Touched inappropriately, no less than rape: SpiceJet crew alleges strip-search
DECCAN CHRONICLE
PublishedMar 31, 2018, 12:18 pm IST
UpdatedMar 31, 2018, 12:18 pm IST

The cabin crew alleged that the airline suspected them of swindling cash collected onboard for food and other sales.

In complaints written to the SpiceJet management, women asked if it was the policy of the airline 'to remove sanitary pad and touch private parts'. (Photo: File/Representational)


Chennai: Air hostesses of SpiceJet flight were seen protesting at Chennai airport early on Saturday morning after they were allegedly strip-searched by the airline security personnel, an NDTV report said.

Alleging that they have been subjected to strip search for the past few days after deboarding flights, the crew said that they were even asked to remove sanitary pads from their handbags.






Due to the cabin crew protests, two flights reportedly left late by an hour from Chennai airport.

In a video shot at the airport, a woman was heard saying, "Someone touched me inappropriately, made me feel very uncomfortable. I was naked."

The cabin crew alleged that the airline suspected them of swindling cash collected onboard for food and other sales. They also alleged that they are not allowed to use the washroom immediately after deboarding flights.

An air hostesses told NDTV, "We air hostesses are stripped naked over the last three days and women personnel touch us inappropriately."

In complaints written to the SpiceJet management, women asked if it was the policy of the airline "to remove sanitary pad and touch private parts".

"We cabin crew are hired majorly for safety reasons of the fellow passengers but what about our respect and safety? We talk about rape and molestation, is this any less?" another complaint read.

"On informing the base official that I wasn't comfortable and I'm on my menses she still checked my panty; they pressed my breasts. I've lost my self-respect... Cabin crew is the brand ambassador. We are humiliated as if we have done some robbery," a complaint on email read.

SpiceJet's senior vice president, Kamal Hingorani, according to NDTV, said in mail that the strict action was being done on suspicion of cabin crew taking cash and airline materials.

"We have therefore been compelled to carry out spot checks, which in any case is a company policy. It is in all our interests that the 'black sheep' amongst us is identified and removed so that honest employees are not blamed," Kamal Hingorani said in the mail.

Kerala Health Minister KK Shylaja warns of strong action against errant nurses

By Express News Service | Published: 01st April 2018 06:35 AM |

Last Updated: 01st April 2018 06:36 AM



Health Minister K K Shylaja visits Vasu at his son’s residence at Anakulam, near Channapetta, on Saturday

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Incidents of cruelty towards patients like the recent one at Thiruvananthapuram Medical College Hospital, where a nursing assistant brutally assaulted a bed-ridden patient, should not be repeated, said Health Minister KK Shylaja. She was addressing an emergency meeting attended by nurses, nursing assistants and staff here on Saturday.The meeting was convened in the wake of a recent video showing the hospital staffer’s cruelty towards a patient. Following this, the employee was suspended from service. No patient should undergo such a negative experience, the minister said, adding that strict action will be taken if such incidents are repeated.

“Hospital employees, including doctors, nurses and other staff, should ensure proper treatment and care to patients even when the latter seems impatient due to their illness. Employees should be ready to listen to them and give them proper care. There’s no need for a code of conduct for this. Employee organisations should ensure proper service by their members,” the minister said. She also urged authorities to take strict action in cases of dereliction of duty.The government has major plans for the Medical College Hospital development based on a R600 crore master plan, she said. There are plans to develop the emergency medical wing, set up a trauma care system of international standards, renovated OP wing and multi-speciality block.

At a time when the government’s attempt is to make the hospital a centre of excellence, such incidents cannot be accepted, the minister said.About 800 employees were present at the meeting. Employees’ representatives said that such an incident should not have happened and proper care will be taken not to repeat similar incidents.Medical Education director Dr A Ramlabeevi, special officer Dr Ajayakumar, Medical College principal Dr Thomas Mathew, hospital superintendent Dr M S Sharmad, deputy superintendents Dr Jobi John, Dr Santhosh Kumar and nursing officer Udayarani attended the meeting.

Can’t reject approver’s evidence if confirmed: Madras High Court

By Express News Service | Published: 01st April 2018 02:42 AM |

Last Updated: 01st April 2018 02:42 AM ||



Madras High Court (File | EPS)

CHENNAI: Holding that if the evidence of the approver is corroborated by other material particulars, the same cannot be eschewed merely because he had turned approver and supported the prosecution version, a Division Bench of the Madras High Court has upheld the life imprisonment awarded by a lower court to two other accused.

Sathishkumar, Soundararajan and Manikandan were arrested for offences under Section 120-B (criminal conspiracy) and 302 (murder) of the IPC for murdering a woman in 2014 for gain.

During the framing of charges, Manikandan pleaded guilty and submitted an application to treat him as an approver by giving necessary pardon on November 7, 2014.

Accordingly, he was granted pardon by the trial court and he was examined as court witness on the prosecution’s side.

After procedure, charges were framed against Sathishkumar and Soundararajan.
Additional District and Sessions Judge, Chengalpattu in Kancheepuram district, convicted and sentenced the duo to life imprisonment. Hence, the present appeal contending that the evidence of the approver could not be relied upon.

Rejecting the contention, a Bench of Justices C T Selvam and N Sathish Kumar held on March 27 that it was of the considered view that the prosecution has clearly established the charges against the first two accused.

From every circumstance placed by the prosecution, the conspiracy charge had been clearly established against the accused. To prove the charge of conspiracy, direct evidence is always impossible. The said charge can be inferred from various circumstances.

However, in this case, apart from the circumstances, the evidence of the approver, coupled with the other corroborative evidence, established the charge against Sathishkumar and Soundararajan. Therefore, this court is of the view that the prosecution has proved all the circumstances beyond all reasonable doubt.

Adamant behaviour, desertion by wife do not amount to cruelty: Madras High Court

By Express News Service | Published: 31st March 2018 01:57 AM |

Last Updated: 31st March 2018 05:34 AM



The Madras High Court (File)

CHENNAI: Holding that the alleged adamant behaviour of a wife, her desertion from the matrimonial house and a police complaint alleging harassment by the husband would not amount to cruelty, a Division Bench of the Madras High Court has confirmed the orders of a family court here rejecting the husband’s plea for divorce and allowing his wife’s plea for restoring the conjugal rights.

The main allegation of cruelty from the man was that his wife was very adamant from the beginning and she left the matrimonial home on July 13, 2010, without any valid reason. She also allegedly lodged a criminal complaint, which led to the appellant to move the court for anticipatory bail.

The wife had also admitted in her evidence that she left the matrimonial home in July 2010 as she was not treated properly.

“Therefore, it cannot be said that she left the matrimonial home without any justifiable reason,” a Bench of Justices A Selvam and P Kalaiyarasan said on March 12 and dismissed the appeal from the husband.

According to appellant, he got married in 2009 and they had no children. While so, she left his house in July 2010, taking all her belongings. She also alleged that he was impotent and subjected her to harassment. She lodged a complaint against him.

While the husband moved the family court seeking divorce, the wife filed a petition for restoration of her conjugal rights. By a common order dated August 30, 2017, the VI Additional Family Court rejected the plea of the husband and allowed the plea of the wife. Hence, the present appeal before the High Court.

ஒரு லட்சம் ரூபாய்க்கு ஏலம் போன 9 எலுமிச்சைப் பழங்கள்' - விழுப்புரம் அருகே விநோதம்..!

ஜெ.முருகன்
தே.சிலம்பரசன்

பூஜை செய்யப்பட்ட 9 எலுமிச்சைப் பழங்கள் 1 லட்சம் ரூபாய்க்கு ஏலம் போன விநோத சம்பவம் விழுப்புரம் மாவட்டத்தில் நிகழ்ந்துள்ளது.




விழுப்புரம் மாவட்டம், திருவெண்ணைநல்லூரை அடுத்த ஒட்டனந்தல் கிராமம் இரட்டைக் குன்றில் அமைந்திருக்கிறது ரத்தினவேல் முருகன் கோயில். இந்தக் கோயிலில் ஒவ்வொரு வருடம் பங்குனி உத்திரத் திருவிழாவை முன்னிட்டு 10 நாட்கள் தொடர்ந்து பூஜை நடக்கும். அந்தப் பத்து நாட்களும் கருவறையில் இருக்கும் வேலில் எலுமிச்சைப் பழங்கள் குத்தப்படும். அப்படி குத்தப்பட்ட எலுமிச்சைப் பழங்களை மிகவும் பாதுகாப்பாக எடுத்து வைப்பார்கள் கோயில் நிர்வாகிகள். பத்து நாட்கள் கோயில் பூஜை முடிந்ததும் அந்த எலுமிச்சைப் பழங்கள் பொதுமக்கள் முன்னிலையில் ஏலம் விடப்படுவது வழக்கம்.



இந்த எலுமிச்சைப் பழங்களை வீட்டில் வைத்திருந்து நில சம்பிரதாயங்களைச் செய்தால் குழந்தைப்பேறு, சொத்துக்கள், தொழில்களில் முன்னேற்றங்கள் கிடைப்பதோடு கிடைக்கும் கடன் தொல்லைகளும் நீங்கும் என்ற நம்பிக்கை மக்களிடையே நிலவி வருகிறது. அதனால் இந்தப் பழங்கள் ஆயிரக்கணக்கில் ஏலம் எடுக்கப்படும். சென்ற வருடம் நடந்த ஏலத்தில் 9 பழங்களையும் 68 ஆயிரம் ரூபாய்க்கு ஏலம் எடுத்தனர் பொதுமக்கள். யார் வேண்டுமானாலும் இந்தப் பழத்தைப் பெற்று பயனடையலாம். ஆனால் ஊர் நிர்வாகிகள் விடும் இந்த ஏலத்தில் உள்ளூர் மக்கள் மட்டுமே கலந்து கொள்ள முடியும்.

அதன்படி கடந்த 21.03.2018 அன்று கொடியேற்றத்துடன் தொடங்கிய இந்த வருடத்தின் பங்குனி உத்திரத் திருவிழா நேற்று 31-ம் தேதியுடன் முடிவடைந்தது. வழக்கம் போல ஊர் நாட்டமையான பாலகிருஷ்ணன் என்பவர் ஆணி செருப்பின் மீது ஏறி நின்றுகொண்டு முதல் எலுமிச்சைப் பழத்திற்கான ஏலத்தை 1 ரூபாயில் தொடக்கி வைத்தார். அப்போது முதல் நாள் பழம் 35 ஆயிரம் ரூபாய்க்கும், இரண்டாம் நாள் பழம் 8,500 ரூபாய்க்கும், மூன்று மற்றும் நான்காம் நாள் பழங்கள் தலா 8,100 ரூபாய்க்கும், ஐந்தாம் நாள் பழம் 8,500 ரூபாய்க்கும், ஆறாம் நாள் பழம் 8,100 ரூபாய்க்கும், ஏழாம் நாள் பழம் 9,500 ரூபாய்க்கும், எட்டாம் நாள் பழம் 8,100 ரூபாய்க்கும், ஒன்பதாவது நாள் பழம் 8,500 ரூபாய் என மொத்தம் 1 லட்சத்து 2 ஆயிரத்து 900 ரூபாய்க்கு ஏலம் போனது. ஏலம் எடுக்கக் கூடிய மக்கள் கூட்டம் ஒருபுறம் என்றால் இந்த நிகழ்வைக் காணவும் உள்ளூர் வெளியூர் மக்கள் குவிந்திருந்தனர்.

Varsity hikes fine for copying by 10 times

SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

CHENNAI, APRIL 01, 2018 00:00 IST  THE HINDU

Says students could be debarred for a maximum of three years

The University of Madras has revised the fine amount from Rs. 5,000 to Rs. 50,000 for mass copying, Vice-Chancellor P. Duraisamy informed the Senate on Saturday.

“If the disciplinary committee on examination finds mass copying in any college based on the answer scripts or square visit, we will impose Rs. 50,000 fine on that college. Students will be debarred for a maximum of three years depending upon the severity of the offence,” he said. Senators wanted the institution to expedite the payment of remuneration to examiners. The members said the university paid the teachers three months after the examination was completed. “Even the results are out but the examiners have not received payment,” said a senator. University Vice-Chancellor P. Duraisamy said currently the examiners are paid within three months but the colleges said the exams were held in December and the results were declared in February. However, the payment had not been made till March.

Improvement panel

When some senators pointed out about the spurt in revaluation, he said the university planned to set up a committee to improve the valuation system by next academic year. The university has decided that henceforth a chief examiner would have seven evaluators under him, instead of five. Some senate members, however, said the older system of five examiners should be continued.

Foreign examiners

Professors complained that remuneration to foreign examiners for Ph.D. candidates had not been paid. The Vice-Chancellor said banks had issued a new rule requiring foreign examiners to provide passport and bank account details.

“Some are not willing to share these details, so we are unable to pay. We have decided to ask the foreign examiner if he or she is willing to share the details. If the person refuses, he or she will not be an examiner,” Mr. Duraisamy explained.

In a bid to resolve long-pending issues, the Vice-Chancellor said he proposed to have a joint meeting with the students, principals and college teachers, university teachers and its administrative staff in April-May. The meeting would discuss issues such as qualification approval for college teachers; Ph.D. relevance certificate for increments; recognition to guide M. Phil/Ph.D. students.

“I plan to set aside a day for walk-in meeting for teachers, students and staff,” Mr. Duraisamy said.

The university paid the teachers 3 months after exam was completedSenate member

Affiliation fee for colleges doubled: Madras varsity V-C

SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

CHENNAI, APRIL 01, 2018 00:00 IST  THE HINDU 

Criteria revised, sum hiked from Rs. 5 lakh to Rs. 10 lakh: Duraisamy

The University of Madras has doubled the affiliation fee for colleges, Vice-Chancellor P. Duraisamy informed the Senate on Saturday.

In his introductory remarks, Mr. Duraisamy made the announcement that the fee had been hiked from the existing Rs. 5 lakh to Rs. 10 lakh.

Amendments to the university’s relevant statutes had been made to revise the criteria for granting permanent affiliation to colleges and the Syndicate at its meeting on February 19 recommended that the same be placed in the Senate for approval.

Hanifa Ghosh, Principal of Sembium-based Chevalier T. Thomas Elizabeth College for Women, said her institution had applied for permanent affiliation when the fee was Rs. 1 lakh.

Then it was hiked to Rs. 4 lakh and subsequently to Rs. 5 lakh. Yet it had not been given affiliation.

Now the criteria had been revised and yet again the university had hiked the fee, she noted.

Mr. Duraisamy said the revision of criteria necessitated the fee hike. Ms. Ghosh, however, felt it was unfair on the part of the university to ask for the revised fee when it had paid more than that amount considering the number of years that had passed since her college applied.

Another senator also raised the issue of high fee, but Mr. Duraisamy said the colleges would have to pay the difference amount.

The university has decided to hike the fee for verification and issue of degree certificates and preservation of records. This amount will be collected from students from the academic year 2018-19 onwards.

‘Certificates from 2005’

Mr. Duraisamy said the university planned to create a database of students with unique ID, based on the representation received from principals of the autonomous colleges of the university.

“We are going to upload all certificates from 2005,” Mr. Duraisamy informed.

Students of government non-autonomous colleges need not pay a fee, but those in autonomous, aided and self-financing colleges will have to pay a fee.

Each undergraduate student in government autonomous colleges will pay Rs. 300 per year and M.Phil candidates Rs. 1,000 per year.

Association of University Teachers president J. Gandhiraj objected saying the university should find other ways to fund its programmes, but Mr. Duraisamy said the university could not mobilise funds from other sources.

The university has planned to create a database of students with unique ID