The Karnataka Government has announced the winners of this year’s Kannada Rajyotsava Awards, with Kannada and Culture Minister Shivraj S. Thangadagi revealing the list at a press conference on Wednesday.

Environment Minister Eshwar Khandre has alleged that hundreds of trees that were on the land owned by Hindustan Machine Tools (HMT) in Peenya were cut illegally for the filming of the movie ‘Toxic’, starring Yash. 

Advocate-activist T J Abraham on Wednesday said he has filed a defamation suit against Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in a special court here for allegedly calling him a blackmailer.

Union Minister Pralhad Joshi expressed strong criticism against Congress leader Zameer Ahmad Khan, urging the Congress party to "expel Zameer Ahmad" if it values integrity. Addressing the media in Hubballi on Wednesday, Joshi accused Zameer Ahmad of involvement in "encroachments on Wakf properties" and called for his immediate removal from the party.

Family of Renukaswamy, who was allegedly killed by Darshan Thoogudeepa and others, on Wednesday declined to comment on Karnataka High Court granting the actor interim bail on medical grounds but expressed confidence that the guilty will be punished as they have faith in judiciary and police.

Kishore Kumar Puttur, elected from the Dakshina Kannada Local Authorities constituency in the recent by-election, has taken the oath of office as a new member of the Legislative Council.

The Karnataka Government on Wednesday named Dr. Thumbay Moideen, son of prominent community leader late B. Ahmed Haji Mohiudeen, among the recipients of this year’s Karnataka State Rajyotsava Award. A prominent alumnus of St. Aloysius College, Mangaluru, Dr. Moideen has earned widespread recognition in the UAE and beyond for his contributions to higher education and healthcare.

"We have agreed to implement internal reservations to ensure equal development of all backward classes," clarified Home Minister Dr. G. Parameshwara.