Maha Kumbh pilgrim from Telangana burnt alive, close shave for 49 others as bus catches fire

Sheelam Drupathi, a 70-year-old farmer from Palsi village in Kubheer mandal, charred to death; blaze is suspected to have been caused by his smoking

Nirmal: A 70-year-old farmer was burnt alive, while 49 pilgrims had a narrow escape when a bus caught fire at Vrindavan in Mathura city. They were returning from the Maha Kumbh Mela under way at Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh on Tuesday.

Kubheer Sub-Inspector P Ravinder said Sheelam Drupathi, a farmer from Palsi village in Kubheer mandal here, lost his life after being engulfed by flames, reportedly caused by his smoking.

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The other 49 pilgrims travelling on the same bus had just stepped out a little while before the mishap to have darshan at a temple. The bus, clothes and valuables belonging to the pilgrims were reduced to ashes.

Drupathi is survived by his wife, son and daughter.

Locals said around 200 people from different villages in Bhainsa, Kubheer and surrounding areas in the Mudhole Assembly constituency left for Prayagraj to take part in the Maha Kumbh Mela and visit Varanasi and other prominent temples in Uttar Pradesh in about five buses on January 1. About 10 of them were from Palsi village.

While some pilgrims travelling in a bus returned to Bhainsa recently, the others were on their way to explore more pilgrim centres in Mathura. They, however, called of their pilgrimage and began returning to Bhainsa by train on Wednesday following the mishap. They are expected to reach the district in a day or two.

Mudhole MLA Rama Rao Patel spoke with the officials of Mathura and helped the villagers with their return journey by providing them food, shelter and transportation.