Jaipur, Aug 28: The Rajasthan Police have solved the murder mystery surrounding the death of an elderly couple in Punavali village, under the Saira police station area. According to police, the crime was committed with the intention of robbing the couple.

The alleged mastermind was their neighbour, Kushal alias Khushi Paliwal.

Five accused have been arrested, while a sixth suspect has been detained. Police have also recovered the vehicle allegedly used in the crime.

According to District Superintendent of Police Amrita Duhan, the deceased, Lahrilal Paliwal and his wife, Radhabai, lived in Punavali.

On the night of August 11, their son, Manohar Lal, who lives in Gujarat, spoke to Radhabai over the phone. When the couple could not be found at home the following day, relatives and others began searching for them. On August 14, their bodies were found inside a storage chest, or bedding box, kept in the house.

Police investigation revealed that Kushal had allegedly been planning the crime for around a year and a half. Police said he had taken loans from individuals and banks and was struggling to repay them. Facing financial difficulties, he allegedly decided to target the couple, knowing that they often lived alone and kept jewellery and cash at home. On August 9, Kushal allegedly arrived in Punavali with his associates Chandan Yadav, Vikas Kharwad, and Dilip Chaudhary.

The group reportedly conducted a recce of the couple’s house and the surrounding area. Afterwards, they travelled via Gogunda towards Panariyo Madri. On their return, they stayed at a hotel near the Gogunda toll plaza, where police said they finalised their plan.

Kushal allegedly later involved his cousins, Kishan Paliwal and Jeevan Paliwal, in the scheme. On August 10, Kushal and Chandan reportedly visited Lahrilal’s house again.

As a neighbour, Kushal was allowed inside, and Radhabai served the two men a meal. During the visit, police said Kushal concealed a hammer that he found inside the house under his clothes. However, after noticing movement around the premises, the two men left. On the morning of August 11, Kushal and Chandan returned to the couple’s house but left when they found the door locked. Later that night, Kishan and Jeevan allegedly arrived at the house on the pretext of showing a horoscope. Lahrilal was upstairs at the time.

According to police, the two men distracted Radhabai, allowing Kushal to enter the house and hide in the bathroom. Kushal later messaged Kishan and Jeevan, instructing them to leave. Late that night, Kushal allegedly opened the door and allowed Chandan, Dilip, and Vikas to enter.

Police said the accused then went upstairs and killed Lahrilal by striking him on the head with a hammer. Radhabai was allegedly strangled while she was sleeping in a downstairs room.

The accused then reportedly placed both bodies in plastic bags and hid them inside the storage compartment of a bed, covering them with bedding.

Using Radhabai’s keys, they allegedly opened the wardrobe and stole jewellery and cash. Police said the accused also took the couple’s mobile phones and later discarded them on a highway while the devices were still switched on.

Investigators believe the suspects attempted to stage the scene to make it appear that the couple had left the house voluntarily. During the investigation, police analysed call records and location data from the deceased couple’s mobile phones and questioned local residents.

Technical analysis and other investigative leads eventually directed investigators towards a suspicious car. Police said the vehicle had been seen in the area on the nights of August 9-11 and again at around 5 a.m. on August 12. Its presence was also recorded at the Kherwara toll plaza.

Acting on information about the vehicle, police expanded their investigation and allegedly established the involvement of Kushal Paliwal and his associates.

The arrested accused were identified as Kushal alias Khushi Paliwal (26) of Punavali, currently residing in Surat; Chandan Yadav (27) of Samastipur, Bihar, currently residing in Surat; Dilip Chaudhary (30) of Surat; Kishan Paliwal (21) of Punavali and Jeevan Paliwal (21) of Punavali. Police have recovered the vehicle allegedly used in the crime, while a sixth accused has been detained.

Mumbai, Aug 28: Leaders across party lines on Friday expressed concern over the devastating floods in Nepal and called for intensified rescue and relief efforts, particularly for Indians stranded in the neighbouring country.

BJP’s Maharashtra MLA Ram Kadam said helping a neighbouring country during a crisis has been a long-standing tradition in India. He also highlighted the concerns of Indians who had travelled to Nepal for the Kailash Yatra and were now stranded.

“Protecting one’s neighbour and supporting one’s neighbour in times of crisis has been a tradition in India since ancient times. Many Indians also went there for the Kailash Yatra and are stranded. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis is a very sensitive person. He personally spoke with them to discuss how to bring them back. The Indian government is also making efforts. Some people from Maharashtra are stranded, and the Maharashtra government is also making efforts,” he said.

Congress Uttar Pradesh President Ajay Rai described the situation in Nepal as unfortunate and urged the Centre to send additional relief material to assist those affected.

“The tragedy that has occurred in Nepal is very unfortunate, and we all stand with Nepal. I would urge the Government of India to send as much relief material as possible there so that the people there can be helped,” he said.

Congress MP Imran Masood expressed concern over the disaster and the possibility of further flooding. Responding to reports about China’s alert regarding another possible flood in Nepal, he said: “May God make things better. May Allah ensure that nothing unfortunate happens.”

Shiv Sena-UBT spokesperson Anand Dubey said the scale of the disaster was deeply distressing and emphasised the close ties between India and Nepal.

“It is very tragic and sad news that a huge natural disaster, a tragedy, has hit our neighbour Nepal. According to the information received so far, more than 400 people have died, and around 1,000 people are missing, including many people from India as well. So first, we stand with them,” he said.

Dubey also appreciated the efforts of the Indian Army and Air Force in relief and rescue operations and said India and Nepal shared deep familial and economic ties.

Union Minister Ramdas Athawale said the floods had caused extensive damage and that several Indians, including tourists from Maharashtra, were missing or stranded.

“A major flood has hit Nepal, causing extensive damage, with many people losing their lives and several others missing. Rescue and relief operations are underway, and some tourists from Maharashtra and other parts of India are stranded there. The state government is making efforts to bring the stranded Maharashtra tourists back safely,” he said.

DMK spokesperson T.K.S. Elangovan said party MP Dayanidhi Maran had already written to the External Affairs Minister, urging the government to locate people who remained unaccounted for and take necessary action.

“Nepal is another country and not part of India, so the External Affairs Ministry has to intervene and do something. That is what our MP Dayanidhi Maran had written to the minister,” he said.

West Bengal Minister Shankar Ghosh said coordinated efforts were being made to rescue people in Nepal, including Indian tourists and those who had travelled there for religious purposes.

“The government is making every possible effort to rescue the people of Nepal, as well as those who went to Nepal as tourists or to visit Manas. There are joint efforts being made from all sides, and we are hopeful that we will receive some information,” he said.

Samajwadi Party spokesperson Fakhrul Hasan Chand expressed grief over the deaths and conveyed condolences to the families of the victims. He also raised concerns over reports that Nepal may not have been adequately informed about the possibility of the disaster.

“The incident in Nepal is very sad. The Samajwadi Party expresses deep grief over the incident and conveys its condolences to the families who have lost their loved ones,” he said, calling the situation a major international tragedy.

Trinamool Congress MP Sougata Ray said the exact extent of the loss of life was still unclear and expressed concern over Indians who remained stranded or unaccounted for.

“The incident in Nepal is a very tragic and difficult disaster. It is still not clear how many people have lost their lives. Many Indian citizens are stranded there, and their families have not been able to receive any information about them. More than 300 people from Bengal are reportedly unaccounted for there. So, this is a very major tragedy,” he said.

Shiv Sena-UBT MP Sanjay Raut also urged the Centre to provide large-scale assistance to Nepal and rescue stranded Indians.

“Many people from India are stranded and missing, including more than 60 people from Maharashtra. Given the extent of this devastation, I believe the Government of India must step in and provide large-scale assistance to rescue and support everyone — not just our citizens, but all the people of Nepal,” Raut said.

New Delhi, Aug 28: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday celebrated Raksha Bandhan with children at his residence at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg, sharing moments of smiles, high-fives and interaction with schoolchildren.

PM Modi shared a reel on his Instagram account and said, “Hi5, smiles and more during today’s Raksha Bandhan celebrations at 7, LKM.”

In the video, the Prime Minister can be seen interacting with schoolchildren and exchanging warm greetings with them. During the interaction, a child asked PM Modi about his childhood dream.

Responding to the question, the Prime Minister said, “Aap logon se milne ka (to meet all of you)”.

PM Modi was also seen shaking hands and exchanging high-fives with the children, who could be heard laughing and giggling during the interaction. He also blessed the children and spent time engaging with them during the Raksha Bandhan celebrations.

Earlier in the day, PM Modi also extended greetings to the people on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan and wished that the bond of love, affection and mutual trust would remain forever unbreakable.

PM Modi took to social media ‘X’ and said, “Heartfelt wishes on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan. May this sacred festival bring happiness, prosperity, and success into all your lives. May the bond of love, affection, and mutual trust remain forever unbreakable—that is my heartfelt wish.”

Raksha Bandhan celebrates the bond of love, affection and protection between brothers and sisters. Traditionally, sisters tie colourful rakhis around their brothers’ wrists and pray for their health, happiness and prosperity. Brothers, in turn, express their affection by offering gifts and pledging to stand by their sisters through life’s challenges.

The festival is observed on Purnima, the full moon day, of the Hindu month of Shravana. This year, Raksha Bandhan is being celebrated on Friday.

As part of the traditional celebrations, sisters apply a tilak on their brothers’ foreheads before tying the rakhi, while families exchange sweets and gifts.

Raksha Bandhan is primarily celebrated in India and Nepal and is observed during the Hindu lunar calendar month of Shravana, which generally falls in August according to the Gregorian calendar.