
6E1438 (March 1) – Mangaluru–Abu Dhabi
Air India Express suspends flights to gulf sector till 1 March
Low-cost carrier Air India Express which operates a large network of flights connecting various Indian cities to the Middle East have announced suspended of all its flights until 23:59 hrs on 1 March 2026.
In a statement issued on Saturday evening, the airline said, “Air India Express flights to the Gulf region are suspended till 23:59 hrs on 1 March 2026. Guests are eligible for a free date change or cancellation for travel scheduled till 5 March 2026.”
Air India Express flights to the Gulf region are suspended till 23:59 hrs on 1 March 2026.
— Air India Express (@AirIndiaX) February 28, 2026
Guests are eligible for a free date change or cancellation for travel scheduled till 5 March 2026. Fare difference applies. For any assistance, guests may #ChatWithTia or use 'Manage… pic.twitter.com/j4F5b1pYTz
Meanwhile other airlines also followed suit, Spice Jet, Indigo and Air India urged passengers to check flight status.
Travel Advisory
— IndiGo (@IndiGo6E) February 28, 2026
We are continuing to closely monitor the evolving situation in and around Iran and the Middle East. We are sending out notifications to customers on their registered mobile numbers. Customers can also refer to the list of cancelled flights on our website…
#TravelUpdate: Due to airspace closure in Dubai (DXB), some of our flights may be affected. Passengers are advised to check their flight status at https://t.co/2wynECZugy or contact our 24*7 Reservation Helpline numbers at +91 (0)124 4983410 or +91 (0)124 7101600 for assistance.
— SpiceJet (@flyspicejet) February 28, 2026
#TravelAdvisory
— Air India (@airindia) February 28, 2026
In view of the developing situation in parts of the Middle East, all Air India flights to all destinations in the Middle East have been suspended. We remain committed to maintaining the highest standards of safety for our passengers and crew. We will continue to…
Budget carrier Akasa Air separately announced that it has suspended all operations to Gulf destinations until March 2, 2026.
#TravelUpdate: Due to the ongoing situation in the Middle East, all Akasa Air flights to and from Abu Dhabi, Doha, Jeddah, Kuwait and Riyadh have been suspended until March 02, 2026. We will continue updating our flight status to these destinations, basis the prevailing situation…
— Akasa Air (@AkasaAir) February 28, 2026
