Latest news with #Shailesh
Time of India
07-05-2025
- Time of India
Three perish in fire sparked by gas leakage during digging in Junagadh
Rajkot: A woman and her two-and-a-half-year-old daughter were among three people who perished in a massive fire that erupted due to a leakage from the gas pipeline in Junagadh city on woman, Rupa Solanki (39), and her daughter, Bhakti, were inside her husband Shailesh's snacks shop near Zanzarda Crossroads when the incident occurred. Another victim was Shailesh's friend, Hiren 10 am, Shailesh was outside the shop while the three were inside. At that time, excavation work was underway just outside the shop using an earthmover. During the digging, the person operating the machine struck an underground pipeline, leading to a gas leakage , followed by a sudden blaze. The flames rapidly engulfed the stall and spread towards the nearby police chowki. Several two-wheelers parked nearby were also tried to rescue his wife and daughter but was forced to retreat due to the intensifying blaze. Bystanders pulled him away to safety, and he suffered burn victims were rushed to Junagadh Civil Hospital, but Bhakti and Rabadiya were declared dead before treatment could begin, while Rupa succumbed shortly officials, including the collector, prant officer, police, and the Junagadh Municipal Corporation 's fire team, rushed to the spot. Firefighters managed to control the blaze after significant effort.A complaint has been registered at the B Division Police Station by Shailesh against the earthmover operator, who was booked for culpable homicide not amounting to murder and causing death by negligence under to the media, prant officer Charansinh Gohil said the fire was caused by damage to the gas pipeline due to unauthorised excavation by the machine operator. "The district collector has ordered a probe, and a report will be submitted accordingly. We will take strict legal action against those found guilty of negligence," said Gohil.
Indian Express
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
‘The soul of my husband will rest in peace': Wife of Surat banker who was killed in Pahalgam
Sheetal Kalathiya, who had raised concerns about the lack of security in Baisaran, Pahalgam—where her husband Shailesh was shot dead on a fateful terror attack on April 22—said, 'We are happy with the step taken by our (Union) government, as the soul of my husband and others deceased will rest in peace.' India on Wednesday hit nine sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, targeting terrorist infrastructure there. The strike, dubbed Operation Sindoor, came two weeks after the Pahalgam terror attack. 'I want to appeal to the Gujarat government that, like the Maharashtra government announced a compensation amount (Rs 50 lakh) to the families of the Pahalgam victims from Maharashtra, a similar or higher compensation amount should be given by the Gujarat government,' she said. On Wednesday morning, Kalathiya's family in the Mota Varachha area of Surat distributed sweets to celebrate Operation Sindoor. Sheetal Kalathiya, who is in Mumbai with her two children, Naksh and Niti to complete official processes with bank authorities, put out a video praising the operation. She said in the video, 'I had complete faith in my government. I came to know today that Modiji (Prime Minister Narendra Modi) killed the terrorists one by one by going to their hideouts. Hearing this, my husband's soul has found immense peace, and the souls of the 25 others who were killed along with him will also find peace.' She sought compensation on the lines of what the Maharashtra government had provided the next of kin from that state and said, '…My Gujarat government will provide even better help and provide justice to my children.' Sheetal had told Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R Paatil, when he came for her husband's cremation, that the 'problem' was not with Kashmir but with the government's security arrangements for tourists. The Maharashtra government had earlier announced interim compensation of Rs 5 lakh to the families of six deceased from Maharashtra who died in the Pahalgam terror attack. Later, the Maharashtra state cabinet approved a compensation amount of Rs 50 lakh each to the families of the deceased. The Gujarat government has announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh. Shailesh Kalathiya (44), a resident of Mota Varachha in Surat who was based in Mumbai, worked as a bank manager at the Andheri branch of the State Bank of India. He was killed along with 25 other male tourists by terrorists at Pahalgam in Kashmir on April 22. Shailesh had gone to Kashmir on vacation with his family members and the family of his colleague from Mumbai.
Time of India
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
'This govt did not live up to expectations': Son of Gujarat man killed in Pahalgam attack says mother stayed with father, told us to leave
The wife and children of Shailesh Kalathiya mourn his death in Surat SURAT: 10-year-old Naksh is grappling with a heartbreaking reality — his father, Shailesh Kalathiya , will never return. Shailesh, a baker from Surat, was among the 28 victims brutally gunned down in Tuesday's terror attack in Pahalgam. Trying his best to maintain his composure, Naksh recalled the terrifying moments to The Times of India, revealing that the attackers were wearing caps fitted with cameras. "We were hungry, so we went to eat. Suddenly, gunshots rang out, and people started running everywhere. My mother stayed with my father and told us to go down. The men who attacked us had cameras on their caps," he said, his voice subdued with the weight of trauma. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trade Bitcoin & Ethereum – No Wallet Needed! IC Markets Start Now Undo When asked if he had a message for the government, Naksh replied with a quiet, pointed remark: 'This government did not live up to expectations.' His mother Shital echoed similar sentiments 'The govt deducts taxes from our salaries even before we receive them. We pay taxes while shopping, and we pay tolls to use roads. VIPs enjoy every facility, including security convoys and even helicopters. But when my husband needed protection, he got none. It seems only your (politicians) life is life, and common people's lives are ordinary," Shital said in presence of stunned politicians when they gathered at the Kasturi Bungalows in Mota Varachha to mourn the Surat banker's death on Thursday. Shital voiced her anguish in the presence of Union Jal Shakti Minister and Gujarat BJP Chief CR Paatil, local MP Mukesh Dalal, and minister of state for home Harsh Sanghavi. Shital, her son, and daughter escaped the terrorists' bullets, but Shailesh was not so fortunate. She described how a terrorist who shot dead Shailesh was laughing and stayed there until he died. 'The attackers even separated tourists based on religion before opening fire. The men who were Hindus were separated and shot by the terrorists. What kind of govt is this, which cannot protect its own citizens?' she said. Flanked by weeping relatives and fighting back her tears, Shital also accused the politicians of finding an opportunity for a photo-op during such tragedies. 'All politicians, officials, and security forces came only after the incident, for photo ops. No one was there when my husband needed help. We thought that Kashmir was the safest place, looking at the big number of military present there. But we were wrong,' she rued. Shital urged the govt to ensure security and support for the families left behind. 'I want the govt to safeguard the futures of all those who lost their loved ones.' Shailesh was working as a manager with the State Bank of India (SBI) in Mumbai's Kandivali branch, and he was on vacation in Kashmir.
Time of India
24-04-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Widow's anguish stuns politicians into silence, accuses them of photo ops during tragedy
Surat: "The govt deducts taxes from our salaries even before we receive them. We pay taxes while shopping, and we pay tolls to use roads. VIPs enjoy every facility, including security convoys and even helicopters. But when my husband needed protection, he got none. It seems only your (politicians) life is life, and common people's lives are ordinary." This emotional outburst from Shital, the widow of Shailesh Kalathiya, who was killed in Pahalgam, stunned politicians into silence when they gathered at the Kasturi Bungalows in Mota Varachha to mourn the Surat banker's death on Thursday. Shital voiced her anguish in the presence of Union Jal Shakti Minister and Gujarat BJP Chief CR Paatil, local MP Mukesh Dalal, and minister of state for home Harsh Sanghavi. Shital, her son, and daughter escaped the terrorists' bullets, but Shailesh was not so fortunate. She described how a terrorist who shot dead Shailesh was laughing and stayed there until he died. "The attackers even separated tourists based on religion before opening fire. The men who were Hindus were separated and shot by the terrorists. What kind of govt is this, which cannot protect its own citizens?" she said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 10 Mysterious Photos That Cannot Be Explained True Edition Undo Flanked by weeping relatives and fighting back her tears, Shital also accused the politicians of finding an opportunity for a photo-op during such tragedies. "All politicians, officials, and security forces came only after the incident, for photo ops. No one was there when my husband needed help. We thought that Kashmir was the safest place, looking at the big number of military present there. But we were wrong," she rued. Shital urged the govt to ensure security and support for the families left behind. "I want the govt to safeguard the futures of all those who lost their loved ones." Shailesh was working as a manager with the State Bank of India (SBI) in Mumbai's Kandivali branch, and he was on vacation in Kashmir. Shital also demanded that the govt secure the future of children of all victims of the terror attack. "We wanted our daughter to become a doctor and our son an engineer. Now, what will be their future? I want justice," she said. Terrorist Had Camera on Cap: Son Recounting the horror, the couple's 10-year-old son, Naksh, told TOI that the terrorists had a camera attached to the cap. "We were hungry, so we went to eat. Suddenly, gunfire erupted, and everyone began running for their lives. My mother stayed with my father and told us to go down. They were wearing caps fitted with cameras," he said. When asked if he wanted to tell anything to the govt, he said: "This govt did not live up to expectations."
Indian Express
23-04-2025
- Indian Express
‘Shailesh was to return from Kashmir a day after birthday': Surat family plans funeral after Pahalgam attack
Shailesh Himmat Kathaliya would have turned 46 on Wednesday. He had planned to return from Kashmir after celebrating his birthday. Now, in Mota Varachha of Surat, all arrangements for his funeral procession have been prepared at his uncle's house, while his family waits for the body. Shailesh's cousin, Kishan, a textile businessman, said: 'On Tuesday afternoon, after learning about the terror attack in Pahalgam, my elder brother Mayur called up Shailesh to find out if everything was fine. On the other side, Shailesh's wife Shital picked up. She started crying, and said that Shailesh had been a victim of the terror attack.' At least 25 tourists and a Valley resident were shot dead Tuesday at a meadow near Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir in the deadliest terror attack on civilians in the country since the Mumbai 26/11 shootings. 'We were all shocked after learning about the incident. Mayur bhai and two others have reached Kashmir, and they are taking care of Shital and looking after all the necessary arrangements to bring the body to Surat,' said Kishan. Shailesh Himmat Kathaliya, a resident of Mumbai and native of Lathi taluka in Amreli district, was working as a manager at the State Bank of India in Andheri. He had left for a summer tour with his wife Shitalben (41), daughter and son last week. Shailesh's father Himmatbhai Kathaliya came down to Surat from Dhufamilya village in Lathi taluka on Wednesday morning to receive the body. Family members said that Shailesh's cousin Mayur and two others had on Tuesday afternoon learnt about the death of Shailesh and later in the evening, they left for Mumbai. They later reached Srinagar, where they contacted his wife Shital and helped her out with the procedures. Speaking to The Indian Express, Kishan Kathaliya said: 'Our entire family has shifted to Surat, while Shailesh was earlier staying in Surat and he had purchased a bungalow in the Katargam Chikuwadi area. However, due to the transferable job of a Class 1 officer at the SBI, he had to move to different states and districts. He was in Mumbai at the Andheri branch for the last year, and before that, he was in Jaipur, Rajasthan. He takes his family wherever he gets transferred. He had given his house in Surat on rent.' He said: 'All our family and relatives are settled in Surat, so we have decided to carry out the final rites in Surat city. My uncle and his father Himmat bhai also had come down to Surat early in the morning. Shailesh's mother passed away a couple of years ago.'
