Crime
Omicron already present in community, K’taka in battle mode
The Karnataka government is worried over the findings of the health department which show that the Omicron variant is already present in the community. The government is taking steps on war footing to deal with any eventuality, according to sources in the health department.
Former Minister, senior Congress leader H.K. Patil has said that there are more than 16 cases of Omicron in the state as per his sources. He blamed the government for not taking swift action. He also urged the government to ramp up facilities for immediate test results. It is taking about 10 to 12 days now for the report of Omicron.
However, the data collected on the history of the doctor who tested positive for the Omicron variant showed that he had contracted the virus locally.
Earlier, it was suspected that the doctor contracted the virus at an International Medical Conference organised at a five star hotel between November 19 and 21. Three doctors who attended it tested Covid positive and one of them is found to have been infected with the Omicron variant.
The doctor attended the conference for a few hours on November 20. He started showing symptoms on November 21. Hence, health department officials are now thinking that the doctor might have contracted the Omicron virus much before the conference. Since he didn’t have travel history it shows that the virus is very much present in the community, sources said.
The conference was physically attended by 60 healthcare workers. As many as 163 operation theatre staff, their co-workers and patients have been tested for Covid as some of them attended the conference. All have tested negative. They have no symptoms and they will be retested. At least 81 hotel staffers have also tested negative, sources explain.
However, H.K. Patil charged that the state government has not taken initiative to track contacts in connection with the International Medical conference held in Bengaluru.
Minister for Revenue R. Ashok stated that as per available statistics there are 400 cases of Omicron in the world. An official report based on studies of the Omicron variant is yet to come. “As per informal inputs we have Omicron variant symptoms that are not severe. People affected with it are showing mild symptoms. No deaths have been reported so far due to the Omicron variant,” he stated.
Meanwhile, the Karnataka government has given directions to restart Covid control rooms throughout the state and has asked civic authorities to hire required staff. It has also been told to check and ensure oxygen supply network, availability of oxygen, transportation, condition of oxygen plants, ICU beds and oxygenated beds at the hospitals.
Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has been directed to hire staff immediately for restarting the BBMP control room. Directions are also being given to purchase required medicines.
Business
CBI books Reliance Commercial Finance, its promoters in Rs 57.47 crore bank fraud case

Mumbai, Dec 9: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Tuesday said it has filed a criminal case against Reliance Commercial Finance Ltd (RCFL) and its promoters and directors over allegedly causing wrongful loss of Rs 57.47 crore to Bank of Maharashtra.
The case has been registered against RCFL — a company of Reliance ADA Group, its promoters/directors and unknown bank officials, on the allegations of criminal conspiracy, cheating and criminal misconduct and thereby, the CBI said in a statement.
According to the statement, the loan account of Reliance Commercial Finance Ltd was declared an NPA by the bank on March 25, 2020 and also as fraud on October 4, 2025, for causing wrongful loss of Rs 57.47 crore to Bank of Maharashtra.
“RCFL was availing loans to the tune of Rs 9,280 crore from 31 banks/ FIs/NBFCs/Corporate Bodies, etc., including Bank of Maharashtra. A thorough investigation will be conducted into the allegations of defrauding all the banks/FIs, etc. by the accused company,” said the CBI.
The probe agency obtained search warrants from the court of a Special CBI judge, Mumbai and commenced searches at the official premises of RCFL at Mumbai and the residential premises of Devang Pravin Mody, Director of the company, at Pune, on December 9.
“Several incriminating documents have been observed and are being taken into possession during searches. Searches are in progress,” the CBI said.
Meanwhile, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has filed a supplementary charge sheet against Reliance Power Ltd and 10 others, in the case of fake bank guarantees of Rs 68 crore submitted by Reliance Power Limited to the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) for the purpose of securing a tender issued by it. ED attached the proceeds of crime worth Rs 5.15 crore as well.
Reliance Power Ltd said in a statement that “ED allegations have not yet passed through judicial scrutiny and the Company has not been held guilty of any wrongdoing”.
“As per law settled by the Supreme Court, the company will get an opportunity to put across its case and facts before the court, even before cognisance, so filing of this complaint does not affect the affairs of the company in any manner,” said the company in an exchange filing.
Crime
Mumbai: Man Arrested At Airport For Derogatory Social Media Posts On Bhagavad Gita & Women

Mumbai: Mangaluru City Police have arrested a Mumbai native accused of uploading social media posts that promoted feelings of enmity or hatred in 2024.
The accused, who was working in Saudi Arabia, was arrested at Mumbai Airport based on a Look Out Circular (LOC).
The accused, Felix Edward Mathais (aged 56), is alleged to have circulated derogatory posts about the Bhagavad Gita and women in February 2024.
A case was registered against him at the Kankanady City Police Station under sections 153(A), 504, 507, 509 of the IPC and Section 66(D) of the IT Act.
At the time the case was filed, Mathais was in Saudi Arabia for employment, which prevented his arrest. The accused, originally from Charkop, Mumbai, was the subject of an LOC issued by the police following information gathered about his overseas employment.
The accused landed at Mumbai Airport from abroad. Immigration officials detained him and informed the Mangaluru Police. Subsequently, he was arrested at the Airport on December 5, 2025.
He was brought to Mangaluru for investigation and produced before the Court. A report has been submitted to the court requesting the confiscation of his passport.
Another accused in the case, Evigin John D’Souza (aged 57), was previously arrested on August 11, 2024, and produced before the court.
The investigation into the case is ongoing.
Crime
Palghar Crime: 40-Year-Old Constable Arrested For Allegedly Raping Woman Inside Kasa Police Station

Palghar, Maharashtra, Dec 08: A 40-year-old police constable has been arrested for allegedly raping a woman inside the Kasa police station in Maharashtra’s Palghar district, officials said on Monday.
According to a senior official from the Palghar rural police, the incident took place last week when the woman had visited the station to record her statement in connection with an ongoing case. The constable allegedly assaulted her within the premises.
Following a complaint filed by the woman, a case of rape was registered and the constable was arrested on Sunday, officials confirmed.
In the aftermath of the incident, the in-charge of the Kasa police station has been transferred. Further investigation is underway.
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