Deposits up to ₹5L safe, RBI assures New India customers

Deposits up to ₹5L safe, RBI assures New India customers 

TIMES NEWS NETWORK 15.02.2025

Mumbai : The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has appointed Shreekant, former chief general manager of State Bank of India (SBI) as ‘Administrator’ to manage the affairs of the New India Cooperative bank during the moratorium while restrictions are in force on withdrawals by account holders. It has also appointed a Committee of Advisors, which includes Ravindra Sapra (former general manager, SBI) and Abhijeet Deshmukh (chartered accountant), to assist the administrator during the transition. RBI has assured small savings account holders that their investments are safe. It said, “eligible depositors would be entitled to receive deposit insurance claim amount of their deposits up to a monetary ceiling of Rs 5,00,000 per deposit from the Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (DICGC), as applicable under the provisions of the DICGC Act, 1961.” Deposits coming under the Rs 5 lakh insurance cover over 90% of the bank’s 1.3 lakh depositors (see graphic). The likelihood of depositors getting their full money would depend on the extent of losses reported by the bank for March 2025. 

The bank has 28 branches in Maharashtra and Gujarat. New India Cooperative Bank was founded as Bombay Labour Co-operative Bank in 1968 by late parliamentarian George Fernandes. It was renamed as New India Cooperative Bank after the Emergency. 

The bank reduced its accumulated losses from Rs 30.7 crore in FY23 to Rs 22.8 crore as of Mar 31, 2024. However, its advances portfolio decreased by Rs 155 crore (11.7%) to Rs 1174.8 crore as of Mar 31, 2024. Deposits increased by Rs 30.5 crore (1.3%) to Rs 2,436 crore as of Mar 31, 2024. Advances portfolio stood at Rs 1175 crore, working capital was Rs 2,997 crore, and total reserve funds were Rs 292.9 crore.  Under RBI directions, the bank is restricted from allowing withdrawals from savings or current accounts but can set off loans against deposits under certain conditions. Essential expenditures such as salaries, rent, and electricity bills are permitted as per RBI's directions. It cannot also grant or renew loans and advances, make investments, incur liabilities (including borrowal of funds and acceptance of fresh deposits), disburse payments, enter into compromises, or dispose of properties or assets without RBI's prior approval.

 “The Bank has shifted its Virar Branch to nearby location after obtaining necessary permission from RBI. The Bank has merged its Shanti Park, Mira Road Branch with Poonam Gar den, Mira Road Branch and Wakad, Pune Branch with Bibwewadi Branch to curtail rent & other administrative cost to improve profitability of the Bank,” said vice chairman, Gauri Bhanu in her letter to members last year. 

Senior citizens throng branches, say retirement funds lie locked 

Mumbai : Worried depositors thronged New India Cooperative Bank’s branches on Friday to inquire if their deposits were safe. New India branches had put up banners with a message from the “Acting CEO” saying amounts up to Rs 5 lakh were insured with Depositor Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation and would be released “in around 90 days.” But frustration was writ large on the faces of those gathered. There were questions regarding the fate of those with more than Rs 5 lakh parked. Cops were present at some outlets to keep the situation under control. Somashekhar Nair, a retired resident of Virar, said, "I have had an account with this bank for the last 20 years. I also receive some funds from LIC and other sources here. Now there is no one who can answer our queries. What is the govt doing? There is no one to speak to us from the bank. I need money for my medicines and other expenses, why should I beg from others when I have my own funds.” Ashok Bhosale, who retired from the BMC's Fire Brigade department, said he was deeply worried  because he had fixed deposits of 15 lakh in the Mulund branch. Outside the Vasai west branch, senior citizen Chandrashekar Pethe said the restrictions imposed on the bank will hurt the common man. “This is a social issue concerning all.” Another senior Shashikant Karambekar said he was confident of getting his money back as it was insured.

 In Thane, a school teacher who had a savings account, said she had some money in the New India account. Though her salary account was shifted to another bank, she had chosen to keep the account active. 

METAANALYSIS: The number of Urban Cooperative Banks declined to 1,472 in March 2024 from 1,502 a year ago. They had deposits of Rs 5,56,962 crore, of which Rs 3.71 lakh crore were covered under insurance. The rest were held by individuals above the limit. Cooperative banks account for 2.5% of total deposits in the country

NEWS TODAY 15.02.2025

 

No rooms in Prayagraj hotels even as mega event nears end

No rooms in Prayagraj hotels even as mega event nears end

Kapil.Dixit@timesofindia.com 15.02.2025

Prayagraj : Even after completion of five major snans, including three amrit snans of Makar Sankranti, Mauni Amavasya and Basant Panchami at the ongoing Maha Kumbh there seems to be no space available for occupants in hotels. The coinciding of the ongoing Maha Kumbh and wedding season has puzzled the occupants who are running from pillar to post to get hotel rooms booked. Apart from pre-booking for the Maha Kumbh and wedding season, the majority of hotel room seekers are trying to get space within the city limits, assuming that traffic jams or other problems could play spoilsport in their celebrations if they book hotels in trans-Ganga and trans-Yamunabased hotels or marriage pandals. There are some families who have postponed marriage or other marriage related events till next month. 

For instance, one Sanjay Kumar is taking rounds of hotels to get rooms booked for his son’s marriage. Apart from the availability, the tariffs of hotels, including luxury or budget, guest houses, and paying guest facilities are also giving sleepless nights to seekers. Currently, the tariffs of rooms in hotels located in posh Civil Lines, SP Marg, MG Marg, or the railway station, are quite high since the commencement of the Maha Kumbh, and the majority of rooms in all luxury and budget hotels are booked in advance. 

On Friday, one Rahul and his family from Lucknow were searching for a hotel room with basic amenities and security in all of the city for Feb 22 as they planned to revisit the Maha Kumbh. After an online and offline search, the family found that the rooms were priced high until March 11. He said, “We are looking for affordable rooms as many of our relatives and friends have planned to visit Kumbh. We found the majority of hotel rooms booked in advance and fewer chances of getting affordable rooms.”

KGMU docs remove woman’s oral tumour

KGMU docs remove woman’s oral tumour 

15.02.2025

Lucknow : Doctors from the oral and maxillofacial surgery department at KGMU’s faculty of dentistry performed surgery on a woman suffering from a tumour in her mouth. The tumour was located on her lip, making it difficult for her to eat, drink and breathe. After the surgery, she fully recovered. Sufiya Bano, 37, a resident of Indrauli, Sitapur, initially developed a small pimple on her upper lip two years ago. She ignored it at first, but within 2-3 months, it grew into a tumour. 

Her family took her to a local hospital, where doctors performed surgery. However, about a year later, the tumour began growing at double the speed, eventually closing her mouth completely. Eating and drinking became difficult, and breathing, especially at night, was extremely challenging. 

As her condition worsened, her family brought her to KGMU. On Friday, Prof Hariram and his team removed the tumour. He expressed hope that the tumour would not recur. The patient is now able to breathe normally. The surgical team included Dr Ranjita, Dr Nirmal Chaurasia, Dr Krishna, Dr Sania Zia, Prof Shefali Gautam from the anaesthesia department and nurse Maya Rajput.

VTU directs colleges to refund students’ fees

VTU directs colleges to refund students’ fees 

SruthySusan.Ullas@timesofindia.com 15.02.2025

Bengaluru : Following complaints about refund of fees to students in case of withdrawal of admissions, Visvesvaraya Technological University warned of action if colleges do not follow the directions of apex bodies on this matter. In a circular dated Feb 11, the university said it received many petitions and requests regarding refund of fees to students in case of withdrawal or cancellation of admissions.

 “The university had advised/instructed colleges to follow the norms of apex bodies. Despite that, the university is receiving such complaints. Hence, once again, it is hereby informed to heads of institutions to follow the directions of UGC, AICTE and VTU in this regard, failing which the university will be forced to initiate action against the college and will also report to AICTE, UGC and the state govt,” said the circular. As per UGC regulations for 2024-25, full refund of fees should be made in case of cancellation of admissions/migrations of students up to Sept 30, 2024, and with a deduction of not more than Rs 1,000 as processing fee up to Oct 31, 2024. For any admission schedule extending this date, the rules will be as follows: Students will get 100% if cancellation is 15 days or more before the formally notified last date of admission; students should get 90% for withdrawing less than 15 days before notified last date of admission; 80% for 15 days or less after last date of admission; 50% for 30 days or less, but mo re than 15 days after last date of admission, and no refund if cancellation is more than 30 days after formally notified last date of admission. “Students often struggle to get refund from colleges.

Not only do colleges not refund, but they also threaten to not return the original certificates. Some of them go to the extent of asking for full course fees,” said Mithesh Kumar Moodukonaje, founder of National Pre-University Students,  Parents and Teachers Association. “Students can email their complaint to UGC fee samadhan portal along with fees paid receipt, admission cancellation intimation, etc., marking the email ID of the college too,” he said

RBI freeze on co-op bank hits depositors TIMES NEWS NETWORK Mumbai : Funds of lakhs of depositors and several cooperative housing societies are stuck with New India Cooperative Bank after it was placed under moratorium by RBI on Thursday. RBI said the restrictions were imposed “due to supervisory concerns” over “recent material developments in the bank, and to protect the interest of depositors...” The action follows a spot inspection and a complaint filed by the bank’s chief compliance officer with the Economic Offences Wing over alleged fund misappropriation by staff. A police source said a bank official would be called to record his statement. RBI has dissolved the bank’s board for mismanagement and appointed an administrator and a committee of advisors to restore operations and revive the bank. Bankers speculate that operations are likely to be taken over by another cooperative bank. Anxious depositors thronged branches across the Mumbai region. They were greeted by banners in the name of the “Acting CEO” that said deposits up to ₹5 lakh were insured and would be released “in around 90 days”. Deposits coming under the ₹5 lakh insurance cover over 90% of the bank’s 1.3 lakh depositors. However, no bank staff were available to answer queries. Pandurang Kamble, an account holder in the Virar branch for the last 22 years, said, “I have ₹5 lakh in fixed deposits. My salary is also credited in this account. If there is no refund after 90 days then what? My wife is a cardiac patient, what will happen to her once I break this news? Govt should step in and help us.” The bank has 28 branches in Maharashtra and Gujarat. New India Cooperative Bank was founded as Bombay Labour Co-operative Bank in 1968 by late parliamentarian George Fernandes. It was renamed as New India Cooperative Bank after the Emergency. The bank reduced its accumulated losses from ₹30.7 crore in FY23 to ₹22.8 crore as of Mar 31, 2024. However, its advances portfolio decreased by ₹155 crore (11.7%) to ₹1174.8 crore as of Mar 31, 2024. Deposits increased by ₹ 30.5 crore (1.3%) to ₹2,436 crore as of Mar 31, 2024. Advances portfolio stood at ₹1175 crore, working capital was ₹2,997 crore, and total reserve funds were ₹292.9 crore. Under RBI directions, the bank is restricted from allowing withdrawals from savings or current accounts but can set off loans against deposits under certain conditions. Essential expenditures such as salaries, rent, and electricity bills are permitted as per RBI’s directions. It cannot also grant or renew loans and advances, make investments, incur liabilities (including borrowal of funds and acceptance of fresh deposits), disburse payments, enter into compromises, or dispose of properties or assets without RBI’s prior approval.

RBI freeze on co-op bank hits depositors TIMES NEWS NETWORK Mumbai : Funds of lakhs of depositors and several cooperative housing societies are stuck with New India Cooperative Bank after it was placed under moratorium by RBI on Thursday. RBI said the restrictions were imposed “due to supervisory concerns” over “recent material developments in the bank, and to protect the interest of depositors...” The action follows a spot inspection and a complaint filed by the bank’s chief compliance officer with the Economic Offences Wing over alleged fund misappropriation by staff. A police source said a bank official would be called to record his statement. RBI has dissolved the bank’s board for mismanagement and appointed an administrator and a committee of advisors to restore operations and revive the bank. Bankers speculate that operations are likely to be taken over by another cooperative bank. Anxious depositors thronged branches across the Mumbai region. They were greeted by banners in the name of the “Acting CEO” that said deposits up to ₹5 lakh were insured and would be released “in around 90 days”. Deposits coming under the ₹5 lakh insurance cover over 90% of the bank’s 1.3 lakh depositors. However, no bank staff were available to answer queries. Pandurang Kamble, an account holder in the Virar branch for the last 22 years, said, “I have ₹5 lakh in fixed deposits. My salary is also credited in this account. If there is no refund after 90 days then what? My wife is a cardiac patient, what will happen to her once I break this news? Govt should step in and help us.” The bank has 28 branches in Maharashtra and Gujarat. New India Cooperative Bank was founded as Bombay Labour Co-operative Bank in 1968 by late parliamentarian George Fernandes. It was renamed as New India Cooperative Bank after the Emergency. The bank reduced its accumulated losses from ₹30.7 crore in FY23 to ₹22.8 crore as of Mar 31, 2024. However, its advances portfolio decreased by ₹155 crore (11.7%) to ₹1174.8 crore as of Mar 31, 2024. Deposits increased by ₹ 30.5 crore (1.3%) to ₹2,436 crore as of Mar 31, 2024. Advances portfolio stood at ₹1175 crore, working capital was ₹2,997 crore, and total reserve funds were ₹292.9 crore. Under RBI directions, the bank is restricted from allowing withdrawals from savings or current accounts but can set off loans against deposits under certain conditions. Essential expenditures such as salaries, rent, and electricity bills are permitted as per RBI’s directions. It cannot also grant or renew loans and advances, make investments, incur liabilities (including borrowal of funds and acceptance of fresh deposits), disburse payments, enter into compromises, or dispose of properties or assets without RBI’s prior approval.

TIMES NEWS NETWORK  15.02.2025

Mumbai : Funds of lakhs of depositors and several cooperative housing societies are stuck with New India Cooperative Bank after it was placed under moratorium by RBI on Thursday. RBI said the restrictions were imposed “due to supervisory concerns” over “recent material developments in the bank, and to protect the interest of depositors...” The action follows a spot inspection and a complaint filed by the bank’s chief compliance officer with the Economic Offences Wing over alleged fund misappropriation by staff. A police source said a bank official would be called to record his statement. 

RBI has dissolved the bank’s board for mismanagement and appointed an administrator and a committee of advisors to restore operations and revive the bank. Bankers speculate that operations are likely to be taken over by another cooperative bank. Anxious depositors thronged branches across the Mumbai region. They were greeted by banners in the name of the “Acting CEO” that said deposits up to ₹5 lakh were insured and would be released “in around 90 days”. Deposits coming under the ₹5 lakh insurance cover over 90% of the bank’s 1.3 lakh depositors. However, no bank staff were available to answer queries. Pandurang Kamble, an account holder in the Virar branch for the last 22 years, said, “I have ₹5 lakh in fixed deposits. My salary is also credited in this account. If there is no refund after 90 days then what? My wife is a cardiac patient, what will happen to her once I break this news? Govt should step in and help us.” The bank has 28 branches in Maharashtra and Gujarat. New India Cooperative Bank was founded as Bombay Labour Co-operative Bank in 1968 by late parliamentarian George Fernandes. It was renamed as New India Cooperative Bank after the Emergency. 

The bank reduced its accumulated losses from ₹30.7 crore in FY23 to ₹22.8 crore as of Mar 31, 2024. However, its advances portfolio decreased by ₹155 crore (11.7%) to ₹1174.8 crore as of Mar 31, 2024. Deposits increased by ₹ 30.5 crore (1.3%) to ₹2,436 crore as of Mar 31, 2024. Advances portfolio stood at ₹1175 crore, working capital was ₹2,997 crore, and total reserve funds were ₹292.9 crore. Under RBI directions, the bank is restricted from allowing withdrawals from savings or current accounts but can set off loans against deposits under certain conditions. Essential expenditures such as salaries, rent, and electricity bills are permitted as per RBI’s directions. It cannot also grant or renew loans and advances, make investments, incur liabilities (including borrowal of funds and acceptance of fresh deposits), disburse payments, enter into compromises, or dispose of properties or assets without RBI’s prior approval.

Over 75,000 to appear for CBSE board exams

Over 75,000 to appear for CBSE board exams

TIMES NEWS NETWORK 15.02.2025

Ahmedabad : Final exams for Classes 10 and 12 under the Central Board of Secondary Education

(CBSE) will begin on Saturday.

From Gujarat, 75,000 students have registered for these exams, of which nearly 43,000 students are

from Class 10 and around 32,000 are from Class 12. As many as 14,281 students are from  Ahmedabad city, of which 7,909 students are from Class 10 and 6,372 are from Class 12.

According to officials, Class 10 students will take the English exam and Class 12 students will take  the entrepreneurship exam on Sa turday. The Class 10 exams will conclude on March 18 while  Class 12 exams will continue till April 4.

The exam will be conducted at 21 centres in Ahmedabad. The board has made it clear that in

addition to their admit card and school ID card, students are allowed to carry a transparent pouch, geometry box, transparent water bottle, metro cards, bus passes and money.

The CBSE has also made it clear that regular students appearing for the CBSE board exams must wear their school uniform.

Last year, more than 69,000 students from Classes 10 and 12 in the state took the CBSE board exam

HC stays order on returning ‘thaali’ to Lankan woman

 HC stays order on returning ‘thaali’ to Lankan woman 

CUSTOMS SLEUTHS FILE APPEAL 

Sureshkumar.k@timesofindia.com 15.02.2025

Chennai : A newly wed Sri Lankan woman, whose ‘thaali’ was seized by Chennai Customs officials a t airport citing rules concerning personal gold j ewellery, will have to wait for the return of the mangalsutra for some more time, as adivision bench stayed a single judge order asking Customs to return it to her. In his order on Jan 31, a single judge ordered the return of 133 grams of gold jewellery, including the ‘thaali’, seized from Thanushika, a Sri Lankan, at the Chennai airport. On Friday, however, a division bench of Justice S S Sundar and Justice C Saravanan stayed the single judge order, on an appeal moved by the customs department. The single judge had justified the order by observing that, as per our customs, it is normal for a newly married person to wear jewellery in such quantity. 

He added that the officers, while conducting searches, must respect the customs of every religion in this country and that it was unfair on the part of the customs officials to remove the ‘thaali’ from the petitioner. In another order, the single judge ordered the return of 135 grams of bangles seized from one Sabeena Mohammed Moidenn on the ground that she wore the bangles on her hands without any secrecy or concealment. 

Aggrieved, the customs preferred an appeal against the orders. When both the appeals came up for hearing, the customs contended that, as per rules, articles valued over ₹50,000 carried through the airports are taxed. They added that an order exempting jewellery worn by persons from the purview of such tax would affect the economy of the country. Concurring with the submissions, the court granted an interim stay against the orders of the single judge

Amid PG med admission chaos, aspirants at a loss

Amid PG med admission chaos, aspirants at a loss

Yogita.Rao@timesofindia.com  14.02.2025

Mumbai : The woes of postgraduate medical aspirants continue this admission season. While they appeared for NEET-PG last Aug, many are still waiting to secure seats. The counselling process eventually commenced in Nov, but many are still frustrated with the delays and confusion. Even as the Directorate General of Health Services’ (DGHS) medical counselling committee (MCC) set a deadline of Feb 15 to close the admissions across the country in the third round, the state is yet to start the third round, creating confusion for aspirants. A fresh set of eligibility guidelines released by the MCC for the stray vacancy round on Wednesday, which contradicts the state’s pro cess, has stumped a few. Since the state is yet to declare the allotment list in the third round, candidates who may have a chance in the state are unable to secure seats in other states, said parent representative Sudha Shenoy. 

“If astudent secures a seat in the third round somewhere else, and his/her name appears in the Maharashtra state list in the third round, they will lose aseat in their home state. If they let go of the other seat and they do not even get a seat in Maharashtra counselling, they will be out of the process. Due to the delay in Maharashtra, they are unable to take a definitive call,” she said. In the circular released by MCC, the authority specified that the candidates who did not join their allotted seats through the central process in round three are ‘not eligible’ to participate in the upcoming stray vacancy round, but it said that the ‘not reported’ candidates are eligible for state counselling. Parent Brijesh Sutaria, though, said that the state considers only the allotment list for making students ineligible. A CET cell official said the same circular mentions the candidates can contact the state counselling authorities for information on state quota seats and therefore the state guidelines will be followed. The official also said the state’s third list allotment will be released in a day or two  and they are awaiting an updated merit list from the National Board of Examinations. The state has written to MCC explaining the situation and to seek a deadline extension.

Karnataka High Court Issues Procedure For Change Of Name In Birth Register Till Legislature Brings Appropriate Law

Karnataka High Court Issues Procedure For Change Of Name In Birth Register Till Legislature Brings Appropriate Law

Mustafa Plumber

13 Feb 2025 5:27 PM

The Karnataka High Court has suggested to Legislature to consider amending Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969, permitting change of name in the birth register after it has been entered.

A single judge, Justice N S Sanjay Gowda said “It is common practice in our country that a person decides to give himself a new name or that a parent decides to change the name though he has already been given a name. In fact, it is a practice in our country that multiple names are given, but one name is entered in the records and this, at times, creates confusion regarding the identity of the person.”

It added “The Legislature would have to take a view on this and ensure that the citizens are not put to any hardship whenever they desire to change their names and evolve a procedure where the records of that particular person are also changed simultaneously in all the public records or at least in the relevant records.”

.

Referring to a suggestion made by Law Commission of Karnataka, in its 24th Report furnished on 20.07.2013 regarding Change of Name, suggesting amendments to the Act and the Rule, the court said “It would therefore be appropriate for the Legislature to take necessary action pursuant to the recommendation of the Law Commission in its 24th report.”

Stating that since there is no law which prescribes the procedure for changing the name of a person, it would be impermissible for the parents of a child to seek for changing the name that is already registered in the register of births and deaths until a relevant law is provided for by the Legislature.

The court directed the authorities to follow the following procedure for change of name:

-Calling upon the parents to give a sworn affidavit to the effect that they have changed the name of the child on their own accord and the entries in the birth register would be required to be changed accordingly.

-On such a request being given, the authorities should verify the identity of the parents and proceed to incorporate the changed name in the Register of Births.

-The authorities, in order to ensure that there is no attempt to create a record for ulterior purposes, should make a remark in the register stating that the name of the child had been changed subsequently pursuant to a request made by the parents. The register would therefore have an entry regarding the name which was originally entered and also a name which was entered subsequently on their request

-Even in respect of an adult who seeks for a change of name, the same procedure can be adopted. Since the original name would also be contained in the register and also the new name, the possibility of this document being misused for an ulterior purpose can easily be prevented.

The court said “Thus, until the appropriate provisions are made under the Rules by the State in this regard, the concerned authorities are directed to follow the aforementioned procedures and permit the change of name in the Register of Births and Deaths.”

It added “Since the date of birth or the date of death and other details would remain unchanged, there can be no impediment or reason to prevent the change of name.”

The court held thus while allowing a petition filed by a minor represented through his guardian challenging the endorsement issued by the Registrar of Births, by which the Registrar, refused the request of the petitioner to change his name in the Birth Certificate.

The bench said “The respondent authority is hereby directed to change the name of the petitioner as Shrijith Bhat in the Register of Births as against the originally registered name Adhrith Bhat. A necessary endorsement shall be made in the Register of Births and also in the Birth Certificate that the original name of Adhrith Bhat was changed to Shrijith Bhat, as requested in the application dated 04.11.2023 and issue a fresh Birth Certificate accordingly.”

Appearance: Advocate Sinchana M for Petitioner.

Advocate K.B Prasad Hegde for Respondent.

Citation No: 2025 LiveLaw (Kar) 58

Case Title: Master Adhrith Bhat AND The Registrar of Births And Deaths

Case No: WRIT PETITION NO. 6370 OF 2024

NEWS TODAY 14.02.2025

 

Three students, youngest in Class XII, arrested for digital arrest scam

Three students, youngest in Class XII, arrested for digital arrest scam

 P.Naveen@timesofindia.com 14,02,2025

Bhopal : Gwalior cyber police arrested three students — one of them in high school — from a hostel in Noida for alleged links with a syndicate that trapped a BSF officer in digital arrest for a month and scammed him of over ₹71 lakh. The suspects were identified as Aftab Ahmed Khan, a B Tech student from Jharkhand, Akhil Singh Bais, a BBA student from Delhi, and a Class XII student from Kota, Rajasthan. 

The racketeers, posing as Mumbai crime branch officers, had threatened to arrest the BSF inspector’s wife and son and forced him into making 34 transactions. The victim — who is on the verge of retirement and now posted at the BSF Academy in Tekanpur, Gwalior — was told that his Aadhaar card had been used for money laundering. Desperate to save his family, he sold off his flat, mortgaged his land and borrowed from friends. Gwalior cyber cops said the youngsters operated from a hostel room and had been cyberscamming people for two years. 

The money scammed from the BSF inspector was transferred to bank accounts in Karnataka, Aurangabad, and Gurgaon. The trio allegedly helped channelise part of this amount. Police said the accused would persuade hostel and university students to open bank accounts, which were then handed over to a Chinese gang. Some 20 accounts have been traced so far. When fraudulently obtained money was deposited into these accounts, the accused would deduct a 6% commission and convert the remaining amount into USDT (a digital currency), which was then routed to the Chinese gang. A recent transaction of ₹2 lakh was made through one of these accounts. Police were trying to trace its origin and destination

[Senior Citizens Act] Son-In-Law Must Vacate Father-In-Law's House In Case Need Arises For Peaceful Income For Senior Citizen U/S 23 Of The Act: MP HC

[Senior Citizens Act] Son-In-Law Must Vacate Father-In-Law's House In Case Need Arises For Peaceful Income For Senior Citizen U/S 23 Of The Act: MP HC

Anukriti Mishra

4 Feb 2025 5:11 PM

The Madhya Pradesh High Court in a recent ruling ordered eviction of a son-in-law residing on premises belonging to his retired father-in-law who needed the said property as a source of additional income to maintain his wife and children.

Dismissing the appeal, the High Court upheld the decision of the writ court wherein it was opined that by implication if the house was given to the daughter, the son-in-law after the death of the daughter, will be included in the definition of children as defined in Section 2(a) of the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizen Act, 2007 and therefore, the son-in-law has a duty to maintain the senior citizen as defined in Section 2(h) of the Act.

The division bench of Chief Justice Suresh Kumar Kait and Justice Vivek Jain observed, “…Mere facet of income cannot be looked into but a peaceful income giving satisfaction to the owner of the property who happens to be a senior citizen in another facet which is to be understood and imbibed by implication while interpreting the provisions of Section 23 of the Act, 2007.When the whole facts of the case are examined from said prospective, then there is a senior citizen, he is in need of the property and that need is bonafide and for peaceful purposes, therefore, petitioner having failed to establish any of his rights over the property, is not entitled to continue in the property dehors the orders of the Sub-Divisional Magistrate and the Collector.”

As per the factual matrix of the case, the appellant-petitioner is the son-in-law of respondent No.3. the appellant was married to the deceased daughter of Respondent No.3. The appellant is living in the house of Respondent No. 3 as a permissive occupant and contends that he cannot be evicted from the said premises. The present appeal challenges the impugned orders passed by the Single Judge, Sub-divisional Officer (Respondent No. 2) and the Collector (Respondent No. 1).

The said house was purchased by the respondent No.3 in 2007. It is contended by the appellant that since he was a labourer and the facility of the loan was not available to him at that time, therefore, he had purchased the house in the name of his father-in-law. However, there was no such agreement brought on record to show that the house was purchased in the name of respondent No.3 because the loan facility was not available to the appellant.

It is contended by the counsel for the appellant that the appellant being a son-in-law will not fall under the definition of 'Children' given in Section 2-A of the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizen Act, 2007. Further, even 'relative' defined in Section 2(g) of the Act of 2007 will not include the appellant, therefore, the appellant was not covered under the provisions of the Act of 2007 and could not have been the subject matter of any order under the provisions of the Act of 2007.

It was further submitted that the appellant has adverse possession over the property and he had contributed a sum of Rs.1,00,000/ in the account of respondent No.3 towards the construction of the house.

On the contrary, the counsel for Respondent No. 3/father-in-law contends that the order is under Section 23 of the Act of 2007 which deals with transfer of property to be void in certain circumstances. It is not an order under any other provision. Further, the children will include their son-in-law because the definition is not comprehensive.

In fact, when the property was given to the daughter of respondent No.3 then, in a package, the appellant was inducted. The appellant is not taking care of the senior citizen and on the contrary, is causing a nuisance for them as per the application filed by respondent No.3 before the SDM, M.P. Nagar Circle Bhopal and on account of that directions for eviction were given.

In the impugned order, the Single Judge observed that the definition of 'Children' contained in Section 2(A) of the Act of 2007 is not comprehensive as it only talks about broader categories of persons namely sons, daughters, grand-son and grand-daughter who are not minor.

The single bench opined that by implication if the house was given to the daughter and the petitioner-appellant was son-in-law after the death of the daughter, would be included in the definition of children and he has a duty to maintain the senior citizen as defined in Section 2(h) of the Act of 2007. It was further observed that as far as 'relative' is concerned that too will also not be of any consequence because it is not a matter of childless senior citizen.

While hearing the appeal, the High Court observed that provisions contained in Section 23 of the Act of 2007 would not be applicable because there was no transfer of property. The court said that the transfer of property includes permissive transfer or gratuitous transfer in favour of a person and if the senior citizen is able to demonstrate his need, then that transfer can be declared null and void in terms of the provisions contained in Section 23 of the Act of 2007.

Therefore, the court opined that the learned Single Judge had rightly observed that Respondent No. 3 who is a retired BHEL employee with no regular pension and has the responsibility for his sick wife as well as other children, needs the property which was constructed by him, so that he can have a source of additional income.

Thus, the court upheld the order of the Single Judge and directed the appellant to vacate the premises within 30 days, failing which the SHO would remove the articles from the said house and handover to respondent No. 3.

Case Title: Dilip Marmat Versus Collector And Others, Writ Appeal No. 1705 of 2023

NEET 2024 | Vacant NRI PG Seats In Private Colleges To Be Included In Last Round Of Counselling For General Quota: State To Madhya Pradesh HC

NEET 2024 | Vacant NRI PG Seats In Private Colleges To Be Included In Last Round Of Counselling For General Quota: State To Madhya Pradesh HC

Anukriti Mishra

4 Feb 2025 5:30 PM

In a plea seeking inclusion of 48 vacant NRI seats of Private Medical Colleges and its conversion into General quota seats for meritorious candidates, the State government told the Madhya Pradesh High Court that if NRI seats are vacant, it will be filled from the General category based on merit in the last round of the counselling process of NEET-PG 2024.

A division bench of Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva and Justice Devnarayan Mishra was hearing a plea which claimed that 48 seats of NRI category candidates are lying vacant and those seats are not being offered to the candidates appearing in the First Round and in the Second Round and the Director Medical Education is waiting for new NRI Candidates whereas, factually it is impossible to get new NRI Candidates in the State because it has been exposed that "fictitious NRI category candidates have blocked the seats in Private Medical Colleges".

The plea claimed that as per the directions of the Supreme Court the 48 seats must be converted for general category candidates who can get it as per merit and the seats should not go vacant.

During the hearing on January 31, the State's counsel relied on Rule 14(A)(2) of the Madhya Pradesh Medical Education Admission Rules, 2018 and submits that in terms of Rule 14 (A)(2), in case the NRI seats are left vacant, "the same are to be included in the last round i.e. mop up round in the General Category and are to be filled on the basis of merit-cum choice".

For context, there are three rounds of counselling in NEET-PG. The mop up round is the last round of the counselling process.

The order thereafter noted,"She submits that the left over seats out of the 48 NRI seats that remain (ing) vacant shall be filled up at the time of mop up round from the General Category based on merit-cum-choice. The statement is taken on record".

In view of the statement, the petitioner's counsel sought to withdraw the plea which was permitted by the high court.

As per the factual matrix of the case, the petitioner–Dr. Khyati Shekhar–appeared in NEET-PG Exam 2024 as a General Category candidate securing a rank of 936 in the State.

As per her Rank and State Percentile of 87.25 and NEET Percentile of 87.27 she would have got the best subject in the Post-Graduation in any of the Private Medical Colleges of Madhya Pradesh. But after completion of First Round of Counselling she was not allotted any seat, because of 48 fake NRI Candidates whose seats were blocked and not being offered to the students as per their merit position either in the first round or in the second round or in the mop-up/last round of counselling.

It was submitted that even after Supreme Court's verdict in Index Medical College, Hospital & Research Centre v/s The State of Madhya Pradesh & Others (2021) and the verdict of Madhya Pradesh High Court in the matter of Dr. Yogyata Marothi (W.P. No. 28721 of 2023), the Director Medical Education is sleeping over the matter and the 48 seats reserved for NRI candidates are going to waste. The petitioner had sought a direction to the respondents to include the 48 seats allocated to the NRI quota in the General quota, in case they are not filled up by bonafide NRI candidates on the basis of merit.

Case Title: Dr. Khyati Shekhar Versus The State Of Madhya Pradesh And Others, Writ Petition No. 3718 Of 2025

Counsel for Petitioner: Senior Advocate Aditya Sanghi

Counsel for State: Adv. Janhavi Pandit

Governor Can't Punish Guilty Govt Official By Dismissal Under Rules, Can Only Withhold/Withdraw Pension For Misconduct: Madhya Pradesh HC

Governor Can't Punish Guilty Govt Official By Dismissal Under Rules, Can Only Withhold/Withdraw Pension For Misconduct: Madhya Pradesh HC

Anukriti Mishra

8 Feb 2025 6:00 PM

Image by: Shubha Patidar

While setting aside a dismissal order of a retired government official, the Indore Bench of Madhya Pradesh High Court concluded that under the state civil service pension rules the Governor can only withhold or withdraw the officer's pension for grave misconduct/negligence but cannot impose punishment of dismissal.

Referring to the provisions of the MP Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 1976A single judge bench of Justice Vivek Rusia observed, “In view of Rule 9(1) if any government employee has been found guilty in a judicial proceeding and any departmental proceeding of a grave misconduct or negligence, the only punishment which can be imposed by the Governor is withholding or withdrawing the pension or part thereof, permanently or for a specified period. Therefore, there is no provision of imposition of punishment of dismissal from service even by the Governor.”

It further observed that Rule 9(2)(a) gives right to the disciplinary authority to continue with the departmental proceedings, if instituted while the government servant was in service and after final retirement of the government servant, the enquiry shall be deemed to be a proceeding under this rule and shall continue and concluded by the authority, by which they were commenced, in the same manner as if the Government servant had continued in service. As per the proviso, where the departmental proceedings are instituted by an authority subordinate to the Governor, that authority shall submit a report regarding its findings to the Governor.

"Therefore, after conclusion of the enquiry, the authority ought to have sent this report to the Governor for passing appropriate order under Rule 9(1), instead of passing any order of punishment. Therefore, in view of the above, order of dismissal from service is unsustainable and is hereby set aside," the court directed.

The order was passed in a plea where the petitioner was aggrieved by his dismissal order passed by the DIG, Nimar Range, Khargone under Rule 9(2) of the M.P. Civil Services (Pension), Rules, 1976.

As per the factual matrix of the case, the petitioner was placed under suspension by Superintendent of Police, Khargone on account of his involvement in offence under Section 364-A of IPC (Kidnapping for ransom, etc). Thereafter, the charge sheet was served upon him and enquiry officer was appointed to conduct an enquiry.

The petitioner submitted a reply to the charge sheet denying the charges. During pendency of the enquiry, the petitioner attained the age of superannuation. In anticipation of retirement on 31.3.2014 his suspension order was revoked. After retirement the enquiry continued and the enquiry officer submitted enquiry report in which all the four charges were proved against the petitioner. Petitioner submitted a reply to the enquiry report. However, the petitioner was dismissed from service under Rule 9(2) of the M.P. Civil Services (Pension), Rules, 1976.

The counsel for the petitioner contended that after retirement even if the departmental proceedings continues, under Rule 9(2)(a) of the state Civil Services (Pension), Rules, the enquiry report is liable to be sent to the Governor with its finding and under Rule 9(1) the Governor is the competent authority to pass an order in respect of withholding or withdrawing the pension or part thereof. Therefore, after retirement neither petitioner can be terminated by the respondent-department, nor any pension can be withheld. After retirement only the Governor is the competent authority in respect of passing an order for withholding or withdrawing pension.

On the contrary, the counsel for the respondent submitted that the provision of Rule 9(2) of the M.P. Civil Services (Pension), Rules, 1976 would not apply to the petitioner as he has retired from service. However, the respondent did not state under which provision the order of dismissal could have been passed.

The petitioner also submitted that a criminal case was registered against him in which he was later acquitted. After acquittal the petitioner had submitted an application for payment of pension but the same had not been considered.

After hearing the parties, the court perused the rules and found that the dismissal order was unsustainable and allowed the plea.

“As per Rule 9(2) of the M.P. Civil Services (Pension), Rules, 1976 the authority who initiated the enquiry, is directed to send this enquiry report to the Governor for passing an appropriate order,” the Court said.

Case Title: Nausad Qureshi Versus The State Of Madhya Pradesh And Others, Writ Petition No. 9268 Of 2014

Counsel for Petitioner: Adv. Abhinav Dhanodkar

Counsel for State: Adv. Sudeep Bhargava

Baggage Rules Apply Only To Luggage Of International Travellers, Not To 'Reasonable Amount' Of Jewellery Worn In-Person: Madras HC

Baggage Rules Apply Only To Luggage Of International Travellers, Not To 'Reasonable Amount' Of Jewellery Worn In-Person: Madras HC

Kapil Dhyani

7 Feb 2025 7:30 PM

The Madras High Court has made it clear that Baggage Rule, 2016 framed under the Customs Act, 1962 apply only to the baggage carried by an international traveller.

Justice Krishnan Ramasamy observed that the Rules cannot be extended to articles like jewellery, “carried on the person” of a traveller.

The bench observed, “The Customs Act, 1962, enables the Central Government to make Rules to the extent of the articles carried in the baggage of a passenger and not for the articles, which were carried on the person and hence, the inclusion of the word “carried on the person” is beyond the scope of the provisions of Section 79 of the Customs Act.”

The Court was referring to Rule 3 of Baggage Rules which prescribed that passengers arriving from abroad will not have to pay duty on dutiable goods like gold upto the value of ₹50 thousand, if carried on the person or in the accompanied Baggage.

It pointed out that Section 79 (of the parent Act) talks about “anything in the baggage” alone.

In this backdrop the Court observed that when the Parliament had consciously excluded the jewels worn by passengers from the purview of Section 79 Customs Act, the Rule making authority cannot include it under the Baggage Rules.

“...the (Customs) Act enables the Central Government to make the Rules only with regard to the baggage…When the provision of the Rule (insofar as it includes articles carried on person) is beyond the scope of the provisions of the Act, only the provision of the Act will prevail over the Rules. Thus, the word “carried on the person up to Rs.50,000/-” is clearly beyond the scope of the Act and it cannot be given any effect since it is contrary to the provisions of the Statute.”

In the same breath, the Court clarified that if anyone wears any unreasonable amount of gold or jewelry, they will be brought under search. Similarly, if the jewelry is 'secreted in person', then proceedings can be initiated under Section 101 of the Customs Act.

It illustrated, “In India, as per our customs, it is normal to wear 10 nos. of bangles for a marriage function. In such case, it is for the Officers to apply their mind while detaining the gold. If 10 nos. of chains were worn by a person, then it would be suspectable and if anything is hide, then the provisions of Section 101 and 102 of the Customs Act, 1962, would apply since it clearly amounts to secreting the gold in their body under the pretext of worn in the body. ”

The Court added that until the Parliament takes a decision and amend the provisions of the Customs Act, the Officers will have to apply their minds with regard to detaining the passenger and the gold worn by them as the same would not fall within the purview of the Baggage Rules, 2016.

Baggage Rules allow clearance of duty free articles in bonafide baggage of a traveller. It also sets a limit on the quantity of dutiable articles which can be carried duty free. It also exempts 'personal effects' of a traveller.

Currently, the Rules permit any jewellery of 20 grams with a value cap of Rs. 50,000/- in case of a man and 40 grams with a value cap of Rs. 1,00,000/- in case of a woman to be cleared free of duty.

In the case at hand, a Srilankan national had approached the Court seeking release of her gold ornaments.

The Court criticised the Seizing Officer for seizing her gold necklace, observing that the quantity of jewellery worn by the petitioner was normal for a newly married person and that the officers, while conducting searches should respect the customs of every religion in the country.

It cited State of Tamil Nadu and Another vs. P.Krishnamurthy and others (2006) where the Supreme Court had held that a Rule Making Authority has to make the Rules within the scope of the parent Act and no Rules shall exceed beyond the scope of the parent Act since it would amount to ultra vires.

“Thus, in the present case, the Baggage Rule, 2016 will apply only to the baggage and the Rule made to the extent that the article “carried on the person” will not include baggage, which was in excess of powers conferred by the Rule making Authority and would amount to ultra vires. Therefore, the jewelery worn in person will not come under the purview of baggage,” it held.

Counsel for the Petitioner: Mr. A. Simiyon Raja

Counsel for the Respondents: Mr. M. Santhanaraman, Senior Standing counsel

Case Title: Thanushika v The Principal Commissioner of Customs (Chennai)

Citation: 2025 LiveLaw (Mad) 47

Case No: W.P.No.5005 of 2024