52 killed as bus falls into gorge in Telangana

Agencies
September 11, 2018

Hyderabad, Sept 11: In one of the goriest accident in the history of State Road Transport Corporation, 52 passengers including 32 women and four children, died and 30 others were injured when a Telangana Road Transport Corporation (TSRTC) bus belonging to Jagitial depot, fell into a gorge on Tuesday morning.

The bus which was fully packed with around 86 passengers were coming down from Kondagattu Hanuman temple when the accident occurred.

Many of the causalities are on the front side of the bus where many bodies were found crushed with the impact of the accident. The police suspect the accident took place due to the failure of brakes while the driver was negotiating a last turn on the ghat road down the hill at around 11.30 am before reaching the highway.

Technical Problem ruled out

Few survivors, however, said that the driver lost control over the vehicle as he has put the bus on neutral gear while coming down the ghat road. The driver of the bus Srinivas lost his life and conductor Parameshwar who was issuing tickets at that time was injured. TSRTC officials who ruled out technical problems say that the driver was not supposed to bring the Jagitial-Sanivarampet bus through the Ghat road.

All the bodies have been recovered and shifted to Jagitial government hospital. Injured have been shifted to Karimnagar. While the local villagers quickly jumped into action and took up the rescue works, Jagitial collector Sharath and superintendent of police Sindhu Sharma rushed to the spot along with the police forces to take up rescue operations.

Telangana chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao expressed shock over the ghastly road accident. He expressed deep condolences on the loss of lives and injuries to others and directed the officials concerned to provide immediate medical assistance to the injured. State finance minister Eatala Rajender rushed to the spot which is 177 kilometres from here. The government has announced Rs 5 lakh exgratia to the kin of the deceased.

“The TSRTC will also announce exgratia. If there are farmers then there will be an addition of Rs 5 lakh from the farmer’s insurance scheme,” Rajender said adding that anyone with TRS membership will get Rs 2 lakh compensation. He assured that steps will be taken to see that such an incident will not repeat in future.

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News Network
November 21,2025

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Udupi: The Malpe Police have arrested two men from Uttar Pradesh for allegedly sharing classified information related to Indian Navy vessels with individuals in Pakistan, posing a serious threat to national security.

According to a complaint filed by the CEO of Udupi Cochin Shipyard, Malpe—an institution under the Union Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways—the prime accused, Rohit (29), was working as an insulator through subcontractor M/S Shushma Marine Pvt Ltd. He had earlier served at Cochin Shipyard Limited in Kochi, Kerala, where naval ships are under construction.

Udupi SP Hariram Shankar said the accused had unlawfully shared, via WhatsApp, confidential identification numbers of Navy-related ships and other classified details while working in Kerala, allegedly for illegal gains.

After joining the Malpe shipyard unit, Rohit reportedly continued collecting sensitive information through a friend in Kochi and circulated it to unauthorised individuals, violating national security protocols and potentially endangering India’s sovereignty, unity, and integrity.

Based on the complaint, Malpe Police registered a case under Section 152 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Sections 3 and 5 of the Official Secrets Act, 1923.

A police team led by Karkala Subdivision Assistant Superintendent of Police Harsha Priyamvada—along with PSI Anil Kumar D, ASI Harish, and PC Ravi Jadhav—conducted the investigation and arrested the two accused, identified as Rohit (29) and Santri (37), both residents of Sultanpur district, Uttar Pradesh.

The duo was produced before the court, which remanded them in judicial custody till December 3. Further investigation is in progress.

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News Network
November 22,2025

The Karnataka government has announced a 50% rebate on pending traffic and transport fines. The discount is available from November 21 to December 12.

The rebate applies to all traffic e-challans and violation cases booked by the RTO between 1991–92 and 2019–20. Officials clarified that the offer is not applicable to pending tax dues and is restricted only to traffic-violation fines.

Across Karnataka, more than 4 lakh RTO cases remain pending, including those involving transport vehicles. While thousands of vehicle owners have already cleared their dues, the department expects to generate substantial revenue through this limited-period rebate.

How to Pay and Avail the Discount

There are three ways to check and pay your pending fines:

1. Through Mobile Apps
Available on both Play Store and App Store:
•    Karnataka State Police (KSP) app
•    KarnatakaOne app
•    ASTraM app

Steps:
•    Enter your vehicle number in any of the above apps
•    Verify the photo/details of your vehicle
•    Pay the fine with the 50% discount applied

2. Visit a Traffic Police Station

You can pay your pending fine at any nearby traffic police station.

3. Visit the Traffic Management Centre (TMC)

•    Location: First Floor, Infantry Road, near Indian Express, Bengaluru

Transport Commissioner Yogeesh A M said, “We don't issue e-challans, so there's no online payment system.”

The department estimates ₹52 crore in pending RTO fines up to March 2020. “With the 50% rebate, we expect to collect around ₹25 crore if all dues are cleared,” he added.

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News Network
November 27,2025

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Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday announced that he will convene a high-level meeting in New Delhi with senior leaders — including Rahul Gandhi, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar — to resolve the escalating leadership turmoil in Karnataka and “put an end to the confusion.”

Kharge said the discussions would focus on the way forward for the ruling party, as rumours of a possible leadership change continue to swirl. The speculation has intensified after the Congress government crossed the halfway mark of its five-year term on November 20, reviving talk of an alleged 2023 “power-sharing agreement” between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar.

“After reaching Delhi, I will call three or four important leaders and hold discussions. Once we talk, we will decide how to move ahead and end this confusion,” Kharge told reporters in Bengaluru, according to PTI.

When asked specifically about calling Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar to Delhi, he responded: “Certainly, we should call them. We will discuss with them and settle the issue.”

He confirmed that Rahul Gandhi, the Chief Minister, the Deputy Chief Minister and other senior members would be part of the deliberations. “After discussing with everyone, a decision will be made,” he said.

Meanwhile, Siddaramaiah held a separate strategy meeting at his Bengaluru residence with ministers and leaders seen as his close confidants, including G. Parameshwara, Satish Jarkiholi, H.C. Mahadevappa, K. Venkatesh and K.N. Rajanna.
Signalling calm, the Chief Minister told reporters, “Will go to Delhi if the high command calls.”

Shivakumar echoed a similar stance, saying he too would head to the national capital if summoned by the party leadership.

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