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Saturday, 7 February 2015

Sand Smuggler Mows Down Constable

VELLORE: A 43-year-old head constable attached to the Thakkolam police station was on Sunday mowed down by a sand smuggler, a councillor’s son, when the policeman tried to stop him from smuggling sand from the Kosasthalaiyar riverbed near Purusai village.

The police have launched a manhunt for D Suresh of Thakkolam in connection with the incident. He is the son of 6th ward councillor of Thakkolam panchayat, D Senbagavalli, and DMDK treasurer (Thakkolam unit) Devaraj.

The incident occurred between 7.30 am and 7.45 am on the riverbed when constable

G Kanagaraj tried to pull Suresh from the tractor. Special sub-inspector Rajan and Kanagaraj, acting on a tip-off about illegal mining on the riverbed, rushed to the spot on a two-wheeler. It was their second case of the day. After reaching the spot, the duo waved their hands signaling the youth, who was behind the wheel of the tractor, to stop the vehicle. However, he did not budge and tried to speed up from the riverbed. Immediately, Kanagaraj climbed on to the tractor and collared Suresh in a bid to stop him from escaping.

However, he dodged Kanagaraj and pushed him from the tractor. Kanagaraj fell between the tractor and the trolley loaded with sand and was caught under the rear wheel. “The constable was caught beneath the right rear wheel of the trolley and was crushed. He got up and walked a few steps, before collapsing,” Ranipet Revenue Divisional Officer M Priyadharshini told Express, quoting the only eyewitness Rajan.

Rajan escaped unhurt as he was standing aside, while Suresh sped away in the tractor. He immediately alerted the other policemen in the station. “Kanagaraj was transferred to the Thakkolam station from Banavaram about five months ago,” said the officer.

Deputy Inspector General of Police (Vellore Range) R Tamil Chandran and Superintendent of Police of Vellore P Vijayakumar visited the spot and conducted an inquiry. Kanagaraj’s body was shifted to the GH in Arakkonam for autopsy. He is survived by his wife Muthukumari and adopted daughter Mohana, who was studying Class XII. His body was handed over to his family after postmortem late in the evening.

Kanagaraj had joined the police force as a constable in 1997 and served in different stations in Chennai. He was transferred to Banavaram in Vellore in February. From there, he was transferred to Thakkolam before the Parliamentary election.

Jaya orders `10 l compensation to kin

Chennai: Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa on Sunday expressed grief over the death of head constable Kanagaraj, who was killed while attempting to stop illegal sand mining in Thakkolam. “I offer my deepest condolences to the family of head constable Kanagaraj, who was killed while serving with duty consciousness. I have ordered that his family be paid a solatium of `10 lakh from the Chief Minister’s General Relief Fund,” said the Chief Minister.

Centre's reply to RTI shocks Perarivalan

Last Updated: 19th July 2013 09:30 AMThe response of the Ministry of Home Affairs to his RTI application has shocked A G Perarivalan, a death row convict in the assassination case of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.

“It was a shocking news. I wonder how the Ministry of Home Affairs can afford to lose the reports of the Verma Commission, the first commission constituted to investigate the security lapses that had led to the assassination of the former Prime Minister,” said Arputhammal, quoting her son Perarivalan. She met him at the Vellore Central Prison for Men on Thursday.

Perarivalan had filed the RTI application on October 7, 2011, seeking information on eight points regarding the Justice J S Verma commission of inquiry and Justice M C Jain commission.

He had also sought the certified copies of all interim and final reports of the two committees and copies of the action taken report, prepared by the Centre on the recommendation of the commissions.

However, the MHA in its response to the Central Information Commission (CIC) on July 9 had stated that,“The complete reports pertaining to the Justice Verma Commission of Inquiry are still not traceable.”

He had been waging a legal battle for nearly two decades to prove his innocence. But, the lackadaisical attitude of the government and its agencies has irked him, Arputhammal said quoting Perarivalan.

“The information and documents sought under the RTI Act are very relevant and crucial to prove Perarivalan’s innocence. But he has been denied access to information,” said Selvaraj Murugaiyan, a representative of People’s Movement Against Death Penalty.

Pointing out that the CBI’s Multi-Disciplinary Monitoring Agency is still investigating, he questioned, “Before the investigation is completed, how can an accused be hanged?”

Vellore centre transcends political divide

ENS - VELLORE

Published: 15th July 2013

In the heavily polarised world of Tamil Nadu politics, there emerge unlikely stories that are bound to lead to raised eyebrows. One such incident happened in Vellore, just a day after Chief Minister and AIADMK general secretary J Jayalalithaa inaugurated the Amma Unavagams.

The centre at the Beedi Workers Quarters opposite Vellore Collectorate, with Jayalalithaa’s portrait adorning it, was the last place you could have expected to see the celebration of the birthday of DMK patriarch M Karunanidhi. Yet, it did happen. On June 3, Karunanidhi’s 89th birthday, DMK’s R P E Sasikumar, the councillor for ward 20 of the Vellore Corporation, walked into the Amma Unavagam and purchased each and every token that was on sale. In all, he spent Rs 3,600 on tokens for 1,200 idlis, 300 plates of sambar rice and 300 plates of curd rice.

If the patrons standing in queue were beginning to sigh over what they thought was political high-handedness, they were in for a surprise. Sasikumar turned around and announced that the tokens would be distributed free of cost to mark his leader’s birthday. He repeated this for the next two days.

“It is very interesting that DMK partymen were celebrating Kalaignar’s birthday in an Amma Unavagam. It was a surprise to everyone who came to the canteen on the first few days,” says Shahira Banu, a local resident.

Officials of the Vellore Corporation were taken aback on hearing of the DMK councillor’s act. Vellore Corporation Commissioner P Janaki Raveendran and Mayor P Karthiyayini showcased the incident is an example for the roaring success of the Amma Unavagam in Vellore.

The incident has not been without repercussion though. The Vellore Corporation has now issued strict instructions to the self-help groups manning the canteens not to sell bulk tokens to any individual.

Mother plans fresh appeal on Perarivalan’s mercy plea

Arputhammal, mother of A G Perarivalan, one of the death convicts in Rajiv Gandhi assassination case said that an appeal would be made again to seek the reasons behind her son’s mercy petition rejection.

Though Arputhammal sounded worried after the Central Information Commission (CIC) turned down Perarivalan’s petition seeking reasons for the rejection of the mercy petition, she said that she would fight to prove her son’s innocence.

“We will go for an appeal to know the reasons for the rejection of the mercy petition,” Arputhammal told Express. “I will meet Perarivalan in the coming week,” she added.

Meanwhile, the advocate termed the CIC’s direction as an outcome of the videoconferencing between Perarivalan and Information Comissioner (IC) Sushma Singh on May 9. Perarivalan had presented his case through video-conference from the Vellore Central Prison for Meanwhile, joint secretary of MHA J P Aggrawal and under secretary (judicial) Rakesh Jhingan participated on the other side.

The other side stated that according to Article 74 (2) of the Constitution of India, the advice that led to the rejection of Perarivalan’s mercy plea rejection, was privileged and could not be inquired into in any court, said Perarivalan’s advocate.

After hearing both sides, the IC passed an interim order on May 17, granting an opportunity to the Perarivalan to file his written submissions within two weeks of the receipt of the order.

Following this, the appellant had filed a petition under Section 4 (1) (d) of the Right To Information (RTI) Act 2005, seeking the reasons for rejection of his mercy plea. The Minister of Home Affairs (MHA) responded to Perarivalan’s petition and submitted its reply to CIC on May 31.

Though Information Commissioner Sushma Singh turned down Perarivalan’s plea to know the reasons for the rejection of his mercy plea, she directed the MHA to provide the Multi-Disciplinary Monitoring Agency (MDMA) investigation report to the appellant. She further noted that the directions of the CIC were to be complied within seven days of receipt of the order.

Meanwhile, Perarivalan’s counsel based in Delhi told Express that it was a positive outcome in the decade-old legal battle to prove the innocence of Perarivalan.

Friday, 6 February 2015

Verma panel files on Rajiv murder case missing: MHA

J Shanmugha Sundaram
Vellore/15th July 2013

The records of the Justice J S Verma Commission of Inquiry into security lapses that led to former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi’s assassination is not traceable, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has said. It made the revelation during a hearing into an RTI application by A G Perarivalan, a death row convict in the assassination case.

Perarivalan had sought information on the reports of the Verma Commission and the Justice M C Jain Commission, which was also formed to probe the assassination, under the RTI Act. Every section of the MHA had replied to the appellant that “the information doesn’t pertain to their division” and hence did not provide any information.

The National Archives of India was the only body which had responded positively to the applicant when he had approached it for the reports. However, it said it had about 918 files relating to other activities of the Verma and Jain commissions. The Judicial Division of the MHA replied to Perarivalan’s first appeal dated March 19 that “it is not available with this division.”

On the Jain Commission, which was constituted after the Verma Commission to investigate the case, the MHA said it has certain reports. However, it stated that the files contain inputs from the CBI and IB, which are exempted under the RTI Act, and it should obtain permission from these organisations to ascertain if it would be possible to disclose the contents of these files.

The Chief Information Commission has directed the MHA to provide the copies of the reports of the Jain Commission and the Verma Commission.

Information Commissioner (IC) of CIC Sushma Singh, on hearing the case last week, directed the MHA to provide the copies of the two investigation reports to the appellant within a week from the receipt of the order. She also directed to submit the action taken report. Under Secretary of MHA Girish Kumar represented the MHA, while four lawyers represented Perarivalan. Citing the inordinate delay on the part of the MHA, Sushma Singh said, “The respondent MHA may take steps to ensure that RTI applications are correctly marked to the CPIO concerned in future to avoid delays in reply to the appellant and penalty proceedings.”

Regarding the information related to file-notings/correspondents/minutes of the commissions sought by the appellant, she directed the VIP Security Unit, the first appellate authority, to pass a speaking order on it. She said the information should be provided within two weeks from the receipt of the order. “The respondent may give an opportunity of hearing to the appellant before passing the said order,” said the IC and added, “The appellant shall be at liberty to file a second appeal against the said order.”

One of Perarivalan’s advocates said, “We sought this information on the two commissions to find out the outcome of the Multi-Disciplinary Monitoring Agency, which is investigating the conspiracy angle in the former PM’s assassination. The RTI applications were aimed at exposing lapses and flaws in the inquiry and the attitude of the MHA to the judiciary and the people. It will also help us defend Perarivalan.”

The MHA has not even handed over the Verma Commission report to the Jain Commission to carry forward the probe, he said.

‘Visionless’ Babus Block Home Dreams

J Shanmugha Sundaram | ENS

Published: 12th August 2014 06:00 AM

Last Updated: 12th August 2014

Even after a four-year-long wait, owning a house continues to be a distant dream for 100-odd visually challenged people in the district. These people have been waiting for group houses assured by the district administration, but so far it has failed to materialise.

Determined to have a house of their own, they took efforts to meet the District Differently Abled Welfare Officer (DDAWO), District Revenue Officer and other revenue officials often.

However, they were made to run from to pillar-to-post all along. “Whether we will get the group houses still remains unanswered,” said D Ezhumalai, state joint secretary of TN Association for the Rights of All Types of Differently Abled and Caregivers (TARATDAC).

The visually challenged submitted a petition on March 7, 2011, requesting group houses. “Officials in Tiruchy constructed group houses for 100 persons (visually challenged) 15 years ago. So, we requested similar houses for the visually challenged in Vellore district. The officials promised to look into our demand,” he added.

They identified 2.5 acres of Kallanguthu poromboke land in Ammoondi village in Katpadi taluk two years ago. Their lacklustre approach affected the process of handing over the identified land to DDAWO, to proceed with the project further. The DDAWO officials said they would construct houses for the visually challenged only after they get the ‘entry upon permission’ letter from the Revenue Department. “Till date, we have not got any communication despite sending several reminders,” said an official in the DDAWO.

“Today, the DRO officials said, they had not received any document from Katpadi tahsildar office. The tahsildar told us that he had already sent the files,” said 40-year-old T Anbazhagan, fuming. DRO K Manivannan said, “We will speed up the process and hand over the land.”

Vellore Tannery Case Probe Goes to CB-CID, 3 Suspended

By Express News Service

Published: 06th February 2015 06:00 AM

Last Updated: 06th February 2015

CHENNAI:Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board on Thursday informed the South Bench of National Green Tribunal (NGT) that three senior officials were placed under suspension, even as State government transferred the investigation into the Ranipet tannery accident to CB-CID.

The NGT (SZ) Bar Association had moved a petition before the tribunal seeking CB-CID enquiry on the incident and sought setting up of a committee to inspect all tanneries and common effluent treatment plants (CETPs) to ensure that they have the necessary approvals to establish and operate and also to find out whether the CETPs were safe.

When the petition came up for hearing before the tribunal comprising judicial member, Justice P Jyothimani and Expert Member, R Nagendran, TNPCB counsel submitted a status report on the incident.

It stated that the Board had suspended Joint Chief Environment Engineer, S Charles Rodriquez, District Environment Engineer, P Kamaraj, and Assistant Environment Engineer M Muralidaran, as an immediate measure. In addition, 10 officials attached to the Vellore region of TNPCB have laso been transferred.

Further, the counsel said electricity supply to all the 79 tanneries in Vellore district has been disconnected temporarily and a four-member multi-disciplinary group has been set up to probe the incident. Recording the submissions, the tribunal directed TNPCB to inspect all the 79 tanneries and CETPs.

Anna University team to aid CB-CID in probing tannery tragedy in Ranipet

Express News Service/published Feb 6

Vellore: A four member experts from the Centre for Environmental Studies of Anna University would assist the investigation teams of the Crime Branch –CID in probing the tragic accident, which claimed the lives of 10 workers, in the Common Effluent Treatment Plant (CETP) in SIDCO Industrial Estate in Ranipet.

Inspector General (IG) of Police of Crime Branch CID Mahesh Aggarwal, after inspecting the accident spot on Friday, told the media person that they have constituted five special teams to investigate into the tragic accident. They would be assisted by a team of four experts from the Anna University.

Superintendent of Police of CBCID G Nagajothi said that Prof N Vasudevan and three other experts from the Central for Environmental Studies. She added that they began the preliminary inquiry./eom/shnan/