Actor Dalip Tahil sentenced to two months in jail in 2018 accident case
Mumbai (PTI): A court here has sentenced Bollywood actor Dalip Tahil to two months in jail in a 2018 accident case, citing that the medical officer's evidence made it clear that the actor was driving under the influence of alcohol.
The court held that the defence's argument that the victim and her friend being "social media predators" encashed the actor's celebrity status, is not sufficient to discard the evidence of the prosecution.
The metropolitan magistrate court in Bandra on October 16 had convicted the veteran actor of charges under section 337 (causing hurt to any person by doing any act so rashly or negligently as to endanger human life or the personal safety of others) of the Indian Penal Code and relevant provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act.
The detailed order was available recently.
As per case details, Tahil's car rammed into an autorickshaw, injuring two passengers, in suburban Khar area in September 2018.
The court noted that the evidence of the medical officer made it clear that the accused was under the influence of alcohol.
Responding to an argument of the defence, the court said the status of the accused and the nature of the informant's and the witness' work is not the criteria to discard their testimony.
"The evidence of the informant and witness is in corroboration to each other that the vehicle of the accused dashed the auto from behind," the order said.
The court further said in the present case, it is proved that "the accused is well mature and a respectable citizen of India having gained the status of a public image".
"The nature of the offence and overall impact on society in respect of the offence committed by the accused is required to be dealt with sentence according to law and not only on the imposition of the fine," the court said while sentencing the actor to two months in jail.
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Karnataka govt directs municipal corps to regulate, prohibit pigeon feeding
Bengaluru (PTI): The Karnataka government has issued directions to municipal corporations across the state to regulate and prohibit feeding pigeons in public places, citing serious public health concerns.
Deputy Secretary to Government V Lakshmikanth has written to the Urban Development Department requesting it to issue directions to the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) and all municipal corporations to take immediate steps to implement the measures.
In an official note dated December 16 issued by the Health and Family Welfare Department and released to the media on Wednesday, the department said uncontrolled feeding of pigeons in public places has resulted in large congregations of birds, excessive droppings and serious health concerns, particularly respiratory illnesses linked to prolonged exposure to pigeon droppings and feathers such as hypersensitivity pneumonitis and other lung diseases.
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"The commissioner, the Greater Bengaluru Authority and the Commissioners and chief officers of other municipal corporations shall take necessary action to mitigate the causes of dangerous disease spread by pigeon and enforce specified guidelines in their respective jurisdiction," the note said.
According to the department, these include a prohibition on feeding pigeons or causing pigeons to be fed in areas where it may cause nuisance or pose a health hazard to the public. Pigeon feeding shall be permitted only in designated areas in a controlled manner, subject to certain conditions.
"The designated areas may be selected in consultation with stakeholders. The responsibility for upkeep of the designated areas and compliance to the directions shall be taken up by some charitable organisation or an NGO. The feeding in designated areas shall be permitted only for some limited hours in the day," it said.
The note further stated that authorised officers of local authorities shall issue on-the-spot warnings and may impose fines for violation of the order, or lodge complaints to prosecute offenders under Sections 271 (Negligent act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) and 272 (Malignant act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
It also directed local authorities to conduct public awareness campaigns, including the display of signboards, banners and digital messages, explaining the health hazards associated with pigeon droppings and feathers, the content of the regulatory directions and penalties for violations, and alternative humane methods of bird conservation that do not endanger public health.
