Bus accident: T'gana govt to send team to Saudi for relief efforts, announces Rs five lakh ex-gratia
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Hyderabad (PTI): The Telangana government on Monday decided to depute a team, led by Minorities Welfare Minister Mohammad Azharuddin, to Saudi Arabia to coordinate relief efforts following the bus accident there in which several city residents were killed.
The government has also decided to conduct the funeral of the deceased as per religious traditions in Saudi Arabia and to provide ex-gratia of Rs five lakh each to the kin of those who died, an official release said.
Two members from each family of the victims would be taken to Saudi Arabia, it said.
The team, to be led by Azharuddin, would comprise an MLA of Asaduddin Owaisi-led AIMIM and an official of the minorities welfare department, it added.
Meanwhile, the Telangana Haj Committee said in a note released to the media that 10 children were among the victims.
It said pilgrims, who used the services of four travel agencies, were travelling to Madina for Ziyarath when the accident occurred around 1.30 AM at Mufrihat, about 25 km from Madina.
At least 45 people, most of them from Hyderabad, were killed after the bus they were travelling in collided with an oil tanker, the city police said on Monday citing preliminary information.
However, there is no official word so far from Saudi authorities and the government of India over the casualties.
VIDEO | Hyderabad: Telangana Minister Mohammed Azharuddin addresses a press conference, sharing key updates on the Saudi Arabia bus accident.
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) November 17, 2025
(Full video available on PTI Videos – https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) pic.twitter.com/tNPqswOxI5
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National Herald case: Shivakumar to seek time next week to appear before Delhi police
New Delhi/Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Monday said he will ask for time from Delhi police to appear before them next week, to provide required information as part of the probe into the National Herald case.
He said he will seek time after the ongoing winter session of Karnataka legislature ends on December 19. He will also ask the Delhi police to provide him the FIR copy.
Shivakumar, who is in the national capital, had earlier said that he will appear before the Delhi police on Monday. But, he postponed the plan in order to rush back to Karnataka to participate in the last rites of veteran Congress leader Shamanuru Shivashankarappa, scheduled later in the day in Davangere.
"I had to go (to appear before the Delhi police), but I have to go back urgently. I'm asking them for time, stating that I will come next week," Shivakumar told reporters in New Delhi.
"They (Delhi police) have not attached the FIR copy while issuing notice to me. I need FIR copy, because we had already given all the required replies to the ED. I don't know what the FIR says, I only read in papers. They have given notice, I will ask for a FIR copy. I will come next week after the Assembly session."
The Delhi Police had issued a notice to Shivakumar, who is also the Karnataka Congress chief, seeking financial and transactional details as part of its probe into the National Herald case.
The notice issued by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) states that Shivakumar is "supposed to be having vital information" pertaining to the National Herald case registered on October 3 this year, against top Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi.
In the notice dated November 29, the EOW had asked Shivakumar to appear before it or provide the requested information by December 19 latest.
Investigators have sought details about his personal background, his association with the Congress party, and a complete break up of funds allegedly transferred by him or associated entities to Young Indian.
To a question on meeting AICC General Secretaries K C Venugopal and Randeep Singh Surjewala, amid the ongoing power tussle between him and CM Siddaramaiah over the Chief Minister post, Shivakumar said when he comes to Delhi, he usually meets every one.
"Whether it is Surjewala or Kharge (AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge) or Venugopal, I will meet everyone. During lunch yesterday I met Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi. I have met everyone. What's wrong?" he asked.
Shivakumar was in Delhi to take part in Congress' "Vote Chori" rally on Sunday, and had also participated in the lunch organised by the party for its leaders.
Responding to a question, whether any meeting is planned with leaders today, the Deputy CM said, he and Kharge will be travelling together to Karnataka, to pay last respects to Shamanuru Shivashankarappa.
Asked if he will seek time for a separate meeting with Congress leadership including Rahul Gandhi, during the next visit to Delhi, Sivakumar said, "such things will be there between us in the party.... you don't worry."
