Here are the big stories from Karnataka today

1. ‘Operation Suraksha’ to curb night-time crime in Bengaluru sees 151 cases related to sale and consumption of narcotic substances

The Bengaluru City Police have launched a special city-wide drive titled ‘Operation Suraksha’ to curb illegal activities and anti-social behaviour at night. According to the police, anti-social elements often gather in public places at night and indulge in unlawful activities, including the consumption and sale of narcotic substances. To bring such activities under control and ensure public safety, a joint special operation is being carried out by local police stations along with the Central Crime Branch (CCB).

Under Operation Suraksha, CCB officers and staff and local police stations are conducting nightly patrols on a shift basis in sensitive areas of the city. Since December 2025, police have registered 151 cases related to the sale and consumption of narcotic substances during night-time operations. In addition, 1,280 cases have been registered under the Karnataka Police Act against individuals disturbing public peace. Such persons have been counselled and warned against repeating the offences.

2. Three women sentenced to seven years in prison in Chikkaballapur for forcing teenager into prostitution, human trafficking

The Additional District and Sessions court in Chikkaballapur on February 9 convicted three women and sentenced them to seven years of rigorous imprisonment in a human trafficking and prostitution case registered by the Chikkaballapur Women Police Station in March 2022. According to the police, the prime accused lured the victim, aged around 19 years, under the pretext of offering a job at a beauty parlour in Bengaluru. The teenager was a victim of child marriage and was facing financial difficulty.

She was taken from Chikkaballapur to Bengaluru, and from there to Delhi, and later confined to a room, where she was allegedly forced into prostitution. The investigation revealed that the accused sold the victim for ₹3 lakh and confined her to a room in a brothel, where the latter was subjected to sexual exploitation. After two months, the girl managed to escape and reach her hometown before filing a complaint with the women police station in June 2022.

3. Portion of Mangalur​u-Karkala highway to be shut for a month for repairs

The Mangaluru City Traffic Police have announced the temporary closure of the Mangaluru-Solapur National Highway 169 for a month between Ganjimutt and Yedapadavu. The closure has been declared to enable the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to restore the carriageway damaged while widening the Bikarnakatte-Sanur stretch of the highway into four lanes.

Vehicles plying between Mangaluru and Moodbidri or Karkala will have to operate on diverted routes during the period. The highway will remain closed between Muchhur Cross from Ganjimutt-end and Daddi Cross from Yedapadavu-end. This portion had developed cracks and was on the verge of collapse while the NHAI was straightening the highway by cutting the Yedapadavu hill.