SC stays demolition of parking lot near Taj Mahal

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Friday stayed its order directing demolition of a multi-level car parking being built near the iconic Taj Mahal and asked Uttar Pradesh government to submit a comprehensive policy on preservation and pollution in the Taj Trapezium Zone (TTZ). The apex court, while asking the authorities to maintain status quo at the site, said no further construction would be carried out there.

AHMEDABAD: A case of murder has been registered against several policemen in Dahod district on Friday in connection with the death of a youth, Kanesh Gamara, soon after his release from police interrogation.

The incident, which was reported from Jesewada village on Thursday, sparked off violent protests against the police and resulted in the death of a farmer.

“A case under Indian Penal Code (IPC) section 302 has been registered against a team of 4-5 police men of the local crime branch that had picked up Kanesh Gamara on Thursday morning to trace his brother ...’’, said Dahod deputy superintendent of police Tejas Patel.

“The policemen booked are of lower rank and the complainant has not completed the identification process yet,’’ he added.

The 300-400 strong mob comprising of locals which went on a rampage injuring policemen, torching vehicles and ransacking the police station, has been booked for attempt to murder, conspiracy, rioting as well as under various sections of the Arms Act.

“The way the police station was attacked revealed that the mob had come with all the preparation. For the same, IPC section of 120(b) for conspiracy has also been included along with sections pertaining to murder and rioting’’, Patel added.

No action has been taken in the case of the killing of Ramsu Mohaniya,45 , the farmer who was hit by a bullet during the protest.

Three others were also injured. Police sources maintained that Mohaniya’s death will be subject to investigation and added that locals were also carrying arms and had opened fire.

According to reports, Gamara died within hours being dropped home after police interrogation in a looting case.

Reportedly, he was not a suspect in the case.

The mob reportedly brought his body to the police station and began pelting stones.

The police said it had to lobbed tear gas shells and later opened fire to control the violent mob.