Latest news with #NitinJamdar
Time of India
10 hours ago
- Time of India
Dowry: Kerala HC seeks govt stand on publication of data
Kochi: High court has sought instructions from the state govt regarding the publication of data on the number of complaints received and the action taken in relation to dowry demand incidents. The directive was issued by a bench of Chief Justice Nitin Jamdar and Justice Basant Balaji while hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) challenging the constitutional validity of Section 3 of the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961, on the ground that it also penalises the giving or abetment of dowry. HC adjourned the matter to August 7. Section 3 of the Act prescribes penalties for giving, taking, or abetting the giving or taking of dowry. The petitioner, Tellmy Jolly of Ernakulam, contended that penalising the dowry giver, often the victim or a family member, acts as a deterrent to reporting dowry-related harassment due to fear of self-incrimination. She sought to strike down Section 3 to the extent that it criminalises the giving of dowry or its abetment. In support of her plea, the petitioner cited data from the Kerala Police website indicating that 102 dowry deaths were reported between 2016 and May 2025. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Experience next-level CPAP comfort with Resmed AirSense 11 ResMed Enquire Now Undo She also referred to recent cases of young women dying by suicide or under suspicious circumstances, allegedly due to dowry-related harassment. The petitioner further sought a directive to ensure the effective implementation of Rule 2 of the Dowry Prohibition (Maintenance of Lists of Presents to the Bride and Bridegroom) Rules, 1985, which mandates the examination and proper record-keeping of gift lists exchanged during marriage ceremonies.
Time of India
10 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Highway widening: Ensure display of excavation permit details, Kerala HC tells NHAI
Kochi: High court has directed the NHAI to install metallic boards at regular intervals along the stretch of highway under construction where quarrying activities are being carried out. The directive, issued under the Kerala Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 2015, also stipulates that the boards must display the name and address of the permit holder, details of permit, quantity of extraction permitted, area of extraction and types of explosives used. Additionally, each board must include the contact information of the NHAI officer in charge of the project for emergency use by local residents. The bench of Chief Justice Nitin Jamdar and Justice Basant Balaji issued the order while considering a PIL by P Pradeep Kumar of Chelannur panchayat in Kozhikode and 24 other local residents. They alleged that, in connection with the highway widening works between Kasaragod and Thiruvananthapuram, soil was being extracted beyond permissible limits in their area, altering the hill's topography and causing severe environmental damage, including a heightened risk of landslides. They contended that the excavation affected an area inhabited by more than 100 residents, with schools and temples nearby, and had also led to pollution of a nearby river. The petitioners sought a directive to immediately halt the unscientific and excessive excavation of soil and to implement appropriate safety measures, including slope stabilisation, to prevent further harm. It was also pointed out that when hill cutting or excavation is carried out on slopes, residents have no designated authority to contact in case of emergencies. During a hearing held in Feb, the Kozhikode district collector submitted that necessary steps were being taken to ensure that quarrying activities remained within permissible limits and were carried out scientifically. Regarding the concern about the absence of an emergency contact point for local residents, it was suggested that metallic boards with such details be placed at the sites. Accordingly, HC issued the directive, and the NHAI assured it that necessary instructions would be issued to the concessionaire to install the boards.
Time of India
10 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Kerala HC seeks state govt's reply in PIL against Wayanad tunnel project
Kochi: High court on Thursday directed the state govt to file a counter affidavit in a public interest litigation (PIL) challenging the Stage I forest clearance and the environmental clearance granted for the Anakkampoyil-Kalladi-Meppadi twin tunnel road project between Kozhikode and Wayanad. A bench of Chief Justice Nitin Jamdar and Justice Basant Balaji issued the directive on the PIL filed by Wayanad Prakrithi Samrakshana Samithi and adjourned the matter to Sept 9. HC also clarified that any step taken by the state govt or other stakeholders towards commencement of the project would be subject to the PIL's outcome. The petitioners contended that Wayanad district is highly prone to landslides and that the proposed project passes through ecologically sensitive areas (ESAs). The tunnel alignment cuts through the ESA villages of Thiruvambady in Kozhikode and Vellarimala in Wayanad, and hence, the environmental appraisal conducted by the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) was inadequate. They argued that the project required appraisal at the central level, and pointed out that neither the Union ministry of environment, forest and climate change (MoEFCC) nor the central govt had conducted any independent environmental assessment. The petitioners also questioned the competence of the environmental impact assessment (EIA) report prepared by the Konkan Railway Corporation, arguing that it is not an accredited agency authorised to prepare such reports. Additionally, the Samithi referred to an office memorandum issued by the central govt, which mandates that work can begin only after obtaining Stage II forest clearance from the Govt of India. Since such clearance has not yet been granted, the petitioners argued that the state govt should not proceed with any construction activities. Opposing the PIL, the govt pleader submitted that another set of litigations involving the same project is already pending before a different division bench. It was further argued that under Section 16(h) of the National Green Tribunal Act, any person aggrieved by the grant of environmental clearance may file an appeal before the National Green Tribunal within 30 days, and therefore, the petitioners should seek remedy through that forum. HC, however, directed the govt pleader to file a detailed reply affidavit and orally observed that it would consider the issues raised by the state once the pleadings are complete.
News18
a day ago
- Politics
- News18
Kerala HC orders dedicated authority, management plan to save Ashtamudi lake
Kochi, Jul 30 (PTI) The Kerala High Court has directed the state government to set up a dedicated authority and prepare a specific management plan to protect the ecologically fragile Ashtamudi Lake, warning that the wetland is under serious threat from pollution, encroachment, and unregulated activities. A division bench of Chief Justice Nitin Jamdar and Justice Basant Balaji disposed of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) that highlighted the deteriorating condition of Ashtamudi Lake, a Ramsar Site of international importance. The court noted that despite the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017 mandating such measures, as of today, therefore, Ashtamudi lacks both a dedicated unit and a specific management plan. The absence of these two crucial components has resulted in haphazard and disjointed efforts, leading to the resultant situation. The bench stressed that the first and foremost requirement for conserving the lake is 'that a dedicated multi-member unit has to be constituted" and that 'an integrated management plan for Ashtamudi which will be implemented by this Unit" must be prepared. The court observed that without the plan in place, steps taken for the conservation of Ashtamudi Lake could only be ad hoc and haphazard. The plan has to identify and address the specific ecological and hydrological conditions of the site, assess threats, propose conservation and restoration actions, and include timelines, budgets, and performance indicators, it said. The court also noted that pollution from sewage, biomedical waste, and solid waste, along with mangrove destruction caused by encroachment, were major threats to the lake. In 2023, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) had imposed a Rs 10 crore penalty on the government for failing to protect the lake. In its final order, the bench issued several binding directions, including the constitution of the Ashtamudi Wetland Management Unit within two months, 'by issuing an official notification in that regard." The first meeting of the Unit is to be held within two months of notification to finalise procedures. Other directions include the preparation of a Standard Operating Procedure to govern the Unit's functioning, including co-ordination among stakeholders. The state was directed to provide 'necessary office infrastructure, support staff, and funding" for the Unit. The court said the Unit must have its own website or dedicated web page with public access, including the management plan, its composition, and a feedback mechanism for citizens. It further stated that the Integrated Management Plan for Ashtamudi must be finalised within six months, in line with regulations, and that an interim management plan must be prepared until the final plan is ready. All government departments and agencies were directed to extend 'full co-operation" to the Unit. The court also emphasised the need for public participation, directing that the website should have a 'digital feedback mechanism (web/social media) for the general public to bring to its notice the matters of concern by enabling them to upload/share audio-visual material." The petition was accordingly disposed of, with liberty to the Secretary of the Ashtamudi Wetland Management Unit to approach the court again if further directions are needed. PTI TGB TGB ROH view comments First Published: July 30, 2025, 21:00 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
The Hindu
a day ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Kerala HC directs State government and SWAK to constitute Ashtamudi Wetland Management Unit
The Kerala High Court has directed the State government and the State Wetland Authority Kerala (SWAK) to constitute an Ashtamudi Wetland Management Unit for the conservation of the wetland within two months of a notification being issued for this. In addition, an integrated management plan for the wetland must be finalised within six months. The direction by a Bench of Chief Justice Nitin Jamdar and Justice Basant Balaji came when the court considered a public interest litigation (PIL)recently against rampant waste dumping and encroachments in the Ashtamudi wetland, which in turn was causing water pollution and the destruction of mangrove forests. The second biggest wetland in Kerala, the Ashtamudi lake was designated a Ramsar site in 2002. The Ramsar Convention is an international treaty for the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands, considering their role in biodiversity, flood control, water purification, and livelihood support. In the PIL, Boris Paul, lawyer, and Kollam-based Help Foundation had sought a court directive to remove the encroachers and to form an independent monitoring committee to continuously monitor the lake's conservation measures. A sanitation survey done by the Kerala State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) around the lake in 2020-2022 revealed serious health risks due to poor waste management. Open defecation around Ashtamudi was contributing to the spread of waterborne diseases, while 18% of households discharged toilet waste directly into the waterbody. Heavy pollution A report of the Committee on Environment of the Kerala Legislative Assembly submitted on 17, March, 2023 stated that the Ashtamudi wetland faced heavy pollution, encroachments, and siltation. Its area reduced from 61.40 sq. kms. to 34 sq. kms, while its depth reduced to less than half a metre in many areas. Mangroves and crucial fish-breeding grounds have almost disappeared and fishers dependent on this wetland were on the verge of losing their livelihoods. Human waste, chemicals and untreated hospital and commercial waste entered the wetland through the Kollam canal. Tourism-related waste and plastic accumulation in the Kollam and Neendakara backwaters, sand mining, unregulated housing and rampant pesticide use were too were issues. In 2023, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) had imposed a penalty of ₹10 crore on the State government for its failure to protect the Ashtamudi lake and other wetlands. Since no concrete measures were taken, the petitioners filed the PIL. Two requirements The court said cited two requirements as essential for the conservation of the Ashtamudi wetland – a dedicated authority consisting of various stakeholders and experts and a site-specific, scientific, and comprehensive management plan. Both are not in place for the wetland so far. The Ramsar Convention emphasises the need to have a dedicated authority for each of the wetlands of international importance and a site-specific management plan for it. Disposing off the PIL, the court also directed that a standard operating procedure must be formulated by the Ashtamudi Wetland Management Unit to govern its functioning while specifying modalities like the venue, frequency of its meetings and the mechanism for co-ordination among stakeholders. In addition, the unit must have its own website or a dedicated web page hosted on the official website of SWAK with a feedback mechanism for the public. SWAK must develop a digital feedback mechanism (web/social media) for the general public to upload/share audio-visual materials.
