20-year-old man sets mother ablaze for denying him money

Feb 25: Two Customs Preventive officers allegedly involved in gold smuggling cases in Kerala were removed from service, a top official said in Kochi on Monday.

Sumit Kumar, Commissioner of Customs (Preventive), Kochi, said that he took action against Radhakrishnan B, Superintendent of Customs, and Rahul, Inspector of Customs, who were allegedly involved in gold smuggling cases in the state.

Radhakrishnan was involved in attempted smuggling of gold weighing 24998.61 grams having a market value of over Rs 8 crore through Thiruvananthapuram international airport on May 13, 2019, Kumar said.

Rahul was involved in attempted smuggling of gold weighing 11,035.54 grams valued at over Rs 4 crore through international airport on August 19, 2019, the Customs Commissioner added.

Radhakrishnan is currently lodged in Central prison, Thiruvananthapuram after the Central Economic Intelligence Bureau under the Union Finance Ministry issued detention order under COFEPOSA (Conservation of Foreign Exchange and Prevention of Smuggling Activities Act, 1974).

Rahul, against whom detention order under COFEPOSA was issued, is absconding.

"Two Customs officers of the Customs Preventive Commissionerate, Kochi, who were involved in gold smuggling cases were removed from service by Sumit Kumar, Commissioner of Customs (Preventive), Cochin," an official release said.

Kumar said that both the cases were booked and investigated by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence and while show cause notice under Customs Act 1962 has been issued against Radhakrishnan, investigation is under progress in the other case.

"Both the officers were removed from service, after due process of law under Rule 19 of the Central Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 1965," the release said.

Bengaluru, Jul 22: Congress MLA Priyank Kharge has questioned the Karnataka government on the alleged breakdown of oxygen in the intensive care unit (ICU) at ESIC hospital in Kalaburagi, saying he had got complaints that eight persons who were on ventilators had died.

He asked the government if it is "deliberately" hiding something about the patients that were admitted in ESIC.

"I have got complaints that eight people who were on ventilators are dead in ESIC Kalaburagi because there was oxygen breakdown in ICU. ESIC has not been admitting patients as the issue has not been resolved. Nobody is confirming or denying it. Is the Government deliberately hiding something?" he asked.
Kharge also accused the government of not having adequate facilities to combat COVID-19 in different parts of the state.

"I hope I am wrong, but if it is a fact, this ascertains that the administration has lost control over Corona pandemic in the district. No addition testing centre. No beds are available. PPE Kits and medical waste is thrown in Gulbarga Institute of Medical Sciences (GIMS)," he added.

According to the Union Health Ministry, there are 67420 COVID-19 cases in the state.

Mangaluru, Apr 19: The covid-19 being spread by the novel coronavirus has claimed a life in the coastal district of Dakshina Kannada.  

The victim, a 50-year-old woman from Bantwal taluk, breathed her last at Wenlock Hospital today morning. 

She was rushed to a private hospital yesterday after she developed breathing problems. Then she was shifted to Wenlock Hospital's block for suspected coronavirus patients, and placed in the intensive care unit (ICU).

Her throat swab was collected the same day and sent for testing for coronavirus. However, today morning her condition worsened and she passed away.

The report was received on later on Sunday afternoon, which confirmed that she had contracted coronavirus.

The woman's family members including her husband, son and mother-in-law have been placed under quarantine. It is learnt that her mother-in-law's condition is serious and she has been admitted to the ICU.

The throat swabs of all the three family members have been sent for coronavirus test. According to sources, the woman's son had come from Dubai recently.

Meanwhile, a 30-year-old woman from Uppinangady, who is undergoing treatment in a hospital, today tested positive for the covid-19.

With the confirmation of two new cases, the total number of reported covid-19 cases in Dakshina Kannada reached 15. Out of which only two case are currently active and 12 have been discharged. Another one passed away.