Tuesday, 15 April 2025: A wrap of news and developments in Karnataka— Karnataka leads India’s skill gaming sector but plans stricter laws against illegal gambling. Truckers threatened a strike over border check posts. Karnataka signed an MoU with Bavaria on tech cooperation.
Published Apr 15, 2025 | 4:34 PM ⚊ Updated Apr 15, 2025 | 5:44 PM
Karnataka news wrap: Karnataka signs MoU with Bavaria, PIL filed to halt the cremation of Hubballi child murder accused
Synopsis: Ahead of the Cabinet meeting on 17 April, the Veerashaiva Mahasabha plans an independent review of the socio-economic survey. Bengaluru police arrested eight Kerala men with MDMA worth ₹27 lakh. Karnataka signed an MoU with Bavaria on tech cooperation. A PIL was filed to halt the cremation of Hubballi child murder accused Ritesh Kumar after his encounter death.
Ahead of the Cabinet meeting on 17 April to discuss the Socio-Economic and Educational Survey report, the Akhila Bharata Veerashaiva Mahasabha has announced plans to engage a retired justice to examine the report.
The organisation aims to present well-informed inputs during the discussions. It also intends to conduct its own survey on the socio-economic and educational status of Veerashaiva Lingayats in Karnataka.
On 9 April, Bengaluru’s CCB anti-narcotics wing arrested eight men from Kerala with 110 grams of MDMA crystals in Yelahanka Police Station limits.
Besides MDMA, 10 mobile phones, a tablet, and two cars worth ₹27 lakh were also seized. The accused, who stayed in a lodge in Atturu Layout, targeted students and IT professionals, selling MDMA at ₹15,000–20,000 per gram.
They allegedly came to Bengaluru under the guise of job seekers but were intent on quick money.
Karnataka’s skill-based gaming sector now accounts for 25% of India’s market, generating ₹1,350 crore in annual taxes and supporting 1.5 lakh jobs, said IT/BT Minister Priyank Kharge.
However, a rise in unregulated gambling platforms has prompted the state to draft a new regulatory framework. The government is collaborating with industry bodies like the E-Gaming Federation and AIGF, and a law to regulate online gambling is in the works.
GR Shanmugappa, president of the Federation of Karnataka State Lorry Owners and Agents Association, met with Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy demanding the removal of RTO border check posts.
He cited examples of Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh, which have already done away with them. Truckers have also raised issues over high permit fees and diesel prices, calling for a nationwide strike beginning tonight.
The governments of Karnataka and Bavaria signed a Memorandum of Understanding at Vidhana Soudha to collaborate in fields including AI, quantum tech, smart cities, and higher education.
Ministers MB Patil and Priyank Kharge, along with Bavarian official Dr. Florian Hermann, participated in the signing. The MoU is valid for five years and covers industry, skill development, cybersecurity, and language training.
A PIL has been filed in the Karnataka High Court seeking to halt the cremation of Ritesh Kumar, who was killed in a police encounter after allegedly abducting and killing a five-year-old girl in Hubballi.
The petitioner has raised concerns about the legitimacy of the encounter. The court has posted the hearing for 3 PM. Kumar’s body remains unclaimed.
