Bengaluru: NIA special court jails 2 more fake currency racketeers for 6 years
Bengaluru, Feb 21: A special NIA court here convicted two persons for their role in smuggling Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICN) in the country and fined them Rs 15,000.
The FICN racketeers -- Gangadhar Kholkar and Sabiruddin -- were convicted by the NIA Special Court in Bengaluru under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) on Saturday.
They were sentenced to six years imprisonment and fined Rs 15,000.
The court had earlier convicted three accused -- Mohammed Sajjad Ali, MG Raju and Abdul Kadir -- on December 2 last year under relevant sections of the IPC for their role in the conspiracy, and had sentenced them to six years imprisonment and fined them.
The case was originally registered in August 2018 in Bengaluru's Madanayakanahally police station against four accused after FICN having a face value of Rs 6,84,000 in denomination of Rs 2,000 was seized from their possession.
The NIA re-registered the case in September 2018 and took over the investigation.
The probe revealed the involvement of four more persons, including three FICN suppliers in Malda, West Bengal.
The NIA filed chargesheets against seven persons -- Mohammed Sajjad Ali, M G Raju, Gangadhar Ramappa Kolkar, Vanitha, Abdul Kadir, Sabiruddin and Vijay.
The trial continues against charge sheeted accused Vanitha and Vijay.
Further investigation against absconding accused Jahiruddin was underway, the NIA added.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
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.
ALSO READ: Chinese GPS tracker found on seagull near Karwar Coast
"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.
