Kasaragod: Deputy Tahsildar arrested for sexist, casteist remarks against Air India crash victim
Kasaragod: Deputy Tahsildar of Vellarikundu, A Pavithran, was arrested on Friday by Kanhangad Police for making derogatory remarks, including a sexist and casteist slur, against a nurse who died in the recent Air India crash. The arrest followed a complaint lodged by Nair Service Society’s Kanhangad taluk union president, Prabhakaran Karichery.
Pavithran’s Facebook post targeting the late Ranjitha Gopakumaran Nair (42), a nurse from Koipuram panchayat in Pathanamthitta, sparked widespread protests both online and on the ground in Kanhangad and Vellarikundu. Ranjitha, who had taken a UK-based nursing job after serving in Kerala’s Directorate of Health Services, died while travelling to London via Ahmedabad on the ill-fated Air India flight.
Several organisations took to the streets demanding Pavithran’s arrest. The BJP and Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh marched to his residence in Mavungal. The Muslim Women’s League of the Indian Union Muslim League held protests in Kanhangad, while the Youth Congress organised a torch march in Vellarikundu.
Unaware of the growing outrage, Pavithran reported to duty on Friday morning. By 11 p.m., he was served a suspension order by Vellarikundu Tahsildar V Murali, acting on instructions from Kasaragod Collector Inbasekar K. The Collector has recommended Pavithran’s dismissal, citing repeated instances of misconduct.
Following concerns over his safety, Pavithran was intercepted by police while driving home and taken to Vellarikundu police station, before being handed over to Kanhangad DySP Babu Peringeth.
He has been booked under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita s.75 (sexual harassment), s.79 (insulting womanhood), s.196 (promoting enmity between groups) and s.67A of the IT Act (publishing sexually explicit content online).
The Collector described Pavithran’s post as defamatory and insulting to womanhood, adding that it tarnished the image of the Revenue Department. Past records show a pattern of similar behaviour. In August 2023, he received a warning for allegedly spreading defamatory content about a temple official. In February 2024, another warning was issued after he verbally abused a CPI union leader and his father. In September 2024, he was suspended for targeting Kanhangad MLA E Chandrasekharan through a social media post, but was reinstated after a minor censure.
Speaking to reporters, MLA Chandrasekharan said Pavithran’s actions had caused pain to his family and condemned his pattern of online abuse. "It’s not just about one community. He has consistently vilified various communities, including Vishwakarmas, through his social media posts," the MLA said.
Collector Inbasekar reiterated that despite repeated warnings and disciplinary actions, Pavithran continued to misuse social media, compelling him to recommend permanent dismissal.
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JK: Fire breaks out in commercial building near Lal Chowk, 19 gas cylinders recovered
Srinagar (PTI): A fire broke out in a five-storey commercial building near the Lal Chowk city centre here on Saturday, but was doused before it could spread in the congested business hub, officials said.
They said firefighters recovered 19 gas cylinders during the operation and there were no casualties in the incident.
Assistant Director, Fire and Emergency Services, Aqib Mir, said, "The fire originated from the attic portion of the building, which houses the kitchen of a restaurant. The cause of the fire is being ascertained."
"The attic was severely damaged. There were no casualties," he said.
The firefighters managed to contain the damage by swiftly dousing the blaze using a hydraulic platform, Mir said.
During the firefighting operation, 19 gas cylinders were recovered from the spot, he said.
"We have informed the concerned police station," he added.
Mir appealed to people not to store combustible substances at home or commercial places.
