The Bengaluru Traffic Police (BTP) has brought back its ‘Cop for the Day’ initiative, inviting citizens to spend a day with traffic police personnel and experience firsthand the challenges of managing the city’s busy roads during peak hours. The initiative is aimed at helping residents understand traffic management from a police officer’s perspective while encouraging them to share suggestions for safer and smoother roads. 

The traffic police announced the initiative on social media, asking Bengaluru residents to step into the shoes of a traffic cop and gain a better understanding of the responsibilities involved in regulating traffic. The department said participants would get an opportunity to observe the practical difficulties faced by traffic personnel and contribute their views based on the experience. 

Citizens Get Firsthand Experience

Under the programme, volunteers will spend time alongside traffic police personnel and gain on-ground exposure to traffic management during busy periods.

The initiative is not simply about observing traffic from the roadside. It is intended to give participants a closer understanding of the decisions and challenges involved in keeping vehicles moving, managing congestion and maintaining road discipline in one of India's busiest urban centres.

According to Bengaluru Traffic Police, the programme had been conducted successfully earlier and has now been brought back to encourage greater public participation.

Police Invite Public Suggestions

Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic), Bengaluru City, Karthik Reddy, IPS, encouraged citizens to participate in the programme and share their experiences and suggestions after spending time with traffic personnel.

The broader objective is to build greater public understanding of traffic policing and encourage citizens to become part of efforts aimed at improving road safety and traffic movement.

The department's message said the experience would allow residents to understand the challenges faced by traffic personnel while also providing an opportunity to suggest ways to make Bengaluru's roads safer and smoother. 

How to Become a ‘Cop for the Day’

Interested residents can register through the BTP ASTraM app. The reported registration process includes downloading the application, logging in with a mobile number and selecting the “Traffic Cop for a Day” option from the app's home page.

Applicants then have to enter the required details and submit the registration form. Selected participants can subsequently take part in the initiative and experience traffic management alongside personnel.

The programme therefore provides a structured way for citizens to interact with traffic police rather than simply observing their work from outside. 

Bengaluru's Traffic Challenge

The initiative comes against the backdrop of Bengaluru's long-standing traffic management challenges. The city frequently experiences congestion during peak commuting hours, making traffic regulation a demanding task for personnel deployed at busy junctions and corridors.

Bengaluru Traffic Police currently uses a combination of on-ground enforcement and technology-based systems to monitor and manage traffic. Its official website also provides real-time information on incidents such as vehicle breakdowns, severe congestion and other road-related disruptions.

For citizens, experiencing the work directly could provide a different perspective on the difficulties involved in managing traffic, particularly at crowded intersections and during peak hours.

Focus on Safer Roads

The ‘Cop for the Day’ initiative also places emphasis on the relationship between traffic police and road users. While enforcement remains an important part of traffic management, public cooperation is equally significant in maintaining road discipline.

By allowing citizens to understand the work of traffic personnel firsthand, the BTP hopes to encourage greater awareness of traffic rules and responsible road behaviour.

The department has invited Bengaluru residents to participate, understand the realities of traffic management and provide practical feedback. The initiative offers citizens a chance to experience the pressures faced by traffic police while contributing their own suggestions for improving the city's road environment.

Karnataka Public Schools (KPS) are being developed as an integrated education model offering schooling from Lower Kindergarten (LKG) to Class 12, or II PUC, under one roof in both Kannada and English mediums, Karnataka Primary and Secondary Education Minister Madhu Bangarappa said.

Bangarappa made the remarks while laying the foundation stone for a new KPS building being constructed at a cost of ₹13.5 crore through the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative of Ajax Engineering Charitable Trust. The event was jointly organised by the district administration, Zilla Panchayat, Department of School Education and Literacy, Shivamogga Ajax Engineering Limited and Ajax Engineering Charitable Trust. 

The minister described Karnataka Public Schools as an ambitious initiative aimed at providing quality education from the early years through higher secondary education within a single institution. The model is intended to provide students with continuity in their schooling while strengthening government education infrastructure.

Bangarappa also highlighted the state's 'Namma Shaale Namma Javabdhari' (Our School, Our Responsibility) initiative, under which community participation is being encouraged in the development of government schools. He said several programmes were being undertaken by the Education Department to improve educational facilities and create better opportunities for children. 

According to the minister, 11 Karnataka Public Schools are already functioning in Shivamogga district, while another 24 have been sanctioned with assistance from the Asian Development Bank. The state is also working on a larger CSR-backed project to develop 1,000 Karnataka Public Schools across Karnataka.

In Shivamogga district alone, work is in progress to establish 35 KPS schools, according to the minister. The expansion is part of the government's broader effort to strengthen public education infrastructure and increase access to quality schooling.

The new KPS building being constructed with support from Ajax Engineering Charitable Trust will include 35 well-equipped classrooms, toilets and an Akshara Dasoha Bhavan. The project is targeted for completion within two years, after which the building will be handed over to the Education Department. 

Bangarappa also stressed the importance of community involvement in strengthening government schools. While speaking about the responsibility of the Education Department, he called for greater public attention towards the development of schools, noting that education plays a central role in shaping the future of children.

The KPS model, with education planned from LKG through II PUC in Kannada and English, is aimed at creating a more integrated government-school system in Karnataka. With new schools being sanctioned through government and development assistance as well as CSR funding, the state is seeking to expand the reach of the model across districts.

Former MP Prajwal Revanna, who is serving a life sentence in Karnataka's Parappana Agrahara Central Prison, was found with a mobile phone and a pen drive during a jail raid on Wednesday, August 12. Prison officials have registered a fresh case under the Prisons Act, while an assistant superintendent has been suspended and an inquiry launched into how the prohibited items entered the facility. 

Phone, Pen Drive Recovered

According to officials, a blue Android mobile phone, pen drive, charger and diary were recovered from Revanna during a raid at the Bengaluru prison.

Another inmate, identified as Prathap Rai, was also named in the case. The complaint was filed by Central Crime Branch police inspector Subramanya, following which a case was registered at the Parappana Agrahara police station under Section 42 of the Prisons Act. 

The raid reportedly continued for around four to five hours. Officials said no other contraband was found during the operation.

Prison Official Suspended

The incident has prompted action against prison authorities.

Alok Kumar, DGP, Prisons and Correctional Services, said the concerned assistant superintendent had been suspended following a report from the DIG South. A show-cause notice has also been issued to the superintendent of Bengaluru Central Prison.

A detailed departmental inquiry is now underway to determine how the mobile phone and other prohibited items reached the prison. Investigators are also examining CCTV footage and collecting additional information before deciding on further disciplinary action. 

Revanna Serving Life Sentence

Prajwal Revanna, 34, is serving a life sentence after a special court in Karnataka convicted him in 2025 for repeatedly raping a 47-year-old domestic worker.

The case was the first among three rape cases and one sexual harassment case against Revanna to reach trial and result in a conviction, according to the report.

Revanna, a former Hassan MP and grandson of former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda, was previously considered a prominent young leader of the Janata Dal (Secular). His conviction brought a major setback to his political career. 

CCTV Footage Under Scanner

Prison authorities are investigating whether any staff members were involved in allowing the prohibited items into the jail.

CCTV footage from the facility is being examined as part of the inquiry. Officials are also looking into the circumstances surrounding the recovery and whether there were lapses in prison security procedures.

The authorities have said further notices and disciplinary action could follow once the inquiry establishes responsibility.

Fresh Investigation Begins

The recovery of a mobile phone and pen drive from a high-profile inmate has raised fresh questions about security and monitoring inside the prison.

The new case is separate from the criminal proceedings that resulted in Revanna's conviction. The immediate investigation will focus on the possession of prohibited items and the possible route through which they entered the prison.

For now, the prison administration has initiated both a criminal case and an internal inquiry, with officials examining CCTV footage and other evidence before taking further action. 

In a significant development, Karnataka minister Ramalinga Reddy resigned from Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar's three-day-old cabinet on Friday, expressing dissatisfaction over the departments assigned to him. The resignation came just a day after the state government announced the distribution of portfolios among ministers.

Reddy, a veteran Congress leader and MLA from BTM Layout, had reportedly sought the Bengaluru Development Department but was instead allocated the Water Resources Department. The Bengaluru Development portfolio is considered one of the most influential departments in the state, overseeing infrastructure and urban planning projects in the capital city.

Disagreement Over Portfolio Allocation

Speaking to reporters, Reddy clarified that his resignation was limited to the ministerial post and did not signal a departure from the Congress party.

The 72-year-old leader stated that he had served under several chief ministers during his long political career and had never sought ministerial positions for personal gain. He emphasized that he would continue to serve as a legislator and remained committed to the party.

According to reports, Reddy was unhappy with the final portfolio allocation and raised the issue during the first cabinet meeting held on Thursday.

Chief Minister Seeks Resolution

Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar sought to downplay the crisis, saying there was no reason for concern and that discussions would be held with Reddy to address his grievances.

Shivakumar explained that Reddy's concern was linked to the nature of the Water Resources Department, which requires extensive travel across the state. The Chief Minister indicated that the senior leader preferred a department that would allow him to focus more on Bengaluru-related issues.

Officials close to the government suggested that efforts were underway to persuade Reddy to withdraw his resignation and remain in the cabinet.

Cabinet Portfolios Announced

The portfolio allocation notification issued by the state government assigned key departments to several senior Congress leaders.

Among the notable appointments, Priyank Kharge was given the Home Department (excluding Intelligence), along with Information Technology and Biotechnology. Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara received Revenue and Sports, while Satish Jarkiholi was assigned Public Works.

Chief Minister Shivakumar retained several crucial portfolios, including Finance, Cabinet Affairs, Personnel and Administrative Reforms, and Intelligence.

Senior Leaders Included

The cabinet expansion also drew attention because of the inclusion of prominent political figures and family members of senior Congress leaders.

Yathindra Siddaramaiah, son of former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, was allotted the Urban Development Department. Several other senior ministers received key responsibilities linked to infrastructure, industry, health, and rural development.

The Congress leader's swearing-in marks the completion of a power-sharing agreement with Siddaramaiah, who has now been appointed to the party's highest decision-making body

DK Shivakumar will be sworn in as the 24th Chief Minister of Karnataka this evening. The ceremony is scheduled for 4 pm at Lok Bhavan in Bengaluru, bringing to a close weeks of speculation over the leadership transition in the state.

The Congress Legislature Party had elected Shivakumar as its leader on 30 May, two days after Siddaramaiah submitted his resignation. Shivakumar now takes over from Siddaramaiah, who served as Chief Minister from 20 May 2023.

Cabinet list awaited

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Shivakumar said the Congress high command would release the list of ministers for the new cabinet either by 10 am or later in the afternoon today. He clarified that names circulating in various media outlets were not official.

The list will be finalised in Delhi and sent to the Raj Bhavan to complete the formalities ahead of the swearing-in ceremony.

Sources familiar with the matter indicated that the new cabinet may include Siddaramaiah along with the son of Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge. There is also speculation about the appointment of four Deputy Chief Ministers. Around 10 ministers from the current cabinet are expected to be dropped.

Top leaders to attend

Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge are among the senior party leaders expected to be present at Lok Bhavan. Chief Ministers from Congress-ruled states including Kerala, Himachal Pradesh, and Telangana will also attend. The Chief Ministers of Tamil Nadu and Jharkhand are likely to be there as well.

Just a day before the swearing-in, the party appointed Siddaramaiah as a member of the Congress Working Committee (CWC), the party's highest executive body.

 Power-sharing deal completed

The transition follows a formula worked out after the 2023 Karnataka Assembly elections, when both Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar emerged as contenders for the top post. Under the arrangement, each was to serve as Chief Minister for two and a half years.

Siddaramaiah completed his term in November 2025 but remained in office. According to sources in the Karnataka Congress, Shivakumar was originally supposed to take over from December 2025. However, senior leaders including Rahul Gandhi were occupied with election preparations in Kerala, causing the delay.

Siddaramaiah had met Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, and KC Venugopal in Delhi on 24 May, where he was asked to resign. He requested 48 hours and stepped down on 28 May.

 Shivakumar's profile

The incoming Chief Minister, born in 1962 in Kanakapura near Bengaluru, is the MLA from Kanakapura and belongs to the influential Vokkaliga community. Within the Congress party, he is known as a leader who prevents MLAs from defecting and as a key strategist managing financial and logistical support for major operations.

Shivakumar is among the richest politicians in the country with assets worth over ₹1,413 crore, involved in real estate, mining, and hospitality businesses. His election affidavit lists only a Toyota Qualis car. He also has debts of around ₹263 crore.

There are more than 19 criminal cases registered against him. The ED is investigating him in two money laundering cases. Following IT raids at his residence in 2017, officials reportedly recovered ₹8.5 crore. He was arrested in 2019 in the same case and spent 50 days in Tihar Jail. The CBI is also probing a disproportionate assets case against him.

Mysuru Man Dragged on Car Bonnet Over Loan Dispute

Financial dispute turns violent as man is carried 500 metres on vehicle bonnet in Mysuru; police probe underway.

A financial dispute between two acquaintances took a dangerous turn in Karnataka’s Mysuru city after a man was dragged on the bonnet of a moving car for nearly half a kilometre. The harrowing incident, which occurred following a heated argument over borrowed money, was captured on camera and has since been widely circulated across social media platforms.

The victim, identified as Mahadev, had reportedly gone to recover a pending loan from the accused, Dhananjay. Local police authorities have actively taken up the matter for investigation after footage of the high-risk car chase surfaced online on Thursday.

Confrontation over borrowed money

Initial reports indicate that Mahadev had lent a sum of money to Dhananjay some time ago. Tension began building earlier in the day when Mahadev approached Dhananjay to demand his money back. What started as a verbal altercation quickly escalated into a aggressive confrontation in public view.

According to sources familiar with the matter, as the argument reached a boiling point, Dhananjay attempted to cut the conversation short and flee the spot in his vehicle. Desperate to prevent the borrower from driving away without settling the dues, Mahadev reportedly intercepted the vehicle and threw himself onto the car's bonnet.

High-speed escape attempt

Instead of stepping on the brakes, the driver allegedly pressed the accelerator, forcing Mahadev to cling to the moving vehicle for survival. Onlookers watched in shock as the car sped through a busy stretch of the city with a man precariously holding onto the front frame.

Ground-level cues from the viral footage suggest the car covered a significant distance of approximately 500 metres, navigating through local traffic. The route taken during the frantic escape attempt spanned from the busy Andolana Circle towards the Kuvempunagar Police Station Road before the vehicle finally came to a halt.

Police initiate legal action

The local police came to know about the severity of the road dispute after the video clip began trending on regional media networks. Local authorities confirmed that an official inquiry has been instituted to verify the exact timeline of the events and the financial dealings between the two individuals.

"We have taken note of the video circulating online showing a man being carried on a car bonnet. A thorough probe is underway to ascertain the facts, and necessary legal action will be initiated against the driver for endangering a life," a senior police official stated. Investigators are currently recording statements from eyewitnesses who were present near Andolana Circle during the initial scuffle.

Rising cases of road aggression

The shocking nature of the Mysuru car dragging incident has triggered serious concerns among local residents regarding public safety and rising aggression during personal disputes. The fact that the driver chose to speed up rather than stop the vehicle on a crowded public road has drawn sharp criticism from the community.

With the video now serving as central electronic evidence, police teams are tracking the current location of the vehicle involved in the crime. Further details regarding sections booked against the accused are expected to be released later in the evening once the primary paperwork is completed at the local station.

As the Indian Premier League 2026 kicks off today with the much-anticipated clash between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Sunrisers Hyderabad, a city auto rickshaw driver has won hearts online with a unique gesture for RCB fans. A handwritten note inside the auto promises free rides to passengers wearing the team jersey.

The image, shared on X by a woman named Mahika Jadhav, shows a note pinned to the back of the driver’s seat. It reads: “Match day RCB vs SRH. Free ride if you are wearing RCB jersey. E sala cup namdu 2.0. RCB forever.”

The post has since gone viral, with users praising the driver’s loyalty and the city’s deep-rooted connection with the franchise.

‘E Sala Cup Namdu’ Spirit Takes Over

The gesture comes on the opening day of the 19th edition of the IPL, with the first match being played at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. Both teams enter the contest without their star pacers – Josh Hazlewood for RCB and Pat Cummins for SRH – adding intrigue to the opener.

Jadhav, while sharing the image, reflected on the cultural significance of cricket in India. “There’s something about cricket in India that you can’t really explain. It’s been there since childhood, in the background of every home, every conversation, every summer,” she wrote.

“And RCB fans, honestly, the most patient and loyal. Every year it’s ‘e sala cup namde’ with the same belief, same excitement. You have to respect that kind of love for a team,” she added.

Social Media Applauds Driver’s Loyalty

The post has drawn widespread appreciation on social media, with many users tagging the franchise and hailing the driver as the “true spirit of Bengaluru.” The auto driver’s gesture has been widely shared as an example of how deeply IPL fandom is woven into the city’s culture.

While the driver’s identity remains unknown, the image has sparked conversations about the unique ways fans express their support. Several users commented that such gestures set Bengaluru apart as a city that lives and breathes cricket.

IPL 2026 Opener: High Expectations at Chinnaswamy

The opening match between RCB and SRH is expected to be a high-scoring affair, given the batting-friendly conditions at the Chinnaswamy Stadium. With both teams boasting aggressive batting line-ups, fans are anticipating a run-fest to kick off the season.

The absence of Hazlewood and Cummins has prompted discussions around bowling combinations, with both sides likely to rely on their Indian pace and spin options to fill the gap. The match marks the beginning of a two-month-long tournament that draws massive viewership across the country.

A Tradition of Passionate Fandom

Bengaluru’s auto drivers have occasionally made headlines for their creative expressions, from literary quotes to philosophical musings displayed inside vehicles. The latest gesture, however, taps into the city’s well-documented passion for its IPL franchise.

RCB, despite not having won a title since the league’s inception, enjoys one of the most loyal fan bases in the country. The phrase “E Sala Cup Namdu” (This Year the Cup is Ours) has become a rallying cry for supporters year after year.

What’s Next

With the IPL opener underway, the auto driver’s gesture continues to circulate widely on social media. Meanwhile, fans heading to the stadium in RCB jerseys may find themselves beneficiaries of the driver’s offer, as the city comes together to celebrate the start of another cricket season.