UP man killed in Riyadh in missile attack, claims family
Sitapur (UP) (PTI): A 26-year-old man was killed in a suspected missile attack in Riyadh, his family alleged on Saturday, claiming that they were yet to give an official confirmation.
Ravi Gopal from Baghain village in Mahmudabad Police Station limits had been working as a driver in a plastic factory in the Saudi capital since September 2025, his family said.
Ritu, his wife, said Ravi last spoke to the family on March 18 around 9.30 pm.
"The call got disconnected after about 20 minutes, and when we tried calling back, we found the phone switched off. We also tried contacting his friends there, but could not reach anyone," she said.
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According to the family, they were informed about Ravi's death the next day by his friend Ram Niwas, a native of Barabanki who also works in Saudi Arabia.
Ram Niwas told them that Ravi died in a missile strike near the factory.
Ravi's elder brother, Manmohan Dayal, said that they were told that Ravi was working when he was buried in the debris from a missile attack.
"He was taken to a hospital where doctors declared him dead. Ram Niwas identified the body," he said.
Dayal said local police in Mahmudabad have contacted the family to collect details of the incident and Ravi's employment for verification.
A relative of the family, who also works in Saudi Arabia and is currently about 1,400 km away from Riyadh, is expected to reach there to help confirm the death.
Ravi was the sole breadwinner of his family, and he is survived by his wife and four-year-old son.
The family has urged the administration to provide compensation and facilitate the return of his body to their village.
Mehmudabad Sub-Divisional Magistrate B K Singh told PTI that the administration was in regular contact with the family members to coordinate the next steps.
"The details of the family have been gathered and shared with the government for further action. The administration is in touch with the family members," Singh said.
At an inter-ministerial briefing, Additional Secretary (Gulf) in the Ministry of External Affairs, Aseem R Mahajan, said on Friday that the government had received information late on March 18 regarding the "tragic demise of an Indian national" during an attack in Riyadh, though he did not elaborate on the circumstances.
He offered his condolences to the bereaved family and said the Indian Mission in Riyadh is in touch with them and coordinating with local authorities for the early return of the mortal remains.
The Indian Embassy in Riyadh also said in a social media post that an Indian national was killed on March 18.
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Cabs should accommodate wheelchairs or assistive devices of persons with disabilities: SC
New Delhi (PTI): The Supreme Court on Friday emphasised the need to find ways to assist people with disabilities, and suggested that cab services should be equipped to accommodate wheelchairs and other assistive devices for them.
The observations came from a bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta, which was hearing a plea regarding first-mile and last-mile connectivity for people with disabilities.
"Now, in larger metros, there are cabs everywhere. Cabs should also be asked to accommodate wheelchairs or assistive devices of these persons," the bench said, proposing the idea of having specific cabs designated for persons with disabilities.
"The apps can have provision for specified cabs which have been accordingly modified for these individuals," the bench said, adding, "We have to find out the ways and means to help them."
The counsel appearing for the petitioner referred to the difficulties faced by people with disabilities while boarding cabs.
"Most cabs are equipped with CNG, which limits space and does not allow for wheelchairs to be transported in the back," the counsel said.
He proposed implementing a universal design similar to what is available in European markets.
"Take the case of a person whose house is, say, one km away from the highway or the main road. He comes on an automated wheelchair. If he doesn't accommodate it in the cab, where does he leave it?" the bench asked the counsel appearing for the Centre.
In response, the Centre's counsel stated that these issues are currently under review by the relevant department. They also informed the bench that a committee had been appointed by the Supreme Court to address a separate petition that raised similar concerns.
The bench observed that the issue raised in this petition could also be considered by that committee.
The petitioner's counsel said that they had a specific case concerning last-mile connectivity, distinct from broader issues.
"That specific issue can also be taken up by the committee, which is already dealing with larger issues," the bench observed.
The petitioner's counsel reminded the court that cabs are now an integral part of public transport.
The Supreme Court has scheduled further hearings on the plea for March 24.
