UP accounts for over 80% of illegal arrests in India

UP accounts for over 80% of illegal arrests in India

NEW DELHI: Uttar Pradesh's high-handedness is not just reflected in the arbitrary transfer of officers such as Durga Sakthi Nagpal and slapping of bogus cases against dissenters (as in the case of Dalit scholar Kanwal Bharti), it can also be seen in the massive number of illegal arrests made by the UP police.

According to National Human Rights Commission data, UP records an overwhelming majority of illegal arrests in the country, accounting for more than 80% of all such cases. In fact, it tips its nearest competitor, Delhi, by over 3,000% almost year after year.

In the past three years (April 2010 to July 2013), UP accounted for 3,397 illegal arrests out of 3,950 such cases recorded across India by NHRC. The count for the rest of the 27 states and seven union territories put together was just 553.

"What do you expect from a state where many politicians themselves are criminals? How do you expect them to have any respect for law and order or human rights?" says Colin Gonsalves of Human Rights Law Network.

From April 2012 to March 2013, NHRC recorded 703 cases of illegal arrests in all. As many as 589 of these were against the UP police. UP accounts for 161 of 192 illegal arrests in '13

Its closest rivals in this dubious distinction, Uttarakhand and Delhi, were way behind with 14 cases each. Data for this period shows only two other states where the number of illegal arrests had crossed double figures — Karnataka (12) and Andhra Pradesh (10).

In 2013 too (April 1 to July 20), UP accounted for 161 such cases of the total of 192 recorded by NHRC in the entire country. Its closest rival, Delhi, was again was behind with only five cases.

Year 2011 was the worse for UP, with the state police being at the wrong end of the law 1,101 times of the total of 1,249 cases registered by NHRC. Delhi again took the second spot with 38 cases. In 2010 too UP recorded 1,546 such cases of the total of 1,716. These are cases that were brought to NHRC's notice. The real figures for both UP and other states are bound to be higher as many complainants go to state human rights commissions instead of knocking at NHRC's doors.

Conversely, sources say, UP being closer to Delhi, more people may tend to approach NHRC in the capital. But if that was true, neighbouring Haryana would also show a high number of illegal arrests. However,Haryana's figures for many years have remained in single digits.  http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/UP-accounts-for-over-80-of-illegal-arrests-in-India/articleshow/21853340.cms 

498a misuse - 4

498a gives men pre-wedding jitters

498a misuse -3

Woman arrested for husband's contract killing

Woman arrested for husband's contract killing

Mumbai: A 10-year-long marriage ends in tragedy, as the 30-year-old husband is found dead on isolated grounds with injury marks over the body. Friends and relatives naturally sympathise with the young widow. That is till her actual role in the denouement comes to the fore. Cops from Ulhasnagar crime branch have arrested a 25-year-old woman who hired a hit man to get her spouse killed. To mislead the police, she filed a complaint claiming her husband had gone missing and later got a murder case lodged against unknown persons after the body was found.

Shivaji Nagar police had recovered the corpse of an unknown person with injury marks all over at Ambernath MIDC area on January 29. They immediately started checking all the missing complaints and learnt that a 30-year-old who was an electrician and a resident of Manish Nagar in Ulhasnagar was missing and a complaint had been lodged by his wife at Central police station.

"When the wife Preeti Krishnachand Mishra (25), was called she identified the body as that of her husband Krishnachand," said Machindra Chavan, senior police inspector of Ulhasnagar crime branch.

In further investigations, police started questioning Preeti who frequently changed her statements.

"When we inquired about Preeti from her neighbours they told us that some people had seen her roaming around with a 22-year-old youth Jishan Munnar Shaikh, a student of BCom third year," said Chavan.

"Shaikh was then summoned by the Crime Branch and during questioning he broke down and accepted that he and Preeti had given a supari of Rs. 1 lakh to one Akshay Suresh Gaikwad to kill Krishnachand," said Milind Bharambe, additional commissioner of police (crime), Thane.

Akshay's father Suresh Gaikwad is an ex-corporator and is now contesting municipal elections from Ulhasnagar on a Congress ticket.

Akshay, along with aides Jaysingh Mudaliyar and Damodar Hadalke met Krishnachand on January 28. They drank wine at Bittu Bar in Ulhasnagar and later went to the MIDC area, where the trio stabbed Krishnachand at an isolated place and killed him.

"Preeti had sold all her jewellery to arrange the contract killing of her husband. Preeti was in love with Jishan and was bored with her 10-year-old relationship with her husband who had started drinking," said Meghshyam Dange, police inspector of crime branch.

The miscreants were arrested yesterday and are in police custody.

http://www.ndtv.com/article/cities/woman-arrested-for-husband-s-contract-killing-172691 

I enjoyed my stay in jail: James Vasanthan

I enjoyed my stay in jail: James Vasanthan

Popular music director/anchor James Vasanthan was recently arrested for allegedly abusing his 63-year-old neighbour. Now, he is out on bail, and, he opened up to Chennai Times about his arrest. He says, "It was around 3.30 pm on Sunday when cops came into our house. Though initially I was not told about the arrest, later I was informed that I would be held. They didn't even tell me on what charge they were arresting me. Following that, I was imprisoned in Puzhal jail for two days."

He was accused by the woman for displaying indecent gestures in public. Reacting to the allegations, he says, "Some women take the sexual harassment law to their advantage and target innocent men like me. This is not the first case that has been forced on me. I know very well that this woman does everything with the support of the top cop in the city."
Trouble started for the composer when he bought a house in Palavakkam in 2011. "Since then, this neighbour is causing trouble. Her intention is to get our place which she asked us to sell to her when we first bought it. At first, she filed an attempt-to-murder case and now, she lodges a sexual harassment case. I will legally disprove all these false allegations."
James has spent nearly 48 hours in the prison. He says, "I have a positive approach to life; so, I enjoyed my stay in the jail. My wife has been my pillar of strength during this crisis. I will strive hard for justice."

http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-08-09/news-interviews/41237107_1_james-vasanthan-sexual-harassment-case-neighbour

Woman allegedly commits suicide over dowry harassment

Woman allegedly commits suicide over dowry harassment

Kanpur: A 20-year-old woman allegedly committed suicide after being threatened by her sister-in-law of implicating her in a case of dowry harassment, police said in Kanpur today.

The woman allegedly hanged self in her room yesterday, police said.

A suicide note has been recovered in which she has blamed her sister-in-law and her relatives for her suicide, police said.

The note alleged that the sister-in-law used to threaten the victim and other family members that she would implicate them in a dowry harassment case if they asked her to do household works, police said.

No arrest has been made so far and family members are being questioned, police said.

http://www.ndtv.com/article/cities/woman-allegedly-commits-suicide-over-dowry-harassment-405238 

Woman commits suicide on blackmail by sister-in-law

Woman commits suicide on blackmail by sister-in-law

A 20-year-old woman allegedly committed suicide after being threatened by her sister-in-law of implicating her in a case of dowry harassment, police said here today.

Aarti hanged herself in her room yesterday, police said.

A suicide note has been recovered in which she has blamed her sister-in-law Shweta and her relatives for her suicide, police said.

The note alleged that Shweta didn't want to do household work and used to threaten Aarti and other family members that she would implicate them in a dowry harassment case if they asked her to do that, police said.

No arrest has been made so far and family members are being questioned, police said.

http://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/woman-commits-suicide-on-blackmail-by-sister-in-law-113081300461_1.html 

wife & in law jailed for 5 years

Men can get harassed anywhere anytime....

Men can get harassed anywhere anytime....

Now, a helpline for harassed men

Now, a helpline for harassed men

KOZHIKODE: A legal aid centre formed by victims of dowry law (IPC498A) and other anti-men laws is launching a helpline for clients. The JanamithramJanakeeyaNeethiVedi, launched three years ago, promises that the service will be available round the clock from August 11.

The facility, offering legal aid and steps to tackle fabricated cases, will be launched in Malayalam in the first phase. The helpline numbers will be 9387469083 and 9142930682.

Vedi president M A Ibrahim Ravuthar said the increasing instances of misuse of laws, anti-men directives of family courts and the new amendment to Hindu Marriage Act had forced the 5,000-member-strong organization to launch the helpline. "The number of educated women misusing IPC section 498A to harass their husbands and other relatives is on the rise. We are looking to help such people," he said.

The genuineness of cases will be verified with the help of organization members in the respective districts. Legal aid to face fabricated cases will be provided to only those whose claims are found to be genuine in the verification process.

"The organization will also seek to work like mediators for the speedy disposal of cases. We have already contacted similar organisations in other states to work together. The helpline can benefit even those who don't know whom to approach for help,'' Ravuthur said.

"We will also provide legal aid with the help of police and state legal services authority,'' he added. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kozhikode/Now-a-helpline-for-harassed-men/articleshow/21290465.cms?fb_action_ids=185487584954514&fb_action_types=og.likes&fb_source=other_multiline&action_object_map={%22185487584954514%22%3A282026641937032}&action_type_map={%22185487584954514%22%3A%22og.likes%22}&action_ref_map=[] 

Daughter-in-law withdraws dowry case against Shankar Rao

Daughter-in-law withdraws dowry case against Shankar Rao

Hyderabad: Vamsi Priya, daughter-in-law of former minister Dr P. Shankar Rao, on Wednesday withdrew the dowry harassment cases that she filed against her husband and in-laws.
Vamsi Priya also filed a petition in the Andhra Pradesh High Court stating that she was withdrawing the cases.
It may be mentioned that the Cantonment MLA was arrested by the Central Crime Station officials of City Police in connection with the same dowry harassment case filed against him. Later, he was shifted to a hospital after he fell ill where he is still undergoing treatment.
 

http://www.deccanchronicle.com/130717/news-politics/article/daughter-law-withdraws-dowry-case-against-shankar-rao 

Husband arrested for sexually starving wife for dowry

Husband arrested for sexually starving wife for dowry

The all women police here have arrested a man for sexually starving (refusing to cohabit) his wife even a year after their marriage, demanding that she first fulfill his demand for dowry.
Priya (22) who was unable to bear the mental agony of her husband Ramesh (23) for more than 16 months finally approached the police.
Police said she got married in March last year and her nightmare began the same day as her husband demanded immediate handing over of seven sovereigns of gold ornaments and Rs five lakh cash, saying he would not have any physical contact with her till such time.
Her parents had agreed to give 20 sovereigns of gold to Ramesh, who works in a goldsmith outlet, but could give only 13 sovereigns on day of the marriage, they said.
Based on the complaint, Ramesh was arrested and a hunt is on for his parents who were part of the torture, police said.

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/husband-arrested-for-sexually-starving-wife-for-dowry/1143641/ 

Married or not, domestic violence act binding, says Kerala HC

Married or not, domestic violence act binding, says Kerala HC


Kochi: In a significant ruling, the Kerala High Court has held that a woman is entitled to get protection under the provisions of the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act even if she was in a live-in relationship. 'What was intended under Sect 2(a) of the Act was a relationship of the same nature as marriage and nothing more', Justice K Harilal said in his order on Tuesday while dismissing a petition filed by a man hailing from Cherthala in Alapuzha district against a complaint from his live-in partner seeking protection from domestic violence and compensation.
According to Justice Harilal, "The couple must have lived together akin to spouses. That alone is sufficient. The legislature intent of the Act itself is to give protection to the women who were living with the husband in the nature of a marriage without a legal marriage."
The petitioner's contention was that the complainant was not a wife as per Sect 2(f) of the act and there was no domestic relationship them.

http://ibnlive.in.com/news/married-or-not-domestic-violence-act-binding-says-kerala-hc/407277-62-126.html

IT employee jumps to death from office building

IT employee jumps to death from office building

CHENNAI: In the fourth incident in a month, an engineering graduate employed with an IT firm committed suicide by jumping from the terrace of a building at Kanthanchavadi on Rajiv Gandhi Salai (Old Mahabalipuram Road) on Sunday.

A Naveen Kumar, 28, of Vellore district jumped to death at 12.02pm from the terrace of Prince Info City building on OMR, allegedly after a tiff with his girlfriend.

Police said Naveen had gone to the 11th floor of the building with a co-worker. He told his co-worker he needed to make a call and went up to the terrace. He left his mobile on the terrace and then jumped to death. A security guard, who heard a loud thud, rushed to the parking area and found Naveen lying in a pool of blood.

After checking call details, police found that he had called his girlfriend at least four times on Sunday. "He was not in good terms with his girlfriend for the past one week as they had a tiff over their wedding," said an investigating officer.

Though the gate to the terrace was shut and the security guard at the main gate keeps the key, some employees had managed to break the lock to smoke on the terrace," said a security guard.

A colleague of Naveen said the latter had been depressed since morning. Though his shift was over at 11.30am, he did not leave the office. Naveen was employed on a sub-contract basis with Maersk for the past four months. He stayed at Kannagi Nagar.  http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/IT-employee-jumps-to-death-from-office-building/articleshow/21075515.cms 

Ex-army man seeks amendments to dowry act

Ex-army man seeks amendments to dowry act

JAMSHEDPUR: Retired army man Ramnath Das, who had in January submitted a petition to President Pranab Mukherjee, seeking approval for mercy-killing after he and his family members were allegedly implicated in a false anti-dowry case, has filed a fresh petition to the President but this time for a public cause.

Das (57), who was employed with the mechanical wing of the Electronic Mechanical Engineering Corp of Army, submitted a petition to the Rashtrapati Bhavan through East Singhbhum deputy commissioner's office on Saturday, seeking amendments to Section 498A of the IPC (anti dowry act).

"In this petition I have sought effective cooperation from the President in amending the 498A," said Das.

He said hundreds of innocent families in the country have fallen prey to the (IPC 498A) Act that unjustifiably favours women.

"The Act favours women unreasonably resulting in its gross misuse. It's high time the Act should be amended in the larger interest of those languishing in prison or facing potential threat from 498A," said Das.

A resident of Gadra under Pursudih police station area, Das claims he and his family of seven are victims of the loopholes that exist in the anti dowry Act.

"Inept handling of the anti dowry cases by the law enforcing agencies and time-consuming justice delivery mechanism has further aggravated the sensitive issue," said Das, who retired from Army in October 1989 following his last posting in Pune.

Apparently, annoyed over slow pace of the justice delivery system, Das had appealed to the President on January 29 this year to ensure early justice to him in the case or permit him to end life, willingly.

"Since my petition for mercy-killing is lying with the Rashtrapati Bhavan I am not going to re-approach for the same. In fact, now I want to dedicate my life fighting for the innocent lives jailed under IPC 498a," said Das.

Das's son Praveen, who is employed with Navy Mumbai based JSW Ispat Ltd, was married to Vibha of Kasidih on November 23, 2010 but following marital discord the matter reached police and eventually to the court.

Das, his wife Sunita and son Praveen, are out on bail at present. They were arrested under various sections of Anti dowry Act about sixteen months ago.
 

 http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ranchi/Ex-army-man-seeks-amendments-to-dowry-act/articleshow/21065017.cms