Young journalist Basheer killed as IAS officer’s car hits his motorbike

Agencies
August 3, 2019

Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 3: A young journalist of a local newspaper was killed early Saturday when a car driven by an IAS officer, allegedly in an inebriated state, mowed him down.

The 33-year-old IAS officer, Sreeram Venkitaraman, who was appointed Survey Director by the state cabinet on Thursday, was behind the wheel when the accident occurred, a senior police officer said.

Venkitaraman, also a Medical doctor and Fullbright Fellow, had recently returned to the state after completing higher studies abroad. He was accompanied by model-friend Wafa Firoze, the owner of the luxury car.

The rashly driven car hit the stationary motorcycle of K Muhammed Basheer (35), Bureau Chief of Malayalam newspaper 'Siraj', at Museum road in the heart of the city as he was returning home from work.

Parts of the motorbike and the car were strewn around and Basheer's slippers and some articles were found metres away from the accident spot. Blood stains were seen on the road.

According to police, a case has been registered under section IPC 279 (rash driving on a public way) and 304A (punishment for culpable homicide not amounting to murder) against the two accused.

Eyewitnesses told television channels that the car overtook some autorickshaws and hit the motorcycle at a high speed.

Due to the impact of the collision, Basheer was thrown off his bike, suffering serious injuries and died on the spot.

Though Venkitaraman had earlier reportedly stated that his friend wad driving the car, the woman later in her statement told police categorically that it was the IAS officer who was behind the wheel at the time of the crash.

"There were conflicting statements on who drove the car. We have now confirmed from independent witnesses that Sreeram Venkitaraman was driving the vehicle," IGP and Thiruvananthapuram Police commissioner, Dhinendra Kashyap, told PTI.

The blood samples and statement of the official has also been taken.

Venkitaraman, who is also said to be injured, was admitted to a private hospital here.

Kerala Union of Working Journalists (KUWJ) has demanded a proper and truthful investigation in the case to bring the guilty to book.

Transport Minister A K Saseendran said IAS officers should set an example for others by following rules and regulations strictly.

Steps would be taken to cancel the driving license of the accused, he told reporters.

Expressing deep shock and grief, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said the media fraternity had lost a member who had a bright future.

Leader of Opposition, Ramesh Chennithala and Devaswom Minister, Kadakkampally Surendran, were among those who expressed grief on the death of the journalist who leaves behind his wife and two children.

The KUWJ has also shot off separate letters to Vijayan and DGP Loknath Behera, demanding an impartial and transparent probe into the incident and that culprits be booked.

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News Network
January 13,2020

Mangaluru, Jan 13: Supporting former state chief minister and JD(S) leader HD Kumaraswamy who released a "CD on the December 19 Mangaluru violence", Dakshina Kannada party unit president Mohammed Kunhi on Monday demanded a probe into the violence.

Mr Kumaraswamy, who released 35 video clips related to the violence, had demanded the suspension of the Police Commissioner and also sought a house committee to probe the incident.

Addressing media personnel here, Kunhi questioned, "If the police department did not commit any mistake why is the state government looking worried about the CDs released by Kumaraswamy?"

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News Network
January 12,2020

Bengaluru, Jan 12: Chief Justice of India, Sharad Arvind Bobde on Saturday hinted at the possibility of Artificial Intelligence being developed for the court system while making it clear that it will never replace human discretion.

Speaking at an event here, Bobde said, "We have a possibility of developing Artificial Intelligence for the court system. Only for the purpose of ensuring that the undue delay in justice is prevented."

"I must make it clear at the outset as there are times when even judges have asked this. AI is not going to replace human judges or human discretion", he added.

Sharing more details of his vision, he stated, "It is only the repetitive, mathematical and mechanical parts of the judgments for which help can be taken from the system...we are exploring the possibility of implementing it."

Bobde stressed on the requirement of developing AI for judiciary while outlining the number of pending cases in different courts.

"Some people are in jail for 10-15 years and we are not in position to deal with their appeals. The high court's and Supreme Court take so long and ultimately the courts feel that it is just to release them on bail", he said.

Bobde also endorsed employing every talent and skill to ensure delivery of justice in a reasonable time.

"We must employ every talent, every skill we possess to ensure that justice is received within reasonable time. Delay in justice can't be a reason for anybody to take law into their hands. But it's very important for us as courts to ensure there's no undue delay in justice", he said.

CJI Bobde also highlighted the need for pre-litigation mediation and said, "Pre-litigation mediation is the need of the hour especially in the backdrop of a significant pendency that the courts are tackling with. There are innumerable areas where pre-litigation mediation could solve the problem."

He also stressed that the position of a judge is very unique under the constitution and they have to deal with a variety of problems.

"The foundation of civilisation rests on the law. Judicial officers have to deal with a variety of problems...Judges without adequate knowledge, skills and experience may cause distortion, delay and miscarriage of justice", he said.

Earlier in the day, Chief Justice of India Bobde inaugurated the phase-1 of the new building of the Karnataka Judicial Academy on Crescent Road in Bengaluru.

The new building has three floors, besides, the ground floor and two basement floors.

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coastaldigest.com news network
August 1,2020

Udupi, Aug 1: A girl child died five persons suffered injuries in a car accident today on National Highway-66 near Ambalpady in Udupi.

According to sources, two couples and children were travelling in the car from Mangaluru to Shikaripura when the tragedy took place. 

The speeding car rammed into the road divider and flipped over after the driver lost control over it near Ambalpady. 

Among the injured, the condition of a woman is said to be critical. She has been admitted to KMC Hospital in Manipal. The other passengers escaped with minor injuries.

A case has been registered at Udupi town traffic police station and investigations are on. More details are awaited.

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