In a tragic incident, ten people were killed and several others were injured after a bus travelling from Maharashtra’s Bhandara to Gondia overturned near Khajri village. The police said that a State transport bus met with an accident in Gondia district. They added that the bus was en route from the Bhandara depot to Gondia when the bus driver lost control of the vehicle near Bindravana Tola village on the Gondia-Arjuni road and overturned on the side of the road. 

The officer added that eight people have died and around 30 people are injured. Reports stated that the injured have been shifted to the Gondia District Hospital. Maharashtra caretaker Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has ordered the Transport Administration to provide immediate assistance of Rs 10 lakh to the victims.

A statement from the CMO said that a State transport Shivshahi bus overturned in a horrific accident. It added that eight bodies have been recovered from the site of the incident, and the death toll is expected to increase. The statement mentioned that information about the situation was taken from the local administration, and instructions have been issued for immediate and proper treatment of the injured.

Additionally, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis offered his condolences to the bereaved family members. Taking to X, he said that it is very unfortunate that a Shivshahi bus met with an unfortunate accident near Sadak Arjun in Gondia district in which some passengers died. He paid heartfelt respects to the deceased, and expressed grief for their families.

He added that the people who were injured in this incident may immediately receive treatment in a private hospital if necessary. He further mentioned that he told the Collector of Gondia to make arrangements to shift them to Nagpur if required. He continued that senior administration officials have reached the spot and are coordinating relief efforts. 

The Supreme Court on Friday directed a Sambhal trial court to temporarily halt proceedings in the case over the Mughal-era Shahi Jama Masjid and its survey at Chandausi. It also directed the Uttar Pradesh government to maintain peace and harmony in the violence-hit town.

A bench consisting of Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar also instructed the local administration to take all the necessary measures to ensure peace and harmony in the region.

The Apex Court was hearing a petition filed by the Sambhal Shahi Jama Masjid Committee against a trial court direction allowing a survey of the Mosque to verify whether it was built on the ruins of a temple.

While the court clarified that it is not making any observations on the merits of the dispute, it has opted to keep the mosque committee’s petition in abeyance. The further hearing on the matter has been listed for January 6 next year. 

Meanwhile, the Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath-led Uttar Pradesh government has constituted a three-member committee to look into the matter and submit its report in the next two months. The three-member committee is headed by former Allahabad High Court judge Devendra Kumar Arora, while the other two members are former IPS officers Amit Mohan Prasad and Arvind Kumar Jain.

“We will abide by the orders of the honourable Supreme Court. We will maintain law and order in Sambhal. Orders have been given for a judicial investigation. We will take strict against all the culprits after an impartial probe,” said Uttar Pradesh Deputy CM Brajesh Pathak on the Apex Court order.

Sambhal MP Ziaur Rahman, speaking on the matter, said: “Our demand is that the commission to be constituted should be under the supervision of sitting judges of the Supreme Court and High Court. Only then can we hope for an honest investigation.”

“Death of four and injuries to several people is a serious issue. I welcome the decision of the Supreme Court. It has directed that no steps will be taken without the High Court. In a way, it has said that the lower court does not have any jurisdiction,” said Congress MP Pramod Tiwari on the Supreme Court order.

During the Friday prayer at the Masjid, UP Police kept a tight vigil using drones as people started to arrive at Sambhal’s Shahi Jama Masjid.

“Today, the Supreme Court has delivered a very significant interim order. There are three to four key points: the SC has directed the district administration to ensure peace and harmony in Sambhal. It has stayed proceedings in the suit pending before the civil judge in Sambhal until the Jama Masjid committee approaches the High Court, and the High Court decides on the challenge to the original interim order,” said Sulaiman Khan, advocate for the Muslim side.

“Today, a petition was filed before the Supreme Court. The court first emphasised maintaining peace and harmony in the area. Subsequently, the SC granted the mosque committee, which had filed the SLP, the liberty to challenge the order in the High Court. It also directed that if the petition is filed within three days, it should be listed promptly in the High Court,” said Vishnu Jain, advocate for the Hindu side.

The Hindu pursuers have claimed that the mosque was established by Mughal emperor Babar in 1526 following the demolition of a structure known as the “Harihar Temple.” On November 24, an outbreak of violence occurred in Sambhal during the execution of a survey, resulting in the fatalities of four individuals and injuries to numerous others, including police personnel.

A crucial meeting of the Mahayuti alliance regarding the formation of new Maharashtra government has been called off after caretaker Chief Minister Eknath Shinde unexpectedly left for his village in Satara district. 

Earlier on Thursday, Eknath Shinde along with BJP’s Devendra Fadnavis and NCP leader Ajit Pawar met Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP president JP Nadda in Delhi. The meeting focussed on hashing out a power-sharing pact following the BJP-led coalition’s sweeping victory in the recent Maharashtra assembly elections. 

Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde on Friday said that he had good and positive discussions with Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP chief J P Nadda on the issue of government formation in the state. Speaking to the media, he said that the decision on the next Chief Minister of Maharashtra will be taken in a day or two in another meeting of Mahayuti coalition in the state capital.

The Shiv Sena leader further said that he would not be an obstacle in the government formation in the state and abide by the decision taken by PM Narendra Modi and Amit Shah. However, Eknath Shinde’s sudden departure brought discussions to a halt, further strengthening suspense over who will helm the incoming government and ministerial berth allocations. Reports stated that the Shiv Sena leader is expected to return to Mumbai on Saturday. 

The BJP, which won 132 seats in the assembly election, is yet to chair its legislature party meeting to finalise its chief ministerial candidate, but the top post is widely expected to go to Devendra Fadnavis. The Mahayuti allies Shiv Sena, with 57 seats, and Ajit Pawar’s NCP, with 41, are reportedly focusing on securing plum cabinet berths instead, as their chances of claiming the chief minister’s post appear slim.

Reports said that the new government may adopt a power-sharing arrangement featuring two deputy chief ministers to represent Mahayuti’s three major constituents. Meanwhile, for cabinet berths, the BJP is looking to accommodate around 20 ministers, with the Sena expected to receive a larger share than the NCP.