Mangaluru: A Sangh Parivar activist was arrested by the Mulki Police on Wednesday after he was allegedly caught recording a video of his neighbor woman while she was bathing. The accused, identified as Sumanth Poojary (22) from Hosakadu in Pakshikere, is known to be an active member of the Hindu Jagarana Vedike's Pakshikere unit.

The incident came to light a little late and is said to have occurred on Wednesday night around 11:00 in the Kemral Grama Panchayat area, near Paksikere’s Hosakadu. According to reports, Sumanth secretly recorded the woman's video while she was bathing in the bathroom. When the woman noticed the mobile camera, she raised an alarm, attracting neighbors and locals to the scene. They apprehended Sumanth and subsequently informed the local police.

Upon arriving at the location, the police took Sumanth into custody and seized the mobile phone used for recording the video. However, there are allegations that the police, under pressure from Sangh Parivar leaders, filed a case under sections of the law that could result in the accused being granted bail during the trial.

In an unexpected turn of events, on Thursday, a relative of the accused visited the police station and provided a surety bond worth Rs 50,000. After signing an undertaking, the police released Sumanth on bail.

During the investigation, it was revealed that the accused's mobile phone contained several explicit videos and photos.

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Bengaluru (PTI): The Karnataka government has issued directions to municipal corporations across the state to regulate and prohibit feeding pigeons in public places, citing serious public health concerns.

Deputy Secretary to Government V Lakshmikanth has written to the Urban Development Department requesting it to issue directions to the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) and all municipal corporations to take immediate steps to implement the measures.

In an official note dated December 16 issued by the Health and Family Welfare Department and released to the media on Wednesday, the department said uncontrolled feeding of pigeons in public places has resulted in large congregations of birds, excessive droppings and serious health concerns, particularly respiratory illnesses linked to prolonged exposure to pigeon droppings and feathers such as hypersensitivity pneumonitis and other lung diseases.

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"The commissioner, the Greater Bengaluru Authority and the Commissioners and chief officers of other municipal corporations shall take necessary action to mitigate the causes of dangerous disease spread by pigeon and enforce specified guidelines in their respective jurisdiction," the note said.

According to the department, these include a prohibition on feeding pigeons or causing pigeons to be fed in areas where it may cause nuisance or pose a health hazard to the public. Pigeon feeding shall be permitted only in designated areas in a controlled manner, subject to certain conditions.

"The designated areas may be selected in consultation with stakeholders. The responsibility for upkeep of the designated areas and compliance to the directions shall be taken up by some charitable organisation or an NGO. The feeding in designated areas shall be permitted only for some limited hours in the day," it said.

The note further stated that authorised officers of local authorities shall issue on-the-spot warnings and may impose fines for violation of the order, or lodge complaints to prosecute offenders under Sections 271 (Negligent act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) and 272 (Malignant act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

It also directed local authorities to conduct public awareness campaigns, including the display of signboards, banners and digital messages, explaining the health hazards associated with pigeon droppings and feathers, the content of the regulatory directions and penalties for violations, and alternative humane methods of bird conservation that do not endanger public health.