Fire At PNBS Departure Block Sparks Panic

It is said that the fire was caused by air conditioning units installed near platforms 48, 49 and 50. Eyewitnesses said that the flames broke out suddenly and dense smoke spread throughout the area, creating fear among passengers waiting to board the bus.

While some passengers ran out of the smoke-filled building, others reported the situation to the authorities.

Bus station officials immediately reported the situation to the fire department. Fire crews arrived at the scene and took the flames under control before the fire spread further in the busy transportation hub.

Officials said the incident is suspected to have been caused by a short circuit in the air conditioning system. As a precaution, the electricity connection to the affected area was disconnected and a detailed investigation was initiated to determine the exact cause.

Man’s body was found on the terrace 4 days after death

A man who reportedly suffered a heart attack was found dead four days later in Srinivasapuram village of Gopavaram mandal in Kadapa district.

The late Ramanjaneya Naidu (Anji) is believed to have died of a heart attack while sleeping on the terrace of his house on April 23. No family members were home at the time.

Because the house was far from a residential area, no one noticed the body for 4 days. Locals later found it in a decomposed state, causing concern in the village.

Naidu is survived by his wife Vengamma, a native of Kammavari Palle, and their two children. Villagers said that upon receiving information, family members and relatives rushed to the spot and performed the last rites on Sunday.

Man arrested for cheating devotees with fake darshan letters

A 28-year-old man was arrested in Tirumala for allegedly duping devotees by giving fake recommendation letters promising darshan break tickets, police said on Sunday.

The accused, Chaganti Naveen Kumar, was detained by the Tirumala II Town police following a complaint that he collected money from devotees on the pretext of organizing mola darshan as per the recommendations of TTD board members.

According to the police, a woman from East Godavari district approached the accused to buy darshan tickets for 12 members of her family. He allegedly collected a total of ₹36,000 by charging ₹3,000 per person and later sent letters of recommendation via WhatsApp. It was determined that the documents were produced using a format downloaded from the internet.

The scam came to light when the family visited Tirumala on October 24 and handed over the letters to Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams officials. A case was subsequently registered and an investigation was launched.

A special team, acting on the instructions of superintendent of police L. Subba Rayudu, tracked down the accused and arrested him in Tirumala late on Saturday. During the interrogation, the suspect allegedly confessed to collecting money and sending fake letters. Police recovered ₹36,000 in cash and a mobile phone used in the crime.

The suspect, who was referred to the courthouse, was sentenced to 14 days of detention.

Subba Rayudu warned devotees not to trust middlemen or social media assurances for darshan and advised them to use only official booking channels. Strict action will be taken against those exploiting the faith of devotees, he said, adding that surveillance has been intensified to prevent such frauds.

ASR police seized 749 kg ganja in Munchingiputtu raid

Alluri Sitarama Raju district police intensified crackdown on narcotics smuggling under Operation Vajraprahar and seized 749 kg of ganja in Munchingiputtu mandal.

Acting on the instructions of district SP Amit Bardar and with the support of the EAGLE team, the police raided a coffee plantation near Sangamvalasa village of Panasaputtu panchayat and seized the contraband goods packed in 39 white sacks.

The operation was carried out at around 19.30 on April 24, following special intelligence information. Police, accompanied by official negotiators, searched the plantation and found the bags hidden in dense bushes.

Ganja was seized from the spot and a case was registered at Munchingiputtu police station under relevant sections of the NDPS Act and BNSS.

Investigators suspect that the traders used the plantation as a storage point and fled after the police noticed their movement. Work continues to identify and eliminate the network behind illegal trade.

Amit Bardar said surveillance has been intensified in forest edge areas and passageways. He warned of strict legal action against anyone facilitating such activities in his territory.

Woman dies in RTC bus accident in Vizag

A woman passenger died in an accident while getting off the bus at Dwarka RTC Complex in Visakhapatnam on Sunday.

Eyewitnesses said that after getting down, the woman slid next to the vehicle and was crushed to death.

Other passengers alleged negligence on the part of the RTC bus driver, claiming that the vehicle was moved forward while the passengers were still getting off. The incident sparked outrage among passengers who said safety norms were being ignored.

RTC regional director A. Appalaraju said authorities reached the scene and were investigating. He said that if the allegations against the driver are true, a disciplinary investigation will be initiated.