QChennai: Rajiv Gandhi Case Convict’s Mother Seeks Release & More

Here is your roundup of the top stories from Chennai.

Supporters of former Indian PM Rajiv Gandhi follow his coffin during the funeral procession in New Delhi on 24 May 1991. 

(Photo: Reuters)

1. Rajiv Gandhi Case Convict Perarivalan’s Mother Meets Amit Shah Seeking His Release

Perarivalan — along with Nalini, Murugan, Santhan, Robert Payas, Ravichandran and Jayakumar — has been in jail for 28 years after being convicted in the assassination in 1991.(Photo: PTI)

Arputhammal, the mother of AG Perarivalan alias Arivu who was convicted in the assassination of former Indian prime minister Rajiv Gandhi, met with Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday seeking the release of her son. Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) chief and Chidambaram MP Thol Thirumavalavan, who had facilitated the meeting, was also present.

VCK General Secretary and Villupuram MP D Ravikumar, who was also present at the meeting, said, “The petition for their release is pending before the Governor. The power rests with the Governor now. We hope that a proactive role by the government will help the Governor follow their lead.”

(Source: The New Minute)

2. Rs 3.44 Crore Seized in Poll-Bound Vellore: CEO

The Tamil Nadu chief electoral officer (CEO) Satyabrata Sahoo said all arrangements for the election in Vellore Lok Sabha constituency slated for 5 August have been completed. Security has been tightened and 19 companies of paramilitary forces have been deployed for safe and peaceful conduct of the polls, he told.

An additional ten companies of paramilitary forces sought by the EC has also been sanctioned, he said. On the seizures in the constituency so far, he said the income tax officials have seized Rs 3.44 crore in cash so far, besides nearly three kg of gold and Rs 40,000 worth liquor. So for, 44 cases have been registered for unauthorised wall writings in Vellore.

(Source: Deccan Chronicle)

3. Woman Kills Self After Rigorous Police Interrogation

Parvathy was found dead by her neighbours in the wee hours of Monday in her house at T Nagar.(Photo: YouTube Screenshot)

A 46-year-old woman allegedly killed herself on Monday soon after she was detained and interrogated by police in a case related to a year-old burglary of gold and cash from former Union minister P Chidambaram’s house in Chennai. The family members said she was upset after police questioned her in the case even though she has no connection with the burglary.

The case dates back to 8 July 2018, when around Rs 1.5 lakh cash and unquantified amount of gold jewellery went missing from Chidambaram’s house at Khader Nawaz Khan Road, Nungambakkam. However, Chidambaram’s family withdrew the police complaint allegedly because they learnt that it was one of their housemaids who had stolen the cash and gold and the maid later promised to return the same.

(Source: The New Indian Express)

4. Rs 23,185-Crore Development Plan for the City Finalised

Many urban planning experts pointed out that the the lack of stormwater drains was the main reasons for intense waterlogging during the 2015 floods in Chennai. (Photo: PTI)

The city requires funding to the tune of Rs 23,185 crore to bridge the gap in physical and social infrastructure, according to the final draft of the Chennai City Development Plan.

Development of stormwater drains is expected to receive the highest priority in the next five years in various parts of the city. The goals include removal of illegal sewerage connections in stormwater drains, covering open drains to avoid mixing of sewerage, desilting and beautification of natural drains, linking of waterbodies in Kosasthalaiyar basin to reduce waterlogging in north Chennai, water recharging through the stormwater drain system, developing roads and drains and precast technology for drain project for fast construction.

(Source: The Hindu)

5. Isari Ganesh Tenders Unconditional Apology

When the matter came up before a division bench of Justices MM Sundresh and M Nirmal Kumar on Monday, the duo filed sworn affidavits tendering apologies.(Photo courtesy: The News Minute)

Actor, producer Isari K Ganesh and his acquaintance Anantharaman, against whom the Madras High Court has suo motu initiated contempt proceedings on the charge of attempting to influence the judge hearing the South Indian Artistes Association (Nadigar Sangam) election case on 22 June, have tendered unconditional apologies.

The duo filed sworn affidavits tendering apologies. Accepting the apologies, the bench closed the matter. Following a suggestion from the bench, Ganesh also agreed to donate Rs 10 lakh to the Tamil Nadu State Legal Services Authority for the welfare of the transgenders and orphaned children within two weeks. Originally, Justice N Anand Venkatesh had framed two charges against Ganesh.

(Source: The New Indian Express)