Murderer cant be denied pension if ase not linked to hubby.s death HC

 

Murderer can’t be denied pension if case not linked to hubby’s death: HC

Murderer can’t be denied pension if case not linked to hubby’s death: HC

Saurabh Malik

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 31

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has made it clear that a family is debarred from getting family pension if involved in committing or abetting the murder of a government employee “on the old fable that one cannot kill the goose which lays the golden eggs”, but a government employee’s widow cannot be denied pension on account of her conviction in a murder case unrelated to her husband’s death.

The ruling by Justice GS Sandhawalia came on a petition by a widow for releasing family pension and other admissible benefits after her husband’s death during service in November 2008.

Justice Sandhawalia observed that the reasoning given to deny the benefits was that the petitioner’s conduct was not good as she had been convicted by court.

The Bench, during the course of hearing, was told that the petitioner’s husband was working as teacher in the Education Department on regular basis since 1986.

He died, leaving behind his wife and children, and the petitioner continued to draw monthly financial assistance for some time.

She was involved in an FIR registered in July 2009 and was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment in November 2011.

Justice Sandhawalia observed that the relevant rule talked about withholding or withdrawing pension in case of a pensioner’s conviction for a serious crime or if found guilty of gross misconduct, but the same did not refer to the family receiving financial aid.

“It is not disputed that the petitioner has committed the offence of murder and is on bail and her sentence has been suspended.

“Therefore, she requires to maintain herself and cannot be denied financial assistance. It is not a bounty as such and is her right on account of the services rendered by her husband to the government,” Justice Sandhawalia observed.

Referring to the Family Pension Rules, Justice Sandhawalia asserted that the petitioner was denied family pension on account of her conviction for murder, but the conviction was not on account of murdering her husband and the provision could not be relied upon by Haryana and other respondents to deny the claim.

“The purpose behind Rule 4-A(a) of the Family Pension Rules, 1964, is to debar the family members from getting family pension if they are involved in committing the murder or abetting the murder of the government employee,” Justice Sandhawalia observed.

Holding that the order denying pension to the petitioner due to her conviction was unrelated to her husband’s death, Justice Sandhawalia ruled that it was not sustainable and should accordingly be set aside.

Madanapalle murders: Ex-students of couple hire lawyers for defence

 Madanapalle murders: Ex-students of couple hire lawyers for defence

TNN | Jan 31, 2021, 04.30 AM IST

Tirupati: A group of students taught by lecturer couple, Dr V Purushotham Naidu and his wife Padmaja who are accused in the murder of their daughters, have come forward to provide legal assistance to the couple. The students have hired the services of senior advocate PV Krishnamachari to defend the couple in the double murder case. The lawyer had previously represented the four accused in the rape and murder of a veterinary doctor near Hyderabad in December 2019.

On January 24, the couple had allegedly killed their daughters, Alekhya and Divya, believing that they would be resurrected in the Satya Yug. The couple are still said to be in a state of trance with jail authorities referring them to a mental health hospital for psychiatric treatment.

Advocate Rajini, who is part of Krishnamachari’s team, interacted with Dr Purushotham after obtaining special permission from jail authorities. She has now sought permission for an interaction with Padmaja. Speaking to reporters, Rajini said several old students approached Krishnamachari and requested him to represent the couple’s case.

“The couple have trained and shaped many students, who are now working as doctors, advocates, engineers and in many other professions. How can the couple, who shaped the future of many youngsters throughout their careers, destroy the very future of their own daughters? It has to be probed as to how the entire family was driven into a state of trance and by whom,” said Rajini.

Meanwhile, police ruled out financial gain motive behind the double murder. “Both Purushotham Naidu and Padmaja are wealthy and their net worth runs into several crores. With both their daughters dead and both parents behind the bars, who stands to benefit from their wealth now?”, Rajini sought to know.

The post-mortem report of the deceased is yet to come.

Lockdown over, but MTC bus services struggle for patronage before COVID

Lockdown over, but MTC bus services struggle for patronage before COVID

According to official records, the patronage of MTC buses currently is nearly 17 lakh, which is half of the average patronage recorded before March.

Published: 01st February 2021 02:30 AM 

Government staff boarding a MTC bus in Chennai.| DEBADATTA MALLICK

By KV Navya

Express News Service

CHENNAI: It has been five months since the Metropolitan Transportation Corporation bus services resumed post-lockdown, but the corporation is still struggling to match the average patronage it received before Covid. This has been attributed to more people opting to work from home or choosing to use their own vehicles.

According to official records, the patronage of MTC buses currently is nearly 17 lakh, which is half of the average patronage recorded before March. “The wait for buses has become longer as the fleet has been cut down. While we got a bus every 15 minutes earlier, now we have to wait at least 40 minutes.

It is easier to take the metro or cab,” said K Padma, a resident of Velachery. Figures show that the number of buses on Old Mahabalipuram Road (OMR) have been cut from 450 to 250 per day. Similarly, services have been cut down in the Mount-Poonamalle belt.

According to official data, MTC receives 83 per cent of its revenue from tickets. MTC officials said ticket sales have dipped for both for normal and small buses. The corporation is currently operating only half of its total fleet of 200 small buses.

“Hygiene and condition of buses are other reasons to avoid MTC. Only for the first fortnight after services resumed, social distancing was followed. After that, there was neither mask-wearing or use of sanitisers,” said P Ramesh, a resident of T Nagar. Moreover, with local trains resuming operations, demand for MTC buses along GST Road, Avadi High Road and Marina Beach has dropped.

Medical Students demand G.O. for fee reduction in RMMC

Medical Students demand G.O. for fee reduction in RMMC

On Sunday, over 100 students staged a protest at Chepauk for the same. They also said they would continue protest till Health Department passes the order.

Published: 01st February 2021 02:46 AM 

Members of TN Medical Students’ Association protesting in Chepauk on Sunday | Sri Loganathan V

By Express News Service

CHENNAI: The Tamil Nadu Medical Students Association staged a protest in Chennai demanding that the Health Department pass a Government Order reducing the fees for Rajah Muthiah Medical College (RMMC) in Chidambaram.

The government had passed an order on Wednesday taking over the college. Though Health Minister C Vijayabaskar and Health Secretary J Radhakrishnan have orally assured that the students’ demands would be considered and the fees would be reduced, the students demanded that the Health Department pass a G.O. in this regard. On Sunday, over 100 students staged a protest at Chepauk for the same. They also said they would continue protest till Health Department passes the order.

Pregnant woman dies after taking abortion pill in Tamil Nadu

Pregnant woman dies after taking abortion pill in Tamil Nadu

The baby also died. According to police, Murugesan (43) of Manapparai admitted his wife Sumathi (40) in the Tiruchy GH for stomach problem on Thursday last week.

Published: 01st February 2021 03:43 AM 

By Express News Service

TIRUCHY: An eight-month pregnant woman from Manapparai in Tiruchy died after taking abortion pills without a prescription from a doctor on Sunday.

The baby also died. According to police, Murugesan (43) of Manapparai admitted his wife Sumathi (40) in the Tiruchy GH for stomach problem on Thursday last week.

On checking, a doctor found out that the patient had taken abortion pills without consultation with doctor. Since she was already eight months pregnant, consuming pills resulted in the death of the mother and fully-grown fetus. Sources said that Sumathi allegedly took the decision to abort due to mental stress. Investigation is underway.

Tamil Nadu govt extends lockdown with relaxations till February 28: Here's what's allowed

Tamil Nadu govt extends lockdown with relaxations till February 28:

 Here's what's allowed

Colleges and schools for Class 9 and 11 will resume from February 8. 100% seating capacity in cinema halls from February 1.

Published: 31st January 2021 02:17 PM 

Tamil Nadu CM Edappadi K Palaniswami (File photo | EPS)

By T Muruganandham

Express News Service

CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami on Sunday extended the lockdown period in the state till February 28 with more relaxations by adhering to Standard Operating Procedures.

The relaxations included the resumption of classes for students of Standards IX and XI, undergraduate and postgraduate (including diploma courses) from February 8, 100 per cent seating capacity for cinemas/theatres/multiplexes from February 1, permission for devotees taking a holy dip at Rameswaram sea, round the clock functioning of petrol bunks, opening of swimming pools and exhibition halls.

ALSO READ: Full occupancy to be allowed in cinemas from February 1, following COVID protocols must

Social, political, entertainment, sports, cultural, educational and religious gatherings will continue to be allowed with a maximum of 50 percent of the hall capacity or with a ceiling of 600 persons in closed spaces. Earlier, only 200 persons were allowed. For those programmes which are held in open places, 50 percent seating capacity only will be allowed.

Grievance Redressal Days can be observed in all districts.

Sports events, including cricket, are allowed with 50 percent seating capacity.

Stating that the positivity rate had come down to one percent due to the concerted efforts of the Tamil Nadu government, the CM said, "During the past 10 days, new coronavirus cases have been reduced to around 550 per day while the active cases which stood at a whopping 50,000 had come down to 4,629. Now, the lockdown has been extended for one more month considering the views expressed by the District Collectors and members of the Health Experts Committee."

The restrictions on international flight services except those allowed by the Centre will continue. The lockdown will be enforced fully in containment zones across the state.