It isn’t for leisure or exercise, but for the 80-year-old to earn a living.

This 80-year-old cycles 20 kms daily, has plenty of ‘fans’ but only one supporter - his wife

Kunji thapatham and his wife Vasantha (76) have been making and selling palm-leaf hand-fans for the past 40 years.

Published: 31st January 2021 05:02 AM 

Kunjithapatham and his wife Vasantha make palm-leaf hand-fans outside their house in T Palur village of Ariyalur district. They sell each for about `15 |

 EXPRESS

By P Thiruselvam

Express News Service

ARIYALUR: Every morning begins with a 20-km cycle ride for R Kunjithapatham, of T Palur village near Jayamkondam. It isn’t for leisure or exercise, but for the 80-year-old to earn a living. Kunji thapatham and his wife Vasantha (76) have been making and selling palm-leaf hand-fans for the past 40 years.

He first rides his cycle to source the palm leaves, and then to places such as Udayarpalayam, Jayakondam, Ariyalur and Kumbakonam to sell the fans. He usually receives Rs 15 for each.

“I used to work as a daily-wage labourer, and since I couldn’t afford a fan, I used a hand-made one. That’s when I realised I could make them for a living,” Kunjithapatham recalled. He learned to make palmleaf hand-fans at his cousin’s house, and it eventually became his primary source of income for more than four decades.

“After collecting the palm leaves, I dry them, and make fans with the help of my wife. They are still popular in many places. Due to our age, we can only make 10-15 fans a day, and I sell them only once or twice a week.”

The couple have no children or family to depend on, and live in a thatched hut, for which they pay a rent of Rs 500 per month. The bicycle Kunjithapatham rides is often damaged but he can’t afford a new one.

“We receive senior citizens’ pension. Despite that and selling these fans, I find it hard to make ends meet. We were severely affected during the lockdown last year, and once it was relaxed, I went from village to village on my bicycle seeking to earn an income. My wife is my strength and gives me the motivation to continue to work hard,” said Kunjithapatham.

Given anesthesia at private hospital, five-year-old dies

Given anesthesia at private hospital, five-year-old dies

As the boy, Naveen, was suffering from foot-corn issues, his parents sought medical care from V-Cure Hospital in Pallikaranai, police said.

Published: 30th January 2021 06:01 AM 

By Express News Service

CHENNAI: The father of a five-year-old boy has filed a complaint against a private hospital in Pallikaranai for allegedly providing wrong treatment and causing the death of his son. However, the hospital management has denied the al legat ion and blamed the parents for allegedly breaking the preoperative fasting rule and concealing the information.

As the boy, Naveen, was suffering from foot-corn issues, his parents sought medical care from V-Cure Hospital in Pallikaranai, police said. As part of the treatment, a surgery was scheduled by doctors on Thursday evening. After administering anesthesia, the boy went into an unconscious state, his father Sridhar claimed in the complaint.

When taken to another hospital, he was declared brought dead, said Sridhar, a college lecturer and a resident of Pallikaranai. Police sources said that based on the complaint, an FIR has been registered under section 174 of the Criminal Procedure Code (suspicious death) and an investigation is on.

A staff of the hospital told Express that the parents were clearly instructed to keep the child in preoperative fasting four hours before the surgery. “But, they fed the child and failed to inform us. Had we been informed, we would have dropped the surgery plan,” the staff said. The body was sent to a government hospital for postmortem examination.

Chennai's Stanley Hospital provides free orthotics equipment to differently abled kids

Chennai's Stanley Hospital provides free orthotics equipment to differently abled kids

Children from poor backgrounds who may need this equipment can reach out to the hospital’s District Early Intervention Centre, said Dr J Ganesh

Published: 30th January 2021 02:07 PM 

In the first phase, ten pieces of equipment worth Rs 50,000 were distributed to the children in the presence of their parents on Saturday (Photo | Special arrangement)

By Omjasvin MD

Express News Service

CHENNAI: The Stanley Government Medical College Hospital would be providing up to 40 pieces of orthotics equipment to physically challenged children free of cost in a phased manner.

Orthotics are externally worn devices, custom-made for individuals, which help them to correct biomechanical foot issues and walk, stand and run.

On Saturday, in the first phase, Dean of the hospital Dr P Balaji distributed 10 pieces of equipment worth Rs 50,000 for differently abled children. The initiative is being done in association with NGO Masusa Foundation.

“We have decided to provide free orthotics to children who may need it. It would take some days to measure the leg of the child and place orders. We will be providing up to 40 pieces in a phased manner,” said Dr J Ganesh, Director of Institute of Social Pediatrics.

He said that children from poor backgrounds who may need this equipment can reach out to the hospital’s District Early Intervention Centre.

Set up under the National Health Mission, the DEIC aims to identify children with birth defects and deficiencies and provides treatment for them.

Chennai book fair to be held from Feb 24

Chennai book fair to be held from Feb 24

“We will ensure all Covid protocols are in place including creating wider pathways.

Published: 31st January 2021 06:00 AM 

By Express News Service

CHENNAI: Much to the joy of book lovers in the city, the annual Chennai Book Fair will be held from February 24 until March 9 at the YMCA grounds, according to members of the Book Sellers’ and Publishers’ Association of South India (BAPASI), that holds the event every year.

The fair will go on from 11 am until 8pm. Confirming the announcement, K Nagarajan, Vice President of BAPASI said, “We will ensure all Covid protocols are in place including creating wider pathways. Other than that, everything including the ticket system will be the same.”

The announcement comes amidst rumours that the event may not be held this year due to the Covid situation since the fair is usually held in January. However, though there has been a delay, organisers have decided to go ahead with the event.

Calcutta HC judge dies of cardiac arrest

Calcutta HC judge dies of cardiac arrest

Pinak Priya Bhattacharya

Jalpaiguri:31.03.2021

Justice Ashis Kumar Chakraborty of Calcutta High Court, who was scheduled to join the Jalpaiguri circuit bench from Monday till February 12, died of a cardiac arrest at a private nursing home in Siliguri on Saturday. He was 56.

Justice Chakraborty was first taken to the district hospital in Darjeeling, where he had arrived with his family on Friday, and later to Siliguri the same night after he started vomiting blood. He was with Calcutta HC for the past five years.

CBI begins probe into Agra doc’s mysterious death

FAMILY ALLEGES DOWRY DEATH

CBI begins probe into Agra doc’s mysterious death

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Lucknow:31.01.2021

A CBI team from Lucknow special crime branch reached Agra on Saturday to collect documents related to the mysterious death of a doctor, Deepti Agarwal, who was allegedly killed by her in-laws for dowry on August 3 last year.

On the plea of the victim’s father, Dr Naresh Mangla, the Supreme Court had earlier handed over the investigation to CBI. Initiating probe, the probe agency lodged a fresh FIR under charges of dowry death, causing miscarriage without the woman’s consent, criminal intimidation and cruelty against Deepti’s husband Dr Sumit Agarwal, fatherin-law SC Agarwal, mother-in-law Anita Agarwal, brother-in-law Amit Agarwal and sister-in-law Tulika Agarwal.

Dr Mangla had accused his son-in-law and his family of murdering his daughter while the Agra police had claimed that Deepti committed suicide after being tortured for dowry.

Dr Mangla said Deepti suffered two miscarriages after which the couple adopted a girl child. He claimed Deepti was often harassed by her in-laws. “About 18-19 days before she was found hanging, she was assaulted by her inlaws for dowry,” he alleged.

Deepti, a resident of Tajganj in Agra, was married to Sumit on November 3, 2014.

After she was found hanging in her flat on August 3 last year, her husband claimed that he found her hanging in the room and had to break open the door which was locked from inside.

Deepti was taken to a hospital where she remained in coma till her death on August 7.

Mangla alleged that police only arrested Sumit who also secured anticipatory bail on September 29 from the high court. Later on October 24, police hastily filed a charge sheet.

Mangla, however, approached the Supreme Court demanding fresh investigation by the CBI.

“All the documents related to the case, including the post-mortem report, had to be taken from police for which a team was dispatched to Agra,” a CBI official said.

Donate my body for teaching anatomy: Elderly’s suicide note

Donate my body for teaching anatomy: Elderly’s suicide note

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Lucknow:31.01.2021

A computer-typed suicide note with a hand-scribbled signature, neatly placed under a bundle of currency notes, was found on a table in the bedroom, where an elderly couple clothed in starched white was found hanging from the ceiling in an upscale Aliganj neighbourhood on Saturday.

The businessman, who could not pay Rs 1crore in debt, allegedly ended his life with his wife, leaving behind the note, willing that his body be donated to a medical education institute for teaching “human anatomy” and his wife be given a decent cremation with Rs 15,000 in cash kept atop the suicide note.

Identified as Mathew Joseph, 60, and Lucy Joseph, 58, the couple’s bodies for taken for autopsy from their Sector Q, Aliganj, residence. Hailing from Kerala, Josephs had settled in Lucknow in 1986 and made the city their home, but for over past few years, they were wallowing in loneliness with their only daughter settled in London, said police.

Owner of a firm dealing in electronic goods and solar panels, Mathew was struggling in his business since 2016 and had taken loans of around Rs 1 crore from several banks and private money lenders, which he couldn’t repay due to heavy losses, said additional deputy commissioner of police (ADCP), North, Rajesh Srivastava.

Bizman leaves ₹15k in cash atop suicide note for wife’s cremation

A printed suicide note had Joseph's name scribbled at the bottom, stating he was ending his life because of debt and left instructions that his body be donated to medical students and the money be used for last rites of his wife, Lucy,” said Srivastava.

Bodies in medical institutes are used to teach human anatomy to MBBS first year students. Most educational institutes are reeling under scarcity of bodies and using dummies and 3D models for teaching purpose.

“The note did not specify anything about medical education, but as it said the body should be donated to medical students, we presume that it is meant for teaching anatomy at MBBS level,” said the ADCP. “Our probe revealed the couple had been away for a fortnight and had returned two days back,” he added.

The incident came to light in the morning when the couple’s next-door neighbour, Pankaj Arora, came to their house to take Mathew along for morning walk, but did not get response to calls. Arora peeped inside and was shocked to see the couple hanging from the ceiling of the room and informed police.

Private university in HP sold 45,000 fake degrees, reveals SIT probe

The fake degree scam was unearthed in February this year after the University Grants Commission (UGC) received an anonymous complaint about the alleged sale of more than five lakh degrees by two private universities in HP, MBU in Solan and APG in Shimla

CHANDIGARH NEWS

Private university in HP sold 45,000 fake degrees, reveals SIT probe

Each degree related to technical subjects was sold to students within and outside Himachal Pradesh for ₹1 lakh to ₹3 lakh, says crime investigation department official

By Gaurav Bisht, Shimla

PUBLISHED ON DEC 24, 2020 06:56 PM IST

A special investigating team (SIT) comprising officials from the income tax department, enforcement directorate, Himachal Police and crime investigation department (CID) have unearthed evidence in an education scam of Solan- based private university, Manav Bharti (MBU), selling more than 45,000 fake degrees.

“The number of fake degrees can vary. We presume it’s much higher. It’s a very well organised racket which was being run for the last one decade,” said additional director general (ADG) of police,” CID, N Venugopal, on Thursday.

The probe revealed that each degree related to technical subjects was sold to students within and outside Himachal Pradesh (HP) for ₹1 lakh to ₹3 lakh, he added.

The SIT team also rounded up a Jammu based agent of the university who struck deals locally for selling the fake degrees.

The sleuths found that the manager of MBU sold degrees outside the state through ‘agents’ who in return got handsome commissions. In a majority of cases the buyers paid cash for degrees to these agents who provided details of the candidates to the university for making the fake degrees.

SIT sent sleuths to seven different states, including Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttarakhand. Visits were also made to Jammu, Delhi, Chandigarh and Kashmir to trace the whereabouts of the agents.

MBU, the probe found, enrolled more than 95,000 students in different courses.

Arrests made

The SIT in June arrested MBU chairman Raj Kumar Rana after the HP high court refused to grant him anticipatory bail. ​

​Rana was arrested on the court premises as soon as his bail plea was rejected. ​

He was taken to Solan for interrogation. Earlier in that week,SIT had arrested a former registrar of the university, KK Singh. Two university officials, registrar Anupama Thakur and assistant registrar Munish Goel, were arrested in March. ​

The fake degree scam was unearthed in February this year after the University Grants Commission (UGC) received an anonymous complaint about the alleged sale of more than five lakh degrees by two private universities in HP, MBU in Solan and APG in Shimla. ​

The UGC then apprised the state government of the matter and sought appropriate action against the institutes.

A case under sections 420, 467, 468, 471 and 120-B of the Indian Penal Code was registered against the university officials for cheating, forgery and criminal conspiracy on March 3.

MBU was established in 2009 under the HP Private University (Establishment & Regulation) Act and is owned by the Manav Bharti Charitable Trust.​

Sexual crimes against kids impact society, observes HC

Sexual crimes against kids impact society, observes HC

Slams Father For Entering Into Compromise In Sodomy Case

Abhinav.Garg@timesgroup.com

New Delhi: 31.01.2021 

At a time when a few controversial verdicts have been given in cases of sexual offences against children, Delhi High Court has set the record straight. Observing that sexual crimes against children shock the value system and have a serious impact on the society, the court on Friday cleared decks for trial of a man who sodomised a 7-year-old boy.

Justice Subramonium Prasad highlighted that the POCSO Act was meant to “provide protection to children from sexual assault and harassment, and for safeguarding the interest and wellbeing of children.”

The court was aghast to come across a joint plea by the father of the survivor and the accused saying they had reached a compromise, and that the FIR should be quashed. Tossing out the plea, the court noted, “The father of the child cannot be permitted to settle the dispute with the accused. He is not the victim, and the courts have to safeguard and protect the interest of children against onslaught by bad forces.”

The bench added that it could not lose sight of the fact that the accused was being prosecuted for an offence that shook the value system of the society. “This is not a matter that can be permitted to be settled as a compoundable minor offence. Deterrence to others committing similar offences is a must, and they cannot get a signal that anything and everything can be compromised,” it observed.

Justice Prasad said he was refraining from slapping costs on the parties for seeking to compromise such a heinous offence and observed, “The survivor is a child of seven years. The offence alleged against the petitioner is grave. The POCSO Act was enacted only because sexual offences against children were not being adequately addressed by the existing laws... permitting such offences to be compromised and quashing FIRs will not secure the interest of justice.”

The court underlined that the child was subjected to penetrative sexual assault resulting in FIR under not just POCSO Act, but also IPC Section 377, which showed the “mental depravity of the offender, and cannot be said to be private in nature. It has serious impact on the society.”

The court said it could not permit quashing of the FIR because the father of the child had decided to enter into a compromise with the accused.

According to the complaint by the father, a mason, on November 11, 2019, he returned home after work at 8pm and found his son crying. When questioned, his son told him that after he left for work, the accused, who stays in the same building, came and sodomised him.

THE HIGH COURT BENCH SAYS

The father of the child cannot be permitted to settle the dispute with the accused. He is not the victim, and the courts have to safeguard and protect the interest of children against onslaught by bad forces

Kerala files RTI plea, seeks probe details from Customs

Kerala files RTI plea, seeks probe details from Customs

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Thiruvananthapuram:  31.01.2021

In an extraordinary move, the Kerala government has filed an RTI application with the Customs preventive commissioner office here, seeking clarifications on the general procedures binding on the agency in duty evasion cases and the details of the ongoing probe into the import of dates by the UAE consulate from the Middle East.

The RTI query, in general, seeks clarifications from the Customs’ side on the basic procedures the agency might follow while dealing with cases pertaining to violation of conditions under which it gives duty exemption for import of goods.

It asked the agency, in particular, to reveal the progress of the ongoing investigation (into the dates import case), persons involved in it and their organizational affiliations in detail.

HC: Demanding cash from wife not harassment

HC: Demanding cash from wife not harassment

Vaibhav.Ganjapure@timesgroup.com

Nagpur:31.01.2021

Demanding money from wife is a “vague term” and can’t be considered harassment as per Section 498A of the IPC, the Nagpur bench of Bombay high court has ruled while acquitting a man who was accused of abetting wife’s suicide nine years after their marriage.

“The evidence is with regard to quarrel between husband and wife where he used to beat her for money. The demand of money is a vague term and in absence of other particulars to establish the link, the offence of harassment, as contemplated under Section 498A, isn’t made out,” Justice Pushpa Ganediwala said, while allowing petitioner Prashant Jare’s appeal for acquittal earlier this month.

Relying on his conduct, Justice Ganediwala inferred that he was more interested in his wife’s company than letting go of her. “From time to time, he brought her back from her father’s place (after their fights) and also issued notices for restitution of conjugal rights. Moreover, he took her to hospital and refused to hand over her body to her father for the funeral,” she said.

Justice Ganediwala’s recent verdicts have courted controversy with the Supreme Court staying one of the orders and also withdrawing recommendation to the Centre, proposing her elevation as a permanent judge.

She had ruled that groping breasts of minor without removing her clothes isn’t a sexual offence. She then held that opening the zip of pants by a man in front of a minor, holding her hands and asking her to sleep in bed with him also did not amount to sexual offence. In another case, she held that a man on his own cannot rape a woman without any scuffle. In all these cases, she acquitted the accused from charges framed under the Pocso Act.

The marriage between the couple was solemnized in 1995. However, she died by suicide on November 12, 2004. The deceased’s father lodged a complaint at Darwha police station alleging that his daughter was harassed by the husband and inlaws for not getting dowry.

The Yavatmal sessions court convicted Jare on April 2, 2008, under Sections 306 (abetment to suicide) and 498A (husband or relative of husband of a woman subjecting her to cruelty) of IPC. He was awarded three years behind bars for the first offence and one year for the second, which he challenged in the HC.

His family members were acquitted by the court. Justice Ganediwala pointed out that their minor daughter deposed before police that she was present when the incident took place and Jare had beaten her mother and also forced her to consume poison. “However, the prosecution, surprisingly, registered the case as suicide,” she wrote in the order.

Russia resumes visa processing for Indians

Russia resumes visa processing for Indians

Saurabh.Sinha@timesgroup.com

New Delhi:31.01.2021

Russia has resumed accepting all visa applications, including student and tourist visas, in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata from January 27. A Covid negative test is required to apply for visas and e-visas are suspended for now, the Russian embassy in Delhi tweeted on Saturday.

India and Russia are in talks to form an air bubble that will allow airlines of both countries to operate flights. So far, Dubai and Maldives are among the few countries open for tourists from abroad, including India; travellers have to test negative before departure for these two places. The UAE has testing on arrival facility for tourists.

Take action against doctors, cops for delay in medical reports in criminal cases: HC

Take action against doctors, cops for delay in medical reports in criminal cases: HC

Ajay.Sura@timesgroup.com

Chandigarh:  31.01.2021

In an order with wide ramifications on criminal cases being registered on basis of medical reports of victims, the Punjab and Haryana high court has directed the heads of Punjab, Haryana and UT Chandigarh health departments to ensure that medical opinion in criminal cases is given to police by concerned doctors without any delay.

The DGPs of both the states and UT Chandigarh have also been directed to issue instructions to concerned investigating officers (IOs) to obtain copies of medical reports immediately and make such reports part of their investigation record immediately on receipt thereof.

“Needless to say such instructions should also have the provision that in case of any undue, unreasonable and unexplained delay on the part of the concerned doctor or investigating officer appropriate departmental action shall be taken against them by the competent authorities,” the high court ordered.

The HC has also ordered all sessions judges and others to ask for production of such reports if already prepared at the time of decision of bail application and before commencement of trial.

A single-judge bench of Justice Arun Kumar Tyagi passed the order while exercising its inherent powers during the hearing of a bail plea filed by Sunil Kumar and another resident of Mahendergarh district of Haryana.

The petitioners were booked on April 17, 2020 for the offences under Sections 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 324 (causing hurt with deadly weapon) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of IPC at Kanina police station of Mahendergarh district.

A day after their arrest, the accused were granted bail by the local court as the charges were mild in nature. However, five months after the incident, the medical report of the victim pointed towards serious injuries after which the police slapped serious charges under Section 326 (voluntarily causing grievous hurt) against the accused.

The accused then approached the HC seeking bail on the ground that they had already been granted bail in the case and the liberty of bail should be continued as they had not misused the condition of bail.

Considering the high number of such instances being received by the HC from both the states and UT Chandigarh reflecting unexplained delay in obtaining medical reports, the judge expanded the scope of the petition and passed the orders exercising inherent powers. The judge has also asked both the states of Punjab and Haryana and the Chandigarh administration to file replies on the issue by February 2 on the issue.

COURT OBSERVATION

There is undue unreasonable and unexplained delay in obtaining copies of X-ray report and medical opinion regarding nature of the injuries with the consequence that the accused are arrested and granted bail and thereafter remain on bail for lesser offences for a long time and subsequently when the charges for graver offences are added, plea is taken by the accused regarding the accused having already been granted bail… The courts would not have granted bail and the accused would have remained in custody for longer periods if the facts regarding commission of graver offences by them were brought to the notice of the court at the time of arrest of the accused and filing of bail application by them

Institutional quarantine for UK flyers eased

Institutional quarantine for UK flyers eased

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

New Delhi:31.01.2021.

The Delhi government has suspended the rule for seven days of mandatory institutional quarantine for flyers coming from the UK and testing negative for Covid. The decision has been taken in the wake of low positivity rate among such individuals.

All flyers testing negative for Covid will now be required to be in 14 days of home isolation. For UK returnees testing positive for Covid, treatment protocol according to their health condition is invoked. TNN

›5.7L get shots in 2 days, states to up vax drive, P15 ›SII to launch Novavax jabs by June: CEO, P 15

Bees halt hungry elephants eyeing crops

Bees halt hungry elephants eyeing crops

Mohua.Das @timesgroup.com

31.01.2021

After several failed attempts, Dhanesh Parashar, a 36-year-old cashew farmer from Dodamarg in Sindhudurg district, has finally found a new ally in his struggle to keep free-ranging elephants from feasting on his crop: honey bees. Yes, elephants — the largest animals on land — are afraid of bees. So afraid that the tiny insects are now helping farmers ward off elephants that are capable of wiping out a year’s harvest in one night.

A ‘beehive fencing’ initiative in affected villages spanning 200 hectares of the Tillari forest land — a conservation reserve in the Dodamarg-Sawantwadi range for elephants that had wandered into Sindhudurg from Karnataka almost two decades ago — is bringing relief to local farmers who have desperately tried to thwart them — beating drums, bursting fire crackers, tying chilli ropes — with little success.

Bee hives serve as a fence at a cashew plantation in Sawantwadi’s Dodamarg

Govt may take over medical ed admissions

Govt may take over medical ed admissions

Hemali.Chhapia@timesgroup.com

Mumbai:31.01.2021

The high-stress medical admissions, which involve frantic travel, emotional drama and last-minute financial deals, may be eased from next year.

In what may promote transparency and weed out agents and deal-makers who auction medical seats, the ministry of health is contemplating taking over the entire admission process, from start to finish. With that, institutional seat-filling — which experts describe as a “seat-auctioning round” or the absolute last leg of the admission process requiring students to visit medical school campuses to pick unfilled seats — may be scrapped. Instead, all admissions may take place online.

The Medical Counselling Committee handles admission for deemed universities across the country and after it closes online rounds, vacant seats are filled by respective institutes at their individual level. That is when, experts say, parents and students are put through immense “financial distress” as NRI seats, the ones that are five times higher than the regular seats, largely remain unfilled.

“What happens is that when students visit colleges for the last round, they feel cornered as there are merely three days to close admissions and how much can they travel? Deemed universities make candidates wait till the last minute as they try to fetch the highest price for each seat. With the process going online, all this will be streamlined,” said a health ministry source. The ministry may have to move court to change the admission procedure.

“Medical education is beyond the reach of the middle class. How can one expect medical graduates who spend crores on their education to give back to society?” asked Dr Vivek Korade, founder of Forum Against Commercialisation of Education.

AGENTS OUT: All admissions may take place online in a bid to promote transparency

Divorce or death: Man finds new love

WIFE FACES TORMENT

Divorce or death: Man finds new love

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Ahmedabad:

A 32-yearold Bapunagar woman lodged a complaint with the local police on Friday stating that her husband is in an extramarital affair and is threatening to kill himself unless she leaves him. The complainant, Merelin Amin, has said that her husband, Hardik Amin of Rakhial, mentally and physically tortured her. She said he wants to marry the woman with whom he has the extramarital relationship. Bapunagar police have lodged an offence.

According to the FIR, the complainant was married to the accused in November 2016. She has mentioned in the FIR that in 2018 she gave birth to a daughter. The FIR said that in recent times, the woman noticed a change in her husband. “The complainant has alleged that her husband began telling her she has become fat and he doesn’t like her any more,” said a police official. “He also began physically torturing her.”

The complainant has said her husband has told her father that he wants to marry the other woman. The complainant has mentioned in the FIR that as her husband’s torture intensified, she moved to her parents’ house.

Edu dept serves notice to man for spreading fake news

MASS PROMOTION

Edu dept serves notice to man for spreading fake news

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Ahmedabad:31.01.2021

The director of primary education has served a notice to a person for his alleged role in spreading fake news on social media regarding mass promotion for school students in the ongoing academic year.

The state education department has given a week’s time for the person to reply, failing which the government might take strict action.

“If the respondent does not reply within seven days, we will conclude that he does not have anything to say in his defence. As a result, we will look into the option of taking legal action against him,” said an official in the know of the matter.

The person is question has in the past raised issues regarding fees taken by schools, said sources.

Recently, a message in the social media was spread with misinformation about giving mass promotion from Class 1 to Class 8 students, the department said.

After receiving several calls from parents, students and teachers for verification of the social media message, the department began inquiry about the origin of the message.

“It was found after proper investigation that the messages were sent from a mobile number which belonged to the person alleged to be behind this. It seemed a deliberate attempt to create fake news and spread misinformation,” sources said.

Schools and colleges partially reopened in January after being shut down for over nine months due to Covid-19 outbreak and consequent lockdown.

The state government had given mass promotion to schoolchildren last year in the wake of the pandemic. The state education minister and other senior department officials have time and again reiterated that no such move is planned for the current academic year.

‘Don’t identify rape survivor indirectly either’

‘Don’t identify rape survivor indirectly either’

Swati.Deshpande@timesgroup.com

Mumbai:31.01.2021

Bombay high court’s Aurangabad bench has issued additional guidelines to restrain print and electronic media as well as people using social media such as WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter and the internet fr om publishing information that could “directly or indirectly” disclose a rape survivor’s identity.

HC has directed that in cases of rape registered under the Indian Penal Code and offences under Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (Pocso), the media and those using the social media should “not publish” the names of the parents or relatives of the survivor or accused’s relation with him or her; the accused as well as the survivor’s residential, occupational or work address and the village at which they reside in. It has restrained publication of details of the occupation of the parents or other relations of the survivor, or any other relative in such a manner that the survivor can be identified.

A bench of Justices T V Nalawade and M G Sewlikar, listed the guidelines while disposing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by the mother of a rape survivor. The bench said if the individual is a student, the name of the school or college or any other educational institution or private coaching class or classes which he or she has joined for pursuing her hobbies such as music, drawing, dance, stitching, cooking etc” and the family background should not be mentioned in articles or posts.

HC said it was passing these additional guidelines as despite Supreme Court’s December 11, 2018, directions in a petition by Nipun Saxena against even “remotely” identifying rape survivors as well as penal provisions under IPC Section 228 (A), the rules are flouted. It noted a “news item” of a 2011 kidnap and rape case in local publications before it “clearly indicates that the identity of the victim is established... though the name of the accused and the name of the victim is not mentioned”.

HC also passed directions to trial courts and police officers. It said, “It is noticed that while framing of charges, recording the evidence, recording the statement of the accused under Section 313 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, the name of the victim is disclosed.” It directed special trial courts under provisions of Pocso Act, 2012, therefore, to conceal the name of the survivor, by referring to them with some abbreviations or letters such as “X” while framing charges, recording statements or evidence.

The Bombay high court directed special trial courts under provisions of Pocso Act, 2012, therefore, to conceal the name of the survivor, by referring to them with some abbreviations or letters such as “X” while framing charges, recording statements or evidence

‘Probe against staff must be over within timeline’

HC OBSERVATION

‘Probe against staff must be over within timeline’

Vasantha.Kumar@@timesgroup.com

Bengaluru:31.01.2021

In the matter of holding inquiry proceedings against a delinquent employee, the state government and its instrumentalities have to adhere to the timeline stipulated in the official memoranda in letter and in spirit and not place the same in cold storage, the high court has said.

The court made the observation while coming to the rescue of a retired official of Mysore Urban Development Authority. Not only did the HC quashthe de novo (fresh) probe initiated against BS Rangaswamy in June 2018 — six years after his superannuation — but also directed MUDA to pay Rs 25,000 as costs to him.

Apart from ordering release of all pending terminal benefits in 15 days with 6% interest, the court held that Rangaswamy is entitled to promotion if the same is withheld on account of pendency of proceedings. “This court notices with pain in umpteen number of cases where disciplinary proceedings are initiated by issuance of chargesheet and are not concluded within a reasonable time, and the employee is kept on the tenterhooks and denied service and terminal benefits that would become available to him,” Justice M Nagaprasanna said.

The judge also pointed out that in the official memoranda issued on May 31, 1997, a cap of 21 months was fixed and the same modified by another memoranda issued on June 28, 2001, by which the time limit was reduced to 9 months.

Relief for ex-MUDA staffer

Ramaswamy, now 65, had joined MUDA in 1996. When he was working as a first-division assistant, a probe was initiated in December 2003 vis-a-vis certain omissions and commissions and he was kept under suspension along with others. Two years later, the suspension was revoked.

In April 2005, a chargesheet was issued and an officer appointed to conduct departmental inquiry. However, the probe commenced only in July 2009 and after nine years, the officer closed the proceedings, holding Rangaswamy not guilty as MUDA had not produced documents or witnesses. MUDA had suspended him in January 2021 before the report was submitted on March 3, 2018, MUDA, on June 27, 2018 issued an order initiating fresh probe against Ramaswamy. He challenged it in the high court.

5 doctors test positive days after first jab

5 doctors test positive days after first jab

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Mysuru:31.01.2021

Five doctors working at the Chamarajanagar district hospital have tested positive for Covid-19 after taking their first vaccine dose. These are the first known cases of mid-vaccination infection in Karnataka, but health officials say that people should not doubt the efficacy of the vaccines as they provide full protection after two doses.

The five doctors, attached to the Chamarajanagar Institute of Medical Sciences, took the Covid-19 test after experiencing mild symptoms. They are aged between 40 and 50, said an official. One is being treated at the hospital, while the other four are in home isolation. “These doctors received their jab a few days ago,” district health officer MC Ravi told STOI. Some received Covishield, while some Covaxin.

Two colleagues of the doctors have also tested positive. They have not taken their first dose yet. “The vaccines give full protection after two doses. This incident has nothing to do with the efficacy of the vaccines; people need not worry,” explained Ravi.

According to an official in the health department, the said doctors have been tending to Covid-19 patients. They were vaccinated on different days. “Generally, vaccines take some more time to produce antibodies. In the incubation period, there is a possibility of catching the infection. After the first shot, one should continue wearing a mask and maintaining social distancing,” said an expert.

Health and family welfare minister K Sudhakar also said that both vaccines were safe. “Forty-five days after taking the first dose, we develop immunity to the infection. If any person comes in contact with a Covid-19 positive patient before this, there is a possibility of contracting the infection. The second dose is administered 28 days after the first one,” he said in a tweet. “The public can take these two vaccines without any hesitation. I appeal to the public not to believe unverified information.”

சர்ச்சை நீதிபதிக்கான பணி நிரந்தரம் ரத்து?

சர்ச்சை நீதிபதிக்கான பணி நிரந்தரம் ரத்து?

Added : ஜன 30, 2021 21:21

புதுடில்லி:சிறுமியரிடம் தகாத முறையில் நடந்தவர்களை விடுவித்து, சர்ச்சைக்குரிய இரண்டு தீர்ப்புகளை வழங்கிய, மும்பை உயர் நீதிமன்ற பெண் நீதிபதியை, நிரந்தர நீதிபதியாக நியமிக்கும் பரிந்துரையை, உச்ச நீதிமன்ற, 'கொலீஜியம்' ரத்து செய்துள்ளதாக தகவல்கள் வெளியாகி உள்ளன.

மஹாராஷ்டிர மாநிலம் மும்பை உயர் நீதிமன்றத்தின் நாக்பூர் கிளையைச் சேர்ந்த, பெண் நீதிபதி, புஷ்பா கனேதிவாலா, சமீபத்தில் வழங்கிய இரண்டு தீர்ப்புகள் சர்ச்சையை ஏற்படுத்திஉள்ளன. 'போக்சோ' சட்டத்தின் கீழ் தொடரப்பட்ட வழக்கில், சிறுமியரிடம் தகாக முறையில் நடந்தவர்களை விடுவித்து, அவர் தீர்ப்பு அளித்தார். அதில் ஒரு தீர்ப்பை செயல்படுத்த, உச்ச நீதிமன்றம் தடை விதித்து உள்ளது.

இந்நிலையில், மும்பை உயர் நீதிமன்றத்தின் கூடுதல் நீதிபதியாக, 2019ல் நியமிக்கப்பட்டு உள்ள அவரை, நிரந்தர நீதிபதியாக நியமிக்க, உச்ச நீதிமன்றத் தலைமை நீதிபதி, எஸ்.ஏ.பாப்டே தலைமையிலான கொலீஜியம், கடந்த, 20ம் தேதி பரிந்துரை செய்து இருந்தது.தற்போது சர்ச்சையில் சிக்கியுள்ளதால், அந்தப் பரிந்துரையை, கொலீஜியம் திரும்பப் பெற்றுள்ள தாக தகவல்கள் வெளியாகி உள்ளன.

அரசு டாக்டர்களின் கோரிக்கை

அரசு டாக்டர்களின் கோரிக்கை

Added : ஜன 31, 2021 00:51

சென்னை:மத்திய அரசு டாக்டர்களுக்கு இணையான சம்பளம் வழங்க கோரிய மனுவுக்கு தமிழக அரசு பதில் அளிக்க சென்னை உயர் நீதிமன்றம் உத்தரவிட்டுள்ளது.

செங்கல்பட்டு அரசு மருத்துவ கல்லுாரி டாக்டர் பெருமாள் பிள்ளை மதுரை மருத்துவ கல்லுாரி டாக்டர்தாஹிர் தேனி மருத்துவ கல்லுாரி டாக்டர் நளினி உள்ளிட்ட எட்டு டாக்டர்கள் தனித்தனியாக உயர் நீதிமன்றத்தில் மனுக்கள் தாக்கல் செய்தனர்.மனுக்களில் கூறியிருப்பதாவது:

மத்திய அரசு பணியில் உள்ள இளநிலை மருத்துவர்களுக்கும் தமிழகத்தில் பணியாற்றும் முதுநிலை மருத்துவர்களுக்கும்இடையே 40 ஆயிரம் ரூபாய் வரை சம்பள வேறுபாடு உள்ளது.அரசு மருத்துவர்களுக்கான சம்பள மறு ஆய்வு குறித்து 2009ம் ஆண்டில் பிறப்பித்த உத்தரவை அமல்படுத்தவில்லை. இதனால் எங்களுக்கு பெரிய அளவில் இழப்பு ஏற்பட்டுள்ளது. எங்கள் கோரிக்கைகளை நிறைவேற்ற அரசுக்கு உத்தரவிட வேண்டும்.இவ்வாறு மனுவில் கூறப்பட்டுள்ளது.

இம்மனுக்கள் நீதிபதி மகாதேவன் முன் விசாரணைக்கு வந்தன. மனுக்களுக்கு பதில் அளிக்கும்படி அரசுக்கு உத்தரவிட்டு விசாரணையை பிப். 3க்கு நீதிபதி தள்ளி வைத்தார்.

ஜோதிர்லிங்க யாத்திரைக்கு சிறப்பு ரயில் இயக்கம்

ஜோதிர்லிங்க யாத்திரைக்கு சிறப்பு ரயில் இயக்கம்

Added : ஜன 30, 2021 22:12

சென்னை:மகா சிவராத்திரியை முன்னிட்டு, நவ ஜோதிர்லிங்க யாத்திரை ரயிலை, ஐ.ஆர்.சி.டி.சி., இயக்குகிறது.

இந்தியன் ரயில்வே உணவு மற்றும் சுற்றுலா கழகமான, ஐ.ஆர்.சி.டி.சி.,யானது, திருநெல்வேலியில் இருந்து, மார்ச், 8ல்இயக்கும், நவ ஜோதிர்லிங்க யாத்திரை ரயிலானது, மதுரை, திண்டுக்கல், கரூர், ஈரோடு, சேலம், ஜோலார்பேட்டை, காட்பாடி மற்றும், சென்னை பெரம்பூர் வழியாக செல்லும்.

இப்பயணத்தில், மஹாராஷ்டிர மாநிலத்தின், திரையம்பகேஷ்வர், பீமாசங்கர், குஷ்மேஸ்வர், அவுரங்காபாத், வைத்யநாத்; குஜராத் மாநிலத்தின் சோம்நாத்; மத்திய பிரதேசத்தின் ஓம்காரேஸ்வர், உஜ்ஜயினி மகாகாலேஷ்வர்; ஆந்திராவின், ஸ்ரீசைலம் மல்லிகார்ஜுனர் ஆகிய ஒன்பது ஜோதிர்லிங்க கோவில்களுக்கு சென்று வரலாம்.

மொத்தம், 13 நாட்கள் சுற்றுலாவுக்கு, ஒருவருக்கு, 15 ஆயிரத்து, 350 ரூபாய் கட்டணம். விபரங்களுக்கு, ஐ.ஆர்.சி.டி.சி.,யின் சென்னை, 90031 40680; மதுரை, 82879 31977; திருச்சி அலுவலகங்களை, 82879 31974 என்ற, மொபைல் போன் எண்களில் தொடர்பு கொள்ளலாம்.

Health ministry mulls taking over medical admissions

Health ministry mulls taking over medical admissions

Hemali.Chhapia@timesgroup.com

Mumbai:31.01.2021

The high-stress medical admissions, which involve frantic travel, emotional drama and last-minute financial deals, may be eased from next year.

In what may promote transparency and weed out agents and deal-makers who auction medical seats, the ministry of health is contemplating taking over the entire admission process, from start to finish. With that, institutional seat-filling— which experts describe as a “seat-auctioning round” or the absolute last leg of the admission process requiring students to visit medical school campuses to pick unfilled seats—may be scrapped. Instead, all admissions may take place online.

The Medical Counselling Committee handles admission for deemed universities across the country and after it closes online rounds, vacant seats are filled by respective institutes at their individual level. That is when, experts say, parents and students are put through immense “financial distress” as NRI seats, the ones that are five times higher than the regular seats, largely remain unfilled.

“What happens is that when students visit colleges for the last round, they feel cornered as there are merely three days to close admissions and how much can they travel? Deemed universities make candidates wait till the last minute as they try to fetch the highest price for each seat. With the process going online, all this will be streamlined,” said a health ministry source. The ministry may have to move court to change the admission procedure.

CD (cutting deals), CC (cash component), N2M (NRI-to-management conversion) are the terms every aspiring doctor is aware of. “So, when candidates visit these medical colleges in the last round, negotiations take place. The benchmark for admission is only one: the ability to pay the highest sum for a seat; that is the only merit,” said Sudha Shenoy, parents’ representative for medical aspirants.

Full report on www.toi.in

Times View

The health ministry move, if implemented, will bring about much-needed transparency in medical admissions. Parents and students often complain that colleges demand cash and show seats were given away at the last minute at discounted rates. But in a country where lakhs aspire to join the MBBS programme and seats are rather few, taking the admission process entirely online will ensure merit is respected and cash deals and auctions are done away with.

DMDK won’t ally with PMK, says Premalatha

DMDK won’t ally with PMK, says Premalatha

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:31.01.2021

DMDK treasurer Premalatha Vijayakant on Saturday told her partymen to get ready to contest alone in all 234 constituencies and said the DMDK would not be part of any alliance in which the PMK was present. She also hinted that party founder Vijayakant would make an “important announcement” on his wedding anniversary on Sunday.

Speaking to party functionaries in charge of the 234 constituencies in the state, Premalatha urged them to set up booth-level committees without missing anyone and post additional office-bearers in the constituencies to take up election work. “She said there is no need to wait for ‘others’ and we should start the election work in all 234 constituencies,” said a functionary. The DMDK leader was averse to tying up with the PMK, said the functionary.

Premalatha had recently said that the party wants to contest in 41 seats as it did during the 2011 assembly polls, as part of the AIADMK alliance. The DMDK, however, snapped ties with the AIADMK, within 100 days of Jayalalithaa assuming office as CM.

The party contested as part of the four-party alliance, People’s Welfare Front, in 2016 and came a cropper. After sewing up an alliance with the AIADMK in 2019 LS polls, the DMDK leadership is upset over the ruling party not commencing electoral talks with it even as elections are inching closer. “Premalatha has been repeatedly extending support to V K Sasikala, Jayalalithaa’s close-aide, lauding her sacrifices. She also said Edappadi K Palaniswami was chosen as CM by the party and not by the people. It remains unclear if the AIADMK-DMDK alliance will materialise,” a senior DMDK leader said.

Sasikala to be discharged from B’luru hosp today

Sasikala to be discharged from B’luru hosp today

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

31.01.2021

Expelled AIADMK leader V K Sasikala will be discharged on Sunday from a hospital in Bengaluru, where she was undergoing treatment for Covid-19, an official bulletin said.

"Sasikala has completed 10 days of treatment. She has been asymptomatic and maintaining saturation without oxygen support for three days.

“As per protocol, she can be discharged from the hospital," the Bangalore Medical College & Research Institute said in an official bulletin.

"The team of doctors attending to her have taken the decision that she is fit for discharge and will be discharged tomorrow (Sunday)... with advice of home quarantine," it said.

Sasikala was set free on Wednesday by authorities after she completed four years imprisonment in a jail here in a case of disproportionate assets.

Sasi will reclaim AIADMK: AMMK paper

Sasi will reclaim AIADMK: AMMK paper

Article Says Top AIADMK Leaders Are All Traitors

Julie.Mariappan@timesgroup.com

Chennai:31.01.2021

As former chief minister J Jayalalithaa’s close-aide V K Sasikala’s arrival in Chennai next week is likely to create unease in the ruling AIADMK, Namadhu MGR, the official mouthpiece of T T V Dhinakaran’s AMMK, on Saturday claimed no one can stop Sasikala from regaining the reins of the AIADMK. The AIADMK leaders, however, maintain that she would not be re-inducted into the party.

An article published with the headline, ‘Aanaigal Ittu Yaar Thaduthalum’ (No matter whoever swears to block), under a pen name, sought to remind the AIADMK leaders about the popularity of Sasikala among AIADMK cadres, who are putting up posters welcoming her in various parts of the state. Calling her a symbol of sacrifice (for the sake of Jayalalithaa), the article said irrespective of the conspiracies hatched by the treacherous groups along with evil forces, Sasikala would emerge as the leader of the party. She would meet people of Tamil Nadu soon and reveal the true colours of the deceitful characters, who kicked the ladder after using it to climb positions, it said.

Arrangements have been made for Sasikala to resume her political work from a house adjacent to her niece J Krishnapriya’s residence in T Nagar. An embarrassed AIADMK leadership had expelled some party functionaries in Tirunelveli and Trichy districts after they put up posters supporting Sasikala earlier this week. On Saturday, a group of AIADMK men put up similar posters in Theni, the native district of deputy CM and AIADMK coordinator O Panneerselvam, and Thanjavur, triggering unease in the party. Panneerselvam’s son V P Jayapradeep had earlier issued a statement wishing Sasikala a speedy recovery.

Reminding Sasikala’s efforts in safeguarding the party and retaining power, after the death of Jayalalithaa, Namadhu MGR hit out at chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami without naming him, for ruling out ties with the leader. “History will identify them as traitors. Fact is that they cannot establish Amma’s (Jayalalithaa’s) rule nor can they protect the partymen. The opportunistic traitors, who had knelt, prostrated and surrendered themselves to get positions, should hold their tongue," it said.

The article called upon the AIADMK leadership to honour cadres’ wishes and welcome Sasikala back in the party in unison to establish Jayalalithaa’s rule. AIADMK deputy coordinator K P Munusamy said the party would respond only to Sasikala or Dhinakaran and not to anonymous contributors writing in a paper. “Our party’s stand is very clear and chief minister also echoed the same in New Delhi. There is no chance of any tie up with Sasikala,” he said. The AIADMK’s contention is that Dhinakaran was expelled by Jayalalithaa herself and he was not to be seen for a decade before being given position by Sasikala, hours before she went to Bengaluru prison.

CHANGING EQUATIONS:

Arrangements have been made for Sasikala to resume her political work from a house adjacent to her niece J Krishnapriya’s residence in T Nagar

TN Aids society joint director dies in accident

TN Aids society joint director dies in accident

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

31.01.2021

Dr J Stanley Michael, the joint director of Tamil Nadu State AIDS Control Society (Tansacs), died after the car he was driving rammed a truck near Siruganur in Trichy district in the early hours of Saturday. He was 49.

Michael hailed from Coimbatore. The accident occurred when he was returning to Chennai after visiting his sister in Crawford in Trichy.

When the car was approaching Nedungur village on the Trichy – Chennai national highway, a truck going in front of the car came to a sudden halt. Michael lost control and the car rammed the rear end of the truck. He died on the spot.

The Siruganur police retrieved the body and sent it to a government hospital for postmortem. Police arrested the truck driver and are investigating.

Passengers at Central have few food options

Passengers at Central have few food options

Ayyappan.V@timesgroup.com

Chennai:31.01.2021

Passengers have very few options for buying food at MGR Central railway station and Egmore railway station as IRCTC’s attempt to start retail units including a food plaza is yet to take off.

There were no takers for tenders floated four times for setting up a refreshment room in the space at Central where Jan Aahaar stood and steps are being taken to identify a firm to run a fast food unit and food plaza though they were shut during the Covid-19 shutdown. Similar is the scene at Egmore and Arakkonam stations even though the number of trains and patronage have started touching pre-Covid levels. Last month, IRCTC asked Southern Railway to allow them to hire contractors for the space used for selling food at Central and Arakkonam, nearly two months after they were closed due to losses during the lockdown.

The railway-owned corporation is also facing a peculiar problem of contractors not bidding. “There seems to be no attempt to attract bidders. The terms should be marketdriven. But too many rules and regulations may be restricting,” said a source.

Instead of making it as easy as possible to bid, the corporation is asks contractors to pay for the huge kitchen equipment owned by IRCTC. According to the tender notice, the contractor will have to buy kitchen equipment used in Jan Aaahaar stall at Central like bratt pan and vegetable cutting machine though only a refreshment room is going to be set up in the space. These pieces of equipment cost more than ₹1lakh each.

An IRCTC official said steps were being taken to help contractors. “We have refunded 90% of the licence fee and there is a plan to give back a part of the security deposit too. The tender will be for five years and they need to start paying only after regular train services resume. Now, specials are being run.” He said advance deposit too has been scrapped. "Steps are being taken to ensure businesses take place. The kitchen equipment were bought by IRCTC when railways planned modernization. They will have to be bought. They can bring their equipment too," he added. Southern railway too hesitates to take over the space and run food outlets. Other zones have started taking over space given to IRCTC at some of the stations.

Consumer activist T Sadagopan said, “Railways should come up with a temporary arrangement as it will be difficult to float a tender and find a contractor to open food outlets during the pandemic. They can tie up with the state government, SHGs and societies to set up the amenities. People pay more to travel by special trains as passenger services are not there. So it's the duty of the railways to offer the service at stations.”