Biker dies hitting pothole in south Delhi's Tigri; PWD, DMRC deny road jurisdiction
New Delhi (PTI): A 37-year-old biker was killed in a crash when he hit the divider and his head the road, possibly swerving to avoid a pothole, in south Delhi's Tigri area, police said on Tuesday.
Police found Rashid Khan lying on MB Road near the Hamdard Hospital crossing with over an inch-deep gash to his head.
"The area is not under CCTV coverage. Initial investigation suggested that the motorist was riding at a speed, holding his helmet in his hand and pressing brakes to avoid sewage-filled water at another location.
"He lost his balance and fell into another sewage water-filled pothole which was six inches deep. He was unconscious, which may have proved fatal," the policeman investigating the incident said.
Khan was rushed to the AIIMS Trauma Centre, where he was declared dead. His helmet was found at the accident site.
Police have filed a case several sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including 281 (rash driving), the officer said.
It is not yet known whether authorities responsible for the upkeep of the road were made party to the case.
Police sources said Khan had an approximately four-inch long and 1.5-inch deep gash on the left side of his forehead. It is suspected that he fell headfirst into the water-filled pothole and lost consciousness.
Police also suspect a collision with another vehicle may be behind the accident.
A PWD official said that the road is currently in the possession of DMRC.
"PWD has written many times to them (DMRC) for repair of roads, but things did not improve. A few days ago, PWD engineers were directed to get the roads repaired in their portion and to debit expenditure from DMRC," he said.
Meanwhile, a spokesperson from DMRC said that the stretch of road does not fall under DMRC's jurisdiction.
"After verifying the matter, DMRC has confirmed that the area in question is not under our authority," he said.
Rashid Khan, who lived with his mother, was returning home when he met with the accident. He worked for a private company and earned around Rs 20-25,000 per month.
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.
CM Siddaramaiah alleges ‘criminal conspiracy’ in Sringeri recount, vows legal action
Bengaluru (PTI): Alleging a “criminal conspiracy” by BJP candidate D N Jeevaraj in the Sringeri Assembly poll recounting, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said the outcome was manipulated after valid postal ballot votes in favour of Congress leader T D Raje Gowda were tampered with during the recounting process.
Following a Karnataka High Court order on an election petition filed by Jeevaraj, challenging Raje Gowda’s election, the reverification and recounting were conducted on Saturday.
After the reverification and recount of postal ballots for the Sringeri Assembly constituency, votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda were reduced by 255, the returning officer said.
A report on the matter has been submitted to the Election Commission of India for further action, the officer added.
Congress leader Raje Gowda had won the 2023 Assembly polls from Sringeri by 201 votes, defeating his nearest rival Jeevaraj.
Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru, Siddaramaiah said the High Court had directed the recounting of postal ballots and that irregularities were noticed during the exercise conducted on May 2.
“This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” Siddaramaiah said, alleging that valid votes cast in favour of Raje Gowda were altered after being accepted by counting agents of all parties, including Congress, BJP, and JD(S).
He claimed that during the recounting of postal ballots, 255 votes were initially accepted as valid by all agents but were later tampered with by subordinate officials.
“There is a second mark on the votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda. They had accepted these as valid votes. Subsequently, another mark was made by officials. This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” he said.
When asked who was behind the alleged conspiracy, the CM replied, “It was hatched by Jeevaraj and others. It is planned.”
Siddaramaiah further alleged that the returning officer acted improperly by declaring the result despite the presence of an Election Commission observer during the recounting.
“Immediately after the counting, the returning officer announced the result. He should not have done so; this is against the law,” he said.
He pointed out that Raje Gowda had originally won by 201 votes, but after the recounting, the BJP candidate was declared the winner by 52 votes.
“The BJP has committed a criminal act of conspiracy. This is not vote chori but vote dacoity,” he alleged.
The CM said a police complaint had already been filed by Raje Gowda’s election agent, Sudhir Kumar, and emphasised the need for electoral integrity.
“We want transparency and free and fair elections. That is what our Constitution mandates,” he added.
Stating that the government would pursue legal remedies, Siddaramaiah said, “We are preparing an appeal challenging the returning officer’s announcement in a court of law.”
Responding to a separate query on elections in other states, the CM said there appeared to be an anti-incumbency factor in West Bengal, while results in Tamil Nadu were “surprising,” adding that Vijay’s party was emerging as the largest there.
Following the victory of party candidates in Bagalkote and Davanagere South, Siddaramaiah expressed confidence about future electoral prospects in Karnataka.
“Even in 2028, we will win the Assembly elections. We will come back,” the CM said.
Siddaramaiah added that he would order a forensic examination into the alleged tampering of postal ballots.
