Karnataka Politics & Governance

Bengaluru–Bidar flights resume with viability-gap support

1 June 2026

Bengaluru–Bidar flights resumed on 1 June after the Karnataka Cabinet agreed to provide ₹13.48 crore in viability-gap funding through the state government and the Kalyana Karnataka Region Development Board. The service had stopped again from 14 April after the previous funding period ended. Star Air changed the schedule to afternoon flights from 10 June, prompting a minister to request restoration of the earlier morning timings.

Key Facts

• UDAN uses viability-gap funding and lower operating costs to make regional flight routes viable.

Karnataka High Court permits termination of 32-week pregnancy

2 June 2026

The Karnataka High Court permitted the medical termination of a 32-week pregnancy after scans detected serious fetal neurological abnormalities. It considered a medical board’s assessment and directed that the procedure be carried out at the hospital named in the petition.

Key Facts

• The High Court reiterated that medical termination of pregnancy is connected to a woman’s right to physical autonomy.

Karnataka cyber unit seeks permanent blocking of 8,750 betting platforms

2 June 2026

Karnataka’s State Cyber Command unit asked 137 web agencies to permanently block 8,750 online betting websites and mobile applications identified during an investigation. The unit said 37 internet service providers had helped disable the platforms, while investigators examined bank accounts linked to the suspected transactions. The platforms had used mirror and subdomains to continue operating after blocks.

Key Facts

• The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) coordinates efforts to address cybercrime across India.

D.K. Shivakumar sworn in as Karnataka Chief Minister

3 June 2026

D.K. Shivakumar was sworn in as Karnataka Chief Minister at Lok Bhavan in Bengaluru on 3 June, with Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot administering the oath. G. Parameshwara took oath as Deputy Chief Minister, alongside ministers in the new cabinet.

Karnataka High Court quashes prosecution approval in COVID-era layoff case

3 June 2026

The Karnataka High Court quashed the state government’s approval to prosecute International Trimmings and Labels India Pvt. Ltd. over alleged dismissals during the COVID-19 lockdown. It said the government must exercise independent judgment and record reasons before authorising prosecution, and directed it to reconsider the matter and issue a fresh order within three months.

Key Facts

• The Industrial Disputes Act, 1947 provides mechanisms—including conciliation, arbitration and adjudication—to investigate and settle industrial disputes.

CBI files charge sheets against 30 in Valmiki Corporation funds case

3 June 2026

The Central Bureau of Investigation filed three charge sheets against 30 people in the Valmiki Corporation funds case, including former Karnataka minister B. Nagendra. The charge sheets allege that about ₹89.63 crore was transferred through around 600 bank accounts using forged cheques; the allegations remain subject to court proceedings.

Key Facts

• The CBI originated as an agency investigating bribery and governmental corruption.

Shared Metro–suburban rail bridge planned at Benniganahalli

3 June 2026

Bi-RIDE and Bengaluru Metro planned a shared double-decker bridge alignment at Benniganahalli, with the suburban rail Kanaka Line running below the Metro Blue Line on a common pier structure for about 500 metres. The proposed design is intended to reduce land requirements and avoid displacement of residents; tenders for the work were still being prepared.

Key Facts

• The shared double-decker design reduces land needs, costs and displacement by carrying both rail lines on one pier structure.

Bengaluru Metro Yellow Line increases train frequency

3 June 2026

BMRCL increased peak-hour service on Bengaluru Metro’s Yellow Line from one train every nine minutes to one every seven minutes, effective 3 June. With two additional trains, the interval during other periods was reduced from 14 minutes to 10 minutes.

Key Facts

• The Yellow Line connects Bengaluru’s Electronic City and industrial areas, making service frequency relevant to major employment destinations.

Air India Express starts direct Bengaluru–Phuket flights

3 June 2026

Air India Express has begun direct flights between Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport and Phuket, Thailand. The Boeing 737-8 MAX service takes about three hours and 45 minutes; the reported schedule includes departures on Mondays and Saturdays.

Key Facts

• Air India Express is an Air India subsidiary launched as a low-cost carrier serving South Asia, Southeast Asia and Gulf routes.

Karnataka High Court quashes KIADB land acquisition near BIEC

4 June 2026

The Karnataka ...