Latest news with #Laila
The Hindu
a day ago
- The Hindu
After 25 years, Kerala woman cleared of corruption charges that tainted her 34-year government service
Twenty-five years is no small period in a lifetime; even more so in the career of a government servant with a service of 34 years. That is how long L. Laila, 69, a former assistant director with the Kerala agriculture department, had to wait for justice and be cleared of the 'corrupt' tag that turned her life and career into one running nightmare. When the Special Vigilance Court, Muvattupuzha, acquitted her of the corruption and forgery charges on May 25, 2025, quarter of a century later, it seemed more like the legal maxim, justice delayed is justice denied, taught the hard way. 'Of course, I am relieved, but it does not compensate for all the humiliation and mental anguish I had to go through and which I would not have survived without the support of my husband,' says Ms. Laila, sitting at her house at Piravom. She was booked under the Prevention of Corruption Act and the IPC sections for forgery and falsification of accounts for alleged misappropriation of ₹3.47 lakh while serving as assistant director of agriculture, Piravom, for three years from 1993. It came back to bite her later in 2000 when she was due for promotion. Not only was she denied promotion, but she was demoted as an agriculture officer, a post in which she started her service in 1978. A prolonged period of litigation ensued, initially in the Court of Enquiry Commissioner and Special Judge, Thrissur, and then before the Special Vigilance Court, Muvattupuzha. The case was that she misappropriated funds allotted for distribution to eight Krishi Bhavans under her jurisdiction by transferring them to a bank account in the name of the Assistant Agriculture Director, Piravom. 'An election was round the corner, and there was a direction to ensure that it didn't hamper the allotment of funds to important projects. I transferred the funds to the bank account to avoid a potential treasury ban. The funds were eventually transferred to all Krishi Bhavans,' Ms. Laila says. The Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) further investigated the case. A supplementary final report filed before the court on September 28, 2024, absolved Ms. Laila of causing any loss to the State exchequer. It had been 12 years since she had retired when that clean chit came, and her two children, who were school-going kids when her ordeal started, were now settled with good jobs as their mother finally stands vindicated. In the bargain, Ms. Laila lost two promotions, as deputy director and joint director, and related benefits worth lakhs in salary, increment and retirement benefits. She has already written to the Agriculture department requesting restoration of notional promotion and the related benefits. She is bracing for another round of litigation if that request is turned down.
The Hindu
2 days ago
- The Hindu
Former Agriculture dept. official acquitted after 25 years of litigation
The Special Vigilance Court, Muvattupuzha, has acquitted a former Agriculture department officer of corruption charges after the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) filed a supplementary final report stating that the accused had not committed any offence. L. Laila, 69, of Piravom, was acquitted after nearly 25 years of litigation following a discharge petition she had filed. She was accused of misappropriating ₹3.47 lakh of government funds through forgery while serving as Assistant Director, Piravom, between October 1, 1993, and October 30, 1996. Consequently, she was booked under the Prevention of Corruption Act and various provisions of the Indian Penal Code for criminal breach of trust, forgery, and falsification of accounts. In his verdict, Special Judge N.V. Raju observed that there was neither any material evidence to suggest that Ms. Laila had forged documents nor any instance of falsification of accounts, either in the VACB's final report or in the statements of witnesses. Ms. Laila was accused of misappropriating funds allotted for distribution to eight Krishi Bhavans under her jurisdiction by transferring them to a bank account in the name of the Assistant Director, Piravom, and to her personal account. The petitioner claimed that the transfer was made to overcome a treasury ban and that the funds were eventually distributed to the concerned Krishi Bhavans. In the supplementary final report, the VACB conceded that no loss was caused to the government, but stated that her act was, at best, a violation of the Kerala Financial Code and the Rules of the Treasury Code. She was represented by her counsel N.P. Thankachan. 'It is well settled that a mere violation of the rules of business does not amount to criminal misconduct unless there is evidence of gain made by the public servant or any other person through abuse of office or by criminal means. As already said, there is no misappropriation involved in this case,' the judge said. 'The supplementary report clearly exonerates the accused of the alleged offences, and hence the report is liable to be accepted,' the verdict said.
BBC News
2 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Spots of joy: Snow leopard cub born at UK Sanctuary
This tiny ball of fur, nicknamed Little Lady, was born at The Big Cat Sanctuary in Kent on 10 May. The snow leopard cub was born to mother Laila who is part of the sanctuary's breeding weighed just 630g when she had her first health check at five days old. Snow leopards are a vulnerable species Snow leopards are listed as vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) red list. There are an estimated 2,700 to 3,300 mature adults remaining in the change is having an impact on them, with a predicted loss of 30% of their habitat in the next 50 to 100 are also threatened by poachers who hunt them for the illegal wildlife trade. Conservationists say that breeding programmes are really important for the future of the species. Little Lady was born to Laila, who has lived at the sanctuary for a long time. This is her fourth litter as part of the sanctuary's breeding programme. She has previously had two male cubs, Koshi and Khumbu, in 2019 and another male cub, Shen, in 2021. Laila then became a mother to twins, Attan and Zaya (one male, one female), in 2023. The sanctuary are also praising Laila's primary trainer Simon Jackaman for the birth of Little say that the trust he built with her meant she let the vet do the ultrasound sessions voluntarily. Mr Jackaman said: "Snow leopards are naturally shy and elusive, so Laila amazed the sanctuary staff with her "calm nature" during the process."Little Lady is now doing really well under the care of Laila and the Big Cat Sanctuary team.
The Independent
2 days ago
- General
- The Independent
Watch: Rare snow leopard cub born in Kent following groundbreaking ultrasound
A rare snow leopard cub has been born at The Big Cat Sanctuary in Kent, marking what conservationists are calling an 'amazing achievement' in the effort to save this endangered species. The female cub, affectionately nicknamed 'Little Lady,' was born on May 10, following a groundbreaking ultrasound in April that confirmed mother Laila's pregnancy. Trainer Simon Jackaman, who spent months preparing Laila, said her calm and composed response defied expectations for such a famously shy species. 'Laila has had a special place in my heart for many years and to see her become a mum for the fourth time is truly heartwarming,' said Jackaman. Little Lady is the newest addition to Laila's growing family and the younger sister to three previous cubs.
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- General
- Daily Mail
What a lovely Little Lady! Kent animal sanctuary announces birth of sweet snow leopard cub
An endangered snow leopard cub has been welcomed to the world in an animal sanctuary in Kent. Little Lady was born at The Big Cat Sanctuary to mum Laila on May 10 weighing just 630g (1lb 6oz) at her first health check when she was five days old. Her successful birth follows months of work by primary trainer Simon Jackaman, who built the trust necessary for Laila to voluntarily participate in ultrasound sessions conducted by the sanctuary's veterinarian, Valerie Freeman. Snow leopards are naturally shy and elusive, so Leila amazed the sanctuary staff with her 'calm nature' during the process, Mr Jackaman explained. Ambassador for The Big Cat Sanctuary celebrity chef Paul Hollywood has said he 'cannot wait' to meet the new cub. He said: 'Laila has had a special place in my heart for many years and to see her become a mum for the fourth time is truly heartwarming. 'This is an amazing achievement for the sanctuary to be contributing to the captive breeding programme for this endangered species. I cannot wait to meet her.' Little Lady is reportedly thriving under the care of Laila and the Big Cat Sanctuary team. Snow leopards are listed as vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) red list, with an estimated 2,700 to 3,300 mature adults remaining in the wild. They are predicted to lose 30 per cent of their habitat because of climate change in the next 50 to 100 years and they also face threats from poaching and the illegal wildlife trade. Laila has had three previous litters with breeding partner Yarko as part of the sanctuary's breeding programme. The first litter in 2019 was of two males, Koshi and Khumbu, with another male cub, Shen, arriving in 2021 before she had twins in 2023 - Attan, a male, and Zaya, which was the first female snow leopard born at the centre. 'This birth is a testament to our commitment to the participation in the endangered species breeding programme and the conservation of this vulnerable species,' said Cam Whitnall, managing director of The Big Cat Sanctuary.
