Suspected dinosaur-era fossils found during pond excavation in Jaisalmer; GSI probe ordered
Jaisalmer, Aug 21 (PTI): Fossil-like remains, including a large bone-shaped structure and petrified wood, have been discovered during the excavation of a pond near a village in Rajasthan's Jaisalmer district, raising the possibility of the site being linked to the prehistoric dinosaur era.
These unusual stone formations, resembling a large skeletal structure, were found in Megha village by locals while digging near the pond. Some of the pieces resemble fossilised wood, while others look like bones. Experts say fossilised wood is not uncommon in western Rajasthan, but the presence of bone-like formations makes this find unusual.
Fatehgarh Sub-Divisional Magistrate and the Tehsildar visited the site on Wednesday and inspected the remains.
"We have informed higher authorities, and a team from the Geological Survey of India (GSI) is expected at the spot for scientific investigation. After a complete investigation, we will be able to confirm the age and type of fossil," Fatehgarh SDM Bharatraj Gurjar told PTI on Thursday.
"Some of the structures have the appearance of petrified wood, but there is also a large formation which looks skeletal. This combination suggests that the remains could be millions of years old, possibly belonging to the dinosaur era," archaeologist Parth Jagani said.
However, experts cautioned against drawing conclusions before scientific tests.
"These remains are visible on the surface rather than coming out from deep excavation. It is possible that they are not very ancient and may be only 50 to 100 years old. Only carbon dating and other methods of scientific analysis can determine their true age," said Professor Shyam Sunder Meena.
Officials said the suspected fossils were found embedded in stone ridges near the pond, a setting often associated with ancient sedimentary deposits. Fossilised wood has previously been reported from the Thar desert, but the discovery of a skeletal-like structure in combination makes this case notable.
Villagers gathered at the site in large numbers after the discovery, sharing videos and photos of the remains on social media. The unusual find has sparked speculation that the site could provide new evidence of the region's prehistoric past.
Jaisalmer district, along with Barmer and Kutch in Gujarat, has previously yielded significant dinosaur-era fossils and footprints. Experts say the latest discovery, if authenticated, could add to Rajasthan's importance as a centre for palaeontological research in India.
Possible Jurassic-era fossils discovered in Megha village of Rajasthan's Jaisalmer
— WION (@WIONews) August 21, 2025
.
.
.
.
Video: ANI pic.twitter.com/I47DoDJaGE
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Kerala court sentences man to life imprisonment for doc's murder in hospital
_vb_42.jpeg)
Kollam (PTI): A teacher convicted in the sensational murder of Dr Vandana Das inside a hospital here was sentenced to life term on Saturday, and the prosecution said it will move an appeal seeking death penalty for the accused. The victim's family also batted for "maximum punishment".
Dr Das was brutally killed inside a taluk hospital in May 2023 by G Sandeep.
Kollam Additional District and Sessions judge P N Vinod sentenced Sandeep to a total of 30 years for various offences under the then Indian Penal Code (IPC) and said that after he serves that period, his life imprisonment for Das' murder will commence.
The court also imposed a fine of Rs 2.35 lakh on the convict.
Though the prosecution had sought death penalty for the accused during the arguments on sentence, the court was of the view that the case does not fall under the rarest-of-rare category to warrant the maximum punishment.
It was also of the view that there was a chance of the convict getting reformed as he told the court that the rest of his life would be one of repentance, the order on sentence said.
"At the same time, I agree with the stand of the prosecution to the effect that the sentence should commensurate with the gravity of the crime and the sentence should not only be reformative, but should also have a deterrent effect."
"In my view, the said objective can be achieved by directing that the term sentences that will be imposed will run consecutively and life sentence that has to be imposed will commence only after the expiration of terms sentences," the judge said.
After the verdict, special public prosecutor (SPP) Prathap G Padickal told reporters outside the court that he will recommend to the prosecution to file an appeal seeking enhancement of the life imprisonment to death penalty.
The victim's father said that the verdict has come as a relief for the family, but that he cannot authoritatively say whether his late daughter has got justice. He indicated his dissatisfaction with the punishment, saying that steps will be taken to seek its enhancement after discussions with the public prosecutor.
Dr Das' mother said that the family can only wish for the maximum punishment and it was up to the court to decide what sentence should be given. She said that the family will go in appeal, but declined to comment on whether her daughter got justice.
She tearfully said that she wants the convict to suffer the same pain that her daughter underwent "as he stabbed her 27 times".
The court on March 17 had convicted Sandeep for various offences under the IPC, including murder, destruction of evidence and wrongful restraint.
It had also held him guilty under the provisions of the Kerala Healthcare Service Persons and Healthcare Service Institutions (Prevention of violence and damage to property) Act 2012.
Sandeep was brought to the taluk hospital by the police for medical treatment during the small hours of May 10, 2023 and he went on a sudden attacking spree using a pair of surgical scissors kept in the room where his leg injury was being dressed.
A school teacher by profession, he had initially attacked the police officers and another person who had accompanied him to the hospital and then turned on the young Dr Das, who could not escape to safety.
She was stabbed several times and later succumbed to her injuries in a private hospital in Thiruvananthapuram where she was rushed following the attack.
Dr Das was a native of the Kaduthuruthy area of Kottayam district and the only child of her parents.
She was a house surgeon at Azeezia Medical College Hospital and was working at the Kottarakkara taluk hospital as part of her training.
Sandeep had called the emergency number 112, claiming that his life was in danger. When local police located him, he was standing close by his home, surrounded by local residents and his relatives, and had a wound on his leg following an alleged quarrel.
He was then taken to the hospital for dressing the wound.
_vb_97.jpeg)
_vb_62.jpeg)