12 killed as pilgrims’ bus falls into river from Shivaji bridge

Agencies

January 27, 2018

Kolhapur, Jan 27: A bus carrying pilgrims plunged into a river on the outskirts of Kolhapur in Maharashtra after smashing through a bridge railing, killing 12 and injuring another three, police said Saturday.

The accident took place on Friday night when the driver lost control of the vehicle along the Shivaji Bridge on the Panchganga River, police officer Anil Shinde said. The vehicle rammed into the stone barriers before it plunged into the rocky river, around 80-feet below.

The area is nearly 375 kilometres (235 miles) south of Mumbai, the state capital.

The victims belonged to three families who were returning home after visiting a temple of Ganesha, Shinde said. The injured have been hospitalised.

Shinde said the bus was pulled out of the river and all passengers accounted for. Police are investigating the cause of the accident.

More than 110,000 people are killed annually on India’s roads. Most crashes are attributed to reckless driving, poorly maintained roads and aging vehicles.

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Udupi: Hindutva activist arrested for allegedly raping young woman while out on bail

News Network

December 1,2025

Udupi, Dec 1: A horrific case of alleged rape has unfolded in Udupi, where a worker from a Hindutva organisation, previously arrested and released on bail for harassing a young woman, is now accused of waylaying and sexually assaulting her.

The arrested individual has been identified as Pradeep Poojary (26), a member of the Hindu Jagarana Vedike's Nairkode unit in Perdur.

Poojary had allegedly been relentlessly harassing the young woman, pressuring her to marry him. When she bravely stood up to him and refused his demands, she filed a formal complaint at the Hiriyadka police station. He was subsequently arrested in that initial harassment case but was later granted bail.

According to police reports, driven by the same malicious grudge, Poojary allegedly intercepted the woman again on November 29. While she was walking through a deserted area, the accused is claimed to have threatened her by grabbing her neck. When she again refused to marry him, he allegedly proceeded to rape her.

The survivor immediately informed her family about the traumatic assault. Following this, her parents lodged a complaint at the Udupi women’s police station.

Police arrested Poojary again and produced him before the court. He has since been remanded to judicial custody.

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