The Enforcement Directorate (ED) Thursday said it has attached fresh properties worth Rs 1.26 crore of Tamil Nadu minister Anitha R Radhakrishnan in a money laundering probe against him linked to alleged possession of disproportionate assets. A provisional order has been issued under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) to attach these immovable assets located in Thoothukudi, Madurai and Chennai, the federal agency said in a statement. The minister could not be contacted immediately for a response. Earlier, assets of the minister worth about Rs 1 crore were attached by the agency in 2022. Radhakrishnan, 73, is a DMK MLA from the Tiruchendur assembly seat in Thoothukudi and the fisheries and animal husbandry minister. The money laundering case stems from an FIR filed by the Tamil Nadu Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) against Radhakrishnan for "acquiring assets disproportionate to his known sources of income in the name of his family members." The DVAC, according to the ED, has also filed charge sheet alleging the minister "acquired" assets disproportionate to his known sources of income to the tune of Rs 2.07 crore between the check period from 14.05.2001 to 31.03.2006. The agency claimed its probe found that Radhakrishnan and his family members were "still in possession and enjoyment" of the proceeds of crime. A part of these proceeds of crime were also found invested in various firms and laundered by layering in the form of cash deposits and by obtaining loan, it claimed. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
23 January,2025 07:08 PM IST | New Delhi | PTIIn the cradle of one of the world’s oldest civilisations, where ‘dharma’ was once the heartbeat of society, why do we falter when asked to pass the ultimate judgment? This is the land of the Mahabharata and Ramayana—stories that didn’t just entertain, but taught us the essence of justice, fairness, and the courage to stand by what’s right. Once upon a time, our rulers held themselves accountable to the highest moral standards. Justice wasn’t just a word; it was a duty etched into the soul of this nation. And yet today, when the gravest of crimes shock our collective conscience, we hesitate. We fumble. We turn away from the harsh decisions that justice sometimes demands. Yes, this is about the Kolkata rape-murder case that shook the country’s conscience. On August 9, a bright 31-year-old postgraduate trainee practising at Kolkata’s RG Kar Hospital had just finished her duty at and taken a break at the seminar hall. A civic volunteer working for Kolkata Police enters the hall, brutally rapes her and murders her after the sexual assault. Less than six months after the brutal crime – which triggered a number of protests, especially by the medical fraternity, in Kolkata and across the country – the court found Sanjoy Roy guilty and handed him life in jail till death. This decision has sparked a wave of debate, with many questioning the integrity of our judicial system, which failed to deliver the ultimate form of justice. Is the ‘rarest of rare’ clause a hindrance? The Supreme Court’s doctrine of "rarest of the rare" cases, formulated after the Bachan Singh case in 1980, was meant to create a clear boundary for when the death penalty should be applied. The case ruled that the death penalty is constitutional in India but should only be given in the "rarest of rare" cases, with careful consideration of all factors. The reasoning behind it was simple: death must be reserved for those crimes that are not just shocking, but beyond redemption. What is the “rarest of the rare” clause? And who is empowered to determine what falls into this exclusive category? We’re left to wonder if justice is becoming a lottery, with every heinous crime being filtered through the hazy lens of judicial interpretation. Does a brutal terrorist attack qualify? A child’s brutal murder? Or is it just another statistic in a long line of violent acts that fail to pass the illusory threshold set by the courts? Capital punishment is not just another law—it is the final, irreversible act of the state. Every time a sentence of death is passed, it sends shockwaves through the system, but also through society, begging the question: why is it so hard for our courts to call a spade a spade? Advocate TrivanKumar Karnani explains that the hesitation in imposing the death penalty, even in extreme cases, is rooted in the discretionary powers of judges who apply their judicial conscience after presiding over a trial, reviewing the evidence, and considering societal implications. "The decision to impose life imprisonment over the death penalty in cases such as the RG Kar Medical College case reflects the careful balance judges must strike," he says. "Courts in India must evaluate numerous factors, including the criminal antecedents of the accused, the gravity of the offense, the circumstances under which the crime was committed, and the possibility of rehabilitation. The 'rarest of the rare' doctrine requires careful consideration of these elements," he explains further. According to Karnani, India’s legal framework, particularly regarding crimes against women, has evolved significantly, but it still upholds the principle that sentencing should not be merely about retribution or vengeance, but should include a focus on reformation and rehabilitation. “The judiciary is keenly aware of the need to safeguard against miscarriages of justice,” he says. The hesitation to execute the death penalty has become a disturbing pattern. Whether it is a horrific terrorist act, the brutal rape and murder of an innocent woman, or a senseless mass killing: many of these criminals escape the ultimate punishment. The courts, citing the “rarest of the rare” criteria, fail to deliver closure to families who live every day in the shadows of their loved ones' brutal deaths. ‘Capital punishment needed but how do we trust system’s integrity?’ Clinical psychologist Shreshtha Dutta offers a powerful psychological perspective on this issue, particularly in relation to Roy’s case. Dutta feels that the punishment for Roy’s crime is insufficient. From a societal perspective, she believes the justice system should be based on logic and science, and there's a need to assess the environment in which an individual is raised. In Roy's case, she mentions that his lack of character and basic civic sense may stem from a flawed upbringing or personality formation, which could involve childhood issues and a distorted psyche. However, she points out that society is not investing enough resources in rehabilitating such individuals, and the environment is crucial for personal growth. “Without providing proper rehabilitation opportunities, life imprisonment is meaningless because it doesn’t offer the chance for change,” Dutta stresses. She also brings up the nature versus nurture debate, highlighting how even individuals with good backgrounds and upbringing can commit heinous crimes, as their personality formation could be influenced by various unknown variables. She points out that trauma, lack of moral obligation, or psychopathological issues could drive someone to commit such crimes. “Trauma or psychological disturbances can lead to such heinous acts. We cannot ignore that mental health plays a significant role in how these individuals develop,” she adds. While she leans towards capital punishment in extreme cases, Dutta is concerned about the system’s integrity. She stresses that capital punishment must be carefully considered, ensuring that it is only applied to the right person. "The risks of innocent people being wrongly sentenced are significant, and we must approach this with utmost caution," she adds, emphasising the need for a serious, unbiased approach in decision-making, especially when the stakes are as high as life and death. ‘High-ranking individuals escape accountability’ Women’s rights activist Dr Lata Pratibha Madhukar, who has had a first-hand experience of the failures of the legal system, offers a critical analysis of India’s approach to justice in the cases of rape. Drawing on significant legal battles, Madhukar references the landmark Mathura custodial rape case, wherein In 1972, a tribal girl, was allegedly raped by two policemen at a Maharashtra police station. Their acquittal by the Supreme Court sparked protests, leading to the Criminal Law Amendment Act of 1983 and ignited the women’s movement in India. "The movement, led by individuals such as Upendra Bakshi and Lotika Sarkar, demanded progressive judgments, particularly the shift in the onus of proof in custodial rape cases," she explains. The case brought forth the essential idea that the onus of proof in custodial rape cases should fall on the witness, not the accused. Madhukar sharply criticises the judiciary's tendency to release rapists, highlighting cases like that of Bhauri Devi, where high-ranking individuals escaped accountability. A civilisational dilemma India, with all its philosophies on karma, reincarnation, and the concept of ‘ahimsa (non-violence),’ finds itself in a deep moral struggle when it comes to punishment. While we revere the teachings of Buddha, who advocated for mercy, we hold sacred the principles of justice as seen in the epic tales of our civilisation. Our judicial system’s struggle with capital punishment reflects this civilisational tug-of-war—a struggle between compassion and justice, between the need for fairness and the reality of moral outrage. But what happens when the scales of justice tip too far in favour of mercy? What happens when the law's hesitation creates more pain, more chaos, and more despair for those left behind? Can a society that is reluctant to impose capital punishment truly be fair to the victims? Can we claim to uphold justice when murderers and rapists, whose crimes have torn apart innocent lives, are left to live on, in the name of "human rights"? Advocate Karnani adds, "A more comprehensive approach, including preventive measures, education, empowerment of women, and speedy trials leading to timely justice, is necessary to truly deter such crimes in the long term. The law must address not only the crime but also the social and systemic factors that perpetuate such violence." This brings us to the most pertinent question: who truly deserves to live in a society that has suffered the agony of violent crime? Should we turn a blind eye to the suffering of families who have been robbed of their loved ones? The death penalty is not just a punishment; it is a statement, a statement that certain crimes are so vile, so inhumane, that they warrant the severest of consequences. The real travesty lies not in the cases where the death penalty is imposed, but in the cases where justice is delayed, diluted, or denied altogether. The question remains: can we afford to be so hesitant when so much is at stake?
23 January,2025 06:54 PM IST | Mumbai | Anisha ShrivastavaThe Congress on Thursday said the "ever-increasing" unemployment and inflation due to "wrong policies" of the Modi government have made life extremely difficult for lower and middle class families, and asserted that the country now needs a budget that provides relief from rising prices, reported news agency PTI. Jairam Ramesh, Congress general secretary in-charge communications shared a report on X which claimed that "back-breaking inflation in the last 10 years has emptied the pockets of the common people." मोडानी सरकार ने पिछले दस सालों में केवल अपने अमीर मित्रों का ध्यान रखा है।सरकार की गलत नीतियों के कारण लगातार बढ़ रही बेरोज़गारी और महंगाई ने निम्न और मध्यमवर्गीय परिवारों के लिए जीवन बेहद मुश्किल बना दिया है।🛑 दूध, आटा, दाल, पेट्रोल, डीजल और सब्जियों की कीमतें आसमान छू रही… pic.twitter.com/7EDEJkHQnR — Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) January 23, 2025 "The Modani government has only taken care of its rich friends in the last ten years. Ever-increasing unemployment and inflation due to wrong policies of the government have made life extremely difficult for lower and middle class families," Ramesh said in a post in Hindi on X (formerly Twitter). The prices of milk, flour, pulses, petrol, diesel and vegetables are "skyrocketing", he said. "The burden of EMIs and daily needs is increasing on every household. The country now needs a budget that provides relief from inflation!" he said. Ramesh asked if the government would take any concrete steps after listening to the problems of the people. The Congress on Wednesday claimed that it is becoming clear that the "disappointing" Quarter 2 GDP growth numbers are not a blip but a clear slowdown in the economy and the post-pandemic bump is not broad-based enough to power long-term growth, reported PTI. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday also hit out at the Modi government over its economic policies and asserted that real development is when everyone progresses, there is a fair environment for business, a fair tax system and the income of workers increases. आज मोदी सरकार ने ग़रीब और मेहनतकश वर्ग से अपना मुंह मोड़ लिया है और उन्हें पूरी तरह से उनके हाल पर छोड़ दिया है। सरकार का पूरा ध्यान सिर्फ़ गिने चुने पूंजीपतियों को ही और समृद्ध करने पर है। इस वजह से असमानता लगातार बढ़ती जा रही है और खून-पसीने से देश को सींचने वाले श्रमिकों की… pic.twitter.com/RNMcOuAfYF — Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) January 19, 2025 Gandhi on Sunday announced the launch of a 'White T-shirt Movement', championing the rights of the masses. He had accused the Narendra Modi government of turning its back on the poor. The Congress leader had announced the launch in a post on X and urged people to be a part of it. The Congress has been attacking the government over its handling of the economy, claiming the issues of rising prices, decreasing private investments and stagnating wages are hitting the common people hard, PTI stated. (With inputs from PTI)
23 January,2025 06:43 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentUnion Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday said "almost all" pending ideological tasks including the abrogation of Article 370 have been completed by the Narendra Modi government, and it will continue on the same path in its third tenure, reported news agency PTI. The senior BJP leader was speaking after inaugurating the Hindu Spiritual and Service Fair, also known as 'Hindu Adhyatmik Seva Mela', at the Gujarat University grounds in Ahmedabad. Shah claimed that there was a time when Hindus hesitated to disclose their identity in their own country. "In ten years, the situation has changed. Now, almost all the pending works as per our ideology have been completed, be it the abrogation of Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir, construction of Ram Temple in Ayodhya, abolition of triple talaq and implementation of Uniform Civil Code (UCC)," he said. Notably, while the UCC has not been implemented at the national level, BJP-ruled Uttarakhand has introduced it and Shah had told the Rajya Sabha last month that it would be implemented in all the states, PTI stated. Shah further said that while the Modi government completed these unfinished works in ten years, previous governments had not touched them for 70 years. He added that the Modi government will continue in the same direction in its third tenure. He also noted that it was a matter of pride that "170 countries accepted Yoga." "During the G20 Summit, leaders from across the world came here and offered their tributes to Mahatma Gandhi, which is also a matter of pride for us. The government was successful in bringing back nearly 350 stolen idols of our deities from across the world," the Union minister said. Talking about the Hindu Adhyatmik Seva Mela, Shah said Hindu temples and organisations served society in various ways including educating tribals or providing healthcare to lakhs of poor citizens, but never publicized their work, reported PTI. Shah thanked the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh for bringing all such service-oriented Hindu organisations under one roof through this event so the public can understand the contribution of these institutions. According to PTI, the Seva Mela has some 200 stalls of Hindu organisations working for the betterment of society, including one dedicated to Maharani Ahilyabai Holkar, the 18th century ruler of Indore state who restored nearly 200 temples including Somnath which were destroyed by Muslim invaders, he noted. (With inputs from PTI)
23 January,2025 04:53 PM IST | Ahmedabad | mid-day online correspondentPrime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday called upon people to stay united in pursuit of 'viksit Bharat' and warned them against the forces seeking to weaken the country and break its unity, reported news agency PTI. Addressing a 'Parakram Diwas' event held in Cuttack to commemorate Subhas Chandra Bose's birth anniversary in the city of his birth, Modi said the iconic freedom fighter's life is a source of continuous inspiration for people. In the remarks delivered virtually, PM Modi said Netaji chose to shun comfort zone and preferred to struggle for the country's independence. Subhas Chandra Bose was fondly called Netaji. PM Modi urged the nation to choose excellence and focus on efficiency. The PM said, "He never got trapped in a comfort zone. Similarly, we all have to step out of our comfort zone to build a viksit Bharat. We have to make ourself best globally. We have to choose excellence and focus on efficiency." Bose was single-mindedly focussed on the country's 'swaraj' (self rule) and people from diverse backgrounds united for the cause, he said, stated PTI. "Now we have to stay united for a developed India," he added. People should seek inspiration from Bose's life for India's unity, the PM urged. "We have to stay alert to those who want to weaken the country and break its unity," he said. The prime minister cited a host of decisions, including the naming of islands in the Andamans after Bose, installation of his statue at India Gate and celebration of his birth anniversary as 'Parakram Diwas', taken by his government to emphasise on its work to promote his legacy, reported PTI. PM Modi added that Netaji took pride in India's heritage. Fast pace of development goes hand in hand with people's progress, strengthening of the armed forces and overall development, he said. While over 25 crore people have been lifted out of poverty, modern infrastructure is also being built and the strength of armed forces has risen in an unprecedented manner in the last one decade, he said, reported PTI. India has emerged as a strong voice globally, he added. (With inputs from PTI)
23 January,2025 04:35 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentHeavy traffic was seen in central Delhi on Thursday due to the full dress rehearsal for the Republic Day parade, causing inconvenience to commuters, PTI reported. The major affected areas were near India Gate and ITO. A commuter said to PTI, that the traffic was heavy on Ring Road near the ITO loop and IP Extension. "I was going to ITO when I found that the Ring Road was packed with vehicles. The traffic on Vikas Marg was also very heavy. We had to take a U-turn near the IP Extension metro station," he said. Vehicles were also seen moving at a crawling pace near Shivaji Stadium metro station, close to central Delhi's Connaught Place. Sneha Rai, a resident of Noida, mentioned that due to security checks at the Delhi-Noida border, there was heavy traffic congestion in that section. "Apart from the Delhi-Noida border, traffic was also heavy at Ashram Chowk and on Ring Road. The roads were closed near C-Hexagon at India Gate, leading to diversions for vehicles, which resulted in long queues," she said, PTI cited. On Wednesday, the Delhi Police issued a traffic advisory regarding the restrictions and diversions on vehicular movement at and around India Gate. Republic Day 2025: Curbs on flight operations at Delhi airport till Jan 26 In view of the upcoming Republic Day 2025 celebrations, flight operations at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) will be temporarily restricted. Delhi airport operator DIAL on Saturday said there will be no flight arrivals and departures between 10.20 am and 12.45 pm for the next eight days till January 26 in view of the Republic Day week. Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) is the country's busiest airport and handles around 1,300 flight movements daily. "As per the NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) issued for Republic Day week from 19th to 26th Jan 2025, no flights would be arriving or departing from Delhi Airport between 10:20 AM to 12:45 PM IST," DIAL said in a post on X. Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL) also advised passengers to check with the airlines concerned for the updated flight information. The DIAL has also stepped up security for Republic Day 2025. In a post on X, Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) said, "Keeping your safety in mind, enhanced security measures are in place at Delhi airport. Please plan your time well to ensure a smooth journey. We appreciate your cooperation with our security staff to maintain a safe environment for all. Thank you for your understanding." (With inputs from PTI)
23 January,2025 03:43 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentCongress MP and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, on Thursday, expressed deep condolences on the demise of the people in the Jalgaon train accident. Rahul Gandhi also prayed for the speedy recovery of those who have been injured in the mishap. He requested the government and administration to ensure the best possible treatment for the injured. Taking to X, he wrote, "The news of several people being killed and many being injured in the horrific train accident in Jalgaon, Maharashtra is extremely sad and distressing. I express my deepest condolences to the bereaved families and hope that the injured recover soon. The government and administration should ensure that the injured get the best possible treatment. I request Congress workers to help the administration in relief and rescue operations." महाराष्ट्र के जलगांव में हुए भीषण ट्रेन हादसे में कई लोगों के मौत और कईयों के घायल होने की ख़बर बेहद दुखद और व्यथित करने वाली है।शोकाकुल परिवारों के प्रति गहरी संवेदनाएं व्यक्त करता हूं और घायलों के जल्द स्वस्थ होने की आशा करता हूं। सरकार और प्रशासन सुनिश्चित करे कि घायलों का… — Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) January 23, 2025 The Congress MP further demanded a probe into how the rumours of fire spread on the train which led to the incident. "There should be a quick investigation into how the rumour of the fire spread and how such a terrible accident occurred, and the culprits should be given the harshest punishment," reads the social media post. Earlier on Thursday, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar said that the incident occurred after rumours of fire in the train, which created panic among the travellers and as a result, people started jumping off the train and subsequently were hit by another speeding train, reported ANI. Pawar stated that the rumour was spread by two persons Udhal Kumar and Vijay Kumar, when they heard a tea seller shouting about a fire in the bogie, after which both of them panicked and subsequently, people started jumping off the train to save themselves. Speaking to reporters, Ajit Pawar said, "After the railway incident, the administration and other forces got active and started the relief and rescue operations. Udhal Kumar and Vijay Kumar from Shravasti were on the train. They were travelling in the general bogie and were sitting on the upper berth. One tea seller from the pantry shouted about a fire in the bogie, both of them heard that and panicked," reported ANI. A total of 13 people have died in the incident. The incident occurred on Wednesday evening in Maharashtra's Jalgaon when passengers of Pushpak Express stepped outside their coaches due to a suspected fire on the train while the Karnataka Express was passing through the adjacent track, and several people were hit by the moving train. The injured individuals have been admitted to the Civil Hospital Jalgaon and are undergoing treatment. The Railway Ministry has announced ex-gratia of Rs 1.5 lakh each for the kin of the deceased in the Jalgaon train accident. "Ex gratia of Rs 1.5 lakh each has been announced for the kins of the deceased in the Jalgaon train accident, Rs 50,000 to the people who are seriously injured and Rs 5,000 to the people who have sustained minor injuries," the Office of Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said in a statement. (With inputs from ANI)
23 January,2025 02:11 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentAn elephant fell into a private well in Kerala's Malappuram district on Thursday morning, the forest department is facing difficulties in rescuing it as the locals want the elephant to be relocated to a deep forest area instead of releasing it in the same area again, PTI reported. As per PTI, the owner of the land in Urangattiri where the well is situated and other local residents raised concerns and told the Nilambur DFO that they will not allow anyone to carry out the rescue work till an assurance is given that the elephant will quieten and transported into a deep forest. They also demanded compensation for their crops that were destroyed by the elephants frequenting in the area. The DFO claimed that it was not an easy process to tranquilise and relocate the elephant. Talking to PTI reporters, he said that the feasibility of tranquilising the elephant has to be examined. He further claimed that it would be much easier to demolish a part of the well to make way for the elephant to come out and then drive it into the nearby forest. The local residents however told the DFO that the elephant would return shortly after the forest officials leave and therefore, it should be relocated to some other deep forest area. Responding to this demand, the DFO said a decision would be taken after considering people's concerns. Mumbai: Byculla Zoo bids farewell to Anarkali, its last elephant Byculla lost its last elephant when the 59-year-old Anarkali passed away on November 10. With her death, there will be no more elephants at the iconic Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Udyan, in compliance with a central government ban on the intake and housing of elephants. “Due to central government regulations, we cannot bring another elephant here,” confirmed an official from the administration. As part of the expansion plans, the enclosure that housed Anarkali will be repurposed for another species. Rescued from a circus in 1977, Anarkali arrived at the Byculla at the age of 12 along with several other elephants, including her long-time companion, Laxmi. The duo quickly got close, drawing countless visitors and schoolchildren eager to see their playful interactions. Anarkali and Laxmi were once used for joyrides until protests by animal activists led to the practice being discontinued in 1992. “Anarkali remained very playful and responsive to her mahout and caretakers. She continued to be one of the crowd-pullers right up until her demise,” said Abhishek Satam, biologist and education officer. According to officials, Anarkali died of old age complications. Sources told PTI that the post-mortem report revealed a stomach tumour, which likely contributed to her declining health. Despite her condition, she maintained a calm demeanour, said her caretakers. Anarkali’s passing follows the death of her companion Laxmi in 2020. Laxmi, believed to be around 64, died of a chronic heart failure brought on by old age. Their bond was so strong that Anarkali reportedly mourned deeply after Laxmi’s death, refusing food for days. (With PTI inputs)
23 January,2025 01:13 PM IST | Malappuram | mid-day online correspondentSeveral parts of the national capital received overnight showers, with the weather department predicting light rain and cloudy weather during the day on Thursday too. The rain started in some parts of the city around 12.30 am, with the Palam weather station recording 1.2 mm of rain. Delhi recorded a minimum temperature of 11.0 degrees Celsius, 3.5 notches above normal for this time of the season, while the air quality was recorded in the poor category with an Air Quality Index of 264. The IMD has predicted a cloudy sky and light rain for the day, with the maximum temperature likely to settle around 22 degrees Celsius. An AQI between zero and 50 is considered good, 51 and 100 satisfactory, 101 and 200 moderate, 201 and 300 poor, 301 and 400 very poor, and 401 and 500 severe. Fog disrupts flights in Delhi; cold wave continues across north India Foggy weather disrupted flight schedules in Delhi on Thursday morning, delaying several flights at Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi. Homeless people remained in night shelters to keep safe from the harsh winter. The Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB) set up 235 pagoda tents in several areas. Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, where Mahakumbh is being held, witnessed dense fog this morning. Thousands of people gathered at the ghats of Sangam to take a holy dip at the Triveni Sangam, a sacred confluence of three rivers - Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati. According to the IMD, Prayagraj recorded a temperature of 12.8 degrees Celsius at 5.30 am on Thursday. A thin layer of fog enveloped parts of Ayodhya as cold waves gripped the city. Some parts of West Bengal and Odisha also witnessed dense fog this morning. In West Bengal, Sainthia Junction railway station and parts of North 24 Parganas were blanketed with thick fog. A thick layer of fog enveloped parts of Odisha's Puri too, as cold waves gripped the city. A cold wave continued to grip Kashmir valley. Srinagar recorded a temperature of minus 0.5 degrees Celsius at 5.30 am this morning. According to the IMD, there is a possibility of rain in Punjab, Haryana, Western UP, Delhi NCR, and northern Rajasthan on January 23. (With inputs from Agencies)
23 January,2025 12:19 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentAfter 13 people lost their lives in the Jalgaon train accident, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Thursday said that the incident occurred after rumours of fire in the train which created panic among the travellers and as a result, people started jumping off the train and subsequently was hit by another speeding train. Pawar stated that the rumour was spread by two persons Udhal Kumar and Vijay Kumar, when they heard a tea seller shouting about a fire in the bogie after which both of them panicked and subsequently people started jumping off the train to save themselves. Speaking to reporters, Ajit Pawar said, "After the railway incident, the administration and other forces got active and started the relief & rescue operations... Udhal Kumar and Vijay Kumar from Shravasti were on the train... They were travelling in the general bogie and were sitting on the upper berth... One tea seller from the pantry shouted about a fire in the bogie, both of them heard that and panicked..." "Some passengers jumped out of the moving train to save themselves from the fire... But the train was moving at a good speed so one of the people pulled the chain and the train stopped... Many passengers got off the train and started crossing the railway track... Another train, Karnataka Express came at a very high speed and hit the passengers who were crossing the railway track..." he added. The Deputy CM further stated that a total of 10 deceased have been identified from the 13 killed while the three deceased are yet to be identified. The total number of injured individuals are 10, out of which 8 are males while two are female and they are undergoing treatment at Civil Hospital in Jalgaon. Maharashtra Deputy CM also informed that the railway services have been running smoothly at the spot. Pawar said, "As of now, 13 people have been declared dead. 10 of them have been identified while the other 3 yet to be identified... Total injured numbers 10, 8 males to 2 females... This incident happened due to the rumour spread from Udhal Kumar and Vijay Kumar, they are injured and are under treatment... Railway services are running smoothly. We have instructed the administration to provide treatment to all the injured at government cost. Our ministers and Collectors are looking into the incident..." The death toll in the Jalgaon train accident has risen to 13, said the District Magistrate of Jalgaon, Ayush Prasad on Thursday morning. The incident occurred on Wednesday evening when passengers of the Pushpak Express stepped outside their coaches due to a suspected fire on the train while the Karnataka Express was passing through the adjacent track, and several people were hit by the moving train. The injured individuals have been admitted to the Civil Hospital Jalgaon and are undergoing treatment. The Railway Ministry has announced ex-gratia of Rs 1.5 lakh each for the kin of the deceased in the Jalgaon train accident. "Ex gratia of Rs 1.5 lakh each has been announced for the kins of the deceased in the Jalgaon train accident, Rs 50,000 to the people who are seriously injured and Rs 5,000 to the people who have sustained minor injuries," the Office of Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said in a statement. (With inputs from ANI)
23 January,2025 12:09 PM IST | Pune | mid-day online correspondentThe Railway Ministry has announced ex-gratia of Rs 1.5 lakh each for the kins of the deceased in the Jalgaon train accident, which resulted in multiple deaths and injuries. "Ex gratia of Rs 1.5 lakh each has been announced for the kins of the deceased in the Jalgaon train accident, Rs 50,000 to the people who are seriously injured and Rs 5,000 to the people who have sustained minor injuries," the Office of Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said in a statement. The death toll in the Jalgaon train accident has gone up to 13 with the recovery of a headless body along the railway tracks, police said on Thursday. Some passengers of the Mumbai-bound Pushpak Express, who got off the train after an alarm chain-pulling incident, were run over by the Karnataka Express heading from Bengaluru to Delhi on the adjacent tracks in Maharashtra's Jalgaon district on Wednesday evening. "Of the 13, we have identified eight bodies so far, including two from their Aadhaar cards," Special Inspector General of Police Dattatraya Karale told PTI. The eight identified deceased include four hailing from Nepal, Jalgaon district information officer Yuvraj Patil told PTI. Out of the 15 persons injured in the incident, 10 were currently undergoing treatment - nine at the Pachora civil hospital and one at a medical facility in Jalgaon city- while the others who suffered minor injuries were discharged, he said. Meanwhile, the Lucknow-Mumbai Pushpak Express reached the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT), its final destination in the Maharashtra capital, at around 1.20 am on Thursday, a railway spokesperson said. The Central Railway's general manager and other senior officials also reached the accident spot at night and inspected the site, he said. They also visited the hospitals where the injured persons were taken for treatment. The tragedy unfolded on Wednesday evening when passengers onboard the Pushpak Express, fearing a blaze, hastily jumped onto the adjacent tracks and were run over by the oncoming Karnataka Express, officials earlier said. The accident took place between Maheji and Pardhade stations near Pachora town in north Maharashtra's Jalgaon district, when the Pushpak Express halted after someone pulled the chain at around 4.45 pm on Wednesday, Central Railway officials said. (With inputs from PTI)
23 January,2025 12:02 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
