22-year-old priest arrested for killing friend with chopper in New Delhi
New Delhi: A 22-year-old priest was arrested recently in New Delhi for allegedly murdering his friend, after he was reportedly verbally abused and slapped by the latter.
The accused was identified as Kartik and the deceased as Devdas (55). Kartik, has been working as a priest at a temple in Palam’s Raj Nagar for the past three years, according to DCP (Southwest) Surendra Choudhary, as quoted by The Indian Express on Sunday.
The two had been friends for the past year and a half, and Kartik was also acquainted with Rama Devi (54) who was Devdas’s companion. Devdas lived on the second floor of a building he owned in Raj Nagar, part of which he had rented out.
On the night of October 21, Devdas invited Kartik to his home for drinks while Rama was visiting her hometown in Andhra Pradesh. After consuming a few drinks, Devdas allegedly began hurling insults at Kartik.
“Angered by this, Kartik took a chopper, which Devdas used to keep under his pillow, and killed him with it,” the DCP stated, adding that the accused claimed Devdas had slapped him two to three times earlier as well.
Police said Kartik stashed the body in a gunny bag and returned home to change his clothes. He then came back and slept at Devdas’s house. An officer told the news outlet that Kartik continued to visit the flat daily until October 27 to turn on the water motor. The tenants living on the top floor did not suspect anything, as this was a task that had been Devdas’s responsibility.
On October 30, Devdas’s sister-in-law, Asha, made a PCR call reporting a foul smell emanating from his apartment and said that the family had not seen him for a week.
The DCP stated that upon reaching Devdas’s residence, one room was found locked. The fire brigade broke the lock, and a gunny bag containing Devdas’s decomposed body was found.
Devdas’s nephew Vijay Sharma told the publication that while Devdas never fought with anyone, he would get angry easily. He relied on the rent he received each month as his source of livelihood. Vijay added that Rama had been living with Devdas for the past 15 years.
Police said Kartik, who went missing on October 27, was traced to his village in Uttar Pradesh’s Etah. A raid was conducted and he was arrested.
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Karnataka Maritime Board announces plans for Mangaluru Water Metro Project
Mangaluru (Karnataka), Nov 4: After being endowed with multi connectivity facilities like three national highways, port and airport, Mangaluru city is now looking at a significant move towards sustainable urban mobility as the Karnataka Maritime Board (KMB) has announced plans for the Mangaluru Water Metro Project (MWMP), officials said on Monday.
This ambitious initiative aims to transform public transportation in the state, utilising National Waterways to connect areas along the Nethravathi (NW-74) and Gurupura (NW-43) rivers, they said.
Set to become India's second-largest water transport system after Kochi, the project promises an eco-friendly, economical and efficient mode of travel, the officials said.
According to officials, the MWMP will connect isolated communities from Bajal to Maravoor, enhancing accessibility and promoting the holistic development of these regions. The initiative is expected to boost local livelihoods and improve the standard of living through integrated transport networks.
According to the project report available with PTI, the MWMP will be rolled out in phases, with the initial stretch covering 30 kilometres along the Nethravathi and Gurupura river backwaters.
The priority route, beginning at Bajal on the Nethravathi and extending to the Maravoor Bridge on the Gurupura, will feature around 17 modern Metro stations.
Key locations such as Someshwara Temple, Ullal and the New Mangalore Port are included in the proposed route. State-of-the-art electric and diesel catamaran boats will be deployed, equipped with essential amenities to ensure a high standard of comfort and operational efficiency.
A comprehensive Feasibility Report (FR) will assess the project's viability, presenting a detailed cost-benefit analysis, market potential, operational strategies and environmental considerations.
"The report will objectively evaluate the project's merits and challenges, providing crucial information for decision-makers, stakeholders and investors," they said.
Officials in the port and fisheries subdivision told PTI that key areas of analysis has been based on assessing the potential to decongest old port areas, exploring the feasibility of cargo movement using Roll-on/Roll-off (Ro-Ro) water metros, examining water level variations influenced by tidal flows, integration with feeder services to ensure seamless last-mile connectivity, demand forecasts over a 25-year period, based on extensive socio-economic research of usage and utility of the MWMP.
The project's Terms of Reference (ToR) emphasise sustainable development, involving thorough site identification, user demand assessments and environmental impact studies. Comprehensive surveys such as LIDAR mapping, bathymetric studies and topographical analysis will ensure accurate planning and implementation, the officials told.
Furthermore, technical collaborations with national institutes of repute will support studies on wave tranquillity, vessel height clearance and infrastructure recommendations for jetties and repair facilities, they said.
A detailed environmental monitoring programme will assess air and water quality, noise levels and aquatic biodiversity in line with Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MOEF&CC) guidelines, the officials added.
The officials of the Maritime Board said the MWMP promises significant economic and environmental benefits, from easing traffic congestion to reducing air pollution. The project will also explore non-fare revenue streams and develop models to ensure financial sustainability.
A socio-economic impact assessment will measure the project's contribution to regional development, backed by projected revenue from passenger fares and ancillary services, a senior official said.
The Board also aims at championing cleaner and greener transportation and to set a precedent for sustainable urban mobility, positioning Mangaluru as a progressive city that leverages its waterways, he added.
