Auto rickshaw driver in Chikkaballapur held for cutting birthday cake with sword
Chikkaballapur: A 28-year-old auto rickshaw driver in Gauribidanur, who allegedly cut his birthday cake with a sword at his village on Saturday, was arrested on Sunday, after a video clip of the celebration went viral on social media.
The arrested driver, Anil Kumar, is identified as a resident of Lagumenahalli. He is learned to have been celebrating his birthday with his friends and, as he cut the cake using a sword, one of his friends recorded a video of the celebration on his mobile phone. The video clip, which was shared on the friend’s social media account, went viral.
Gauribidanur Police, who took cognizance of the video clip, filed a suo motu case and arrested Kumar on charge of causing public nuisance and under the Arms Act. The sword used by Kumar was seized by the police.
The auto rickshaw driver’s statement was recorded by the police, who later released him on station bail under certain conditions.
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K'taka remains central to Aequs' strategy, says min Patil amid row over firm's investment in TN
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Commerce and Industries Minister M B Patil on Monday asserted that Aequs continues to expand in the state and that its proposed investment in neighbouring Tamil Nadu was a business decision aimed at diversification, not a shift away from Karnataka.
Reacting to criticism on social media over reports that the Karnataka-based firm had signed a major investment deal in Tamil Nadu's Krishnagiri district for setting up a specialised aerospace and defense manufacturing cluster, he said the state government was fully aware of the company's plans and remained confident about its long-term commitment to Karnataka.
"While we welcome every major investment in India, would like to clarify a few points," Patil said in a post on 'X'.
Aequs was significantly expanding its footprint within Karnataka, including a Rs 3,000 crore investment in Kolar for electronics manufacturing.
"Its recently approved Rs 1,500 crore ECMS project will also be grounded in the state. Karnataka remains central to its long-term strategy," he said.
Patil added that the government had prior knowledge of the TN proposal.
The government was already informed and aware that the TN investment is a business decision aimed at geographic diversification and de-risking operations, not a shift away from Karnataka.
"Healthy competition between states strengthens India's manufacturing ecosystem," he said.
Emphasising the state's focus on high-technology sectors, Patil said, "We remain committed to deepening Karnataka's leadership in aerospace and advanced manufacturing, and our engagement with industry partners is strong and ongoing."
The Aequs Group has pledged Rs 4,000 crore to bolster Tamil Nadu's aerospace manufacturing capabilities at the SIPCOT-Shoolagiri Industrial Park in Krishnagiri district.
The group proposes to establish a specialised aerospace and defense manufacturing cluster for the production of aircraft engines, gearbox components, and precision engineering parts. This initiative is expected to provide employment to 7,000 individuals.
