Cop's arm severed, police driver injured while removing bodies from railway track in MP's Damoh
Damoh (MP), Nov 11: A sub-inspector lost his arm, and a police vehicle driver sustained injuries when they were struck by a train while responding to the scene of a double fatality on the railway tracks.
The incident occurred near the Karaiya Bhadoli railway station, about 260 km away from Bhopal on Sunday evening.
According to Superintendent of Police Shrut Kirti Somvanshi, Assistant Sub-Inspector Rajendra Mishra, the in-charge of Bandakpur police post, arrived at the location after reports surfaced that two men had fallen from a moving train and died.
Initial investigations show that while Mishra and his team were in the process of removing the duo's bodies from the tracks, a train unexpectedly approached and struck them.
Eyewitnesses reported that one individual attempted to pull Mishra out, but in the attempt, Mishra's right arm was severed, and he also sustained head injuries.
"The exact circumstances of the incident will be clear once the injured officers are able to speak," SP Somvanshi told PTI here.
When asked how the cops were unable to hear the sound of an approaching train, the SP said, "It remains a mystery as to why they did not hear the train approaching. We have heard that they might have been engaged in phone calls during the incident, but this information will have to be verified."
Rahul Raikwar, who was accompanying the deceased, said Mishra was preparing 'panchnama' (spot assessment report) when he saw a goods train coming from the opposite direction on an adjacent railway track.
"He told us a train is coming and asked everyone to get back. But he could not see another train coming from behind on another track. The goods train hit his hand. The deceased Neeraj Singh Lodhi (22) and Abhishek Lodhi (21), me and two others work as waiters and were going to Raipur on the Bhopal-Bilaspur train," Raikwar said.
"Neeraj and Abhishek fell from the train and died. The two were going to the toilet when they fell. I pulled the train's alarm chain but it did not stop. After it halted at Bandakpur station eight kilometres from the accident spot, I informed the station master," Raikwar added.
Raikwar said he and others walked along the tracks to reach the spot where Neeraj and Abhishek fell.
Both Mishra and the injured driver, Yawar Khan, were shifted to the Government Medical College here and then to a private hospital.
Surgeon Prashant Yadav of Metro Hospital in Jabalpur said replantation of Mishra's arm was not done since there was fear of infection during surgery.
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Karnataka: SP’s gunman among two arrested for extorting money from rice smuggler
Ballari (Karnataka) (PTI): An armed police constable serving as the district superintendent of police’s personal gunman, along with his accomplice, was arrested for allegedly extorting money from a rice smuggler, police said on Friday.
Devaraj, who had been serving as the SP’s gunman for the past four and a half years, was identified as the mastermind behind the incident.
Following an investigation, Devaraj and his accomplice Sairam were arrested on May 6, while efforts are underway to nab a third accused, Gadilinga, a practising advocate in Ballari, who is absconding, police said.
The matter came to light after a complaint was filed by Sharabappa, a habitual offender allegedly involved in illegal rice transport, they added.
According to police, the incident occurred on the intervening night of April 27 and 28, when a group of masked men intercepted Sharabappa’s rice-laden vehicles near the Moka forest area.
The accused allegedly introduced themselves as members of an “SP squad”, threatened to seize the vehicles and file criminal cases, and demanded money to avoid legal action.
Police said the accused initially demanded Rs 5 lakh and later extorted around Rs 3 lakh from the complainant.
Investigation revealed that Devaraj was the main person involved in demanding and collecting the money, while Sairam and Gadilinga were also involved in the offence. Sairam was allegedly involved in similar activities earlier as well.
Devaraj and Sairam were arrested under Sections 308(2) (extortion) and 3(5) (common intention) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
Police also seized the extorted cash, the four-wheeler, and mobile phones allegedly used in the crime. Efforts are underway to trace Gadilinga.
Addressing a press conference, Ballari Superintendent of Police Suman D Pennekar described the incident as a serious offence that has tarnished the image of the police department.
"There is no official ‘SP squad’ or ‘DSP squad’ operating in the district. Such labels are often misused by impostors or corrupt individuals to commit extortion," the SP clarified.
She said no involvement of other police officers has been found so far.
Departmental proceedings have been initiated against Devaraj, and suspension proceedings are underway. The SP added that strict action will be taken against anyone involved in such offences.
Police said Sharabappa, the complainant, is a known habitual offender involved in illegal rice smuggling, and several cases have already been registered against him in the Moka and Peddihalli areas. A separate case has also been registered against him in connection with rice smuggling on the night of the incident.
Authorities are also exploring the possibility of initiating externment proceedings against him under applicable legal provisions.
The SP urged the public to report any extortion attempts by persons claiming to be part of an “SP squad”, assuring that the identity of informants will be kept confidential.
