Hubballi: COVID-19 patients' personal information leaked, DC orders probe
Hubballi: An essential component of COVID-19 patients’ rights is their privacy, which was violated in Dharwad district after their personal information was leaked on social media a day before the authorities had confirmed the case.
The details of two patients, including their names, addresses, mobile numbers, and age, were widely shared on WhatsApp groups and other social media platforms on Wednesday, even though the district administration confirmed the case only on Thursday.
Deputy Commissioner Deepa Cholan had shot off a letter to the police commissioner, seeking the CDR (call detail record) of the two COVID-19 patients' mobile phones. The letter had also mentioned the personal details of the patients.
But this letter soon made its way to social media, and WhatsApp users kept sharing it without thinking about the privacy of the patients and their families.
Patients and their family members feel that they could face social hardships if their identity is made public. Therefore, the identity of such persons should not be revealed.
Taking the matter seriously, the deputy commissioner has instructed the Hubballi-Dharwad police commissioner to investigate how the letter was leaked and take necessary action against the culprits.
"Details of the names and addresses of the individuals infected with the coronavirus have been unofficially shared on social networking sites on 22-04-2020. The district administration has taken the case seriously. Sharing this information on social media by civilians, and publishing it by media houses is a crime under the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897, and COVID-19 Regulations, 2020," a statement from the district administration said.
"Deputy Commissioner Deepa Cholan has written to the Hubballi-Dharwad police commissioner, instructing him to investigate the matter and take appropriate action against the violators," the statement read.
A neighbor of the 13-year-old COVID patient in Azad Colony, who was reluctant to disclose his name, said, "The girl had gone to her maternal uncle's house in Mulla Oni for vacation. After his uncle tested positive for the coronavirus, his entire family members, including the girl, were sent to a government quarantine center. After around 15 days, she tested positive today."
"Her identity should not have been leaked like this. Her father is a very soft-spoken person. Now everyone is looking at them with a different view. With this leak, everyone who knows him got to know that his daughter and relatives are infected," he added.
According to him, the patients' family members have decided to lodge a police complaint over the breach of privacy and against people who shared the information on social media.
Upset over the latest developments, the family was unavailable for comments when tried to contacted by a Vartha Bharati reporter.
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Aditya Birla Group-led consortium acquires RCB for USD 1.78 billion
Bengaluru (PTI): A consortium led by the Aditya Birla Group (ABG) on Tuesday acquired 100 percent equity stake in IPL franchise Royal Challengers Bengaluru for a whopping USD 1.78 billion (approximately Rs 16,706 crore) from its current owner the United Spirits Limited.
Other parties involved in the group are -- Blackstone’s perpetual private equity strategy, BXPE, a firm of which Viral Patel is the CEO, Bolt Ventures, owned by American investor David Blitzer, and media conglomerate Times of India.
“United Spirits Limited, pursuant to the meeting of its Board of Directors, today announced that it has entered into definitive agreements for the sale of the 100 percent equity stake held in its wholly owned subsidiary Royal Challengers Sports Private Limited (RCSPL) to a consortium,” the USL said in a statement.
“The consortium comprises Aditya Birla Group (ABG), The Times of India Group (Times), Bolt Ventures (Bolt), and Blackstone’s perpetual private equity strategy, BXPE (Blackstone) for a total consideration of INR 166.6 bn in an all cash transaction,” the statement added.
The transaction includes RCB's men’s and women’s (WPL) teams.
“RCSPL owns and operates Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) franchises that participate in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and Women’s Premier League (WPL).
“Upon completion of this transaction, the consortium will, through its ownership of RCSPL, acquire the rights to own and operate the IPL and WPL franchise,” said the USL.
The announcement also concluded the strategic review of RCSPL that was initiated by USL on November 5, 2025.
The United Spirits Limited is a subsidiary of UK-Diageo, and they were keen to move away from RCB as the team was not central to their business plans.
Commenting on the transaction, Praveen Someshwar, MD & CEO, USL, said: “This transaction marks an important milestone for USL as we sharpen focus on our core beverage alcohol business to unlock its true potential. RCB has grown into the most prominent and commercially successful franchise in the IPL and WPL.
“We are excited for the future of RCB under the stewardship of the new owner. As Sports enters a new phase of growth in India & globally, we believe this is in the best interest of the franchise and our stakeholders.”
Kumar Mangalam Birla, Chairman, Aditya Birla Group, said, “Over the past 2 decades, the IPL has morphed to become a global sporting powerhouse that has changed the face of Indian cricket creating enormous value for India.
“RCB, as one of the most compelling franchises in modern sport, offers the Aditya Birla Group a distinctive platform to extend its legacy of institution-building into the arena of global sport.”
As per the sale agreement, Aryaman Vikram Birla, ABG’s director, will be the chairman of RCB while Satyan Gajwani of Times of India will be his deputy.
Aryaman Birla, said: “It is a privilege to come together in this partnership to shape the next phase of growth for RCB. This partnership brings together a deep understanding of sports, media and consumer businesses.
“Together, we will continue to Play Bold -- on the pitch, in the community, and for the fans who make RCB what it is.”
Gajwani, Chairman, Times Internet Limited, said: “RCB is the reigning champion and the most popular brand in the IPL. We will build RCB into a global sporting institution, while remaining rooted in Bengaluru and Karnataka and its incredible fanbase.”
Blitzer hoped to build on RCB’s recent success.
“RCB has a world-class fanbase, and the IPL is one of the great growth stories in global sport. Having invested in clubs and leagues around the world, I believe the opportunity at RCB stands out.
We look forward to working alongside our partners and the BCCI to build on the franchise’s championship success,” he said.
Patel praised the RCB as one of the strongest sporting brands in the world.
“We are excited to invest in RCB, building on Blackstone’s long-standing commitment to India. RCB stands out as one of the most popular sports franchises in the world with a powerful brand, a loyal fan base, and multiple avenues for growth,” he added.
However, formalities such as ratification from the BCCI, IPL Governing Council, its WPL counterpart and the Competition Commission of India are still pending.
Earlier, IPL franchise Rajasthan Royals was acquired by US-based Kal Somani-led consortium for USD 1.63 billion (approx Rs 15,290 crore),
The Somani-led consortium includes Rob Walton from the Walmart family and Hamp family (Ford motor company).
Somani is an Arizona-based tech entrepreneur who has founded IntraEdge (technology services and solutions), Truyo.Ai (data privacy rights and AI governance) and Academian (edtech services).
The other contenders to buy the team, which won the inaugural trophy in 2008, were the Times Internet-led consortium, the Aditya Birla Group and the Mittal family led by ArcelorMittal CEO Aditya Mittal.
