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The Hindu
9 hours ago
- Health
- The Hindu
Judge expresses concerns over youth falling prey to cancer owing to tobacco use
A significant number of young people are succumbing to cancer as a result of tobacco and smoking addictions, said senior civil judge and District Legal Services Authority member-secretary Srinivas Navale. Speaking at an event commemorating World No Tobacco Day at Siddhartha Law College in Kalaburagi on Saturday, he described the trend as deeply concerning. The programme, held under the theme 'Attractive Products, Deadly Intentions', was jointly organised by the district administration, the zilla panchayat, the District Legal Services Authority, the district Health and Family Welfare Department, the district tobacco control cell, the National Oral Health Programme, and the NSS unit of Siddhartha Law College. After inaugurating the event by lighting the ceremonial lamp, Mr. Navale expressed concerns over young people increasingly falling prey to the tobacco menace, even after witnessing the visible distress faced by families when their children fall into harmful habits. 'Families are pushed into severe financial crisis and emotional turmoil, yet many youth remain unaware of the dangers. Scientific studies have shown that tobacco contains high levels of nicotine, a harmful component linked to cancer. The Supreme Court intervened and mandated that warning labels highlighting the adverse effects of tobacco be printed on product packaging,' he remarked, recalling how tobacco was first introduced to India by the Portuguese, and its consumption spread rapidly thereafter. Urging students to steer clear of all vices, he emphasised the importance of knowledge and healthy living. 'Health is wealth,' he reminded the gathering. Sharanabasappa Khyatanal, district health and family welfare officer, warned of the grave health risks posed by tobacco and cigarette consumption. 'Youngsters today are often influenced by film celebrities and are drawn into harmful habits. All departments must work together to raise awareness and build a healthier society,' he said. Presiding over the event, Shantappa Sooran, general secretary of K.P.E. Society, Kalaburagi, called upon the youth to refrain from developing addictions and advised schools, colleges, and universities to educate students about the consequences of tobacco use. Rakesh Kamble, district tobacco control officer, accused tobacco companies of using harmful substances and aggressive marketing tactics to increase sales and urged the government to take strict action to curb such practices. As part of the World No Tobacco Day observance, Aarthi Dhanushree led participants in a pledge against tobacco use. Chandrashekhar Sheelavant, principal of Siddhartha Law College, delivered the welcome address. Winner of various competitions organised to raise awareness about the adverse impacts of tobacco use — Syed Thaher Fatima, Prashant S., and and Sushma B.M. — were honoured with prizes. N.V. Noothan School was awarded for excellence in the slogan competition.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Corruption a disease dangerous than cancer: Justice Veerappa
Mandya: Upa Lokayukta Justice B Veerappa on Wednesday declared that corruption is "a disease more dangerous than cancer." He stressed that, unlike cancer, which can often be treated, corruption corrodes the very moral fabric of society and resists cure. Speaking at the public grievance redressal programme, he emphasised that corruption weakens governance, erodes public trust, and dishonours the values. While noting that over 80% of the Indian population is now educated, he expressed concern that too few people understand or uphold the values enshrined in the Constitution. More than 400 complaints were received at the event. Encouraging citizens to act against wrongdoing, Justice Veerappa said, "Every individual has the right to approach the Lokayukta. Use that right fearlessly to report injustice or corruption." Also present at the event were Lokayukta additional registrar Srinivas, District Legal Services Authority secretary Anand, deputy commissioner Kumara, zilla panchayat CEO KR Nandini, superintendent of police Mallikarjun Baladandi, Lokayukta SP Suresh Babu, and additional deputy commissioner BC Shivananda Murthy.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
HC warns against private citizens representing litigants, cites ethical & legal risks
Chandigarh: The Punjab and Haryana high court has made it clear that allowing a private citizen to represent a relief-seeker before the court can prove to be unethical at multiple levels. "First and foremost, placing the fate of a person's life into the untrained hands of an individual could yield immutable consequences. In fact, the same would amount to placing a wager, with a human life at stake," the HC has held. The HC has further observed that in such a situation, advocates are trained professionals who can be held accountable for their conduct as they are also liable for disciplinary actions for any professional misconduct. The legal training imparted to them enables them to represent their client in the best possible manner. Furthermore, they are required to abide by a certain code of ethics as they are not just representing their client but are also duty bound to assist the court in arriving at a correct decision, the HC has held. Justice Harpreet Singh Brar has passed the orders while dismissing a petition filed by Manjeet Singh seeking bail in a drug case registered against him in Jalandhar. During the hearing of the case, one Pardeep Kumar appeared in person on behalf of the petitioner and submitted that he, being a public-spirited individual, has been authorised by the mother of the petitioner to represent him. He contended that according to the rules framed by the HC under Section 46-A of the Punjab Courts Act, 1918, he is eligible to file a petition as he falls within the definition of a 'petition writer.' However, rejecting his plea, Justice Brar observed that a bare perusal of the abovementioned provisions indicates that by default, only advocates can appear before the court and practise law. The court further observed that section 32 of the Advocates Act, 1961 does provide for private citizens to appear before the court, however, the same is qualified by a prior permission from the court. "The present petition pertains to grant of regular bail to the petitioner. The decision of the same would have direct implications on the liberty of the petitioner, therefore, he deserves to be represented by a domain expert, who will be held accountable for any laxity on his part. With that in view, this court is not satisfied with the arguments put forth by Pardeep Kumar, to be allowed to represent the petitioner. As a matter of fact, he has not even been engaged by the petitioner himself but has appeared at the request of his mother. Therefore, it cannot be reasonably said that the petitioner has consented to being represented by him, observed the judge while dismissing the plea. The bench, however, has directed the District Legal Services Authority, Jalandhar, to facilitate filing of a fresh petition for the grant of regular bail to the petitioner.
Time of India
24-05-2025
- Time of India
Man gets life term for raping, killing minor girl
Ara: The court of additional district and sessions Judge-6-cum-special judge for POCSO Act cases, Arvind Kumar Singh, on Saturday sentenced 35-year-old Narayan Shah alias Vakil Shah to life imprisonment for the rape and murder of a 10-year-old girl from Ara town. "The court also imposed a fine of Rs 1.25 lakh on the convicted person," said Saroj Kumari, special public prosecutor (PP) for POCSO cases. "Under the provisions of speedy trial, the judgment was delivered within five months of the incident," the PP added. Providing further details, Kumari said, "The incident occurred on Dec 16, 2024, when the 10-year-old girl had gone out to buy flour. She was called to his house on some pretext by her neighbour, Narayan Shah, where she was raped and brutally murdered by strangulation." The accused was arrested from his residence the same day and an FIR was lodged at Ara town police station on Dec 17, 2024. Charges were framed against him on Jan 24, 2025 and the verdict followed within four months. "The prosecution presented 12 witnesses during the trial," Kumari said. The court directed that 80% of the fine imposed on the convict be paid to the victim's mother. It also instructed the District Legal Services Authority to provide an additional compensation of Rs 10 lakh to the victim's family.
Time of India
24-05-2025
- Time of India
Man aquitted 43 years after being convicted for murder
1 2 3 Lucknow: Convicted in a murder case in 1982, a Kaushambi resident walked out of jail early this week after being acquitted by Allahabad high court. His Aadhaar and jail records reveals that the accused, Lakhan Saroj, is 103-year-old, but advocate Man Mohan Mishra, who acted as an amicus curiae in the case, told TOI that Saroj could be approximately 80, going by his age mentioned in the FIR lodged in the case in 1977, just after the commission of alleged crime. Lakhan was acquitted by the high court on May 2, 2025 — a verdict that came decades after his arrest and conviction, and after three of his co-accused died waiting for justice. Saroj has been lodged in Kaushambi jail since 2015 after he was re-arrested on an NBW issued by the high court for defying bail terms. Lakhan, a resident of Gauraye village in Uttar Pradesh's Kaushambi district, was serving a life sentence for the killing of one Prabhu Saroj during a clash between two groups on August 16, 1977. He was arrested shortly after the incident and remained in judicial custody until 1982, when the district and sessions court in Prayagraj sentenced him and three others to life imprisonment. He moved high court after being convicted in 1982 and remained at large on bail till 2015, Mishra said, adding "his total period of incarceration could be around 11-12 years." His release was made possible through the efforts of the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), which pursued his case and ensured his safe release after the high court overturned his conviction. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với mức chênh lệch giá thấp nhất IC Markets Đăng ký Undo "Following the court order and with the cooperation of the jail superintendent, Lakhan was released from Kaushambi District Jail. We ensured he was safely escorted to his daughter's home in the Sharira police station area," said additional district judge Poornima Pranjal, Secretary of the DLSA. For his daughter, who received him at the prison gates with tears in her eyes, the reunion was bittersweet. Sources privy to the investigation said that Lakhan's arrest was part of a broader crackdown on a violent village feud that escalated during the 1970s. Over the years, questions arose about the reliability of witness testimonies and procedural lapses in the case. The high court, after re-evaluating the evidence, found no solid ground to uphold the conviction. Recalling his years behind bars, Lakhan said he was never forced to do any prison labour due to his age. "I was old, so they didn't assign me any work. I lived peacefully with the other inmates," he said. Lakhan spent three years in Naini Central Jail from 2015 onward. During this period, his son Surjabali made no effort to secure his release. It was his daughters who hired a lawyer and eventually got him bail. "I had no knowledge of the court process," Lakhan confessed, underscoring his complete lack of legal awareness. This lack of awareness often led to trouble. Lakhan missed several court dates simply because he did not understand the procedure. As a result, warrants were issued repeatedly, but police could not locate him as he was not living at his registered address. Initially, the case was between Lakhan and his rivals. However, after the Sessions Court trial, the other party gradually withdrew. Eventually, the case transformed into "Lakhan vs. State." Meanwhile, most of those who filed the original FIR passed away. Kallu and Kaleshar, two key individuals from the other side, died over the years, while Deshraj is now bedridden and unable to move. Even after being acquitted by the high court, Lakhan remained in jail for nearly 20 more days. When asked about the delay, judge Poornima Pranjal said, "The release order (parwana) didn't reach the district jail on time. A prisoner cannot be released without that document." As soon as they learned of the delay, officials intervened. Since Lakhan's trial was conducted at the CJM Court in Prayagraj, they coordinated with the court to confirm his acquittal. "The release order was signed, but due to a technical error, it wasn't uploaded in time. That's why he had to stay 20 more days in jail," she said. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Brother's Day wishes , messages and quotes !
