Page 25 - Law Crime
Iridium scamsters who duped many in TN, Kerala arrested
A gang of three men has been arrested for allegedly duping several people by offering to sell pots claiming they contained iridium, a rare metal, police said Wednesday. An ordinary metal pot that was falsely claimed by the gang to contain iridium and Rs 14.25 lakh worth jewellery were seized from them. Several people from different parts of Tamil Nadu, neighbouring Kerala and Puducherry had fallen victims to the racket with the gang members decamping with the money without delivering the pot, a police official told reporters here. Explaining the modus operandi, he said, the gang would show a pot to prospective buyers and claim it has iridium. A motor, concealed in the pot, will be activated using a secret button to create a vibration which was then cited by the gang as a special quality of the metal. The gang which was originally involved in robbery and dacoity used to claim such "iridium pots" could fetch a "high value," in the market and had all along decamped after ...
CHRI lodges complaint with NHRC seeking probe into RTI activist son's murder
A human rights body Wednesday claimed that the NHRC has registered its complaint seeking an inquiry into the recent murder of 19-year-old Rajesh Sondharva, son of a well-known RTI activist, who himself was killed last year. "The recent death of a youth in a brutal attack, a year after his father who was a prominent RTI activist was similarly killed, underlines growing concerns about the safety of rights defenders," the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI) said in a statement. Although, Rajesh was not an RTI activist, he was reportedly attacked in Rajkot, Gujarat for trying to get the bail of a man-- accused of murdering his father Nanjibhai Sondharva-- cancelled, the CHRI said. "The CHRI is encouraged by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) registering a complaint after we pressed for a thorough inquiry into the murder of 19-year-old Rajesh Sondharva," the city-based NGO claimed. Across India, there have been "83 reported cases of alleged murder, at least 165 cases of ...
Mukherjee Nagar assault case: Kejriwal welcomes HC observation
Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal Wednesday welcomed the Delhi High Court's observation that an alleged assault on a tempo driver in Mukherjee Nagar area was "evidence of police brutality", and said those entrusted with protecting citizens cannot create discord in society. "I welcome the Delhi High Court order against police brutalities on Sarabjeet Singh and his minor son at Mukherjee Nagar. Those entrusted with protecting citizens cannot create discord in the society and spread senseless violence," the chief minister tweeted. Kejriwal had earlier demanded that Home Minister Amit Shah and Delhi Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal order a probe into the matter and take strict action against the guilty. Earlier in the day, the High Court rapped the Delhi Police for the alleged assault on the tempo driver and his minor son in Mukherjee Nagar, saying it was "evidence of police brutality" and how a uniformed force ought not to act. "How can you justify assault of a 15-year-old boy? If this is ...
Noida: Man held with bullets at Aqua Line metro station
A man was arrested at a metro station of the Aqua Line here on Wednesday after he was allegedly found carrying two bullets, officials of the Noida Metro Rail Corporation said. The man, identified as Mohammed Shakir, a resident of Loni in Ghaziabad, was arrested at NSEZ metro station, they said. "When his bag went inside the scanning machine, the bullets were identified and he was held by the security officials on duty. When asked for an explanation, the man had no clear answer," a senior NMRC official said. Provincial Armed Constabulary personnel, responsible for security of the Aqua Line, later handed him over to the local police and a case was registered against him at the Phase 2 police station, he said. Carrying firearms and ammunition is prohibited on the Aqua Line, the officials said. The Aqua Line, which runs between Noida and Greater Noida, began operations on January 26 this year.
3 sex workers from Delhi gang-raped at Noida farmhouse, 7 held: Police
Three sex workers were allegedly raped by nine men at a farm house here after they were picked up from Delhi, police said on Wednesday. Most of the accused are private security guards, while one is a cab driver, they said, adding that seven of the accused have been arrested after the matter was reported to police around 5 am. The complainant and two of her friends said they were waiting for a client at the Lajpat Nagar Metro Station in Delhi on Tuesday night when two men in a Swift Dzire, an Ola cab, reached out to them around 11.30 pm, police said quoting the complaint. "A deal was struck between them at Rs 3,000 per client and the women were told that they would have to come to Noida Sector 18 and there would be two more men along with the duo. Rs 3,600 in advance was paid to them," Senior Superintendent of Police, Gautam Buddh Nagar, Vaibhav Krishna told reporters. Later, the women were instead taken to a farm house in sector 135 where seven more men arrived. But the women ...
TN CM gets time to file counter to scribe's application
The Madras High Court has granted time till July 4 for Chief Minister K Palaniswami to file his counter to an application submitted by a journalist seeking rejection of a suit filed by the CM claiming Rs 1.10 crore as damages for publishing allegedly defamatory statements. When the case came up before Justice R Subramanian, counsel for the chief minister sought time to file the counter which was granted by the judge who posted the matter for further hearing to July 4. The matter relates to former managing editor of Tehelka Mathew Samuel releasing a video in January alleging involvement of the Tamil Nadu chief minister in the 2017 Kodanad estate break-in. Samuel has filed an application seeking rejection of the suit stating that he produced an investigative documentary into the robbery and murder that took place in the residence of former chief minister, late J Jayalalithaa, at Kodanadu on April 23, 2017. He further submitted that the documentary was an exercise of his right to freely .
Man held for suspected rape, murder of 9-month-old girl in
A nine-month-old girl died after a man apparently gagged her following suspected rape here Wednesday, triggering protests by enraged locals who demanded stern punishment to the accused. The 28-year old accused, identified as Praveen of the same locality and working in a hotel, was arrested after interrogation, police said. Police said they suspect it to be a case of rape and murder as blood was seen in the baby's private parts. The man had taken away the baby to a nearby secluded place in the wee hours while she was asleep alongside her parents on the terrace of their house and allegedly sexually assaulted her, they said. The girls mother noticed the child missing and informed her brother who went in search of her along with some others. As they noticed the man walking with the baby covered in a towel, he dropped the child and tried to escape, but was caught and handed over to the police, who later arrested him. The motionless child was rushed to a nearby hospital where ..
Man kills girlfriend's brother over break-up, arrested
A man was arrested alongwith his accomplice by police in Jalna district of Maharashtra Wednesday for allegedly killing the brother of the girl he was in love with. Kumar Anup Sonwane (20)and Karan Shelke (18),both residents of Buldana, were arrested for allegedly bludgeoning to deathSwapnil Bhutte (22) on June 14 atParath in Bhokardan tehsil of Jalna district. Assistant police inspector Shankar Shinde said Bhutte's body, with its face smashed, was found in a field at Parath on June 14. Probe revealed that Bhutte's cousin was in love with Sonwane. Bhutte got wind of the affair and told Sonawane to stop seeing his sister, saying it would bring bad name to the girl's family. He also told his family about the affair, which led the girl to tell Sonawane that she could not continue the relationship because the family was against it. Holding a grudge against Bhutte, Sonawane, with the help of his friend Shelke, allegedly killed him, the police officer said. Sonawane was ...
Telangana, Himachal Praqdesh high courts get new chief justices
Chief justices were appointed to the Telangana and Himachal Pradesh high courts on Wednesday, the Law Ministry said. Justice Raghvendra Singh Chauhan, the acting chief justice of the Telangana High Court was appointed as its chief justice, a notification said. Another judge from the Telangana High Court, Justice V Ramasubramanian, was appointed chief justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court. Justice Dharamchand Chaudhary is the acting chief justice of the Himachal Pradesh HC. The Telangana High Court, with an approved strength of 24, is functioning with 12 judges. The Himachal Pradesh High Court, with an approved strength of 13, is functioning with nine judges.
TN min withdraws defamation case against Stalin, HC dismisses plea
The Madras High Court Wednesday dismissed as withdrawn a suit moved by Tamil Nadu Local Administration Minister S P Velumani, seeking to restrain DMK president M K Stalin from levelling allegations of corruption in corporation tenders against him. When the plea came up for hearing, Velumani's counsel sought permission to withdraw the case. Allowing the request, Justice R Subramanian dismissed the plea as withdrawn. In earlier hearings, the court had refused to pass any gag order against Stalin. Velumani's main charge was that Stalin had made several speeches during his election campaign in Coimbatore Lok Sabha constituency from April 4, alleging that the minister was involved in corruption relating to local body tenders and that an accused in the Pollachi sexual abuse case was closely associated with him. In his suit, Velumani wanted the court to direct Stalin to pay Rs 1 crore as damages for defaming him and the state's ruling AIADMK through his speeches. Velumani had submitted that .
Pakistani-origin father-son face jail for mental abuse of family in UK
A Pakistani-origin father-son duo face a jail sentence of up to five years each after they were found guilty of coercive behaviour towards members of their family in a first-of-its-kind conviction in the UK. Salamat Khan was described as an overly strict father who forced his daughters into a strict Islamic life akin to "living in a prison" during a hearing at Manchester Magistrates' Court this week. The 63-year-old was found guilty of coercive behaviour towards two of his daughters as well as his wife between December 2015 and June 2018. His son Abbas Khan was found guilty of coercive behaviour and common assault. They both will be sentenced at Manchester Crown Court next month. "You did continuously and repeatedly control and coerce your daughters by not allowing friends in the family home and not allowing them access with their friends outside of school," noted Joyce Fletcher, Chair of the Bench at Manchester Magistrates' Court. "We find the matter so serious that our sentencing ...
Indian man tortures, starves mother to death in Dubai
An Indian national and his wife have been charged at a court in Dubai with physically assaulting the man's mother, causing her bone and rib fractures, internal bleeding and starving her to death. The Court of First Instance was informed that the 29-year-old man and his 28-year-old wife tortured the elderly woman repeatedly. They even cut her right eye iris out and part of her other eye, the Khaleej Times reported on Wednesday. The torture is believed to have lasted from July 2018 till October 2018. A case was registered at Al Qusais police station. The couple denied the charge. However, they have been detained. The case was brought to light by the couple's neighbour, who is a hospital employee. The 54-year-old Indian witness recounted how the wife visited her at her apartment in the same building. "She was then holding her daughter. She claimed that her mother-in-law had come from India but did not take proper care of their daughter and that the girl would often fall sick while in her
Man arrested for attempting to kill former business partner
A 32-year-old masonry contractor and an accomplice has been arrested for allegedly firing upon his former business partner in Dwarka's Rawata village, police said Wednesday. The accused, Jitender, and the victim, Nabodh Kumar (21), worked together for a number of years as masonry contractors. They broke the partnership a year ago after the accused suspected the Nabodh Kumar of developing an intimate relationship with his wife, they said. Kumar's wish to marry Jitender's sister-in-law annoyed the accused, police said. "The accused, a resident of Paprawat village in Najafgarh was arrested Monday from near a farm in his village where he arrived on a motorcycle to pick his family with an intention to flee to Mumbai," Deputy Commissioner of Police (Dwarka) Anto Alphonse said. One of Jitender's accomplice, Santosh, was arrested on June 15, while the other Rajbir is still absconding, he said. "During interrogation, Jitender told police that he and Kumar were taking contracts for smaller ...
Suspected IED case:Cops hail quick thinking of school watchman
Investigation into recovery of a suspected IED near a school in Navi Mumbai has revealed that a watchman and another employee probably averted a tragedy by snipping the electric wires attached to the battery, a police official said Wednesday. A box containing a concrete block having four electric wirings connected with a 12-volt battery and an analog timer was spotted by the watchman on Monday afternoon on a hand cart near the school gate in Kalamboli area. The explosive was taken to Khadakpada near Taloja where it was destroyed in a controlled blast Tuesday night. A police official Wednesday said that the watchman and another employee of the school cut the electric wiring attached to the battery after spotting it inside the box. "If the forensic report confirms that it was an explosive substance then we would say a major tragedy was averted due to alertness of the school employees," he said. Meanwhile, police have registered a case under section 4 of the Explosives Act ..
Party drugs worth Rs 5 crore seized, two arrested
Mizoram Excise and Narcotics department officials seized party drugs worth around Rs five crore and arrested two persons in this connection here, an official said Wednesday. Department Spokesperson Peter Zohmingthanga said officials seized the party drug (Methampetamine tablets) here on Tuesday. The contraband, weighing 29 kg was worth around Rs 5 crore and was reportedly smuggled from Myanmar. Lalthanpuia (37) of Lawngtlai district adjoining Myanmar and Tlangkungib(40) of Hakha, a resident of capital city of Chin state in Myanmar were arrested in connection with the seizure of the party drugs. The department officials also seized 477 gm of heroin worth around Rs 16.50 lakh from Mualkawi village in Champhai district close to the Myanmar border, the spokesman added.
Moscow says MH17 charges based on 'unfounded allegations'
Moscow slammed "unfounded accusations" by international investigators who Wednesday charged four people, including Russian citizens, with murder over the 2014 shooting down of flight MH17 above rebel-held eastern Ukraine. "Once again, absolutely unfounded accusations are being made against the Russian side, aimed at discrediting Russia in the eyes of the international community," the foreign ministry said in a statement on its website.
Cop who suffered burns after setting ablaze woman CPO dead
The jilted policeman who suffered burns after he hacked and set ablaze a woman Civil Police Officer last week, succumbed to his injuries at a hospital Wednesday, police said The 34-year-old woman police constable,Soumya Pushpakaran died on June 15 after she was hacked and set ablaze in broad daylight by Ajas, a policeman attached to the Aluva traffic station. The victim, who was married and a mother of three children, was posted as the CPO at Vallikkunnam police station near here. "Ajas also received burn injuries when he poured petrol over Soumya. He had suffered nearly 50 per cent burns. He was admitted to Alappuzha medical college hospital, but died today evening," the Investigating Officer told PTI. Ajas had allegedly followed the woman, who had spurned his marriage proposal, in a car when she was on her way back home after work that day. He knocked her two-wheeler down and hacked her with a sharp weapon and as she tried to seek refuge at a nearby house, chased her,
Inspector, woman SI held for taking bribe
: An inspector and a woman sub-inspector in the prohibition and excise wing of the Nizamabad district police were Wednesdayheld for allegedly taking a bribe of Rs 30,000, Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) officials said. According to the complainant who is a toddy businessman, the two demanded the bribe for not booking a case against him and also for not causing hurdles in his day-to-day business, a press release from the ACB said here. A case of criminal misconduct was registered against the two based on the complaint. Both the officials performed their duty 'improperly and dishonestly,' the release said, adding that the case was under investigation.
Mukherjee Nagar assault case: HC pulls up Delhi Police, says it's evidence of police brutality
The Delhi High Court Wednesday said the police assault on an autorickshaw driver and his minor son in northwest Delhi's Mukherjee Nagar was evidence of police brutality and how a uniformed force ought not to act. "If this is not evidence of police brutality then what is," a bench of justices Jayant Nath and Najmi Waziri asked. The observation by the court came while issuing notice to the Centre, the AAP government and Delhi Police seeking their stand on a PIL seeking an independent CBI probe into the matter. On Sunday evening, several video clips of a brawl between Sarabjeet Singh, the auto driver, and policemen went viral on social media.
Mumbai Police probing rape case against Kodiyeri Balakrishnan's son in Kerala
A team of Mumbai Police on Wednesday arrived in Kannur to investigate the rape allegations against Binoy Kodiyeri, son of Kerala CPM Chief Kodiyeri Balakrishnan.Yesterday, a 33-year-old woman filed a complaint against Binoy, alleging him of rape, criminal intimidation and cheating for over a decade on the pretext of marriage.A case was registered against him at Oshiwara police station in Mumbai.Binoy, however, denies the charges and called the accusations baseless and an attempt to set him up to extort money."The woman is trying to blackmail me and had asked for Rs 5 crore about six months ago" Binoy told reports in Kerala.According to the complaint filed by the girl, she had met Binoy for the first time in 2008 in Dubai at a dance bar, where she used to work as a dancer."Binoy used to visit the dance bar regularly and our friendship later transformed into a love affair," the complaint stated.The police said that Binoy, who runs a construction firm in Dubai, asked the woman to leave .