It was business as usual in room number 27 of the magistrate court in Mulund till noon when a policeman spotted a 2-foot-long snake while going through files.

Rathod was earlier arrested for allegedly raping the same victim around 18 months ago and jailed.

Five soldiers were killed and several others injured when an Army truck carrying them skidded off the road and plunged into a 300-foot gorge in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch on Tuesday, said officials.

The accident, said officials, occurred in the Gharoa area when an Army vehicle was on its way to Banoi in the district.

“All ranks of #WhiteKnightCorps extend their deepest condolences on the tragic loss of five brave soldiers in a vehicle accident during operational duty in the #Poonch sector,” the 16 Corps, Indian Army, posted on X. 

Rescue operations are underway, said the Army, adding that the injured personnel are receiving medical care.

Quick action teams of the Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police are at the site.