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A 27-year-old man from Karnataka&rsquo;s Mysuru district, accused of impregnating a schoolgirl, died by suicide after allegedly being falsely implicated in the case. 
The deceased, identified as Ramu, a resident of Kudakuru village in Piriyapatna taluk, reportedly jumped into the Tunga Canal near Bettada Tunga village on Monday.
According to police, Ramu left a voice message before taking the extreme step, in which he denied the allegations and accused the school&rsquo;s physical education teacher of being responsible for the pregnancy. 
In his message, he demanded a DNA test to prove his innocence.
&ldquo;I am not responsible for the girl&rsquo;s pregnancy. I have no relationship with her and have been falsely accused.&nbsp;The school&rsquo;s PE teacher is responsible, but to protect him, they are blaming me. It&rsquo;s impossible to live with this false accusation,&rdquo; Ramu said in his recorded message.
He further claimed that the matter was being covered up to protect the school&rsquo;s reputation and that he was being targeted merely because he used to speak with the girl.
Police said Ramu went missing on October 31 after sending the voice message. 
His parked motorcycle, along with his mobile phone, slippers, and jacket, were found near the canal. 
His body was later recovered by authorities.
An investigation has been launched to verify Ramu&rsquo;s allegations and determine the role of the school&rsquo;s staff members. 
Officials are also examining the voice message and other evidence.
The incident has once again highlighted growing concerns over rising cases of sexual misconduct in educational institutions across Karnataka. 
In recent months, several teachers across the state, including in Bidar, Bengaluru, and Moodabidri, have been arrested in separate cases under the POCSO Act for sexually assaulting students.
Further details in the Mysuru case are awaited as the investigation continues.

Accused youth leaves voice note blaming PE teacher for false case, demands DNA test

Karnataka Youth Dies By Suicide, Alleges Framing

The Karnataka Police have arrested a police officer on charges of running a gang involved in honey-trapping wealthy individuals, officials said.&nbsp;
The arrested officer has been identified as Shivanna alias Papanna, a police constable posted with the Hunsur Rural police station, officials added on Monday.
The police have also arrested three other persons in connection with the case.
Officials from the Bettadapura police in Mysuru district busted the gang, following a complaint filed by Dinesh Kumar, a resident of Kampalapura town.
The investigation has revealed that the accused formed a honey-trapping gang by colluding with other accused and attractive women.
He planned and trapped rich men as well as extorted money from them.
Police said that Dinesh Kumar, a cloth merchant, was approached by a 23-year-old woman, an accused in the case, who purchased clothes from him on June 11.
She obtained his contact number and asked him to inform her whenever he received a good new collection of clothes at his shop.
She began chatting with him on his mobile phone the same night.
Though hesitant at first, Dinesh Kumar also started chatting with her. Later, she sent a few of her photographs on his cellphone.
She also asked him to meet her at a relative's place in Maradiyuru village, telling him she was alone at home.
The complainant reached the spot by evening in a car.
The woman took him into the house and offered him coffee.
Dinesh Kumar said in his complaint that the woman sat beside him, told him she liked him, and hugged him.
The woman told him that she would lock the door but came back without locking it and took him inside the room.
While they were inside the room, three strangers barged in and began assaulting Dinesh Kumar.
The strangers forced Dinesh Kumar to pose with the woman and took his photos and videos, police said.
Later, the arrested police officer, Shivanna alias Papanna, and another person approached Dinesh Kumar and told him that to avoid making things worse, he needed to pay ₹ 10 lakh.
They also threatened that if Dinesh Kumar failed to make the payment, they would publish his videos and photos on the social media.
Dinesh Kumar called his brother Mahendra Chowdhary and asked him to urgently arrange and hand over ₹ 10 lakh in cash to one of the accused persons.
His brother Mahendra became suspicious and informed the Piriyapatna police about the matter.
The Inspector of Piriyapatna police station called Dinesh Kumar and then spoke to the accused, asking them to release him.
The accused released Dinesh Kumar early Monday morning. After getting details from him, the police arrested the accused and busted the gang.
Further investigation is underway.
&mdash;IANS
(Except for the headline, this article has&nbsp;not been edited by the Benefit News&nbsp;editorial team and is published directly&nbsp;from the IANS news feed.)

Karnataka cop arrested in honey-trap extortion racket

Karnataka cop arrested for running honey-trap gang targeting wealthy men for extortion

Karnataka Cop Held In Honey-Trap Racket

<div>Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his family members have been given a clean chit by the Karnataka Lokayukta in connection with the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) land scam case.&nbsp;</div>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<div>CM Siddaramaiah was named as 'Accused No. 1', his wife BM Parvathi as 'Accused No. 2', and his brother-in-law Mallikarjunaswamy as 'Accused No. 3'.</div>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<div>A landowner, J Devaraju, was named as 'Accused No. 4'.</div>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<div>It was alleged that CM Siddaramaiah fraudulently secured the allotment of 14 sites by MUDA in his wife&rsquo;s name in exchange for the acquisition of 3.16 acres of land.</div>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<div>The Karnataka Lokayukta, which investigated the matter, has issued a clean chit to CM Siddaramaiah and the other accused.</div>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<div>This was conveyed in a notice to the petitioner, Snehamayi Krishna, on Wednesday.</div>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<div>The Lokayukta has instructed Snehamayi Krishna to approach the magistrate within a week of receiving the notice if he wishes to oppose the findings.</div>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<div>Superintendent of Police TJ Udesh stated in the notice that the investigation concluded the case was of a civil nature and not fit for criminal investigation.</div>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<div>The charges were found to be either based on a misconception or a misunderstanding of the law, and no action could be initiated.</div>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<div>The notice further specified that no evidence was found against CM Siddaramaiah and the other accused as the fourth point.</div>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<div>The notice also stated that the charges against Accused Nos. 1 to 4 in the MUDA case were unproven due to a lack of evidence. The final report has been accepted by the court.</div>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<div>However, the alleged scam regarding the allotment of sites under the 50:50 ratio by MUDA will be further investigated, and a final report will be submitted under Section 173(8) of the CrPC.</div>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<div>Reacting to the development, Snehamayi Krishna said: "The entire nation has been eagerly awaiting this report, and now the Lokayukta officials, who are preparing to submit it to the honorable court, have issued a notice to me!"</div>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<div>"It seems there is a lack of evidence to support my allegations. Only officials who have compromised their conscience can produce such a report! This case is a glaring example of how investigating officers, under 'pressure', behave as if they are unaware of the evidence supporting the allegations," Snehamayi Krishna alleged.</div>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<div>The MUDA scam has created a political storm in the state, with opposition parties vehemently demanding CM Siddaramaiah's resignation.</div>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<div>The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is also probing the matter.</div>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<div>Meanwhile, the Karnataka High Court recently quashed a petition seeking an investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).</div>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<div>&mdash;IANS</div>

Allegations against Siddaramaiah & kin included fraudulent allocation of 14 sites in exchange for 3.16 acres of land

K'taka Lokayukta Gives CM Clean Chit in MUDA Case

Actor Sidharth Malhotra is mourning the loss of his father, Sunil Malhotra, who passed away recently. The actor shared the news with an emotional message on social media. His wife, Kiara Advani, has now also paid a heartfelt tribute to her father-in-law.
On Wednesday, Kiara took to Instagram to share pictures from her wedding reception, where she and Sidharth were seen smiling alongside his parents. In a deeply personal note, she remembered Sunil Malhotra as a warm, generous, and steady presence in the family. She reflected on how he welcomed her with open arms and unconditional love, describing his kindness, wisdom, and unwavering devotion to his family.
Kiara wrote that his stories, laughter, and quiet strength would remain with her forever. She added that his legacy of integrity and gentleness lives on through his children and grandchildren. Concluding her message, she expressed that he would always be loved and remembered.
The couple is currently in Delhi with their family during this difficult period. Members of the film industry extended their condolences online. Jacqueline Fernandez offered prayers, while Karan Johar and Manish Malhotra shared messages of support.
On the professional front, Sidharth will next appear in Vvan: Force of The Forest, directed by Arunabh Kumar and Deepak Mishra and produced by Balaji Motion Pictures. The film also stars Tamannaah Bhatia and is slated for release later this year.
Kiara, meanwhile, awaits the release of Toxic: A Fairytale for Grown-Ups, directed by Geetu Mohandas. The film features Yash, Nayanthara, Tara Sutaria, Huma Qureshi, and Rukmini Vasanth in key roles. The film is expected to release on March 19, alongside Dhurandhar 2, directed by Aditya Dhar.

Actor pens heartfelt note after Sunil Malhotra’s passing

Kiara Mourns Sidharth’s Father

Days after 23-year-old Sahil Dhaneshra lost his life in a fatal SUV crash in Delhi&rsquo;s Dwarka, the father of the 17-year-old accused has expressed regret over the incident, stating that his family is &ldquo;deeply grief-stricken.&rdquo; He also confirmed that the Scorpio SUV involved in the accident is part of his commercial transport business.
The crash occurred around 11:50 am on February 3 near Lal Bahadur Shastri Institute of Management in Sector 11, Dwarka. According to police, the SUV rammed into a Yamaha R15 motorcycle, killing Sahil on the spot. The vehicle then struck a parked Swift Dzire, injuring cab driver Ajit Singh.
Post-mortem findings revealed that Sahil sustained a fractured skull, multiple rib fractures, and an elbow injury due to the high-impact collision.
The minor driver was detained at the scene and booked under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for rash driving, negligence causing death, and endangering life. He was later presented before the Juvenile Justice Board and sent to an observation home. On February 10, he was granted interim bail to appear for his Class 10 board examinations.
Meanwhile, the Delhi Police registered a separate case against the boy&rsquo;s father under Section 199A of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, which holds guardians or vehicle owners accountable when a minor commits a traffic offence.
Speaking to the media after being questioned, the father said he was not in the city at the time of the accident and was unaware that his son had taken the vehicle. He stated that the family has cooperated with investigators and provided all necessary documents.
Sahil&rsquo;s mother alleged that her son was killed by a &ldquo;reckless teen&rdquo; just minutes away from his workplace. The 23-year-old, who worked part-time at an insurance firm, had plans to pursue higher studies in the United Kingdom later this year.

Minor held in SUV crash; father booked under MV Act provisions

Dwarka Crash: Accused’s Father Apologises

The Supreme Court of India on Tuesday set aside a March 2025 judgment of the Allahabad High Court that had ruled that grabbing a minor girl&rsquo;s breasts and dragging her under a culvert did not amount to an attempt to rape. The apex court termed the ruling a &ldquo;patently erroneous&rdquo; application of criminal law principles.
A Bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, along with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and N.V. Anjaria, held that the high court had incorrectly reduced the charges from attempt to rape under Section 376 read with Section 511 of the IPC and Section 18 of the POCSO Act to lesser offences. The court restored the original summons issued by the Special POCSO Court in Kasganj, clarifying that its observations were prima facie and would not influence the trial&rsquo;s outcome.
Rejecting the high court&rsquo;s reasoning that the accused had merely &ldquo;prepared&rdquo; to commit rape, the Supreme Court reiterated the settled distinction between preparation and attempt, noting that an attempt begins when intent moves into execution. Based on the allegations, including forcibly taking the minor on a motorcycle, dragging her near a culvert, and fleeing only after she screamed, the Bench held that a prima facie case of attempt to rape was clearly made out.
The proceedings were initiated suo motu after senior advocate Shobha Gupta raised concerns over the high court&rsquo;s reasoning. The Supreme Court had earlier stayed the controversial observations and later the entire judgment.
Beyond correcting the legal error, the court addressed a broader concern about insensitivity in judicial handling of sexual offence cases. It requested the National Judicial Academy in Bhopal to constitute a five-member expert committee to frame guidelines aimed at fostering compassion and sensitivity in courts, especially in cases involving minors and vulnerable victims.
The committee, to be chaired by former Supreme Court judge Justice Aniruddha Bose, has been directed to submit a report within three months. The guidelines are to be drafted in simple, accessible language and tailored to Indian realities to ensure they are understandable to victims and laypersons alike.

Top court restores rape attempt charge, seeks sensitivity guidelines

SC Sets Aside HC Order in POCSO Case

India&rsquo;s merchandise imports from Russia plunged by over 40% in January 2026, falling to about $2.86 billion from $4.81 billion a year earlier, official trade figures show, largely reflecting a steep reduction in crude oil purchases.
Crude oil typically accounts for roughly 80% of India&rsquo;s imports from Russia, and estimates suggest purchases of Russian crude last month were significantly lower than in previous years. Other goods imported from Russia include coal, fertilisers, iron, pulses, and precious stones, but these have not offset the slump in oil imports. The downturn in oil imports intensified after mid-2025, following punitive tariffs levied by the United States on Indian goods connected to purchases of Russian oil and ongoing diplomatic pressure. India&rsquo;s refiners, including some major private and state firms, have substantially reduced or halted buying Russian crude as they explore alternative sources.
In early February 2026, Washington eased the additional tariff on Indian products after New Delhi signalled a commitment to &ldquo;stop directly or indirectly importing&rdquo; Russian oil and to increase purchases of energy products from the United States, as well as broadening ties in global energy markets.
Analysts expect the shift in crude sourcing to continue, with Indian refiners eyeing other suppliers, including Middle Eastern and Venezuelan grades, as part of broader diversification strategies.

January sees 40% fall in Russia merchandise imports amid crude cutbacks

India’s Russia Imports Drop Sharply

A 27-year-old man has been arrested in Andhra Pradesh&rsquo;s Annamayya district for allegedly abducting and murdering a seven-year-old girl from his neighbourhood in Madanapalle town.
The child had been playing outside her home on Sunday evening when she went missing, sparking panic among her family and local residents. A missing complaint was filed the following morning, prompting an intensive search operation led by district police.
Investigators reviewed CCTV footage from across the town, which reportedly showed the suspect, a neighbour living opposite the victim&rsquo;s house, taking the child into his residence. Acting on this lead, police searched the house on Tuesday morning.
During the inspection, officers discovered the girl&rsquo;s body concealed inside a water storage drum within the premises. The accused was present at the house at the time and was immediately taken into custody.
Preliminary findings suggest the child was killed inside the residence on Sunday night, and her body was hidden thereafter. Authorities are probing whether sexual assault occurred before the murder, with confirmation pending post-mortem and forensic examination results.
Following the discovery, tensions escalated in the area. Residents and family members staged a protest on the Madanapalle highway, briefly preventing police from shifting the body to the government hospital for autopsy and demanding strict punishment for the accused.
Police have stated that all possible angles, including prior allegations of inappropriate behaviour by the suspect, are being examined as the investigation continues.

Child’s body found in drum; protest erupts in Madanapalle town

7-Year-Old Killed, Neighbour Arrested

The United States and Iran held their second round of indirect negotiations in Geneva, Switzerland, as diplomatic efforts continue amid heightened regional tensions. While both sides indicated forward movement in discussions, parallel military developments have added complexity to the fragile engagement.
Reports suggest the US has significantly reinforced its military presence in the Middle East. Over 50 advanced fighter aircraft, including F-35, F-22 and F-16 jets, were reportedly repositioned to the region within a 24-hour window. The deployment follows Washington&rsquo;s decision to send a second aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford, to Middle Eastern waters, underscoring its strategic posture.
Despite the show of force, the Geneva discussions were described as substantive and focused. Iranian officials signalled that preliminary understandings were reached on broad guiding principles that could shape a future agreement. However, they cautioned that drafting and finalising any deal would take time.
On the American side, officials maintained that the talks unfolded largely as anticipated. Washington&rsquo;s core objective remains preventing Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons, a position repeatedly emphasised by senior US leadership.
Meanwhile, regional tensions persisted. Iran temporarily restricted navigation in parts of the Strait of Hormuz during a naval drill, highlighting the waterway&rsquo;s vulnerability. Additionally, US leaders suggested that differences remain over key conditions laid out by President Donald Trump.
As diplomacy continues, both nations appear to be balancing dialogue with deterrence, leaving the broader geopolitical landscape uncertain.

Second Geneva round shows progress as military moves raise stakes

US-Iran Talks Advance Amid Rising Tensions

Delhi University has imposed a month-long ban on public meetings, demonstrations, rallies and protests across its campus, citing concerns over traffic disruption, safety risks and potential disturbance to public order.
The order, issued on February 17 by the university&rsquo;s proctor&rsquo;s office, prohibits gatherings of five or more persons, slogan-shouting, speeches and the carrying of materials such as torches or similar items that could pose safety hazards. The directive takes immediate effect and will remain in force for one month unless withdrawn earlier.
University authorities stated that the decision followed inputs suggesting that unrestricted gatherings could escalate and adversely impact law and order within the campus. The order also referenced prior directions issued by the assistant commissioner of police in the Civil Lines area restricting public meetings and activities that may affect public tranquillity or traffic flow.
The move comes after recent tensions on campus. Last week, the Delhi Police registered two FIRs following a clash between student groups during protests over the University Grants Commission&rsquo;s proposed anti-caste discrimination rules. The rules have currently been put on hold by the Supreme Court of India amid differing views among student groups.
In another incident on February 12, historian S. Irfan Habib had water thrown at him while addressing a programme on social justice.
Reacting to the order, Mithuraj Dhusiya, associate professor at Hansraj College and member of DU&rsquo;s executive council, described the decision as a sweeping restriction.

Order follows clashes and safety concerns at Delhi University

DU Bans Protests on Campus for a Month

Malayalam actor Jayaram appeared before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday for questioning in connection with the alleged misappropriation of gold linked to Sabarimala Temple.
The actor was seen arriving at the ED office and briefly addressed reporters, stating that authorities should identify and act against everyone involved in the matter. He said he had attended temple-related rituals over the years and had been invited multiple times for pujas connected to Sabarimala artefacts. According to him, investigative agencies and the court are examining whether any irregularities occurred.
The case pertains to alleged gold pilferage from the Dwarapalaka (guardian deity) idols and the sanctum sanctorum door frames of the temple. Last month, Jayaram was questioned by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the allegations.
The probe centres around Unnikrishnan Potty, a priest-turned-businessman and the first accused in the case, who is currently out on bail. He is accused of misappropriating gold from the temple&rsquo;s sanctum door frames and gold-plated sheets covering the guardian idols in 2019 under the pretext of re-plating them.
The ED is examining whether any financial transactions took place between Jayaram and the accused in the name of rituals associated with the temple&rsquo;s gold assets. Investigators are also looking into allegations that several individuals, including public figures, were told that conducting prayers in the presence of Sabarimala artefacts would bring good fortune.
The Kochi unit of the ED has registered an Enforcement Case Information Report under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act and has approached a special court in Kollam seeking related documents from the SIT. The investigation is ongoing.

Actor questioned in Sabarimala gold misappropriation probe

Jayaram Appears Before ED in Gold Case

India has seized three oil tankers near Mumbai as part of a wider crackdown on illicit oil trade and ship-to-ship cargo transfers within its maritime zone. While authorities confirmed the action, they did not officially comment on reports linking the vessels to Iran.
The ships, Stellar Ruby, Asphalt Star and Al Jafzia, were intercepted about 100 nautical miles west of Mumbai earlier this month after suspicious movements were detected inside India&rsquo;s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). The vessels were later escorted to Mumbai for further investigation.
In a statement issued on February 17, the Press Information Bureau said the Indian Coast Guard dismantled an international oil smuggling network through a coordinated sea-air operation conducted between February 5 and 6.
Coast Guard ships carried out boarding operations on the three vessels, examining electronic records, verifying documents and questioning crew members. Investigators found that the syndicate allegedly relied on complex ship-to-ship transfers in international waters to conceal the origin of oil cargo and evade duties payable to coastal states.
Technology-driven maritime surveillance first flagged a motor tanker engaged in suspicious activity within the EEZ. Further digital tracking identified two additional vessels converging on it, prompting a coordinated interception.
Preliminary findings suggest the ships frequently changed identities to avoid detection. The vessels are expected to be handed over to Customs and other law enforcement agencies for legal proceedings.
The Office of Foreign Assets Control had sanctioned three vessels last year whose International Maritime Organisation numbers matched those seized. Shipping data indicated that two of the tankers had operational links to Iran. However, Iranian state media, citing the National Iranian Oil Company, reported that the seized ships and their cargoes were not connected to the company.
The enforcement action comes amid strengthening cooperation between India and the United States on sanctions compliance and maritime security. Authorities have expanded round-the-clock surveillance, deploying around 55 Coast Guard ships and 10&ndash;12 aircraft across key maritime zones.

ICG cracks down on illicit mid-sea oil transfers in EEZ

India Seizes 3 Oil Tankers Near Mumbai

Elon Musk could become the world&rsquo;s first trillionaire as early as 2026, with his net worth climbing to an estimated $850 billion in February. He recently crossed the $800 billion mark, setting a new benchmark in global wealth rankings.
Musk&rsquo;s fortune now exceeds the combined wealth of Larry Page, Sergey Brin and Mark Zuckerberg, highlighting the scale of his financial lead.
A major boost has come from a recent deal between SpaceX and xAI. The aerospace firm acquired Musk&rsquo;s AI and social media venture in a transaction valuing the combined entity at $1.25 trillion. With an estimated 43% ownership in the merged company, Musk&rsquo;s stake alone is valued at over $530 billion, accounting for nearly two-thirds of his total wealth.
However, the merger comes amid regulatory scrutiny across Europe, Asia, Australia and California over xAI&rsquo;s image-generation tool, Grok, following concerns around explicit deepfake content.
According to the Manhattan-based prediction platform Kalshi, traders currently assign a 75% probability that Musk will achieve trillionaire status this year. Most expect it to happen before 2029, with strong sentiment pointing to 2026 or 2027.
A potential SpaceX IPO could further accelerate his rise, possibly pushing his net worth toward $1.5 trillion. Meanwhile, his 12% stake in Tesla, along with substantial stock options and a record-breaking compensation package approved by shareholders, continues to underpin his expanding fortune.

SpaceX-xAI deal fuels surge in Musk’s soaring net worth

Musk Eyes Trillionaire Milestone in 2026

Proposal follows row over ex-Army chief’s unpublished book

Govt Plans 20-Year Cooling-Off for Memoirs

UC Berkeley student from Karnataka found dead near Berkeley Hills

Indian Student Found Dead in US Lake

33-year-old arrested after retired Navy captain and dentist wife stabbed at home in B'luru

Bengaluru Man Held for Killing Parents

A drunken brawl in Litan ignites ethnic fires as local distrust hollows out pacts

Manipur Unrest: Ukhrul Tensions Defy Peace

PM Modi hoists tricolour at Red Fort (file photo)

Home Ministry orders national song before anthem at all state events

Vande Mataram Before Anthem Rule

Married partner accused; body recovered from iron box

Woman’s Body Found in Septic Tank in Bhopal

Defence nod for 114 Rafales and key upgrades to boost India’s military readiness

DAC Clears ₹3.6 Lakh Cr Rafale Jets Deal for IAF

Actor has paid ₹2.5 crore, ready to deposit more as High Court defers bail hearing again

Rajpal's Bail Plea Delayed in Cheque Bounce Case

Multiple victims found at school and linked site as police confirm suspect also died