Sringeri: Religious flag on Shankaracharya Statue; Accused Milind arrested
Sringeri: Police on Friday arrested one person for putting a religious banner near the statue of Shankaracharya here on Thursday, an incident that had triggered protests by BJP and other right-wing organizations.
The arrested accused has been identified as Milind, son of Manohar.
Tension had prevailed in the region on Thursday after a banner with religious content was found on the statue. The BJP and other organisations, while protesting against the incident had called for immediate arrest of the culprits.
Superintendent of Police Hakay Akshay Machindra on Friday in a press conference played down the claims and allegations that it was a pre-planned incident and was carried with any motives. He asserted that the arrested accused was under the influence of alcohol. He said the accused was presented before the court.
“On Wednesday night, Milind drunk at a bar and then headed near Jamia Masjid in the city and tried to sleep there. He then decided not to sleep near the Masjid and moved from there while also taking a banner from near the Masjid to cover himself as it was raining that night. He came near Veerappa Gowda circle with the banner and dropped it near the statue of Shankaracharya and slept at the lorry yard” the SP said in the press conference adding that Milind had visited local government hospital on Thursday morning complaining of headache.
“He was identified after checking the CCTV footages of Masjid and the bar. He has confessed to the crime and has added that he had done it under the influence of alcohol. No involvement of any organisation, party was found in the incident and the accused is not a member of any party or organisation” he further said.
On Thursday, after the incident, former minister Jeevaraj had alleged involvement of PFI and SDPI members in the incident.
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Koppal: Municipal JE suspended over alleged Rs 10 crore works irregularities
Koppal: The Directorate of Municipal Administration has suspended a Municipal Council Junior Engineer, Somalingappa, following allegations of causing a loss of nearly Rs 10 crore through irregularities in municipal works.
The suspension order was issued on March 16, though it became public nearly 10 days later.
According to preliminary investigation, irregularities were detected in 336 works carried out between 2023 and 2025. Officials said several works were either poorly executed or existed only on paper, with bills allegedly generated for incomplete or non-existent projects.
Officials further indicated that the role of other individuals, including a former Municipal Commissioner, an Assistant Executive Engineer, and a consulting firm responsible for quality inspection, is also under scrutiny in connection with the case.
The matter had earlier been brought to attention through a complaint filed with the Lokayukta in September 2025, prompting further investigation.
