Will another former CM of Haryana go behind bars?

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December 10, 2018

A former Chief Minister of Haryana, Om Prakash Chautala is already behind the bars in a JBT teachers recruitment scam for 10 years and then another is likely to face the consequences of a CBI charge sheet filed against him in a plot allotment case. It is pertinent to mention here that one more Ex-CM of Haryana and Former Defence Minister Chaudhary Bansi Lal was also arrested in August 1977 in his hometown of Bhiwani on charges of embezzlement of Haryana Youth Congress funds totalling about Rs 5 lakhs.

Will former Chief Minister, Bhupinder Singh Hooda, also meet the same fate in the latest charge sheet filed by CBI against Mr Hooda in a reallotment case of HUDA plot to his Party’s mouthpiece newspaper, National Herald, allegedly incurring a loss of Rs 67 lakh as charged by CBI?

A special CBI court on 22 January 2013, sentenced former Haryana Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala, his elder son Ajay Chautala and thirteen other officials to 10 years in jail for their involvement in illegally recruiting 3206 teachers in the state by using forged documents.

What the present issue is?

On December 01, CBI had filed a charge-sheet in the court of a special CBI judge Jagdeep Singh in Panchkula against Haryana’s Ex-CM Bhupinder Singh Hooda, Senior Congress leader Moti Lal Vora and Associated Journals Limited (AJL), a company associated with National Herald newspaper, in a Panchkula plot allotment case under section 120 B and 420 of IPC and sections 13(1)(d) read with 13(2) of Prevention of Corruption Act.

Haryana governor Satyadev Narayan Arya had already given his approval for the prosecution of Hooda in the AJL matter a few days ago.

CBI has alleged that Hooda, the then Chief Minister and Chairman of Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA), in 2005 re-allotted a previously cancelled plot to AJL at the original rate, allegedly violating the norms laid down by the Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA), which resulted in a loss of Rs 67 lakh to the government exchequer.

The plot in question firstly allotted to AJL company in 1982, but the company failed to complete the construction on the plot as per HUDA norms due to which the plot allotment was cancelled by HUDA in 1992 and the plot was later repossessed by the Haryana Urban Development Authority. Later on, in 1995, Administrator HUDA dismissed the appeal of AJL against the resumption of plot and the revision petition of the company was also dismissed by Commissioner, Town & Country Planning on October 10, 1996.

CBI has charged that in 2005, the then Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda in the capacity of Chairman, Haryana Urban Development Authority had re-allotted the cancelled plot to AJL at the original rate plus interest, allegedly violating the norms laid down by the Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA).

Now as the CBI has booked former Chief Minister Hooda, the then chairman of the AJL, Moti Lal Vora, and the company under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) related to criminal conspiracy and provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act, the air of reactions has started to gain heat in the political and legal circles .

A previous case against Hooda

After the Manesar land case filed in Feb 2018, this is the second charge-sheet that the CBI has filed against Hooda. The Manesar case pertains to the alleged fraud committed by the Hooda government with the farmers pertaining to lands worth over Rs 1,500 crore in Manesar, Haryana. According to the charges levelled, the land was allegedly purchased between August 27, 2004, and August 24, 2007, using the threat of acquisition by the Bhupinder Singh Hooda government during his tenure as CM.

They say: it’s a political vendetta

Reacting over the present AJL plot allotment case, Hooda alleged that the BJP government in the state had nothing to show in their achievement card except indulge in political vendetta against him. A leading newspaper on Dec 01, 2018, quoted Hooda —

“My decision to restore the institutional plot to AJL at old rates was within my powers as the chairman of the HUDA. The AJL had paid up the entire amount for allotment of the plot but could not do construction on it. This led to its resumption,’’ Hooda said. He further said the plot was restored after charging an interest amounting to over Rs 55 lakhs on the allotment price of Rs two lakhs. “It was a well-reasoned order passed by me in the exercise of powers vested in me by the HUDA Act,’’ he claimed.

Randeep Singh Surjewala, Incharge Communication Indian National Congress, alleged that BJP and its leaders are using government machinery to harass the opposition leaders and suppressing their voice.

In a press conference on December 2, 2018, he said, “These days Modi Ji, Amit Shah and BJP are utilising the ED and Income Tax departments as Dirty Tricks Departments. By allotting plots to newspapers, including National Herald, Ex-CM Bhupinder Singh Hooda and 90-year-old freedom fighter and veteran Congress leader Moti Lal Vora have done no dishonesty. Some other newspapers including Indian Express, Dainik Jagran and probably the Dainik Bhaskar have also been allotted lands. Issuing charge sheet to Congress leaders shows that BJP is working in a revengeful manner. Upsetting over the likely defeat in five states and 2019 elections, PM Modi and Haryana CM Khattar are not only issuing unrestrained statements and using filthy language, but also trying to suppress the voice of opposition through misutilisation of police and government agencies.”

But on the other hand, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar had denied the political vendetta while replying to a question on CBI charge sheet against Bhupinder Singh Hooda in Manesar land deal case, quoted the scriptures saying, “As you sow so shall you reap.”

What does the common man say?

A retired bank officer, Bhagat Singh Saini, a resident of Hooda’s own city, Rohtak says, “If a person in power abuses the powers provided by the constitution and extends unlawful benefits to his nears and dears or himself, he should be held guilty and must be punished.”

Krishan Swarup Gorakhpuria, a veteran farmer leader from Fatehabad comments, “Every act is related with electoral politics.”

Sunil Sheoran, an advocate from Bhiwani reacts, “I think what’s going on is due to this political system in India when the elections are near, all mechanisms are active whether that is CBI or any other cop. This is ridiculous and is happening from the very beginning.”

Legal consequences

Legal experts comment that the proving or disproving the charges levelled in this case will mainly depend on the documents, their validity and authenticity, rules and regulations of HUDA and the extensive powers conferred by the constitution and bye-laws of HUDA on its Chairman.

However, if the charges get proved beyond doubts, the quantum of punishment may go up to an imprisonment of 10 years.

Under section 13(1) (d) of Prevention of Corruption Act (as mentioned in the charge sheet) alone, if the criminal misconduct by a public servant gets proved, then he is liable to punishment as under:

13(2): Any public servant, who commits criminal misconduct shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than four years, but which may extend to 10 years and shall be liable to fine.

– Jag Mohan Thaken

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed within this article are the personal opinions of the author. The facts and opinions appearing in the article do not reflect the views of AFTERNOON VOICE and AFTERNOON VOICE does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.

London court orders the extradition of Vijay Mallya to India

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Web Team

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December 10, 2018

In a major setback to Vijay Mallya, a UK court on Monday ordered his extradition to India, where he is wanted for alleged fraud and money laundering charges amounting to an estimated Rs 9,000 crores.

Westminster Magistrates’ Court Chief Magistrate Judge Emma Arbuthnot ruled that Mallya can be extradited to India to stand trial on the charges brought by the CBI and ED.

The judge referred the extradition case to Secretary of State.

The ruling marked a significant point in the high-profile extradition trial that has lasted over a year.

Earlier in the day, Mallya sought to disprove the narrative that he has “stolen” money and said his offer to repay the principal amount to the Indian banks was “not bogus”.

Mallya made the remarks while talking to reporters outside the Westminster Magistrates’ Court. The 62-year-old former Kingfisher Airlines boss was on bail since his arrest on an extradition warrant in April last year.

“My settlement offer is made before the Karnataka High Court. It is not related to this extradition trial. Nobody disrespects a court of law by making a bogus offer. The assets have been attached by the ED so they cannot be bogus assets,” he said, asserting that his offer to repay the principal amount was not bogus.

The embattled liquor tycoon said that the value of his assets is more than enough to pay everybody and that is exactly what he was focusing on.

“I want to disprove the narrative that I have stolen (money),” he said.

He said his legal team will review the judgment and take proper steps thereafter.

In reference to settlement offer to Karnataka High Court, Mallya said that he has requested the court that if the settlement is granted then first the employees of Kingfisher be paid.

The trial, which opened at the Magistrates’ Court on December 4 last year, has gone through a series of hearings beyond the initial seven days earmarked for it.

Urjit Patel quits as RBI Chief, says “Personal Reasons”

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Web Team

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December 10, 2018

Urjit Patel, RBI, Reserve Bank of India, Bank of India, Urjit, Patel Quites, RBI governor, Banking, Indian Banking — PTI Photo/Shirish Shete

Reserve Bank of India Governor Urjit Patel has stepped down from his post citing “personal reasons” days after an unprecedented face-off with the government. “On account of personal reasons, I have decided to step down from my current position effective immediately,” Mr Patel said in his letter.

This is Urjit Patel’s full statement:

“On account of personal reasons, I have decided to step down from my current position effective immediately. It has been my privilege and honour to serve in the Reserve Bank of India in various capacities over the years. The support and hard work of RBI staff, officers and management has been the proximate driver of the Bank’s considerable accomplishments in recent years. I take this opportunity to express gratitude to my colleagues and Directors of the RBI Central Board, and wish them all the best for the future.”

This is a developing story, more details awaiting.

Goan Catholic Wedding Customs and Ceremonials — Part I

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Jubel D'Cruz

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December 10, 2018

Catholic Wedding, Goan Wedding, Goan Catholic Wedding, Catholic Community, Goan Community — Image Courtesy: PhotoPundit

The Goan Catholic wedding involves many customs and traditions that capture the happiest times of the Goan community. In the earlier days, a middle person known as a ‘Mali’ or a ‘Raibari’ used to arrange the marriage by taking a proposal to the boy’s or the girl’s family. These days, very few marriages are arranged this way and the family directly goes with a proposal if they like the boy or the girl. Next, after they agree, a decision called the ‘Utor’ (promise) is taken by the families whereby, they discuss the details of the wedding that include the dowry to be given to the bridegroom.

As per tradition, the engagement is then held at the to-be-groom’s place and takes place with the exchange of rings in the presence of family members, a priest, relatives, and friends. The bridegroom’s ring is taken in a special box that has the Infant Jesus statuette on it. The bride’s parents also put some money which represents the amount of dowry to be given at the bottom of the box. This is counted by an elderly family member who is known as a ‘yezman’.

After this, the wedding preparation begins. Relatives of both the bride and the groom, go shopping to purchase fabrics for the bridal gown, the ‘saddo’ and the dress material that the bride has to wear on the next day of the wedding.

According to the existing Portuguese Civil Code in Goa, the next step for the couple is Civil Registration which is done at the Civil Registrar’s office, in the presence of parents, close relatives, and two witnesses. Within a period of three weeks thereafter, the public can raise and submit objections if any, as the Registrar affixes a notice on the board inviting them to do so.

Next, the wedding banns are read in the church on three consecutive Sundays just some weeks before the marriage. If there is no time to read all the three banns, in case it is an urgent marriage, then one or two may be read. This informs the public of the impending marriage and they can bring out the objections if any.

After the first bann is read, on the very same day, the bride is supposed to wear the ‘chuddo’ in her maternal uncle’s house who is supposed to invite her for lunch. The ‘chuddo’ ceremony takes place here where the bangle seller, i.e. the cankonkar comes to the house and fits bangles on the bride’s hands in the accompaniment of ‘zoti’ which are special commemorative songs. The bangles worn are green in colour with yellow lines on them and they symbolise the married life of the bride. Thus, they should not be broken and the bride is not expected to do any housework due to this. The bangle seller is paid some money for his services along with a measure of rice, one coconut, and some bananas.

(This is the first part of the diary and the latter part will continue tomorrow.)

(Any suggestions, comments or dispute with regards to this article send us on feedback@www.afternoonvoice.com)

Letters to the Editor: December 10, 2018

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Web Team

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December 10, 2018

Income Tax search on private locker-vaults

It refers to Income Tax officers continuing to wait for those having taken on-rent lockers operated by a private firm in Khari Baoli area of Old Delhi which is the prominent business hub for wholesale trade of many commodities. Only one-third out of total about 150 lockers are till date opened because of lack of regulatory norms for taking these privately-operated lockers on hire with rent running into some lakhs of rupees annually. Already about Rs 35 crores have been detected from the opened lockers. Earlier also similar search in South Extension area of New Delhi resulted in the seizure of heavy unaccounted cash.

Such privately operated lockers operating till late evening are a necessary evil because India does not have the facility of night banking where traders may be able to deposit accounted cash of the daily sale-proceeds. However, much-required regulations including the provision of Know-Your-Customer (KYC) reported regularly to some regulatory body can prevent misuse of such privately operated lockers for keeping unaccounted cash. Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) should urgently sort out some mechanism for compulsory registration of privately-operated locker-vaults fixing suitable norms like KYC, failing which complete cash and other valuables seized from unregistered private locker-vaults may be treated as income of those operating unregistered private vaults.

– Madhu Agrawal

Media reports on the appointment of new Commissioners at CIC

Media reports indicate that central government is going to appoint four new Commissioners in addition to existing three at Central Information Commission (CIC). Newly built CIC building at New Delhi has provision for total eleven Commissioners including Chief Information Commissioner as per maximum strength of Commissioners provided under the law.

CIC Bhawan has the provision of offices of four commissioners each on two floors while one floor has provision for offices of Chief Information Commissioner and two other Commissioners. Since with new addition of four Commissioners, there will be Chief Information Commissioner and six other Commissioners offices of whom can be accommodated in two floors. To save electricity and maintenance cost, one floor with the provision of offices of four Commissioners should be closed for present till central government decides to add more Commissioners. It is significant that floors housing offices of Commissioners and Chief Information Commissioner do not have an office of any other office-bearer or functionary at CIC.

– Subhash Chandra Agrawal

India retains the top position as recipient

It is a very good news for all of us, that India is going to retain its position as the world’s top recipient of remittances this year with its diaspora sending a whopping $80 billion back according to the global lender, India is followed by China ($67 billion), Mexico and the Philippines ($34 billion each), and the Egypt ($26 billion)— there are huge distance between India and other countries. I hope that with this, India definitely will develop widely and will remain on the top position forever, as well as poverty, starvation, and farmer’s problems will eradicate soon, and they will live a pleasant life.

– Shakir Ayyubi

Exit Polls Predictions encouraging for Congress

What was predicted by exit polls is encouraging for Congress party to regain their recognition once again and a lesson for BJP party that no longer the hoi polloi cannot be made fool by making promises based on mouthing only. It seems that the masses understood that the BJP was misleading them towards “Divide and Rule” —playing with religious sentiments of Hindus and Muslims and now they had started “Diverse and Rule” policy asking questions about Nehru and Congress casting aside all promises which were made in 2014 general election. Exit polls also demonstrated that the vox pop is not as real and ground level as some media houses show regarding BJP.

As far as reality is concerned that people are too sick and tired of the BJP government to bother more. However, these exit polls predictions remain to be seen accurately. That will be proved on the results day and whatever results will come it would have great significance for each and every party in 2019 Lok Sabha election. I am quite hopeful that the results will be as good as exit polls prediction.

– A Zafar

Gods come to the rescue but govt’s priorities questionable!

Rs 500 crore interest-free loan from Sai Baba Trust for irrigation projects in Maharashtra may be for a noble cause but the government has its priorities wrong as why should they spend over Rs 3500 crores on Shivaji’s statue if their coffers and financial chests are empty? Indian temples are rich with funds but those funds should be utilised for public hospitals, schools, to feed those dying of malnutrition and hunger.

Taxes and loans from financial institutions should be utilised for the completion of public projects. Why should temple trusts give interest-free loans to the government? Maharashtra government should pay interest on loans they have received and Trusts can use the interest amount to help the sick and the needy. We pray to Almighty but God doesn’t expect us to offer him money in return for favours. The money offered by devotees should be utilised for a better purpose of helping mankind than as free loans to the government!

– SN Kabra

7 million deaths due to air pollution

It is a very sorrowful moment that air pollution has caused 7 million deaths worldwide every year and costs an estimated $5.11 trillion in welfare losses globally. The same human activities that are establishing the earth’s climate also contribute directly to poor health; this report was released on Wednesday in Poland. The health burden of polluting energy sources is now so high that moving to cleaner and sustainable choices for energy supply, transport and food systems effectively pays for itself. I appeal to the recent government especially Delhi and Maharashtra to pay full attention to this important issue, otherwise, a large number of people may suffer from dangerous diseases.

– Najmul Huda

India’s most powerful satellite launched

It was heartening to learn that India’s heaviest satellite GST-11, that would boost broadband services in the country, was successfully launched by an Arianespace rocket from French Guiana. It is the heaviest, largest and most powerful satellite ever built by India. Of course, it will be a major milestone for the country’s space programme, which would transform the lives of crores of Indians by connecting remote areas. I extend my deepest congratulations to the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) for this incredible achievement. The entire country feels proud of ISRO to keep on innovating and setting high standards of scale, achievements and success. I wish India to go further ahead in science and technology and to achieve full equipment of modern technology.

– Mohd Faheem

UP’s CM must ensure people’s safety

It refers to the latest clash that took place in a village in Bulandshahr district of UP and led to the killing of a police inspector and a youth. I would request UP’s Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath that instead of suggesting new names of Muslim cities and towns, dragging names of revered personalities of Islam, he should restore a sense of safety among the people of Uttar Pradesh. Because the mob-violence is threatening all over the state, women are being molested in a broad daylight and lawlessness is prevailing all across. The innocent people are being lynched by mobs only in the suspicion of involvement in a crime. So, he must ensure the safety of people rather than to deliver rhetorical speeches to manipulate the people’s mind from core issues.

– FT Mulla

I didn’t steal anyone’s money: Mallya in UK Court

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Web Team

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December 10, 2018

Absconding Indian liquor baron Vijay Mallya on Monday, who appeared in a court here in connection with an extradition case, said that he had not stolen anyone’s money and his offer to pay back the loan amount of banks was not a bogus one.

“I have not stolen anyone’s money. My offer to return the loan amount of banks is not a bogus one,” Mallya said while responding to questions from the media persons in the court premises. “Extradition is entirely a different matter,” he said.

Mallya said that he has filed comprehensive settlement applications before the Karnataka High Court in the matter related to repaying of loans to the banks. “I have filed comprehensive settlement applications before the Karnataka High Court which coincidently going to be head today,” he said.

Mallya, who arrived at the Westminster Magistrate’s Court in London to hear the judgment in an extradition case, said that his legal team would review the judgment and take proper steps thereafter. “Whatever the judgment, my legal team will review the judgment and take proper steps thereafter,” he said.

“Yes, I have tweeted saying that I want to repay to bankers and others that have nothing to do with this extradition issue. It is a completely separate matter. My settlement matter is not related to the judgment which is going to be delivered today,” he added.

The Westminster Magistrates Court in London is expected to pronounce its judgment in the extradition case of Mallya on Monday. The court is hearing the case on India’s request.

On December 6, Mallya reiterated his wish to repay banks completely in a bid to end the narrative of him having “stolen” money from various lenders. A day after Mallya requested banks to accept money from him, the 62-year-old, once again, refuted reports of any connection between his proposed settlement offer and the upcoming ruling in a UK court with regard to his request to block his extradition to India.

On Wednesday, the liquor baron, while refuting all allegations levelled against him, had offered to pay back the full amount of the principal loan he owed to multiple banks.

“Respectfully to all commentators, I cannot understand how my extradition decision or the recent extradition from Dubai and my settlement offer are linked in any way. Wherever I am physical, my appeal is “Please take the money.” I want to stop the narrative that I stole money,” he tweeted.

On Sunday, a joint team of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) led by CBI Joint Director A Sai Manohar left for the United Kingdom (UK) for the court proceedings. Earlier, CBI Special Director Rakesh Asthana was leading this case.

Earlier on Friday, the Supreme Court had issued a notice to the ED on a plea filed by Mallya seeking a stay on the proceedings initiated by the ED to declare him a fugitive economic offender and confiscate his assets.

Mallya is facing money-laundering charges in the United Kingdom after India initiated extradition proceedings against him. Both the ED and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) have filed several cases for alleged loan default against him. Mallya has been residing in the UK for the past two years.

High Court rebukes state for job recruitment ad under Maratha quota

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Web Team

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December 10, 2018

The Bombay High Court on Monday chided the Maharashtra government for issuing an advertisement for job recruitment under the new legislation providing reservation to Maratha community even as petitions challenging the same are pending before the court.

The HC said such “irreverent situations” should be avoided and that the government should give courts some “breathing space” to hear the petitions.

A division bench of Chief Justice Naresh Patil and Justice M S Karnik asked the government why was it in such a rush to fill up the positions when it knew that petitions challenging the Maratha reservation decision were due for hearing on Monday.

The bench was hearing a bunch of petitions on the Maratha quota issue.

While few of the petitions challenged the government’s decision to provide 16 per cent reservation in government jobs and educational institutions to the Maratha community, several others were filed in support of it.

Advocate Gunaratan Sadavarte, appearing in a petition challenging the legislation, pointed out to the court an advertisement issued by the Maharashtra Public Service Commission inviting applications for jobs.

“Applications have also been invited under the newly introduced Socially and Educationally Backward Class (SEBC) for the Maratha community,” Sadavarte told the court.

Senior counsel V A Thorat, appearing for the government, said only applications have been invited and that the final examination for the jobs will be held in July 2019.

“The entire process of filling up the posts will take more than six months,” he said.

The court, however, sought to know why the government was in such a rush to issue the advertisement.

“The government knew that the petitions challenging the legislation would be heard today. You (government) could have waited for a few more days to issue the advertisement,” Chief Justice Patil said.

He said the government was not technically wrong in doing so, but considering the seriousness of the issue in hand, the government should have waited.

“This is a serious matter affecting millions of people, both for and against the reservation. In such matters, such irreverent situations should be avoided. The government should give courts also some breathing space to hear the petitions and pass interim orders,” Chief Justice Patil said.

Several people will send their applications for the jobs not knowing that the issue was being challenged, the court noted.

“We do not want youngsters who have sent applications to wait endlessly. There has to be a balanced approach in such matters,” the court said.

The bench directed Thorat to take instructions from the government on whether the state would recruit people under the quota pending hearing of the petitions.

The court then posted the petitions for further hearing on December 19.

After the petitions were adjourned, Sadavarte was assaulted and abused by a person shouting “Ek Maratha Lakh Maratha” in support of the quota outside court premises when he was speaking to the media.

While the man was whisked away by police, Sadavarte came back to the bench and informed it about the incident.

He further told the court that in the last one week, he received several threat calls and that he and his family were being followed by two unknown men.

“This morning, I went to the local police and gave a complaint letter,” he said.

Chief Justice Patil directed state Advocate General Ashutosh Kumbhakoni to look into the issue and give the lawyer police protection if required.

Maharashtra Governor C Vidyasagar Rao had earlier this month approved and signed the Maratha Reservation Bill after the state Assembly unanimously passed it.

The State Backward Class Commission had last month submitted a report to the government recommending reservation in government jobs and educational institutes to members of the Maratha community.

Advocate Pradeep Sancheti, appearing for petitioner Sanjeet Shukla who has challenged the reservation, told the court on Monday that the decision was violative of the Supreme Court’s previous orders mandating that caste and community-based reservation in states should not exceed 50 per cent.

“The state government cannot concentrate on one caste alone. The commission should have been asked by the government to look into all castes. Why only the Maratha community?” Sancheti said.

Senior counsel Shrihari Aney, appearing for another petitioner challenging the reservation, said the creation of a separate category for the Maratha community under the name of ‘Socially and Educationally Backward Class’ was not justified.

VVIP Chopper case: Delhi Court grants further 5-day remand of Christian Michel

By

Afternoon Voice

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December 10, 2018

Christian Michel, Christian Michel, AgustaWesland, VVIP Chopper Scam, Delhi Court, Judicial Remand — Image Courtesy: AFP/Anushree Fadnavis

A Delhi Court on Monday granted five-day remand of Christian Michel, the alleged middleman in AgustaWestland VVIP chopper deal, for his custodial interrogation by the CBI.

He was produced before Special CBI Judge Arvind Kumar after the expiry of his five-day CBI remand.

The probe agency sought further remand of nine days for Michel’s custodial interrogation saying he was not cooperating in the investigation of the case.

At the outset, Michel withdrew his earlier bail plea and filed a fresh detailed bail application.

Maha Doctors voice in favour of Sexual Independence

By

Afternoon Voice

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December 9, 2018

After a Delhi court on Saturday summoned a doctor for violating the Delhi Medical Council (DMC) norms by allegedly treating homosexuality as a ‘genetic mental disorder’ and using ‘Shock Therapy’ to treat members of the LGBTQ community who came to him, the Supreme Court decriminalising Section 377 to recognise sexual and constitutional rights of the LGBTQ community members was called into question.

The incident took no time to catch fire and received aggressive criticism. Cosmetologist Dr. Anshuman Manaswi spoke to AV and regretted, “Trying to change sexual orientation is apparently illegal. As of today, there is no evidence that trying to change sexual orientation does any benefit in any way. Those who belong to the LGBTQ community can only get confused and suffocated by these attempts. But more than that, from the medical point of view, it has the propensity to harm those vulnerable people.”

“The mental block in our society that forces the parents, friends, and relatives of such people to the quacks and unethical doctors, is torturous to these people. Moreover, such therapies don’t work a bit. We must let these people live with Sexual Independence. Even in the historic times, in mythology, “Kinners (transgender)” existed and were accepted!” Dr. Manaswi added.

“Conversion therapy” is an attempt to change a person’s sexual orientation using psychological or spiritual interventions and it is not recognised either by medical science or by the legislature. When a complaint was received by Girish Tyagi, Registrar and Secretary of DMC, the court passed the order. The complaint read that the accused doctor, PK Gupta, was debarred by the DMC in 2016 from practicing in Delhi and despite that, he continued to practice and was using hormonal and shock therapy to provide treatment. As per the court, Gupta was running a super specialty clinic at Karol Bagh in Delhi and was charging Rs 4,500 for 15 minutes counselling, after which he decides to go for hormonal therapy or psychological therapy.

Shammo Das, a 24-year-old homosexual who works as a Teacher and Theatre worker exclaimed, “It is not about whether homosexuality is legal or not but about mentality. We have fought long for decriminalising homosexuality and we won! Now our fight is more difficult as we have to make this society understand that this is not a crime. Otherwise, these kinds of incidents won’t stop. It’s really shameful and disheartening that these kinds of incidents are taking place even in 2018!”

The DMC took the decision after receiving a letter from Anjali Gopalan, the Executive Director of Naz Foundation in 2015. The letter informed them about a news report where some doctors upheld conversion therapy and claimed to convert homosexuals to heterosexuals. As reported, the letter also referred to another news article which said that ‘the dubious procedure included talk therapy which could lead to depression, anxiety, seizures, and suicidal tendencies’.

Endocrinologist and Diabetologist Dr. Deepak Chaturvedi explained about Sexuality being an in-depth subject which cannot be described in few lines. He said that the subject needs thorough discussion and understanding. He further simplified how Nature has given the instinct of Sex for two main purpose — Procreation and Pleasure and homosexuality does not fulfil the “procreation (reproduction)” purpose of Sex. “Nature has given all of us a sexual attraction towards opposite sex because that’s what leads to procreation (reproduction). Now, homosexuality is “non-reproductive” and hence it is “socially unacceptable”. However, being socially unacceptable doesn’t necessarily mean ‘abnormal’ or ‘a disorder’ or ‘a disease’. If reproduction is not taken into account, then consensual sexual preference is ones right and choice,” Dr. Chaturvedi interpreted.

He further said, “Describing Homosexuality as a (genetic) mental disorder is completely insane. If self-sexual gratification (masturbation) is not an abnormal disorder, then having consensual sexual gratification with the same sex also is not abnormal. Labelling homosexuality as a disease/disorder and offering its treatment should be considered equivalent to quackery and fraud.”

The court observed that the accused was prima facie found to be illegally practicing and contravening a provision of the Indian Medical Council Act which warrants a maximum of one-year jail term. It noted that ‘a person found practicing without registration, even qualified, shall be liable for action specified by the council’.

Alongside, the judiciary also looked back on the Supreme Court judgement on homosexuality that legitimised consensual sexual acts between two adults of the same sex in private. The apex court then also wished for a society that will discourage any form of discrimination and lead the nation towards a resplendent future. It also marked that any violation of fundamental rights would be interrupted by the courts.

Dr. Sudhir Patil, Care Hospital, Nagpur asserted, “It’s a social stigma! We should respect the feelings — social environment, psychiatric counselling, and to some extent hormonal therapy is helpful. However, I am against electroconvulsive therapy and major conversion modalities and moreover, it’s not evidence-based.”

Renowned Homeopathy practitioner Dr. Mukesh Batra called the incident ‘shameful’ and said, “It’s shocking! Unbelievable that in today’s science-oriented world, someone was doing this and that too, a doctor! I’m sure it’s only for profit — benefiting from others’ suffering, seems to be the name of the game.”

(Any suggestions, comments or dispute with regards to this article send us on feedback@www.afternoonvoice.com)

The hormonal imbalance, disaster by all means

By

Vaidehi Taman

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December 9, 2018

You must be seeing loads of ads and promotions about hormone treatments that promise height, charm, anti-aging, weight loss, and sexual adroitness. However, the truth is that their efficacy is debatable but the consequences are really dangerous. Some doctors deliberately don’t mention about the hazards because it’s their business. Like there are crooks in every business, there are crooks in health business too. The world we live in today is one of instant indulgence. An obsessed person is in rush of looking slim, an athletic guy needs to boost his physical performance in a blaze, a middle-aged man/woman has to turn sexually adroit overnight, and the ageing woman seeks to look younger at once. All of these people are in a position to use or misuse hormone therapy in completing their personal pursuit. Down the line, the eagerness of doing it all in one go takes them literally nowhere. Many doctors end up advocating and luring their patients into hormone treatments for anything to everything, but we as responsible humans should know that ageing is a natural process with which our hormone levels gradually decline. The hormone treatment brigade thinks differently – they assume that we age because of our own issues and by pumping hormones, they can restore the age. People who use these hormones are potentially inviting life-threatening situation. Perhaps, one of the most misused hormones is the anabolic steroid. Its use was initially limited to the competitive sport but because of effective means of detection, such instances have dramatically fallen. Anabolic steroids increase muscle mass and decrease body fat. Such performance-enhancing drugs cause acne, facial hair in women, breast development and testicle shrinking in men, along with infertility, depression, insomnia, liver damage, high blood pressure, and mood swings and what not!

These hormones come in all forms as injections, oral pills or applied as a cream. Many users adopt a process called “cycling”, where they take the drug and withdraw after a time to give the body rest. Others use the “stacking” method — taking more than two or multiple steroids at a time. A number of studies have established that testosterone concentration decreases with age. This age-related decline of testosterone starts in the third decade of life. The decline has been termed as andropause, which is actually a misnomer. Surveys suggest that testosterone is associated with increased appendicular skeletal muscle mass and strength. Testosterone therapy increases the strength of vertebrae but not the thighbone. Contrary to the popular opinion, testosterone neither helps depression/cognitive function, nor ups the risk of fracture. Although instances of prostatic cancer with testosterone are sparse, there is a concern that it may exacerbate subclinical cancer or heart disease. Very low testosterone levels are associated with a decreased sexual desire, reduced frequency of sexual intercourse, inability to maintain an erection, loss of muscle mass, decreased beard growth, and increase in the size of the male breast. When I spoke to various doctors, they told me that nowadays many learned youths are attracted to hormonal treatment just to get that perfect solution of looking perfect, which is rarely possible.

Testing hormone levels in women’s saliva is nonscientific and almost useless.

Also, problematic is the use of growth hormones administered to increase the height of children. It is an understandable solution if a child’s growth hormone levels are low and he or she is stuck with an abnormally short stature. Even in such cases, height-increasing treatments can cost you huge. The usage of the same treatment in a child with regular growth is not clear and may be fraught with danger. A medical analysis of several studies on growth hormones that were reported in a leading medical journal stated that growth hormones did not increase exercise capacity. In fact, they made it worse. The claims regarding the performance enhancement properties of growth hormones are not supported by studies either. The manipulation of hormones to attain height, physical attractiveness, and performance will remain an eternal question.

Meanwhile, these days, we see gender confusions in society. Hormonal treatments are given as a part of the sex reassignment process that alters an individual’s brain chemistry, increasing the risk of depression in male-to-female transsexuals. The process aligns the transsexual’s risk of depression with the established risk of their desired gender.

The researchers and doctors have long known and documented the bodily effects of gender reassignment hormonal treatments. These hormones greatly alter the secondary sexual characteristics of the adult body, shifting a recipient’s physical appearance to that of the opposite sex. The changes occur involving hair growth and texture, voice, muscle tone, complexion, and overall body shape.

Individuals that undergo a sex change operation may have an increased risk of a depression as a result of the hormone treatments given during gender reassignment. You will not find these sex changed or patients undergone such treatments are really happy and problem-free. Rather they are encountering more physical and emotional problems after undergoing these treatments. The treatment might have given them the illusioned transformation, but it comes at a great invisible cost.

Transgender people using hormone treatment need lifelong medical support and care. In spite of lifelong spending and care, most of them either adopt to flesh trading or sex-starved businesses. Studies have shown that 90 per cent of these is suffering from HIV and STDs. So, where are these treatments ultimately leading them to?

Hormonal treatment for gender dysphoria resembles hormone replacement therapy for people with hypogonadism. Several guidelines are available at the start of hormonal treatments. Let it be a woman/man or transgender, they need to know the risk of overdoing of such treatments, and most importantly, from whom you are taking such treatments. These days, medical practice is business, the pure intent of the business is to make money out of your weakness and desires and most of the time the ailments that you go through, but nothing comes free. You have to spend your hard-earned money to get treated, my appeal is that don’t spend on buying danger. Identify the right medical practitioner and seek appropriate medication. What you want is a different thing and what you need is different.

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