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Time of India
5 days ago
- Time of India
TN man's wife missing plaint: Woman appears before Kerala HC, says she is not under detention
Kochi: High court on Monday dismissed a habeas corpus petition filed by a 62-year-old man from Nungambakkam in Chennai to trace his wife, who was allegedly detained by certain individuals. The petition was dismissed after the alleged detenue appeared before court and stated that she was neither under detention nor in any danger. She further deposed that she had never married the petitioner and that she did not wish to have any relationship with him, though they had been friends in the past. Accordingly, the bench of Justices Devan Ramachandran and M B Snehalatha dismissed the petition. The petitioner, a retired junior engineer of the Tamil Nadu electricity board, had alleged in the petition that his wife was under the illegal detention of one Joseph Steven of Thrissur and his associates for monetary gain. According to him, he had married the woman in 2022 after meeting her through a matrimonial website. She had friends in Kerala and frequently travelled to the state. In Jan this year, she travelled to Kerala, and they continued to communicate via WhatsApp until May. The petitioner stated that on June 6, a person identifying himself as G M Rao, claiming to be a lawyer, sent him a one-time view video showing a closed coffin and funeral rituals. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like I thought my dad was 'boring'. Now, I'm learning that boring stuff is often what matters most CNA Read More Undo The next day, Rao informed him that his wife had passed away. Subsequently, a woman identifying herself as Sophia, a nun at a church convent, contacted the petitioner, confirmed the death, and sent photographs of a burial ground. She also demanded Rs 10 lakh. Rao also claimed that the woman had entrusted him with the sale of her house, worth approximately Rs 2.5 crore. Pursuant to a prior HC direction, the police traced the woman and produced her before the court on Monday. During the interaction with the bench, she stated that she had staged the funeral scene, which was in fact for her aunt, to convince the petitioner that she had died so that he would stop stalking and following her. She said she never expected the matter to escalate to the level of a court proceeding. The petitioner, meanwhile, maintained that they had married in a church and produced documents in support of his claim. He alleged that the entire episode had been orchestrated by the woman, in collusion with some of her male friends, to swindle him out of more than Rs 2 crore, and that they had refused to return the money. He informed HC that he had already initiated legal proceedings against the woman and her alleged accomplices. In light of these allegations, HC reserved liberty to the parties to pursue appropriate legal remedies regarding the alleged swindling of money from the petitioner.
Time of India
31-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Illegal activities on assigned lands: Kerala HC directs govt to file affidavit
Kochi: High court has directed the state govt to file a detailed affidavit by Aug 18 in response to a petition seeking action against illegal activities in violation of patta conditions on assigned lands across the state. The bench of Justices Devan Ramachandran and M B Snehalatha issued the directive in a petition by P B Satheesh, director of Nerkazhcha, a Thrissur-based association, in which 1034 local self-govt institutions (LSGIs) across the state have been impleaded as respondents. While considering the matter, HC took note of a govt circular dated Oct 6, 2022, which required district collectors to take action against all violations committed on assigned lands. The court also observed that the Kerala Govt Land Assignment (Amendment) Act, 2023, which empowers the state to regularise certain activities on such lands, received the governor's assent only on April 26, 2024, and that the Rules under the Act are yet to be framed. HC further noted that violations occurring in the period between the issuance of the circular and the assent of the Amendment Act remain within the purview of the authorities and warrant immediate and necessary action. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Elegant New Scooters For Seniors In 2024: The Prices May Surprise You Mobility Scooter | Search Ads Learn More Undo Additionally, HC remarked that it has been dealing with the issue for several months but has not been unable to issue specific directions due to the state's repeated requests for time to file affidavits. Accordingly, the court directed the revenue department additional secretary, or any other competent authority on behalf of the state, to ensure that all queries raised by it are addressed comprehensively in the affidavit.
Time of India
17-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Need to rope-in political parties to tackle illegal hoardings: Kerala HC
Kochi: Kerala high court on Thursday observed that the state govt must consult all political parties on the issue of unauthorised boards, flags, banners and festoons in public places and initiate a new culture in conformity with modern times. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now "Only if the political parties fall in line will there be a change with respect to other entities like the film industry, religious institutions, etc," Justice Devan Ramachandran remarked while considering a report filed by Advocate Harish Vasudevan, the amicus curiae appointed in a batch of petitions seeking action against illegal displays in public spaces, roads and footpaths. HC further observed that it cannot comprehend how political parties, including those affiliated with the ruling govts at the state and Centre, continue to act in violation of court directions. "How they get the strength and courage to do this is startling, but it is only because they are aware that the system in charge may not be able to act against them," the court remarked. KSRTC's standing counsel submitted that the transport secretary has directed KSRTC managing director to remove all unauthorised boards, banners and festoons from KSRTC bus stations and shelters. However, it was pointed out that such steps are often met with resistance from trade unions. The counsel requested that the secretaries of the local self-govt institutions be empowered to remove such materials from KSRTC premises as well. HC sought the state's response to these suggestions. With regard to complaints registered in the K-SMART application concerning illegal boards and banners, the bench directed the local self-govt department secretary to file an audit report specifying the action taken in each of the complaints. HC adjourned the matter to next week.
Time of India
13-07-2025
- Time of India
School alumni association launches anti-drug initiative
Kochi: In a move aimed at combating drug abuse among schoolchildren, Bhavan's Elamakkara Old Students Association (BEOSA) launched its flagship anti-drug initiative, Poraattam, in an event held at Kadavanthra on Saturday. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The project was inaugurated by high court judge Justice Devan Ramachandran presided over by Kochi city commissioner Putta Vimaladitya. Poraattam marks a collaborative effort between BEOSA and project Venda, an initiative of Fourth Wave Foundation, which works closely with Kerala govt and schools to address the rising concern of substance abuse among students. According to BEOSA president Vinod Krishnan, there is an urgent need for collective action to protect the youth from the growing drug threat. "The project not only aims to raise awareness but also to build resilience among students and promote a drug-free school environment through sustained engagement," said Krishnan.
Time of India
03-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Explain steps planned to remove illegal boards and flags from KSRTC bus stands: Kerala HC to state govt
Kochi: High court has asked the state govt to inform the steps proposed to implement the court's order against the placement of illegal boards and flags within KSRTC bus station premises and other areas owned by the corporation. Justice Devan Ramachandran issued the directive while considering a report filed by Adv Harish Vasudevan, the amicus curiae appointed by HC in petitions seeking action against illegal boards, flags and festoons on public roads and footpaths. The report detailed the present condition of various KSRTC bus stations, including photographs showing illegal boards and flags placed on the premises in connection with the KSRTC referendum. The report further stated that KSRTC has not taken any action to remove the illegal flags, festoons, banners, hoardings, or flex boards from its premises. Vasudevan specifically cited the condition of the KSRTC bus station in Ernakulam, which is flooded with flags and festoons of various political parties. Additionally, the amicus curiae pointed out that although transport minister K B Ganesh Kumar had publicly welcomed HC's judgment banning illegal boards, banners, flags and festoons in public spaces, the order is yet to be implemented by the govt and its agencies. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Secure Your Child's Future with Strong English Fluency Planet Spark Learn More Undo Accordingly, the bench asked the state govt to detail the steps it intends to take to implement HC's order with respect to KSRTC bus station premises. The counsel for KSRTC sought additional time to file a response, and HC adjourned the matter to Thursday.
