UK cops probe murder of Indian restaurant manager killed while cycling home
London, Feb 21: A 36-year-old Indian restaurant manager was killed in a road collision while cycling home in the UK leading to a murder investigation by the British police, who have made eight arrests in the case this week.
Vignesh Pattabhiraman was cycling back from his work place at Indian restaurant Vel in Reading, south-east England, on February 14 when he was in a collision with a vehicle at the Cadugan Place junction in the city.
Thames Valley Police said he was declared dead after being rushed to the Royal Berkshire Hospital.
Shazeb Khalid, aged 24, arrested on suspicion of the murder has since been charged and appeared at Reading Magistrates Court on Wednesday. Seven men, aged 20, 21, 24, 27, 31, 41 and 48, all from the same city arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender have all been released on bail.
"Our thoughts remain with the family of Mr Raman, who are being supported by specially trained officers," said Senior investigating officer Detective Chief Inspector Stuart Brangwin, of Thames Valley Police's Major Crime Unit.
"We are continuing our investigation into the circumstances of his death, and arrests have now been made. I would like to take this opportunity to again appeal to anybody who has any information to please get in touch with Thames Valley Police," he said.
The Major Crime Unit officers have said there will continue to be a visible police presence in the area while their investigation continues to address any public concerns on site.
Meanwhile, a Just Giving charity initiative set up by Pattabhiraman's friends and family to help with repatriation costs and support for his grieving wife Ramya after the "senseless tragedy" has raised over GBP 39,000 within days.
"Vignesh was a committed restaurant manager at Vel, where he poured his heart and soul into his work, earning recognition for his exceptionally warm nature , customer service and work ethics. His dream of reaching a senior management position in the hotel industry was within reach, with an exciting opportunity awaiting him at Hyatt Regency Mayfair London," reads the page.
"We are rallying together to support Vignesh's grieving family during this unimaginably difficult time. Your generous contributions will provide much-needed financial assistance to help cover repatriation cost, funeral expenses, support his grieving wife, Ramya, and ease the burden on his family as they navigate this profound loss," it adds.
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Will vacate one of two assembly seats won in 10 days: BJP''s Suvendu
Kolkata (PTI): BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, who defeated West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in Bhabanipur and secured Nandigram for three times in a row in the recent assembly polls, said on Wednesday that he would vacate one of the two constituencies within 10 days.
Adhikari also asserted that the party's central leadership would decide which constituency he would retain.
"I will vacate one seat within 10 days. The party will decide which one I retain. I will not forget my responsibility towards the people of Bhabanipur and Nandigram," he said.
Adhikari on Monday defeated Banerjee in Bhabanipur by over 15,000 votes, puncturing what was long seen as her safest political refuge and delivering a decisive psychological blow to the TMC, amid a sweeping BJP surge across West Bengal.
Addressing party workers and supporters in Nandigram in Purba Medinipur district, the BJP leader appealed to them not to take out victory processions immediately and instead maintain peace.
"Do not take out victory rallies now. Maintain peace and discipline. Celebrate after May 9, after taking permission," he told party workers.
State BJP president Samik Bhattacharya on Wednesday announced that the oath-taking ceremony of the new government will be held on May 9 at Brigade Parade Ground.
Referring to alleged attacks on BJP workers during the TMC regime, Adhikari said he would not forget the “atrocities" faced by them and assured them of taking appropriate action against perpetrators through legal processes.
"I was part of the 2011 ‘poribartan’ (change), and now I am part of the real change. I offer my gratitude to the people of Nandigram," Adhikari said.
He was referring to the TMC's victory in 2011 when the Mamata Banerjee party dismantled the 34-year Left Front regime in the state.
Adhikari offered prayers at a Hanuman statue in Nandigram and remembered the BJP workers, who had died in political violence.
"We will work in such a way that the BJP government in Bengal stays for 100 years," he said, expressing hope that the BJP’s vote share in the state would rise from the current 46 per cent to 60 per cent in future elections.
The BJP leader also assured residents of Nandigram of improved drinking water supply and better hospital and education infrastructure.
