Landslide claims two on trek route to Kedarnath
DEHRADUN: TRAGEDY returned to haunt the ongoing Char Dham Yatra, as a major landslide claimed the lives of two palanquin-bearers and severely injured three others near Jangal Chatti on the Gaurikund-Kedarnath route, even as a three-day halt in helicopter services has brought significant surge in traditional transport businesses like palanquins and 'ghori' operations.
Five workers associated with the 'Palki and Dandi-Kandi' services were caught in the sudden calamity, suffering severe injuries. Despite immediate efforts, two of the injured succumbed to their wounds.
The deceased have been identified as 18-year-old Nitin Kumar, and Chandrashekhar, both palanquin-bearers by livelihood and hailing from Doda district of J&K.
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Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Serial extortionist faking accidents in Bengaluru strikes again
Bengaluru: A serial extortionist known for faking road accidents and targeting lone vehicle users — particularly senior citizens — has struck again in the heart of Bengaluru, weeks after skipping court hearings and going underground. The suspect, Jameel Khan alias Saleem, 29, from Rajendra Nagar in Mysuru, had been arrested in Jan this year by Banashankari police for duping two motorists of more than Rs 1.5 lakh using the same modus operandi. He was remanded in judicial custody and released on bail after 40 days. Since then, police said, he has failed to appear in court, prompting them to initiate proceedings to cancel his bail. On June 2, Khan resurfaced, this time targeting a 78-year-old businessman, M Chandrashekhar, on MG Road, while he was heading towards Anil Kumble Circle. Near Trinity Circle, Khan's two-wheeler grazed the elderly man's car. Caught in heavy traffic, the latter chose not to stop, assuming it was a minor scratch. But Khan later overtook him, blocked his car near Mayo Hall, and climbed into the vehicle, claiming that his brother had been seriously injured and needed hospitalisation. "He entered my car suddenly and accused me of injuring his brother's leg in an accident. He demanded Rs 1 lakh as compensation," Chandrashekhar told TOI. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Perdagangkan CFD Emas dengan Broker Tepercaya IC Markets Mendaftar Undo The incident occurred between 11.15am and 11.30am. "He kept talking on the phone, instructing someone to call an ambulance, which added to the pressure. He was very convincing and aggressive," Chandrashekhar recalled. Khan first snatched Rs 2,500 from Chandrashekhar's dashboard and then forced him to withdraw another Rs 3,000 from an ATM kiosk near Mayo Hall. The accused fled with the money soon after. Distressed and fearful, Chandrashekhar sought help from the staff at an MNC bank branch nearby, but no one came to his aid. The victim later filed a complaint with Ashok Nagar police, who launched a search but couldn't apprehend the culprit. How TOI report helped It was an old TOI article that helped Chandrashekhar identify the crook. "When I shared the experience with a friend, he sent me a link to an earlier news report detailing his (Khan's) methods and had his photo. It was clearly the same man," he said. Police records reveal a troubling history. In Jan, Khan was booked after a 68-year-old resident of Jayanagar IV Block reported being extorted of Rs 1.1 lakh in a similar fashion. On the same day, police found that another person was cheated out of Rs 60,000, also by Khan. Both cases involved the same method: A fabricated accident and an urgent demand for compensation. "Khan has been involved in at least 15 such cases across Mysuru, Maddur, Srirangapatna, Ramanagara, and Bengaluru since 2018. He typically targets lone car occupants, especially senior citizens," said an investigating officer. The incident has prompted police to issue a public advisory. "In such situations, don't panic. Call 112 immediately. A Hoysala patrol vehicle will respond within 10 minutes. Alternatively, drive to the nearest police station or flag down a patrolling officer for assistance," a senior officer said. GFX (with P2-Khan mug shot) A HABITUAL OFFENDER * Jameel Khan alias Saleem, a 29-year-old from Mysuru, is a known extortionist who fakes road accidents to target lone motorists, especially senior citizens, in Bengaluru and nearby cities * On June 2, he allegedly targeted a 78-year-old businessman on MG Road by staging a minor accident, forcefully entering the victim's car and demanding Rs 1 lakh as compensation * Khan snatched Rs 2,500 from the car's dashboard and coerced the victim to withdraw an additional Rs 3,000 from an ATM before fleeing * He had been arrested in Jan 2025 for similar crimes. He was released on bail after 40 days, and has since skipped court appearances, prompting efforts to revoke his bail * Police link Khan to at least 15 similar extortion cases since 2018 across Mysuru, Maddur, Srirangapatna, Ramanagara, and Bengaluru
Indian Express
a day ago
- Indian Express
Five arrested after video shows them using sticks to attack each other at Kedarnath
Five people were arrested by the Rudraprayag Police after a video of an altercation at the Sitapur parking lot near Kedarnath went viral Thursday. An FIR has been registered under 190 (unlawful assembly), 191(1) (rioting) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, naming all five involved after the incident took place on Thursday morning, officials said. In a statement, the police said, 'A video of a violent altercation went viral on social media today, in which several individuals can be seen engaging in a stick fight and attacking each other. Taking cognizance of the video, the Sonprayag police visited the incident site, Sitapur parking, and conducted an inquiry. It was found that the incident occurred around 11 am today. The clash reportedly broke out between some pilgrims and Sitapur parking staff over an unspecified issue and escalated into a physical fight involving sticks.' Police further questioned the parking contractor and others on the spot, and based on the inquiry, an FIR was registered at Sonprayag police station. A total of five individuals named in the FIR have been arrested and produced before the court. The accused have been identified as Deepak Chandra, 23, Laxman Singh, 32, Rajender Kohli, 33, Sudarshan Chandra, 28, and Durgesh, 21, all residents of Rudraprayag. Superintendent of Police, Rudraprayag, Akshay Prahlad Konde, said that the parking contractor has also been held accountable for failing to control his staff properly. 'Strictest possible action will be taken in such matters. This kind of behaviour towards pilgrims visiting the Char Dham Yatra is completely unacceptable under any circumstances,' he said. So far, over 11 lakh pilgrims have visited Kedarnath, the highest among the four shrines in Char Dham circuit. Aiswarya Raj is a correspondent with The Indian Express who covers South Haryana. An alumna of Asian College of Journalism and the University of Kerala, she started her career at The Indian Express as a sub-editor in the Delhi city team. In her current position, she reports from Gurgaon and covers the neighbouring districts. She likes to tell stories of people and hopes to find moorings in narrative journalism. ... Read More
New Indian Express
2 days ago
- New Indian Express
Landslide claims two on trek route to Kedarnath
DEHRADUN: TRAGEDY returned to haunt the ongoing Char Dham Yatra, as a major landslide claimed the lives of two palanquin-bearers and severely injured three others near Jangal Chatti on the Gaurikund-Kedarnath route, even as a three-day halt in helicopter services has brought significant surge in traditional transport businesses like palanquins and 'ghori' operations. Five workers associated with the 'Palki and Dandi-Kandi' services were caught in the sudden calamity, suffering severe injuries. Despite immediate efforts, two of the injured succumbed to their wounds. The deceased have been identified as 18-year-old Nitin Kumar, and Chandrashekhar, both palanquin-bearers by livelihood and hailing from Doda district of J&K.
