Operation Nanhe Farishte: Over 580 children rescued
About the Initiative
- Launched: July 2017
- Launched by: D.B. Kasar, Chief Security Commissioner, RPF – South Western Railway (SWR)
- Objective: Rescue and protect vulnerable children from trafficking, exploitation, child labour, and abuse in railway premises.
Key Data (April 2024 – March 2025)
- Total Children Rescued: 583
- Boys: 480
- Girls: 103
- Rehabilitation: Reunited with families or placed under institutional care via government mechanisms.
- Next Steps:
- Handed over to parents through NGOs or produced before the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) of Karnataka.
Legal & Operational Constraints
- No trafficking cases registered in the last 3 years in SWR zone.
- RPF is not empowered under The Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956, hence cannot arrest traffickers.
- Public Role:
- Citizens encouraged to report suspicious activity.
- Helplines:
- Security Helpline: 182
- Childline: 1098
Police: 100
Justice Michael D’Cunha Commission
Background
- Incident: Death of 24 Covid-19 patients due to oxygen shortage at Chamarajanagar District Hospital, May 2021.
- Purpose: Probe into:
- Deaths due to oxygen shortage
- Irregularities in medical procurement
- Mismanagement during Covid-19 by the previous BJP government
About the Commission
- Type: Single-man Commission of Inquiry
- Headed by: Justice Michael D’Cunha (Retired Judge)
- Constituted on: August 25, 2023
- Initial Report Timeline: 3 months from formation
Progress of the Commission
- First Interim Report: Submitted on August 31, 2024
- Second Interim Report: Submitted on April 5, 2025
Current Status
- Ongoing inquiry under Karnataka Government supervision
Term extended to ensure comprehensive investigation and completion of final report
Cyber Command – Karnataka Government's New Cybersecurity Initiative
Purpose & Significance
- Objective: Centralize and enhance Karnataka’s response to:
- Cybercrimes
- Cybersecurity threats
- Misinformation & disinformation
Formation & Leadership
- Formed on: April 9, 2025
- Headed by: DGP (Cyber Command) – Currently Pronab Mohanty
- He also holds the position of DGP (Cybercrimes and Narcotics), CID
Background & Need
- Previous Structure: Cyber functions were scattered across:
- Karnataka State Police
- E-Governance Department
Why Now? – Rising Cybercrime Trends
- Cybercrime in Karnataka:
- Over 52,000 cases in the last 4 years – highest in South India
- Bengaluru alone accounts for 20% of cybercrimes in Indian megacities
- Critical Cyberattack Example:
DDoS attack on Kaveri 2.0 halted property registrations, causing huge revenue loss
Pending Bills in Karnataka – Governor vs. State Government
Karnataka’s Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot has been delaying assent to multiple Bills passed by the State legislature
Status of Bills (April 2025):
- 6 Bills pending with the Governor
- 7 Bills returned for clarification
- 4 Bills reserved for the President
- 32 Bills cleared (Jan–Apr 2025)
Governor’s Constitutional Role:
- Assent or withhold assent
- Return Bills for reconsideration once
- Reserve for the President
- If returned Bill is passed again, Governor must assent.
Supreme Court Verdict (Tamil Nadu Case):
Prolonged delay by the Governor deemed unconstitutional, prompting Karnataka to consider legal action.
Related Articles
Article | Provision |
Article 200 | Governor can assent, withhold, return, or reserve Bills for the President. |
Article 201 | If a Bill is passed again after being returned, the Governor must assent. |
Article 163 | The Governor acts on the advice of the Council of Ministers, except in discretionary matters. |
