Rajiv Gandhi's killers can't be released: Centre Tells Supreme Court
New Delhi, Aug 10 : The Supreme Court was on Friday informed by the Centre that the convicts of the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case cannot be released, holding that setting them free will set a "dangerous precedent".
The Tamil Nadu government's proposal to release the convicts is not acceptable to the Centre, Additional Solicitor General Pinky Anand, appearing for the Centre, told a bench headed by Justice Ranjan Gogoi. "Releasing the killers of a former Prime Minister will set a very dangerous precedent.
"The case has been decided by various forum of judiciary and executive and the prisoners do not deserve to be set free," said the Centre in its report.
Placing before the bench the decision of the Ministry of Home Affairs, taken on April 18, Anand said the Centre has taken a decision not to release the seven convicts on the state government's proposal.
It said that the Central Bureau of Investigation has opposed the Tamil Nadu government's proposal to release the convicts in the "interest of justice".
"The case has been reviewed, scrutinised by various forums of judiciary and executive and both the highest judicial and executive forum have evaluated the case and decided the matter.
"Releasing the four foreign nationals who had committed the gruesome murder of the former Prime Minister of this country along with 15 others, most of who were police officers, in connivance with three Indian nationals will set a dangerous precedent and lead to international ramifications by other such criminals in the future," the Centre's document stated.
"The Centre, in pursuance of Section 435 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) does not concur to the proposal of Tamil Nadu government for grant of further remission of sentence to the seven convicts," said the union government.
The Centre filed the report in compliance of the top court order directing it to take a call on the Tamil Nadu government's proposal within three months.
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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.
