Latest news with #StateHumanRightsCommission
New Indian Express
06-08-2025
- New Indian Express
Under scanner: A Sufi sect renouncing mosque, Jumu'ah and even Hajj in Kerala
KOZHIKODE: The State Human Rights Commission's intervention has brought into focus the 'Puthenveedu Sampradayam', or Koroor Thareeqath, a Sufi spiritual order in Koduvally known for rigid adherence to rituals and practices. The group is facing serious allegations of ostracising families for minor deviations from its customs, leading to emotional, social, and economic isolation. According to a series of complaints, several individuals and families have been excommunicated from the sect after being accused of violating internal rules and customs. The affected families claim they were not only cut off socially but also branded outsiders, with relatives instructed to cut all contact with them. Lubina and her sister Shibila belong to one such family. Lubina, along with her husband Riyas, had come out of the group three years back, but continue to be targeted by the sect in one way or other. The family hailing from Kizhisseri in Malappuram was recently attacked by a group of 100 people who stopped them from meeting their mother. 'We had to take the help of police to even see our mother,' Lubina told TNIE. 'It took several years for us to take the decision to come out of the system which was disturbing us badly. Though we quit the group some three years ago, my sister had to face indirect torture just because we started questioning them. And she came out of the group recently,'she said. The Human Rights Commission, acting on multiple complaints, has registered a case and is scheduled to hear the matter soon. Preliminary observations by the commission suggest that the group's internal regulations may be infringing upon the fundamental rights of individuals, particularly their right to live with dignity and freedom of belief. The Koroor Thareeqath, founded by a figure known as 'Valliyapichi,' is currently led by businessman Shahul Hameed, who is regarded by members as the current 'Prophet'. His word is considered absolute within the sect. The group enforces a highly rigid lifestyle, forbidding members from engaging with outsiders, including family members who do not follow its beliefs. Some of the sect's practices include discouraging members from attending public mosques, Friday prayers (Jumu'ah) and performing Hajj.
Time of India
30-07-2025
- Time of India
Banasthali Vidyapith student alleges harassment & blackmail; probe launched
Bhilwara: Multiple investigations are underway after a disturbing incident at Banasthali Vidyapith where a first-year MBA student jumped from a hostel building allegedly on being harassed and blackmailed. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Deputy chief minister and higher education minister Prem Chand Bairwa announced Wednesday the formation of an investigative committee, stating, "Action will be taken against anyone found guilty once the committee's report is received. Whether it's Banasthali Vidyapith or any other university, any wrongdoing will be addressed." The incident, which occurred on July 22, has prompted investigations by the Tonk police and the State Human Rights Commission after a video of the incident got viral on the social media. The father's complaint at Niwai police station details harassment by hostel roommates and an alleged lack of response from the university management. The Alwar student, now receiving treatment at Dadri in Haryana, was allegedly drugged and blackmailed by a fellow student at Shanta Vatsalyam Hostel, where she had been residing since July 17. According to the FIR, the victim was allegedly given drugged cake and cold drinks during a purported birthday celebration by her roommate, who then reportedly made an obscene video of her. Questions have arisen about Banasthali Vidyapith's handling of the incident, as the varsity allegedly failed to report the matter to the police. The institution, known for its Panchsheel education, faces scrutiny following previous student suicides. Devi Sai Sharma, executive officer of Banasthali Vidyapith, however, said, "We noticed that the girl seemed to have some mental instability. Upon receiving information about her illness, our warden reached the spot and informed us, after which we notified her family. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The accusations made by the girl's family against us are baseless." Sharma added, "Every aspect is being examined. Additionally, police and administrative officials have been visiting the Banasthali Vidyapith campus for the past two days to conduct their investigation and they are being fully supported by the institution." The State Human Rights Commission, under chairman Justice GR Moolchandani, has issued notices to local officials and the institution, seeking a factual report by Aug 22. In response to the state human rights notice, Tonk district collector Kalpana Agrawal addressed the media, confirming her awareness of the viral video and assuring appropriate measures. Tonk SP Rajesh Meena is overseeing the investigation, while Police Station Officer Ramjilal Verma confirmed ongoing investigations and plans for further statement collection at the Vidyapith. The student's family has since withdrawn her from the institution and demanded a refund of admission fees. The case has raised questions about the university's handling of the incident, particularly its alleged failure to report the matter to police immediately.
Time of India
30-07-2025
- Time of India
'My roommate gave me intoxicating cake, cold drink': Student jumps off hostel building in Rajasthan; father cites torture, blackmail
BHILWARA: A video showing a student jumping from a hostel building at Banasthali Vidyapith in Rajasthan 's Tonk district — has gone viral on social media, sparking widespread concern and investigation. In connection with the incident, the victim's father lodged a complaint at Niwai police station, claiming that his daughter, who had been admitted to Room 82 of Shanta Vatsyam Hostel for an MBA course on July 17, was tortured and blackmailed by another student. The girl reportedly informed her parents about the harassment over a phone call and is now undergoing treatment at a hospital in Dadri. Amid growing public scrutiny, the State Human Rights Commission has sought a detailed report from the district administration and police regarding the case. The incident is reported to have occurred in the Niwai police station area of Tonk district. Following this, the family filed a case at the Niwai police station, alleging that another student mixed something in a cold drink, tortured and blackmailed their daughter, and made a video. The incident raised several questions about why Banasthali Vidyapith concealed the incident and why it was not reported to the police. 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 On Monday, some police officers visited Banasthali Vidyapith, and it is speculated that Tonk superintendent of police Rajesh Meena is personally investigating the seriousness of the matter. The viral video investigation follows previous questions raised about the institution's operations in several cases of student suicides. District collector Kalpana Agrawal stated that action will be taken in response to the viral video case as per the notice from the State Human Rights Commission. Renowned for Panchsheel education in the country and abroad, the largest women's deemed university in the country, Banasthali Vidyapith, is once again embroiled in controversy. Some time ago, a student committed suicide after writing a suicide note, and another student jumped in front of a train to commit suicide. Now, after a video of a student jumping from a hostel balcony and screaming in distress went viral on X, questions have been raised about the internal arrangements of the institution. After a video of a student being described as intoxicated was posted on X, the family filed a complaint at the Niwai police station. The case filed by the father states that their daughter was recently admitted to the first year of the MBA program, but the students in the hostel room where she was placed were harassing her. The father reported that when their daughter complained to the hostel management, no attention was given. According to the father, their daughter became depressed due to harassment by other students and, in distress, jumped from the balcony. After the incident, the Vidyapith management informed the family and handed over the student to them when they arrived at the institution. It is believed that the family of the student, who resides in Alwar, took action when the video of the incident was posted on X three days ago, claiming she was intoxicated. Questions have been raised about the Vidyapith management because they did not inform the police about the incident that occurred on July 23, nor did they take any action on the family's complaint. In the report submitted to the police, the father demanded a full refund of the fees from the Vidyapith management. He also informed the police that his daughter would no longer be studying there. After the video came to the attention of the State Human Rights Commission, the commission's Chairman, Justice G.R. Moolchandani, issued notices to the district magistrate, district superintendent of police, the head of the institution, the manager of the institution, and the higher education department, demanding a factual report. He considered it serious that the entire incident was concealed and not reported to the police. The Chairman directed all parties to be present with a factual report by August 22. The incident is reported to have occurred on July 22. The FIR submitted by the family states that their daughter was residing in room number 82 of Shanta Vatsalyam. Other students were also her roommates. According to the victim, one roommate gave her an intoxicating cake and cold drink under the pretext of a birthday celebration and later made an obscene video of her. According to the family, she recently arrived at the hostel on July 17. After the FIR was filed at the Niwai police station, station officer Ramjilal Verma stated that the police would investigate all the allegations. The station officer said that they would visit the Vidyapith to assess the situation, record statements, and take necessary action.
Time of India
30-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
HC directs state to consider plea for law to protect domestic workers
Madurai: Madras high court on Tuesday directed the state govt to consider and pass orders on a plea seeking the enactment of a special legislation for the protection of domestic workers in Tamil Nadu. Justice S Srimathy issued the order while disposing of the petition filed by K Seethalakshmi, a domestic worker from Dindigul district. The petitioner stated that it is widely accepted that domestic employment is a form of labour. However, domestic workers are rarely recognised as 'workers' by their employers, and their work is largely unregulated. Their work is not considered legitimate. She stated that there were a total of 18 lakh domestic workers in Tamil Nadu, as per the Women in Informal Employment: Globalizing and Organizing (WIEGO) policy briefs in 2021. The state needs to consider legitimising this profession promptly with special attention. There isn't an adequate legal framework available in Tamil Nadu that addresses the protection of domestic workers, work hours, wages, or welfare. Unlike other labourers, domestic workers were excluded from the scope of all existing laws. The enactment of a new legislation for domestic workers is imperative at this juncture. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Learn How To Write Faster for Work (Find Out Now) Grammarly Learn More Undo The absence of exclusive legislation will make this group of labourers more vulnerable. Domestic work is a distinctive category, which cannot be brought under other laws and requires meticulous attention. She stated that the State Human Rights Commission recommended the state govt enact the proposed legislation for the protection and regulation of domestic workers in the state. The Tamil Nadu State Commission for Women also made a similar recommendation to the govt. Hence, the petitioner stated that the state should enact new legislation to regulate domestic labourers in the state with definitions of minimum wage, working hours, terms of employment, duties of employers, regulation of placement agencies, non-employment of children as domestic workers, protection and penalties for violations, welfare, and other regulations at the earliest to protect domestic workers, eventually ensuring social justice.
The Hindu
28-07-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Stillborn case: SHRC recommends compensation, filling of vacancies with medical staff
Flagging the shortage of staff in hospitals, the State Human Rights Commission on Monday observed the continuing delay in filling vacant posts and the non-creation of new posts were creating a crisis in the Tamil Nadu health sector. It further mentioned it was receiving complaints throughout the State regarding 'medical negligence' of doctors and hospital staff while treating the patients. 'More than 4,000 rural health nurse vacancies remain unfilled in 8,488 sub-health centres in Tamil Nadu. With 50% of the posts lying vacant, the workload of the rural health nurses in service has increased drastically,' SHRC member V. Kannadasan observed in an order. The Commission recommended the State government to pay a compensation of ₹5 lakh to a pregnant woman's kin who was reportedly forced to clean up her blood before boarding an ambulance. Even as it appreciated various programmes of the State government, the Commission observed: 'Due to the shortage of doctors and nurses in government hospitals in various districts including Villupuram, there is a delay in providing immediate treatment to patients. Activists also criticise that there is only one doctor in many primary health centers. An environment has also emerged where government doctors are psychologically affected due to low salaries and high workload.' The Commission recommended the State government to take necessary steps to appoint more doctors, nurses and other medical staff, especially in Primary Health Centers in the village level round the clock throughout the State. It also recommended necessary steps to provide more ambulance services to give special attention to pregnant women to reach hospitals in time. The Commission also appreciated the efforts taken by the Tamil Nadu government on its achievement projects throughout the State and recalled the introduction of various flagship schemes for maternal and child health and control of infectious diseases. It also appreciated the Chief Minister's Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme and the Makkalai Thedi Maruthuvam scheme. 'The government of Tamil Nadu is taking various steps to reduce maternal mortality. However, the target of reducing maternal mortality can be achieved only if there are sufficient numbers of obstetricians in hospitals,' the Commission said. The restrictions in the Chief Minister's Insurance Scheme should be removed, it said. Action should be taken on complaints that some private hospitals participating in the scheme are using the entire insurance amount and charging additional fees for it, it said. The Commission made these observations while dealing with a complaint from one K. Devamani. Her pregnant daughter K. Subulakshmi was admitted to Murugeri Primary Health Centre on April 26, 2021. While the 108 ambulance arrived to take her, auxiliary nurse midwife Prabhavathi from the PHC shouted at her and demanded that she cleaned up her blood from the bed before leaving. The ANM did not allow it even after the ambulance staff insisted that the patient was to be shifted out at once. Due to the delay, they were not able to reach the Government Medical College Hospital at Mundiyambakkam on time and the foetus did not survive. The patient also contracted COVID-19 infection. The complainant alleged inhumane actions on the part of government employees and further sought for an investigation into the incident. During the hearing, the Director of Public Health and Preventive Medicine submitted a detailed report. It said the ANM had to attend to two patients simultaneously, one of them injured in an accident. It was submitted that the patient's attender was not forced to clean up the blood. Considering the oral and documentary evidence of the parties and also findings given in the enquiry report, the Commission said it was categorically established that the patient's had a stillborn due to inordinate delay in the Primary Health Centre where the patient and attender were asked to clean up the blood before boarding the ambulance.
