October 2011 ~ KERALA NEWS

HC reserves verdict on Jiji Thomson’s plea

Kochi, Monday, 31 October 2011: Kerala High court today reserves its verdict on a petition filed by IAS officer Jiji Thomson in connection with the 1992 Palmolein import case. State government reported to Kerala High Court the investigation will complete within six-weeks.

Earlier report:-

The plea filed by IAS officer Jiji Thomson seeking to quash a vigilance court order directing further investigation into the 1992 Palmolein case in which he is an accused.

Balakrishna Pillai to be released on Tuesday

Monday, 31 October 2011: Former Minister and Kerala Congress (B) leader R Balakrishna Pillai, who is serving imprisonment in the Idamalayar graft case at Poojappura central prison, will be released on Tuesday. Pillai along with other 137 jail inmates is being released as part of ‘Kerala Piravi’ day.

State government has issued a directive regarding this, sources said. 76-year old Pillai was jailed on February 18 after the Supreme Court sentenced him to one-year imprisonment in the case relating to irregularities in awarding of contracts for Idamalaylar power project when he was Power minister in the late 1980s.

Pillai was shifted to a private hospital here for treatment earlier after he developed health related ailments.

Saumya case: action mooted aganist Dr.Unmesh

Monday, 31 October 2011: Health Minister Adoor Prakash today orders that take action against Dr.Unmesh an associate professor of Thrissur Medical College, in connection with controversy over autopsy report of Soumya, who was killed after being pushed out of a moving train in Thrissur.

The Court informed that the doctor had committed a dereliction of duty. The Thrissur fast track Court today directed the police to register a case against Dr Unmesh in connection with that Prakash gave instruction for further action.

Former Minister MP Gangadharan passes away

Monday, October 31, 2011: Former Minister and senior Congress leader MP Gangadharan (77) has passed away at a private hospital here on Monday.

Six-time Kerala legislator M.P.Gangadharan has served as Minister for Irrigation from 24-05-1982 to 12-03-1986. He had left Congress to join the Democratic Indira Congress (which later merged with Nationalist Congress Party) floated by Senior Congress leader K. Karunakaran.

In 2006, Karunakaran decided to merge the DIC-K with Nationalist Congress Party. When Karunakaran decided to rejoin the Congress party in Dec 2007, Gangadharan stayed with the NCP.

He also acted as Congress parliamentary party deputy leader, chairman of water authority and KTDC, Malappuram DCC president, KPCC general secretary. He was born on July 15, 1934 as the son of P Sankarapanikker and M Madhaviamma.

Actress Manorama on life support

Senior actress Manorama is kept on the life support system following a head injury at her residence. She has been admitted at Apollo Speciality Hospital in Chennai on October 25.

The 68-year-old, who has been recovering from a knee injury, was rushed to hospital after she slipped and fell down at her bathroom last week. Hospital sources claim that Manorama is on ventilator support and her condition is critical. However, the doctors are confident that the veteran actress’ condition would improve after undergoing a surgery today.

Manorama, who is fondly called as Aachi by her fans, has acted in over 1500 films in her five decade career in the Tamil film industry. In fact, she is the Guinness World Record holder for acting in the most number of films. She was last seen in the film Ponnar Shankar, which was directed by Thiagarajan.

India remembers Indira Gandhi on 27th death anniversary

Monday, October 31, 2011: The country fondly remembered former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on her 27th death anniversary today with President Pratibha Patil leading the nation in paying rich tributes to the departed leader.

Patil paid floral tributes at Shakti Sthal, the memorial of Gandhi, here this morning.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar, Congress chief Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi were also present on the occasion.

Delhi Lt Governor Tejinder Khanna, Union Ministers Vilasrao Deshmukh, Kamal Nath, K V Thomas, N Narayana Swamy

Monday, October 31, 2011: Several political leaders including the ruling and the opposition have condoled the death of Minister TM Jacob, who is hailed as one of the best parliamentarians Kerala has ever produced.

Assembly Speaker G Karthikeyan expressed grief over the death. In a message, Karthikeyan said in the passing away of Jacob, Kerala has lost an effective legislator and a very good administrator who had proved his ability over the years.

Expressing grief at his demise, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said, “This is quite unexpected and a big blow to the government and the UDF coalition as a whole.”

Monday, October 31, 2011: Kerala Food and Civil Supplies Minister T M Jacob tonight died at a private hospital in Kochi, officials said. He was 61 and is survived by wife, a son and a daughter.

The Kerala Congress (Jacob) leader was under treatment for pulmonary hypertension and was hospitalised a few days ago.

Jacob was active in Kerala politics for more than three decades and had handled education and irrigation portfolios in the previous UDF governments headed by K Karunakaran and A K Antony.

Monday, October 31, 2011: Government has announced a three-day official mourning in the state as mark of respect to Kerala Food and Civil Supplies Minister T M Jacob, who passed away yesterday night.

Briefing reporters after a special cabinet at Thiruvananthapuram with available Ministers in the capital, also decided to declare a public holiday under instrumental negotiable act on Tuesday.

The Cabinet had also decided to declare a holiday at Ernakulam district tomorrow, as the body of the departed leader would be placed at Town Hall for public homage.

Monday, October 31, 2011: The demise of Minister TM Jacob, who is hailed as one of the best parliamentarians Kerala has ever produced, is a big loss for Kerala politics.

Jacob, who won the 2011 election from his home constituency Piravom with a slender margin of 157 votes, was the lone representative of his party Kerala Congress (Jacob) in the Assembly.

Born on September 16, 1950, as the son of T S Mathew and Annamma, Jacob entered politics during his student days.

In 1971, he was elected the general secretary of Kerala Students Congress. He was the president of KSC from 1972 to 75. He was first elected to the Assembly from Piravom in 1977 and had remained a member till 2006, representing Piravom and Kothamangalam.

Sunday, October 30, 2011: A 25-year-old woman succumbed to serious head injuries after being bludgeoned with an iron rod allegedly by her husband in Attingal.

The deceased has been identified as Nisha. The police have arrested her husband, Santhosh, in connection with the incident. On Thursday, Santhosh reached her house and soon they entered into an argument.

An agitated Santhosh grabbed an iron rod and hit her on the head. She was immediately taken to the Medical College here, where she was admitted to the intensive care unit. However, she succumbed to her injuries later.

Seizure of red sandalwood in Kochi; key accused held

Sunday, October 30, 2011: The prime accused in the case relating to seizure of 13.69 tonnes of red sandalwood logs at the Vallarpadam international container transhipment terminal here was today arrested in Coimbatore by customs officials.

Anil Kumar was nabbed by Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) officials of Kerala and about ten tonnes of red sandalwood were seized from him, DRI sources said. So far three persons have been detained in the case.

Kumar is wanted in red sandalwood smuggling cases in Kerala and Mangalore. DRI officials had on October 28 seized 13.69 tonnes of red sandalwood from a container.

Though it was to be shipped to Dubai, its actual destination was South East Asian countries and China as red sandalwood is used for making musical instruments, they said.

Minister, Chief Whip put Govt in tight spot

Sunday, October 30, 2011: Forest Minister KB Ganesh Kumar and Government Chief Whip PC George have landed the UDF government in a highly embarrassing position with their unruly statements against Opposition Leader VS Achuthanandan and CPM MLA AK Balan.

The Kerala Congress-M leader PC George on October 27 had allegedly made a casteist remark against CPI(M) A K Balan at a public meeting in Pathanapuram in Kollam district. It was the same meeting where Forest Minister K B Ganesh Kumar (Kerala Congress-B) had fulminated in vulgar language against Achuthanandan.

Sunday, 30 October 2011: Renowned comedienne of Tamil cinema Manorama was admitted to Apollo Specialty Hospital, here on Tuesday after she had a fall in the bathroom at home.

Now she is in critical and shifted to ventilator. Doctors said that she got brain injury, have placed her on ventilator support, sources said.

Court verdict on Soumya’s death case tomorrow

Sunday, October 30, 2011: A local Court would on October 31 pronounce judgement in the case relating to the rape and murder of a 23-year-old woman, who was pushed from a running train in February.

Fast Track court Judge K N Raveendra Babu will deliver the judgement, Special Prosecutor A Sureshan said. According to the prosecution, 30-year-old Govindachamy hailing from Virudhachalam in Tamil Nadu had assaulted Soumya in the ladies compartment of the Kochi-Shornur Passenger train on February 1 and pushed her out of the running train immediately after it left the Vallathol Nagar railway station.

Kejriwal decides to pay dues; may approach court

Sunday, 30 October 2011: Arvind Kejriwal has decided to pay over Rs 9 lakh dues to the government to settle the issue of his resignation from the IRS, a move seen as an attempt by the Team Anna member to blunt attacks from detractors.

43-year-old Kejriwal said his move should not be seen as admitting to the government’’s argument that he violated bond conditions and that he reserves his right to approach court against it.

Sunday, 30 October 2011: Opposition leader VS achuthanandan today said that Government Chief Whip PC George is uncultured for his alleged casteist remarks against a CPM MLA AK Balan. Achuthanandan also added that comments against women watch and ward is also coarse.

CPM leader T M Thomas Isaac said that George should be booked under Scheduled Caste Prevention of Atrocities Act

The Kerala Congress-M leader on October 27 had allegedly made a casteist remark against CPM A K Balan at a public meeting in Pathanapuram in Kollam district.

It was the same meeting where Forest Minister K B Ganesh Kumar said lewd comment against opposition leader V S Achuthanandan.

Minister KB Ganesh Kumar shown black flags in Munnar

October 30, 2011: A group of Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) activists on Sunday waved black flags towards State Forest Minister KB Ganesh Kumar as a protest against his unruly remarks on Opposition leader and CPM veteran VS Achuthanandan.

Around 30 activists waved black flags began shouting slogans and also blocked the Minister’s vehicle passing by. Minister was on his way to Rajamala, party sources said. The protestors also burned his effigy.

Sunday, October 30, 2011: Opposition LDF in Kerala has demanded action against state government Chief Whip P C George for his alleged casteist remarks against a CPI(M) MLA.

CPI(M) leader T M Thomas Isaac said George should be booked under Scheduled Caste Prevention of Atrocities Act.

The Kerala Congress-M leader on October 27 had allegedly made a casteist remark against CPI(M) A K Balan at a public meeting in Pathanapuram in Kollam district. It was the same meeting where Forest Minister K B Ganesh Kumar (Kerala Congress-B) had fulminated in vulgar language against opposition leader in Kerala Assembly V S Achuthanandan.

Thursday, October 27, 2011: CPM Politburo member Kodiyeri Balakrishnan said the move against VS Achuthanandan’s son Arun Kumar appeared to be part of the UDF government’s tactics to divert public attention from the corruption charges it was facing.

“LDF has been effectively exposing corruption in the government. They will resort to all sorts of tactics to divert attention from their troubles”, Balakrishnan said.

Arun Kumar is already facing a vigilance probe, ordered after the Oommen Chandy Government came to power, into allegations of irregularities against him during the LDF rule.

Arun Kumar landed into trouble with a departmental probe finding irregularities in his functioning as Additional Director of state technical education agency Institute of Human Resource Development (IHRD).

The probe also faulted vital decisions taken by him after appointment as Special Officer of the Model Finishing School, set up during the fag-end of the previous LDF ministry headed by Achuthanandan.

According to official sources, the report had recommended suspension of Arun Kumar and another IHRD Director Subramaniam and a detailed probe into the issues involved.

Koothuparambu firing: K Sudhakaran to write to CM

Thursday, October 27, 2011: Congress MP K Sudhakaran will today write to Chief Minister Oommen Chandy seeking further probe into the Koothuparambu police firing case on November 25, 1994. Sudhakaran informed that he was demanding a reinvestigation for proving his innocence.

Five DYFI workers KK Rajeevan, Chalakutti Babu, Madhu, Roshan and Shibulal were killed during the police firing. Ramakrishnan must be made an eyewitness in the case.

Former Kannur DCC president P Ramakrishanan had earlier alleged that the Congress party came a cropper in Kannur after Koothuparambu firing and the elections to the governing committee meeting to the AKG hospital held after MV Raghavan coming out of the CPM.

He said that it was Sudhakaran who urged Raghavan to visit Kuthuparambu on the day of firing. The MVR-Sudhakaran nexus worked unfavourably for the Congress, he said.

Youth’s death in Vithura: Two cops suspended

Thursday, October 27, 2011: Two police officers of Vithura police station have been suspended in connection with the incident in which a 23-year-old youth (Sinu) committed suicide after alleged police torture here on Tuesday night.

The cops have been identified as Sub-Inspector Rajesh and ASI Jayakumar. According to the victim’s family Sinu and his friend were taken into police custody while they were bursting crackers after closing his shop at 7 pm on Tuesday night.

When the two were released on bail, Sinu complained that the Vithura police had tortured him in custody and that he was deeply depressed which made him to commit suicide.

Sinu was found hanging in his bedroom, sources said. As a protest against this incident the local residents of Theviyodu junction observed a hartal in the area yesterday.

Yesudas to get lifetime achievement award

Singer K J Yesudas will never become the ‘Ganagandharvan,’ at least officially, but he is to get a lifetime achievement award instead.

Music lovers have for long honoured Yesudas as the ‘Ganagandharvan,’ but giving the honorific title an official sanction would be a next to impossible job, according to Cultural Affairs Minister K C Joseph.

Wednesday, October 26, 2011: Three persons involved in several criminal cases and vehicle lifting cases were apprehended by the Neyyattinkara police here on Wednesday.

Police identified the accused as Sanjith-native of Ramapuram, Renjith-native of Aralamoodu and Santhibhooshan. The police have seized several two-wheelers from the accused.

Santhibhooshan is an accused in a case relating to murder attempt on a security staff of Neyyattinkara bishop house. The accused were presented before the Neyyattinkara sub-Court and remanded for 10 days custody.

Kerala, Orissa to join hands to set up power plant

Tuesday, October 25, 2011: In a joint initiative, Kerala and Orissa have firmed plans to set up a 2,000 MW thermal plant in Orissa, sourcing coal from Baitharani fields in the state.

The project details were discussed at a meeting of senior officials from the two states, held here at the initiative of Kerala Chief Minister Ommen Chandy last evening, official sources said.

The proposal would be taken up for the formal approval of the two governments soon. The Centre had earlier allotted Kerala, Orissa and Gujarat to prospect coal equivalent to 3,000 MW each for the three states from the Baitharani fields. Initially, Kerala had thought about setting up a thermal plant in Kasargode district by bringing its share of coal but that plan had to be dropped due to local resistance.

Later, the state also considered the idea of building a plant jointly with the NTPC but that also did not work out. It was against this backdrop that the idea of a joint initiative by Kerala and Orissa was mooted.

To start with, the two states would form a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) for implementing the project, estimated to involve a cost of Rs 8,000 crore when completed in three phases of 650 MW each.

Varapuzha sex scandal case; 34 arrested so far

October 27, 2011: Two more persons have been taken into custody in connection with the sensational Varapuzha sex scandal case in which a 16-year-old girl who was sold by her parents to Sobha John for Rs 1 lakh at Thiruvananthapuram last year.

Police identified the accused as Johnson (50) and Narayanan; so far 34 persons have been apprehended in connection with the case.

The special investigation team got the major breakthrough in the case after interrogating the prime accused Sobha John and her accomplices. The girl was sexually exploited in several districts including Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam and Pathanamthitta.

Sobha John and her accomplices Rehman and Anil were sent to police custody for 10 days for further interrogation. Meanwhile the probe team has apprehended one more person identified as Sathar from Ernakulam south railway station premise in connection with the case.

On October 4th Sobha John was apprehended by a 10-member police team led by Ernakulam rural SP Harshita along with five others from Bangalore. The girl had confirmed the involvement of Shobha John in the case.

Wednesday, October 26, 2011: Opposition leader and CPM stalwart VS Achuthanandan’s son VA Arun Kumar is likely to be suspended in connection with the irregularities in the functioning of Finishing Schools under the Institute of Human Resources Development (IHRD) and the appointment of Arun Kumar to various posts.

Arun Kumar who holds the IHRD additional director and Model Finishing school director posts would be removed. The report handed over to the government clearly points out that Arun Kumar and director Subramanium are guilty.

The government would take stern action on the basis of the reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India and the Finance Inspection Wing. The two reports contained very serious findings about the functioning of Finishing Schools and promotions granted to Arun Kumar.

Court verdict on Soumya’s death case on October 31

Tuesday, October 25, 2011: The Thrissur Fast Track Court will on October 31st declare its verdict on a case relating to the death of a 23-year-old woman (Soumya) who was brutally raped after being pushed out of a moving train died at a private hospital in Thrissur on February 1.

Govinda Swami, the accused, had denied the charge against him. The Court would also pronounce its verdict on the plea against Dr Unmesh, an associate professor of the Department of Forensic Medicine, Thrissur Medical College, in connection with controversy over autopsy report of Soumya.

Wednesday, October 26, 2011: The term Diwali literally means a row of lamps and this festival signifies the victory of good over evil. Diwali, a popular festival of fireworks, lights and sweets falls on October 26 this year.

Some of the new varieties of fireworks which are being sold through shops included musical electric sparklers, snake garden and the 500-meter sky shot. Some of the shops have arranged special counters for women. Dealers said most people preferred visual effects to sound when selecting fireworks.

Tuesday, October 25, 2011: A local court today posted the Palmolein import case to November 19 in view of the stay on its hearing passed by the Kerala High Court in a related case.

Vigilance court special judge P K Haneefa had on August 8 directed investigation into Chief Minister Oommen Chandy’s alleged role as finance minister in the K Karunakaran cabinet when the deal was signed in 1992.

The High Court had stayed for a month the order in the case which took a new turn when the special judge recused himself alleging there was personal attack against him in the media. Haneefa had requested the High Court to transfer the case to some other court. A decision on this was also pending.

The interim stay was granted while admitting the petition filed by senior IAS officer Jiji Thomson, the fifth accused in the case.When the case came up today, the special vigilance court posted it to November 19.

LDF stages walkout over titanium corruption case

Tuesday, October 25, 2011: Opposition Left Democratic Front (LDF) walked out of the Assembly on Tuesday protesting against the reluctance of the UDF government to seek a CBI probe into certain corruption charges against Chief Minister Oommen Chandy in connection with an abandoned project at Travancore Titanium Products (TTP).

Opposition sought permission to move an adjournment motion to discuss the issue in the Assembly on Tuesday. With the Chief Minister expressing his willingness to discuss the issue, Speaker G. Karthikeyan allotted two hours for the discussion during the day’s session.

The discussion lasted for almost two hours after which the opposition demanded a CBI probe into the case. The Chief Minister’s categorically dismissed the demand for seeking a CBI probe into the affair, prompting the Leader of the Opposition V.S. Achuthanandan to announce the walkout.

He also noted that a petition seeking a CBI probe into the issue was now before the High Court of Kerala. The court had not taken a decision on it.

Oppn moves adjourned motion over titanium scam

Tuesday, 25 October 2011: The CPM opposition today demanded that they be allowed to move an adjournment motion with respect to the alleged Titanium corruption case against Chief Minister Oommen Chandy.

The adjournment motion moved by T M Thomas Isaac demanded a detailed discussion in connection with this corruption case. The Speaker G. Karthikeyan gave permission to discuss the issue.

Chandy also sought permission of the Speaker that the discussion must be telecasted live in media. Speaker gave permission for live transmission, the discussion will start at12.30 pm.

Compensate for public property damage: HC

Monday, October 24, 2011: The Kerala High Court has ruled that if public property is destroyed during agitations, the accused should be directed to deposit the amount of loss as a condition for bail.

The order in this regard was issued today by Justice K T Sankaran on a petition filed by seven DYFI activists who allegedly destroyed a police jeep on September 20 in Chevayoor police station limits. The court had earlier granted bail to the accused on condition that they deposit Rs 25,000.

The case related to the alleged sexual exploitation of a minor girl by at least five persons at different places in Kerala and Tamilnadu over a period of six months in 2003 and 2004.

The main accused are S.H. Praveen S Manoj S Binu, Alias Kochumon, Prashanth and Somanathan.

Praveen, 24, and Manoj, 19, both conductors attached to the Guruvayur depot of the Kerala State Transport Corporation (KSRTC); Latha Nair of Mallappalli; Binu alias Kochumon, 30, of Kottayam; Prasanth, 23, conductor at the KSRTC Guruvayur depot; Somanathan alias Soman, 46, of Kumali; Abdul Lathif alias Collector Lathif, 52, and V.K. Devadas, 47.

CBI also named two women as accused in the case. They are the girl's aunt, Omanakutty, and one Latha nair.

The CBI case was that the accused had lured the minor girl into a well entrenched sex for money racket by promising her a bright future as a television and cinema actor. The accused used the pre text of shooting a music video album to lure the impressionable young girl into their midst. Latha nair acted as a benefactor of the 'Video-album' project and the others as directors, cameramen and production executives.

Omanakutty, who was named as prime accused in the case and later turned approver, told the court that the accused , with the active connivance of latha, raped the girl after giving her a glass of fruit juice laced with liquor at a govt. Gust House in Kumali.

Earlier, one of them had approached her parents and convinced them to send their daughter along with him for a televison serial acting. She had dropped out of school that time. The parants, who were economically backward, agreed to his proposal. Omanakutty had gone along with the girl as her helper.

The CBI case was that the suspects subsequently sold her to several others who were inclined to pay money for sex with minor girls.

In 2004,

When she got pregnant, she was referred to the Medical College. She had been diagnosed as suffering from acute intestinal obstruction. She was later discharged form the hospital in August 28, 2004. Later, she was admitted to the Carithas Hospital in Kottayam, though the doctors at the private hospital had recommended that she be taken to the Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences.

However, she was admitted to the Matha Hosptial, Thellakam in Kottayam. The doctors there found that she was suffering from acute intestinal obstruction.She died a few days after she was delivered of a child, on aug 13, the same year. Her daughter and parents survive her.

During the case trial Omanakutty gave statements that the accused had sexually exploited the victim at four places including Palani and Guruvayur and Edappaly in Ernakulam. The investigation had revealed that Kochumon had introduced the girl to Latha Nair, who was supposed to get her a role in serials and album, in August 2003. she also told the court that latha nair had told her that girls had to bestow sexual favours on influential persons in the entertainment industry if they were to make a career for themselves. omanakutty told the court she had found the minor girl mentally depressed and crying on the day she was raped at the kumali Guest house. she said the girl had insisted that her plight be kept away from her parents. Subsequently, latha nair gifted her a mobile phone and kept in constant touch with the girl and her family. the accused also attempted to bribe her family to escape prosecution.

CBI case was that Omanakutty and latha nair were present at all the lodges and hotels where the girl was sexually exploited. CBI judge P. Moosad presided. The Court will here the case again on today.

WikiLeaks shuts down operations, for now

LONDON: Whistleblower website WikiLeaks on Monday said it was temporarily stopping publication of exposes to concentrate on economic survival in the face of a blocade by US financial companies.

Announcing this here, WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange said that an "arbitrary and unlawful financial blockade" since last December has "destroyed 95% of our revenue".

WikiLeaks would need $3.5 million over the next year to continue operating, Assange said, adding that financial problems may lead to the closure of the site at the end of this year.

Apparently under US pressure, American financial firms like Visa, MasterCard, Western Union and PayPal had started pulling the plug on WikiLeaks. The immediate reason was the publishing of some 250,000 US state department cables last year.

Fake currency case: Migrant labourers under scanner

Monday, 24 October 2011: In the view of the recent seizure of fake currency notes of Rs 2,19,000 from 8 Bengalis near Parasala here on Saturday, the inter-state labourers are now under tight police scanner. Police have decided to conduct surprise raids in the labourers’ dwelling places.

Meanwhile the National Investigation Agency (NIA) will take over the fake currency case. Further interrogation revealed that the fake currencies were printed in Pakistan. It is believed that the accused, who are natives of Bengal, have link with the fake currency mafia and other terrorist groups.

Monday, October 24, 2011: Omanakutty, the prime witness in the sensational Kiliroor sex scandal case has identified the accused who sexually exploited a girl named Shari, after offering her roles in television serials.

The accused in the case are are Praveen, 24, and Manoj, 19, both conductors attached to the Guruvayur depot of the Kerala State Transport Corporation (KSRTC); Latha Nair of Mallappalli; Binu alias Kochumon, 30, of Kottayam; Prasanth, 23, conductor at the KSRTC Guruvayur depot; Somanathan alias Soman, 46, of Kumali; Abdul Lathif alias Collector Lathif, 52, and V.K. Devadas, 47.

Sunday, October 23, 2011: The Kerala Government Medical College Teachers’ Association (KGMCTA) today informed that they would hold talks with the state government regarding the private practice of Govt doctors. The discussion regarding this matter would be held after the second session of Kerala Assembly.

In a statement here KGMCTA opined that the suggestion that vigilance probe must be initiated against the erring doctors who indulge in private practice was put forward during the previous LDF government.

Monday, October 24, 2011: KA Rauf had written a open letter to Muslim League state leader Panakkad Hyderali Shihab Thangal saying that the party should not be misused to shield P K Kunhalikutty in the ice cream case.

Rauf stated in the letter that party should not handle shameful acts.
Kunhalikutty is misusing the office of the League and the members in the party. He added that employees of the League’s state commitee office are trying to trap him in a false case.

Balakrishna Pillai violated jail rules, says CM

Monday, October 24, 2011: Chief Minister Oommen Chandy through a written statement informed the assembly that Kerala Congress (B) leader R Balakrishna Pillai, undergoing jail term in the Idamalayar case, had violated jail rules.

Pillai talking to a private channel is also an offence, he said. He has talked to his relatives and also used the jail phone.
He also said that he has violated the 81st clause and 27th sub clause of the jail laws.

Pillai will have to spend an additional four days in jail for making phone calls in violation of prison rules.

Trial begins in Kiliroor case

Monday, October 24, 2011: The trial in the sensational Kiliroor sex scandal case began at CBI Court, Thiruvananthapuram, on Monday.

The case relates to sexual exploitation of a girl named Shari from Kiliroor, near Kottayam, by the accused after offering her roles in television serials.

The Ernakulam CJM Court had earlier made the prime accused in the case Omanakutty an approver.

India relieved at the return of chopper and officers

Monday, October 24, 2011: Expressing relief over return of its officers and helicopter which had strayed into Pakistan- occupied Kashmir due to bad weather, India today said it “greatly appreciates” the manner in which Pakistan has worked with it in resolving the matter.

“We are relieved that our officers and helicopter are back in India. We greatly appreciate the manner in which Pakistan worked with us in resolving the matter,” Ministry of External Affairs said here.

The Indian Army chopper which strayed into PoK earlier in the day was forced by Pakistani military to land there but the crisis was quickly defused and the helicopter carrying four Army personnel returned safely to Kargil.

The Ministry of External Affairs earlier said the Cheetah helicopter, flying from Leh to Bhimbad, with four officers on board, strayed across the Line of Control (LoC) due to inclement weather and landed in PoK.

Centre should form mechanism to fast track projects: CM

Sunday, October 23, 2011: Kerala today urged the Centre to develop a mechanism at central level for fast tracking clearances of important projects like Kochi Metro, Vizhinjam Deep Sea International Transhipment Terminal and Kannur Airport.

In his speech at the National Development Council here, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said his government has identified certain priority areas which are the need of the hour for speedy development of the state.

Saturday, October 22, 2011: Minister for Social Welfare and Panchayat M K Muneer said BUDS Centers (Centre for mentally challenged children) would be opened in all panchayats as schools were the need of the hour.

While inaugurating a BUDS Centre at Kolacherry Panchayat in this district today, he said this was the eighth centre in Kannur District and three more centers would be opened at Chockli, Kannapuram and Kuttiyattor soon.

Sunday, October 23, 2011: Opposition leader VS Achuthanandhan said on Sunday that UDF MLAs had not visited him to tender support to the Left Front.

I’m not aware if someone has visited Kodiyeri Balakrishnan or not, he said. VS was reacting to Kodiyeri’s controversial statement on Satuday where he had said that some UDF MLAs had approached him to have an alliance with the LDF.

Chengannur: Stolen dome recovered from temple premise

Chengannur, Saturday, October 22, 2011: The dome of the Muthavazhi Subramanian Swami Temple at Pandanad near Chengannur that was reportedly stolen on October 20, was found in front of a house near temple premise.

The police have arrested one person and is being interrogated in connection with the case. The dome had hit headlines three years back following claims that it contained iridium, a metal 80 times less abundant than silver and the annual global production of which is less than three tones.

Interestingly, police sources said there was a Special Branch alert just two days back, warning the local police station and the temple authorities too, of a possible attempt at stealing the dome.

The temple is said to have been constructed 1,700 to 2,000 years back, though there are no documents to prove this. A few researchers who visited the temple following the controversy in 2008 are learnt to have said that iridium could have been used for constructing the dome in an indirect manner, since traces of the metal can be found in alloys with raw copper or raw nickel.

Special team to probe attack on CM’s ancestral house

Saturday, October 22, 2011: A special probe team has been constituted to conduct an investigation into the incident in which unidentified miscreants on Thursday night threw stones at the ancestral house of Chief Minister Oommen Chandy.

The case has been taken over by a investigation team headed by Crime detachment DySP NM Thomas. According to the police, the incident occurred at around 8.30 p.m. when miscreants threw stones at the house and fled the scene. The rear windshield of a car parked in front of the house was broken.

Later, Rural Development Minister K.C. Joseph visited the house and took stock of the situation. Police security has been strengthened in and around the house following the incident.

Meanwhile, Congress activists took out a protest march to Puthupally junction demanding arrest of those responsible.

2G scam: Court frames charges against all 17 accused

Saturday, October 22, 2011: Delhi court finds prima facie evidence against all 17 accused, including former Telecom Minister A Raja, in 2G case.

Court allows CBI’s fresh plea to invoke charge of criminal breach of trust against Raja and two other public servants in the case.

Telecom companies Reliance Telecom Ltd, Swan Telecom and Unitech Wireless charged with criminal conspiracy and abetment in the case.

Court finds prima facie evidence against three top Reliance ADAG officials Gautam Doshi, Surender Pipara and Hari Nair for offences of cheating and abetment.

All 17 accused, including DMK MP Kanimozhi, seek time to peruse the court order before framing of charges.

Court grants bail to PJ Joseph in SMS case

Saturday, October 22, 2011: Water Resources Minister PJ Joseph who appeared before the Thodupuzha First Class Magistrate Court on Saturday was granted bail in connection with SMS case.

The Court has earlier send a summons to Joseph directing him to appear in person today. The complainant had alleged that a young woman had received constant threat and sexually abusive SMS from the telephone used by the Minister while he was a member of Assembly representing Thodupuzha in the last term.

Tantri case: Sobha John presented before Court

Saturday, October 22, 2011: Sobha John, the first accused in a case relating to assault and extortion of money from former Sabarimala tantri Kandararu Mohanararu, was presented before the Ernakulam Additional sessions Court today.

According to the case, Kandararu Mohanararu was attacked by a group of youths who barged into a flat in Kochi.

They forcibly photographed him with a woman and robbed him of nearly 40 sovereigns of gold jewellery. They also demanded Rs 30 lakh from him. 11 persons including Sobha John, the key conspirator has been included in the accused list.

Valakom incident: Minister’s personal staff grilled

Friday, October 21, 2011: The probe team investigating the Valakom incident in which Krishnakumar, a teacher of RVHSS school was allegedly attacked by a group of unidentified persons on September 27, has today interrogated Minister KB Ganesh Kumar’s personal staff.

Minister’s additional private secretary B Pradeep Kumar has been directed to appear before the probe team tomorrow also.

Friday, October 21, 2011: NIA on Friday (October 21) announced a cash reward of Rs 10 lakh for any information leading to arrest of three Hizbul Mujahideen terrorists including Junaid Akram in connection with the Delhi High Court blast that left 15 people dead.

All the three — Junaid, Shakir Hussain Sheikh and Amir Ali Kamal — are residents of Kishtwar district of Jammu region and have been accused by the NIA of playing”a crucial role in the conspiracy which led to the blast at the High Court on September 7, 2011.”

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