SRM university hosts national level hackathon 

DECCAN CHRONICLE.

Published Oct 20, 2019, 2:53 am IST

 The winner was team Dragon_Booster from Sri Venkateshwara College of Engineering, Sriperumbudur. 


People's Favorite award was won by SRMIST's Beeclust_mrsl group consisting of Inderan Kannan, Atul John Abraham, and Sukriti.

Chennai: Future mobility, Defence, Sustainability, Technology in Brand Experience, IT Security and Tourism were the themes of the fourth edition of the SRM Hackathon, organised by the IT Association, School of Computing and SRM Institute of Science and Technology, at the SRMIST campus.

The winner was team Dragon_Booster from Sri Venkateshwara College of Engineering, Sriperumbudur. The Social Stars award was won by Team Gen-Y of SRMIST, comprising Shwet Mishra, Siddhant Tibrewal, Saurabh Agrawal, Subhashree Hazra and Atif Hossain. Their application was to solve travel plan complexity and help people create any trip according to their preferences.

People's Favorite award was won by SRMIST's Beeclust_mrsl group consisting of Inderan Kannan, Atul John Abraham, and Sukriti. Their work was a prototype that uses algae and draws in CO2 and other harmful gases like

Sulphur Di Oxide and fullerenes (excess air) into the system. The major highlights include the production of zero to no waste, completely environment-friendly and low energy consumption when compared to the conventional air purifiers.

SRM Hackathon 4.0 was a 36-hour long event and had about 1000 entries. Only 40 ideas were selected for the finals, held under the guidance of a panel of mentors and judges. The idea was to create a platform for young developers and professionals to showcase their projects.

Speaking at the event, SRMIST Vice-Chancellor Dr. Sandeep Sancheti said that novelty and innovation formed the core of such Hackathons. “It is important to learn from such competitions that provide a space for developers to come across 50-odd solutions for a single problem”, he said, pointing out that Prime Minister Narendra Modi also promoted such hackathons.

Absence of injury no ground to say there was no sex abuse: Madras high court 

DECCAN CHRONICLE. | J STALIN

Published Oct 20, 2019, 4:48 am IST
 
The case of the prosecution was that the mother of the victim minor girl, had lodged a complaint on May 27, 2016. 

Madras high court

Chennai: Observing that when parents, who discover that their child has been abused often find themselves experiencing a range of feelings from confusion and anger to horror, disgust, grief and betrayal and many will feel frustrated and helpless and some find themselves feeling a sense of numbness, the Madras high court has upheld the conviction and sentence of 10 years rigorous imprisonment awarded to an accused, who kidnapped and sexually assaulted a 12-year-old girl in Erode district.

Dismissing the appeal filed by the accused P.Prakash, Justice S.Vaidyanathan said, “The accused does not deserve for any leniency from this court, as the acquittal of a person like the accused will tantamount to posing a threat to female children and there may be a possibility of losing their virginity at the young age itself”.

“Nowadays, several couples are facing infertility problem in India, on account of which, they are longing for a child and when that child is abused and assaulted sexually, it will amount to removal of a bud from a plant to prevent flower and fruit from forming”, the judge added.

The case of the prosecution was that the mother of the victim minor girl, had lodged a complaint on May 27, 2016, against the accused, stating that on May 27, 2016, at about 5 pm, while her second daughter aged about 12 years, was playing hike and seek game with her friends, the accused forcibly took her to his house and committed a sexual assault on the victim minor girl, which resulted in registration of a case for the offences under section 366 IPC and section 6 read with 18 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO Act). After trial, the Sessions Court (Mahalir Fast Track Court), Erode convicted and sentenced the accused to 10 years RI for offences under section 366 IPC and 7 years RI under the POCSO Act. Aggrieved, the accused filed the present appeal.

The judge said the counsel for the appellant placed much reliance on the statement made by Dr Malarvizhi that in the event of any physical violence, there must have been bodily injury on the person, who was subjected to such violence, in the absence of which, it cannot be said that the victim minor girl was subjected to sexual harassment. It was a highly fallacious argument advanced by the counsel for the accused in as much as a minor girl did not even know as to what for she was being pulled in and touched and therefore, an inference can be drawn that there cannot be much resistance on the side of a minor girl and in the absence of any opposition, naturally, there was no possibility of sustaining any injury on the body. Mere absence of bodily injury cannot be a ground to say that there was no offence at all, especially, when it was reported that semen was detected on the churidar. Thus, the version of the victim minor girl has been duly supported by the report of the forensic sciences department, as the vi
ctim minor girl in her 164 statement before the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Erode had clearly stated that when the accused had touched her, some liquid like water fell on her churidar pant and on seeing the same, she had run out of the house and the said deposition cannot be said to be a tutored one. Even though, this court thought of incorporating the deposition of the girl in the order, in the interest of the child and with a view to avoid inclusion of obscene words contained in the deposition, this court has refrained from extraction of those contents, the judge added.

The judge said on the side of the accused, no iota of evidence has been furnished to show that he was falsely implicated in this case owing to the previous enmity and a mother cannot play with the life of her daughter in order to gain financially or any other thing. The problem of sexual harassment relates to the roles which were attributed to men and women in social and economic life, which, in turn, directly or indirectly, affects women's positions in the labor market, the judge added.

Haveri college apologies for ‘out-of-the-box’ thinking

20/10/2019 , Staff Reporter , Bengaluru

A day after students of Bhagat PU College in Haveri were made to wear boxes on their heads to prevent them from copying, the management of the college has apologised for the incident.

The administrator of the college, M.B. Satish, submitted a written apology to the Deputy Director of PU Department in the presence of Deputy Commissioner, Haveri district.

Minister reacts

Primary and Secondary Education Minister S. Suresh Kumar told The Hindu that he had directed officials concerned to submit a report on the incident. “Stringent action will be taken against the college for the unacceptable action. This is to ensure that such incidents do not repeat. It is shameful that such incidents occur,” he said.

FB to deliver News Corp stories 

Its upcoming news tab will highlight headlines from WSJ
 
20/10/2019 , Agence France-Presse, San Francisco 


Mark Zuckerberg

Facebook on Friday confirmed that some stories from News Corp, publisher of The Wall Street Journal, will be among the headlines delivered in a news tab the leading social network plans to launch in coming weeks.

Edited by seasoned journalists, the tab will be separate from the feed that displays updates from people’s friends, according to the California-based tech giant.

The new feature marks a departure from Facebook’s longstanding practice of letting algorithms dictate users’ experiences.

“I’m excited we’ll have the opportunity to include award-winning journalism from The Wall Street Journal — and other U.S. News Corp properties — in our news tab,” the firm’s co-founder and chief executive Mark Zuckerberg said in a statement.

No details were provided about the agreement, but last month Facebook said it plans to pay only a portion of the publishers whose stories appear in the tab.

Facebook and Google currently dominate the market for online advertising, making it harder for traditional news organizations to gain traction in digital.

Mr. Zuckerberg and his social network have also come under intense pressure in recent years over the spread of so-called “fake news” and data privacy issues.

The WSJ has reported that Facebook plans to pay about a quarter of the estimated 200 news organisations whose articles will be featured.

CBI alleges illegal gratification in INX Media case 

₹3.2 crore paid by it to four companies after Chidambaram cleared downstreaming of investments

20/10/2019 , Special Correspondent, NEW DELHI 


P. Chidambaram after he was produced in court. file photo


The CBI has alleged that four invoices were raised for payment of over ₹3.2 crore by INX Media to four companies after its proposal for downstreaming investments into INX News was cleared by the then Union Finance Minister, P. Chidambaram, in 2008.

The companies are Advantage Strategic Consulting Private Ltd. (ASCPL), which is allegedly controlled by Karti Chidambaram, its Singapore wing, North Star Software Private Ltd. and the Greece-based Geben Trading Limited, the CBI said.

On March 13, 2007, the company applied for investments from three Mauritius-based firms — Dunearn Investments, New Silk Route and New Vernon Private Equity Ltd. — by way of preferential allotment of 14.99 lakh equity shares at ₹10 a unit.

However, as alleged, INX Media had entered into a deal with the investors for issuance of shares at a premium of ₹862.15 a unit. The quoted amount of the proposed influx was just ₹4.62 crore, but the real figure turned out to be ₹403.07 crore.

The proposal was put up before the FIPB (Foreign Investment Promotion Board), which recommended it, clarifying that a separate approval was needed for downstreaming. Mr. Chidambaram cleared it, but the approval letter did not quantify the FDI in monetary terms, allegedly to conceal the exact amount of influx. It was showed only as 46.2% of the issued equity share capital of the company to the investors, the CBI said.

In February 2008, the then Information and Broadcasting Minister received complaints about the source of funding to INX News from some media representatives. The matter was sent to the Department of Revenue (DoR). Some former MPs, besides former INX Media employee Vir Sanghvi, too approached the Finance Minister, who also referred the issue to the DoR.

The Income Tax Department initiated an inquiry and sought clarifications from the Finance Ministry’s FIPB unit on “excess” investment and 26% downstreaming in INX News. The FIPB unit officials, named in the CBI chargesheet filed on Friday, defended the decision on the FDI issue, the CBI said.

The agency alleged that correspondences between the Income-Tax Department, the FIPB unit and INX Media were on when then INX Media director Peter Mukerjea allegedly contacted Mr. Chidambaram to resolve the issues. On his instructions, it is alleged, the company directors met Mr. Karti Chidambaram at Hotel Hyatt in mid-2008.

At the meeting, a demand for $1 million was made, of which ₹9.96 lakh was paid in advance to ASCPL in the guise of consultancy, the CBI said.

As advised by Mr. Karti’s company Chess Management Services, INX Media replied to the FIPB unit's queries on the issues of “excess” investment and downstreaming. The official who received the response proposed to forward it to the Income Tax Department for further action. However, the accused FIPB officials buried the matter, saying that INX News had been told to apply afresh for downstreaming.

Release pension to ward of freedom fighter: High Court

20/10/2019 , Staff Reporter, Madurai

The Bench of Madras High Court directed the Central government to release pension to the daughter of a freedom fighter.

The court was hearing an appeal filed by the Centre against a single bench order that had directed release of pension to N. Selvi, daughter of M. Nallathambi, a freedom fighter who died in 2010.

The Centre had rejected the application of Nallathambi on two grounds.

The applicant had not submitted any primary evidence to prove his imprisonment during the freedom struggle. He had only submitted a co-prisoner certificate as proof.

The certificate was rejected as it was not in the prescribed format.

A Division Bench of Justices T.S. Sivagnanam and R. Tharani observed that rejecting a co-prisoner certificate because it was not in the approved format was wholly unreasonable and arbitrary.

The court took cognisance of the fact that five freedom fighters had certified the co-prisoner certificate and all of them were receiving pension under the scheme.

The co-prisoner certificate was the same set of documents that was produced by Nallathambi to the State government for granting freedom fighter pension.

The certificate had already been tested and proved to be valid.

“There is sufficient proof to show jail suffering,” the court said and dismissed the appeal.

Mass fish deaths in Dhanushkodi backwaters trigger panic 

Oxygen depletion could be the reason, says official

20/10/2019 , D.J. Walter Scott R, amanathapuram 


 
Water samples and dead fish were collected for further examination.

The backwaters in Dhanushkodi witnessed mass fish deaths on Saturday, owing to a depletion of the oxygen level in the shallow waters. The incident was similar to to the one that occurred recently on the seashore in the Gulf of Mannar, where fish died due to the sudden blooming of micro-algae.

About three tonnes of fish were found dead at the backwaters in the lagoons adjacent to the Kothandaramar temple in Dhanushkodi, triggering panic among the fisher folk in the area.

Scientists from Mandapam Regional Centre of Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) and officials from the Fisheries Department examined the dead fish and identified them as ‘Koimeen’.

R. Jayakumar, scientist in-charge, CMFRI, said the fish entered the lagoons en masse. The fish might have died of suffocation due to oxygen depletion when there was a rise in water temperature and in the absence of water current, he said.

The fish could have entered the lagoon when there was high tide and got trapped inside, he said. “Multiple factors such as rise in temperature, low depth of water, low tide and absence of water current resulting in low level of dissolved oxygen might have caused the deaths,” he said.

It was a low value fish and fishermen could dry them for poultry feed. Water samples and dead fish were collected for further examination, he said.

MKU to fast-track interview for post of Registrar 

Varsity keen on conducting a transparent interview: VC

20/10/2019 , Staff Reporter, MADURAI

Madurai Kamaraj University’s administration is expected to fast-track the process of conducting interviews for the post of Registrar after October 23 when the Finance Committee is expected to meet in Chennai.

Vice-Chancellor M. Krishnan confirmed the conduct of the meeting but said that decisions regarding this matter cannot be disclosed until the meeting concludes.

“We are keen on conducting a transparent interview and are taking steps in this regard,” he said.

A source from the administration said that they would decide on appointing three experts to join the interview panel consisting of seven members, including the Governor’s nominee, Chairman, Dean and a Syndicate member. Apart from them, a woman and a Scheduled Caste/ Scheduled Tribe representative.

MKU’s administration, which initially set September 23 as the date for interviewing candidates for the post of Registrar, postponed it citing administrative delays.

A circular from the office of MKU’s Registrar in-charge was sent to all 21 candidates short-listed for the post as the members of the Syndicate were to meet the same day. The VC had then stated that the university was to seek opinion from Syndicate members on the seven-member panel that would be conducting the interview and added that he would be submitting the names of seven experts to join the committee. This discussion, however, would be postponed to October 23 instead, the source said.

Currently, a total of seven candidates from within the university have been shortlisted for the interview, of whom two have been provisionally selected as they have cases pending against them in High Court.

Karnataka college issues apology
 
20/10/2019 , Bengaluru

A day after students of Bhagat PU College in Karnataka’s Haveri were made to wear boxes on their heads to prevent them from copying, the management has apologised for the incident. College administrator M.B. Satish gave a written apology to the Deputy Director of PU Department.

NEET case: bail hearing of medicos adjourned 

CB-CID on the lookout for agents

20/10/2019 , A. ShrikumarTHEN

The Judicial Magistrate Court has adjourned the hearing of the bail applications of two medical students — one from the SRM Medical College and one from the Balaji Medical College — and those of their fathers, in connection with the NEET impersonation case, to October 21.

The students were accused of using a proxy to clear NEET.

A student of the Theni Government Medical College, who was among the first to be arrested by the CB-CID in connection with the case, was granted bail by the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on October 17.

However, the court denied bail to his father.

Another student, of the Dharmapuri Government Medical College, and his father have been remanded in the Theni district jail. A girl student of the Saveetha Medical College and her mother have been remanded in the Madurai central prison.

The CB-CID is on the lookout for the agents suspected of involvement in the scam, who are said to be hiding in neighbouring Karnataka and Kerala.

HC seeks report

Meanwhile, the High Court Bench that has been hearing the bail applications has sought details from the police on the action taken to secure the agents and the impersonators.

Dindigul Thalappakatti raises ₹260 crore from CX Partners
Biryani specialist to scale up its presence over the next two years
 
20/10/2019 , Sangeetha Kandavel, , CHENNAI 


 
Dindigul Thalappakatti Hotels has 62 outlets and the average daily turnout of its kitchens is over 4,000 kg of biryani.

In one of the biggest deals in the food and beverage space in recent years, home-grown brand Dindigul Thalappakatti Hotels has raised ₹260 crore from CX Partners, a private equity firm. With this funding, the firm, whose roots can be traced all the way back to 1957, intends to scale up its presence nationally and globally and venture into new markets over the next two years.

Officials from CX Partners and Sathish D. Nagasamy, managing director of Dindigul Thalappakatti, could not be reached for comment. According to details gathered from industry sources, it is learnt that M. Vinod Kumar from Advay Capital Advisors, an independent mid-market investment bank focused on advisory services to corporates for private equity fundraising and mergers & acquisitions, was the adviser for this deal, while Balachandar R. of Bluekoi Ventures was the adviser from the promoter’s side.

Two sources, who are aware of this deal, said as per the game plan, in the first phase Thalappakatti will strengthen its presence in Kerala, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. Expansion would happen in the northern market in the second phase. The next stops would be the east and west zones. “The idea is to have a national presence and simultaneously spread branches in the overseas market,” one of the sources said. The sources also said Mr. Sathish, who is the current managing director of the chain, will continue to run day-to-day operations and will be instrumental in decision- making.

Booming business

The firm has 62 outlets, seven of which are overseas. The kitchens on an average turn out over 4,000 kg of biryani a day. In the last decade, the biryani business has been booming. The organised biryani business in the State is pegged at ₹1,500 crore a year, while the unorganised segment records ₹4,000 crore. The State has over 300 well-known biryani brands, each doing an average business of ₹ 25 lakh a month.

This home-grown brand from T.N. was founded by Nagasamy Naidu under the name Anandha Vilas Biriyani Hotel in Dindigul. Naidu always wore a thalapa (a turban), which, over the years, became synonymous with his brand and people fondly called him ‘Thalappakatti’ Naidu, which eventually became the brand’s name. Thalappakatti biryani is prepared using seeraga samba rice, known as parakkum sittu and the meat is procured from cattle markets of Kannivadi and Paramathi.

Dindigul Thalappakatti raises ₹260 crore

20/10/2019 , Chennai

In one of the biggest deals in the food and beverage space in recent years, home-grown brand Dindigul Thalappakatti Hotels has raised ₹260 crore from a private equity firm, CX Partners. With this funding, the firm intends to scale up its presence globally and venture into newer markets in the next two years.

Govt. doctors to go on strike from October 25
No action taken on their demands

20/10/2019 , Special Correspondent, CHENNAI

The Federation of Government Doctors’ Association (FOGDA) has decided to press ahead with an indefinite strike from October 25. But emergency services, including fever wards, will not be affected.

The doctors have been demanding proper implementation of the Dynamic Assured Career Progression (DACP) scheme with pay band-4 at the end of 13 years of service, maintenance of doctors’ posts in accordance with the number of patients, 50% service quota in PG admissions and counselling for postgraduate postings. In a letter to the Health Secretary earlier this month, the association noted that the government had agreed to “favourably solve” the demands in six weeks.

“It was disappointing to note that even after the end of six weeks on October 8, the issues were neither solved, nor was there reasonable progression,” it said. To this end, the association has begun to sensitise doctors in various districts.

Convocation

Woman cabin crew held with 4kg gold dust worth ₹1 crore

S Ahmed Ali@timesgroup.com

Mumbai:20.10.2019

A woman cabin crew with a private carrier was arrested by customs officials for trying to smuggle in 4kg of gold dust worth ₹1 crore from Dubai. Sanna Pathan, 30, was caught by the Air Intelligence Unit with the gold dust concealed under her undergarments in her baggage.

Officials said the Kalyan resident was a courier and had been promised ₹60,000 for the job by a man named Sahil in Dubai. His number was found to be switched off.

Pathan, who has worked with two other airlines previously, told officials that a man named Mohammed had given her pouches with the gold dust in the aircraft’s washroom, and she was supposed to deliver it to another person after clearing customs. Pathan said she was to receive a call after customs clearance. A local court has remanded her in judicial custody.

Cow eats 20 gram gold chain; op retrieves chain

Deepthi.Sanjiv@timesgroup.com

Shivamogga:20.10.2019

A cow accidentally swallowed a 20gram gold chain in Nanditale village of Sagar taluk in Shivamogga district after feeding on flower garlands. The animal was later operated upon to retrieve the gold chain.

The one-and-a-half-yearold cow, a jersey cross breed heifer, belongs to Ravindra Bhat, a resident of Kanmane in Ulluru gram panchayat. On Vijayadashami, Bhat decorated the idols at his home with a flower garland and a gold chain before offering a puja. Next day, the garland was cleared and given to the cow to chew on. But the Bhat family forgot to remove the gold chain that was entangled in the garland. By the time the family realized their folly, the cow had already swallowed the chain. “In fact, the cow had left the garland half-eaten,” said Bhat. Bhat contacted the Veterinary Hospital in Sagar immediately. Veterinary officer Dr Dayanand sprang to his help. “I advised him to observe the cow closely for a few days and check the dung every day. When the cow started to become slightly pale, we decided to operate the animal,” said Dr Dayanand.

Technically, the cow has four stomachs. When the cow first eats, it chews the food just enough to swallow it. The unchewed food travels to the first two stomachs- rumen and reticulum. One the cow becomes full, it rests. While resting, the animal brings up bits of the unchewed food called cud and chews it completely before swallowing it again. The chewed cud then goes to the third and fourth stomachs, the omasum and abomasum.

Dr Dayananad said the surgery was performed on Wednesday and the cow is doing well. It should be fine in ten days’ time, he said. The surgery was assisted by Keriyappa and it cost around ₹2,000. 


STRIKE GOLD: The retrieved gold chain

Woman gets ₹26L after losing leg, ₹2L for ‘loss of marriage prospect’

Rebecca.Samervel@timesgroup.com

Mumbai:20.10.2019

In a recent payout of ₹28 lakh awarded to a 34-year-old woman who lost a limb in an accident in 2015, the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal included ₹2 lakh in total compensation for “loss of future marriage prospect”.

The tribunal observed that of late, finding a suitable marriage prospect has become a herculean task for even a normal person and impossible for someone who has lost a leg. It relied on a Madras high court order, which said that if a person remained unmarried, it was an altogether different matter, but if a person is compelled to remain a bachelor due to injuries sustained and consequent amputation, it would be “utmost agonising”.

“It was impossible for her to get a suitable groom. Therefore, she is entitled to ₹2 lakh for loss of marital prospects. In addition to this, it would be reasonable to award compensation of ₹2 lakh for the loss of amenities and pleasure of life, and ₹2 lakh for her inability to attend social functions in future,” the tribunal said. Other heads under which the payout was calculated included loss of income due to disability, special diet, conveyance and attendant charges, costs for an artificial limb and medical expenses.

In the plea submitted before the tribunal in 2016, it was alleged that on November 14, 2015 about 3.30pm, when the woman and her mother were on their way to Thane in an autorickshaw driven by her father, a speeding SUV rammed into them at Kanjurmarg. The woman deposed in the tribunal and iterated the details of the incident.

Observing that her testimony was corroborated by documentary evidence which included the FIR, the tribunal said, “I have no hesitation to hold that applicant has proved that accident took place due to rash and negligent driving.”

In two other orders, the woman’s 54-year-old mother was awarded a compensation of around ₹16 lakh for serious injuries suffered in the accident, and her 57-year-old father was awarded a payout of around ₹60,000. The compensations will have to be paid by SBI General Insurance and the vehicle owner, Bhayandar-based Shree Tours & Travels.

In addition to the ₹28 lakh awarded to a 34-year-old woman who lost a limb in an accident in 2015, the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal included ₹2 lakh in total compensation for “loss of future marriage prospect”

Calling woman a ‘call girl’ not abetment of suicide, rules top court

AmitAnand.Choudhary@timesgroup.com

New Delhi:20.10.2019

Fifteen years after an English teacher and his parents were booked for abetment of suicide for his girlfriend taking her life after being called a “call girl” by his family members, the Supreme Court has discharged the accused saying that the taunt was not sufficient enough a ground to prosecute them.

A bench of Justices Indu Malhotra and R Subhash Reddy said it cannot be inferred that suicide of the girl was the direct result of ‘abusive’ language used for her. The court said a word uttered in a fit of anger or emotion without intending the consequences to actually follow cannot be said to be the instigation.

The apex court relied on its earlier verdict in which a man was discharged when his wife committed suicide after having a fight in which he had asked her “to go and die”. “By applying the judgments referred, we are of the view that such material is not sufficient to proceed with the trial by framing charge of offence under Section 306/34 IPC. It is also clear from the material that there was no goading or solicitation or insinuation by any of the respondents to the victim to commit suicide,” the court said.

In this case, the girl, a resident of Kolkata, was taking tuition for English language from the accused when intimacy grew between them and they decided to get married. But when the girl went to his house, his infuriated parents started shouting at her and called her a “call girl”. As per the complaint filed by the girl’s father, she was disturbed as the teacher did not oppose when his parents were abusing him and committed suicide a day after the incident in 2004.



RARE CASE: The SC said a word uttered in a fit of anger or emotion without intending the consequences to actually follow cannot be said to be the instigation

‘Bodies have rights too, can’t be used as bargaining chip’
Govt Must Conduct Last Rites If Kin Fail To Do So: Raj Rights Panel

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Jaipur:20.10.2019

The Rajasthan State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) has observed that the body of a deceased person “also has rights” and cannot be used by the family to negotiate claims or stage a protest.

The commission said if the family fails to conduct the last rites as per the customs or the law, it becomes the duty of the government to do the needful with the help of local bodies or the police, if necessary.

In his order, SHRC chairman Justice (retired) Prakash Tatia said bargaining over a body violates the limited rights of the dead and should be declared a cognisable offence.

He also asked the home department to frame appropriate laws in the matter.

Citing the example of gangster Anand Pal, who was killed by police on June 24, 2017, but was not cremated until July 1, 2017 as his family waited till their demands were met, the SHRC stated that the kin, or any other person, cannot keep the corpse for any other purpose except for the time required to perform the last rites.

SHRC also asked the state government to frame a law to tackle the tribal practice of “mautana.”

Under this practice, the family of the person who has died of an unnatural cause does not conduct the last rites until compensation has been received from those believed to be responsible for the death. The practice has also been used to pressure the government into accepting demands.

Tatia also questioned whether the dead have human rights, what rights the family of the deceased has on the body, and the state’s responsibility towards the dead.

The order said the government has the responsibility to conduct the last rites, if the family fails to discharge its obligation. A provision to this effect has been given in the Rajasthan Police Act, 2007, under Sections 29 (human rights) and 71 (public nuisance), the commission said.

In his order, SHRC chairman Justice (retired) Prakash Tatia said bargaining over a body violates the limited rights of the dead and should be declared a cognisable offence

Child should get love of both parents and courts should ensure that: SC

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

New Delhi:20.10.2019
The Supreme Court has said a child should not be deprived of the affection of either of the parents who are fighting a legal battle for custody and family courts should grant visitation rights in such a manner that the child gets love of both.

A bench of Justices Deepak Gupta and Suyra Kant, while deciding the plea of a man seeking visitation rights to his child whose custody was given to his wife, said courts should keep the interest of the child “at the foremost” while deciding such issues and passed the order in favour of the petitioner.

“However, we give liberty to the petitioner to approach the family court for enhancement of his visitation rights and we direct the family court to ensure that visitation rights are fixed in such a manner that the child gets to know and love his father. A child has a right to the affection of both his parents... The family court may also make suitable arrangements for visitation/interim custody during vacation periods,” the bench said.

The court passed the observation days after another bench agreed to hear a plea for adopting joint parenting system under which a child will be looked after by both the parents after divorce instead of giving custody to one of them.

The apex court had issued notice to the Centre on a petition filed by an NGO ‘Save Child India Foundation’ which contended that a child suffers the most in a matrimonial dispute and mechanism should be put in place on how to deal with such cases. 


CUSTODY BATTLE

Power supply to be suspended on Tuesday

20.10.2019

Power supply will be suspended in the following areas on Tuesday from 9am to 4pm for maintenance work. Supply will be restored before 4pm if the work is completed.

Saidapet: Todd Hunter Nagar, Jones Road, Anna Salai, Abdul Razzak Street, Bazaar Road, Vinayagampet, Alandur Road, Sastri Nagar, CIT Nagar–I Main Road, East Road, West Road, North Road, South Road, 70 Feet Road, Old Mambalam Road, Kodambakkam Road, Karneeswarar Kovil Street, Sechacalam Street, Potter Street, Thideer Nagar, Kodaedu, Salavayar Colony, Arasu Pannai, Jothiamma Nagar, Samiyar Thottam, Abith Colony, Neruppumedu, V S Mudali Street, Jeenis Road, Flower Street, Jayaram Street, part of Chinnamalai, Brahmin Street, Soundareswarar Koil Street, Bujangararo Street, Bala Singh Street, Subramaniya Koil Street, KP Koil Street and V V Koil Street.

Melur: Minjur Town, TH Road-Minjur Town, Theradi Street, Seemapuram, R-R Palayam/Ariyanvoyal, Pudhpedu, Nadhiyambakkam, Melur, Pattamandhiri, Vallur, Athipattu, S R Palayam, G R Palayam, Kondakarai, Pallipuram, Thiruvelavoyal, Vaayalur, Neithavoyal, Kattor, Merattur, Nallur, Vanippakkam, Oorambedu, Vazhuthigaimedu Extension. TNN

‘Sexual assault could have lasting effects’

20.10.2019

Chennai: “The main allegation against the appellant was that he had sexually abused the minor. But, the girl, in her deposition, had not stated that the appellant committed forcible sexual intercourse with her and therefore, there is no prima facie case made out in respect of the offences under Pocso Act,” counsel said.

Even if it is taken that the appellant had attempted to rape the girl, there was no medical evidence to the effect that the girl sustained any bodily injury, while protecting her from such mishap, he added. Refusing to accept his contention, the judge said: “It is relevant to point out here that when a perpetrator abuses a child for his sexual thirst, that can have lasting effects on the victim for years and child sexual abuse does not implicitly need to include physical contact alone.”

›From P 1

The court said child sexual abuse does not implicitly need to include physical contact alone

Govt doctors announce strike from Oct 25, dept says no leave from Mon

Pushpa.narayan@timesgroup.com

Chennai:20.10.2019

The Federation of Government Doctors Associations has announced an indefinite strike from October 25, saying its members will boycott all work barring emergencies.

The doctors, demanding an increase in salaries, quota in medical education and appointment of more doctors as promised in August, will remain on duty in emergency wards, labour wards, ICUs and cathlabs for emergencies, said the federation, a group of five associations. Outpatient services, surgeries and inpatient treatment will not be done until all issues are resolved, it said.

Director of medical education Dr A Narayanababu, meanwhile, put out a circular asking all deans and heads of institutions not to grant any leave to doctors from October 21. “Absence … without prior sanction will be treated as unauthorised and allowances on pay will be on the basis of no work no pay,” he said, adding that absence will be considered as break in service.

Dr Narayanababu also asked for a daily report on attendance from deans and heads along with action taken report on email by 9.30am from Sunday.

“We are going ahead with the strike only after giving adequate time to the government. We also want government to appoint more doctors as per MCI norms, give us 50% service quota in medical education and conduct proper counselling before transfer of service post graduates. At least 13,000 of the 18,000 doctors agreed to support us,” said Dr A Ramalingam of the Service Doctors and Post Graduates Association.

In August, after six doctors staged a five-day fast, health minister C Vijayabaskar promised that all demands, including salary hike, would be met in six weeks. Tamil Nadu State AIDS Control Society project director Dr K Senthil Raj was named special officer to look into the demands.

On October 9, federation members met health secretary Beela Rajesh and said there was no progress. “We said we will strike work from October 25 because the government told us it will not be able to make any announcement till October 24 as the moral code of conduct was in force,” a doctor said.

The Tamil Nadu Government Doctors Association will go on a 48-hour strike from October 30, with president Dr K Senthil saying central government doctors were promoted in the 4th, 9th and 13th years. “We get their fourth-year salary in our 15th year and their 13th year salary in our 20th year. We work hard to keep Tamil Nadu's health indices high, but we don’t reap benefits.”

We are going ahead with the strike only after giving adequate time to the government. We also want government to appoint more doctors as per MCI norms, give us 50% service quota in medical education and conduct proper counselling before transfer of service post graduates

DR A RAMALINGAMService Doctors and Post Graduates Ass

Heavy rain likely from October 22

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:20.10.2019
A trough which is likely to intensify over the Bay of Bengal is expected to bring very heavy rain to the city starting Tuesday. Weather experts said the month is also expected to end with an excess rain both in Chennai and Tamil Nadu.

After registering 101.6mm of rain a day ago, the intensity of the spells of rain reduced with Nungambakkam recording 5.2mm and Meenambakkam 1.9mm.

IMD’s city forecast for the next 48 hours says, “The sky condition is likely to be generally cloudy. Light to moderate rain is likely to occur in some areas. Maximum and minimum temperatures are likely to be around 33°C and 25°C.”

BRACE UP: A trough that is likely to intensify over the Bay of Bengal may bring downpour

நீட் ஆள்மாறாட்டத்தால் காலியான இடங்களுக்கு மாறுதல் கேட்ட தனியார் மருத்துவ மாணவர்கள் மனுக்கள் தள்ளுபடி

மதுரை

நீட் ஆள்மாறாட்டத்தால் தேனி, தருமபுரி அரசு மருத்துவக் கல்லூரிகளில் ஏற்பட்டுள்ள 2 எம்பிபிஎஸ் சீட்களை கேட்டு தனியார் மருத்துவ கல்லூரி மாணவர்கள் தாக்கல் செய்த மனுக்களை உயர் நீதிமன்றம் தள்ளுபடி செய்தது.


தேனி அரசு மருத்துவ கல்லூரியில் எம்பிபிஎஸ் படிப்பில் சேர்ந்த சென்னையை சேர்ந்த உதித்சூர்யா, தருமபுரி அரசு மருத்துவமனையில் எம்பிபிஎஸ் சேர்ந்த இர்பான் ஆகியோர் நீள் தேர்வில் ஆள்மாறாட்ட செய்ய வழக்கில் சிக்கினர். இதனால் இவ்விரு இடங்கள் காலியாக உள்ளன.

இந்நிலையில் மதுரை வேலம்மாள் மருத்துவ கல்லூரியில் எம்பிபிஎஸ் சேர்ந்துள்ள கோவில்பட்டியைச் சேர்ந்த சாணக்கியா, யாமினி ஆகியோர் தேனி, தருமபுரி அரசு மருத்துவ கல்லூரிகளில் காலியாக உள்ள எம்பிபிஎஸ் இடங்களில் தங்களுக்கு இடமாறுதல் வழங்க உத்தரவிடக்கோரி உயர் நீதிமன்ற கிளையில் மனு தாக்கல் செய்தனர்.

இந்த மனுவை விசாரித்த நீதிபதி சுந்தர், மருத்துவ மாணவர் சேர்க்கையை ஆகஸ்ட். 31-க்குள் முடிக்க வேண்டும். பிரச்சினைகள் எழுந்தால் செப். 30 வரை சேர்க்கை நடத்தலாம் என உச்ச நீதிமன்றம் கூறியுள்ளது.

இந்த கால அவகாசத்துக்குப் பிறகு எம்பிபிஎஸ் மாணவர் சேர்க்கைக்கு உத்தரவிடுவது உச்ச நீதிமன்ற உத்தரவை மீறுவதாகும். எனவே மனுதாரர்களுக்கு நிவாரணம் வழங்க முடியாது. மனுக்கள் தள்ளுபடி செய்யப்படுகின்றன என உத்தரவிட்டார்.

Chennai: 25 students held for intimidation

DECCAN CHRONICLE.

Published  Oct 17, 2019, 1:33 am IST

They come to court to support accused.

'Sources said that the arrested are students of the Nandanam Government Arts and Science college in Chennai.

Chennai: At least 25 Chennai college students were arrested by police as they threatened five witnesses in a murder case. They had come to court in Tiruvallur to give a statement against the accused on Tuesday.

Sources said that the arrested are students of the Nandanam Government Arts and Science college in Chennai. According to police, the five witnesses came to the Tiruvallur court in connection with the murder of a brick kiln owner, Venkataraman, by a gang in Melmanambedu in Tiruvallur district on September 26, 2018. Around 25 students assembled on the court premises on Tuesday and stared at the witnesses as if threatening them. Sources said that one of the witnesses identified as Gajendran, alerted police. Tiruvallur police who came to the spot nabbed the students. During inquiry, the students failed to give a valid reason for assembling on the court premises.

Police questioned the students and learned that they had come to the court as directed by their collegemate Vimal. Police said Vimal’s uncles, Rajesh and Dinesh, were arrested in connection with the murder of Venkataraman. The witnesses came to the court to make a statement against Rajesh and Dinesh. The students threatened the witnesses to give a statement favouring Rajesh and Dinesh.

Tiruvallur police registered a case against the students and arrested them.

They were remanded to judicial custody.

Chennai: Transwoman nurse Rakshika Raj gets justice

DECCAN CHRONICLE. | YAMUNA R

Published  Oct 18, 2019, 1:33 am IST

Court intervention helps her to realise her dream of becoming a nurse.

Rakshika Raj with her advocate Madhusruthi Neelakantan near the court on Thursday.

Chennai: Rakshika Raj, the transwoman nurse recently in the news for exposing the non-implementation of the Supreme Court's historic 2014 judgment in support of transgenders in the state has finally received justice, at least for the time being.

Rakshika who received a nursing degree last year has been jobless for the past one year, due to government's failure to pass a GO to implement the Supreme Court's judgment. In 2014, the Supreme Court had ruled that transgenders are eligible to all rights as every other citizen of the country and can apply for education and employment under the 'other' gender category.

In an earlier interview to Deccan Chronicle, she had said "The Tamil Nadu Nurses and Midwives Council (TNNMC) does not have a separate box for transgenders. When I approached the council's registrar regarding the matter, they asked me to tick the female box. But I don't identify myself as a female. All my documents have been changed to identify myself as a transgender which I am extremely proud of. Identifying as another gender is forgery.”She subsequently filed a writ petition against state government.

With the court ruling in her favour on Thursday, she can heave a sigh of relief, she says. The court has now ordered the TNNMC to include a separate column under the female and male category for ‘transgender women’and ‘transgender men’ in the state temporarily. Notably, state government is yet to make amendments to the existing service laws, after which a separate column for the ‘other’ gender will be a permanent feature in all application forms. The feature is expected to come into effect within the next six months after which Rakshika will be enrolled under the ‘other’ gender category. She will also be given seniority preference when the feature is introduced. By this, Rakshika is all set to become the first transgender nurse in the nation.

However, the road to justice has not been an easy one for Rakshika .” The past year has been extremely difficult. Despite having all the necessary qualifications and eligibility, I have been forced to beg. I hold government responsible for this.” The harrowing ordeal also left her contemplating suicide at many times, she reflects. “In addition to my financial woes, I was subjected to a lot of mental harassment. I just wanted to give up at a point,” she adds.

Despite the ‘positive’ ruling, she doesn’t consider this a success. She says that there are several other transgenders who continue to suffer due to government’s failure to implement the act and real success for her is when every person from her community gets justice.” It has been five years since the SC judgement and yet no state has implemented the order, to my knowledge,” she accuses. “As a community, we face discrimination in almost every walk of life. We are being pushed to fight even for basic rights,” she adds.

Rakshika also calls for horizontal reservation for the transgender community in all sectors. “Most transgenders discontinue education or do not perform well in education when compared to others because of the bullying we are subjected to. Introducing ‘horizontal reservation’ for transgender men and women will improve our chances and positively impact our community as a whole,” she asserts.

Negotiable Instruments Act cannot be invoked for declaring holiday: HC

Justice S M Subramaniam passed the order while allowing the writ petition filed by a private company Bimetal Bearings Limited in Perandapalli village in Krishnagiri district.

Published: 19th October 2019 02:01 AM |

By Siva Sekaran

Express News Service

CHENNAI: In a significant judgment having far reaching consequences, the Madras High Court has reiterated its earlier ruling that the provisions of the Negotiable Instruments Act cannot be invoked by the government to declare holidays for factories and industries for the death of national leaders.

Even though former Indian President APJ Abdul Kalam was said to have expressed his wish to the government not to declare a holiday on his death, instead to work an extra day if the people loved him, as a mark of respect to the death of Kalam, who died on July 27, 2015, the state government issued a GO on July 28 announcing that July 30 would be a public holiday for all educational Institutions and government/private establishments under the Negotiable Instruments Act.

And the management of many industries, including Bimetal Bearings Limited in Perandapalli village in Krishnagiri district, had declared holiday to the workers on July 30, subject to the condition that the
second and third shift workers should work on August 2, 2015. However, the workers availed the holiday on July 30, but did not turn up for duty on August 2. The Bimetal management announced the wage cut under the `no work no pay' policy. The workers union moved the Labour Court in Salem, which on November 14, 2017, quashed the wage cut order of the management. Hence, the present appeal against the labour court order.

Allowing the petition, Justice S M Subramaniam said that the GO is inapplicable to private companies, which are all otherwise governed by the provisions of the Factories Act. The petitioner management even on July 30, 2015 had orally informed to the union men that that they would be able to declare a holiday only for the general shift and first shift as a mark of respect to the former President Abdul Kalam.

As far as the workers of the second shift and third shift concerned, an alternate suggestion and a concession was provided for in the event of agreeing to work on August 2, the Management was prepared to declare holiday for second shift and third shift on July 30. "Considering the facts and the circumstances, this court is of the considered opinion that declaring a holiday by the government under the Negotiable Instruments Act, would not be directly applicable to private companies falling under the Factories Act.

Thus, it is to be construed that the management granted a concession for the workers of the second shift and third shift, enabling them to avail holiday on July 30, provided they agree to work on August 2. It is only an alternate concession provided to the workmen of the second shift and third shift. Such a concession can never be construed as a legal right, so as to arrive a conclusion that the workers of the second shift and third shift are entitled for a holiday as per the GO, which was issued under the Negotiable Instruments Act. So also the said concession would not form a pre-existing right for the purpose of filing a claim petition under Section 33-C(2) of the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947," the judge said.

A concession is a form of “privilege”. A concession is nothing but a conditional right. A “privilege” or a “concessional right” cannot be interpreted as an absolute right, which alone would constitute a right  to file a claim petition under Section 33-C(2) of the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947. The term “right” in Civil Society is defined to mean that “which a person is entitled to have or to do or to receive from others, within the limits prescribed by law”. Thus, such a concession or conditional right offered cannot be construed as an absolute right for the purpose of claiming a pre-existing right, enabling the workers to file the claim petition under Section 33-C(2) of the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947, the judge added and quashed the Labour Court award dated November 14, 2017.

I-T raids find unaccounted cash, gold at Kalki group

Head of movement must clarify: MLA

19/10/2019, SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT,TIRUPATI

The series of raids conducted by the Income Tax Department on the Oneness group, having centres in Chennai, Bengaluru and Varadaiahpalem in Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh, revealed “suppression of receipts” and non-accounting of cash collection for buying properties over and above their documented value.

A preliminary estimate of such unaccounted cash receipts is said to be ₹409 crore from the financial year 2014-15 onwards alone.

The department also stumbled upon huge sums in foreign currencies worth about $2.5 million (₹18 crore in Indian currency), apart from undisclosed gold weighing 88 kg (worth ₹26 crore) and 1,271 carats of undisclosed diamonds (₹5 crore), which were also seized. Meanwhile, vice-president of the group Lokeshji acknowledged the conduct of raids at the Ekam Oneness and One Humanity Care Centres in Varadaiahpalem, but denied arrest of any persons or seizure of cash or any documents.

“The full details of the raids are yet to be revealed,” he said in a release.

The raids started on Wednesday morning and continued till Friday evening.

‘Major scam’

Meanwhile, K. Adimoolam, MLA of the Satyavedu constituency under which Varadaiahpalem mandal falls, demanded that Kalki, head of the movement, come forward and throw light on the controversy.

Mr. Adimoolam said he had a right to demand a full-fledged probe into what he termed “a major scam.”

Focus on improving academic quality: V-C

19/10/2019, SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT,COIMBATORE

Improving the academic quality of Bharathiar University so that its ranking went up, would be the priority for its new Vice-Chancellor P. Kaliraj.

Addressing journalists here on Friday, he said: “my focus will be on improving the quality of teaching, facilitating faculty development through programmes, encouraging research, collaborating with other institutions among others so that the ranking of the university improves in the State, country and world.”

To improve the quality of teaching, the university would establish a mentor system by roping in retired faculty who were experts in their disciplines, and professionals from industry so that they mentored students and also helped faculty stay updated.

He would also want the faculty to keep tab on the latest development in their disciplines.

“The faculty can no longer rely on notes they have prepared years ago to teach students.”

As for collaboration with other institutions, the Vice-Chancellor said the faculty within a department should collaborate with one another, departments within the university should work together and universities should come together to take up research. This would not only result in knowledge sharing but also tap funds for projects and cited instances from his work in Anna University to underscore his point.

In doing so, the university would also take along private, self-financing colleges. The 180-odd strong private, affiliated colleges were more in number than the 36 university departments. The university’s door was open for them. The colleges’ faculty could use their expertise and the university would throw open its infrastructure. “Their (faculty’s) knowledge and our (University) infrastructure will be complement one another.”

Mr. Kaliraj said he wanted to take the university on this path and would help it tap more funds and pointed out that while other universities could tap up to ₹150 crore under the Government of India’s RUSA programme, Bharathiar University could get only ₹80 crore.

If the university could do this, its NAAC score would improve.

That along with collaboration with other institutions would enable it to apply for projects and funds from the Department of Science and Technology, Defence Research and Development Organisation and other Government institutions, he said and added that he had initiated the process for collaboration.

“I’ve already spoken to the Madurai Kamaraj University Vice-Chancellor and he was very positive. Soon, you’ll see Bharathiar University enter many such tie-ups.”

In response to a question on the university’s reputation taking a beating, Mr. Kaliraj said transparency would put an end to corruption and nepotism.

“I'll ensure that the university has a robust work and ethic culture that does not leave room for any illegality.”

CBI files chargesheet against Chidambaram

Karti’s firm ‘received ₹9.96 lakh without doing any service’

19/10/2019, SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT,NEW DELHI

No relief: P. Chidambaram being taken from a court in Delhi on Thursday, after he was sent to the custody of the ED. PTIPTI

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Friday filed a chargesheet against 14 accused, including former Union Finance Minister P. Chidambaram and his son Karti, in the INX Media case.

Mr. Chidambaram “misused his official position” in granting approval to an FDI proposal of INX Media and INX News Pvt. Ltd. in lieu of “illegal gratification” in India and through offshore payments, the CBI said.

The agency alleged that a payment of ₹9.96 lakh had been made to Advantage Strategic Consulting Private Limited (ASCPL), which was floated by Mr. Karti, “without delivery of any service”.

Among those arraigned in the chargesheet are INX Media, its subsidiary INX News and then director Peter Mukerjea, Chess Management Services Private Limited, ASCPL and Mr. Karti’s chartered accountant S. Bhaskararaman.

Indrani Mukerjea, a former INX Media director, turned approver (pardoned) in July with the court’s permission. She claimed to have paid $5 million through the offshore route in lieu of the favours, and having met Mr. Chidambaram, along with Mr. Mukerjea and Vir Sanghvi, on the FIPB issue in March/April 2007.

The then Additional Secretary Sindhushree Khullar, Joint Secretary (Foreign Trade) Anup K. Pujari, the then Officer-on-Special Duty in the Department of Economic Affairs Pradeep Kumar Bagga, the then FIPB unit Director Prabodh Saxena, Under Secretary Rabindra Prasad, and Section Officer Ajit Kumar Dungdung have also been named as accused.

Against those accused, the CBI has invoked Sections 120-B (criminal conspiracy), 420 (cheating), 468 (forgery for cheating) and 471 (using forged document as genuine) of the Indian Penal Code, along with the relevant provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act. The case was registered on May 15, 2017.

Questioning the timing, Mr. Karti tweeted: “It’s been done only to beat the 60-day deadline of my father’s [judicial] custody. We will deal with it as per legal procedure and will be vindicated.”

The agency is probing the charge that INX Media received ₹403.07 crore in foreign investments against the FIPB approved amount of ₹4.62 crore in 2007. It also made an illegal down-streaming of ₹40.91 crore into its sister concern, INX News.

IN BRIEF

19/10/2019,MUMBAI

Bachchan discharged from Mumbai hospital

Actor Amitabh Bachchan, who was admitted to Vile Parle’s Nanavati Hospital for a check-up, was discharged on Friday night. The hospital’s chief operating officer, Dr. Rajendra Patankar, refused to divulge details but said the actor had a “routine check-up”. Hospital sources said he underwent several investigations such as an MRI and blood tests.

Karnataka college boxed in over copying

It was pulled up over its ‘experiment’

19/10/2019, GIRISH PATTANASHETTI,HUBBALLI

Blinkers on: Students of Bhagat PU College in Haveri writing exam with cartons over their heads.Special arrangement

An attempt at an out-of-the-box solution to the problem of exam malpractice has landed a college administrator in Haveri in Karnataka in hot water with the authorities.

Faced with the problem of malpractice, educational institutions routinely step up surveillance — some even installing CCTVs in exam halls — while other rope in strict invigilators to crack the whip.

On October 16, when the students of the Bhagat PU College arrived for their mid-term exam, they were handed specially modified cartons to cover their heads. The cartons had an opening on one side, which allowed the students to see only in front of them and ostensibly prevented them for looking anywhere else but at their answersheets.

The cartons were college administrator Satish’s solution to prevent examination malpractice. While the students found it cumbersome, they were not allowed to violate the “new rule”.

However, Deputy Director of Pre-University Education S.C. Peerzade visited the college as soon as he came to know about it and stopped the “experiment”.

Speaking to The Hindu on Friday, Mr. Peerzade said he happened to see a photograph of students writing examination with their heads covered by cartons, which the college administrator had posted on his WhatsApp account.

“When I went to the college, most of the students had cartons over their heads. I sought an explanation from the administrator. To my shock, Mr. Satish told me that he was just experimenting with what he had seen in a Bihar college,” Mr. Peerzade said.

“A show cause notice has been issued,” he said. The college administration was not available for comment.

Instances of child marriage still on the rise in Madurai district

‘Parents must sit and talk with their daughters to understand their needs’

19/10/2019, P.A. NARAYANI,MADURAI

Data from Madurai Childline, which operates on 1098, reveals that there is a sharp increase in the number of instances of child marriage being reported in the district over the last four years. The data also shows that instances of child account for the highest number of interventions by Childline during the period.

Data indicates that while between April 2016 and March 2017 there were 75 calls made to Childline to report child marriages, from April 2019 till date, the number has risen to 129. In all these instances, officials of Department of Social Welfare and Childline had intervened.

Though the increase in reporting of child marriage can be attributed to increased awareness among girls, women and child rights activists opine that its prevalence in the district is still a matter of concern.

According to C. Jim Jesudoss, Director of Childline, Tirumangalam, Tirupparankundram, Melur, Usilampatti, and Sellur are identified as vulnerable areas, where a large number of child marriages are being reported. He says that child marriages are arranged by families from low-income groups, for girls aged 15-17 years.

Families arrange a marriage for girl children, as they consider it as a safety measure, says U. Nirmala Rani, advocate and social activist. “With the increasing instances of violence against girl children, parents think that it is safe to get their daughters married off early,” she says.

Mr. Jesudoss says that fear of inter-caste marriages is driving many parents to marry off their girls early. “Parents must sit and talk with their daughters to understand their needs and aspirations,” he says. The cultural aspect of marrying their daughters within their families is still rampant, says Bimla Chandrasekar, Director of Ekta Foundation for Women. “The right of the girl child to choose her career and age of marriage is not taken into consideration by these families,” she says.

Ms. Nirmala Rani says that there must be a strong political will to strictly enforce the law to prevent child marriages. “Various government departments must work in convergence to ensure that The Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006, is duly enforced,” she says.

There is a need to bring a change in mindset among the public as many families arrange marriages for their daughters, despite warnings from law enforcement agencies, says Mr. Jesudoss. “The concept of gender equity can become a reality only through educating girl children,” he says.

District Social Welfare Officer (in-charge) S. Shamugavadivu says that the department is organising awareness camps among children and parents against child marriage.

HC appoints SP to probe charges against Minister

DVAC told to submit progress report on November 1

19/10/2019, MOHAMED IMRANULLAH S.,CHENNAI

The Madras High Court on Friday appointed Superintendent of Police R. Ponni, now serving in the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti Corruption (DVAC), to probe allegations of corruption against Municipal Administration Minister S.P. Velumani.

Mr. Velumani is accused of awarding as many as 349 civil contracts, worth several crores of rupees, between 2014 and 2018, to firms run by his benamis.

Justices M. Sathyanarayanan and N. Seshasayee ordered that a report on the progress made by the investigating officer should be filed before the court in a sealed cover by Director of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Vijay Kumar on November 1. They also gave a “final opportunity” to the Minister to file his counter-affidavit before the next hearing on the issue.

The interim order was passed on petitions filed by R.S. Bharathi, Organising Secretary of the DMK, and Arappor Iyakkam, a non-governmental organisation represented by its managing trustee Jayaram Venkatesan, who had accused the Minister of having indulged in corrupt practices in the award of contracts through municipal corporations.

HC says holidays under NI Act not applicable to all

Workers in private sector will not be entitled to wages if they fail to turn up, says judge

19/10/2019, MOHAMED IMRANULLAH S.,CHENNAI

The declaration of a holiday by the government under the Negotiable Instruments Act of 1881 will not be applicable to private companies falling under the Factories Act of 1948 and therefore, workers will not be entitled to wages if they fail to turn up for work on those days, the Madras High Court has ruled.

Justice S.M. Subramaniam held so while allowing a writ petition filed by the management of Bimetal Bearings Limited of Hosur in Krishnagiri district. The company had challenged an order passed by a labour court in favour of 47 employees who did not work on July 30, 2015.

The judge pointed out that former President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam died on July 27, 2015, and hence the State government issued a notification under the Negotiable Instruments Act the next day declaring July 30, 2015, a public holiday as a mark of respect.

The petitioner factory chose to declare it as a paid holiday only for those who were supposed to report for duty in the general shift (8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.) and first shift (7 a.m. to 4 p.m.). Holiday was denied to those on third (4 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.) and fourth (12:30 a.m. to 7:30 a.m.) shifts.

Work on off day

When the workmen demanded a holiday for the other shifts too, the management agreed to grant it on condition that they should work on their weekly off day, which fell on August 2, 2015. About 47 workers did not accept the condition and hence, were denied wages leading to an industrial dispute.

Not finding any illegality in the decision taken by the factory management, Justice Subramaniam said: “This court is of the considered opinion that declaring a holiday by the government under the Negotiable Instruments Act would not be directly applicable to private companies falling under the Factories Act.”

To prevent copying, K’taka students made to wear boxes on their heads during exam

‘Implemented This Idea To Curb Malpractice And Not To Harass Students’

Basavaraj Maralihalli TNN

Haveri:19.10.2019

In a bizarre bid to curb malpractice, first-year science students of Bhagath PU College were made to sit for a midterm exam with cardboard cartons covering their heads — with a hole cut out in the front for their faces.

A video and pictures of students writing a chemistry exam on Wednesday with cartons on their heads was widely shared on social media. When officials of the education department got wind of it, they rushed to the college and ordered the management to desist from the practice.

S C Peerjade, deputy director, PU Board, said he issued a notice to the college management for implementing what he described as “an inhuman idea in the examination hall”.

However, M B Sateesh, a director of the college, said, “We had implemented this idea to curb malpractice and not to harass students. This is just an experiment. We discussed it with students and took their consent before implementing it.”

Sateesh went on to say that the college will comply with the board’s directive. “We are following all rules imposed by PU department,” he said.

Peerjade said, “When I got a message on this, I immediately went to the college and ordered the management to stop the practice. I also issued a notice to the college management and am contemplating disciplinary action against them for implementing this idea.”

Peerjade said he advised students to alert the department when such practices are imposed by the management. “This is inhuman and civilized society will never accept such an idea. I hope this is never repeated again,” Peerjade said.

“There are traditional ways of managing students and preventing malpractice in the examination hall and the college can resort to them.”

Last month, a similar incident in Mexico triggered outrage with enraged parents demanding that Colegio de Bachilleres Del Estado De Tlaxcala in the central Mexican state of Tlaxcala dismiss the teacher who forced students to wear the boxes on their heads.

NO CHEATING PLEASE: First-year science students of Bhagath P U College at Haveri in Karnataka were made to appear for their exams on Wednesday with cardboard carton covering their heads

EPS to get doctorate tomorrow
Chennai:19.10.2019

The list of Tamil Nadu politicians who have been conferred honorary doctorates is set to get an addition on Sunday. Chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami will receive honorary doctorate (Doctor of Letters) from Dr MGR Educational and Research Institute, Deemed to be University.

Palaniswami is the third AIADMK chief minister to get the honour after party founder M G Ramachandran and J Jayalalithaa. While MGR received doctorate from University of Madras, Jayalalithaa got it from five varsities. Honorary doctorate was conferred on former chief minister M Karuananidhi in 1971, and thereafter by three varsities. Founder-chancellor of Dr MGR varsity and New Justice Party leader A C Shanmugam, is a key ally of the AIADMK. Shanmugam contested the recent Vellore LS bypoll on the AIADMK’s two leaves symbol and lost. His deemed university will also confer honorary doctorates on music director Harris Jayaraj and dancer and film actor Shobana Chandrakumar on the occasion. TNN

HC commends TN govt for Ooty med college proposal

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:19.10.2019

The Tamil Nadu government on Friday informed the Madras high court that it had allotted 25 acres of land in Ooty for establishing a new government medical college hospital to cater to the medical needs ofresidents of Nilgiris district.

A submission to this effect was made by counsel for the state to a division bench of Justice N Kirubakaran and Justice P Velumani, before which a copy of the government order dated October 11 too was furnished.

Recording it, the bench said steps taken by the government had to be appreciated, as it had acted very swiftly in passing the GO and allotting land for establishing government hospital.

This apart, advocate Chevanan Mohan, who hails from Ooty, informed the court that the chief minister had assured MLA of Ooty that air ambulance would be provided at the earliest.

Recording the same, the court requested the advocate general to get instructions as to when the air ambulance would be provided.

Since necessary license is mandatory for providing air ambulance service to Ooty, the court suo motu implead the union ministry of civil aviation as party respondent to the proceedings.

Hindustan convocation 2019

Exam papers of 41 TN medicos held invalid over mass copying
Two Colleges Barred From Holding Exam

Pushpa.Narayan@timesgroup.com

Chennai:19.101.2019

Tamil Nadu’s medical education sector, shaken by the NEET impersonation racket, suffered another jolt on Friday with the medical university barring two self-financing colleges from conducting MBBS examinations after CCTV camera footage showed mass copying by students with invigilators helping out in some cases.

While at least 41 students have been asked to repeat their exam in February 2020, Madha Medical College and Hospital on the outskirts of Chennai and Melmaruvathur Adiparasakthi Medical College have lost their exam-centre status for three and two years.

On Friday, MBBS examinations written in August by second, third and final year students of Madha Medical College were declared null and void by the Tamil Nadu Dr MGR Medical University after it found extensive malpractices including exchange of notes, passing of answer scripts and dictation of answers in the examination hall. Melmaruvathur Adiparasakthi Medical College has been debarred as exam centre after the disciplinary committee found that invigilators were helping candidates in writing the exam.

Vice-chancellor Dr Sudha Seshayyan said disciplinary action was being taken based on the recommendation from the exam disciplinary committee and as per university statutes. “The results and academic decisions are made public on the university webpage,” she said. Exams for the three batches of students were conducted on different dates in August as per a schedule released by the university.

IN A SPOT: Adiparasakthi Medical College loses exam centre status for two years

Tape showed students wandering around exam hall exchanging books

At Madha Medical College, 25 second year students, one third year student and 15 final year students wrote the exam. A few weeks later, the university received an anonymous petition about malpractices and ordered an inquiry. As a first step, the exam disciplinary committee watched the three hour footage of the examination. It is mandatory for all colleges to videograph university examinations and there should be no cuts in the footage, said a senior university official.

The tape clearly showed students wandering around the examination hall exchanging books, bits of paper and answer sheets. Some of the students were seen exiting the hall soon after the answer sheet was given and returning after nearly half an hour. There was clear evidence of mass copying, the official said.

In the footage submitted by Adi Parasakthi College, invigilators could be walking very close to writing desks, peering into answer scripts and talking to students. “All of this is not allowed as per the examination rules,” the official said.

The disciplinary committee spoke to the Madha college management including the former dean Dr K Gajendran. The college management refused to speak to the TOI but a senior management official claimed that they were not aware of the malpractice. Our dean has been changed. If the college was a party to the malpractice why would we send the original video tape of the examination, he asked. Officials at the Adi Parasakthi Medical College were not available for comment.

Although results of the second, third and final year batches of MBBS students across all affiliated colleges were released between August 23 and August 26, results of students from Madha College were on hold.

Anonymous letter on impersonation

Chennai:

The Tamil Nadu Dr MGR Medical University has received an anonymous letter alleging that a candidate who joined the Madras Medical Mission in 2018 may have resorted to impersonation in NEET. The letter says while the candidate scored around 900 in Class XII exam, he got more than 400 in NEET, which paved way for a seat in the premier Madras Medical College (MMC). Although the student was born and raised in Chennai, he wrote the exam from a centre in Delhi, the letter said. University officials have forwarded a copy of the letter to the MMC and the directorate of medical education. “We will be asking them for a verification report,” a senior official said. TNN

PG medical students may have to serve in district hospitals to be eligible to appear in final exam

Currently, students pursuing undergraduate medical courses are attached to primary health centres or urban health centres for three months as part of a compulsory rotating internship.

EDUCATION Updated: Oct 17, 2019 17:55 IST

Press Trust of India

New Delhi

All PG students shall undertake a rotation in designated district hospitals for a period of three months as a part of the course curriculum. (Representational image)(HT file)

All postgraduate medical students will have to serve in district hospitals for at least three months in order to be eligible to appear in the final exam, a Board of Governors (BoG), vested with the powers of the Medical Council of India (MCI), has proposed.

Currently, students pursuing undergraduate medical courses are attached to primary health centres or urban health centres for three months as part of a compulsory rotating internship.

The BoG has written to the Health Ministry to develop guidelines for implementation of the proposal for postgraduate students in partnership with it and the state governments. It has also sought that this provision comes into force from the next academic session.

“The move is aimed at providing practical experience to future specialists in real-life setting of the country’s public health system. Also, this will help address shortage of specialist doctors in district hospitals of rural and remote areas, and help strengthen services at such hospitals,” a senior government official said.

The note sent to the Union Health Ministry said all postgraduate students shall undertake a rotation in designated district hospitals/health system for a period of three months as a part of the course curriculum.

For postgraduate students of community medicine, the requirement can be posting at primary health centres and field experience in addition to activities at the district hospital.

“Satisfactory completion of this rotation shall be an essential condition before the candidate is allowed to appear in the final examination of the respective postgraduate course. The Ministry of Health is requested to develop guidelines for the scheme in partnership with the state government and BoG in three months,” it read.

A feud that spilled on to Alliance campus
18/10/2019, STAFF REPORTER,BENGALURU

he tussle for ownership of Alliance University between its co-founders — the brothers Madhukar and Sudhir Angur — goes back several years and spilled on to the campus, much to the dismay of students. In 2016, classes were postponed and the university was later temporary closed. At the time, students had approached the Governor of Karnataka and the Ministry of Human Resource Development, seeking their intervention.

The State government ordered an investigation and decided to place an administrator on the campus to ensure the smooth functioning of the university. However, the plan failed to take off. A one-man committee appointed by the government unearth an alleged scam to the tune of ₹96 crore. “As the two brothers fought for power, it had a deep impact of the university. Every time the head would change, our faculty members and our staff would be changed. The reputation of the university took a hit and reached a low point when the feud began affecting placements,” said a former student of the university.

Meanwhile, Madhusudhan Mishra, Registrar of Alliance University, said in a press release that the university and its members were “shocked and saddened” by the death of Ayyappa R. Dore, who was Vice-Chancellor of Alliance University between 2010 and 2013. “During his tenure, he served the university diligently and continued to be a well-wisher... The university will definitely extend support, if needed, in ensuring that the perpetrators are brought to light and firmly believes that investigations will be carried out diligently to identify both the cause and the persons behind the criminal act,” said the release.

Ola launches self-drive service

18/10/2019, STAFF REPORTER,BENGALURU

At the moment, Ola-Drive has a fleet of 500 cars.File Photo Bhagya Prakash K

The app-based cab aggregator Ola has launched a self-driving service that will allow customers to rent a car for anywhere between two hours and three months. The service, Ola-Drive, claims to offer people the chance to customise their package by choosing the number hours, kilometres and fuel.

At the moment, the service — with a fleet of 500 cars — is limited to Bengaluru, with plans for expansion to Mumbai, Delhi and Hyderabad. Ola aims to increase its fleet to 20,000 cards by 2020 and has plans to invest about $200 million into Ola-Drive.

At a press conference on Thursday, Arun Srinivas, chief sales and marketing officer of Ola, said, “In the first phase of its rollout, Ola-Drive will be offered as a short-term self-drive car-sharing service, as we look to introduce long-term subscription, corporate leasing and more options in the times to come.”

The standard distance option ranges from 8 km to 60 km, with a charge of ₹8 for every additional km. All cars will have an in-built navigation system. A 24x7 helpline will also be available for roadside assistance in the event of car breakdown. For customer safety, Ola has an in-app emergency button and live tracking option.

At present, there are five stations from where the cars can be picked up — at parking levels of Garuda Mall, Ashok Nagar; Forum Mall, Koramangala; Vega City Mall, Bannerghatta; Ola Drive Zone; and Golf View Campus (IBC), Murugeshpalya.

How it works

The user is given the option of choosing among four models of cars. He can also select the distance and time he wishes to use the car for. Any change in actual time or distance travelled will be adjusted at the time of bill calculation. The user can pick up and drop the car at any of the five designated stations.

Killers planned for months, but were nabbed in hours

Suraj Singh stalked the former V-C of Alliance University for weeks before murdering him; the game was given away by phone and CCTV records

18/10/2019, SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT,BENGALURU

Friends and relatives waiting for the body of Ayyappa R. Dore at his house in R.T. Nagar.V. Sreenivasa Murthy V Sreenivasa Murthy

Suraj Singh spent a month and a half stalking Ayyappa R. Dore, the former Vice-Chancellor of Alliance University, whom he allegedly murdered on Tuesday night. Madhukar Angur, co-founder of the university, was next on his list. Suraj had checked into a hotel early on Wednesday to plan the murder when he was arrested.

According to the police, the 27-year-old business management graduate, who was arrested in less than 24 hours after the deed came to light, confessed that he committed the crime at the behest of Sudhir Angur, Madhukar’s brother and co-founder of Alliance University. Sudhir had hired him as an officer in Alliance’s administrative section a few months ago. “Sudhir offered ₹1 crore to Suraj. He also offered ₹20 lakh to each of Suraj’s four associates who helped him murder Ayyappa,” said City Police Commissioner Bhaskar Rao at a press meet on Thursday.

The accused had stalked both Ayyappa and Madhukar for the past month and a half to monitor their movements. They zeroed in on Ayyappa after realising that he went for a walk almost every night after dinner. On Tuesday night, Suraj and his four associates waited in two bikes near Ayyappa’s house in R.T. Nagar till 10.30 p.m. When the former Vice-Chancellor failed to turn up, they almost called it a day and decided to return home. However, just as they were getting ready to leave, they saw Ayyappa coming out of his house. That day, he had gone to pick up his wife from a relative’s house and returned home only late in the evening.

The accused followed him for a few yards and confronted him near HMT Ground, which was isolated. They then allegedly attacked him with weapons and sped away.

After committing the murder, Suraj parted ways with his friends and rode to Sudhir’s house in BTM Layout. According to the police, the two men celebrated all night and Suraj left his employer’s house only by 4 a.m.

Sudhir allegedly gave him ₹25,000 and instructed him to execute his brother, Madhukar. Suraj left the house and checked into a hotel to plan the murder. “By then, the police tracked him to the hotel and arrested him,” said an inspector who was part of the team. Mobile phones and frequent calls were what had given the game away. The police, who suspected Sudhir, gathered clues from call record details and CCTV footage. “ Ayyappa’s wife told us about the recent fight between Sudhir and her husband over a ₹12-crore fund belonging to the college. We verified the details with the college staff,” said a senior police officer.

When they analysed Sudhir’s call record details, they found that he had received a call from R.T. Nagar around the time Ayyappa was murdered. After the police tracked Suraj down and got him to confess, they arrested Sudhir from his house. Suraj is said to have told the police that Sudhir had paid him ₹1.5 lakh over the past four months and had even promised to get him out of prison if he were to be arrested.

The city police have taken Sudhir and Suraj into custody for further investigation. The police are now on the hunt for the four associates of Suraj, who are on the run. The accused are all residents of Hebbal and J.C. Nagar and worked as mechanics and drivers, said the police.

Lauding the quick action of the police team, Mr. Rao announced a cash reward of ₹1 lakh for the team.