Advocate couple suspended for ‘waylaying’ High Court judge’s car

Mohamed Imranullah S.

CHENNAI, AUGUST 13, 2018 00:00 IST

They also went to his residence and picked a quarrel with his driver

The Bar Council of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry has suspended from practice an advocate couple accused of waylaying a Madras High Court judge’s car and scolding the driver in filthy language for overtaking their car.

The Bar Council passed the order of interim suspension following a complaint lodged by the Personal Security Officer of the judge against advocates S. Sahul Hameed and his wife L. Shika Sarmadan.

While Mr. Hameed had enrolled with the Bar Council in 2001, Ms. Sarmadan had enrolled in 1999.

The PSO alleged that the couple was agitated when the judge’s car, on its way to the High Court on July 30, overtook their car in Chennai.

Thereafter, Mr. Hameed allegedly chased the judge’s car and honked continuously much to the annoyance of other motorists and the judge.

Moments later, the advocates allegedly waylaid the judge’s car and started scolding the driver using filthy language, despite knowing well that the judge was travelling in the vehicle on official duty.

The entire episode took place on a busy road at Anna Nagar.

Professional misconduct

The Bar Council, in its proceedings, said the advocates by their action “have damaged the faith and confidence of the people in the honourable judges and the judiciary as a whole” and thereby conducted themselves in an unprofessional manner.

On August 3, the couple allegedly went to the residence of the judge, when he was about to leave for the court in the morning and picked up a quarrel with his driver again and abused him in the presence of the judge.

“The same was witnessed by so many people and thus you have damaged the reputation of the judiciary and shaken the confidence of the people. Prima facie, this would also amount to professional misconduct,” the proceedings read.

A special committee comprising Advocate-General Vijay Narayan, senior counsel R. Singaravelan and advocate N. Chandrasekharan of the Bar Council had taken the decision to suspend the advocate couple from practising in any court or tribunal across the country.

Action in public interest

The special committee’s proceedings, ordered to be communicated to the couple by Bar Council secretary S. Rajkumar, stated that the couple was being suspended from practice in public interest and to uphold the confidence and faith of people in the judiciary.

The action was taken on the basis of a complaint lodged by the judge’s PSO on August 4 and the advocates had been given 15 days’ time to reply to the charges against them. If they do no reply by then, the matter would be referred to the disciplinary committee for enquiry.

DVAC gathers crucial evidence

S. Vijay Kumar

CHENNAI, AUGUST 13, 2018 00:00 IST

Summons to be issued to the former Controller of Examinations and others in a week.File photo 

Documents seized from Anna University, top officials’ statements recorded

The Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) has examined senior officials of the Anna University and recorded their statements in connection with the answer scripts revaluation scam.

Crucial documents relating to the alleged irregularity of awarding marks grossly disproportionate to the performance of thousands of engineering students who applied for revaluation in April/May 2017 were seized. Investigators said they met the Controller of Examinations and others to record their version on the process of revaluation.

‘Violation of procedures’

“We have established a clear violation of the procedures. The students who are suspected to have been benefitted from the scam did not enter the number of pages they used for writing the answers (in the relevant column). There are reasons to believe that answers could have been written by the students at the time of revaluation...answer scripts are being sent for forensic analysis to rule out this suspicion,” a DVAC officer told The Hindu on Sunday.

The officer said that professors of some engineering colleges affiliated to Anna University had brokered the deal between the examiners and the students.

Answer scripts that were usually kept in safe custody for at east one year were disposed of in a bid to destroy evidence.

“Dozens of answer scripts that were picked for an internal inquiry have also been seized,” the officer said.

“The university has issued fresh guidelines on the process of revaluation and storage of answer scripts,” he added.

Investigators said the process of issuing summons to the suspended former Controller of Examinations, Prof. G.V. Uma, and others would commence in a week. Investments and property documents seized during searches on the office and residential premises of the accused officials were examined to check if there was any accumulation of assets disproportionate to their known sources of income.

Fresh revaluation

After obtaining the forensic report and opinion of document experts, the answer scripts seized in the case would be referred to a panel of examiners for fresh revaluation.

Enquiries revealed that the answer scripts of over 3.02 lakh engineering students were sent to the Tamil Nadu Newsprint and Papers Limited for recycling.

Use Aadhaar freely, without fear: UIDAI

Press Trust of India

NEW DELHI, AUGUST 13, 2018 00:00 IST

After TRAI chief’s Aadhaar dare ignited a debate on the security of the 12-digit number, theUnique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) is planning a user outreach to sensitise people to the dos and don’ts of sharing their biometric identifier.

The UIDAI intends to draw a parallel between the Aadhaar number and other personal information such as PAN and bank account number to caution users against placing such details in the public domain, particularly on digital platforms.

Holiday for all schools, PU colleges in Dakshina Kannada, Udupi today

SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

MANGALURU, AUGUST 13, 2018 00:00 IST

Deputy Commissioners of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi have declared holiday for all schools and pre-university colleges in the two districts on Monday in view of the heavy to very heavy rainfall warning.

A release from the Department of Information and Public Relations here said that the holiday is applicable to all anganwadis and polytechnic colleges and not for degree colleges.

Udupi Deputy Commissioner Priyanka Mary Francis said on Sunday that according to the weather department warning, heavy to very heavy rainfall exceeding 115 mm accompanied with heavy winds is likely to occur in the coastal belt in 24 hours.

Meanwhile, an India Meteorological Department bulletin said on Sunday that heavy to very heavy rain is likely to lash the coastal region till Wednesday. The coastal belt is likely to receive heavy rainfall exceeding 65 mm on August 16 and August 17.

Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the south-west and central Arabian Sea.

“Strong winds from westerly to north-westerly direction, with speeds reaching 25-35 kmph gusting to 45-55 kmph occasionally, is likely along and off Karnataka, Kerala coast and over Lakshadweep area,” the department said.

High waves in the range of 3 m to 3.8 m are forecast up to 11.30 p.m. on Monday along the Karnataka coast. Current speeds will vary between 55-104 cm/sec, it said.

Heavy rain lashed several parts of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi on Sunday.

How smartphones are making us miserable

Excessive Use Leaves People Distracted & Drained And Makes Even Eating Less Enjoyable

Toronto:  TOI 13.08.2018

Our digital lives and excessive smartphone use may be making us more distracted, distant and drained, a study has found.

For instance, even minor phone use during a meal with friends was enough to make the diners feel distracted and reduced their enjoyment of the experience, researchers said. “People who were allowed to use their phones during dinner had more trouble staying present in the moment,” said Ryan Dwyer, of the University of British Columbia in Canada.

“Decades of research on happiness tell us that engaging positively with others is critical for our well-being. Modern technology may be wonderful, but it can easily sidetrack us and take away from the special moments we have with friends and family in person,” Dwyer said.

Researchers conducted two studies — a field experiment in a restaurant and a survey. The restaurant experiment included more than 300 adults and university students in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Participants were either asked to keep their phones on the table with the ringer or vibration on or to put their phones on silent and place them in a container on the table during the meal.

After eating, the participants filled out a questionnaire detailing their feelings of social connectedness, enjoyment, distraction and boredom, as well their phone use during the meal.

The researchers found that people who had their phones easily accessible not only used them more, but they also reported feeling more distracted and enjoyed the experience less.

The survey portion included more than 120 participants, who were surveyed five times a day for one week and were asked to report on how they were feeling and what they had been doing in the 15 minutes before completing the survey.

Results showed that people reported feeling more distracted during face-to-face interactions if they had used their smartphone.

The students also said they felt less enjoyment and interest in their interaction if they had been on their phone.

“The survey findings were especially notable because of the negative effects of phone use among university students, who are commonly known as digital natives,” said Elizabeth Dunn, of the University of British Columbia.

Another study found that compassionate people spend less time on social media than people who are more self-centered and narcissistic. In addition, people with lower emotional intelligence, or those who have difficulty identifying, describing and processing their emotions, used social media more often than those who are more in touch with their feelings, according to the study.

“People who are uncomfortable with their own and others’ emotions may be more comfortable online,” said Sara Konrath, from Indiana University in the US. PTI




TIME TO SWITCH IT OFF

Kerala gets ₹100cr relief from Centre

Preliminary Estimates Peg Loss At ₹8,316Cr Due To Landslides, Floods & Rain

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Kochi:13.08.2018

Union home minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday announced an immediate central flood relief of ₹100 crore to Kerala. Singh, who made an aerial survey of affected areas in Idukki and Ernakulam districts, said the rains and floods had caused “massive damage” to the farming sector and infrastructure like roads and power.

Singh was accompanied by Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Union minister of state for tourism K J Alphons and other senior government officials in reviewing the situation.

“Kerala is facing unprecedented floods. Never before in the history of independent India has the state witnessed such massive floods. It was back in 1924 when Kerala faced such a big calamity. The floods have damaged crops, infrastructure and individual property as well. The tourism sector has also been hit,” Singh said.

Singh said the Centre was sensitive to the state’s needs and it would leave no stone unturned in ensuring support. He visited a relief camp in Elanthikara, Paravur and interacted with those housed there before attending a meeting with Vijayan, opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala and officials.

The Kerala government had submitted a memorandum to Singh, seeking the urgent sanction of ₹1,220 crore from the national disaster relief fund to meet the situation. Vijayan said preliminary estimates suggested that Kerala suffered a loss of ₹8,316 crore in the rain, floods and landslides.

Meanwhile, rain lashed several parts of the state since Sunday morning after a brief lull, posing problems to relief work in affected regions. However, the water level in Idukki and Idamalayar dams has come down.



WORDS OF HOPE: Union home minister Rajnath Singh interacting with the residents of the flood relief camp in Elanthikara, Paravur, on Sunday. Minister of state for tourism K J Alphons (in blue) is also seen along with Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan (behind Rajnath)

DMK announces ₹1cr flood relief
Chennai :

The DMK working president M K Stalin on Sunday announced a ₹1 crore flood relief, on behalf of his party, to the Kerala government for carrying out relief measures to those affected in heavy rain and resultant floods. He also expressed his condolences to the bereaved families.

“Unprecedented floods in Kerala have affected many people and has caused damage to properties worth several crores of rupees. The party’s working president M K Stalin has decided to contribute ₹1 crore to Kerala chief minister’s relief fund,” a DMK statement said.

“I have just spoken with @CMOKerala to enquire about the flood situation. On behalf of DMK trust, we have made a contribution of ₹1 crore towards #KeralaFloodRelief. Our thoughts are with those who are affected by the floods and landslides,” Stalin later tweeted.

Tamil Nadu chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami has already announced a contribution of ₹5 crore to carry out relief works in the rain ravaged Kerala as a mark of support to the neighbouring state. TNN

‘Damaged passports to be replaced free of cost’
New Delhi:

External affairs minister Sushma Swaraj on Sunday announced that passports damaged in floods in Kerala will be replaced free of cost by the government.

“There are unprecedented floods in Kerala causing huge damage. We have decided that as the situation becomes normal, passports damaged on account (of) floods shall be replaced free of charge. Please contact the concerned Passport Kendras,” Swaraj tweeted.

Kerala has been reeling under massive floods in which over 35 people have lost their lives and thousands of people were rendered homeless. Around 10 of the 14 districts in state have been affected by the floods. PTI

Pregnant for the 10th time, woman flees health centre as docs suggest birth control

Sambath.Kumar@timesgroup.com

Trichy: 13.08.2018

A pregnant woman whose delivery date was approaching disappeared with her family members from a primary health centre (PHC) despite pleas from doctors for her immediate hospitalisation. The curious incident happened in Vethiyangudi near Aranthangi when the woman identified as Aarayi, 52, wife of Anandan, 56, learned that she was pregnant on being treated for low hemoglobin.

Already a mother of nine, Aarayi was unaware that she was carrying her tenth after 13 years as she visited the PHC at Singavanam after developing uneasiness. Doctors said that she disappeared when they suggested immediate hospitalization and a birth control measure after the delivery.

She has been living with her husband and five of her children in a 60sqft house in Vethiyangudi near Aranthangi for over five years now. The nomadic family moved from place to place and never stayed anywhere for far too long. While four of her children are married and living with their family, Aarayi fell pregnant but was not aware of it. Doctors said she was under the impression that she had attained menopause and would never bear a child again.

According to local residents, Aarayi delivered all her nine children at home and didn’t want to go to hospital for her tenth delivery due on August 18. They said she may have wanted to avoid doctors as PHC workers were insisting that she undergo family planning surgery. Aarayi came to the PHC with extremely low haemoglobin about four months ago. She was then taken to Pudukkottai Medical College Hospital where she was given two units of blood. Since then she was missing only to be found a couple months ago, M Ayyappan, medical officer Singavanam PHC, told TOI. “We found her two months ago and took her to Aranthangi hospital. She disappeared from there too and was found again 10 days ago. Her blood pressure was high and we asked her to get admitted to Pudukkottai government hospital. She has been missing since then,” said Singavanam.