Five killed, six injured as bus crashes into van
BHIND (MP), Feb 21: Five people were killed, and six sustained serious injuries after a speeding bus crashed into their van on a national highway in Madhya Pradesh’s Bhind district in the wee hours of Saturday, police said.The accident occurred around 2.30 AM. The empty bus hit the van, killing four of the occupants on the spot. The death toll rose to five after one of the individuals succumbed to injuries in a hospital.The six injured persons have been moved to Gwalior for advanced treatment, police said.According to eyewitnesses, the impact of the collision left the van completely mangled, trapping its occupants inside. Locals began rescue efforts and informed the police.The victims were travelling to Bhind from Gwalior, while the bus was returning to Gwalior after dropping off a wedding party in the city and had no passengers on board. (PTI)
4 of six workers stranded in Thailand return to Odisha
BHUBANESWAR, Feb 21: Four of the six Odia workers, stranded in Thailand, returned to Odisha on Saturday after the state government took steps to rescue them from the Southeast Asian country, an official statement said.Government sources said that immediate measures were taken based on the directions of CM Mohan Charan Majhi to ensure the rescue of the six Odia people from Thailand.“Four of them returned to the state. Two others are still in Thailand over certain visa problems. Efforts are on to bring them back,” an official said.The six people had travelled to Thailand in August 2025 to work in a plywood company and got stranded there.Later, they alleged that the company owner had not paid their wages, for which they were facing financial hardships.They had appealed to the Odisha government, through social media posts, to intervene and ensure their safe return. (PTI)
BJP MLA caught by Lokayukta while accepting Rs 5 lakh bribe
BENGALURU, Feb 21: Lokayukta police on Saturday said they caught BJP MLA Chandru Lamani allegedly accepting a Rs 5 lakh bribe.The trap was laid by the Gadag Lokayukta police based on a complaint filed by a contractor.“Today, a successful trap was laid by the Gadag Lokayukta police station. The accused public servant was caught while accepting Rs 5 lakh,” officials said, adding case has been registered under Section 7(a) read with 7(A) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.The complainant, Vijay Pujar, is a Class-I contractor from Chinchali in this district.Lokayukta officials said the alleged bribe demand was linked to works under the Minor Irrigation Department, including the construction of retaining walls along a road.“The accused had demanded Rs 11 lakh from the complainant to execute the work. During the trap, Rs 5 lakh was accepted,” officials said.Along with the MLA, who represents the Shirahatti Assembly constituency, his personal assistants – Manjunath Valmiki and Guru Naik – have also been secured in connection with the case.“Accused 1, 2 and 3 have been secured, and the investigation is in progress,” the Lokayukta said in a statement. (PTI)
