Patan (Gujarat), May 28 – In a chilling case inspired by a Bollywood thriller, a 22-year-old married woman in Gujarat allegedly conspired with her lover to fake her own death by murdering a middle-aged man and dressing his body in her clothes before setting it on fire. Police said both the woman and her lover have been arrested.

As per agency report, the half-burnt body was discovered late Tuesday night near a pond in Jakhotra village, located in the Santalpur taluka of Patan district. The woman, identified as Geeta Ahir, and her lover Bharat Ahir (21), were arrested early Wednesday at Palanpur railway station while attempting to flee to Rajasthan.

According to Patan Superintendent of Police V.K. Nai, Geeta was living with her husband in Jakhotra village when she devised the plan, heavily inspired by the plot of the films ‘Drishyam’ and ‘Drishyam 2’. She persuaded her lover to find a body they could use to fake her death so the couple could elope and live together.

On Tuesday night, Geeta allegedly left her house while her family was asleep. Hours later, her husband and relatives began searching for her and found a charred body near the village pond. The body was wearing Geeta’s clothes and anklets, leading her family to initially believe it was hers. However, when the body was brought home, they realized it was a male corpse.

The deceased was later identified as 56-year-old Harjibhai Solanki, a nomadic man from Vauva village in the same taluka. Bharat reportedly spotted Solanki on May 26, offered him a ride on his motorcycle, and later strangled him to death at a secluded spot.

Police said Bharat transported the body to the pond near Jakhotra, where Geeta met him on Tuesday night with a bottle of petrol. They dressed the body in her clothes and set it on fire, hoping to mislead the authorities.

Investigators discovered Geeta’s relationship with Bharat and suspected the duo might flee to Rajasthan. A team was dispatched to Palanpur railway station, where they were caught waiting for a train to Jodhpur.

Both Geeta and Bharat have confessed to the crime. SP Nai stated that the murder and elaborate staging were planned entirely to fake Geeta’s death so she could escape her marital life and live with Bharat.

Police have registered a case of murder and are continuing their investigation into how the plan was executed and if anyone else was involved.

Ahmedabad, September 24: Siddhpur, a historic town located on the banks of the ancient Saraswati River in Gujarat's Patan district, is renowned across India for the Matru Shradh (rituals performed for deceased mothers). It is believed that a mother’s final wish is for her son to offer 'Pind Daan' (ritual offerings) for her at Siddhpur’s Matrugaya posthumously. Every year, during the Bheeshma Panchak festival from Ekadashi to Purnima in the Kartik month, thousands of pilgrims gather at this sacred site to perform rituals and offerings for the peace of their ancestors' souls.

Siddhpur holds immense religious and historical significance and was formerly known as 'Shreesthal.' During the reign of the illustrious Solanki king Siddhraj Jaisinh, the city was renamed Siddhpur in his honor.

According to the Gujarat Pavitra Yatradham Vikas Board, last year alone, around 47,100 families performed the Matru Shradh ritual at Siddhpur’s Bindu Sarovar, following traditional rites during the auspicious months of Kartik, Bhadrapad, and Chaitra.

The Gujarat government is continuously working to enhance the experience for pilgrims who come from all over the country to perform these sacred rites. In this effort, the Pavitra Yatradham Vikas Board is set to launch an online portal that will provide detailed information about the available facilities, connect visitors with priests, outline the rituals, and offer online registration. The portal aims to streamline the process for devotees visiting Siddhpur. To further assist, a site map has been placed at the venue, and arrangements have been made for up to 200 families to perform their rituals simultaneously.

In 2012, under the guidance of then-Chief Minister and now Prime Minister Narendra Modi, significant developments took place at Bindu Sarovar, including the construction of a new reservoir, an exhibition highlighting the importance of Matru Shradh, a museum, a seating area with canopies for rituals, a replica of Rudramahalaya, a park, bathing facilities, and a solar-powered system, among others.

Additional services, such as clean drinking water, public restrooms, dedicated halls for performing rituals, changing rooms, and proper lighting, have been introduced for the convenience of visitors. Continuous maintenance ensures cleanliness throughout the complex, with filtration pumps purifying the water of both Bindu Sarovar and Alpa Sarovar. E-rickshaws have also been made available for senior citizens.

In the near future, digital solutions will further simplify the process for devotees. An ‘Online Queue Management System’ is set to be launched, offering online registration, booking of time slots, and payment options for the Pind Daan rituals.

Bindu Sarovar: A Mythologically Significant Site

Siddhpur is also home to the Bohra Wada, a collection of historic buildings that showcase extraordinary architectural brilliance with a distinct European influence. These structures have been recognized by the United Nations and are listed as World Heritage Sites.

Bindu Sarovar, one of the four holy lakes in India, holds deep significance in Hindu mythology. It is believed that Lord Vishnu’s tears fell into this lake, giving it its name—Bindu, meaning "drop." The legend also states that Lord Parshuram, the sixth avatar of Vishnu, performed the Pind Daan for his mother, Renuka, on the banks of Bindu Sarovar. A temple dedicated to Parshuram stands near the lake, and the area is said to have been a site for penance by many sages.

During the month of Kartik, thousands of families from across India visit Siddhpur to perform the sacred Matru Shradh ritual, which is believed to bring peace to the departed souls of their mothers.

Patan : A family of four traveling to a wedding ceremony tragically died in a car accident on Wednesday morning. The incident occurred in Fagli village of Santalpur tehsil in Patan district, Gujarat.

Mahendra Bhai Joshi, Bhavina Joshi, their daughter Disha Joshi, and their niece Urvashi Joshi were on their way to Kutch for their nephew's wedding when their car collided with a wild animal on the road. The driver lost control, causing the vehicle to veer off the road and plunge into a nearby canal. All four occupants died on the spot due to drowning.

The Joshi family, originally from Phangli in Santalpur tehsil, had been residing in Mumbai. They had arrived in their village five days prior to the wedding. The sudden tragedy has sent shockwaves through the community, with residents mourning the loss of the four family members.

Santalpur police station PSI Hardik Parmar confirmed the incident, stating that the accident was caused by the encounter with a wild animal. He further added that the bodies have been sent to Santalpur Primary Health Center for post-mortem.

This tragic event serves as a reminder of the dangers associated with wildlife encounters on the roads. As authorities investigate the incident, the community grapples with the loss of the Joshi family.

Patan (Gujarat), Nov 3 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi will continue as the chairman of Shri Somnath Trust for another five-year term, officials said here on Friday.

A decision to this effect was taken during a recent meeting, chaired by the Trust's Chairman and Prime Minister Modi, at the Raj Bhavan in Gandhinagar.

A highlight from the meeting was the announcement regarding visitor engagement at the Somnath Mandir. The temple welcomes around one crore visitors annually.

In a stride towards modernisation and transparency, Prime Minister Modi inaugurated a digital dashboard during the meeting.

This innovative tool is designed to monitor real-time statistics, encompassing the influx of pilgrims to the Somnath Mandir, details regarding online reservations, Puja ceremonies, and the dissemination of Prasad, among other data.

This dashboard serves as a digital gateway, providing trustees with daily updates and insights into the temple's activities.

Further administrative actions were taken during the meeting, where the accounts for the financial year 2022-23 were approved.

Additionally, the services of the internal/statutory auditor and the GST consultant have been retained for the subsequent year.

Patan  – A grim tale of a love affair and betrayal ended in tragedy as a man was allegedly murdered by his wife and her lover in the Dudha Rampura village of Harij taluka, Patan district. The body of the victim, identified as Mohanbhai Parmar, has been moved to Harij Referral Hospital for postmortem following the preliminary police investigation which led to the arrest of several suspects.

Mohanbhai Parmar reportedly learned of his wife Bhagiben’s extramarital relationship with a fellow village resident, Arvind Thakor. The discovery strained the couple’s relationship, resulting in recurring disputes which were often mitigated by family interventions due to their large familial setup. Sources indicate that Bhagiben and Thakor plotted to eliminate Mohanbhai to pave the way for their relationship.

The murder was brought to light when Mohanbhai and Bhagiben left their home, allegedly to collect wage payments, as told to their son. When Bhagiben returned alone, she informed their son that Mohanbhai had gone to Roda village for other engagements. The son grew apprehensive as the night progressed without any sign of Mohanbhai’s return.

Alarmed, the son began a frantic search for his father, reaching out to friends for assistance. The search ended tragically when they found Mohanbhai’s body lying near the Narmada Canal in Vansa village.

Responding swiftly to the son’s formal complaint, police initiated interrogations that soon turned to Bhagiben and Thakor as primary suspects. Despite initial hesitations, the rigorous police questioning led to the duo confessing to the murder.

Confirming the details, the police said, “Based on the son’s statement, we were able to secure confessions from both individuals involved. They have been arrested and are currently awaiting judicial proceedings.”

As the village grapples with the shock of the tragic event unfolding in their midst, the law enforcement agencies continue with the meticulous task of piecing together the events that led to Mohanbhai Parmar’s untimely and brutal death. The incident sheds a dark shadow over the village, casting doubts over the bonds of marriage and trust, as the family of the deceased mourns the loss of a husband and father, torn apart by infidelity and betrayal.

PATAN/AHMEDABAD - Union Home Minister Amit Shah addressed a public gathering in Patan on Saturday, marking the completion of nine years of Narendra Modi's Central Government. Shah presented a summary of the government's accomplishments, underscoring the focus on development and the implementation of Digital India over the last decade.

He stated unequivocally that India's border and army are secure and inviolable. "In the span of nine years, significant changes have transpired in the country. No one can infringe upon our nation's border and armed forces," Shah affirmed.

Despite the accomplishments, Shah critiqued the Congress party for its lack of understanding and continuous opposition. He particularly targeted Rahul Gandhi, accusing him of going on overseas trips and discrediting India abroad. "It's inappropriate for a leader to criticize their country's politics while overseas," Shah added.

Speaking at the meeting held in Patan's Siddhapur district, Shah further highlighted the government's landmark decision to repeal Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir. He countered Rahul Gandhi's past warnings of instability in the region, saying, "Rahul Baba used to say rivers of blood will flow in Kashmir. But now the time has come, and if you have faith in Rahul Baba, prepare your tickets."

The Union Home Minister further stated that for the first time, a tribal woman had been appointed as the President of the country, a testament to the government's progressiveness. He also emphasized Prime Minister Narendra Modi's significant role in establishing major projects like the new Parliament building and Sengol, despite opposition criticism.

Drawing attention to the previous UPA government, Shah alleged that corruption under their tenure had cost the country Rs. 12 lakh crore in a span of 10 years.

Speaking about Gujarat, Shah asserted that the BJP has a strong following in the state. "The Gujarat government is committed to your health. While earlier people spoke about the Gujarat model, now the whole world is discussing the India model. The people of Gujarat have twice given all 26 seats to BJP; this time, we're heading for a hat-trick," Shah confidently claimed.