Author: ADAC GTMasters
Karnataka motorists are facing hefty fines in states like Odisha and Goa after their Pollution Under Control Certificates (PUCCs) failed to appear on the national Vahan portal, prompting the state transport minister to urge affected vehicle owners to seek redress in consumer courts. Background and Context The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) issued a notification on 15 December 2025 mandating all states to integrate PUCC data with the Vahan portal by 31 March 2026. The integration is intended to provide real‑time verification of a vehicle’s emission compliance, preventing unwarranted penalties during inter‑state travel. Karnataka, however, has lagged in…
Three men have been taken into custody in Karwar after police allege they circulated a video that is believed to have driven a local pharmacist to suicide. The incident has sparked a debate over the power of social media, the responsibilities of healthcare workers, and the mental health support available to professionals in high‑pressure environments. Background and Context On Friday, 24 January, Rajeev Pikle, a 48‑year‑old pharmacist associated with Pikle Nursing Home in Aversa village, Ankola taluk, was found dead at his residence. Authorities say he shot himself with a double‑barrel gun. The death came after a viral clip, uploaded about…
Three men have been taken into custody in Karwar after police allege they circulated a viral video that is believed to have contributed to the suicide of a local pharmacist, Rajeev Pikle. The arrests, made by the Ankola police on Saturday, come amid growing scrutiny of how online content can influence mental health and the responsibilities of those who share it. Background/Context Rajeev Pikle, a 48‑year‑old pharmacist associated with Pikle Nursing Home in Aversa village, Ankola taluk, was found dead on Friday after shooting himself with a double‑barrel gun. The tragedy unfolded just days after a video filmed inside the nursing home…
A blaze erupted at a house on Ballari‑Belagallu Road during a social media reel shoot, forcing police to detain eight people, including two adults and six minors, on Saturday. The fire, which gutted the property owned by Aruna Janardhana Reddy, wife of MLA Gali Janardhana Reddy, has sparked a political firestorm and raised questions about safety protocols for online content creation. Background and Context Ballari, a rapidly developing town in Karnataka, has seen a surge in digital content production as creators seek new locations for viral videos. The incident comes at a time when the state government is tightening regulations…
Experts in Bengaluru have called for a fundamental rethink of how digital tools and artificial intelligence are designed and deployed in autism care, urging that technology remain flexible, human‑centred and responsive to individual needs. The recommendations emerged at the third Global Autism Convention organised by St John’s National Academy of Health Sciences, in association with several organisations. Background/Context Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) affects roughly 1 in 54 children worldwide, and in India the prevalence is estimated at 1.5 %. Bengaluru, a hub for technology and healthcare, has seen a surge in digital interventions aimed at early diagnosis, behavioural therapy and skill…
Bengaluru leads Karnataka in missing children cases, with girls accounting for 72% of the reports. Over the past three years, the city has recorded 3,268 missing child incidents, the highest in the state. Police data reveal that while most cases are not actual kidnappings, the sheer volume and gender imbalance raise urgent concerns for families, law‑enforcement agencies, and the broader community. Background / Context In India, the Supreme Court’s 2023 guidelines mandate that every missing minor be registered as a kidnapping case. This procedural shift has amplified the number of reported incidents, especially in urban centers where family dynamics and…