Drug cases involving medicos in Mangaluru: Experts question police probe
Mangaluru, Jan 24: Law and forensic experts on Tuesday questioned the manner of police investigation into drug cases involving some doctors and medical students.
Addressing reporters here, Mangaluru Bar Association vice president Manoraj Rajeeva alleged that the law enforcing agencies have not dealt with the cases in a fair manner.
While making it clear that he is against drug peddling and consumption, Rajeeva said as per Section 64 (a) of the 1985 NDPS Act, those who have consumed drugs have exemption from legal action.
It is not necessary to send them to judicial custody if they are willing to go to rehabilitation centres, he said and wondered why the police did not take a step in this direction.
He also questioned the police department action of providing the photographs of the accused to the media.
Rajeeva said such acts not only affect the families of the accused, but also Brand Mangaluru' and the image of the medical education institutions in and around the city.
He demanded that the cases be probed by the High Court or Central agencies like CBI. He also said High Court will be approached in this case.
Professor and forensic expert Dr Mahabalesh Shetty, who was also present, said though screen tests are positive that does not confirm drug consumption.
Samples have to be confirmed by sending them to Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) and Consolidated Forensic Laboratory (CFL) tests within 24 hours, sometimes even passive smoking gives positive results, he said.
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Gold scales new peak of Rs 1.4 lakh/10g in Delhi markets as global prices hit records
New Delhi (PTI): Gold prices stayed in ascending order for the second straight day, climbing Rs 2,650 to a fresh peak of Rs 1,40,850 per 10 grams in the national capital on Tuesday, tracking robust trends in the global markets, according to the All India Sarafa Association.
The precious metal of 99.9 per cent purity closed at Rs 1,38,200 per 10 grams on Monday.
So far this year, gold prices in the domestic market have jumped by Rs 61,900, or 78.40 per cent, from Rs 78,950 per 10 grams recorded on December 31, 2024.
Silver also rallied for the second consecutive day, surging Rs 2,750 to touch a record of Rs 2,17,250 per kilogram (inclusive of all taxes). In the previous session, the white metal settled at Rs 2,14,500 per kg after registering a sharp rise of Rs 10,400 per kg.
"An unprecedented rally continues in bullion, with spot gold nearing another milestone at the USD 4,500 mark.
"The latest round of rallies is driven by expectations that the Federal Reserve will deliver more than one rate cut in 2026, alongside rising geopolitical tensions that are strengthening the safe-haven appeal of gold and silver," Saumil Gandhi, Senior Analyst - Commodities at HDFC Securities, said.
During the calendar year, silver prices have added Rs 1,27,550, or 142.2 per cent, from Rs 89,700 per kilogram recorded on December 31, 2024.
On Tuesday, spot gold increased by USD 54.3, or 1.22 per cent, to hit a record of USD 4,498 per ounce in the international markets.
"Gold has extended its sharp rally to almost USD 4,500 per ounce on geopolitical jitters and weaker dollar as markets expect the Federal Reserve to cut rates more than two times next year," Praveen Singh, Research Analyst, Mirae Asset ShareKhan, said.
During the calendar year, spot gold prices have surged by USD 1,892.23, or 72.62 per cent, from USD 2,605.77 per ounce, recorded on December 31, 2024.
Meanwhile, spot silver rose 1.4 per cent to breach the USD 70-per-ounce mark for the first time in the overseas trade. So far this year, silver prices have soared by USD 41.03, or 141.62 per cent, from USD 28.97 per ounce, recorded on December 31, 2024.
"Investors will now turn their attention towards the second estimate of third-quarter US GDP data, which is due later in the day and might provide clues into the health of the US economy and the future course of Federal Reserve's monetary policy outlook," Renisha Chainani, Head - Research at Augmont, said.
