Karnataka hospital sealed, 4 employees detained after female foetus found in dustbin
Bengaluru: A private hospital in Bengaluru Rural district was sealed and four of its employees were detained after a female foetus was found inside a dustbin of its premises, police said on Thursday.
Following the incident in the hospital located at Thirumalashettyhalli in Hoskote taluk, a case has been registered by the police against the doctor who is also its owner. Those detained included females nurses who have also been named in the FIR, they said.
A team of health officials visited the hospital as part of their routine inspection on Wednesday and found the female foetus to their utter shock, a senior police officer said.
During the inspection, they also found a woman lying in the operation theatre and suspected that the foetus thrown in the dustbin belonged to her.
However, the officer said, ''The enquiry is on and we are yet to verify if the disposed foetus was hers or someone else's.''
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The health officials alerted police and sealed the hospital, he said. State Health Commissioner Randeep D said it is the first case booked for female foeticide through illegal abortion in Karnataka.
''The health officials team followed leads and undertook an inspection where disposed foetus evidence was found along with no proper records maintained of scanning. The hospital has been sealed,'' he told PTI.
''Based on the statement and complaint received by the health officials concerned, we have registered a case under the Prohibition of Sex Selection Act, Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act and sections 312 (causing miscarriage), 314 (death caused by act done with intent to cause miscarriage) and 315 (act done with intent to prevent child being born alive or to cause it to die after birth) of the Indian Penal Code against the owner and staff of the private hospital'', a senior police officer said.
The hospital owner has been absconding since the incident and teams have been formed to trace him, he added.
Earlier this month, the Karnataka Health department had asked district health officers to inspect and seal unauthorised medical facilities and those run by 'fake doctors' after police busted a sex determination and female foeticide racket in Karnataka.
Several arrests have been made in connection with the scandal uncovered in Bengaluru, Mandya and Mysuru districts.
The Karnataka Government has transferred investigation into such illegal activities to the Criminal Investigation Department of the State Police.
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Kerala government to create microsite on ‘Islam in Kerala’ to boost tourism
Thiruvananthapuram: In a bid to showcase Kerala’s rich Islamic heritage and attract a diverse range of tourists, the Kerala government will create a microsite on ‘Islam in Kerala’. The initiative, supported by Kerala Tourism, will feature a comprehensive digital presentation tracing the historical and cultural roots of Islam in the state. Kerala Tourism has sanctioned a sum of Rs 93.8 lakh for the development of the microsite, which aims to highlight the socio-cultural evolution of Islam in Kerala over centuries.
Islam has a deep-rooted history in Kerala, dating back to the 7th century. The microsite will serve as a digital platform to explore the role of Islam in shaping Kerala’s history, architecture, lifestyle, arts, and cultural practices.
The microsite will be divided into six chapters, each highlighting a distinct aspect of Islamic heritage in Kerala, aimed at both domestic and international travellers. According to an RTI filed recently, the content for the microsite is currently under development, with active research being carried out. Field shoots are being conducted at various historic mosques across the state to visually document it.
The first chapter, ‘History of Islam in Kerala’ will focus on the early introduction of Islam in the region, particularly through traders and their first settlement along the Malabar coast, as reported by The Hindu.
Chapter two will be on the Islamic pilgrim centres in Kerala such as Beemapally in Thiruvananthapuram and Juma Masjid in Kasaragod. A host of ancient mosques which are pilgrim centres, including the Cheraman Juma Masjid in Kodungallur, Jama-at Mosque in Malappuram, Mishkal Mosque in Kozhikode, Odathil Palli in Thalassery, Palayam Mosque in Thiruvananthapuram, Ponnani Juma Masjid, Pazhayangadi Mosque in Kondotty and Vavar Mosque in Erumely, will be featured, the publication added.
A third chapter will delve into the rich culinary skills of Muslims — Mappila cuisine, the distinct culinary tradition that blends traditional Kerala, Persian, Yemeni, and Arab influences. This segment will highlight the vibrant costumes of the community, including weddings, pre-wedding, and post-wedding ceremonies, which are expected to be an attraction for tourists.
Another chapter will focus on architecture, particularly the fusion of Arabic and indigenous construction techniques seen in the state.
The final chapter will cover art forms and festivals celebrated by Muslims in Kerala, including the influence of Mappila songs, a form of folklore that emerged in the 16th century.
“There is a need to bring together all the information on Islam, which played an important role in shaping Kerala, under one roof, as part of tourism promotion. This will help tourists and play a major role in bringing religious scholars, historians, students, and pilgrims to Kerala,” a senior officer with Kerala Tourism told the news outlet.
The launch date of the ‘Islam in Kerala’ microsite has not been decided yet. Earlier, Kerala Tourism had created similar microsites on Christianity, Judaism, and temples in Kerala.
