Madinah: At least 42 Umrah pilgrims feared dead in bus–tanker collision in Saudi Arabia
Madinah: At least 42 Indian Umrah pilgrims are feared dead after a passenger bus carrying devotees from Mecca to Madinah collided with a diesel tanker early Monday. The crash occurred around 1.30 am IST at a location identified as Mufrihat, according to initial reports.
Sources said the pilgrims, including women and children, were from Hyderabad. Early information indicates that about 20 women and 11 children were in the bus. The group had completed their rituals in Mecca and was on its way to Madinah when the accident happened. Many passengers were reportedly asleep at the time.
Officials are still verifying the exact number of casualties and the condition of survivors. Emergency services are carrying out recovery operations, and further details are awaited.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
SIT formed to probe second sexual assault case against expelled Cong MLA Mamkootathil
Thiruvananthapuram (PTI): A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been constituted to probe a second case of sexual assault against expelled Congress MLA Rahul Mamkootathil, police officials said on Friday.
The SIT will be led by G Poonguzhali, Assistant Inspector General at the Police Headquarters.
The team also includes a DSP rank officer and sub-inspectors, officials added.
The second sexual assault complaint was received by the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee, which it forwarded to the state police chief.
ALSO READ: Cong expels rape-accused MLA Mamkootathil from party's primary membership
Following this, the Crime Branch registered a case and launched an investigation.
Crime Branch officials said the email complaint contained only the sender's email ID and no other contact details.
As part of the probe, they have sent a reply email requesting that the complainant contact them and provide her statement.
The complainant has alleged that she was sexually assaulted under the false promise of marriage, a Crime Branch official said.
However, details such as the location and date of the alleged incident are not currently available to the police.
The SIT will attempt to trace the sender of the email and record her statement, which is crucial for further investigation, the officer said.
Mamkootathil was expelled from the Congress party on Thursday after a court here rejected his anticipatory bail petition in another rape case.
Police said he is currently absconding, and a manhunt is underway in Kerala and neighbouring states.
