Here are the big stories from Karnataka today

A view of the Karnataka High Court in Bengaluru.
| Photo Credit: The Hindu

1. Karnataka High Court directs Union Government to block Switzerland-based Proton Mail in India

The Karnataka High Court has directed the Union Government to initiate legal proceedings under provisions of the Information Technology (IT) Act, 2000 to block Proton Mail in India. On April 29, Justice M. Nagaprasanna issued the directions while allowing a petition filed by M. Moser Design Associates India Private Limited, Bengaluru.

The petitioner-company had moved the High Court seeking direction to the government to take legal action against Proton AG, a Switzerland-based company that provides Proton Mail services, based on international agreements by pointing out that Proton’s servers are located outside India, and hence it is claiming that it is not bound by Indian laws.

2. 50-year-old pourakarmika on her way to work killed by a speeding truck in Bengaluru

A 50-year-old pourakarmika was knocked down by a speeding truck on April 29 early morning while on her way to work. The deceased, Saroja, was working in Ward number 107 Shivanagar on a Direct Payment System (DPS) with Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP). She was supposed to be made a permanent employee of the civic body on Thursday (May 1, 2025). 

At around 6.30 a.m., Saroja was on her way to the ward office to report to work. While she was trying to cross the busy West of Chord Road at Dhobi Ghat Signal, a truck that was waiting at the traffic signal moved ahead, knocking her down. She came under the front left wheel, leading to severe head injuries. Doctors at Victoria Hospital declared her “brought dead.”

3. 19 persons booked under ‘mob lynching’ provision of BNS for murder near Mangaluru

Mangaluru police invoked the Bharatiya Nyaya Samhita provision on ‘mob lynching’ against 19 men who allegedly assaulted a man resulting in his death at Kudupu under Mangaluru Rural police limits on April 27. While a case was registered against 19 persons, police suspect at least 25 persons were involved in the assault.

Though the police registered a case of unnatural death under suspicious circumstances on April 27, they converted it into a case of ‘mob lynching’ after the autopsy report confirmed that the death was due to internal injuries caused by multiple strong blows, shock and non-availability of immediate medical attention.

4. AHINDA groups urge Rahul Gandhi to caution Congress legislators opposing caste census report

AHINDA groups have launched a campaign of writing letters to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi urging him to caution party legislators in Karnataka from opposing implementation of the report of the Socio Economic and Educational Survey, popularly called ‘caste census’. The survey was conducted by the Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes.

Under the aegis of Karnataka State Backward Classes Awareness Forum, the AHINDA groups have sent letters to Mr. Gandhi, who is also Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, through e-mail and post cards as part of the campaign, seeking his intervention in the matter.

5. NGO revives 150-year-old Khasbag Mattikop well in Belagavi

Belagavi-based Pyaas Foundation handed over a 150-year-old well in Teachers Colony to the Belagavi City Corporation (BCC) on April 29. The Khasbag Mattikop well is believed to be a historic one. The British-era structure supplied drinking water to Tilakwadi, Shahapur, and Khasbag. However, over the years, it had fallen into disuse due to neglect.

The Pyaas Foundation revived the well with CSR support from AKP Ferrocasts, and Bemco Hydraulics. It has a depth of nearly 30 feet and can supply up to 1,000 tankers of water per day. The NGO has taken up plantation around the site.