Godhra train carnage case: Life convict held in Pune four months after jumping parole
Pune (PTI): A 55-year-old life convict in Godhra train carnage case of 2002, who absconded after jumping parole in September last year, has been arrested in Maharashtra's Pune district in a theft case, police said on Monday.
Salim Zarda, who previously also jumped parole on eight occasions, was arrested by the Pune rural police on January 22 for a theft, they said, adding he has been handed over to the Nashik police in connection with a theft case registered there.
He was among the 31 persons convicted in the Godhra train carnage case, the police said.
Zarda, who was lodged at a prison in Gujarat, was released on a seven-day parole on September 17, 2024, but he failed to return.
"We arrested him and his gang members on January 22 for their involvement in thefts across rural Pune. During the investigation, his connection to the Godhra train carnage case came to light," Inspector Dinesh Tayde of Alephata police station said.
On February 27, 2002, the S-6 coach of the Sabarmati Express was burnt at Godhra in Gujarat, which killed 59 persons and triggered riots in the state.
Tayde said 31 persons had been convicted in the 2002 Godhra train carnage case. While 11 of them were initially sentenced to death, 20 got life term in the case.
"Zarda was among the 11 persons sentenced to death, but the (Gujarat) High Court later commuted their sentences to life imprisonment," he said.
Zarda and his gang members were arrested in Pune last month for allegedly stealing 40 tyres valued at more than Rs 2.49 lakh from a stationary truck on January 7, the official said.
They were also linked to similar thefts in Manchar area of Pune and Sinnar in Nashik. Stolen articles and a tempo truck valued at Rs 14.4 lakh have been recovered, the official said.
"Zarda and his associates used to operate in Pune and nearby districts, carrying out thefts," Tayde said.
Pankaj Deshmukh, Superintendent of Police, Pune rural, said the accused has been handed over to Nashik rural police in connection with a theft case registered at Sinnar police station.
"We will seek his custody again for a theft case registered at Manchar police station," he added.
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Bihar: Over 150 children fall ill after consuming 'mid-day meal' in Saharsa
Saharsa (PTI): More than 150 children were taken ill after allegedly consuming food that was part of the mid-day meal in a school in Bihar’s Saharsa district, a senior official said on Thursday.
The incident occurred at a middle school in Baluaha village of the district.
The official said that 115 children were undergoing treatment at the Sadar Hospital, while around 50 students were admitted to Mahishi Public Health Centre.
“We received information that several children fell ill after consuming the mid-day meal in Baluaha. The children were initially treated at the primary health centre, but later, many were referred to the Sadar Hospital,” Saharsa District Magistrate Deepesh Kumar told reporters.
“According to doctors, the health condition of the children has improved, but they will be kept under observation for some time. There is no need to panic. Some kids are having mild fever. They are being treated accordingly,” Kumar said.
Meanwhile, family members of some children claimed that a snake was found in the container in which cooked pulses was stored at the school.
Of the 545 students present in the school, 200 had already eaten their meals by the time the snake was spotted, and later complained of stomach ache and vomiting, they said.
Regarding the claims, the DM said food samples have been collected from the school.
“We will be able to comment on this only after the results of the tested samples arrive,” he said.
