Mangaluru: Police have arrested an accused who had been absconding for eight years without appearing before the court in a cheating case related to collecting money from the public by promising high interest returns.

The arrested accused has been identified as Lakku Konda Reddy (46), a resident of Nellore in Andhra Pradesh.

According to police, the accused had collected money from the public in 2015 by promising high interest returns in the name of a company called Maitri Plantation and Horticulture Pvt. Ltd. Later, he allegedly cheated the investors and failed to return the money.

After 2018, the accused stopped appearing before the court and went into hiding. The court had issued a warrant against him.

Based on information about his whereabouts, the Bunder Police Station team from Mangaluru traced him to Nellore in Andhra Pradesh. Police arrested him there on Thursday and produced him before the court.

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Police said that several cases have been registered against him in different places. A total of 11 cases have been registered in police stations across Karnataka, including Mangaluru and Udupi. Another six cases have been registered in different police stations in Andhra Pradesh.

Mangaluru: A young woman from the coastal region has set a new record with her creative achievement. She created a massive thematic multi-layer handmade “Explosion Box” and earned a place in the India Book of Records.

The achiever is Akhila S. Nayak, daughter of Shashikumar and Shubha from Shaktinagar, Mangaluru. She completed her MCA degree from St Joseph Engineering College. She is currently working as a Design Apprentice at Bix Bytes Solutions under the Cocogrit unit in Mangaluru.

Akhila created the unique explosion box under the theme “Indian Armed Forces.” When fully opened, the box spreads widely across the room, showcasing its large size and detailed design. It is a multi-layer handmade craft made using chart paper, pictures of soldiers, handwritten messages, letters, quotes, slogans, and artwork.

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She worked on the project for 3 to 4 hours every day. She completed the entire creation in just 28 days through continuous effort and dedication.

Her achievement was officially confirmed on January 28, 2026. Akhila’s success has brought pride to Mangaluru, Karnataka, and the entire country.

Mangaluru/Bengaluru: Dr. M. Naveen Kumar, Founder of Vaibhava Veda Green Ventures Pvt. Ltd., has been selected for the prestigious ‘Shrimantralaya – Parimala Award’.

The award ceremony will be held on February 25 at the holy town of Mantralayam.

Dr. Naveen Kumar is a Governor-nominated Syndicate Member at Bengaluru North University.

He is also serving as a Governing Board Member of the Sector Skill Council for Green Jobs under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Government of India.

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The award recognises his contribution to green jobs and sustainable development initiatives.