Meerut: In a shocking case of debt-driven desperation, a doctor from Baghpat allegedly burned a labourer alive in Saharanpur to fake his own death and evade repayment of a Rs 30 lakh loan. The police arrested Dr Mubarik Ahmed, 35, after his plan unravelled due to the identification of the victim’s charred body.
According to SP (City) Abhimanyu Manglik, Dr Mubarik, overwhelmed by debt, sought to stage his own death to enable his family to claim insurance money and settle his loans. When he failed to procure a corpse for the scheme, he targeted Sonu, a 32-year-old daily wage labourer known for his struggles with alcohol. Sonu had been acquainted with the doctor for three years.
Last Sunday, the doctor reportedly lured Sonu with the promise of free drinks. After getting him intoxicated, Dr Mubarik drove him to an isolated spot near a canal in Saharanpur, locked him inside a car, and set it on fire. He fled the scene, leaving behind the burnt body as a decoy for his supposed death.
The plot began to unravel when a passer-by discovered the burnt car on Monday and alerted the police. Forensic teams initiated an investigation, and by Thursday, Sonu’s family, troubled by his absence, reported him missing. Locals informed the police that Sonu was last seen drinking with Dr Mubarik.
During interrogation, Dr Mubarik confessed to the crime. He has been charged under IPC s. 302 (murder) and s. 201 (causing disappearance of evidence) and sent to jail.
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Bengaluru (PTI): The Karnataka government has issued directions to municipal corporations across the state to regulate and prohibit feeding pigeons in public places, citing serious public health concerns.
Deputy Secretary to Government V Lakshmikanth has written to the Urban Development Department requesting it to issue directions to the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) and all municipal corporations to take immediate steps to implement the measures.
In an official note dated December 16 issued by the Health and Family Welfare Department and released to the media on Wednesday, the department said uncontrolled feeding of pigeons in public places has resulted in large congregations of birds, excessive droppings and serious health concerns, particularly respiratory illnesses linked to prolonged exposure to pigeon droppings and feathers such as hypersensitivity pneumonitis and other lung diseases.
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"The commissioner, the Greater Bengaluru Authority and the Commissioners and chief officers of other municipal corporations shall take necessary action to mitigate the causes of dangerous disease spread by pigeon and enforce specified guidelines in their respective jurisdiction," the note said.
According to the department, these include a prohibition on feeding pigeons or causing pigeons to be fed in areas where it may cause nuisance or pose a health hazard to the public. Pigeon feeding shall be permitted only in designated areas in a controlled manner, subject to certain conditions.
"The designated areas may be selected in consultation with stakeholders. The responsibility for upkeep of the designated areas and compliance to the directions shall be taken up by some charitable organisation or an NGO. The feeding in designated areas shall be permitted only for some limited hours in the day," it said.
The note further stated that authorised officers of local authorities shall issue on-the-spot warnings and may impose fines for violation of the order, or lodge complaints to prosecute offenders under Sections 271 (Negligent act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) and 272 (Malignant act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
It also directed local authorities to conduct public awareness campaigns, including the display of signboards, banners and digital messages, explaining the health hazards associated with pigeon droppings and feathers, the content of the regulatory directions and penalties for violations, and alternative humane methods of bird conservation that do not endanger public health.
