No more tobacco ads on KSRTC buses after citizen raises violation: Report
Bengaluru: The Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) has removed a tobacco-related advertisement from one of its buses after a concerned citizen flagged the issue on social media.
On April 8, Siraj Madaka shared a photo on X, of a KSRTC bus, with its back panel displaying advertisement of a smokeless tobacco product, which is popular among young people. In his post, Madaka expressed concern over the promotion of products harmful to public health on government-owned vehicles, as reported by The New Indian Express on Saturday.
“Displaying advertisements for products harmful to health—such as tobacco, cigarettes, and alcohol—on government-owned buses is not good for society. For the sake of society, it is better not to display such advertisements on government-owned buses. Please pay attention,” Madaka wrote.
Dr Vaishnavi K, the Officer on Special Duty to the Chief Minister, took note of the complaint and forwarded it to KSRTC. In response, the Chief Traffic Manager (CTM) removed the advertisement from the bus.
On April 17, the CTM issued a letter to Dr Vaishnavi stating that a notice had been sent to the advertising agency responsible for placing ads on KSRTC buses, the report added.
The notice instructed the agency not to display advertisements related to tobacco, liquor and related products, drugs, obscene content, or any items that are legally banned.
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.
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.
ALSO READ: Bantwal police arrest two men for illegal sale of narcotics, seize two vehicles, 810 gm ganja
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.
