Here are the big stories from Karnataka today

1. Karnataka HC declines to interfere with government’s invitation to Banu Mushtaq to inaugurate Mysuru Dasara 2025

The High Court of Karnataka on September 15 declined to interfere with the State Government’s decision to invite writer and activist Banu Mushtaq, whose collection of Kannada short stories translated to English won the international Booker award 2025, to inaugurate the Mysuru Dasara festival, which begins on September 22.

A division bench passed the order while dismissing petitions filed by former Mysuru MP Pratap Simha, and three others from Bengaluru. Mr. Simha had questioned the invitation to Ms. Mushtaq primarily due to her alleged “anti-Hindu and anti-Kannada” comments at a literary event in 2023, and also for inviting her without consulting representatives of the Mysuru royal family.

2. CBI conducts raids in Valmiki Corporation case in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on raided 16 premises in various parts of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh in connection with the Valmiki Corporation case. Several associates of former minister B. Nagendra, who resigned in connection with the alleged scam, and alleged beneficiaries of the diverted funds were covered during the raids, but not Mr. Nagendra himself, sources said. 

In a statement issued on Monday (September 15, 2025), CBI has claimed funds from ST Welfare Department, which was then headed by Mr. Nagendra, were illegally transferred and through intermediaries eventually landed in the accounts of associates and relatives of Mr. Nagendra, including his sister, brother-in-law, and personal assistant.

3. Fraudsters hack phones of Kannada actor Upendra and wife Priyanka, seek money from their contacts

Kannada film actor Upendra and his wife Priyanka filed a complaint with the Sadashiva Nagar police in Bengaluru stating that their mobile phones were hacked to send messages to their contacts seeking financial help. Many of their friends and relatives received messages seeking money transfer through UPI, citing an emergency, with a promise to return the amount within a few hours.

Ms. Priyanka told the media that she had received a message claiming an order could not be delivered due to some problem. She was told to dial a number containing symbols. Both Priyanka and Upendra attempted to call the number from their phones after which their devices were compromised and blocked. Many of their friends and relatives transferred money.

4. Union, State governments blamed as Tungabhadra farmers in Karnataka forced to skip second crop

Lakhs of farmers in the command area of the Tungabhadra reservoir have been forced to forgo the second crop this year, not because of natural drought, but because of faulty crest gates and inaction by the government of Karnataka.

Crest gates 11, 18, 19, 20, 21, 27 and 28 have been jammed, forcing authorities to restrict the reservoir’s storage to around 80 tmcft (at 1,626.06 feet), against its full capacity of 105.788 tmcft at Full Reservoir Level of 1,633 feet, to reduce pressure on the gates.

5. Pulse Rewards loyalty programme launched for passengers at KIA Bengaluru

The Kempegowda International Airport has launched a loyalty programme — Pulse Rewards — which enables passengers to earn and redeem points seamlessly across retail, F&B, duty free, lounges, and the BLR Pulse app.

According to BIAL, every customer transaction at participating outlets now translates into tangible rewards. Members will earn 2% of their spends as points, with one point equal to ₹1.