Mangaluru’s first business hotel Moti Mahal to be shut down by end of April
Mangaluru: Amid prolonged land dispute, Mangaluru's first business hotel, Moti Mahal, is now on the verge of closure and must be handed over to its rightful landowners by the end of April.
As per the Supreme Court’s verdict, Hotel Moti Mahal is to be handed over to the landowners in its current state. Additionally, a compensation of Rs. 3 crore is to be paid to them.
The land on which Hotel Moti Mahal stands located next to Milagres Church in Hampankatta is presently owned by St. Anthony’s Old Age Home, situated in Jeppu.
The legal battle, which began years ago between the local church’s administrative committee and the hotel’s proprietors, has finally reached its logical conclusion. The original landowners have emerged victorious in the prolonged legal conflict.
Hotel Moti Mahal was established in 1966 by renowned Mangalorean businessman A.J. Shetty in Hampankatta, the heart of the city.
At the time of its inception, Moti Mahal was the first hotel in Mangaluru to offer luxury amenities such as a gym and a swimming pool. It quickly became a prominent name with its popular Mangala Multi-Cuisine Restaurant, Madhuvan Veg Restaurant, Mehfil Bar, Taichin Chinese Restaurant, Moti Sweets section, and a swimming pool named Sheetal. The hotel earned its reputation as the first true business and luxury hotel in the city.
With 90 rooms and a grand hall accommodating up to 1,000 people, Moti Mahal mirrored the evolving urban lifestyle of Mangaluru. Over the past six decades, it grew beyond a hotel to become a major landmark of the city.
From family gatherings to business meetings, auspicious ceremonies to celebratory parties, Moti Mahal served as the go-to venue for all kinds of events. Its vegetarian restaurant, in particular, has retained its reputation over the years.
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.
KCOCA invoked in Udupi kidnap case; 7 arrested, hunt on for 2 key accused
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.
