Here are the big stories from Karnataka today

1. Israel-Iran War: Eight more stranded persons seek help to return to Dakshina Kannada

Eight more persons from three families of Dakshina Kannada district in Karnataka have sought help to return to Mangaluru from Qatar and the UAE where they are stranded amid the Israel-US-Iran war raging in West Asia. In all, a total of 17 persons from Dakhina Kannada have sought help of the Karnataka government to return from UAE, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia.

According to information made available by the State Disaster Management Authority, three of them are stranded but safe in Mushreb. Two are in Abu Dhabi, and three more on a tourist visa are in Dubai. Eight persons from two families, who were expected to board a flight from Dubai to Mangaluru on March 4, could not do so in the light of cancellation of flights.

2. Sharing video or photo of minor girl in Mallikarjun Mutya POCSO case to attract legal action by Yadgir police

Police have warned of legal action against those uploading videos and photos related to the case registered against Mallikarjun Mutya, head of a mutt in Mahal Roja village in Shahapur taluk in Yadgir district of Karnataka, who was booked under the POCSO Act after a video showed him behaving in an allegedly improper manner with a minor girl.

Superintendent of Police Prutwik Shankar stated that sharing and uploading information or photos or videos of the minor girl, and identifying her parents by posting their photos, is illegal. “If anyone is found involved in such activities, they will be dealt with by legal action,” he added.

3. Bengaluru techie ends life, dowry harassment angle being probed

A 35-year-old former software professional allegedly ended her life following a domestic quarrel with her mother-in-law at Abbigere in North Bengaluru, police said on March 3, 2026. The deceased, identified as Sushma (35), was working with a private IT company and had been married to Puneeth Kumar for five years. The couple has a four-year-old son.

Police said that on Monday around 10.30 a.m., Sushma was found dead in her upstairs room. Her husband and mother-in-law were present in the house at the time. She was found unresponsive and later declared dead. Following a complaint from Sushma’s parents accusing her husband and in-laws of dowry harassment, police have taken Puneeth Kumar into custody for questioning.

4. Canara College in Mangaluru gets autonomous status

Canara College in Mangaluru has been granted autonomous status by the University Grants Commission (UGC) and the government of Karnataka for 10 years from 2025–26 to 2034–35. The college will implement the autonomy from the academic year 2026–27, according to M. Jagannath Kamath, Correspondent, Canara High School Association, which manages the college.

Mr. Kamath said that the college, which was established in 1973, got an ‘A’ grade from the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC). While the college will have academic freedom in curriculum design, examination, and evaluation, the degree will continue to be awarded by Mangalore University with the status of ‘Autonomous College’ clearly mentioned, he said.