Without his hero, Vijayakant look-alike begins campaign

Without his hero, Vijayakant look-alike begins campaign

MT.Saju@timesgroup.com

Chennai:05.02.2021 

For two decades Kumar has been better known for hissobriquet ‘Vijayakant’ ashe dresses up like the DMDK chief Vijayakant. But for the past two years he has not seen his hero due to the latter’s ill health. A week ago, Kumar, began his campaign starting with a photoshoot with Captain’s (as Vijayakant is fondly called) wife and DMDK treasurer Premalatha. He believes if Anni (Premalatha) finds a good alliance in theforthcoming election,the party will fare well.

“Captain is not active asearlier, but that doesn’t spoil the charm. I will remain a look-alike of him forever. I will campaign for him in the forthcoming elections. I hope Premalatha will lead the party well,” said Kumar, who has incorporated elements from Captain’s personal sartorial style to complete his avatar.

“Earlier, I used to follow his style based on the movies that he acted in. Now, I have changed it. I have started wearing dark sunglasses that Captain usesthesedays.There aresome changes in the ways he dresses that I have incorporated,” said Kumar, a theatre artist from Namakkal. Kumar can imitate Captain’s voice, gestures and mannerisms. Kumar was an MGR-Rajini fan, when his friends told him that he looked like Vijayakant, he didn’t take it seriously. But slowly he too started to see the similarities.

Kumar said he would plan his campaign programmes after consulting DMDK leaders. “I am waiting for the dates of the election to be declared. For me,Captain is my god.Iwilltravel across TN as a look-alike for Captain,” said the 48-year-old.

STANDING IN: Kumar ‘Vijayakant’ with Premalatha

‘Rajiv case convicts would’ve been hanged if not for AIADMK’

‘Rajiv case convicts would’ve been hanged if not for AIADMK’

Shanmughasundaram.J@timesgroup.com

Chennai:  05.02.2021 

Chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami on Thursday said in the assembly that but for the AIADMK government’s sustained efforts, the convicts in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case would have been hanged by now.

“The DMK is staging a political drama to make people believe that they are fighting for the release of the seven convicts. Their aim is to gain public sympathy ahead of the assembly elections,” he said, referring to the opposition’s decision to boycott the assembly session citing delay in governor ordering their release.

He expressed confidence that the governor would take a “good decision” and give his stamp of approval to the TN cabinet’s decision taken on September 9, 2018, recommending the premature release of the seven convicts. “We are asking the governor to consider the cabinet’s decision whenever we meet him,” he said.

He criticised the DMK and its leader M K Stalin for carrying out a “misinformation campaign” regarding the issue. Seeking to set records straight, the CM said the DMK government, on August 19, 2000, had advised the governor to commute the death sentence of Nalini Sriharan and uphold the capital punishment of Sriharan, Shanthan and A G Perarivalan. The governor accepted the cabinet decision, said EPS. “If the order was implemented, they would have been executed by now,” he said and wondered why the DMK, when it was in power, did not pass a resolution to commute the death sentence.

Why didn’t the DMK pass a resolution to commute sentences of death row convicts when it was in govt, asked Palaniswami

Court junks plea to declare Murugan a Tamil god

Court junks plea to declare Murugan a Tamil god

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Madurai:05.02.2021 

The Madras high court on Thursday dismissed a plea urging the state government to pass a government order declaring Lord Murugan a Tamil god.

A division bench of Justices M M Sundresh and S Ananthi observed that seeking to declare one deity as Tamil god would damage the fibre of the federal and secular nature of the country emphasised in the preamble of the Constitution. Hence, the bench said the prayer sought by the petitioner G Thirumurugan, an advocate from Ramanathapuram district, cannot be granted.

Though he has a justifiable reason to refer to Lord Murugan as a Tamil god which was for him to do so, as a state, such a request is not feasible for consideration. The judges observed that the petitioner also cited a statement made by CM Palaniswami referring to Lord Murugan as a Tamil god. However, the reference was made when declaring a public holiday during Thai Poosam festival and cannot be relied upon for seeking relief, the court ruled.

Plea to change Tamil Nadu to Thamizh Naadu

Madurai:

The Madras high court on Thursday directed the state government to consider a petitioner’s representation to change the spelling of Tamil Nadu in English to Thamizh Naadu or Tahmizh Naadu. Petitioner M Selva Kumar, a Tamil enthusiast from Tuticorin district, said the word Tamil is wrongly represented while written in English as the correct representation is Tahmizh or Thamizh. The letter ‘zha’ in Tamil language is very significant, he said. A division bench of Justices M M Sundresh and S Ananthi said though they find some force in the request of the petitioner, they do not wish to get into the discretion of the administration. The judges disposed of the petition by asking the state to take appropriate decisions within eight weeks .TNN

M Selvam is new VC of Bharathidasan Univ

M Selvam is new VC of Bharathidasan Univ

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:  05.02.2021 

Governor Banwarilal Purohit on Thursday appointed M Selvam vice-chancellor of Bharathidasan University, Trichy. His tenure will last three years from the date of assuming office.

Selvam has 36 years of teaching experience and was previously a professor and head of the department of international business and commerce, Alagappa University. He has published 12 research articles in listed journals and presented papers in international and national conferences. He has so far guided 12 research scholars.

At present, he is the accreditation ambassador under the UGC’s Paramarsh Scheme. He has also served as dean of research, dean of students affairs and dean of management in Alagappa University and functioned as a member of senate, syndicate, finance committees.

Sources said the governor interviewed S Ganesan, former registrar of Anna University, N Thajuddin of Bharathidasan University and Selvam on Thursday morning before appointing the new VC. The incumbent VC P Manisankar’s tenure ended last month, but his term was extended till the appointment of the next VC.

AU to start physical classes for 1st year students on Feb 8

AU to start physical classes for 1st year students on Feb 8

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:05.02.2021 

To ensure social distancing at hostels, Anna University has released a special staggered schedule for physical classes for first, second and third year UG students and first year PG students. As per the academic schedule, the university campuses, regional campuses and constituent colleges will begin physical classes for first year UG students from February 8.

Second and third year UG students are scheduled to return on March 15 and April 5, while first year PG students will return to campuses on March 8.

Classes for all UG, PG students belonging to engineering, technology and architecture of Anna University will resume on February 8 and hotsel accommodation will also be permitted on the respective dates as per Covid-19 protocols issued by the state, said a university circular to all deans and department heads.

Universities and colleges reopened for final year students on December 7. The state, in its latest guidelines, allowed physical classes for all UG and PG classes starting February 8.

“The university has issued a schedule for staggered reopening of its campuses. It would allow us to accommodate one student per room in our hostels at any given time,” an Anna University official said. The varsity has also permitted affiliated colleges to function from February 8 and directed principals to strictly adhere to Covid-19 standard operating procedures.

Private colleges are also planning to reopen campuses in a phased manner. “We are planning to complete physical classes for final year students,” a principal from a city college said. Some colleges are also considering allowing all students by following a shift system.

Unsatisfied patient makes bomb threat call to Siddha clinic

Unsatisfied patient makes bomb threat call to Siddha clinic

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:  05.02.2021 

Upset over the health treatment he got from a Sidha clinic being ineffective, a man made a bomb hoax call to the clinic in Kodambakkam. Police traced the caller to Trichy and sent a team to detain him.

Police said the clinic received a call from a man who said a bomb planted on the premises would go off any time. The clinic called police who rushed a bomb disposal squad. They found it to be a hoax. Using the caller ID, police identified the caller as Manivel, 26, a resident of Trichy. The clinic said he had come for treatment in 2019.

A doctor at the clinic took ₹75,000 from him and gave him tablets for six months with an assurance that he would be cured. His condition, however, did not improve. Following this, Manivel decided to make the call.

CBSE boards to clash with JEE main, students worried

CBSE boards to clash with JEE main, students worried

Ragu.Raman@timesgroup.com

Chennai:  05.02.2021 

Thousands of Class XII CBSE students in the biology-maths group are worried their board exam will clash with Joint Entrance Exam (Main) in May. As per the date sheets released by the CBSE, biology exam will be held on May 24, while the final session of JEE (Main) is scheduled to be held from May 24 to 28 when more than five lakh students across the country are set to appear.

Students and teachers from Tamil Nadu want the National Testing Agency (NTA) to delay the start of the JEE (Main) final session to avoid a clash.

Ebi Manuel, a Class XII biology student and IIT aspirant from the city, said biology is a vast subject and students need to concentrate more on it. “It will affect only the biology-maths group students.”

Manuel, who has applied to all four sessions of JEE (Main), said the May session would be his last chance.

“I request the NTA to change the schedule for the last session to enable the students to prepare better for the biology exam.”

NTA is conducting JEE (Main) from February 23 to 26, March15 to18, April 27 to 30 and May 24 to 28. Since engineering admissions in Tamil Nadu are based on board exam marks, students in the state will give more importance to the session conducted after the board exams.

The CBSE has also scheduled the computer science board exam on May 29, a day after JEE (Main).

Kaushik, another student, said the clash should have been avoided as some students target the main exam after the board exams.

Many teachers echo this view. “Students are stressed about the schedule since both the exams are very tough and dates also are clashing,” said Sunitha Shine, a Class XII teacher from the city. Though the exams are conducted in four sessions all the four sessions are important, she added.

Trainers said students should be given a provision to change the date of the exam. “Even a single student should not be affected due to the scheduling. In case, a biology student gets an exam on May 24, he or she should be given the option to change the exam date,” said B Pavan Kumar, deputy director (Chennai) of coaching institute FIITJEE.

NTA officials said students who have exams on May 24 will not be given the slot on that day. “The roll numbers of CBSE students will be collected by May. Biology students will get an exam session other than May 24 so there won't be a clash,” an official said.

TESTING TIMES: Candidates wrote the JEE advanced exam in September amid stringent Covid-19 protocols

HC on memorials: Is there any space on Marina beach?

HC on memorials: Is there any space on Marina beach?

Sureshkumar.K@timesgroup.com

Chennai:  05.02.2021

“How many more memorials will you (government) keep creating for leaders,” asked the Madras high court, wondering whether there was any more space available on the Marina beach for memorials.

There can be only one Gandhi, one Nehru and one Patel. You can’t keep creating memorials for every other leader, the first bench of Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice Senthilkumar Ramamoorthy said on Thursday.

“We do not mean any disrespect, but for successive chief ministers you cannot have this… you can have one Gandhi, maybe one Nehru, since he was the first, one Patel but if you keep extending it you would have memorials for deputy chief ministers also... This personality cult is not something that is great for a republic or espoused in the Constitution,” the bench said. The bench made the observations while hearing a plea moved by J Deepak, legal heir of former chief minister J Jayalalithaa, challenging the validity of Tamil Nadu government’s order converting Jayalalithaa’s Poes Garden residence into a memorial.

Responding to the observation, advocate-general Vijay Narayan said, such matters are policy decision of the government.

To this, the bench wondered as to how long the government is going to continue building memorials out of all these places. “Have you almost exhausted the Marina?” the judges said.

Answering the court, the AG said, it is not unusual as several states erect memorials for former chief ministers. In Tamil Nadu alone there are 17 memorials for freedom fighters, former chief ministers and persons who have contributed greatly to the welfare of the state.

The AG also stressed that Jayalalithaa too has contributed immensely to the welfare of the state and the women. Unconvinced, the bench said, “When policy (of the government) goes to the absurd, that is where we come in.”

The court then recorded the submissions of the advocate-general and the counsel for the petitioner and directed the state to file a counter in four weeks.

The bench also observed that they would wait for the order on the challenge made to the land acquisition proceedings (pending before a single judge) before dealing with the present petition.

After 4 yrs, guv says can’t take call on plea to pardon Perarivalan

After 4 yrs, guv says can’t take call on plea to pardon Perarivalan

Purohit Says Only Prez Can Decide, Sends It To Centre

New Delhi: 5.2.2021 

The Centre on Thursday told the Supreme Court that the application filed by life convict A G Perarivalan to the Tamil Nadu governor seeking pardon in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case has been forwarded to it by the governor on the ground saying that it is for the President to decide on the issue. The plea has been pending with the governor for over five years.

A bench headed by Justice L Nageswara Rao which was hearing a petition filed by Perarivalan seeking release from the prison based on the recommendation by the state government in September 2018, was informed by the Centre on January 21 that the governor would take a decision within three to four days and the court deferred the hearing on the plea for two weeks.

In a affidavit, the home ministry said, “His Excellency the Governor of Tamil Nadu considered all the facts on record and after perusal of the relevant documents , recorded that the President of India is the competent authority to deal with the said request for remittance matter vide his order dated January 25. The proposal received by the Centre will be processed in accordance with law.” TNN

Perarivalan moved guv for pardon in 2015

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta had on January 21 told the court that Tamil Nadu governor Banwarilal Purohit will take a decision on the 2018 recommendation of the state government which favoured release of seven convicts including Perarivalan in the case. The assurance was given after the apex court expressed concern over the delay in taking decision and decided to examine whether it could intervene to pass direction.

Perarivalan was awarded the death penalty in 1991for his involvement in the conspiracy to assassinate former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. He was charged with providing a 9-volt battery to co-conspirator Sivarasan for the explosive device used to kill Gandhi.

After he spent over 20 years on death row, the Supreme Court commuted Perarivalan’s death penalty to life imprisonment in February, 2014.

Perarivalan had applied to the governor for pardon in December 2015 and the Supreme Court in September 2018 asked the governor to decide the plea “as he deemed fit”. The state government in the same month had recommended to the governor to remit the sentence of all the seven convicts. The governor, however, didn’t decide on the TN cabinet recommendation and kept the matter pending.

DMK moves contempt plea against Natiional Medical Commission secretary

DMK moves contempt plea against Natiional Medical Commission secretary

Senior advocate P Wilson, arguing for the DMK, made a mention before the first bench of Sanjib Banerjee and Senthilkumar Ramamoorthy to move the contempt plea against RK Vats.

Published: 04th February 2021 05:52 AM 

Madras High Court 

By Express News Service

CHENNAI: The DMK on Wednesday moved a contempt plea against National Medical Commission Secretary, RK Vats, for violating the Madras High Court order on implementation of 69 per cent reservation in the seats surrendered by the State for medical and dental courses. The High Court had also directed the implementation of 50 per cent reservation for OBC students from academic year 2021-22.

Senior advocate P Wilson, arguing for the DMK, made a mention before the first bench of Sanjib Banerjee and Senthilkumar Ramamoorthy to move the contempt plea against RK Vats. “The Supreme Court, entertaining an appeal by the State government against a July 27 order, refused to stay the High Court order and directed implementation of All India Quota reservation in medical and dental courses for the academic year 2021-22,” Wilson said.

According to the petition filed by DMK’s TKS Elangovan, “The High Court had ordered the Centre to constitute a committee with the participation of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Tamil Nadu Health Department and the Medical Council of India, to provide reservation for OBC students in institutions not under the Central government.”

The petition also contended that the formation of the committee with present members was in violation of the High Court order. No reply was received for a contempt order moved against the members concerned in November, the petition added.

We’re cash-strapped, unable to pay salaries, take up works: Ministers to BSY

We’re cash-strapped, unable to pay salaries, take up works: Ministers to BSY

Senior ministers in B S Yediyurappa’s cabinet have expressed helplessness over the financial crisis the State government was facing and which was hampering the ongoing works.

Published: 04th February 2021 06:14 AM |

Karnataka CM Yediyurappa 

By Express News Service

BENGALURU: Senior ministers in BS Yediyurappa’s cabinet have expressed helplessness over the financial crisis the State government was facing and which was hampering the ongoing works. Ministers cited the Covid-19 pandemic as the reason for revenue loss to the State treasury.Replying in the assembly during Question Hour on Wednesday, Deputy chief minister and Transport Minister Lakshman Savadi said they were not able to pay salaries to the staff of various road transport corporations.

In the last seven months, the transport department took `1,760 crore from the State government to pay salaries to the employees of KSRTC, BMTC, NWRTC and NERTC. “We have paid 50% salary to the employees in December, and the salaries for January are yet to be paid. Whatever money we are getting from passengers is spent on fuel. The situation is tight,’’ he said.Mudigere MLA M P Kumaraswamy said, “Roads are damaged due to floods. I cannot go to my constituency. People demand good roads and I am not able to convince them that there are no funds with the government.”

RDPR Minister K S Eshwarappa said they could not take up flood-related works as grants have not been released so far. “Last year, Rs 1,500 crore was released by the State government to take up flood-related works, but this year money has not been released. Once we get the money, we will take up the works,’’ he added.Haj and Wakf Board Minister Srimanth Patil said they need Rs 58 crore to complete the ongoing Shadi Mahal works across the State. This has been stopped due to financial constraints, he said.

KGMU cancer support group meet today

KGMU cancer support group meet today

Lucknow:  04.02.2021

The monthly meeting of Lucknow breast cancer support group of the department of endocrine surgery at KGMU will be held on Thursday on World Cancer Day virtually between 2pm and 3pm on Google Meet. Anyone can connect to attend the event.

Yoga and physical education facilitator Anukrti Govin Sharma will speak on healthy lifestyle and measures for breast cancer prevention. TNN

How colleges can keep Covid-19 off campus

How colleges can keep Covid-19 off campus

Social codes and distancing protocols are a must, as institutes begin or consider resuming in-person instruction for students

 04.02.2021

To streamline reopening and protect students, faculty and staff, experts recommend some basic steps: Test students on arrival and periodically through the semester; isolate those who test positive and quarantine close contacts; maintain physical distancing protocols by reconfiguring residence halls, dining facilities, classrooms and other gathering places; require everyone to wear masks in public, disinfect high-touch spaces regularly and restrict travel to and from campus.

Transform public spaces

But doing all this is easier said than done. Reconfiguring physical spaces and controlling access to promote physical distancing will be complicated and costly. Six feet of separation in classrooms, for example, may involve half of the students attending in person on alternate days, while the other half joins remotely from residence halls. Dining halls can have staggered shifts and expanded graband-go options.

Ideally, in campus hostels, every student would have a single room with a private bathroom, but for most colleges that would require bringing only a fraction of their students back to campus. A more practical but less protective alternative is to treat students in doubles or suites as a family unit, allowing them to live together without physical distancing. And all this doesn’t even begin to address sports.

The real danger, however, is that these efforts to maximise safety could be negated if students themselves do what comes naturally: Gather. To keep students, faculty and staff safe on campus, colleges and universities will need to create a culture of respect for physical distancing — and students will need to be part of the effort.

Get students involved

There are a few important things that schools can do to accomplish this. First, students should be asked to sign a social contract promising to adhere to distancing and other rules as a condition for returning to campus. Just as honour codes help limit academic misconduct, social codes can encourage students to behave in ways that protect themselves and their classmates.

Second, students should be involved in the development of physical distancing protocols tailored to their campus and enlisted in educating one another about the importance of adhering to those protocols. Schools could encourage student research papers, videos, artwork and oral presentations on topics such as how the virus spreads, what dangers different age and ethnic groups face, and how some countries have managed to contain the virus. They should then make these available to the campus community.

Third, college officials should work with student organisations to design and fund social gatherings (preferably outdoors) that are both fun and safe.

Fourth, institutions should consider an initiative that encourages students to design, produce and wear masks that reveal something about who they are and what they value.

Whether students will abide by the protocols needed to keep campuses safe remains an open question. But few want to return to virtual classes and most will embrace a culture of physical distancing as their best — and only — alternative.

— THE NEW YORK TIMES

HC acquits man convicted of raping teen for want of proof

HC acquits man convicted of raping teen for want of proof

Vaibhav.Ganjapure@timesgroup.com

Nagpur: 04.02.2021

The Nagpur bench of the Bombay high court has acquitted a 27-year-old man convicted of raping a 17-year-old girl multiple times over two months, citing the prosecution’s failure to produce conclusive evidence of sexual assault and its link to the survivor’s subsequent pregnancy.

“Except the survivor’s statement with regard to sexual intercourse at the house of the accused’s sister, there’s absolutely nothing supporting the prosecution’s contention of rape. Only on the basis of allegations of sexual intercourse on many occasions, it would be highly irrational to convict the accused of rape and sentence him to 10 years’ imprisonment,” Justice Pushpa Ganediwala ruled.

According to the judge, a survivor’s testimony alone was sufficient for conviction, provided it “inspires confidence” in the court.

“Given the facts and circumstances, this court is of the opinion that the prosecution couldn’t establish beyond reasonable doubt the offence of rape against the accused,” Justice Ganediwala said.

The Hinganghat sessions court in Wardha had convicted and sentenced petitioner Jageshwar Kawle under Section 376(2)(n) of the IPC (repeated rape) and sections 5 and 6 of the Pocso Act (aggravated penetrative sexual assault on a minor).

Justice Pushpa Ganediwala said that the prosecution couldn’t establish beyond reasonable doubt the offence of rape against the accused

Civic edu official mistakes sanitiser for water, drinks it

Civic edu official mistakes sanitiser for water, drinks it

04.02.2021

Joint municipal commissioner (Education) Ramesh Pawar drank sanitiser from a bottle mistaking it for water while presenting BMC’s education budget on Wednesday. While speaking, Pawar picked up a bottle to have water. The bottle contained sanitiser, but Pawar spat it out immediately. He continued with the presentation and had no health issues, said officials.

BMC officials said that water bottles and sanitisers were kept on the table and both the bottles looked identical. TNN

UGC hostel rules run into host of practical problems

UGC hostel rules run into host of practical problems

Ardhra.Nair@timesgroup.com

Pune: 04.02.2021

The standard operating procedures for colleges to reopen, published by University Grants Commission last year in the wake of Covid 19 pandemic, is causing stress to universities and higher education institutions as it stipulates only one person per hostel room.

Every institution should regularly monitor the health of its students, faculty, and staff who should also be sensitized on self-monitoring of their health, the rules said.

The hostels in the universities and colleges are woefully short, and most rooms are shared by more than three students.

However, UGC vice-chairman, Bhushan Patwardhan, said these were guidelines and decisions can be taken at the local level based on the conditions and safety of students.

Nitin Karmalkar, vicechancellor of SPPU, said while the university is already prepared for the reopening and has an SoP for all sections of the campus, the problematic part would be the hostels.

“We have a large number of students coming from outside the city and even if we keep theory classes online as much as possible, there is no alternative to practical classes in the laboratory. For students living in other districts or states, it will not be feasible and will also be risky if they have to be called in batches and have to travel frequently. Hence, staying in hostels is the only option. But if the one person per room rule is applied, then we will be short of rooms. So, we are going to write to the UGC appealing for an amendment in that clause so that when colleges reopen, students have a secure place to stay,” Karmalkar said.

Vidya Yeravdekar, principal director of Symbiosis Society, said at the moment they have reopened the Symbiosis Medical College for Women, and are providing accommodation as per one person per room norm.

“However, these are young women who have just completed their standard XII and many of them are new to the city and living away from their parents for the first time. Hence, they want to have room mates so that there is no feeling of loneliness. Our hostel rooms are big enough to accommodate two people while maintaining enough social distancing. We would also be writing to the UGC to see if two persons per room will be allowed especially when there is enough space in the room,” Yeravdekar said.

Patwardhan said they are not revisiting the guidelines. “We have given enough freedom to universities to make local decisions based on the situation in the area. They can also innovate. If they decide to keep two students in a room and their Covid-19 test is negative, then there is no problem. There is flexibility and freedom given to them and they can decide to keep the best interest of students,” he said.

No HC relief for man who faked identity to sexually exploit woman

No HC relief for man who faked identity to sexually exploit woman

Abhinav.Garg@timesgroup.com

New Delhi:  04.02.2021

A man who faked his identity to allegedly sexually exploit a woman for years on the false promise of marriage will now be tried for rape, even though the couple claimed to have reached a compromise.

Delhi High Court this week dismissed a plea to quash the FIR registered for rape and forgery, after it found that the accused, Akhtar, not only forged his marriage certificate but also Aadhaar card.

“It is the allegation of the complainant that the petitioner Akhtar falsely represented himself as Shiva and promised marriage to her and had a physical relationship with her. The marriage certificate is found to be a fake one and in any event, the petitioner could not have married her in Arya Samaj Mandir according to Hindu Vedic rites and customs,” justice Subramonium Prasad noted, rejecting the compromise bid.

The couple cited a compromise deed where the woman said she had accepted her fate and wanted a peaceful married life with Akhtar.

But the court was not convinced. Justice Prasad observed that “it is evident that the petitioner has been accused of serious offences like rape and forgery having a bearing on vital societal interest and these offences cannot be construed to be merely private or civil disputes but rather will have an effect on the society at large. In crimes, which seriously endanger the well-being of the society, it is not safe to leave the crime doer only because he and the victim have settled the dispute amicably.”

According to the FIR lodged in December last year at Prem Nagar police station, the woman complained that Akhtar met her posing as Shiva and he promised to marry her five years ago. The couple had a physical relationship but the woman was shocked to realise his identity as Akhtar when he disclosed it after marrying her at a temple. The woman also claimed in the FIR that after the marriage, the accused started demanding money and when she visited his parents, she was driven away by them. Nearly a month after recording her statement before a magistrate, the woman agreed to a compromise deed.

In its probe report, police told the court that the accused hid his identity and was sexually exploiting the victim for five years. They further alleged Akhtar even forged his marriage certificate and had two Aadhar cards—one in the name of Shiva and the other as Akhtar.

“This court is not in a position to quash the FIR on the basis of compromise entered into between the parties where it is stated that the accused and the complaint have decided to stay as husband and wife and lead their peaceful marital life,” the high court said.

DELHI HIGH COURT SAYS

In crimes that endanger the well-being of the society, it is not safe to leave the crime doer only because he and the victim have settled the dispute amicably

Study shows Oxford vaccine slows transmission of the virus

A SHOT OF HOPE

Study shows Oxford vaccine slows transmission of the virus

But Scientists Caution That More Analysis Of The Data Needed

04.02.2021

The vaccine developed by the University of Oxford and AstraZeneca not only protects people from serious illness and death but also substantially slows the transmission of the virus, according to a new study — a finding that underscores the importance of mass vaccination as a path out of the pandemic. The study by researchers at the University of Oxford is the first to document evidence that any coronavirus vaccine can reduce transmission of the virus.

Researchers measured the impact on transmission

by swabbing participants every week seeking to detect signs of the virus. If there is no virus present, even if someone is infected, it cannot be spread. And they found a 67 percent reduction in positive swabs among those vaccinated. The results, detailed by Oxford and AstraZeneca researchers in a manuscript that has not been peer-reviewed, found that the vaccine could cut transmission by nearly two-thirds. Matt Hancock, the British health secretary, hailed the results on Wednesday as “absolutely superb.” “We now know that the Oxford vaccine also reduces transmission and that will help us all get out of this pandemic,” Mr. Hancock said in an interview Wednesday morning with the BBC.

The results, he said, “should give everyone confidence that this jab works not only to keep you safe but to keep you from passing on the virus to others.”

Some scientists looking at the limited information released cautioned that more analysis of the data was needed before such broad conclusions could be firmly stated.

“While this would be extremely welcome news, we do need more data before this can be confirmed and so it’s important that we all still continue to follow social distancing guidance after we have been vaccinated,” said Dr. Doug Brown, chief executive of the British Society for Immunology. The Oxford and AstraZeneca researchers also found that a single dose of the vaccine was 76 percent effective at preventing Covid-19. The data measured the three months after the first shot was given, not including an initial three-week period needed for protection to take effect. The encouraging results, lend support to the strategy deployed by Britain and other countries to prioritize providing as many first doses of vaccines as possible, setting aside concerns that people will get their second doses later than initially planned. The latest data do not have bearing on the debate over whether to further space out the doses of the two vaccines authorized in the United States, those from Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna, since the data on AstraZeneca’s candidate cannot be generalized to other vaccines.

Some scientists have called on the United States to follow the lead of Britain and other countries that have opted to delay the second doses of vaccines by up to 12 weeks. But U.S. federal officials have resisted. AGENCIES

Researchers measured the impact on transmission and found a 67 % reduction in positive swabs among those vaccinated

RGUHS official cheated of ₹70L

FAKE PROMISE

RGUHS official cheated of ₹70L

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Bengaluru:  04.02.2021

An assistant registrar with Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences (RGUHS), Jayanagar filed a criminal complaint against a couple, accusing them of duping her of Rs 70 lakh on the pretext of getting her work done through ministers known to them.

Dr Prabha, 43, identified the accused as Manjunath and his wife M Lakshmi Priya, residents of Hebbal. Manjunath is first division assistant with the animal husbandry and veterinary department. Dr Prabha told cops that Manjunath is a close relative.

However, she did not mention in the FIR the nature of work for which she gave money to Manjunath.

Computer operator forges documents

A panchayat development officer of Anneshwara gram panchayat, Devanahalli, filed a complaint against his computer operator for forging documents to enrol herself on the regular staff list and become eligible for better salary and more perks.

PDO Kumar identified the accused as R Renuka, an on-contract staffer.

“Renuka forged documents, including the attendance register and salary slips. I have been told to initiate legal action against her under the Karnataka Panchayat Raj Act, 1993 and place her under suspension,” the complaint filed by the PDO with police read.

Tejas Exp to resume

Tejas Exp to resume

Ahmedabad: 04.02.2021

The IRCTC (Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation) will start operating the Tejas Express on the Ahmedabad-Mumbai route from February 14. The Mumbai-Ahmedabad Tejas Express was stopped from November 24 last year due to poor occupancy. Railway officials said that the IRCTC has now decided to run the train four days a week — Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday — with the same stoppages and timings. The officials said that Covid safety protocols will be in place for the service including safety kits for all passengers and disinfecting the train before the journeys. The IRCTC had started the service on October 17 last year. But barely a month later, the train’s occupancy fell to about 35%. TNN

Fastest to 4m: 45% of health workers given vax in 18 days

Fastest to 4m: 45% of health workers given vax in 18 days

MP Tops List Followed By Raj; TN Among Worst

Sushmi.Dey@timesgroup.com

New Delhi:  04.02.2021

India has inoculated around 45% of healthcare workers across the country against Covid-19 in 18 days since the launch of its vaccination drive on Jan 16, becoming the fastest country to vaccinate more than 4 million people, official data till February 2 shows.

On Wednesday, 2,48,662 beneficiaries were vaccinated, taking the total to more than 43.88 lakh till late evening, accounting for 47% of the total 92,61,227 health workers enrolled from the public and private sectors.

Compared to India, the US took 20 days, whereas UK and Israel took 39 days to vaccinate four million people.

Among the major states (with large pool of beneficiaries), Madhya Pradesh vaccinated the highest 69.4% of its healthcare workers till February 2, followed by Rajasthan at 64.7%. However, in absolute numbers, Uttar Pradesh vaccinated the highest over 4.63 lakh, 51% of its more than 9 lakh healthcare workers in 18 days. TN has inoculated only 22.6% of its health workers.

1 in 4 Indians may be virus-positive

About one in four of India’s 1.35 billion people may have been infected with the virus, said a source privy to a government serological survey. The country’s caseload may be many times higher than reported. P 12

Name not in Cowin portal? No vax in TN

Health officials in TN on Wednesday said they would not offer the Covid vaccine to people whose names are not in the Cowin portal, even as 10,476 people were vaccinated on the day. The portal has been closed for registering names of healthcare providers. P 6

Odisha, Kerala, Haryana & Guj have vaccinated 50% of health workforce

On the other hand, Maharashtra, with the largest health workforce with 9,36,857 beneficiaries registered, vaccinated only 34%. Tamil Nadu (22.6%), Delhi (26.6%), Chhattisgarh (29%), Puducherry (12.3%) and Goa (28.3%) are among the other states with poor coverage of Covid vaccination. Manipur has registered the lowest vaccination at10% till February 2.

Lakshadweep has covered 90% of is health workers and tops the list despite its small demographic.

West Bengal and Karnataka,bothwithover 7lakhhealth beneficiaries each, have inoculated 41.1% and 40.9%, respectively.

Other states like Odisha, Kerala, Haryana and Gujarat have over 50% coverage of their total health workforce.

West Bengal and Gujarat has started vaccinating frontline workers and more states are also likely to join this week.

The government aimstoinoculate a total of around three crore health and frontline workers on priority by March-April.

The Centre has asked states with low coverage to expandthe number of sessionsto facilitatebeneficiariesin order to accelerate the drive. Besides, states and UTs have been asked to focus on creating awareness around safety and efficacy of vaccines.

West Bengal and Karnataka have inoculated 41.1% and 40.9% health beneficiaries, respectively

HC acquits man for want of proof in teen rape case

HC acquits man for want of proof in teen rape case

Cannot Convict Accused Under Pocso Act Based On Mere Allegations: Nagpur Bench

Vaibhav.Ganjapure@timesgroup.com

Nagpur:  04.02.2021

The Nagpur bench of the Bombay high court has acquitted a 27-year-old man convicted of raping a 17-year-old girl multiple times over two months, citing the prosecution’s failure to produce conclusive evidence of sexual assault and its link to the survivor’s subsequent pregnancy.

“Except the survivor’s statement with regard to sexual intercourse at the house of the accused’s sister, there’s absolutely nothing supporting the prosecution’s contention of rape. Only on the basis of allegations about sexual intercourse on many occasions, it would be highly irrational to convict the accused of rape and sentence him to 10 years’ imprisonment,” Justice Pushpa Ganediwala ruled.

According to the judge, a survivor’s testimony alone was sufficient for conviction, provided it “inspires confidence” in the court.

“Given the facts and circumstances, this court is of the opinion that the prosecution couldn’t establish beyond reasonable doubt the offence of rape against the accused,” Justice Ganediwala said.

The Hinganghat sessions court in Maharashtra’s Wardha district had convicted and sentenced petitioner Jageshwar Kawle under Section 376(2)(n) of the IPC (repeated rape) and sections 5 and 6 of the Pocso Act (aggravated penetrative sexual assault on a minor). It pronounced the sentence on November 12, 2019.

The Pocso Act defines statutory rape as any sexual act with an unmarried girl under 18, regardless of whether it was consensual.

Full report on www.toi.in

Schoolgirl gang-raped by nine in C’garh

Raipur:

A 16-year-old girl was gang-raped by nine youths in a jungle while returning from her school in Chhattisgarh’s Jashpur district on Tuesday. She had gone to school with a male friend to submit an assignment, police said. On the way back, they had stopped to eat their tiffin when nine youths from neighbouring villages accosted them.

According to the survivor’s complaint, the group began questioning them, rebuked them for being out together and demanded to know their addresses and other personal details.

The gang thrashed the boy, accused him of luring a girl out with ‘wrong intentions’ and drove him away. No one was around to hear the girl’s screams for help. The group dragged her into a forest where they took turns to rape her and abandoned her there, the survivor said. She somehow managed to return home late in the evening and told her parents, who immediately took her to police. An FIR was registered under Pocso Act and police nabbed two of the accused. The others are on the run. Some of the accused are minors, said police. TNN

Time will tell who should apologise, says Dhinakaran

Time will tell who should apologise, says Dhinakaran

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Madurai:04.02.2021

Time would tell who committed the mistake and who should apologise, said AMMK leader T T V Dhinakaran on Wednesday during a media interaction in Madurai.

He announced that his aunt V K Sasikala would return to Chennai from Bengaluru on February 7 by road to a grand reception enroute. “Time will tell who indulged in wrongs, who should seek an apology and who should be pardoned," Dhinakaran said, reacting to the AIADMK deputy organiser K P Munusamy's recent remark that the party would consider reinducting Dinakaran if he accepted his mistake and tendered an apology.

Dhinakaran said his aunt told him she was recovering well in Bengaluru and though there was a plan to visit memorials of late leaders, DMK founder C N Annadurai, AIADMK founder M G Ramachandran and J Jayalalithaa, “Amma's memorial has been closed”.

The AMMK leader said, “I don’t know with what intention the government shut down the memorial. It shows the quality of those who did it. Will hiding the (groom’s) comb stop the wedding? She (Sasikala) will go to the memorial another day after she returns to Chennai,” he said, adding they would be taught a lesson in the assembly election.

"I know how many chemical changes are happening in Tamil Nadu as soon as the news of her release broke," TTV said, reacting to the spree of expulsions of AIADMK functionaries for “anti-party activities” or display of support for Sasikala by way of posters hailing her.

Dhinakaran said Sasikala would start from Bengaluru to Chennai at 9 am on February 7. Lakhs of Amma (Jayalalithaa) loyalists would greet her from the inter-state border near Hosur right up to her T Nagar house in Chennai. He said, “Amma’s government will come to power and Sasikala will play an important role in it.” Dinakaran appealed to Jayalalithaa loyalists and AMMK cadres to maintain discipline while welcoming Sasikala.

Asked if Sasikala would go to the AIADMK headquarters and convene the general council meeting, he said, “Let there be some suspense. It would be more appropriate if she says it.”

‘Govt closed Jaya memorial to keep Sasi from visiting’

‘Govt closed Jaya memorial to keep Sasi from visiting’

Shanmughasundaram.J@timesgroup.com

Chennai:04.02.2021

DMK youth wing secretary Udhayanidhi Stalin on Wednesday said the AIADMK government had closed Jayalalithaa’s memorial on the Marina, immediately after its inauguration, fearing that her erstwhile confidante V K Sasikala would visit the place and draw political mileage out of it by taking yet another pledge as she did before her imprisonment four years ago.

Calling Sasikala a “talented” woman, Udhayanidhi said chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami, who was handpicked by Sasikala to be the CM, and his deputy O Panneerselvam had inaugurated Jayalalithaa memorial on the day of Sasikala’s release from prison to divert media attention from her return to Tamil Nadu. “She outsmarted them by delaying her return to Tamil Nadu,” said Udhayanidhi while speaking at a public meeting in Kancheepuram.

EPS and OPS have closed the memorial now to prevent Sasikala from visiting the place, he said. Sasikala would give back to EPS in style for the betrayal he has meted out to her, said Udhayanidhi. Panneerselvam, who raised doubts about the death of Jayalalithaa, would face music too, he said.

The AIADMK leaders would be taught a fitting lesson by the people of the state in the coming assembly polls, he said. He kickstarted the ‘Vidiyalai Nokki Stalinin Koral’ campaign from the party founder and former CM C N Annadurai’s memorial. Before the campaign started, he, along with hundreds of party cadres, took out a silent rally in Kancheepuram town to mark the death anniversary of Annadurai.

Expressing confidence that the people of the state would replicate the outcome of the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, Udhayanidhi said Stalin had set his target on winning 200 seats in the assembly. The ruling AIADMK had become a slave of the Modi government at the Centre, he said. He cited implementation of NEET as an instance to buttress his point. Once in power, Stalin would get exemption for Tamil Nadu students from NEET, he said.

Study doc deaths due to Covid: IMA to Centre

UNDERREPORTED

Study doc deaths due to Covid: IMA to Centre

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:  04.02.2021

“Shocked” by the underreporting of doctors’ deaths caused by Covid-19, the Indian Medical Association has urged the Centre to form a high-power committee to study data on doctors who succumbed to the viral infection in the past one year.

While the Centre announced that 162 doctors died of Covid-19, the association has released its database containing names of 744 doctors. In a letter to minister of state for health and family welfare Ashwini Kumar Choubey, IMA president Dr J A Jayalal condemned the Centre’s apathy in releasing data and

delaying solatium to “martyrs’ families.

On Tuesday, the minister in a reply to a question from Kerala MP Binoy Viswam (CPI) told the Rajya Sabha that 162 doctors, 107 nurses and 44 ASHA workers had died of the viral infection.

While this data was based on intimation received from states on healthcare staff as per Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package insurance scheme, the Indian Medical Association had presented data stating 734 doctors, including 89 from Tamil Nadu, had lost their lives due to Covid-19 in the last one year.

“Of these, 431 are general practitioners across India, who were the first point of contact for the people. At least 25 of these doctors are below 35 years of age,” he said.

In his letter, Dr Jayalal said in the devastating pandemic, the frontline warriors of modern medicine had fought with altruism and in the bargain lost their lives but the roll of honour or the appropriate data on these fatalities had not been documented by the Centre.

Being in locked house not proof of affair: Court

Being in locked house not proof of affair: Court

Chennai:04.02.2021

An illicit sexual relationship cannot be presumed merely because a man and woman were found inside a locked house, the Madras high court has said.

“Presence of two individuals of opposite sex inside a locked house need not necessarily lead to a presumption that they were in an immoral relationship. This kind of presumption prevailing in society cannot be the basis for initiating disciplinary action and inflicting punishment,” Justice R Suresh Kumar said. He made the observation while quashing the termination of service of an armed reserve police constable on the ground of ‘moral turpitude’, because he was found inside a locked house along with a woman constable.

On October 10, 1998, a woman constable entered the residential quarters of constable K Saravana Babu and the door was found locked from inside when neighbours knocked. According to Saravanan, the woman constable had come to his home around 7.30pm asking for keys of her house located close by. While they were talking, someone locked the door from outside and then pretended to knock on it, he added. The judge pointed to statements of witnesses which said the door was locked from outside too. “There was absolutely no eyewitness or any other concrete evidence to prove that the two constables were found in a compromising position. Based on suspicion and conjectures, one cannot conclude that unlawful or immoral activities had taken place,” the judge said, quashing the termination of Babu. TNN

Man kills ex-colleague over loss of job

Man kills ex-colleague over loss of job

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:04.02.2021

Police on Wednesday arrested a 44-year-old man in connection with the murder of his former colleague at Peerkankaranai two days ago.

On Saturday, police found the body of a man identified as Johnrajasingh, 68, of Mangadu. The victim, who was a cashier at an iron ore manufacturing company at Annanur, had multiple injuries.

Police said the accused, Kovilraj, was also employed at the same firm. Kovilraj seemed uninterested in the work and would often dodge any project that came his way, an investigating officer said. This behaviour irked his colleagues, who complained about him to Johnrajasingh. When joining duty, Kovilraj had informed Johnrajasingh that he was sacked from his previous job at a firm in Hosur for being lazy. He had also been warned by employers at his other workplaces.

Irked over Kovilraj’s irresponsible ways, Johnrajasingh complained about him to the owner and Kovilraj was fired. Police said Kovilraj had been furious with Johnrajasingh ever since. On Saturday night, when the victim was heading home, Kovilraj intercepted him. He told Johnrajasingh that it had been difficult for him to make ends meet without a job and asked the victim to drop him at Perungalathur bus stop so he could leave Chennai for his native village in Tuticorin district. On the way to the bus stop, Kovilraj suggested a pitstop at a Tasmac shop in Tambaram. The two bought some alcohol and got drunk near a lake in Peerkankaranai.

Kovilraj picked up a fight with Johnrajasingh and stabbed him to death. He escaped with the victim’s bike. Police, after recovering the body, launched a search for the victim’s bike and caught the accused. Kovilraj was booked under murder charges and a court sent him to jail.

Irked over Kovilraj’s irresponsible ways, Johnrajasingh complained about him to the owner and Kovilraj was fired. A furious Kovilraj later stabbed Johnrajasingh to death

₹23L worth gold goes missing from bank locker

₹23L worth gold goes missing from bank locker

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai: 04.02.2021

A bag containing 58 sovereigns of gold worth around ₹23lakh has allegedly gone missing from the locker of a bank on Poonamallee High Road.

A case has been registered. Another bag containing 92 sovereigns of gold kept in the same locker was intact.

Srinivasan, of Ekattuthangal, told police that he had last seen his jewellery when he visited the bank in November last year. When he went to the bank on Tuesday and checked his locker he found one bag containing 85 sovereigns of gold missing. He immediately informed the bank officials. While Srinivasan has one key to the locker the bank has another. The locker can be opened only if they use both the keys together.

A businessman, Srinivasan lodged a complaint at the Guindy police station. A police team visited the bank and inquired with the bank officials. Police have asked them to share CCTV camera footage of the bank to further investigate the matter.

HC: Shame that AU suspended courses due to fund crunch

HC: Shame that AU suspended courses due to fund crunch

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:04.02.2021

It is shame on part of Anna University to suspend MTech (biotechnology) and MTech (computational biology) courses citing want of funds, observed the Madras high court on Wednesday.

“The courses may be sponsored by the Centre. If they are taking a stand to follow the reservation policy of the Centre in admission then the university should proceed further with the funds available with it,” Justice B Pugalendhi said.

The courses sponsored by the central government were suspended as the Centre insisted on 49.5% communal reservation in admissions, and not 69% reservation followed in Tamil Nadu. In case of lack of funds, the state government can also consider stepping in, the judge added.

Recording the submission of counsel for the AICTE that the courses are in existence for over two decades and that only 49.5% reservation was being followed all along, the court wondered as to why the university had grievance this year alone. The court then adjourned the hearing to February 8 for counsel for Tamil Nadu government to get instructions.

The issue pertains to a plea moved by R Chitra, a student of the university, challenging the decision to suspend the courses for the current academic year. When the plea came up for hearing, advocate Vijaya Kumar, representing the university, submitted that till last year the entire admission to the courses were made by the central government through the department of biotechnology.

“But this year, they have sent a merit list and asked us (university) to do the selection and the admission. Therefore, we wrote to the state government to clarify as to the reservation to be followed. The state instructed the university to follow 69% reservation but the AICTE insisted following 49.5% reservation. So, we decided to suspend the courses till the issue is settled,” Vijaya Kumar said.

Representing the Tamil Nadu government, special government pleader E Manoharan sought time to get instructions from the state. “We do not want to stop any good courses”, he said.

According to the petitioner, the central government’s insistence that the university follow only 49.5% reservation and not the state’s 69% quota policy in admission is arbitrary.