A Special Court has sentenced Congress MLA Vinay Kulkarni and 16 others to life imprisonment for the 2016 murder of BJP leader Yogeshgouda Goudar. The court found them guilty of murder and criminal conspiracy. This conviction leads to Kulkarni's immediate disqualification from the Karnataka Legislative Assembly.

Karnataka Forest Department has introduced a strict Standard Operating Procedure (SoP) for eco-trails, hiking, and trekking following recent incidents. Violators will be blacklisted, and group sizes are capped at 10 trekkers with mandatory trained guides. Overnight stays are prohibited, and all treks must be completed within a single day.

Lashkar-e-Taiba co-founder Amir Hamza was shot at in Lahore after a TV appearance, with assailants escaping on motorcycles. The attack, which bore similarities to a Bollywood film scene, has drawn condemnation from Hafiz Saeed's party, which questioned the Punjab government's security. Hamza, designated a terrorist by the US, previously headed LeT's special campaigns.

A Hindu outfit has urged Bengaluru police to cancel comedian Munawar Faruqui's upcoming show, citing past controversies and potential law and order issues. The Hindu Janajagruti Samiti referenced a 2021 case in Indore where Faruqui was accused of hurting religious sentiments and has faced similar complaints and show cancellations in other cities.

Karnataka will enforce a menstrual leave policy for all women employees, including the private sector, following a high court order. The government aims to enact the Karnataka Menstrual Leave and Hygiene Bill, 2025, to provide a day's paid leave monthly. This move acknowledges the physical and psychological impact of menstruation on women workers.

Oil companies in Karnataka are rapidly expanding their electric vehicle charging network, particularly around Bengaluru, leveraging recent regulatory changes. A key policy shift removed mandatory transformer installations at petrol pumps, easing safety concerns and accelerating the rollout. Over 300 public EV charging stations are now operational at these outlets, significantly boosting convenience for EV users and addressing range anxiety.

A special court for elected representatives in Bengaluru witnessed a significant development as Judge Santosh Gajanan Bhat, who convicted Dharwad Rural MLA Vinay Kulkarni and 16 others in a murder case, was unexpectedly transferred. Despite the transfer, the judge announced he would deliver the punishment verdict on Friday. The CBI is seeking life imprisonment for the convicts.