Former HC judge CS Karnan arrested over remarks on SC judges, wives

Former HC judge CS Karnan arrested over remarks on SC judges, wives

He was also booked under several sections, including insulting the modesty of a woman and criminal intimidation, based on a complaint by one advocate Devika.

Published: 02nd December 2020 09:38 PM 

Former Calcutta High Court judge CS Karnan

By Express News Service

CHENNAI: Former Calcutta High Court judge CS Karnan was arrested by the Central Crime Branch (CCB) officials on Wednesday for his remarks against the retired and serving Supreme Court judges, their wives, and women judges, in a video which went viral on social media.

He was remanded in judicial custody in Puzhal prison. The arrest comes days ahead of a hearing of a case on the matter on December 7.

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In October, Tiruvanmiyur police had booked a case against five men, without naming Karnan, for trespassing into a woman SC judge's residence in their jurisdiction, after which a video of him making sexually violent remarks against women judges and wives of other SC judges had gone viral on social media.

On November 26, Karnan had appeared in front of the Central Crime Branch sleuths for an inquiry in connection with his remarks.

He was also booked under several sections, including insulting the modesty of a woman and criminal intimidation, based on a complaint by one advocate Devika, soon after he appeared for an inquiry before the CCB.

Last week, during a hearing at the Madras High Court, the CCB officials had produced an apology letter claiming that the retired judge had given it to them promising not to indulge in similar acts. But the judges rejected the letter and asked the DGP and the City Police Commissioner to be present for the December 7 hearing.

On November 10, the court had also ordered the police to pull down the video from social media.

This is the second time Karnan is being arrested. In June 2017, he was arrested from a private guest house in Malumachampatti in Coimbatore by West Bengal police, after being on the run for 40 days since vanishing from the government guest house in Kolkata. Karnan was also sentenced to six-month imprisonment earlier, while he was a sitting judge at the Calcutta High Court.

Woman steals Rs 43.9 lakh from husband, shares with Facebook friend

Woman steals Rs 43.9 lakh from husband, shares with Facebook friend

Days after a textile businessman lodged a complaint that a sum of Rs 43.90 lakh had gone missing from his house in Foreshore Estate, his wife and her Facebook friend were arrested.

Published: 03rd December 2020 06:01 AM 

By Express News Service

CHENNAI: Days after a textile businessman lodged a complaint that a sum of Rs 43.90 lakh had gone missing from his house in Foreshore Estate, his wife and her Facebook friend were arrested.

On November 24, Thameem Ansari (40) of Mandaveli had lodged a complaint that Rs 43.90 lakh which included his partners’ share went missing from a cupboard in the house.

“Since he celebrated his son’s birthday around that time the needle of suspicion fell on family and friends who attended the function. However, since nothing came out it, Thanseem, the businessman’s wife was questioned,” said police.

She admitted to having given the money to one A Riaz Ahmed (38) of Purasawalkam. Police said that Thanseem met Riaz Ahmed on Facebook and developed a relationship. 

“Thameem hatched a plan to steal the money a day before her son’s birthday so that suspicion would fall on the visitors. She wanted to share the money with Ahmed,” said police. Based on her confession, Riaz Ahmed was picked up and the entire sum of stolen cash was seized from him.

Salem cricketer Natarajan makes family proud on his India debut

Salem cricketer Natarajan makes family proud on his India debut

Senthil.Kumaran@timesgroup.com

Salem: 03.12.2020

When left-arm pacer T Natarajan made his ODI debut for India in Canberra on Wednesday, there was a flurry of accolades coming his way, recognising his journey from obscurity to stardom. The icing on the cake was Congress MP Shashi Tharoor tweet: “So moved by the remarkable ascent of #TNatarajan from a life of hardscrabble rural poverty to his India debut in Australia today. May India always offer hope for all its people & may genuine talent always be recognized & given the chance to rise, in all fields. Thanks to #IPL!”

Family members of Natarajan soaked in all the adulation as Natarajan finished with a creditable 2-70 and played a significant role in India’s victory. Talking to TOI, his mother T Shantha saidher son madeChinnappampatty, a small village famous. “Everyone is calling to congratulate my son’s achievement,” she said.

Twenty-eight-year-old Natarajan, belonging to a middle-classweaver family,cametothelimelight when Kings Eleven Punjab auctioned him for ₹3 crore in the Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2017. He played for Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL 2020. Natarajan’s father Thangaraj, 59, is a weaver while his mother Shantha, 58 runs a roadside chicken stall. Eldest among five siblings, Natarajan was passionate about cricket since childhood. Despite the family’s financial constraints his parents encouraged him to pursue sports and he started playing state-level cricket in 2014.. Two years later he was in Tamil Nadu Premier League , where his outstanding performance got him an IPL entry.

“Everyone delighted when my brother took the first wicket in the international match,” said Megala, one of his sisters.

MOMENT OF GLORY: T Natarajan’s family members watch the one-day match

Rajini continues consultations with friends, associates

Rajini continues consultations with friends, associates

Jaya.Menon@timesgroup.com

Chennai:03.12.2020

It may not be a nailbiter anymore, but two days after he met functionaries of his Rajini Makkal Mandram, actor Rajinikanth kept his fans guessing by continuing consultations with friends and associates. On Wednesday, longtime friend and Gandhiya Makkal Iyakkam founder Tamilaruvi Manian called on the actor. “Whether he will come into politics or not, only Rajini knows…I told him that whatever decision he takes, it should not be at the cost of his health,” Manian told reporters after the meeting.

The actor continues to be a “confused man”, said friends, who either met him or spoke to him over the phone. But those close to him were unanimous that Rajinikanth’s health condition should be the sole factor influencing his decision. “He is very clear that campaigns cannot be virtual, and that he preferred direct interactions with the people. This would jeopardize his health,” a senior associate, who spoke to the actor after his November 30 consultations with RMM functionaries, told TOI.

“I told him that preparations for elections were like preparing the dough to make dosas. It has to be done well in advance. He merely laughed,” said another associate. “Moreover, for Rajini, the launching of the party has to be a grand affair. How is this possible during the Covid-19 pandemic?”

Another loyalist said it was just a matter of time before the actor cited his health to back away from politics. “His doctors have warned him about the consequences. It is just a matter of time before he makes his announcement, perhaps on his birthday on December 12 or sometime in January,” he said. The actor had hinted as much during the RMM meeting that doctors had advised him against the political adventure.

“It seems unlikely that he would take any chance with his health,” s”aid a RMM district functionary, sounding disappointed. “People believe he is a winning horse. But not if it is at the cost of his health,” said an associate, who spoke to the actor on Tuesday.

As edu institutes reopen, state plans to cap RT-PCR tests at ₹1,200

As edu institutes reopen, state plans to cap RT-PCR tests at ₹1,200

₹800 For Those With State Health Cover

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:03.12.2020

The gold standard for Covid-19 diagnosis, RT-PCR test, is now part of several standard operating procedures laid down for education institutions, travel and public events, but its cost is among the highest in Tamil Nadu.

While testing is done free of cost in 67 recognised government labs, the state health department has capped RT-PCR test cost at ₹1,500 (additional ₹500 in case of home collection) for private facilities. People enrolled with chief minister health insurance can be charged a maximum ₹1,200 for individual tests and ₹900 in case of pooled sampling. The state health department is considering bringing down the cap now.

“When several states have cut the cost, shouldn’t Tamil Nadu consider making the test affordable for people, especially since colleges are asking students to produce test results at the time of joining,” asked S Senthilvel, a public health activist from Vyasarpadi. “Most testing kits are now made locally and cost less than ₹450. Many states have cut down cost and allow patients to undergo antigen testing as well. But in Tamil Nadu, only RT-PCR tests are recognised and the cost is still high,” he said.

On Tuesday, the UP government slashed the test rates by nearly half to ₹700 (₹200 more for home collection) and the previous day, the Delhi government cut the cost from ₹2,400 to ₹800. Gujarat, Telangana and Rajasthan governments have capped the price of lab tests at ₹800.

Health department in Tamil Nadu is also revising the rates. Officials say the cost for individual tests will be brought down to ₹800 for those with the state health insurance. Labs will be allowed to charge ₹600 for pooled samples. For others, labs can charge ₹1200 (additional ₹300 for door-step collection). “A government order in this regard will be released soon. We want to implement the revised cost for insurance holders from December 4,” said a senior official.

The state, he said, did not want to bring down the cost for private patients to ₹800 as it felt it would not be “viable for staff.” The state has 221 labs that are authorised to conduct RT-PCR testing. Director of medical services Dr S Gurunathan said nearly 70% of tests in the state were done in government labs. In November, 83% of the tests were done in government labs, he said. Data shows that while government labs tested more than 15 lakh samples, the private labs processed 3.13 lakh. “We will be able to keep prices under control naturally because government labs have been doing the majority of tests,” he said.

Foot over-bridge at Tambaram won’t be ready anytime soon

Foot over-bridge at Tambaram won’t be ready anytime soon

P Oppili & V Ayyappan TNN

Chennai:03.12.2020

The under-construction foot over bridge over the GST Road connecting Tambaram old bus terminal with the railway station is not going to be ready anytime soon as the railway authorities are delaying in giving their nod to the work within their premises, highways department sources said.

When the project was in the proposal stage, a senior railway official who was in charge of road over bridges was very cordial with government officials. But, now there is no such cooperation from the railway authorities, the sources said.

A senior department official said the length of the FoB is 242 meters. Of this, 130 meters is within the railway premises and the rest is over the GST Road. Almost 90% work is over on GST Road of the FoB, the official said.

On an average about 50,000 people move from east Tambaram to west Tambaram and vice-versa daily. So, once constructed, the facility will become a vital link for the daily users.

A senior railway official said the role of railways was minimal for the project. “Railways need not do any work in connection with the FoB. So, need for a permission is not a major factor behind the delay in the work,” he added. Railways is working to improve passenger amenities at stations and the bridge is considered as an advantage for the commuters.

HC: Fresh application not needed for lapsed building permission

HC: Fresh application not needed for lapsed building permission

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:03.12.2020

The Madras high court has made it clear that once a building plan is approved by authorities concerned, fresh application is not required in case of expiry of time for completion of construction.

A mere application for renewal is sufficient under the District Municipalities Act, if there are no changes in the approved plan, Justice N Anand Venkatesh said, concurring with the submissions of counsel Abudukumar Rajarathinam.

“…there is no question of once again going through the entire process afresh once the building has already been approved by the authority concerned,” the court added.

This stand has been consistently followed and the court does not find any ground to deviate from this view. In fact, such a construction has been upheld by the Division Bench of this court through an order dated June 13, 2018 the court said.

The issue pertains to pleas moved by Mistair Realty's Private Limited and Jansi Kishore challenging the order of the commissioner of Udhagamandalam Municipality rejecting renewal for their approved building plan.

According to the petitioners, due to an unforeseen exigency, all the money that was saved for putting up the construction was spent on some medical emergency and, therefore, they could not complete the construction within the licensed period.

Subsequently, they applied for renewal of the building approval. However, the same was rejected by the authorities on the ground that the licence period has expired.

Aggrieved they have moved the present plea. When the pleas came up for hearing, advocate Abudukumar Rajarathinam contended that the authorities should not have rejected renewal as there were no changes made to the approved plan.

Opposing the same, the municipality submitted that the petitioners had approached the municipality after a delay of 10 years that too after the expiry of the license period.

Refusing to accept the contention, the court quashed the rejection order and directed issuance of renewal.

A mere application for renewal is sufficient under the District Municipalities Act, if there are no changes in the approved plan, Justice N Anand Venkatesh said