Report linking Kalkuli Vittal Hegde, Kadidal Shamanna to Naxalism: Two scribes fined
Chikmagaluru: Sringeri First Sessions Court on Friday slapped a fine of Rs 20000 each on two journalists on charges of publishing a defamatory report on environmental activist Kalkuli Vittal Hegde and farmers leader Kadidal Shamanna linking them with naxal activities.
The court has fined an editor and residential editor of a state level newspaper.
On June 3, 2007, Hosadiganta newspaper has published the report on its front page against Kalkuli Vittal Hegde and Kadidal Shamanna under the headline 'Kalkuli Vittal Hegde, Kadidal Shamanna have naxal links: Here is proof', alleging that they have naxal links.
Against the report, Hegde moved the court and filed a defamation case saying that it was a false news. By making a news, the newspaper has tarnished his image and insulted him, he complained.
After a prolonged hearing of the case, judge S Suryanarayan, on January 25, 2019, had announced the verdict citing that the editor of the newspaper have failed to prove their version of the news. Based on publishing the defamatory news, the court opined that newspaper editor Du Ga Lakshman and resident editor S Shantaram have done cognizable offence under IPC Section 500, 501 and 502.
For this case, the court has slapped a fine of Rs 20,000 to each of the journalists and if they failed to pay the penalty, the journalists have to undergo seven months imprisonment. Moreover, the photo published in the newspaper was taken in 1998 and during that time, there was no naxal movement in Malnad region. That photo was taken during public awareness meetings related to Kudremukh National Park issue. Parvathi who was with Vittal Hegde and Shamanna, in that photo, was not involved in naxal movement at that time, the court observed in its verdict.
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Metro ridership in Haryana sees over 13 pc rise in 2025-26
Chandigarh (PTI): Haryana's urban transit system witnessed a strong growth in 2025-26, with metro ridership registering a robust 13.55 per cent increase, the state government said in a statement on Thursday.
The progress was reviewed in the 64th board meeting of Haryana Mass Rapid Transport Corporation (HMRTC) chaired by Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi.
Between April 2025 and February 2026, the metro network recorded over 1.74 crore passengers, compared to 1.53 crore in the corresponding period the previous year.
July recorded the highest monthly growth at 22.93 per cent, while all months showed consistent positive trends.
Financial performance has also remained strong, with fare revenue rising 12.64 per cent till January 2026, the statement said.
Non-fare revenue surged by 108 per cent, driven by effective monetisation of station spaces, advertisements and commercial activities, resulting in an operating surplus for Rapid Metro.
Further initiatives, including the auction of station naming rights and additional advertisement sites, are expected to strengthen HMRTC's financial position, the statement said.
Appreciating the performance, Rastogi stated that the consistent rise in ridership and revenue reflects the success of Haryana's integrated transport strategy, rising commuter confidence and a clear shift towards public transport.
HMRTC Managing Director Chander Shekhar Khare said that, alongside operational gains, the state is making steady progress on an ambitious pipeline of metro and regional transit projects.
Metro connectivity from Gurugram Sector 56 to Panchgaon is under active consideration, with Haryana State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited studying the Detailed Project Report (DPR) and layout plan, and finalising a depot location in Sector 36A near Sihi village, he said.
The Gurugram-Faridabad Namo Bharat corridor has achieved a key milestone, with alignment and station locations finalised and approved by the Haryana government. The National Capital Region Transport Corporation is preparing the DPR, he added.
Similarly, the Delhi-Kundli metro extension is proposed to be placed before the Haryana Cabinet for approval.
The 136.3-kilometre Delhi-Panipat-Karnal RRTS Corridor has also progressed, with the revised DPR submitted for financial concurrence ahead of Haryana Cabinet consideration.
Within Gurugram, DPR preparation has been approved for key intra-city corridors, including the 17.09-kilometre Bhondsi-Subhash Chowk-Rajeev Chowk-Sohna Chowk Railway Station corridor, enhancing connectivity along Sohna Road, Khare said.
