Deals in farm goods via govt’s e-NAM platform touch Rs 3.79 lakh crore

New Delhi, Dec 13 (IANS) Following the death of an automobile company executive from Uttar Pradesh in Bengaluru allegedly over the demand of Rs 3 crore for a divorce settlement and allegations against the sitting judge, a public interest litigation (PIL) has been filed before the Supreme Court seeking to protect the “drastic condition and fate” of married men after implication in “false” dowry and domestic violence cases.

“The Dowry Prohibition Act and Section 498A of IPC was meant to protect married women from dowry demands and harassment but in our country, these laws become weapons to settle unnecessary and illegal demands and to suppress the husband’s family when any other nature of dispute arises between husband and wife,” the petition said.

There have been many incidents and “cases of false implication of men in dowry cases which has led to a very tragic end” and also raised questions on our justice and criminal investigation system, it added.

The plea said that because of these false implications of married men under these laws, the real and true incidents against the women are looked at with suspicion.“This is not only about one Atul Subhash but there have been lakhs of men who have committed suicide because of multiple cases showered upon them by their wives. The gross misuse of the dowry laws have defeated the purpose of these laws for which they were enacted,” added the petition filed by advocate Vishal Tiwari.

AI engineer Atul Subhash, 34, ended his life in his apartment in Marathahalli police station limits, leaving behind a 90-minute video and a 40-page-long death note, explaining how the harassment by his wife Nikita Singhania and her family was compelling him to end his life.

The development has sparked outrage and debate across the country about the rights of men and how the law views them in cases of divorce and child custody.

The PIL seeks directions to constitute an expert committee of retired judges, lawyers and eminent legal jurists headed by a former Supreme Court judge to review and reform the existing dowry and domestic violence laws and give suggestions to prevent their misuse.

Further, it said that directions should be issued that along with every marriage registration application, the list of articles/gifts/money given during the marriage should also be furnished with an affidavit and the record of the same should be enclosed with the marriage registration certificate.

–IANS

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Lucknow, Dec 22 (IANS) The Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission (UPPCS) Preliminary Examination 2024 is underway across all 75 districts of the state.

Over 5.6 lakh aspirants registered for the exam, vying for 220 positions in the state’s civil services.

Given the massive scale of the examination, extensive security arrangements have been made. Cities like Ayodhya, Sambhal, Jaunpur, Kanpur, Moradabad, Unnao, Amethi, Kushinagar, Chandauli, and Mau witnessed heavy deployment of police forces at examination centres.

Law enforcement officials are on high alert to ensure smooth conduct and prevent any untoward incidents.

Initially, the UPPSC had scheduled the PCS preliminary exams for December 7 and 8 in two shifts, with the Review Officer/Assistant Review Officer (RO/ARO) preliminary exams planned for December 22 and 23 in three shifts.

However, the schedule was revised following protests by job aspirants in Prayagraj last month. Protesters demanded that the exams be conducted in a single shift to ensure fairness and manageability.

The protests outside the UPPSC office in Prayagraj turned intense, with students breaking barricades and marching towards the Commission’s headquarters.

The agitators argued that staggered exams were cumbersome and introduced inconsistencies in the evaluation process.

Recognising the concerns, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath intervened and directed the UPPSC to conduct the preliminary exams on a single day. This decision was announced on the third day of the protests, effectively resolving the standoff.

Following the Chief Minister’s directive, the UPPSC reworked its schedule to hold the exams in a single day. The decision was widely welcomed by aspirants, who felt that it levelled the playing field and ensured a more transparent selection process.

The successful execution of the examination across the state reflects the coordinated efforts of the UPPSC and the state administration. Results are eagerly awaited by the candidates aspiring to secure a coveted position in Uttar Pradesh’s civil services.

–IANS

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Patna, Dec 13 (IANS) Two individuals were arrested and a significant quantity of drugs was seized during a vehicle inspection drive conducted by Mufassil police in Bihar’s Purnea district on Thursday, police said.

The incident occurred around 2.15 a.m. on the NH-31 flyover at Balouri village when a grey Swift car approaching from the Maranga side slowed down upon seeing the police and attempted to flee.

One occupant exited the vehicle and tried to escape on foot but was apprehended with the assistance of the police team.

Upon questioning, the suspects identified themselves as Raunak Kumar near the Khushki Bagh police station area at Sadar, Purnea, and Ricky Singh of Neva Lal Chowk police station area at Maranga, Purnea.

A thorough search of the vehicle led to the discovery of 5.19 kg of smack valued at Rs 5 crore in the international market.

The contraband was packed in 50 plastic bags in a specially designed box in the car.

The contraband was seized, and both individuals were taken into custody.

The operation, carried out by the Station House Officer (SHO) of Mufassil police station and his team, has been praised for its efficiency and effectiveness.

“We have registered an FIR under the NDPS Act in Mufassil police station and the matter is under investigation. We are making efforts to learn about their handlers,” said Brajesh Kumar, SHO, Mufassil police station.

Earlier, in a significant operation conducted jointly by the East Champaran Police and the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), five individuals were arrested on Thursday for carrying highly refined heroin and a chemical in Bihar’s East Champaran district.

The raid took place in a village under Chhatauni police station, where two kg of a contraband substance and a chemical used in the refining of brown sugar production were seized.

The international market value of the seized items is estimated to be Rs 7 crore.

Swarn Prabhat, the Superintendent of Police, East Champaran, confirmed the arrests and the seizure.

“This operation was carried out in collaboration with the NCB. Five individuals have been arrested, and the contraband, along with a chemical, was recovered. The arrested individuals have been placed in judicial custody,” he said.

–IANS

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