Latest news with #KeralaAnti-SocialActivities(Prevention)Act
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New Indian Express
4 days ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Leniency for convicts, misuse of UAPA draw flak at CPI conference
PATHANAMTHITTA: In a strong critique of the state home department, the district conference of the CPI in Pathanamthitta has raised concerns over the misuse of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and the provision of 'lenient conditions' for high-profile jail convicts including Kodi Suni, the prime accused in the T P Chandrasekharan murder. The political report, presented at the three-day meet being held in Konni, asked the ruling front to ensure fairness in the system. CPI state secretary Binoy Viswam, in his address, also took aim at the home department, cautioning the LDF government against the indiscriminate use of UAPA. Referring to the cases of Alan Shuhaib and Taha Fazal, Viswam said: 'Cases can be registered when there are valid reasons, but the government should not appear as one that keeps people in jail indefinitely under UAPA. That is the CPI policy.' He also cited the plight of Maoist leader Roopesh, who reportedly had to go on a hunger strike to publish a book, despite the Supreme Court having affirmed prisoners' right to do so. 'Kerala should not become a state that permanently detains citizens. CPI cannot accept this. UDF and BJP can do it, the Left government should not,' he stressed. The report highlighted that top police officers like ADGP Ajith Kumar are even disregarding ministerial directives. The report further criticised nepotism in Kudumbashree-linked appointments and warned that political welcoming of those accused under the Kerala Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act (KAAPA) and even POCSO could trigger public backlash. While acknowledging significant modernisation in the health sector, the CPI report called for better administrative discipline at the senior level. 'Kudumbashree is a major women's empowerment initiative, but placing its members directly in government departments without going through PSC (Public Service Commission) or employment exchange can raise fairness concerns and affect departmental functioning. Strong financial discipline is essential to avoid irregularities,' the report noted. Environmental concerns — including quarrying, soil removal, and paddy field reclamation — were also flagged, with the party calling for tighter vigil. The report also criticised the functioning of the animal husbandry department. On the national front, the CPI accused the RSS of attempting to portray itself as the 'apostles of the country' while glorifying leaders like Vinayak Savarkar 'who apologised to the British six times'. It also warned against Christian priests maintaining ties with the BJP, saying 'wolves in sheep's clothing' must be identified. The district meet will conclude on Saturday.
Time of India
10-08-2025
- Time of India
Rash driving by private buses in Kochi: Section 106(2) delay weakens road safety push
Kochi: A city police report submitted to the high court a few days ago called for urgent action to tackle the public safety threat posed by private bus drivers with serious criminal backgrounds, including narcotics-related charges. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The report revealed that in the three weeks preceding its submission, 40 cases were registered against drivers for operating vehicles under the influence of alcohol or drugs. P J Anoop of Palluruthy, accused in a fatal crash at Menka bus stop, faces 11 criminal cases, and proceedings under the Kerala Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act (Kaapa) have been initiated agianst him. Police records show that he is a repeat offender, with cases under the NDPS Act, Indian Penal Code (IPC), Kerala Police Act, and Motor Vehicles Act, registered at stations including Palluruthy, Thoppumpady, and Traffic West. Another driver, Benny Emmanuel of Ernakulam, faces nine criminal cases. Former director general of prosecution T Asaf Ali told TOI that although the IPC has been replaced by the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), a key provision—Section 106(2)—which penalises causing death by rash and negligent driving followed by absconding without reporting, has not yet been enforced. Under the old IPC, Section 304A prescribed imprisonment of up to two years for causing death by a rash or negligent act not amounting to culpable homicide. The BNS raises the stakes: Section 106(2) allows imprisonment of up to 10 years. But since it remains unenforced, authorities currently invoke Section 106(1)—a bailable offence carrying a maximum penalty of five years' simple imprisonment. Ali stressed that immediate implementation of Section 106(2) is essential to provide a stronger deterrent against dangerous driving.
Time of India
08-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Extortion TWIST in Balachandra Menon case; Actress Minu Muneer's lawyer arrested
(Picture Courtesy: Facebook) The Kochi Cyber Police have arrested Sangeeth Louis, a lawyer and filmmaker from Kollam in the ongoing extortion case involving actor-filmmaker Balachandra Menon . He is accused of attempting to extort money from Balachandra Menon by allegedly threatening to publicize fabricated allegations. Lawyer held in extortion case against veteran actor As reported by Asianet News, the arrest was made from his residence in Ayyanthole, Thrissur. Sangeeth is the second accused in the case, following the earlier arrest of actress Minu Muneer, who was identified as the prime accused. Social media allegations led to legal showdown The controversy erupted in the wake of the Hema Committee report. It was when Minu Muneer took to social media to level serious allegations of sexual misconduct against Balachandra Menon. 'He Kissed Me Forcefully': Actress Minu Muneer's Bold Claims Against Top Malayalam Actors In response, Balachandra Menon filed a police complaint that accused her of making defamatory and obscene remarks. Minu was subsequently arrested and later released on bail by the High Court. However, the investigation continued which lead to Sangeeth's arrest. According to police, both Minu and Sangeeth were working together as part of a planned effort to intimidate and extort Menon. Adding to the twist, Sangeeth Louis is no stranger to controversy. Reportedly, the police revealed that he has been an accused in multiple cases. Sangeeth was even booked under the Kerala Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act (KAAPA). This happened in the year 2023. Despite these claims, Sangeeth insists his intentions were misunderstood. He told police that he merely informed Balachandra Menon about other actresses who were allegedly ready to testify against him. However, cyber police have reportedly recovered key data from both Sangeeth and Minu's phones that suggest coordinated attempts to extract money from the veteran actor. The extortion attempt dates back to September last year, and with Sangeeth now in custody, the case appears to be moving toward a deeper investigation.
Time of India
01-08-2025
- Time of India
Kaapa invoked against goon for repeated criminal activities
Thiruvananthapuram : Vanchiyoor police invoked certain sections of Kerala Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act (Kaapa) against notorious goon Rahul, 27, alias Urumees of Chirakulam Colony, for his continuous engagement in criminal activities. In April this year, Rahul was restricted from engaging in further criminal activities as per Section 15(1)(b) of Kaapa. However, in violation of this order, he, along with his gang, recently trespassed into a house and attacked a person. A new case was registered against him. Based on this case, Vanchiyoor police charged sections 15(4) and 19 of Kaapa against him. As per a report that he poses a threat to the public, police will soon send a proposal to the district collector to place him under preventive detention. Rahul is a rowdy history-sheeter at Thumba police station and is also accused in several criminal cases.
Time of India
17-07-2025
- Time of India
Murder case accused hacks witness for refusing to turn hostile in court
Thiruvananthapuram: A murder case accused and his aide hacked a witness in the case using a machete after he rejected their request to turn hostile in court during the trial. The incident happened on Wednesday. Shibili, 38, a resident of Beemapally, was beaten to death by two men in Aug 2024, during a drunken brawl. According to police, the main accused in the case Inaz, 22, of Beemapally, who recently came out of prison on bail, approached the witness, Riyaz, 30, of Muttathara, with a request to turn hostile in court. Inaz's friend, Pathan Faizal, 36, was also with him. When Riyaz rejected the request, the accused took out a machete and started hacking him. Riyaz was attacked on the head, neck and shoulder. Hearing the commotion, the locals alerted police. Riyaz was hospitalised by the police. Hours later police arrested Inaz and Faizal from their hiding place in Beemapally. They were remanded after being produced before a court on charges under BNS Section 109 for attempted murder and other relevant charges. "A court recently granted bail to Inaz in the murder case with the condition that he was not supposed to enter the district. As he violated this condition, his bail was automatically revoked. His continuing engagement in violence makes him fit to be charged under Kerala Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act (Kaapa). A proposal regarding this will soon be forwarded to the higher authorities," said police. Shibili and the accused were part of a criminal gang and there are several criminal cases against the accused as well as the deceased. Shibili was in jail for a year on Kaapa charges as well.
