Latest news with #JusticeVGArun
Time of India
23-06-2025
- Time of India
Police have no right to knock on a history-sheeter's doors at odd hours: Kerala HC
Kochi: High court has held that police have no right to knock on the doors of suspected persons or history-sheeters under the guise of surveillance. "Every man's house is his castle or temple, the sanctity of which cannot be vilified by knocking on the door at odd hours," the court observed. It further stated that the right to life under Article 21 encompasses the right to live with dignity, and dignity is non-negotiable. Justice V G Arun issued the ruling while allowing a petition filed by C Prasath of Mundamveli in Kochi, seeking to quash a case alleging that he obstructed police officers from Thoppumpady police station from discharging their duty. According to police, they knocked on the petitioner's door at 1.30am on April 3 as part of a night check on rowdy history sheeters. Prasath allegedly refused to open the door and also abused and intimidated police. The petitioner, however, stated that he is not a history sheeter and, even otherwise, police have no authority to conduct night-time domicile visits. He also highlighted a history of police harassment, including a false Pocso case in which he was acquitted, and an earlier petition filed against police officers that led to an ongoing inquiry by the home department. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo He contended that the present case was a retaliatory move to derail that inquiry. The public prosecutor submitted that the petitioner's name appears in the rowdy history sheet maintained by Thoppumpady police and that his refusal to step out and his alleged intimidation constituted an offence. However, the court noted that the Police Manual only permits 'informal watching' or 'close watch' of history sheeters — neither of which includes knocking on doors at night. Quashing the case against the petitioner, HC emphasised that knocking on the door of a history sheeter at midnight and demanding that he step out of his house cannot, by any stretch of the imagination, be considered a lawful directive.
India Today
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- India Today
Kerala High Court refuses to quash cheating case against Manjummel Boys producers
In a development that spells legal trouble for the makers of the blockbuster Malayalam film 'Manjummel Boys', the Kerala High Court declined to quash criminal proceedings in a cheating case filed against them. The court, through a single bench headed by Justice VG Arun, also made it clear that the investigation into the matter may petition was filed by actor and producer Soubin Shahir along with fellow producers Babu Shahir and Shawn Antony, who jointly produced Manjummel Boys under the banner of Parava Films. The court dismissed their plea, paving the way for the case to proceed through the criminal justice case was registered by Kochi Maradu police based on a complaint by Siraj Valiyathara Hameed, a resident of Aroor. Siraj alleged that the producers had assured him a 40 per cent profit share in exchange for an investment of Rs 7 crore towards the production of Manjummel Boys. Despite the film becoming a box-office success, he claimed that he had not received the promised share of the profits. In response, the producers contended that Siraj had failed to remit the agreed investment on time, causing disruptions to the film's shooting schedule and resulting in delays. The complaint was taken up by the police following directions from the Judicial First Class Magistrate Court in in 2024, Manjummel Boys has become the second highest-grossing Malayalam film in history. The court's decision means the allegations surrounding its financing and profit distribution will now continue to be scrutinised by investigating IN THIS STORY#Kerala
Time of India
21-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Crew change services at Vizhinjam port unlikely to be restored
Thiruvananthapuram: In a major setback to the future prospects of crew change services at the Vizhinjam port, a minor port managed by the Kerala Maritime Board (KMB), high court (HC) dismissed the writ petition filed by Vizhinjam Steamer Agents Association seeking restoration of controlled services. The dismissal of the petition was a huge blow for local shipping agents who operated such services between June 2020 and July 2022. The petition challenged an order issued by the Bureau of Immigration that withdrew permission for crew change operations from the port's inner and outer anchorages due to security reasons. However, the steamer agents' association is set to file an appeal with the HC division bench after receiving a legal opinion. The judgment was delivered by Justice VG Arun on Monday. In their plea, the petitioners argued that Vizhinjam port's status as an authorised immigration check post and its designation as an international crew change terminal by the KMB gave them the right to continue such services. They contended that withdrawing the facility disrupted a vital economic activity and infringed on their fundamental right to conduct business. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trending in in 2025: Local network access control [Click Here] Esseps Learn More Undo However, the court ruled that the earlier permissions for crew change were temporary measures tied to Covid-19 protocols. Once these protocols were lifted, operations at outer anchorages needed to conform to the visa manual, which restricts such activity to emergency situations unless explicit permission is granted by immigration authorities. Justice Arun emphasised that security concerns and national sovereignty outweigh commercial interests. The court also pointed out that Vizhinjam port received its compliance certification under the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code only in June 2023, after the crew change permissions were already revoked. "The withdrawal of the exemption granted during the pandemic period will not give rise to any cause of action to an association of steamer agents or its members. Their business interests cannot override the security of the nation," the court stated. According to KMB chairman NS Pillai, the state govt was keen on restoring the crew change services at the port. "Even chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan wrote to the Union home minister seeking approval to restore crew change here. However, the Centre rejected it, citing that crew change was only a temporary activity necessitated due to the pandemic. We cannot allow the crew change at the outer anchorage due to security reasons. Not only Vizhinjam, but no other ports in the country allow crew change now due to the Centre's stringent policies. However, the crew change can be done in medical emergencies," Pillai told TOI. Expressing disappointment with the verdict, petitioner and Vizhinjam Steamer Agents Association secretary Jude Sajith D'Cruz, said, "This decision has come as a blow to the hundreds of workers and stakeholders who depended on the crew change operations at Vizhinjam. We believe the port has the infrastructure, proximity to internal shipping channels and regulatory backing to continue such services safely. It is not only a loss for us, but for the state govt too," D'Cruz said. Controlled sign-on and sign-off procedures were permitted at the port's anchorage areas to facilitate seafarers stuck at sea due to lockdown restrictions. However, this permission was rescinded by the Bureau of Immigration in July 2022, following the withdrawal of all pandemic-related standard operating procedures by the Directorate General of Shipping.
