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The Hindu
3 minutes ago
- The Hindu
Madras High Court orders commencement of trial
The Madras High Court on Monday (August 11, 2025) ordered the commencement of trial in a 10-year-old defamation suit filed by former Indian cricket team captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni seeking ₹100 crore in damages from Zee Media Corporation, journalist Sudhir Chaudhary, retired Indian Police Service (IPS) officer G. Sampath Kumar, and News Nation Network for having dragged his name in to the IPL betting scam. Justice C.V. Karthikeyan also appointed an advocate commissioner to record the evidence of Mr. Dhoni on mutually convenient premises, to all the parties involved and their counsel, in Chennai. The advocate commissioner was appointed as Mr. Dhoni's personal appearance at the High Court, for the examination in chief as well as cross-examination by the defendants, might lead to chaos due to him being a celebrity. The orders were passed after senior counsel P.R. Raman submitted an affidavit sworn by Mr. Dhoni expressing his intent to proceed with the trial in the defamation suit pending since 2014. The cricketer said that he would be available for examination as well as cross-examination between October 20, 2025, and December 10, 2025, and that the venue and specific dates could be fixed on the basis of mutual convenience. 'The above request is made with the intent to avoid any undue delay (in disposal of the suit pending in the High Court for over a decade) and to support the fair, just, and speedy adjudication of the suit. I state that I shall extend my full co-operation with the Advocate Commissioner and comply with all directions issued by this honourable court regarding the trial and the recording of evidence,' the affidavit read. When Mr. Raman, assisted by advocate Sandesh Saravanan, requested the court to consider appointing a retired district judge as an advocate commissioner for recording evidence, Justice Karthikeyan said that he would pick a name from a list maintained by the High Court. He also stated that the defamation suit would be listed for hearing before the court after the completion of recording of evidence in full. The trial in the suit had got delayed for over 10 years because of multiple applications taken out by the parties seeking one relief or another. In December 2023, a Division Bench of Justices S.S. Sundar (since retired) and Sunder Mohan had convicted the retired IPS officer of criminal contempt of court and sentenced him to 15 days of simple imprisonment. However, the Supreme Court stayed the punishment in 2024. Mr. Dhoni had filed the contempt plea against the retired IPS officer for having made contumacious remarks against the Supreme Court as well as the High Court while defending the defamation suit. In July 2022, the then Advocate General R. Shunmugasundaram had granted permission to the cricketer to proceed with the contempt plea, after being satisfied that the remarks made by Mr. Kumar, in his written statement to the suit, amounted to scandalising court proceedings.
Hans India
2 hours ago
- Hans India
GRP team uncovers child trafficking case, rescues 3-year-old
Vijayawada: In a dramatic turn of events, Government Railway Police (GRP) here have rescued a three-year-old girl and arrested three individuals, including her own father, on charges of child trafficking. The incident began on the night of August 7, when a man identified as Saikam Mastan from Vetapalem in Bapatla district, reported to the GRP police station in Vijayawada that his daughter, Sravani, had gone missing from the railway station's platform 1. Acting swiftly, GRP SHO JV Ramana, along with GRP and RPF teams, launched a search operation. A review of the railway station's CCTV footage revealed that the child had been abducted by a man and a woman. Further investigation, which included a review of bus station CCTV footage in the Krishnalanka area, showed the suspects boarding a bus towards Visakhapatnam. SHO Ramana immediately contacted the bus driver, who confirmed that the two suspects and the child were on board. With the help of the Rajahmundry GRP, the suspects were intercepted and taken into custody along with the child. During questioning, police became suspicious of the father, Saikam Mastan's, inconsistent statements. On August 8, they summoned the child's mother, Saikam Venkateswaramma, to Vijayawada. Venkateswaramma revealed that her husband, Mastan, had been estranged from the family for four months and had abducted their daughter two days prior. Based on the mother's complaint, the GRP registered an FIR and began a thorough investigation. Upon further interrogation, Saikam Mastan confessed to abducting his daughter and selling her to the two suspects for Rs 5,000. The suspects, in turn, admitted they were taking the child to Rajahmundry for begging. It was also revealed that Mastan had previously sold his third daughter to another individual in Vetapalem. The three accused—Saikam Mastan, Bolla Srinivasulu and Sadela Chinnari - have been arrested and remanded to judicial custody.
Time of India
9 hours ago
- Time of India
Traffic e-challans worth 1,000cr unpaid in city
Mumbai: The city's pile of unpaid e-challan fines, accumulated since 2020 till July 11, has crossed the Rs 1,000 crore mark, creating a challenge for traffic authorities. According to an RTI response received by Kalyan resident Unnikrishnan N on Aug 7, the traffic police have recovered Rs 817 crore out of Rs 1,817 crore in fines (Jan 1, 2020 to July 11, 2025). The RTI data shows that pending dues surged by Rs 215 crore in July 2025, up from Rs 685 crore in 2023. Between 2020 and 2025, a total of 3.2 crore e-challans were issued. Since April 2025, 795 driving licences have also been suspended for drunk driving. You Can Also Check: Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai To discourage traffic violations, identities of offenders are posted online, and licences are sent to the transport department for suspension or revocation. RTI activist Anil Galgali revealed that between Jan 1, 2024 and Feb 28, 2025, traffic police imposed fines totalling Rs 556 crore. During this period, the e-challan portal received 1.8 lakh online complaints contesting fines, of which 1.07 lakh were rejected. "With unpaid fines continuing to mount, the traffic police face an uphill battle in recovering dues and ensuring compliance among millions of offenders. We need innovative recovery methods and additional manpower," Unnikrishnan said. A traffic police officer confirmed that recovery is improving year-on-year despite growing backlog. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like These Photos Captured the Exact Wrong Moment Read More Undo "We've been sending uniformed constables to the homes of top defaulters with evidence of violations to demand payment. The transport commissioner's office has been alerted to collect fines from motorists with multiple challans when they visit RTOs for ownership transfers, fitness certificates or other services. " Former mumbai traffic joint commissioner and retired IPS officer Dr BK Upadhyay stressed the need for special traffic courts. "If the violator doesn't pay within a week, send a reminder. If they still don't comply, take the matter to court. Special courts should issue summons or warrants and decide the case within a month. The traffic department must have a strong prosecution wing, and the govt should formally notify the establishment of such courts," he said. Upadhyay said over 80% of cases are genuine, with violation details attached to each e-challan. Wrongly issued challans can be addressed to the website of the additional director general of police (highways). "People don't pay because they don't care, and recovery procedures remain weak," he said. IPS officer-turned-lawyer YP Singh pointed out that large-scale fine recovery would require substantial manpower. "Most fines are on two-wheelers, including delivery personnel, who often can't afford to pay. Recovering from them would require coercive measures, which aren't feasible given the manpower shortage. While most fines are backed by photographic evidence, a few stem from errors by traffic constables," Singh said, suggesting that the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 be amended to streamline fine recovery. Contesting a fine currently requires approaching the metropolitan magistrate's court, which is burdensome for both motorists and the department. Retired deputy regional transport officer Sanjay Sasane said enforcement must be backed by recovery for any real deterrent effect. "The only way enforcement will be effective is when offenders are fewer. Start with awareness, follow up with enforcement, and publicize results," he said. 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.
