Shimoga: In a significant development, the Shimoga Police have announced the arrest of two individuals in connection with the recent act of vandalism that led to the destruction of a Gandhi statue in Holehonur. Addressing a press conference, Shimoga SP GK Mithun Kumar provided details about the successful apprehension of the accused.

Three police teams comprising around 50 police personnel were formed to probe the incident, which occurred three days ago.

ALSO READ: CM Siddaramaiah promises honor to ISRO scientists at Vidhan Soudha for Chandrayaan-3 success

During the press conference, SP GK Mithun Kumar revealed that the arrested individuals have been identified as Ganesh and Vinay, both hailing from Chitradurga. The accused were located in Pandrahalli, near Chitradurga, and evidence suggests that they committed the act while en route from Chitradurga to Joga.

The SP also shared that the arrests were made based on a combination of technical data and local information. The investigation is ongoing, and further details are expected to emerge as the case progresses.

The arrested accused have been remanded to judicial custody, awaiting further legal proceedings. The district administration is also expected to address the restoration of the vandalized statue in due course.

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.



Etawah (UP), Sep 16: BJP's Etawah MLA Sarita Bhadauriya fell onto the railway tracks while vying to wave the green flag for the Agra-Varanasi Vande Bharat Express here on Monday.

Purported videos of the incident surfaced on social media.

The incident occurred amidst a crowded platform as the train arrived around 6 pm. The 61-year-old second-term BJP lawmaker was among a host of people holding the green flag as they stood at the platform, the video showed.

Following the virtual inauguration of the Vande Bharat train by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the train, numbered 20175, was flagged off by the Rail Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu from Agra.

When contacted by PTI, BJP's Etawah unit treasurer Sanjeev Bhadauriya said, "The MLA was helped off the track and she then waited for some time at the platform for the flag-off event."

"Later she consulted doctors and is resting at her home now. She did not suffer any visible physical injuries. If there is any internal injury, it is yet to be confirmed," Bhadauriya said.

The train made stops at Tundla before arriving at Etawah station. Upon its arrival, a commotion ensued on the platform as various political figures, including Samajwadi Party MP Jitendra Douwhare, former BJP MP Ram Shankar, and current MLA Sarita Bhadauriya, gathered to participate in the flag-off, the videos showed.

As the train's horn signalled its departure, the platform became chaotic with supporters jostling for position. In the ensuing melee, the MLA was pushed off the platform and she fell onto the railway tracks in front of the train, it showed.

The train was stopped in time by bystanders, preventing a major accident. Bhadauriya was quickly rescued from the tracks by the police and taken to the hospital, according to eyewitnesses.

Talking about the operation date for the Vande Bharat Express, PRO Prashasti Srivastava from the Agra division of the railways said that the date will be announced soon.

The train will cover the distance between Agra and Varanasi in approximately seven hours. The return train will operate as number 20176 from Varanasi to Agra, while the Agra-Varanasi service will be number 20175.