Latest news with #Ramanujam
Indian Express
17-07-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
AI image search helps CBI arrest woman on the run for 18 years in Rs 8-crore bank fraud case in Bengaluru
After nearly two decades of investigation, the CBI on July 12 arrested a private firm's former director accused of defrauding State Bank of India out of Rs 8 crore. The agency said it used advanced image search technology to arrest the accused as she had been living under an assumed identity. The CBI identified the arrested accused as Mani M Sekhar, who was director of Indo Marks & BTC Home Products Private Limited. The fraud case dates back to 2002-2005, when Bengaluru-based couple Ramanujam Muthuramalingam Sekhar and Mani M Shekhar allegedly cheated SBI's overseas branch. According to the CBI, they cheated Rs 8 crore through the misuse of non-fund based limits in the name of the company and its sister concerns. In 2007, the CBI filed a chargesheet against Ramanujam and Mani. But as the couple failed to appear before the court despite several summonses, warrants were issued. In 2009, the court declared them proclaimed offenders. While there were no traces of the couple, the CBI also announced a Rs 50,000 cash reward. While other co-accused in the case were tried and either convicted or acquitted, the primary accused remained elusive. The CBI said the couple had changed their identities totally: Ramanujam Shekhar lived under the assumed identity of Krishna Kumar Gupta, while Mani M Shekhar became Geetha Krishna Kumar Gupta. They allegedly changed every traceable detail – mobile numbers, email addresses, PAN, and all KYC information used prior to the 2007 chargesheet. The case's breakthrough came through modern investigative techniques. Acting on specific intelligence inputs, the CBI deployed advanced analytical capabilities of artificial intelligence-based image search tools to trace the fugitives' digital footprints. The image comparison and analysis technology proved decisive in identifying the couple living under assumed identities in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, the CBI said. 'With photo matching levels of more than 90 per cent, the image search tools enabled accurate identification despite their assumed identities,' confirmed a CBI official, highlighting artificial intelligence. CBI teams thus successfully traced the accused to Indore. However, the investigation revealed Ramanujam had died in 2008, just a year after being charge-sheeted and a year before being declared a proclaimed offender, while living under his assumed identity. The CBI on Thursday produced Mani M Shekhar, now known as Geetha Krishna Kumar Gupta, before a Bengaluru court, which remanded her in judicial custody for trial proceedings that have been pending for over 15 years.
News18
17-07-2025
- Science
- News18
IIA releases images, video of third interstellar visitor 3I/ATLAS
Bengaluru, Jul 17 (PTI) Indian Institute of Astrophysics, Bengaluru, on Thursday released a video and a montage of time-lapse images of the recently spotted comet C/2025 N1 (ATLAS), also known as 3I/ATLAS, for educational and outreach purposes. The comet was first discovered on July 1 by the ATLAS telescope in Chile. 'This is only the third interstellar object to visit our solar system, which is exciting. Telescopes around the world will be studying this comet before it exits the Sun's gravitational pull to learn more about its structure and chemistry," said Niruj Mohan Ramanujam, Head of IIA's Science, Communication, Public Outreach and Education (SCOPE) section. IIA researchers, he added, observed the comet on the night of July 3 using the Himalayan Chandra Telescope (HCT) at the Indian Astronomical Observatory in Hanle, Ladakh—a high-altitude astronomy station operated by IIA. 'We wanted to image it with the Himalayan Chandra Telescope at Hanle to highlight how such celestial interlopers are tracked and to showcase its rapid motion for the benefit of the public," Ramanujam added. When first detected in Chile, C/2025 N1 (ATLAS) was about 4.5 astronomical units (AU) from the Sun—roughly 670 million kilometres—and travelling at a remarkable speed of 61 km per second, according to IIA. The comet, which has generated considerable excitement among astronomers as the third confirmed interstellar visitor to our Solar System, will remain visible through large telescopes until September, after which it will be obscured by the Sun's glare, said IIA. There were initial concerns about a potential threat to Earth, but NASA has confirmed the comet poses no danger, as it will come no closer than 1.8 AU—approximately 270 million kilometres from Earth. C/2025 N1 (ATLAS) will reach its closest point to the Sun around October 30, at a distance of 1.4 AU. PTI JR SSK (This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed - PTI) view comments First Published: July 17, 2025, 19:45 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.
Time of India
22-04-2025
- Science
- Time of India
Zero shadow day in Bengaluru on April 24; step outside at 12.17pm and see the sun do magic
BENGALURU: Bengaluru will experience the ' zero shadow ' phenomenon at exactly 12.17pm on April 24, when the sun is directly overhead, according to scientists at the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA). Niruj Mohan Ramanujam, Head of IIA's Science Communication, Public Outreach, and Education (SCOPE) section, explained that during this event, the sun reaches its zenith, causing vertical objects to cast no visible shadows as they fall directly beneath them. All locations in India situated below the Tropic of Cancer—including Bengaluru, Chennai, and Mangaluru—experience Zero Shadow Day , according to Ramanujam. In Bengaluru, this phenomenon occurs typically around April 24–25 and again on August 18, he stated. Zero Shadow Day will reach the Tropic of Cancer on June 21, the summer solstice and the end of Uttarayana—the sun's northward journey in the Hindu calendar, Ramanujam added.
Hindustan Times
22-04-2025
- Science
- Hindustan Times
Bengaluru set to witness ‘Zero Shadow Day' on April 24. Here is the timing and full details
On April 24, Bengaluru will experience a fascinating celestial event known as Zero Shadow Day at excatly 12.17 PM. Scientists from the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) have confirmed that during this rare moment, the sun will be positioned directly overhead, causing vertical objects to lose their shadows entirely. Also Read - 'Just another road rage, nothing to do with Kannada': Bengaluru Police dispute IAF officer's claim Dr. Niruj Mohan Ramanujam, who leads the Science Communication, Public Outreach, and Education (SCOPE) division at IIA, explained that this phenomenon occurs when the sun reaches its highest point in the sky—referred to as the zenith. As a result, shadows fall directly underneath objects and become invisible to the human eye. Zero Shadow Day isn't unique to Bengaluru. It takes place in all cities located between the Equator and the Tropic of Cancer, including places like Chennai and Mangaluru. In Bengaluru, this phenomenon typically occurs twice a year—around April 24–25 and again around August 18, said Dr. Ramanujam. Also Read - 'This is what Karnataka has become': Blood on face, IAF officer recounts Bengaluru assault He further noted that the sun's vertical path continues until it hits the Tropic of Cancer, where Zero Shadow Day aligns with the summer solstice on June 21. This also marks the end of Uttarayana, the northward movement of the sun according to the Hindu calendar. Zero Shadow Day happens when the sun is exactly overhead at noon in certain locations. During this brief period, vertical objects like poles or a person standing straight won't cast a visible shadow. It can be observed only in places between the Equator and the Tropic of Cancer and occurs twice a year in each location. It's a simple but stunning demonstration of how the Earth's tilt and orbit affect how we see the sun.
Hans India
22-04-2025
- Science
- Hans India
‘Zero shadow' to hit Bengaluru on April 24
Bengaluru: At exactly 12.17 PM on April 24, when the sun is directly overhead, Bengaluru will experience the 'zero shadow' phenomenon, according to scientists at the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA). Niruj Mohan Ramanujam, Head of IIA's Science Communication, Public Outreach, and Education (SCOPE) section, said that during this event, the sun reaches its zenith, causing vertical objects to cast no visible shadows as they fall directly beneath them. All locations in India situated below the Tropic of Cancer—including Bengaluru, Chennai, and Mangaluru—experience Zero Shadow Day, Ramanujam told PTI. In Bengaluru, this occurs typically around April 24–25 and again on August 18, he added. Zero Shadow Day will reach the Tropic of Cancer on June 21, the summer solstice and the end of Uttarayana—the sun's northward journey in the Hindu calendar, Ramanujam further said.
