Six dead after SUV jumps median, collides with private bus in Karnataka
IN THIS STORY#Karnataka
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Indian Express
9 hours ago
- Indian Express
‘Wholly-illegal' — Madhya Pradesh HC raps surveillance team over gold seizure ahead of 2023 polls
Observing that the actions of the surveillance teams set up by the Election Commission of India and the Income Tax Department were 'wholly illegal' that seized Rs 6 crore-worth of jewellery ahead of the 2023 state assembly elections, the Madhya Pradesh High Court imposed a cost of Rs 50,000 as they caused a loss to the jewellers. A Division Bench of Justices Vivek Rusia and Binod Kumar Dwivedi Monday directed that the jewellery seized during an operation at that time be released. The bench observed that the 'Static Surveillance Team (SST) of the Election Commission of India, the District Election Officer, and the Director General of Income Tax have not conducted the proceedings in accordance with SOP / Circulars issued by the Election Commission of India' and caused losses to the owners as well as consignors. The court awarded Rs 50,000 in favour of all the writ petitioners, payable by the respondents. On October 23, 2023, a Bolero Vehicle operated by Sequel Logistics Private Limited was intercepted by the SST in Ratlam district. The SST allegedly seized 37 consignments of jewellery valued at over Rs 6 crore. This came while the Model Code of Conduct was imposed ahead of the state assembly elections in Madhya Pradesh. Following this, the Income Tax department issued notice to Amit Sharma, a custodian officer of Sequel Logistics who was allegedly present in the vehicle along with the driver and was accused of being the owner of the consignment. Sharma, who filed the writ petition along with two other parties, has denied the allegations. The petitioners approached the high court challenging the legality of seizure, requisition and consequential assessment proceedings. They argued that 'the seizure and requisition were bad in law as done without authority of law and contrary to the statutory safeguards as provided by law'. The authorities have responded to the allegations by stating that the 'seizure of the consignments…was carried out strictly in discharge of statutory duties assigned to the Static Surveillance Team (SST) as part of election related enforcement mechanisms mandated by the Election Commission of India.' The court observed that the SST and District Grievance Committee 'did not consider the important facts that the Vehicle was not carrying any unaccounted cash, election posters, election materials, drugs, arms, etc'. The court also observed that 'there is a contradiction in the number of consignments and the value of the jewellery in the documents of the SST and Income Tax Department'. 'Therefore, the action of the SST and District Grievance Committee is wholly illegal in keeping the valuable consignments with them for seven days and not recording the satisfaction and thereafter, handing over to the Income Tax Department,' the court said. The court said the 'SST or District Grievance Committee was only required to inform the Income Tax Department about the release of these articles'. 'Therefore, handing over of these articles to the Income Tax Department is, per se, illegal,' the court ruled.
Hindustan Times
18 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
3 held in Manappuram gold robbery case, no gold recovered yet
The Gurugram police crime branch arrested three suspects from Dhankot village near Sector 99 on Tuesday for their alleged involvement in the Manappuram Gold robbery case. The incident took place in Sheetla Mata Mandir road near Sector 5 on Saturday, said police. Gurugram police with the arrested three suspects on Tuesday. (HT Photo) The accused were identified as Mohan alias Mohna, 22, of Siwanka, Sunny alias Sunil, 20 of Busana, both in Sonipat and Rahul alias Behra, 21, of Phurlak in Karnal. Mohan has six criminal cases against him, while Sunni was wanted in three cases at various police stations in Sonipat. No gold or cash have been recovered yet, police said. The suspects looted valuables worth at least ₹6 crores in the heist, as per the firm officials. ACP (crime) Mukesh Kumar said that at least eight to 10 more suspects are still at large. 'Five armed suspects impersonating auditors entered the branch at 5.20pm on Saturday and looted gold ornaments weighing 8.54 kilograms worth several crores and ₹8.56 lakh in cash. Some also stood guard outside the branch,' he said. They prepared fake identity cards and had the ribbons attached to them, identical to those used by Manappuram employees, the police added and said even the branch manager, Shree Krishna and two other employees failed to identify the suspects. ACP said that one of the suspects had directed Krishna to count cash and close the branch for audit. 'When Krishna and his junior went to deposit the cash and the gold packets to the vault, three of the suspects followed them inside,' he said, adding that their other associates overpowered the guards standing outside. They said the suspects then looted gold ornaments kept in packets and cash and fled after locking the three employees inside the vault and breaking at the CCTV cameras. Krishna said there was gold worth ₹13 crore in the vault when the five armed suspects impersonating auditors barged inside the branch at 6pm on Saturday. Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects were travelling in a Bolero but it broke down before reaching the branch, following which one of them drove it back and others reached the spot in an auto rickshaw. The trio will be produced before a court on Wednesday and taken to police remand for further interrogation, police said, adding that investigation to nab other suspects is underway.
Time of India
19 hours ago
- Time of India
Karnataka child marriage figures show marginal dip in 2024-25
Mysuru: Incidents of child marriage continue to be high in Karnataka, with 700 cases reported in 2024-25. Though this shows a roughly 3% dip in cases compared to the previous fiscal, the overall numbers are still quite alarming. A district-wise breakup put Shivamogga, Belagavi, and Chitradurga in the top three, with Mysuru and Mandya in the fifth and sixth positions, respectively. Laxmi Hebbalkar, the women and child development minister, said in the assembly last week that in 2023-24, about 719 child marriages took place in the state. This year, between April and June 2025, the state reported 211 cases. The minister, in her reply to a query on the measures taken by the department to prevent child marriages, said senior police and district administrative officials have been instructed to take necessary action to prevent child marriages. The govt has initiated measures to run awareness drives on KSRTC and BMTC buses to prevent child marriages. As a deterrent to tackle the scourge, a draft amendment bill 2025 has been prepared, which has been approved by the cabinet. The bill seeks to criminalise even acts such as attempts, preparations, and engagements for child marriage. Presently, the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006, doesn't allow the police to register complaints on these grounds. President of the Child Welfare Committee, Mysuru, M Ravichandra, told TOI in all cases of child marriage, an FIR is registered against the parents and relatives. If a minor girl is physically abused, then the provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act are invoked. Elopement is also a reason behind child marriages, with parents marrying off the minors fearing social stigma and ostracism, the president explained. Jasheela, a counsellor at Santwana Kendra at HD Kote in Mysuru, claimed cases of child marriage are high among economically weaker families. Two girls, both 17, who were believed to be in a relationship, were rescued recently before their families could marry them off, she said. Mandya DCPO S Rashmi claimed efforts are on to prevent child marriage at all levels. According to Rashmi, the efforts have already yielded favourable results, as the number of cases of child marriage have come down. Box Child marriages: Top districts: Districts: 2023-24: 2024-25: 2025-26 (April-June) Shivamogga: 79 79 19 Belagavi: 22 78 11 Chitradurga: 84 74 23 Bagalkot: 19 63 1 Mysuru: 70 60 4 Mandya: 66 57 9 --- Child marriages in Karnataka: 2023-24: 719 2024-25: 700 2025-26 (Apr-June): 211 Source: Karnataka Legislative Assembly Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
