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NEW DELHI: Body of another victim from the Rudraprayag bus accident was recovered on Sunday in Uttarakhand's Haridwar district, nearly 150 km downstream from the site where the vehicle plunged into the Alaknanda river near Gholtir village, officials said. With the latest recovery, the death toll in the mishap has risen to six. The victim was identified as Lalit Kumar Soni, 48, a resident of Pratap Chowk in Gogunda, Rajasthan. The accident occurred on Thursday near Gholtir, between Rudraprayag and Gauchar, when the driver of the 31-seater bus lost control while negotiating a sharp bend on the hilly road. The bus, carrying pilgrims from Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh, was en route to the Badrinath shrine when it skidded off the road and fell into the Alaknanda river. Officials said the area is known for its steep terrain and dangerous curves, which have been the site of multiple accidents in the past. So far, six bodies have been recovered, and six more pilgrims remain missing. Search and rescue operations are ongoing for remaing. The TOI City Desk is an indefatigable team of journalists dedicated to bringing you the pulse of cities from across the nation, all day and all night. Our mission is to curate, report, and deliver city news that matters to readers of The Times of India. With a keen focus on urban life, governance, culture, and local issues, we provide a comprehensive view of the ever-evolving cityscapes. Our team works tirelessly to keep readers informed about the latest developments, ensuring that they are connected to the heartbeat of cities across India, right when it happens. The TOI City Desk is a trusted source for staying in touch with the local stories that shape your world.
NEW DELHI: Axiom-4 crew members, including Shubhanshu Shukla, were welcomed with hugs and drinks as they stepped into the International Space Station on Thursday. The newly launched spacecraft -- the fifth in the Dragon series and named Grace -- successfully completed a soft docking with the International Space Station at 4.01pm while orbiting above the North Atlantic Ocean."At 6:31 am EDT (4:01 IST) on Thursday, the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft docked to the International Space Station for the fourth private astronaut mission to the orbiting laboratory, Axiom Mission 4," the National Aeronautics ...Read More >
Kochi: Edison Babu's neighbours in Muvattupuzha knew him as the quiet engineer who had returned home during the pandemic. The 35-year-old former auto industry professional seemed to lead an unremarkable life in this sleepy Kerala suburb, occasionally visiting the local post office with packages: nothing unusual for someone running what appeared to be a small online business. What they didn't know was that their mild-mannered neighbour had built India's most sophisticated darknet drug empire, one that relied heavily on the very government postal service that was meant to serve the community. ...Read More >
Chandigarh/Amritsar: The central govt's decision to prohibit a Sikh jatha (group) from travelling to Pakistan for Guru Nanak Dev's birth anniversary in Nov on Monday drew criticism from across the political and religious spectrum in Punjab, with many questioning why the same govt allowed a cricket match with the neighbouring country, but was not allowing a pilgrimage.The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) expressed "regret" over the govt's decision. "Pilgrims were scheduled to visit sacred sites, including Gurdwara Nankana Sahib. This move is a deeply disappointing action which has ...Read More >
Chamoli (Uttarakhand) [India], June 28 (ANI): Continuous rainfall in Uttarakhand has caused severe disruptions, including the blockage of the National Highway near Nandprayag and Bhaneropani. In a post on the social media platform X, Chamoli Police Uttarakhand stated, "The Badrinath National Highway is blocked near Nandprayag and Bhanerpani. Work is underway to open the road." Also Read | Dausa Road Accident: 4 Die As Car Rams Into Truck in Rajasthan. The National Highway near Nandprayag is a critical route for pilgrims travelling to Kedarnath, making the clearance of the road a priority. ...Read More >
Dhar (MP), Jun 28 (PTI) A couple from Madhya Pradesh, who was killed along with three others in the accident of a minibus in Uttarakhand's Rudraprayag district, was cremated near Rajgarh in Dhar district on Saturday in the presence of a large number of people. Vishal Soni (45) and his wife Gauri (41) were killed after the tempo traveller carrying them fell into the Alaknanda river near Gholthir village in Rudraprayag on June 26. Their bodies were brought to Rajgarh town by the relatives during the day. As a mark of respect for the departed souls, local jewellers kept the shops shut as Soni b ...Read More >
Digha: A day after Rath Yatra, the festive fervour continues in Digha as the seaside town is now gearing up to host Ulta Rath or the return journey of the deities from the 'Masir Bari' or the old Jagannath temple. On July 5 -- the Ulta Rath day -- hotels are hoping for fresh tourist influx. Though the deities are currently in Masir Bari, a large queue of devotees visited the newly-constructed Jagannath temple on Saturday. They offered prayers to the stone idol permanently installed there. It is the wooden idols of Jagannath, Balaram and Subhadra that have taken the chairot rides. Bipradash Cha ...Read More >
Imphal, June 29 (UNI) A series of successful operations carried out by Manipur Police and security forces during the last 24 hours led to the arrest of several individuals involved in vehicle theft, insurgent activity, and the recovery of a significant cache of arms and ammunition. Police arrested a vehicle lifter identified as Syed Riyaj from his residence at Lilong Chaobok in Thoubal District. The arrest was made under Lilong Police Station. Authorities seized a blue two wheeler without registration number, along with a key and an Aadhaar card believed to be linked to the suspect. In a s ...Read More >
Dakpatthar (Uttarakhand) [India], July 3 (ANI): On Thursday, the SDRF Dakpatthar team received information that some workers were stranded in the river near Badhwala Sadhna Kendra Ashram. On receiving the information, the SDRF team immediately left for the site of the incident and rescued the trapped workers. Meanwhile, as heavy rains, along with landslides, continue to affect the state, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said, "...Considering the weather, the Char Dham yatra has been temporarily halted. In the future, we will proceed with the yatra in accordance with the weather. ...Read More >
MUZAFFARNAGAR: A man was arrested on Monday evening in Purkazi town of Uttar Pradesh's Muzaffarnagar district for allegedly spitting on the kanwar -- a decorated bamboo structure carried by pilgrims -- belonging to a woman devotee during the ongoing Kanwar Yatra.The woman had reportedly halted to rest while returning home with holy Ganga water collected from Haridwar when the incident occurred.According to additional superintendent of police (City) Satyanarayan Prajapat, the accused, identified as Usman, was taken into custody soon after a case was registered against him. The police acted swif ...Read More >
New Delhi: The death sentence of Kerala nurse Nimisha Priya, who was sentenced to death in Yemen, has been postponed for the time being. She was to be executed by shooting today, July 16. According to media reports, activist groups and influential religious leaders intervened in the matter, after which the death sentence of Nimisha Priya was postponed. Earlier, many efforts were also made at the diplomatic level to save Nimisha from the death penalty. There is also news that the victim's family has not yet agreed to clemency or blood money. As a last-ditch effort to save her, Kanthapuram A. ...Read More >
NEW DELHI: Amid worsening weather conditions and continuous rainfall in parts of Uttar Pradesh, all government and private schools from Classes 1 to 12 in Lucknow will remain closed on Monday, according to district magistrate Visakh G Iyer.Several parts of Varanasi were inundated on Monday following relentless downpours and a steady rise in the water level of the River Ganga. The river has been rising continuously since Saturday, triggering concerns of urban flooding.In response, authorities have suspended all boat operations on the Ganga as a precautionary measure. Several residents were seen ...Read More >
Rudraprayag: The death toll from the June 26 bus accident in Rudraprayag, where a mini-bus carrying pilgrims to Badrinath plunged into the Alaknanda River near Gholthir, has risen to five. Dead bodies of two deceased persons were recovered today, Friday, during ongoing search and rescue operations. Seven people remain missing, and efforts to locate them are continuing amidst challenging conditions in the muddy river waters. One of the deceased was identified as a 55-year-old Sanjay Soni from Udaipur, Rajasthan. The second person, recovered near a petrol pump in Rudraprayag, is yet to be ident ...Read More >
Bhubaneswar: A low-pressure area forming over the north Bay of Bengal and adjoining coastal areas of Bangladesh and West Bengal is expected to trigger heavy to very heavy rainfall across parts of Odisha through July 4, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said Saturday. An upper air cyclonic circulation currently persists over southwest Bangladesh and adjoining Gangetic West Bengal, extending up to 7.6 km above mean sea level and tilting southwestward with height, the IMD said. Under its influence, a low-pressure area is likely to develop over the region within the next 48 hours. The sy ...Read More >
Rudraprayag, Jun 29 (PTI) The body of another victim was retrieved from Uttarakhand's Haridwar district, 150 km away from the spot where a bus fell into Alaknanda river near Gholtir village here, officials said on Sunday. The death toll in the incident has now increased to six. The victim was identified as Lalit Kumar Soni (48), a resident of Pratap Chowk Gogunda, Rajasthan. A 31-seater bus taking pilgrims from Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh to Badrinath fell into the Alaknanda river near Gholtir between Rudraprayag and Gauchar. Five bodies had been found till Saturday, ...Read More >
Jammu, Jul 18 (PTI) Senior officials of the Jammu and Kashmir government reviewed the arrangements for the smooth conduct of the 13-day-long Budha Amarnath pilgrimage in Poonch district that will begin on July 28. Deputy Inspector General of Police Tejinder Singh reviewed security in Poonch and stressed ensuring the safety of the devotees. "The first batch will depart from the Bhagwati Nagar basecamp in Jammu on July 28, moving towards the Mandi tehsil in Poonch in a regulated convoy amid full security arrangements," a spokesperson said. Jammu Divisional Commissioner Ramesh Kumar and Inspec ...Read More >
Uttarakhand: The Char Dham Yatra has been temporarily suspended for 24 hours as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a red alert for heavy rainfall across parts of Uttarakhand. Thousands of pilgrims have been stranded in Haridwar and Rishikesh as authorities halt travel to ensure safety. Garhwal Division Commissioner Vinay Shankar Pandey confirmed the suspension, stating that instructions have been issued to stop all pilgrim movement from Haridwar. Those already en route are being escorted to safe shelters until weather conditions improve. "Char Dham Yatra has been suspended for ...Read More >
Nagpur: Warrior king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj belonged to the entire country, but British history tried to confine him as a regional icon, said BJP leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sudhanshu Trivedi, who was in Nagpur on Friday to attend an event marking the 351st anniversary of Shivaji Maharaj's coronation. Trivedi told TOI at the event organized by Shivaji Maharaj Kruti Samiti that Shivaji Maharaj's contribution in 'safeguarding' the southern part of India from Mughal invasion must not be forgotten.Trivedi said, "Shivaji Maharaj belonged to all of us, entire country. Unfortunately, the British p ...Read More >
Rudraprayag, Jun 27 (PTI) The body of another pilgrim was retrieved on Friday from the Alaknanda river as SDRF personnel on board rafts scoured its swirling waters in search of pilgrims who went missing after a 31-seater bus taking them to Badrinath fell into the river near between Rudraprayag and Gauchar on Thursday. The toll in the Thursday accident has mounted to four now with this recovery, Rudraprayag Superintendent of Police Akshay Prahlad Konde said. The fourth body retrieved on Friday was identified as that of 55-year-old Sanjay Soni, a resident of Udaipur in Rajasthan, he said. The ...Read More >
Srinagar, June 28: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today chaired a high-level meeting with members of civil society organisations, religious leaders, elected representatives, and representatives from the trade and business communities to review arrangements for the upcoming Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra. Among those present were Chief Minister Omar Abdullah; Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo; Special Director General (Coordination) S.J.M. Gillani; Principal Secretary to the Lieutenant Governor and CEO of Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board, Dr. Mandeep K. Bhandari; Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Vijay Bidhuri; ...Read More >
Jaipur: Two workers died while five others are feared trapped after soil caved in during pipeline excavation work in Rajasthan's Bharatpur on Sunday morning, police said. According to officials, some labourers were filling a 10-foot-deep trench dug to lay a pipeline near Jangi ka Nagla village when the soil caved in. Twelve workers got trapped under the soil. Upon hearing the cries, other labourers and project staff started rescue attempts, but the depth and heaviness of the soil made immediate efforts difficult, they said. District administration, police and disaster management teams reach ...Read More >
Dehradun, Jun 26 (UNI) Three pilgrims died, eight others were seriously injured and nine went missing as a bus going towards Badrimath Shrine fell into a 300 metres gorge in Rudraprayag on Thursday morning. Chances for survival of the missing pilgrims was remote, said State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) officials engaged in rescue and search operation. Rescuers recovered three dead bodies while search for nine missing persons from Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Uttarakhand was going on. Eight injured pilgrims were rushed to the hospital. Tragedy occurred near State Ban ...Read More >
Surat: A pilgrimage turned into a nightmare on Thursday morning when a bus carrying 20 pilgrims -- nine of them from Surat -- plunged into the Alaknanda river in Uttarakhand, leaving three dead, eight injured and nine missing. Among the deceased was 17-year-old Dreamy Soni, a bright student from Surat who had recently passed her Class 12 science exam with 89% and dreamed of joining an IIT.The incident occurred near Gholtir village on the Badrinath National Highway, between Rudraprayag and Gauchar ...Read More >
Dehradun (Uttarakhand) [India], June 28 (ANI): Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has appealed to the public to remain cautious and avoid unnecessary travel on Saturday, due to the forecasted heavy rainfall in the state's hilly and some plain areas over the next 24 hours. In a post on X, CM Dhami said, 'The weather department has forecasted the possibility of heavy rainfall in the state's hilly and some plain areas within the next 24 hours. It is requested that everyone remain vigilant, avoid unnecessary travel, and follow the guidelines issued by the administration.' CM Dhami ur ...Read More >
In Rudraprayag, a tragic accident occurred when a vehicle carrying pilgrims plunged into the Alaknanda river, resulting in the death of at least two people. Eight others sustained injuries, and ten remain missing. The tempo traveller, en route to Badrinath Dham with 20 people from Rajasthan, met with the accident near Gholthir village on the Badrinath National Highway. At least two people were killed, eight injured and ten others were reported missing when a vehicle carrying pilgrims fell into t ...Read More >
Srinagar: Ahead of the annual Amaranth Yatra, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha interacted with various stakeholders here on Saturday to discuss arrangements for the smooth pilgrimage. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah was present at the interaction at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC) here in which members of the civil society, religious leaders, DDC chairpersons, members of business and trade associations, and MLAs also participated. The LG said the administration has made preparations, including security-related, for the comfort of the visiting pilgrims. "Despite challe ...Read More >
Surat: A pilgrimage turned into a nightmare on Thursday morning when a bus carrying 20 pilgrims -- nine of them from Surat -- plunged into the Alaknanda river in Uttarakhand, leaving three dead, eight injured and nine missing. Among the deceased was 17-year-old Dreamy Soni, a bright student from Surat who had recently passed her Class 12 science exam with 89% and dreamed of joining an IIT.The incident occurred near Gholtir village on the Badrinath National Highway, between Rudraprayag and Gauchar, around 7:30am. According to the injured bus driver, Sumit, the accident happened after a truck ra ...Read More >
SHILLONG, July 2: A local court in Shillong on Wednesday remanded property dealer and co-accused Silome James in 14-day judicial custody. According to Assistant Public Prosecutor, Tushar Chanda, two others -- Lokendra Singh Tomar and Balbir Ahirwar -- were sent to judicial custody for 7 days. The SIT had arrested the three individuals from different parts of Madhya Pradesh on charges of aiding in the concealment of evidence related to the murder of Indore-based businessman Raja Raghuvanshi in Sohra on May 23. They face charges related to obstruction of justice and tampering with evidence at ...Read More >
The car had a Maharashtra number plate. Luggage was tied to the roof of the vehicle, which made officials believe that a family had come from Maharashtra to visit Agra. A shocking and heartbreaking incident has come to light from the Taj Mahal complex in Agra, Uttar Pradesh. An elderly man was found unconscious and tied inside a locked car parked near the western gate. The incident has raised serious questions about human sensitivity and responsibility. According to Aaj Tak, the man had been locked inside the car for several hours. The extreme heat and humidity had made his condition critic ...Read More >
New Delhi: In a setback to Bollywood actor Jacqueline Fernandez, Delhi High Court on Thursday dismissed her plea to end criminal proceedings in a Rs 200-crore money laundering case involving Sukesh Chandrasekhar, currently imprisoned for fraud.Justice Anish Dayal dismissed the plea that also sought to quash the chargesheet by the Enforcement Directorate and proceedings pending before the special court under the stringent Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) against her and others.A copy of the detailed judgment is awaited.Fernandez had challenged ED's case against her over allegations she ...Read More >
Puri: What began as a sacred morning of devotion turned tragic on Sunday, June 29, when a stampede near Puri's Gundicha Temple left three devotees dead and several others injured during the annual Jagannath Rath Yatra. The incident occurred between 4:00 and 5:00 am at Saradhabali, as a heavy crowd of weekend pilgrims gathered to catch a glimpse of the deities on their chariots. The deceased were identified as Premakanta Mohanty (80), Basanti Sahoo (36), and Prabhati Das (42), officials from the Puri district headquarters hospital confirmed. Eyewitnesses said the situation spiralled when two ...Read More >