The east division cyber crime police busted an online fraud racket and arrested four persons, including the branch manager of a private bank, in Rajkot in Gujarat in connection with accessing a payment gateway company’s website to withdraw ₹12.5 crore within two days .

CRED, having their corporate nodal account at AXIS bank Indiranagar branch in Bengaluru, filed a complaint that they lost ₹12.5 crore from their account after the accused allegedly took access to their account by using fake CIB request form with the directors’ fake signature.

One of main accused is Vaibhav Pitadia, who was working in Axis Bank’s corporate section in Rajkot. Based on his information, the police team arrested his associates, Shailesh from Rajkot, Nehaben and Shubham from Surat.

Investigation revealed that Vaibhav used his associates to create several mule accounts to transfer the money online which was later withdrawn and used personally.

The officials have seized the bank accounts and efforts are on to recover the money.

A set of decisions taken at the 55th Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council meeting on Saturday is expected to address Kerala’s grievances regarding Integrated GST (IGST), Finance Minister K.N. Balagopal’s office said.

The meeting, chaired by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in Jaisalmer, decided to ensure that bills for online services specifically mention the State where the consumer is located.

When traders fail to specify the destination of the service in bills related to interstate transactions, the State where the consumption took place stood to lose out on tax revenue. The GST Council decision is expected to offer a solution to this problem.

Kerala has been demanding greater accuracy in matters related to IGST, which is levied by the Union government, and then settled between the Centre and the State governments.

Further, the committee on IGST settlement has submitted recommendations for ensuring greater clarity and precision in the settlement process. This measure is expected to benefit Kerala.

In July, the Kerala Public Expenditure Review Committee had stressed the need for Kerala to pay close attention to the IGST mechanism, observing that the existing system actually works towards revenue loss for the State.

Police with the four accused for ganja smuggling in Chittoor on Saturday.

The Chittoor Urban police on Saturday arrested four youths and seized 8 kgs of ganja worth nearly ₹1.2 lakh at Bodigutta road near Chittoor-Bengaluru National Highway ouitskirts.

Chittoor Superintendent of Police (SP) V.N. Manikantha Chandolu said that a special party formed with members of the II-Town police rushed to the spot to get information about the covert activity and arrested the four accused.

According to the police, the four accused — Amarnath, Devendra, Lokesh, and Karthik — used to procure ganja stocks from a person named Vasu of Bangarupalem town, who is on the run, and sell the material in small quantities at profitable prices to their clients. During interrogation, it came to light that Vasu used to get the contraband from unknown persons at Visakhapatnam railway station and transport it to Chittoor town, before despatching the same to various localities.

The police registered a case and sent all the four accused, residents of Chittoor town, to remand.

The Kozhikode Corporation Council on Saturday (December 21), unanimously decided to take strict action against the rampant encroachment on the Kottooli wetlands in the heart of the city, citing their ecological significance. The decision comes against the backdrop of the recent incidents at Vazhathuruthi.

The council also unanimously decided to appeal to the authorities concerned to relocate the Hindustan Petroleum (HP) Depot at Elathur to a safer location. The motion came in the backdrop of the recent incident in which thousands of litres of diesel leaked from the depot through the drains to reach the sea. The council noted that the consequences would have been more severe had petrol leaked and criticised depot authorities for their lack of urgency in addressing the situation, despite repeated leaks and minor fires in the past.

Earlier, the council made a strategic decision to seek the help of the police in controlling the rising crime rate around Kozhikode Beach. IUML Councillor K. Moideen Koya also raised concerns about groups of youngsters gathering at the beach past midnight, urging caution. However, he faced criticism from ruling front councillors, who argued that his comments suggested the growing nightlife was problematic. They attributed such disturbances to drug abuse rather than nightlife itself.  Mayor Beena Philip said that the council will enquire about the situation and take necessary action.

A similar discussion followed regarding a proposal to impose time restrictions on wayside eateries along the Vellimadukunnu-Kovoor road, which residents claim cause nighttime disturbances.

The council also discussed the issue of unauthorised hoardings in the city and the destruction of trees on the beach allegedly by anti-social elements.

A trial court here dismissed the plea of the woman actor in the actor rape case to hold the remaining portions of the trial as open court proceedings after finding that the petition was not a maintainable one.

Honey M. Varghese, the District and Sessions Judge, Ernakulam, dismissed the petition the other day.

The court pointed out that the District and Sessions Court had earlier allowed her plea to hold the trial as in-camera proceedings to protect her privacy and hence the same court cannot review its earlier order. Though the trial court, which allowed the in-camera proceedings, had dismissed her plea to have a woman judge to consider the case, the actor had secured a favourable order from the Kerala High Court and Ms. Varghese was assigned the job.

Dismissing her plea for an open court hearing, the trial court pointed out that she had secured orders from various courts to hold the trial as in-camera proceedings to guard her privacy. The Supreme Court too had ordered that the privacy of the survivor shall be protected during the trial. The court cannot sidestep the legal mandate of holding the trial in sexual offences involving women or sexual assault cases booked under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act as in-camera proceedings, the court pointed out.

Section 366 (2) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhitha, 2023 and Section 327 (2) of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 stipulates that the trial of sexual offences shall be conducted in-camera. Neither the survivor nor any parties to the case can demand that the proceedings in such cases shall be conducted in open courts, the court noted.

It’s the duty and legal mandate of the court to hold such proceedings as in-camera ones and to protect the privacy of the survivors in the case. The court cannot waive off or relax its statutory mandate, the court pointed out.

Incidentally, the actor had moved the court early this month seeking open court proceedings by stating that her identity and the fact that she was a victim in the sexual assault case was “well known to every member of this society.

Cubbon Reads began over two years ago as a initiative to encourage the habit of reading books. It has since gained nationwide traction, inspiring similar chapters in cities across India.
| Photo Credit: file photo

A quiet Saturday gathering by the Cubbon Reads community took an unexpected turn when park authorities allegedly confiscated books and detained curators for hours, citing non-compliance with park regulations after a large crowd attended the event.

Cubbon Reads began over two years ago as an initiative where book enthusiasts gather at the park to read in solitude or small groups and later take pictures before dispersing. Over time, the initiative has gained nationwide traction, inspiring similar chapters across India.

Book exchange

Saturday’s event featured a Secret Santa book exchange, introduced last year. A curator, who requested anonymity, said that an unexpectedly large turnout drew the attention of park officials. According to an Instagram post by the community, the authorities allegedly demeaned the curators for not speaking Kannada, threatened to harm their careers, and warned of an FIR along with a ₹35,000 fine.

The curators were eventually released after submitting an apology letter. “This initiative has never been commercial. We want to work with the administration, not against them. Incidents like this threaten the entire movement,” a member stated. Another curator added, “We just want a little more understanding. This is a peaceful gathering that promotes reading and community.”

Park officials’ version

Officials from the Horticulture Department claimed they received complaints about park visitors damaging lawns and trees. However, they declined to comment on the specific incident.

S. Umesh Kumar, president of the Cubbon Park Walkers’ Association, highlighted concerns over readers climbing trees or tying swings between them, which he deemed unsafe and damaging to the park’s environment. “The authorities have provided chairs and benches for reading. The issue arises when individuals misuse the park’s spaces, causing harm to its upkeep,” he told The Hindu.

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Four road transport corporations in Karnataka have disbursed ₹224.05 crore towards gratuity and earned leave encashment to 11,694 retired employees. The dues, pending since the 2020 salary revision, were cleared on December 21 Saturday in Bengaluru by Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy.

Earlier the KSRTC Staff and Workers’ Federation, along with other transport unions, was planning a State-wide strike on December 31 to urge the State government to meet their long-pending demands, including pending arrears and gratuity payments.

Mr. Reddy symbolically handed over cheques to three retired employees during the event and said, “We have delivered on our promises once again and all the issues will be sorted out soon. The outstanding payments cover retirees from January 1, 2020, to February 28, 2023, and were made through RTGS and cheques.”

KSRTC accounted for ₹86.55 crore, benefiting 4,711 employees. BMTC disbursed ₹50.25 crore to 1,833 retirees, while NWKRTC and KKRTC released ₹51.50 crore and ₹35.75 crore to 3,116 and 2,034 staff members, respectively.

Earlier H.V. Anantha Subba Rao, President, of KSRTC Staff and Workers Federation, had claimed that the government owes pending arrears to the tune of ₹1,750 crore and gratuity payments amount to ₹399.29 crore.

Chief Secretary, Shalini Rajneesh during the flagging off ceremony of Golden Chariot by Railways at Yeshwanthpura railway station.
| Photo Credit: HANDOUT E MAIL

Karnataka’s luxury train, The Golden Chariot, was relaunched at the Yesvantpur Railway Station on Saturday, December 21. Karnataka Tourism Minister H.K. Patil flagged off the train.

Originally launched on January 23, 2008, by then-President Pratibha Patil, the Golden Chariot initially succeeded with luxury trips across southern India, but operational challenges like expensive running costs and less than full patronage have placed the train in a hiatus mode since 2018.

Under the Bharat Gaurav Train policy, the operational arrangements between the Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation (KSTDC) and IRCTC were revised, paving the way for the train’s relaunch.

Minister of Tourism, H.K. Patil, Chief Secretary, Shalini Rajneesh during the flagging off ceremony of Golden Chariot by Railways at Yeshwanthpura railway station in Bengaluru.
| Photo Credit:
HANDOUT E MAIL

The Golden Chariot offers curated journeys like ‘Jewel of the South,’ ‘Pride of Karnataka,’ ‘Glimpse of Karnataka,’ and chartered trips under ‘Sojourn of the South’.

Speaking at the event, Mr. Patil expressed pride in the train’s revival. “The Golden Chariot carries the essence of Karnataka’s culture, history, and nature, providing a special luxury experience,” he remarked.

The train features 44 cabins with en-suite bathrooms, two gourmet restaurants, a lounge bar, a spa, and a fitness center.

An IRCTC representative emphasized the blend of opulence and heritage, aiming to attract both domestic and international travelers.

Jewels of the South will begin its sojourn from December 21 to 26 and cost ₹4.07 lakh per ticket, Pride of Karnataka will be organised from February 1 to 6 and cost ₹2. 71 Lakh. Sojourn of the South will be a chartered trip from December 29 to February 12.

Muhammad Yunus, Chief Adviser of Bangladesh. File
| Photo Credit: Reuters

India’s “strong protest” in response to the now deleted Facebook post carrying an enlarged map of Bangladesh that included neighbouring Indian territories, has drawn attention to the student-advisers of the interim government of Bangladesh. The Facebook post that drew MEA’s response appeared on the page of Mahfuj Alam, a student-adviser who was inducted into the Advisory Council of the interim government in November.

Mahfuj Alam came to the limelight when he accompanied Professor Yunus during his September tour of the United States. At a Clinton Global Initiative event in New York, Prof. Yunus introduced Mr. Alam saying, “He is known to be the brain behind the whole revolution.” Subsequently, Mr. Alam has been spotted in several important engagements of Prof. Yunus including the latest visit to Cairo where Bangladesh participated in the D-8 Organisation for Economic Cooperation summit. During this week’s visit to Cairo he posted photographs of him meeting President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and an adviser of the Turkish government.

Mr. Alam was appointed into the top level of Advisers to the interim government on November 11 and does not have any particular Ministry under him but he has made his presence felt in the power structure with his frequent remarks on social media that increasingly has set the public discourse in Dhaka. Soon after being sworn in to the top-most body of advisers of the interim government, he announced that the portrait of the founder of Bangladesh Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had been removed from Darbar Hall of Bangabhaban, the official residence of the President of Bangladesh.

In a post on December 4, Mr. Alam gave a hint of the prevailing sentiment among the student-advisers in the interim government saying, “Indophiles, or Indian allies in this part of Bengal, are thinking that things are going to cool down and bypassing the July uprising and the fascist atrocities won’t cost them anything. It’s a wrong idea. People are watching everything!”

Mahfuj Alam is one of the several student-coordinators of the student-people uprising of July-August that overthrew the Awami League government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. While he became an adviser in November, others who joined the interim government in August are Nahid Islam and Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuiyan. Nahid Islam is in charge of Post and Telegraph and Information and Broadcasting Ministries, while Asif Mahmud is in charge of Youth and Sports and Local Government Ministries.

The three student-advisers have risen from the ranks of student-coordinators of the Anti-Discrimination Students Movement (Boishommo Birodhi Chhatra Andolan), the steering body of the July-August uprising. Apart from the three other two leading student-coordinators who have widespread following among the youth are Hasnat Abdullah and Sarjis Alam – both known for their fiery speeches.

Both participated in a large rally in Dhaka on December 10 on the occasion of the International Human Rights day and gave a hint of the prevailing mood among the advisers of the Yunus government. On the previous day Dhaka had hosted the Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri who was the highest ranking official from the Government of India to visit Bangladesh since Sheikh Hasina fled to India on August 5. Mr. Misri had met his counterpart Md. Jashim Uddin and called on Prof. Yunus during his visit and both sides urged for “constructive” bilateral relation. However, the student-advisers next day said that Bangladesh should take firm position while engaging India. Addressing the gathering, Hasnat Abdullah said the days of “bent knee” diplomacy are over for Bangladesh and that Dhaka will confront India on important issues like the presence of Ms. Hasina on Indian soil.

“Sheikh Hasina carried out the policy of murder, kidnapping for years and we want to tell India that it should not become the safehouse for terror suspects. Bent knee relation with India will not be allowed. Relation with India will have to be confrontational,” Hasnat Abdullah said. At the same rally Sarjis Alam said, “India’s relation with Bangladesh will be possible if the relation is one of respect.”

Sarjis Alam is also the General Secretary of the July Shaheed Smriti Foundation, an outfit started by the interim government to help the families of the victims of police crackdown of July 2024. The large crowd at the rally and widespread social media engagement of the student-advisers of the interim government and the student-coordinators of the Anti-Discrimination Students Movement indicate the growing influence that they currently have over Bangladesh.

Leaders of Andhra Pradesh Teachers Federation (APTF) on Saturday demanded that Class 10 students attending special classes on Saturdays and Sundays as part of their academic preparation for the upcoming Board examinations should be provided mid-day meal and given transportation facility.

In a statement, the federation’s state president G. Hrudaya Raju and general secretary Y. Chiranjeevi said in a meeting held on December 13 comprising the officials of the School Education Department and representatives of the recognised teacher unions, Minister for Human Resource Development (HRD) Nara Lokesh had agreed to their request to provide mid-day meal and transportation facility on second Saturdays, Sundays and on festival holidays, since students came from far-flung areas.

They said no orders to this effect were issued even till Saturday, a day before Sunday when the students would need to travel long distances from home to attend classes and would spend their day in school during the lunch hour.