HYDERABAD: In a gesture of solidarity and mourning, players of Mumbai Indians and Sunrisers Hyderabad will wear black armbands during tonight’s Indian Premier League (IPL) match in Hyderabad, to mourn the victims of the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed several lives and left many injured.
As a mark of respect, the match will not feature cheerleaders or fireworks, both common elements of the IPL’s celebratory atmosphere. The sombre mood reflects the collective grief felt across the nation in the wake of the attack.
Umpires will wear black armbands during match as a symbol of grief. A one-minute silence will also be observed.
Mufaddal Vohra also tweet read: “Players of MI and SRH and umpires will be wearing black armbands tonight. – A one minute silence will be observed. – No fireworks, cheerleaders tonight.”
IPL clash between Mumbai Indians and Sunrisers Hyderabad is scheduled to begin at 7:30pm at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium.
The IPL clash between Mumbai Indians and Sunrisers Hyderabad is scheduled to begin at 7:30pm at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium.
28 tourists killed in Pahalgam attack
The terror attack in Pahalgam on Tuesday resulted in 28 tourist fatalities and numerous injuries, displaying disturbing patterns. The incident took place at Baisaran meadow, a picturesque location situated 7km from Pahalgam that visitors can reach only by walking or riding horses.
Witnesses reported that six international militants, wearing Army uniforms as a disguise, reportedly demanded the victims to reveal their names and recite Islamic verses before firing at them from close proximity. The random shooting appeared to be aimed at identifying and attacking non-Muslim tourists, indicating religious targeting.
Lieutenant Vinay Narwal, a Navy officer stationed in Kochi, was amongst the casualties. He was holidaying with his new bride, having celebrated their wedding on April 16. The list of deceased also included two international visitors from Nepal and the UAE.
The incident occurred at 1:30pm in broad daylight, despite the presence of security forces in the vicinity. The attackers targeted tourists who were enjoying the beautiful landscape of pine forests and snow-capped mountains.

BENGALURU: The HSR Layout police, investigating the murder case of former director general of police and inspector general of police (DG & IGP) Om Prakash, detained his daughter Kriti in the early hours of Wednesday.
According to sources, Kriti, who was admitted to Nimhans Hospital for evaluation on Monday, was discharged. The doctors who evaluated her informed the police that she was doing well. Consequently, the HSR Layout police rushed to the hospital and took her to the police station.
A senior officer told TOI, “After Kriti’s discharge from the hospital, we have to keep her in a safe place. As she is still an accused in the case and her role is yet to be established, we cannot let her go somewhere. So, she is brought to the police station and is subjected to questioning.” The assistant commissioner of police (Madiwala) is investigating the case.
However, the police commissioner, B Dayananda, transferred the case to the central crime branch (CCB) on Monday late evening. The investigation is assigned to an ACP rank officer at CCB. The newly assigned IO is yet to take the case file from the Madiwala ACP and begin the probe.
“We will be handing over the case file and Kriti, the suspect in the case, to the new IO today. It is for the new IO to further interrogate her, establish her role, and take further necessary action. The new IO will be filing a petition in the court seeking the police custody of Prakash’s wife, Pallavi Om Prakash, 64, on a body warrant. She was remanded to 14 days judicial custody by a magistrate on Monday night.”
Prakash was killed in his house in MCHS Layout in HSR Layout 6th sector on Sunday afternoon. He was brutally stabbed to death. According to his elder son, Karthikesh Om Prakash, 39, his mother Pallavi and sister Kriti are suspects in his father’s murder.
Pallavi maintained that she alone killed her husband and that Kriti had no role in it. She also claimed that Kriti is mentally disturbed due to domestic violence from Prakash.
Kriti has not been cooperating with the investigation from day one. When the police rushed to the house after learning about the murder, she was on the third floor and refused to open the door.
The police had to forcefully enter the floor and detain her. She also allegedly created a ruckus in the station on Monday evening as police were not able to get any leads regarding her involvement in the murder and scolded police for detaining her.

MUMBAI: The school bus operators’ case opposing illegal vans in Mumbai in the interest of child safety came up in Bombay high court on Tuesday and matter has been posted for hearing on June 10 along with hearing on a pending PIL on the same issue.
The petitioner’s advocate mentioned that schools will be starting from June, and should be heard at the earliest. The court subsequently announced it will hear the case on June 10.
The operators are opposing the growing menace of illegal vans ferrying school children packed in cramped conditions and operating without proper permits in several parts of the city.
Representatives of the SBOA have stated that they have repeatedly approached the transport commissioner’s office, submitting petitions along with proof of illegal van operations in Mumbai, but the problem persists.
“The ongoing legal case will also challenge certain government policies and highlight police action against school buses for illegal parking, despite there being no designated parking areas for school buses as requested in previous petitions to the government,” said SBOA president Anil Garg.
According to school bus operators, the number of illegal vans and private vehicles ferrying school children with scant regard for student safety or compliance with transport department rules has increased by 2.5 times the number of legitimate school buses currently operating in Mumbai. While the number of compliant school buses is now around 6,000—a marked decrease from 8,000 a few years ago—the tally of ‘unscrupulous’ vehicles has surged to approximately 15,000 in the metropolis.
Bus owners highlighted the proliferation of small vans, private cars, autorickshaws, and black-and-yellow taxis transporting school children. “The vans and private vehicles openly flout rules, compromise student safety by cramming several children into small, cramped vehicles without attendants. There are no road or fire safety measures in place, and the state government’s school bus safety policy is being violated,” Garg pointed out.
Association members said that in some photos already taken, they discovered several vans operating with expired PUC, fitness certificates, no permit, and lacking vehicle insurance.
According to sources in SBOA, CNG gas cylinders are found in many vans ferrying students, with young children often made to sit on a plank placed above the CNG cylinder, which is extremely dangerous.