Latest news with #Hemalatha
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE How a mother-of-two mysteriously disappeared from her £1m home on the day of a family holiday... the truth was 'devastating'
Mr Jayaprakash visibly shakes as he relives the moment he found out why his wife Hemalatha had suddenly disappeared on the day of a family holiday. The couple had been due to travel to a Manchester Airport hotel for an overnight stay ahead of catching a flight the following morning to visit relatives in their native India. But as they busily packed their suitcases at their £1m detached home in Great Barr, on the outskirts of Birmingham, Hemalatha told him she needed to go out. She drove off in her Land Rover saying she was going to view offices of a new workplace, as she had previously been made redundant from her job but had told her husband she had secure a new one. But the mother-of-two was not driving to meet new work colleagues, she was rushing to attend a crown court trial - her own. Unknown to her loving husband and two adult children, Hemalatha had stolen £166k from her boss in a long-term fraud. But while Mr Jayaprakash prepared for their holiday, his wife had been appearing in the dock at Birmingham Crown Court where she pleaded guilty to fraud and abuse of position. Hemalatha seemed to be hoping she could avoid a custodial sentence without ever having to tell her family. But she was wrong. The fraudster office worker was jailed for two years and three months and was heard 'wailing' as she was led to the cells. Meanwhile her frantic family were out searching for her, fearing she may have been involved in a road accident. Speaking on the doorstep of his home this week, Mr Jayaprakash told MailOnline: 'It is beyond belief and we are absolutely shattered. 'It is devastating to all our family and friends.' Mr Jayaprakash revealed how the family searched local areas and even visited hospitals looking for Hemalatha. They eventually dialled police in desperation, reporting her as a missing person. The family only found out she had been jailed later that night at 10.30pm - more than 12 hours after she had vanished - when her former boss posted news of her conviction and sentence on a community Facebook page. Distraught Mr Jayaprakash said: 'We weren't aware of any of this, it is such a difficult time for the family. We had absolutely no idea. 'My wife didn't need the money and we are trying to find out what really happened, and maybe she was coerced by someone. 'We don't have any money issues, we are not struggling financially, so why would she do this. 'We cannot comprehend this, it is beyond belief and we are totally shattered and devastated. It is such a shock.' It was heard in court that Jayaprakash lived in a £1million home and had a rental property empire. The 44-year-old had worked at city centre-based Northwood estate agents for 12 years but made dozens of illegal transfers from business and client accounts to herself. She claimed she used some of the money to pay her child's school fees and help relatives in India who lost their homes due to flooding. Nin Rehal, who founded the business and was managing director, said he had been left devastated by her betrayal, having learned she also took money while he was out of the office caring for his terminally-ill mother. She had been hired in 2012 as an accounts manager before becoming office manager and then a personal assistant to the director. A £26,000 discrepancy was discovered when Mr Rehal sold the business in December 2023 and the accounts were examined. It transpired payments had been made to non-existent landlords to the same bank account, which was revealed as Jayaprakash's account when she submitted an expenses claim. She was suspended in March last year but claimed she had paid £29,000 into the business herself in 2019. Richard Davenport, prosecuting, told the hearing: 'The defendant said she was paying herself back for the money she provided the business in 2019. 'She also said she had stolen £55,000 and offered to repay the money. 'That amount was a vast understatement of the amount she had actually stolen.' It was established Jayaprakash had actually taken £167,062.68 over 158 transactions between January 2021 and March 2024. She was ultimately dismissed. The court was told Jayaprakash had repaid most of the stolen money, but Mr Rehal said he had not received anything himself because funds had been withheld from the sale of the business. In a victim impact statement he drew attention to a £6,480 sum she stole when he was out of office due to his mother dying less than 24 hours earlier. He stated: 'This is the level of greed and deception and betrayal we are dealing with.' He recalled how Jayaprakash turned up to his mother's funeral with 'flowers in hand.' Mr Rehal said her fraud had caused him 'immense' distress and 'devastating' financial losses. He told told the court that he had to release equity from his family home to make ends meet, including supporting his two children at university. He added: 'Meanwhile Mrs Jayaprakash resides in a £1m property, purchased outright in 2018, and benefits from income generated by a portfolio of at least eight rental properties.' Samreen Akhtar, defending, said: 'This wasn't committed by a lady living a lavish lifestyle. 'The money stolen was used to pay for her child's school fees and sent to relatives in India who had lost their livelihoods (due to flooding). 'Nevertheless she doesn't seek to minimise the offences and she is aware the victim is in the public gallery and wishes me to apologise to them through me today.' She told the court Jayaprakash had a computer science degree and hoped to get a job in the IT industry, having resigned from another estate agent job that morning due to the 'stress of these proceedings'. Ms Akhtar added: 'She resides with her husband and two children, both adults. 'Her family members are regrettably unaware (of her conviction). She has had no support in terms of these proceedings.' But Recorder Amy Jackson expressed 'scepticism' at being told Jayaprakash had managed to swiftly repay £126,000 of the stolen money through sales of land and property in India. She said: 'Everything I have read about this lady takes me to the belief she is from an affluent background where she ought not to need to steal to fund a lifestyle and effectively does lead a lavish lifestyle. 'This was pure greed.' Passing sentence the judge said: 'This was a long-running and significant fraud and abuse of trust.' Jayaprakash remained motionless as she was told she was being jailed immediately and would serve up to 40 per cent of the 27-month term in custody. But she was heard crying in anguish after being led out of the dock and down to the cells. A Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) hearing to determine confiscation, costs and compensation was adjourned until August 26. Mr Jayaprakash told MailOnline that his wife was a 'respectable lady' who didn't need any extra money, and the family was now having 'such a difficult time.' He doubted she was leading a double life. On the day of her court hearings he explained: 'We were doing our packing, 'I was aware my wife had applied for another job and she said she had got it. 'If I knew my wife was in any financial difficultly and needed any money I would have helped her. 'We have not been struggling financially.' Mr Jayaprakash told how they had bought their home for £540,000 seven years ago. The large property, adorned with garden sculptures, is named Gleneagles after the renewed luxury Scottish county, golfing and spa retreat. Asked if his wife had spent the stolen money on private school fees, he replied: 'No, my daughter went to a fee paying school and I paid for that.' Quizzed if she had given cash to struggling relatives in India, as she had suggested, he responded: 'We checked with family and they have not received a penny from her.' He admitted the case was 'baffling' as well as distressing. Asked if his wife may have been hiding a secret health battle, which she could have needed funding for, he said: 'No, not that I aware of. She was physically and mentally well and in a good state of health. 'It there was any problem I would have helped her.' He believes she may have been 'coerced' into illegal activity. Mr Jayaprakash told how his wife had been suspended from her star agent Jon in around 2014/2015 with her boss saying she was 'not fit for purpose.' He said: 'It appears she was not doing her job properly but within in a few weeks he took her back, the same post but with a bigger salary. 'She was accounts manager.' On the day she disappeared, he told how he rang the police to report his wife missing. Unbeknown to him she had driven her car into the city centre to attend her court hearing. Her vehicle, more than a week later, is still parked up with her husband not being able to retrieve it becaue her keys have been retained by the prison and have not yet been returned to him for removal. Mr Jayaprakash told how family and friends were helping him support him through this 'horrendous' ordeal. He said his wife was not coping well in prison and during brief phone calls to her she kept saying 'I'm sorry, I'm sorry;' but with no explanation and cannot say why. 'She's not in a good place, the court case and sentence has taken its toll on her, and her family. 'It has had such an impact on all our lives. 'Friends and neighbours who are now aware are trying tio be supportive but it is such a difficult time.' The traumatised husband is due to visit his caged wife for the first time this week, saying: 'I've not seem her since she left our house when I thought we were going in holiday, and still all our packed bags are left in the house. 'Her sentence was very harsh, and I think charges against her may have been spiced up. 'If anything she should have been given a suspended sentence and not jailed. 'She's not a killer!' He continued: 'We are trying to piece together what happened, because we are shattered. 'Her former boss was a bit of a character and I have a strong feeling he may be involved if there was any wrong doing and spiced things up 'I have my suspicions.' Shocked neighbours also had 'no idea' of her jailing. A woman living next door, who declined to be named, told MailOnline: 'I am absolutely shocked, God, I had no idea. 'She was a very kind person and she cooked me meals at times, she was so kind, 'I have been around to her house, we were not close friends but good neighbours.' She added: 'On reflection she hadn't been in the best of health, she hadn't been very unwell but she has the cough-cold virus, as we all do.
The Hindu
28-05-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Close to 5,000 saplings planted on Kallankadu forest growing steadily
About 5,000 saplings which were planted at Kallankadu forest block in Rameswaram island in the last rainy season under the Green Tamil Nadu Mission Forest Department have witnessed a steady growth owing to the water storage mechanisms and utilisation of local people for maintenance. As the Prosopis juliflora (Seemai Karuvelam) trees are invasive species, a removal drive has become a buzz word in the entire State. The vacant lands left after the removal of the invasive plants were thought to be reused for increasing the forest cover, said S. Hemalatha, District Forest Officer, Ramanathapuram. More than any other district, the excess growth of invasive species in Ramanathapuram district - reeling under an acute water shortage for several years - has become the major reason for the dehydration observed in the land, she added. By removing Prosopis juliflora and planting the native species on the land, the groundwater recharge would significantly improve in addition to improving the biodiversity of the area, she noted. 'While the removal of the species was carried out by many districts, the planting of saplings on the barren land was an initiative taken by the forest department under the Green Tamil Nadu Mission,' Ms. Hemalatha observed. Speaking about the earmarked area for ecological reforestation at Kallankadu main forest block in Rameswaram island, she said that on the 50 hectares, which was found with a dense growth of Prosopis juliflora, and after clearance with the assistance of Mangadu village women, about 5,000 native variety species were planted in the area. 'As the saplings were grown to a certain stage for about one year in a nursery, the growth and adaptation of the plants would be better when transformed to the land,' she noted. On water supply to the plants, Ms. Hemalatha said that many mini wells were kept ready in the area to store rainwater and once the water supply through the rain stops, the stored water would be utilised for the plants. With a remuneration, the nearby village women were given the responsibility to water and maintain the plants till the plants reached a certain height, she said. In addition, the women would also be monitoring the regrowth of Prosopis juliflora and regularly clearing them, she added. In a similar way, on 22 hectares of land from Rameswaram to Danushkodi, under the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) mechanism, about 7,000 saplings were planted in a similar way, she stated. In Sayalkudi too, on 7 hectares of land, 2,000 saplings had been planted, she added.
Time of India
24-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Evolve mechanism to address grievances in fin fraud cases: HC
Madurai: Madras high court has observed that the govt has to evolve a mechanism to ensure that the grievances of victims in financial fraud cases are addressed and the object of Tamil Nadu Protection of Interests of Depositors (TNPID) Act, 1997, is achieved. The court was hearing a petition seeking a direction to Economic Offences Wing (EOW) officials in Trichy district to file a final report in a financial fraud case. Petitioner Hemalatha, a teacher, invested money in a company called Sparrow Global Trade. The company lured her and several others to invest in the firm for huge returns and cheated them. She stated that though the case was registered in 2022, the final report has not been filed yet. Deputy superintendent of police, EOW Trichy, submitted before the court that Raja alias Alagarsamy, along with other accused, ran various shell companies including Elfin E Com Private Ltd. Their modus operandi was to lure the public to deposit money by advertising various delusive high-yielding investment schemes and cheat them. Justice B Pugalendhi observed that though properties worth about Rs139 crore were identified, they are yet to be attached by officials. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like เทรดทองCFDs ด้วยค่าสเปรดที่ต่ำที่สุด IC Markets สมัคร Undo So far, more than 7,000 people have lost crores of rupees deposited in Elfin Group Companies. It was quite unusual that the common man was approached easily by the company, and the EOW was not aware of such an activity. Mere registration of FIR in financial fraud cases would not serve any purpose since the object of TNPID Act is to ensure that the victims got back their money. The judge observed that the state is expected to investigate and prosecute cases on behalf of the victim. But the delays in this case as well as in other cases raise a question on the purpose for which these prosecutions have been made. The cases are pending from the FIR stage itself and it is not known as to when the final report would be filed and whether the victim would reap any benefit. "The govt has to evolve a mechanism to ensure that the grievances of the victims are addressed and the object of the Act is achieved. This court hopes and trusts that the govt would address the issue, in the right spirit," the judge observed. The judge directed that the investigation agency conclude the investigation as expeditiously as possible.
The Hindu
24-05-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Conclude probe in financial fraud case as expeditiously as possible, HC tells EOW
The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has directed the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) to conclude the investigation in a financial fraud case involving Elfin E Com and its sister concerns as expeditiously as possible. The court was hearing a petition filed by Hemalatha. The petitioner said she and her associates had invested ₹5.45 crore in Sparrow Global Trade, a real estate firm. The depositors were promised huge returns for their investments. However, the company cheated them. The grievance of the petitioner was that though the complaint was registered in 2022, the final report had not been filed till date. Hence, she filed the petition seeking a direction to the authorities to file the final report within a stipulated time limit. The Additional Public Prosecutor submitted that similar applications had been filed by other victims and the case was transferred from the District Crime Branch, Sivaganga, to the Economic Offence Wing, Tiruchi. A Special Investigation Team had been formed. A status report filed before the court said Raja alias Alagarsamy and other accused ran several shell companies, namely Elfin E Com, Elfin Results, Sparrow Global Trade, Sparrow Realty, Elfin Promoters and Sparrow Tourism. By advertising various delusive high-yielding investment schemes, the accused lured the public to deposit money in the schemes and cheated them. Justice B. Pugalendhi observed that though properties worth about ₹139 crore had been identified, they were yet to be attached and realised. It appeared that more than 7,000 people (so far identified) had lost their money in Elfin Group of Companies. The companies had lured the depositors by promising huge returns for their deposits. The objective of the Tamil Nadu Protection of Interests of Depositors (In Financial Establishments) Act was to ensure that the victims got back their money. The government had to evolve a mechanism to ensure that the grievances of the victims were addressed and the objective of the Act was achieved, the court observed.
Hans India
22-05-2025
- Health
- Hans India
District nodal officer inspects outreach medical camp at Pasupula village
Kurnool: District nodal officer Dr Raghu conducted an inspection of the mobile medical camp held at the village secretariat of Pasupula on Wednesday, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Gargeyapuram Primary Health Centre in Kurnool district. As part of the visit, Dr Raghu created awareness among pregnant and postpartum women about the importance of immunization. He emphasized that administering vaccines from birth up to five years of age helps protect children from several life-threatening diseases. He advised mothers to ensure that their children receive all scheduled vaccinations on time, as this significantly strengthens immunity and helps maintain overall health by preventing infections. Focusing on the Measles-Rubella (MR) vaccine, Dr Raghu highlighted that the first dose (Dose-1) should be given to children between 9 and 12 months of age, and the second dose (Dose-2) should be administered between 16 and 24 months. He stated that timely MR vaccination boosts immunity in children and protects them from future infections. He also instructed the staff to diligently record all vaccinations as per the schedule for children at ages 5, 10, and 16 years. Additionally, he directed that pregnant women must be provided with two doses of the Tetanus and Diphtheria (TD) vaccine, along with iron supplements. Medical officer Dr Hemalatha, PHN Hanumanthamma, supervisor Nagamani, village secretariat health worker Elizabeth, ASHA workers, and projectionist Khaleel participated in the program.
