Udupi: Thousands join Krishna Math’s ‘Rathotsava’ flouting COVID protocols amidst weekend curfew
Udupi: Amidst the COVID-induced weekend curfew across the state, thousands of devotees thronged to the Udupi’s Krishna Mutt on Saturday to attend ‘Rathotsava’ that was organised in clear violation with the government’s COVID advisory.
Majority of the shops, businesses, have been closed apart from the stores providing essential items in the background of the weekend curfew. Due to the scarce movement of people, few buses were reportedly in operation on Saturday.
However, the daytime ‘Rathotsava’ conducted in the Rathabeedi saw thousands of devotees in participation. The large gathering of people joining an event, while not wearing masks or maintaining required social distancing amid a weekend curfew is a clear violation of COVID protocols and guidelines issued by the government, the public expressed.
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Bengaluru: Four arrested for housebreaking, threats, extortion; fake PSI among accused
Bengaluru: Vidyaranyapura police have arrested four persons, including a man posing as a Police Sub-Inspector (PSI), for allegedly breaking into a house, threatening the occupants, and extorting money while wearing police uniforms.
The arrested accused have been identified as Mallikarjuna, Pramod, Vinay, and Hrithik.
Police said the accused had hatched a plan to pose as police personnel, conduct fake raids, and extort money from residents by intimidation.
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According to the police, Mallikarjuna had failed the PSI examination twice and later falsely projected himself as a PSI. He allegedly conducted photo shoots in his hometown, Siraguppa, wearing a police uniform, baton, cap, and shoes, claiming to be serving as a PSI in Bengaluru.
On December 7, the four accused allegedly went to the house of Naveen in the Vidyaranyapura limits, threatened him with a stick and an iron rod, and claimed they had information that he was selling ganja. Under the pretext of searching, they allegedly extorted ₹87,000 through bank transfer, ₹53,000 in cash kept in the house, and ₹2,000 from his wallet.
Following Naveen’s complaint, Vidyaranyapura police registered a case and launched an operation, leading to the arrest of all four accused. Police have seized ₹45,000 in cash and the car used to commit the crime.
Further investigation is underway.
