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Sivaganga quarry tragedy: TN govt orders statewide inspection of stone quarries

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Chennai, May 24: In the wake of a deadly rockslide at a stone quarry in Sivaganga that claimed six lives, the Tamil Nadu Department of Geology and Mining has issued a statewide directive to inspect stone quarries and tighten safety protocols.

According to the order, deputy and assistant directors in each district must conduct safety inspections in at least 10 quarries every month and submit detailed reports to the Commissionerate.

District Collectors and Zonal Joint Directors of mining have also been directed to supervise inspection efforts and ensure strict enforcement of regulations.

The initiative is aimed at addressing growing concerns over safety violations and illegal operations in the state’s stone quarrying sector.

Activists have long alleged rampant irregularities, including the unauthorised use of explosives, which they say are responsible for the increasing number of fatal incidents in recent years.

In one such incident, three people died in an explosion in Virudhunagar, while another worker was killed in Tirupur after an oxygen cylinder exploded during unloading.

A communication from the mining department to all districts underscored the life-threatening risks posed by rockslides and blasts. It cited poor adherence to safety guidelines and regulatory conditions as key contributors to the accidents.

The department emphasised the urgent need for inspections to enforce proper safety. The Sivaganga rockslide is the latest in a string of quarry-related accidents in Tamil Nadu, particularly as the demand for M-sand in construction has increased the scale of quarrying operations.

In August last year, two people died in a blast at an illegal quarry in TN Palayam near Gobichettipalayam. Investigations into the Sivaganga accident are currently underway.

Police officials said they are awaiting drone survey results and a technical analysis of the quarry operator’s blasting methods.

“The revenue and mines department has completed drone surveys across all five quarries in Sivaganga district,” an official confirmed.

Crime

Mumbai Crime: CBI Arrests Long-Absconding Bank Fraud Accused After 21 Years

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Mumbai: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has successfully arrested the accused Dinesh D. Gehlot, a proclaimed offender in a high-value bank fraud case, pursuant to sustained and meticulous efforts made by the investigating team.

The case was registered on 31.05.2004 for defrauding Bank of Baroda. It was alleged that the accused Dinesh D. Gehlot, had dishonestly applied for housing loan by the use of forged and fabricated documents.

Charge Sheet Filed in 2007, Accused Remained Untraceable

After completion of investigation, a charge sheet was filed in the case on 30.04.2007, making the accused Dinesh D. Gehlot as one of the conspirators for cheating and defrauding the Bank of Baroda. The accused failed to join the trial or respond to summons/warrants and was untraceable since 2024.

Multiple Non-Bailable Warrants (NBWs) were issued against him. Finally, on 09.12.2024, the Hon. Special Judge for CBI, Greater Bombay ordered to issue Proclamation warrant against him. Despite sustained efforts over the time to trace him, the absconding accused had remained untraceable.

Absconding Accused Frequently Changed Residences

The accused Dinesh D. Gehlot had frequently changed residences. He had misled the local residents about his real identity and had maintained minimal interaction with locals, further hindering efforts to trace him.

CBI Employs Advanced Technology to Locate Accused

The CBI through the deployment of advanced technological tools and identity-tracking databases, meticulously analyzed the digital footprint of the absconding accused to ascertain his current identity and location. Supplemented by extensive field investigations and on-ground inquiries, the CBI team successfully located the accused Dinesh D. Gehlot in Noida.

Accused Apprehended and Remanded to Judicial Custody

Pursuant to his identification, the accused Dinesh D. Gehlot was apprehended on 20.08.2025 and produced before the Competent Court at Mumbai, which remanded him to judicial custody for the purpose of further trial proceedings. The accused is presently undergoing trial.

CBI Highlights Technology and Persistence in Law Enforcement

“This case is a classic example of how the integration of technology-driven intelligence platforms with the persistent and coordinated efforts of investigating officers on the ground can substantially augment the operational capabilities of law enforcement agencies in tracing and apprehending long-absconding offenders,” said a CBI official.

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After ED, CBI raids premises linked to Anil Ambani in Rs 2,000 crore bank fraud case

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Mumbai, Aug 23: Days after the Enforcement Directorate (ED) questioned businessman Anil Ambani in a money laundering case, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Saturday raided premises linked to Reliance Communications (RCOM) and its Promoter Director.

The raids, conducted at multiple places in Mumbai, were in connection with an alleged fraud that caused a loss of over Rs 2,000 crore to the State Bank of India (SBI), according to sources.

The SBI classified RCOM and 66-year-old Ambani as “fraud” on June 13 in accordance with the Reserve Bank of India’s Master Directions on Fraud Risk Management and the Bank’s Board-approved Policy on Classification, Reporting & Management of Frauds.

In its letter to RCom, SBI said it found deviation in the utilisation of loans, involving a complex web of fund movements across multiple group entities.

“We have taken cognisance of the responses to our show-cause notice and after due examination of the same, it is concluded that sufficient reasons have not been provided by the respondent, to explain the non-adherence to the agreed terms and conditions of the loan documents or the irregularities observed in the conduct of the account of RCL to the satisfaction of the bank,” the bank said.

As per RBI guidelines, after a bank classifies an account as “fraud”, the lender should then report it to the RBI within 21 days of detection and also report the case to the CBI or police.

Earlier this month, Anil Ambani faced a gruelling nine-hour interrogation at the ED headquarters in the national capital regarding an alleged Rs 17,000-crore loan fraud case.

The regulator was set to call Anil Ambani again for questioning in a couple of days, according to sources.

Reliance Group Chairman had reportedly sought 7-10 days from the probe agency to submit documents related to the alleged scam.

According to sources, Anil Ambani sought to deny any involvement in the case, maintaining that all financial decisions were taken by the internal board of his companies, and that he only signed them.

The ED had conducted raids at locations linked to Anil Ambani’s Reliance Group. Investigators seized a large number of documents, hard drives, and other digital records from several sites in Mumbai and Delhi. The raids began as part of a money laundering investigation into the Yes Bank loan fraud case.

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Crime

Mumbai: 4-Year-Old Girl With Mental Health Condition Dies After Accidentally Falling Into Water Bucket In Malad East

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Mumbai: A four-year-old girl tragically died after accidentally falling headfirst into a water-filled bucket at her home in Malad East. The incident occurred on August 19, when her family was collecting water during the limited supply hours. She was rushed to a nearby hospital, where doctors declared her dead. The Dindoshi police have registered a case of accidental death.

Police Note Child Had Mental Health Condition

The deceased, identified as Akriti Yadav, lived with her parents and two siblings in Rajiv Gandhi Nagar, Malad East. Her parents work as daily wage labourers. According to the police, Akriti had a mental health condition.

On the morning of the incident, Akriti’s parents and relatives woke up early to store water in buckets, tubs and drums. Sometime later, Akriti woke up, walked towards one of the buckets, and accidentally toppled in headfirst. A family member noticed her legs protruding from the bucket and immediately raised an alarm.

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