Here are the big stories from Karnataka today

1. Tata Power withdraws application seeking licence for parallel distribution of electricity in Karnataka

After facing opposition in Karnataka from Escoms, power sector employees and consumers, Tata Power Company Limited (TPCL) has withdrawn its application for parallel supply of distribution of power on Friday. Speaking to The Hindu, a senior official from Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC), said, “In today’s (Friday) hearing held at the commission, TPCL has withdrawn their application orally and will submit a memo regarding the same before us.”

In May 2026, TPCL had applied for licence with KERC for parallel distribution of electricity in 19 districts across the State. Though Tata doesn’t have its transmission and distribution network in Karnataka, it had justified its move by stating that it was successfully operating primary electricity distribution business serving millions of consumers in other States including Odisha, Maharashtra, Delhi and Rajasthan. However, several unions had staged protest against the entry of private players in power distribution.

2. Karnataka CEO directs BLOs to strictly follow guidelines for door-to-door SIR exercise after complaints

A day after allegations of protocol violations during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls surfaced from different parts of Karnataka, Chief Electoral Officer V. Anbu Kumar directed all District Election Officers to ensure that Booth Level Officers strictly adhere to the guidelines laid down by the ECI, and undertake house-to-house distribution of enumeration forms.

In a communication addressed to all DEOs on July 3, Deputy Commissioners, and election officials, Mr. Kumar said complaints had been received alleging that some BLOs were distributing enumeration forms from their offices instead of visiting residence of voters, as mandated under the SIR guidelines.

3. Karnataka app-based workers union to legally oppose attempt to strike down Gig Workers Act

The Karnataka App-based Workers Union (KAWU) is planning to file an intervention application at the Karnataka High Court to become party to the case filed against the Karnataka Platform-Based Gig Workers (Social Security and Welfare) Act, 2025, and defend the law, the Union leadership announced on July 3, 2026.

Aggregators including Swiggy, Zepto, Zomato, and Urban Company, and the Internet and Mobile Association of India recently moved the HC challenging the constitutional validity of the law. KAWU President Mohammad Inayat Ali said, “We will enter the legal battlefield, implead ourselves in this petition, and ensure the voice of the workers ring loud and clear in the High Court.”

4. Someshwara beach in Byndoor in Udupi district is ready to welcome tourists with a host of facilities

Development of Someshwara beach at Byndoor in Udupi district, at an estimated cost of ₹11.32 crore by Karnataka Tourism Infrastructure Limited (KTIL), is nearing completion. Located under the Ottinene Hillock at Paduvari, the Sumanavathi river joins the Arabian Sea at this location, forming a delta. The shallow waters of the sea attract thousands of tourists every day.

KTIL initiated development of the beach in 2023 to enhance facilities for local residents as well as tourists, as the beach falls in the coastal tourism circuit of Udupi-Kollur-Murdeshwar-Gokarna. With very less government land available, the Tourism Department acquired about 2.7 acres of land close to the beach, and also bought some land when acquisition did not go through.

5. Bengaluru creche abuse case: Caregiver arrested, more arrests likely

Bengaluru police have arrested a caregiver, identified as Vijayalakshmi, who worked at a creche operating inside the Capgemini campus in the city, in connection with allegations of physical abuse and cruelty towards the children of IT employees.

A senior police officer told The Hindu that Vijayalakshmi, who is in her late 40s, was seen in the videos in which children were allegedly being ‘scolded in an intimidating manner’, and mistreated.