Maharashtra: 153 Dahi Handi participants injured in Mumbai, 64 in Thane city
Mumbai/Thane (PTI): As many as 153 'Govindas' or Dahi Handi participants were injured while forming human pyramids during Krishna Janmashtami celebrations in Mumbai, while 64 suffered injuries in Thane city, civic officials said on Saturday.
In Mumbai, while most of the injured persons were discharged after treatment, 23 others were admitted to hospitals and their condition is stable, they said.
In Thane city, the home turf of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, 12 out of the 64 injured are being treated at hospitals, but all of them are out of danger, the officials said.
Dahi Handi, part of the Krishna Janmashtami festivities, was celebrated with extra fervour across the state on Friday after the COVID-19 pandemic-induced hiatus of two years. Troupes of 'Govindas' competed with each other to form human towers to break earthen pots ('handi') containing buttermilk and curd ('dahi') suspended high in the air.
The festival is especially celebrated on a large scale in Mumbai, Thane and the adjoining areas. Dahi Handi events and Govinda troupes receive considerable political patronage in these cities.
Of the 153 injured persons in Mumbai, as many as 40 persons were treated at the civic-run KEM Hospital, followed by 17 at Rajawadi Hospital and 14 at Cooper Hospital, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) officials said.
Civic-run hospitals, including Nair Hospital treated 12 participants, Sion Hospital 10, Trauma Care Hospital six, Bhabha Hospital five, Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Hospital three and Shatabdi Hospital treated two participants.
A civic official said that many injured participants were also treated at state-run hospitals. Thirteen participants were treated at state-run GT Hospital, five at Saint George hospital and three at JJ hospital, while several others at private medical facilities.
Chief of Thane Municipal Corporation's Regional Disaster Management Cell (RDMC), Avinash Sawant, said, "A total of 64 participants suffered injuries while forming human pyramids as part of Dahi Handi celebrations in Thane city on Friday. Most of the injured were provided treatment by the medical teams present on the spot."
While nine of the injured are being treated at Kalwa Civic Hospital, two others are undergoing treatment at the District Civil Hospital, and one at Kaushalya Hospital, he said.
"All of them are out of danger and recovering," Sawant said.
On Thursday, CM Shinde had informed the state Legislative Assembly that the government has decided to accord adventure sport status to Dahi Handi. The adventure sport tag will allow young participants at these events to apply for government jobs under the sports quota.
Participants or their families will also be provided compensation if the participants suffer injuries while forming human pyramids, the chief minister had said.
Government hospitals had been instructed to treat injured Govindas free of cost.
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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.
