Closed bars should be examined: HC

KOCHI:  Kerala High Court has said that 418 bars – closed for the reason that they were allegedly substandard ones – should be examined. It was a high court division bench that had issued the order. For the purpose, the court has appointed a committee headed by Revenue Secretary and Excise Commissioner.

The court order is in response to the petition filed by bar owners against the government. The court has also asked the committee to submit the report before August 26. In order to formulate a liquor policy, the government was earlier given time till August 26.

The government in reply to the court instruction said it was not against the examination of closed bars. The bar licences were renewed in many cases in accordance with the Supreme Court Order.

Meanwhile, Finance Minister K M Mani has said that there was no need to show any hurry in reopening bars. The more time the bars remain closed the more it is good.  

Youth 'hacked' by sand mafia

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A youth was hacked by sand mafia’s henchmen who presumed that he had informed the police about sand quarrying. The youth with serious injuries was admitted to Chirayinkeezhu hospital.

The victim has been identified as Jayesh, 30, from Valiya Ela house at Thottavaran (Chirayinkeezhu) and the police have identified the attackers as Sharth and Shyamkumar.  

Jaeysh was attacked on Monday morning at around 8:30 at Sravilmukku-Erumakkadu junction. The team of attackers comprised ten persons. They came on bikes, waylaid him and slashed his neck and hand. He was also beaten with iron rod.
“Before attacking, they snatched away his mobile phone and checked the call list. Though they could not find the police’ phone number, they attacked him,” said the police   

Rains to continue for two more days

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The heavy downpour which started Monday morning has crippled life in the district. The roads have turned canals. Traffic snarls were witnessed when more vehicles plied due to heavy showers in the main roads. The Meteorological Department has predicted heavy rains in the state till August 13. They have asked fishermen to be cautious.

Vehicles were found stranded at Kazhakootam bypass and medical college areas for hours. The effort of the police to remove the traffic snarls did not find any result.

Power supply was disrupted at Ambalathumukku in Pettah after an uprooted coconut tree dell over an eclectic post.

Heavy rain has caused widespread damages across the district.

Panniyan refuses to respond to Sasi’s allegations

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: CPI state secretary Panniyan Raveendran refused to respond to the allegations levelled by Venjaramood Sasi, shifted and demoted in the party.

Whatever I had to say had stated it yesterday. I have nothing more to opine on the disciplinary action, he said.

Blackmail case: Kochi DCP gets anonymous letter

KOCHI: Kochi DCP received an anonymous letter in connection with the Kochi blackmailing case. The letter has mentioned about the assets and financial dealings of Ruksana, one of the accused in the case. The letter cites the details of persons handling her account. DCP R Nishanthini received the letter last week.

DCP has confirmed receiving the letter. More details have not been divulged even though the police have questioned her relatives and others.

The accused blackmails industrialists and businessmen and extorts money using the video footages shot seeing them in compromising postures with women.

Bindhya Thomas alias Surya (32) and Ruksana B Das (29) of Alappuzha are the two main accused in the case.

Jayachandran, another accused in the case was arrested from the MLA Hostel. The whole act is enacted in rented flats and hotel rooms. The police have also found out that the accused had already extorted millions by blackmailing person.

It is also alleged that the police while preparing the list had exempted leading politicians and film personalities. The gang had extorted money from NRIs also.

Suresh Gopi expresses regret over remarks against CM

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Actor Suresh Gopi Sunday expressed regret for his derogatory remarks against Chief Minister Oommen Chandy in connection with the Aranmula Airport. The actor, who is in the USA now, said that he deeply regrets if his remarks had pained anyone.

The actor said that he never wanted to criticise the chief minister. I criticised for implementing projects without collecting sufficient details. I came to know that many including Minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan wanted me to withdraw my statement.  I am expressing regret now as Ministers like Ramesh Chennithala or Aryadan Muhammed should not ask me to express my regret tomorrow.  

While speaking at a function, organised by Kerala Children's Literature Institute at Kollam, the actor had said that if the chief minister is not in the know of things, he should try to learn from knowledgeable people.

Raveendran suicide case: Accused in police custody

NEDUMANGAD: Accused in Kochi blackmailing case, arrested in the suicide of Venjaramoodu native Raveendran will be in police custody. The three accused Bindhya Thomas, Ruksana and Jayachandran will be in police custody for four days.

The accused were produced at the Nedumangad Magistrate Court Monday morning. Jayachandran was brought from Kochi and produced in the court here as per the directive of the court. The police have also registered the arrest of Jayachandran in the suicide of Raveendran.

HC sceptical over transparency in Plus Two allocation

KOCHI: The High Court has said that it has its own doubts over the transparency in the allocation of new Plus Two batches. The division bench said that the transparency factor should be examined.

The court was considering the petitions which said that the new Plus Two batches were allocated flouting norms.

Expressing its dissatisfaction over the government not submitting documents related to Plus Two allocation, it asked the government to submit before the court all relevant documents on Wednesday. The court also asked the government to clarify the follow-up action to Cabinet sub-committee’s report in this regard.       

The court, however, said that it was not going to examine the allegations put forward by school managements, one by one. “But it need to be examined whether general credentials were followed by the government while sanctioning new Plus Two batches,” the court said.

The government later submitted that it would soon file a detailed affidavit regarding Plus Two issue.

Sachin under attack in RS for absence, granted leave

Sachin Tendulkar was again under attack in Rajya Sabha Monday for his prolonged absence even as the cricket icon sought to control damage by applying for leave for the entire Budget session, which was granted amid strong opposition from members.

Members cutting across party line termed his long absence as “disrespect to House and nation” and there were demands for seeking an explanation from him particularly when he was here in Delhi to attend a programme near Parliament last week but did not come to Rajya Sabha. The issue cropped up during Zero Hour as soon as deputy chairman P J Kurien sought permission of the House for grant of leave to Tendulkar, who has attended the House only three times since his nomination over two years back.

Kurien said Tendulkar has sent a leave application expressing inability to attend the 232nd session (current session) of Rajya Sabha on account of “professional and personal commitments and family exigencies.” Naresh Agarwal (Samajwadi Party) immediately objected to grant of leave to him saying, “Sachin Tendulkar had come to Delhi to attend a function at Vigyan Bhawan near Parliament, but did not come to the House. Members’ views are unanimous that he has no respect for the House.” Tendulkar was at a programme in Vigyan Bhawan, nearly 3 km from Parliament, on August 8 where he said he could not attend the House because his elder brother had to undergo a heart surgery. Responding to Agarwal’s contention, Kurien observed, “So many members remain absent for various reasons and it is for the Chair to investigate why they didn’t come. You cannot object.”