Chief Secy named in ‘cash-for-post’ row
OB Bureau
Fresh political tremors rocked Karnataka midweek after RTI activist Snehamayi Krishna filed complaints with the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Income Tax Department, levelling serious bribery allegations against Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh.
In his complaint, Snehamayi accused former Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) Commissioner DB Natesh of allegedly paying crores to secure a promotion, despite facing corruption allegations.
The activist claimed that Rs 1.60 crore was paid as a bribe to persons linked to the Chief Secretary to facilitate Natesh’s promotion. According to the complaint, on February 9, a Toyota Etios bearing registration number KA 41 C 6723 allegedly transported crores of rupees in five bags to Mysuru.
Snehamayi alleged that the vehicle carried over Rs 9 crore in cash, and that one of the bags, containing Rs 1.60 crore, was handed over to an individual said to be connected to the state’s top bureaucrat. He further claimed that promotion orders for Natesh were issued on February 13, days after the alleged payment.
The vehicle cited in the complaint is reportedly registered to the Karnataka State Khadi and Village Industries Department. Natesh is currently serving as Chief Executive Officer of the Karnataka Khadi Gramodyoga Board, the complaint stated.
Snehamayi, who is also the complainant in the alleged MUDA site allotment scam in which Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has been named as the prime accused, has submitted photographs of the vehicle along with his representation to central agencies.
He has urged the ED and the Income Tax Department to conduct a detailed probe into the alleged financial transactions. The activist has also sought retrieval of mobile tower location data and call records, including WhatsApp calls made on February 9, of Natesh, Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh and others allegedly involved. He has further called for questioning of the officials concerned.
There was no immediate response from the officials named in the complaint. The latest allegations are expected to trigger a fresh political storm in the state. Former MUDA employees and critics have accused the state government of shielding Natesh, demanding his dismissal and questioning why he was not suspended amid the ongoing allegations.
The ED had conducted raids on Natesh’s residence in October 2024 in connection with a money laundering investigation, questioned him and taken him into custody. Natesh later approached the Karnataka High Court, challenging the legality of the ED’s searches and the recording of his statements, contending that the probe violated his privacy and that he did not possess any incriminating material.
With central agencies now formally approached again, the controversy appears far from over.
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Stone-pelting at Shivaji Jayanti: 8 held
OB Bureau
Bagalkot remained tense on Friday as Karnataka police arrested eight persons in connection with the stone-pelting incident during the Shivaji Jayanti procession in the city. Superintendent of Police Siddharth Goyal confirmed the arrests, stating that a suo motu case has been registered and an FIR is being lodged. “The accused have been arrested after verification of the CCTV footage of the incident,” he said.
Those arrested have been identified as 25-year-old Tanveer Havaldar, 22-year-old Saddam, Majju Kamatagi, 24-year-old Fayaz, 33-year-old Sarfaraz, Chavoos, Riyan Sheik, Wasim Sheik and 29-year-old Ayaan Guledagudda.
The incident occurred late Thursday night in the Killa Oni area when the Shivaji Jayanti procession was passing in front of a mosque. According to authorities, miscreants allegedly hurled slippers and stones at the procession.
Preliminary investigation indicates that two stones were thrown as the procession approached the mosque. SP Goyal said only police personnel were hit and not members of the public. Two stones struck police personnel, with one hitting his shoulder. A Hindu activist was also injured in the incident.
Goyal said strict action will be taken against anyone found disturbing peace. He also stated that the incident did not appear to be pre-planned.
The procession, which activists said lasted nearly four hours and passed through all parts of the city, was reportedly set to conclude within five minutes when the incident occurred.
However, Hindu activists have alleged that the stone-pelting was a premeditated act. They claimed that although it was a Thursday, around 200 people had gathered at the mosque. The activists have demanded that all alleged conspirators be arrested and have urged the police to ensure tight security ahead of upcoming festivals such as Holi.
They further said they have given the police time until Saturday evening and warned that they would decide on their future course of action if all those allegedly involved are not arrested.
In the wake of the tension, prohibitory orders have been imposed in Bagalkot city. Police have clamped restrictions under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) in Old Bagalkot, Navanagar and Vidyagiri localities.
Security has been tightened across the city. Additional personnel have been deployed near the Panka Mosque, surrounding areas and the Kottaleshwara temple to prevent further incidents.
With CCTV footage under scrutiny and more arrests likely after verification, police maintain that the situation is under control. But with tensions simmering and activists pressing for action, Bagalkot remains on edge as authorities work to prevent any flare-up in the days ahead.
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HL: 500 choppers, one big K’taka win
OB Bureau
Karnataka has landed a marquee aerospace project. And it’s set to reshape the state’s industrial skyline. Large and Medium Industries Minister M B Patil has announced that 500 H125 light helicopters will be manufactured over the next 20 years at the country’s first private-sector helicopter assembly facility, now operational in the state.
The unit was virtually inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron from Lok Bhavan in Maharashtra midweek, but the spotlight was firmly on Karnataka, which is now home to the world’s fourth H125 helicopter manufacturing and Final Assembly Line (FAL) facility after France, the United States and Brazil.
Calling it a historic milestone, Patil said the project reflects Karnataka’s growing stature in high-technology manufacturing and aerospace.
Seventeen acres were allotted for the project soon after he assumed office as Industries Minister. The facility was completed and inaugurated in a record 1.5 years.
For Karnataka, this is more than just another factory. The facility will initially manufacture 10 helicopters per year, with plans to scale up production to 500 over the next two decades. It will undertake critical integration work, including avionics, hydraulic circuits, components, fuel systems and engines, placing advanced aerospace engineering firmly within the state.
The project also includes a Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility alongside the assembly unit, further strengthening Karnataka’s aerospace ecosystem and reinforcing its industry-friendly credentials.
Patil underscored that Karnataka secured the project despite strong competition from Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat, a win that highlights the state’s infrastructure, skilled workforce and established aerospace base.
Airbus, which holds nearly 80% of the global market share in the single-engine helicopter segment, has around 4,300 helicopters in operation worldwide. These aircraft have logged more than 38 million flying hours, a global footprint that now extends into Karnataka’s manufacturing landscape.
The Minister said the state has the reliability and engineering expertise required to manufacture H125 helicopters and reiterated the government’s commitment to working with the Centre to further develop the sector.
The ripple effects are expected to be significant. The facility is poised to create employment opportunities and generate business for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), embedding local supply chains into a global aerospace network. For Karnataka’s youth, it opens doors to advanced, technology-driven sectors that demand precision engineering and high-end skills.