National News
14 Dead, 6 Missing As 45-Year-Old Gambhira Bridge Collapses In Gujarat Despite Prior Safety Warnings In 2022
Vadodara: The death toll in the collapse of a span of the 45-year-old Gambhira Bridge over the Mahisagar River, connecting Central Gujarat to Saurashtra, has risen to 14, while six persons are still missing. In this incident, vehicles including two trucks, two pickups and a rickshaw passing over the bridge fell into the Mahisagar River flowing on both banks.
Official sources said that 14 people have died in this accident, while more than 8 people were rescued. On Thursday morning, during the search operation of the NDRF, one more body was found, which has been sent to the Padra Community Health Center. Six people are still missing and the rescue operation is going on in the river.
Three members of the same family from Vadodara’s Mujpur village have died in this accident. Mujpur village was in a state of shock as the last rites of a father, son and daughter were done simultaneously. Father Rameshbhai, son Naiktik, and daughter Vaidika were all on their way to complete the Bagdana Badha and met death on the way.
In less than a month of the tragic Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad killing 260 people, Gujarat witnessed yet another incident where the dilapidated bridge’s span of Gambhira bridge collapsed killing 14 people.
This accident took place around 7 to 7-30 am on Wednesday. According to the locals, three trucks, two Eco, one rickshaw, one pickup and two bikes have fallen into the river due to the collapse of the bridge.
The deceased have been identified as Vaidika Rameshbhai Padhiyar, Naitik Rameshbhai Padhiyar, Hasmukhbhai Mahijibhai Parmar,Rameshbhai Dalpatbhai Padhiyar, age 32, Vakhatsinh Manusinh Jadav, Pravinbhai Raojibhai Jadav, age 26, village-Undel and three other unidentified persons.
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel tweeted, “The tragedy caused by the collapse of one of the 23 spans of the Gambhira Bridge connecting Anand and Vadodara is tragic. I pray for the peace of the souls of the deceased who lost their lives in the accident. Instructions have been given to arrange for the immediate treatment of the injured by talking to the Vadodara Collector and making arrangements on priority”
“The fire brigade team of the local municipality and Vadodara Municipal Corporation are working with boats and swimmers at the accident site for rescue and relief operations, as well as the NDRF team has also reached the scene and joined the rescue operation. Orders have been given to the Road Construction Department to immediately investigate this accident”
Ignored Warnings Since 2022
In August 2022, Harshadsinh Parmar, a member of the Vadodara District Panchayat, warned authorities in writing. He addressed a letter to the Executive Engineer of the Roads and Buildings (R&B) Division, urging an immediate site inspection of the Gambhira Bridge and called for its closure.
“The bridge was in a very dilapidated condition, and I clearly feared an accident due to heavy vehicle traffic,” Parmar told reporters. “I demanded it be shut and a new bridge constructed. But they only did superficial repairs.”
Not only that — Parmar even cited the Morbi Bridge collapse in his correspondence to stress the consequences of neglect. His warnings were echoed by the Additional Secretary of the Vadodara Collector’s Office, who issued an order to inspect the bridge and publish a test report. However, no action followed beyond minor patchwork.
A Bridge Known to Be Unsafe
Despite being officially declared unsafe in 2022, the Gambhira Bridge continued to serve full vehicular traffic, including trucks and buses. Sources reveal that while a new bridge project worth ₹212 crore had been approved, no groundwork ever began.
“The administration chose to ignore every red flag,” said Rekha Solanki, a local activist. “This isn’t an accident. It’s administrative murder.”
The bridge’s collapse comes just two days after the state government held a meeting on infrastructure affected by heavy rains. The timing has only intensified public outrage.
National News
Mumbai: Woman, 21-year-old biker killed in high-speed collision on Mahim Causeway

New Delhi, July 29: A 50-year-old woman and a 21-year-old motorcyclist were killed after a speeding motorcycle hit the woman while she was crossing the road on Mumbai Mahim Causeway on Tuesday night, police said.
According to Mahim Police, the accident occurred at around 9:20 p.m. on General Arun Kumar Vaidya Marg near Mahim Causeway. The deceased have been identified as Mangala Tandel (50) and Dhruv Manoj Gurav (21), both residents of Mahim.
Police said Mangala Tandel was crossing the road along with her two daughters to visit a relative who lived on the opposite side when a speeding KTM motorcycle allegedly struck her. The impact left both Tandel and the rider critically injured.
Mangala’s husband, Ashok Tandel, who works with Bank of Baroda, told police that he was at home when he heard a loud crash. Rushing outside, he found his wife and the motorcycle rider lying seriously injured on the road, with the KTM motorcycle at the scene.
With the help of local residents, Mangala was rushed to Raheja Hospital, where doctors declared her dead on arrival.
Meanwhile, the injured rider, identified as Dhruv Gurav, was initially taken to Bhabha Hospital before being shifted to Raheja Hospital for further treatment. He later succumbed to his injuries during treatment, police said.
Mahim Police said they are awaiting the rider’s blood sample report to determine whether he was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the accident.
Based on a complaint filed by Ashok Tandel, Mahim Police have registered a case against Dhruv Manoj Gurav under Sections 106(1) and 281 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and relevant provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. Police alleged that Gurav was riding the motorcycle in a rash and negligent manner at high speed, leading to the fatal collision.
Crime
Hyderabad Police officer suspended on allegation of sexually exploiting woman

Hyderabad, July 29: Station House Officer (SHO) of Jubilee Hills Police Station in Hyderabad has been suspended following allegations of sexually exploiting a woman and blackmailing and threatening her.
Hyderabad Police Commissioner V.C. Sajjanar issued orders suspending Station House Officer U. Srinivasulu Reddy. An announcement to this effect was made late on Tuesday night.
Following the allegations by a 31-year-old woman from Sangareddy district, the officer was sent to the Vacancy Reserve. After the preliminary investigation, the Commissioner ordered his suspension, pending a departmental inquiry.
The woman had complained to the Director General of Police (DGP) C.V. Anand that Srinivasulu sexually assaulted her, forced her to undergo an abortion and threatened her. She also accused him of physically assaulting her.
She alleged that the SHO was blackmailing her by threatening to post her personal videos and demanding that she pay Rs 2 crore. She claimed she had paid several thousands of rupees on different occasions.
The incident dates back to 2021, when she approached Ameenpur police station over a family dispute. Srinivasulu was then serving as an inspector there. She alleged that he later contacted her regarding the case and gradually demanded sexual favours.
The woman alleged that Srinivasulu later asked her to visit his residence in KPHB and, when she refused, he threatened to come to her house. She alleged that he later sexually assaulted her at his residence. She also claimed that he took her to a hospital when she became pregnant, where she underwent an abortion.
The woman also alleged that Srinivasulu had paid Rs 25 lakh to get posted as Jubilee Hills SHO.
Reddy, who was posted as SHO of Jubilee Hills just four months ago, denied the allegations. He reportedly told senior officials that the woman threatened him and extorted money from him.
Police are likely to record the statements of both the suspended officer and the complainant as part of the investigation into the allegations.
Crime
Karnataka MLA threatens to destroy LoP Rahul Gandhi’s family like Babri Masjid; FIR registered

Bengaluru, July 29: Karnataka Police on Wednesday registered an FIR against BJP MLA Yashpal Suvarna after he allegedly said that Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi’s family would be “destroyed” in the same manner as the Babri Masjid was demolished in 1992.
The FIR was registered by the Udupi Town Police Station based on a complaint filed by Ashok Kumar Kodavoor, president of the Udupi District Congress Committee. Police have invoked Sections 57, 192, 196(2), 352, 353(2), and 351(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Addressing a public programme organised by the BJP in Udupi, Suvarna threatened the Congress leadership, stating: “If you continue to enact such dramas, just as our party workers destroyed the Babri Masjid in 1992 when our sentiments were hurt, the Congress dynasty and Rahul Gandhi’s family will likewise be destroyed.”
The remarks have triggered a major political controversy in Karnataka, with the Congress accusing the BJP of resorting to hate speech and intimidation. Video clips of the speech have since gone viral on social media, prompting demands for immediate legal action.
KPCC Working President and MLC, Manjunatha Bhandary, said the Karnataka government had taken the matter seriously and would ensure that strict action is taken in accordance with the law. He described Suvarna’s statements as “hateful, derogatory and provocative” and said they were unbecoming of a public representative who has taken an oath to uphold the Constitution.
Bhandary said that the BJP was attempting to divert attention from the NEET question paper leak controversy and the nationwide protests over the issue by targeting LoP Rahul Gandhi through personal attacks. He also criticised other BJP legislators who were present at the event for failing to condemn the remarks.
“The silence of other elected representatives present at the programme may be construed by the public as tacit support for such statements,” Bhandary said, adding that political differences cannot justify defamation, hate speech or threats.
He further stated that the remarks posed a threat to communal harmony and law and order, particularly in the coastal region, and said he would take up the matter with the State Home Minister to seek appropriate directions for expediting the investigation.
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