Latest news with #ShankaBrataBagchi
Time of India
4 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Vizag cops flag FOB crisis at city junctions
1 2 Visakhapatnam: Vizag city police have raised serious concerns over the lack of pedestrian infrastructure at major traffic junctions, warning that the absence of foot-over bridges (FOBs) and subways is endangering commuters —particularly the elderly and school children. Officials cautioned that without urgent intervention, the city could face severe chaos in the coming years. City police chief Dr Shanka Brata Bagchi said that Vizag city's traffic volume has been increasing for the past few years but the civic bodies have failed to introduce amenities such as foot-over bridges (FOBs), and subways that would allow pedestrians to cross the roads safely and conveniently. Interacting with the newsmen, Shanka Brata Bagchi said they have observed that the pedestrians are forced to cross the busy junctions such as Hanumanthuwaka Junction, Venkojipalem, Isukathota, Maddilapalem, and few other junctions in the city, putting their lives at risk due to absence of FOBs and subways. The civic bodies with the support of the other departments need to address the issue to avoid road crashes in view of pedestrian safety, he opined. As per the road transport authority, Vizag city has over 13 lakh vehicles, including around nine lakh two-wheelers. On average, at least 50,000 new vehicles (cars, two-wheelers, and others) have been added on the roads in a year in Vizag city. However, Vizagites lack proper footpaths, FOBs and subways to cross the major junctions in the city. In fact, even the existing footpaths in parts of the city are in poor shape Many students in parts of the city brave the traffic to cross roads regularly in the absence of FOBs and subways. Though the social activists and police have been appealing the GVMC, NHAI and few other departments to install FOBs at some major junctions in the city, no acton has been taken yet. "We will again pitch for pedestrian-friendly-infrastructure in Vizag city in the coming days as the neglect of pedestrian safety will lead to pedestrian fatalities," said Bagchi.
New Indian Express
7 days ago
- New Indian Express
Cheating case filed for misusing Bhadrachalam temple name to promote paid event in Vizag
VISAKHAPATNAM: Visakhapatnam III Town police have registered a cheating case against a group of organisers for misusing the name of the Bhadrachalam Sree Seetha Ramachandra Swamy Devasthanam to promote a paid event planned in the city later this month. Visakhapatnam Commissioner of Police (CP) Shanka Brata Bagchi said the case was filed based on a complaint from Bhadrachalam temple executive officer and Special Deputy Collector L Ramadevi, along with AP Assistant Commissioner of Endowments T Annapurna. According to the FIR, the organisers planned to conduct a celestial wedding (Sri Sita Ramula Kalyanam) at a replica of the Ayodhya Ram Mandir set up on Beach Road near the Park Hotel. They were reportedly charging Rs 2,999 per ticket and falsely claimed that temple priests from Bhadrachalam would participate. Annapurna stated that the organisers had not obtained permission from the Bhadrachalam temple authorities.
Time of India
24-07-2025
- Time of India
Vizag police recover Rs 1 crore worth stolen property in June
Visakhapatnam: The Vizag city police achieved a significant milestone in terms of crime prevention and detection. The police recovered stolen goods, including gold, bikes, mobile phones, and other valuables worth over Rs 1.06 crore in June 2025. City police chief Shanka Brata Bagchi said that a total of 84 property offences were reported in Vizag city in June . The police detected 59 cases, arrested 73 property offenders, recovered over 1.2 kg gold, 430 grams of silver, over Rs 5.67 lakh in cash , three bikes, 430 mobile phones, and other items, all worth over Rs 1.06 crore from the offenders. Out of 59 detected cases in June, three were robbery, four cases of burglary, five cases of snatching, three cases of motorcycle thefts, and 33 cases of ordinary thefts. A total of 6,534 mobile phones (stolen and lost) worth Rs 9.8 crore were recovered in the past eighteen months in Vizag city. The police handed over the stolen property to its respective owners during the recovery mela on Thursday. The police stated that to prevent future crimes, they have implemented a multi-faceted approach, installed 440 CCTV cameras across the city in June, significantly enhancing surveillance capabilities. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Paras Sector 59 Gurgaon | Luxury Awaits at Paras Floret Paras The Florett Book Now Undo The department also conducted 108 crime awareness meetings to educate the public about criminal activities and prevention strategies in June. Furthermore, they implemented special patrolling in crime-prone areas. The police chief said they have formed special teams to prevent possible online and off-line cricket betting.
Time of India
20-07-2025
- Time of India
Sneha co-op society cheats depositors of Rs 100 cr, 6 held, main accused still at large
1 2 3 Visakhapatnam: City police have registered a case against Sneha Mutually Aided Co-Operative Society Limited (Sneha Macs), based in Seethampeta, for allegedly cheating depositors of over ₹100 crore. Six individuals have been arrested so far, while the prime accused and eleven others remain at large. Most victims are believed to be Scheduled Caste (SC) members and retired employees. Though the police unable to spell out the exact number of victims and duped money, they are suspecting that the number of victims is more than 2,000 and the duped money is more than Rs100 crore. Preliminary findings indicate that Sneha Macs, founded by retired IRS officer K. Siva Bhagya Rao, collected large deposits from retirees and others by promising high returns. However, the society failed to repay matured deposits and is accused of fund misappropriation and mismanagement. The duped victims approached the Duvvada and Dwaraka police stations in Vizag city seeking justice. Vizag city police chief Shanka Brata Bagchi said they have registered a case against Sneha Macs and arrested six persons so far. However, the main accused and eleven others are still at large. A special team has been formed to nab the remaining person in connection with the case. The preliminary investigation has revealed that some persons of the Sneha Macs misused the deposits and purchased properties in their names. Our primary responsibility is to nab the prime accused in the case and to recover the money and return it to the victims, said Shanka Brata Bagchi The police assured that they will nab all the accused and seize their properties. Though some accused have sought anticipatory bail and filed quash petitions, the cops are on the job to deliver justice to victims, the police added.
Time of India
03-07-2025
- Time of India
Vizag cops bust interstate online betting racket, 13 held
Visakhapatnam: Vizag cybercrime police arrested 13 individuals in connection with an interstate online betting network after conducting a planned raid on a call centre in Bengaluru, Karnataka. The operation was launched following actionable intelligence and technical analysis, leading to the apprehension of those involved in illegal gambling. According to Vizag city police chief Shanka Brata Bagchi, the authorities recovered numerous items from the premises, including mobile phones, laptops, cheque books, bank passbooks, routers, cash-counting machines, ATM cards, SIM cards, and cameras, all of which were reportedly used to facilitate betting operations. Police officials assert that the gang was allegedly operating betting services associated with the Reddy Anna app and similar platforms. Items seized include 60 mobile phones, 13 laptops, 132 ATM cards, 137 bank passbooks, 33 cheque books, five webcams, three Wi-Fi routers, a money-counting machine, and two financial ledgers. During the course of investigation, it was revealed that a 31-year-old man from Vizag was introduced to online gambling by an acquaintance who convinced him to open multiple bank accounts. These accounts were used for dubious transactions, one of which reportedly involved Rs 14 lakh. Upon realising the fraudulent activities, he lodged a complaint with the police. One suspect, Konathala Jagadeesh from Anakapalli, was taken into custody in relation to the case. He was previously linked to the 'maharaja betting case' in Chhattisgarh. Under interrogation, Jagadeesh divulged the names of two other suspects: Gabbar, believed to be operating abroad, and Sagar Burman from Madhya Pradesh. A special team was constituted by the city police chief to probe the betting racket. This team conducted the raid at the Bengaluru call centre and subsequently tracked down additional suspects. Those arrested hail from Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, and Jharkhand. The primary accused, Gabbar, is yet to be located, and police are continuing their search to apprehend him. The case has been registered under Sections 111(2), 319(2), and 318(4) read with 61(2) of the BNS, Sections 66-C and 66-D of the Information Technology Act, and Sections 3 and 4 of the Andhra Pradesh Gaming Act.
