Latest news with #Bala
Time of India
8 hours ago
- Time of India
Wife, 2 men she paid with gold bangles get life for killing ex-soldier
Agra: A Hathras court has sentenced a woman and two of her associates to life imprisonment for murdering her husband, a retired soldier, who was strangled at his Saadabad home in April last year. Kumkum Bala, 42, paid Rajender Chaudhry, 38, and Chaman Khan, 40, with her gold bangles as she had no money to offer, additional district govt counsel (ADGC) Pratibha Rajput said on Tuesday. The case came to light after Kalicharan Gautam, a resident of Saadabad, filed a complaint at the local police station alleging that his younger brother, Anil Kumar, 45, who retired from the Army on Jan 31, 2023, was murdered by Bala and her two aides. In his complaint, Gautam said that frequent visits by unknown men to Bala's house often led to arguments between the couple. "My brother came home after his retirement. His wife, Kumkum Bala, was of questionable character and several men visited her regularly. Anil objected to this, and they often fought. She had even threatened to kill him earlier," he said. He added, "Despite my efforts to resolve their issues, the situation in their house never improved." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like അപൂർവ്വയിനം റോസാ വിത്തുകൾ: വേഗത്തിലുള്ള ഡെലിവറി Rare Climbing Rose Seeds Learn More Undo He alleged that on the night of Apr 15–16, 2023, Bala, along with Chaudhry and Khan, "murdered my brother by beating and strangling him." Police registered a case under IPC sections 302 (murder), 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 506 (criminal intimidation), and 34 (common intention) . All three were arrested and sent to jail. On Jan 4, 2024, the court framed charges against them under the same sections. ADGC Rajput said, "The woman had no money to pay the killers but gave her gold bangles to both Chaudhry and Khan. The court found them guilty on Monday and sentenced them to life imprisonment. A fine of Rs 20,000 was also imposed on each of them."
Time of India
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Bala breaks down in video statement; refutes ex-partner's harassment claims - 'She needs medical help'
Actor Bala has issued an emotional video statement in response to serious allegations made by his former partner, Dr Elizabeth Udayan. Breaking his silence, the actor firmly denied all accusations and pleaded for peace for his wife Kokila and their family. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now 'Please leave us alone' In the video, Bala shared his deep distress over the situation and said he has never raised a hand against anyone. "All these years, I've cared deeply for others. I still do. Yet, I'm constantly misunderstood… and it leaves a deep ache in my heart," he said. Now 41, Bala said he finally found peace in his personal life after marrying Kokila. 'I take good care of Kokila. Why trouble that life?' he asked. The actor revealed that Kokila even had to stop her cooking YouTube channel due to the mental stress caused by the allegations. 'She needs medical help, not headlines' Addressing Elizabeth's recent video, recorded from a hospital bed, Bala said the former partner needs medical attention and urged the media to act with compassion. 'She needs treatment, not headlines,' he said. "I swear, I've never hurt anyone. Please don't spread false stories. What some treat as gossip or entertainment is a living nightmare for us. One day, we might have children — imagine what this would mean for them. " He also mentioned that he had already approached the court months ago to stop what he called continued harassment, but Elizabeth never appeared for the hearings. Elizabeth's heartbreaking plea In a video titled 'Will I get justice before I die?', Dr Elizabeth Udayan recently accused Bala and his family of being responsible for her current medical condition. With oxygen support and visible weakness, she said, 'If anything happens to me, it is because of him and his family.' She also alleged that despite multiple complaints—including to the Chief Minister—no substantial action was taken.
Reuters
6 days ago
- Business
- Reuters
After US tariffs, jobs hang by a thread in Bangladesh's garments sector
ASHULIA, Bangladesh, July 9 (Reuters) - The fear of job losses is rippling through Bangladesh's garment hubs as U.S. President Donald Trump's 35% tariff on the South Asian nation threatens orders from its main export market and crimps the country's biggest industry. The readymade garments sector accounts for more than 80% of Bangladesh's total export earnings, employing 4 million people and contributing roughly 10% to its annual GDP. Raimoni Bala, who operates an industrial sewing machine at a garments factory in Ashulia, a satellite town on the outskirts of Dhaka, says she fears losing her job every day. "For the past few months, everyone is talking about cuts," said Bala, 32. "Whenever anyone visits the factory, my chest aches. I feel like they've come to tell me I've lost my job." In a letter to Bangladesh Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, Trump said a 35% levy will be imposed on Bangladeshi imports from August 1 - slightly lower than the 37% tariff he announced in April but more than double the previous average of around 15%. Trump has said he will impose a 20% tariff on major apparel exporter Vietnam while levies on India and Sri Lanka - also big American suppliers - are yet to be announced. Lower tariffs for these competitor nations will make apparel from Bangladesh costlier in comparison. Bangladesh and the U.S. Trade Representative will kick off second round of negotiations on Wednesday to conclude a trade agreement, Dhaka said. While there was still time for Dhaka to reach a trade deal, the fear of disruption due to higher U.S. tariffs is pervasive on factory floors. Reuters spoke to more than a dozen workers in the garments industry like Bala. All shared the same fear - that under the weight of higher tariffs, cancelled orders and factory closures, their livelihoods were under threat. Suppliers in Bangladesh's garments industry, which counts Gap Inc (GAP.N), opens new tab and Vans parent VF Corp (VFC.N), opens new tab as clients, told Reuters that many brands have adopted a "wait-and-see" approach and are placing few new orders. "The burden of this tariff hike will fall heavily on garment manufacturers and the millions of workers they employ, a majority of whom are women, raising the risks of slower growth, job losses and a rise in poverty," said Selim Raihan, an economics professor at the University of Dhaka. Bala's story is similar to many of the workers in the teeming capital. She left her village in northern Bangladesh with the bare minimum, determined to give her sons - now 15 and 13 - a better future. Her husband's poor health only allows him to work sporadically as a day labourer, she said, making her job at the garments factory crucial to the family's survival. During the pandemic, Bala said her factory shut down. She said she continued to receive reduced wages under a government stimulus programme, but her family was forced to almost go hungry. Every rumour of new tariffs or reduced orders rekindles the fear of losing her job, she said. She said she clings to the hope that her job, though exhausting and low-paid, will keep her sons in school and provide food on the table. "I have confidence in my work. I work with respect," Bala said. "As long as I have this job, my sons can dream. Without it, I don't know what will happen to us."
Indian Express
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
‘If I die, he and his family are responsible': Actor Bala's former partner Elizabeth Udayan accuses him of cheating, harassment in video shared from hospital
Controversial actor Bala has once again found himself in hot water after his former partner, Dr Elizabeth Udayan, released a video from her hospital bed claiming that he and his family would be solely responsible if anything were to happen to her. In the nearly 9-minute clip, she can be seen lying in bed with a medical tube attached to her nose, visibly distressed. She did not disclose how she reached this state and also did not disclose anything about her health. She also refrained from revealing where she was hospitalised. Maintaining that she has yet to receive justice, Elizabeth alleged that although she filed complaints with the Chief Minister, it was to no avail. 'Will I get justice before I die?' she wrote in the description of the video, wherein she also stated that she has come to understand that only affluent people receive justice. She said, 'I did not want to make a video in this condition. But I was unable to tolerate many things. I received many threatening videos and counter-cases, telling me to 'protect your family' and calling me a 'money-sucking leech'. They are even claiming that the wedding never happened. That no function took place. They are saying it's all my imagination. Then I don't know why he introduced me as his wife in front of people, and did interviews and stage shows.' Going a step further, Elizabeth maintained that if anything were to happen to her, Bala would be accountable and answerable. 'If I die, that person is fully responsible. I had complained to the Chief Minister, stating that the police were not accepting my complaint. Then the complaint was passed down to the DYSP's office. They came to my house once to inquire. But after that, there has been no information. The case is ongoing in court. Many times, he and his lawyer failed to appear,' she stated. Elizabeth also claimed that Bala had lied in his petition by stating that he did not have much money, despite being a millionaire. 'In his counter-petition, he claims to have no money. He is a person with assets worth Rs 250 crore. (In the petition) It is written that we only had a doctor-patient relationship. I have heard people say that if a woman files a case, it will be given priority. I have spoken out about everything on social media, complained to the Chief Minister, and filed a case in court, but I have not received justice. I am in the hospital right now. If there's any doubt, the tests and statements can all be checked,' she asserted. She added, 'If I die, it is because of this one person (Bala). He cheated me, physically harassed me and defamed me in the media. Not just him, but his entire family. I am doing this with the hope of getting justice somehow. Everyone says that girls will get justice, but now I feel that justice is only for the rich and the powerful,' Elizabeth added. Rejecting her allegations as false, Bala stated that he was the real victim here. 'I am living a happy life with my wife Kokila now. We haven't fought even once since our marriage. When my life is proceeding so happily, why should I hurt someone else? I am not here to justify myself; that is my least botheration. Also, there's a court order, as per which neither of us is supposed to comment on any of this. She has violated it. Even then, I assert that she is not my enemy. Neither have I met her in person in recent times, nor called her over the phone. Earlier, I had said that this was a mass attack against me for money. I lost a lot in life. My only request is to leave me alone now. My family and I are being abused here,' he told Mathrubhumi News.
Time of India
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
'If anything happens to me, hold them responsible," Actor Bala's ex partner Dr Elizabeth Udayan's REVEALS
(Picture Courtesy: Facebook) Dr Elizabeth Udayan, the former partner of actor Bala, has released a harrowing video from her hospital bed, alleging sustained harassment and systemic neglect. The video was captioned 'Will I get justice before I die?' 'If anything happens to me..." Lying weak with a medical tube attached to her nose, Elizabeth accuses Bala and his family of being responsible for her current condition. She claims to have filed multiple complaints over the years—through social media, in court, and even by approaching the Chief Minister, yet justice has remained elusive. Elizabeth says, "Hi, Elizabeth here. I never wished to take a video in this condition. I was not able to witdstand several situations which I faced. They are putting several accusations over me, even stating that our (Bala and her) marriage function has not happened. The complaints are on record. I have even Chief Minister, saying that the officials are not handling my complaints well. One time they came and did a rough investigation and later, no further updates I got. If anything happens to me, it is because of him and his family.' Actor Bala gets married to Elizabeth Udayan Marriage denied, threats alleged Elizabeth points out the contradiction in Bala's public and private stance—while she was introduced as his wife at public events, she says he and his family now deny the relationship entirely. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Secure your family's future! ICICI Pru Life Insurance Plan Get Quote Undo She alleges that she's been threatened and targeted with counter-cases meant to discredit her. Although police visited her home early on, no substantial action followed, and court proceedings have been delayed repeatedly, often due to the absence of the accused or his lawyer. Fighting Alone, exhausted by the system She further highlights the accused's claimed financial status—questioning how someone with alleged significant wealth could plead financial distress in court. After years of fighting, Elizabeth says she is emotionally and physically drained, with little to no support from the system. Netizens have soon flooded the post with comments. One comment read, "Delete that x from your mind focus on your Doctor profession try you maximum and spend your life to enhance medical services to poor people living in our society." Another comment read, "Please take care Elizabeth..." The video does not disclose which hospital she is in or the exact nature of her illness.
