Code of conduct did not spare even Mahatma

The statue of Mahatma Gandhi covered in Oldpet, Krishnagiri

It appears that the staff or the officials involved in ensuring adherence to the model code of conduct in force for the Lok Sabha elections got carried away in enforcing the code on statues in Krishnagiri. Two statues of the Father of the Nation – Mahatma Gandhi – were also covered, as if he had been just another political leader. One statue is in Krishnagiri and the other in Hosur, officials confirmed on Tuesday evening.

The officials explained that the statue in Hosur was covered by the employees of the Hosur Municipality inadvertently and the cover was removed in the evening after some media persons sought clarification on this, said Municipal Councillor M. Elangovan.

As many as seven statues of political leaders were covered including that of Appavu Pillai, former Chairman of Hosur Town Panchayat.

The statue of Mahatma Gandhi at Pazhayapet in Krishangiri was also covered and even the local people had not noticed it for some time, said P. Ashok Kumar, Commissioner of Krishnagiri Municipality. “I went to the spot immediately after getting the information around 5 p.m. But, by then the cover was removed,” he said.

When contacted by The Hindu (NEWSPAPER), District Election Officer and Collector T.P. Rajesh clarified through SMS: “Yes. Mahatma Gandhi-ji statue are not covered in MCC (Model Code of Conduct). He is exempted.”

Cheating: case registered against chairperson of engineering college, husband

The District Crime Branch of the Krishnagiri police has registered a case against the chairperson of an engineering college and her husband for cheating an amount of Rs. 1.96-crore on Saturday.

In a complaint lodged by M. Senthil Mohan (45) and his sister M. Thenmozhi of Royakottai , they alleged that they were cheated to the tune of Rs. 1.96-crore by a D. Jayapal (42) and his wife J. Archana Kumari, Chairperson and Managing Trustee of the Archana Group of Institutions, Thimmapuram near Kaveripattinam, said M. Ganesan, Deputy Superintendent of Police, District Crime Branch.

He told The Hindu on Tuesday that the Mr. Senthil Mohan and his sister Thenmozhi had given Rs. 1.96-crore in six instalments after they were orally promised that they would be made the Managing Trustees of the Institutions.

The amounts received from the siblings were acknowledged by the bonds of Rs. 100 stamp paper.

They had mentioned in the stamped acknowledgement that the amount was received for college expenses and would be returned along with interest (without mentioning the rate of interest).

It was alleged that Mr. Jayapal failed to keep his promise and did not return the money.

Irked over this, Mr. Senthil Mohan registered a complaint with the District police. The Crime Branch registered a case on the advise of the Inspector General of Police, West Zone and Deputy Inspector General of Police A. Amalraj, Salem Range and the Superintendent of Police P. Kannammal under sections 406 (criminal breach of trust), 420 (cheating) and 506 (i) (criminal intimidation) of Indian Penal Code.

DSP Mr. Ganesan said that many cases were pending against the couple and hence those who have complaints can lodge them at 94425 63710 or at the District Crime Branch over phone number 04343 235155 with relevant records.

Police launched a manhunt for the college chairman and his wife.

Further investigations are on, police sources said.

Jayalalithaa to campaign on April 17

Chief Minister and AIADMK supremo Jayalalithaa will campaign in Krishnagiri and Dharmapuri Lok Sabha constituencies on April 17, sources here said.

She will campaign in Krishnagiri for party candidate K. Ashok Kumar and in Dharmapuri for P.S. Mohan.

Sources said the Chief Minister would arrive at 12 noon at the helipad at the Government Arts and Science College for Men and would proceed by road to the campaign venue on the Krishnagiri - Kuppam Road.

After the meeting, she would leave for Dharmapuri by helicopter and would land at the helipad established at the Government Arts and Science College. From there, she would proceed to the campaign venue behind the Collectorate by road at 3 p.m., sources said.

20 children from Meghalaya sent back home from Hosur

Twenty tribal girl children aged between 8 and 13 hailing from West Khasi Hills, East Khasi Hills and Jaintia Hills of Meghalaya were sent back home from Hosur on Monday night as per the orders of the Madras High Court, said Praveen P. Nair, Hosur Sub-Collector.

The first bench of the Madras High Court headed by acting Chief Justice Satish K. Agnihothri and Justice M. Sundaresan on March 6 directed the Government to handover the children to the Chief Secretary of Meghalaya on March 13.

As per the order, the district administration finished all the necessary formalities including conducting medical tests for the children at the Government-registered private home, Narendira Nambikkai Natchathiram, on Monday.

The court also directed the Meghalaya Chief Secretary to summon the parents of the children for identification. If the parents were willing, they could bring their children back to Hosur to complete their education.

The Meghalaya Government should report back to the court on the compliance of its order, after which the final hearing of the case would be held, the bench in its direction said.

The children were escorted by a team of 10 persons including L. Vincent Sundarraj, chairperson, Child Welfare Committee of Krishnagiri district, and M. Sivagandhi, District Child Protection Officer, revenue, health and social workers.

A 50-year-old man was arrested for alleged sexual abuse of an 8 year-old girl

A 50-year-old man was arrested for alleged sexual abuse of an eight-year-old girl belonging to a village near Kelamangalam in Krishnagiri district on Monday.

Police sources said that Thimmappa (55) said to be in an inebriated condition sexually abused the girl when she came home for lunch from the nearby school.

Thimmappa allegedly lured the girl by offering chocolate and took her to an isolated place and abused her.

On the basis of a complaint lodged by the parents of the girl, Thimmappa was arrested by the All Women’s Police in Denkanikottai.

He was remanded in judicial custody.