These days makeover is not only the prerogative of the glamour industry but the dreaded criminals opting for facial aesthetic treatment to hide their identity. Plastic surgery is a skill as good as the surgeon that performs the surgery. Most people are familiar with types of surgery for a facial facelift (for a more youthful appearance), rhinoplasty for the correction of the nasal cavity and outward appearance of the nose, breast augmentation for increasing the size of the breast or for correcting the appearance of them.
There is also facial feminization surgery that changes the appearance of a male face to a feminine appearance (that looks like it was born that way). And yes, due to the skeletal features of the cranium, a good surgeon could alter the appearance of a human to look like a cat, snake, or an alien too but no one easily prefers that.
To look like another human or to hide their own features, criminals are taking the help of such procedures. The expertise of the doctor can make your body look like the way one would like – as long as they have the money and patience. There was a rumour that Dawood Ibrahim changed his face that is the reason Interpol is not able to trace him.
Petty criminals travel from one place to another by growing their hair or shaving it off completely. Little wealthy criminals either have to build up features like widen a jaw, cheekbones, alter the nose. Or shrink the face, wear contact lenses. Anything and everything is possible, but just by changing looks criminals can’t get life for a long time.
There are many wanted criminals shown in the movie losing weight or gaining weight. They use lifts in their shoes and make themselves perhaps a few inches taller. If they have a head full of hair they shave. If they are bald, they get a man’s hairpiece and wear a ball cap. Grow a beard and moustache if clean-shaven. Wear different clothes than they normally wear.
Such movie plots are an inspiration for criminals. Meanwhile, each metropolitan city has mushrooming aesthetic centres and cosmetic surgeons. There are strict privacy norms, so who is getting done what remains with the doctor unless the doctor knows the criminal background of the person opting for changes.
Even after this, the criminals get caught if their biometrics, fingerprints and retinal details are with cops. They might change appearance but they get caught in the probe. Meanwhile, those friends and family residing around know who’s who. Most of such criminals get trapped by the tip from their near and dear ones.
In many places, criminals declare themselves dead. Law enforcement and intelligence agencies are used to people pretending that they are deceased, so this will take a great deal of forethought and planning. They contact a newspaper in their area through their relatives and get an obituary. Very few publications or advertisers ask for a copy of the death certificate. Since there is no standard for these in India, and since they are rarely checked and they include a photo of that criminal to make believe that the person is no more.
One sacrifice the criminal gives is that he permanently shifts from the place he or she was residing for long. Remaining hidden without any existence is very difficult and somehow crime branch officers trace the criminal by joining all the dots.
Vacation destinations, strange migrants are constantly under the scrutiny of law enforcement agencies. Small towns are rarely the destinations of strangers and any new face (male or female) will attract a great deal of unwanted attention. Rural areas are even more socially isolated and a new appearance will be the topic of conversation for days, weeks or months.
Unless the criminals are exceptionally skilled at counter-surveillance and escape and evasion, they can’t live unseen, obtaining false identification. Trying to do as such will bring the immediate attention of cops. So, no matter how one tries to hide, they get caught sooner or later.
Plastic surgery would be painful and potentially disfiguring. It could cause serious issues with scarring or infection and it does nothing to solve the problem of your DNA remaining the same. While it could prevent people from recognizing and perhaps even fool facial recognition systems, it would only be a partial solution to the problem.
Under no circumstances can hide anywhere on the globe, no matter how many makeovers they do. The only thing that can save them is not to commit any crime.
Sunil Mane arrested in Mansukh Hiren murder case has Shiv Sena patronage alleges BJP MLA Atul Bhatkhalkar 3
Many of the family members of arrested Mumbai police inspector Sunil Mane in connection with an explosives-laden SUV near industrialist Mukesh Ambani’s residence and the murder of businessman Mansukh Hiran are Shiv Sena members.
BJP in-charge and Kandivali East MLA Atul Bhatkhalkar has written a letter to the NIA director-general today stating that the Mumbai cop Sunil Mane has his family members active in the Shiv Sena. His sister and her husband were Shiv Sena corporators. He demanded that there should be a strict probe in this regard.
Sunil Mane’s sister was a corporator from Goregaon West, Mumbai, while Sunil Mane’s sister’s husband was a four-time Shiv Sena corporator. Not only that, Sunil Mane’s brother-in-law and his sister’s husband, who was a corporator at the time, had tried to force the citizens of Patra Chali to vacate their houses, in which Sunil Mane was also involved.
Sunil Mane was also closely associated with the Shiv Sena leaders who got loans in the PMC Bank scam.
Burglar changed his looks and remained unidentified for four years 5
A 27-year-old man David Devendra alias Vinayak opted for a makeover with the help of aesthetic surgeons and changed his looks so much that the police could not trace him though he was staying at his own residence. Mumbai police have been looking for him for the last four years.
David Devendra, took slimming injections on his face, he chose Rhinoplasty surgery that changes the shape of the nose, fillers, Botox and hair surgery, he gave a complete makeover to his face. Given the alteration to himself, the police didn’t recognise Devendra. Devendra in the meantime got rid of his moustache, grew his hair and started living with his father, who had moved from Antop Hill to Ulwe.
A team led by Assistant Inspector Ajay Birajdar arrested him on Tuesday. He will be handed over to the Thane Police and later to the Tamil Nadu Police.
An officer from Crime Branch (unit IV) Ajay Birajdar said that while investigating some other case, they received a hint that Devendra – wanted by both Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu Police is staying with his father in Navi Mumbai. He was using another name and worked as a delivery boy with a food chain company.
After receiving a tip-off, the police team reached his house, Devendra’s father had told the officers that the accused was his brother’s son. Police also verified with his relatives and gathered evidence to prove he was the same person.
Later, they detained him for interrogation, and he confessed that he was indeed Devendra, the investigative officer said. Devendra had twice managed to escape from jails in Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu. He has 15 cases ranging from burglary to attempt to murder – registered against him.
In 2017, Devendra was arrested on charges of theft and lodged at Aadharwadi prison. He managed to escape on July 23, 2017, by using CCTV camera wires. He fled to Kanyakumari and committed eleven different offences there, said police.
“There too, Devendra got arrested. However, he again managed to flee. Since then, both the state police forces have been looking for him,” said the officer.
Chief of Army Staff General MM Naravane called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday. They discussed various initiatives being taken by the Army to help in COVID management, said the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).
According to the statement released by the PMO, General MM Naravane informed the Prime Minister that the medical staff of the Army is being made available to various state governments.
He also briefed the Prime Minister that the Army is setting up temporary hospitals in various parts of the country, the PMO said. It further informed that General MM Naravane apprised PM Modi that Army is opening up its hospitals for civilians wherever possible, adding that citizens can approach their nearest army hospitals.
General MM Naravane informed the PM that the Army is helping with manpower for imported Oxygen tankers and vehicles where specialised skills are required to manage them, the PMO said.
88 lakh people registered for COVID-19 vaccination within 3 hours, says Health Minister Harsh Vardhan 8
Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan on Thursday said that within three hours of opening the registration for COVID-19 vaccines for people between ages 18-45 years, approximately 88 lakh people get themselves registered for vaccination.
The Union Health Minister during his visit to the Lady Hardinge Medical College in Delhi said, “India has administered over 15 crore doses to the people above 45 years in age, healthcare workers and frontline workers. After two days the third phase of the COVID-19 vaccination will begin under which the people aged between 18-45 will be vaccinated.”
“Co-WIN handled the registrations very seamlessly. Within three hours of opening the registration for people between ages 18-45 years, approximately 88 lakh people get themselves registered for the vaccination. They will get themselves vaccinated according to the appointment. The whole process was seamless,” Harsh Vardhan said.
A liberalised and accelerated Phase 3 Strategy of Covid-19 vaccination will be implemented from May 1, 2021. Registration for the newly eligible population groups commenced on Wednesday. Potential beneficiaries can register directly on the Co-WIN portal or through the Aarogya Setu app.
The Co-WIN software is a robust, dependable and agile technology. It offers anytime anywhere registration for COVID-19 vaccination. The Minister appreciated the healthcare workers across the country and said that the healthcare workers will be able to handle the work pressure caused by the sudden surge in the COVID-19 cases.
“When we started the war against COVID, we did not have any knowledge about the virus. Currently, we have some knowledge about the virus,” he said. He further said that the fatality rate in India is 1.11 per cent.
“We need to focus on the treatment and diagnosis of COVID patients. We need to provide them medical advice to them through telecommunication,” the minister added. During his visit to Lady Hardinge Medical College, the Union Health Minister met doctors and inspected the management at the hospital.
COVID centres in Maharashtra are vulnerable to casualties; the opposition alleges corruption and negligence 19
Leaders of opposition accuse the Maha Vikas Aghadi government of its large-scale corruption in handling the COVID-19 pandemic over the last one year. The proffering for thermometer, fans, bedsheets and dead body bags were made at much higher rates than the market prices. The opposition believes that large-scale corruption and mismanagement is resulting in chaos at COVID centres.
BJP leader Kirit Somaiya told Afternoon Voice, “The frequent fire incidents that are taking place in COVID centres are due to the deliberate negligence of authorities. Dahisar Jsumbo facility was the third such incident at a COVID hospital in the city in the last six months. There were no fire safety compliances at hospitals and nursing homes. Patients in jumbo COVID centres are housed in temporary hangar-like structures and are vulnerable to fire incidents. They must be audited every month and firemen must be stationed in such centres but no one bothers about the safety of the common man.”
Somaiya further stated, “There is a lot of pressure on the whole health system of Maharashtra. Also, over time, the Mumbai metropolitan regions are widely ruled by Shiv Sena. Due to corruption, the fire protection concept is compromised heavily in these areas. Corruption and mismanagement are the two important factors which are causing such fire incidents across Maharashtra’s COVID centres.”
Opposition leader Pravin Darekar thwacked the Uddhav Thackeray led government for its failure on all fronts. He said, “MVA just wants to take credit for their self-boasted control on COVID cases in the state, where it has played no role.”
Sujit Patker, director, Lifeline Hospital Management Services, the agency managing the Jumbo COVID centre denies the opposition’s allegations, he says, “The new strain of the COVID-19 virus is mutated and is showing different symptoms than the first wave. Mumbai is passing through the peak of the second covid wave. The number of positive patients is decreasing this week, whereas the western countries are now going through the third wave. Mumbaikars are more tolerant, flexible, disciplined with high awareness about the pandemic compared to other cities. Hence getting over this second wave of the pandemic should not be a concern for them.”
“BMC / Govt officials, front line officers, Covid warriors are working day and night to ensure that medical facilities and care are provided to all the Mumbai citizens. COVID Care Centres (CCC) is designed specifically to cater to COVID patients. These CCC are self-equipped with attached pharmacy, pathology labs and competent medical staff (nurses and specialist doctors). The entire operation is taken care of by BMC authorities with adequate checks and controls, CCC are a self-sufficient ecosystem in itself”, added Patker.
BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis alleged corruption in the measures taken by the Shiv Sena-led Maharashtra government in handling the COVID-19 situation in the state.
In reply to Devendra Fadnavis’s allegations, Sujit Patker said, “During the entire life cycle of the COVID centre various statutory audits are conducted by the authorities. The staffs are also well trained to attend to any emergency crises that may arise at the COVID care centre. Safety audits and mock drills are conducted at regular intervals. Fire engines and Ambulances are always kept reserved to deal with emergencies. Biowaste segregation and disposal is also well managed. Here everything is transparent and there is no scope for corruption.”
Media Panelist-Maharashtra BJP Avadhut Wagh said, “Since most of the COVID Centres are built on an emergency basis and without following due process of tendering, the work is awarded to the favoured few. Corruption combined with inexperienced contractors made these COVID centres the death traps. Fires at COVID centres at Bhandara, Bhandup, Virar, Nashik are just the tip of an Iceberg. The government needs to give contracts to reputed companies like Tata, Larsen and Toubro etc. in case of emergency work and to monitor construction through institutes like IIT.”
Besides political leaders Afternoon Voice also talks to several people including RTI activists, journalists and other media professions about the recent fire incidents that happened in the state.
Vivek Mantri, International NLP Trainer, Clinical Hypnotherapist says, “In the present scenario where we saw many fire breakouts, it’s not about a person who lost life, but along with him his entire family gets devastated. It leads to social chaos. No matter which government is ruling, it’s important to follow the norms of structural audit and fire audit. Government should value common man’s lives without taking them for granted.”
Senior Journalist Abhijeet Rane says, “Without prejudice or political vested interests if we think realistically then every fire incident is an unintended accident. Corruption could cheat or loot and negligence would cause a fire but the government could not be blamed or accused of negligence or mismanagement for the people who are on the spot responsible for the fire in hospitals. In the world, accidents keep happening in the air or water or on earth. Mishaps are beyond the control of any government. Even in developed countries known for disciplined and efficient clean administration accidents take place but politicians don’t indulge in mudslinging as it happens in India especially Maharashtra.”
RTI Activist Shakeel Ahmed told Afternoon Voice, “All these fire incidents from Thane fire to Virar Hospital tragedy to Bhandup Mall fire is happening to due to negligence of the state government. According to Maharashtra Fire Prevention and Life Safety Measures Act, 2006 the building owners and occupants to install firefighting measures and ensure proper evacuation measures in the case of a fire emergency. And if anybody doesn’t follow it then the fire brigade official has the authority to seal the particular building or office. But the management only reacts when such tragedy happens and later, they just do a formality in the name of investigation.”
Arpit Tiwari, a PR manager said, “Hospitals and COVID care centres are currently working round the clock to make sure to save as many lives as possible from COVID-19. This pandemic has been a mirror to not just India but several nations about their healthcare standards and system. The increase in the number of fire incidents in the health care centres in the city is because of a lack or failed security systems in place. Whenever there is a fire incident only then we realise that there were lapses in our fire security management. The corporation should also pay timely visits to such important centres to make sure that there is enough mechanism to deal with such incidents. Also, at the same time, the hospitals should prioritize periodic testing of firefighting systems and regular training of staff to use it to avoid such incidents.”
Consultant Plastic Surgeon and Director Namaste Health tech platform, Anshuman Manaswi said, “Fire in a Hospital is a disaster. The COVID centres with a lot of oxygen cylinders are especially vulnerable because the fire spreads very fast. Thus, the margin of error is very low. For prevention, it is important that all the electrical materials used should be of very high quality and should be inspected regularly. Strategy for prevention short-circuiting should be recommended by the electrical engineers. Quarantine centres should have adequate fire extinguishers. The kitchen area must be far away. Oxygen cylinders when not in use should be closed properly. It is equally important that quarantine centres opening must be inspected and should not be allowed to operate where the rescue operations may be difficult.”
A former journalist and scriptwriter Jaidev Hemmady said, “The reason behind the frequent fire incidents is the poor planning of hospitals. I believe hospital administrations try to save money by not doing due diligence regarding fire safety methods and fire exits etc. After all, running a hospital has become more of a business than a public service so the patient comes last on the priority list.”
Social activist Jitendra Ghatge said,“Most of the fire accidents are happening due to short circuits in faulty electrical systems. Unfortunately, the fire audits do not cover this important issue. Such incidents mainly happen in the summer seasons due to load shedding, hence the government must do a proper audit of the electrical system and made it compulsory not just in hospitals but in every building to avoid such tragedy.”
Akash Jaiswal, a senior Journalist quoted, “Considering the present COVID-19 situation, we are all aware that the hospitals are striving hard to occupy more patients as compared to their regular capacity. More beds, oxygen tanks and other facilities are required and in such a case there are major possibilities of infrastructural, fire safety and other mismanagements. Hospitals and BMC needs to work cooperatively to ensure that all safety measures are met along with providing better health care facilities.”
Adv Ali Kaashif Khan cited, “We are all not prepared with this tragic COVID pandemic and are still struggling and thriving towards its end. The Major failure on our part is lack of medical facilities, mismanagement by staff and most importantly mishandling the patients. Moreover, due to the higher presence and usage of combustible substances like sanitisers of which usage has increased largely during the time of pandemic and this can act as a catalyst in the spreading of fire.”
Dr Deepak Chaturvedi, M.D. (Medicine) says, “This is indeed unfortunate and sad that few COVID centres in Maharashtra met with fire accidents in recent times. This is not an issue to drive or run politics on. The blame game will neither find the problem nor give the solution. The authorities in command should do a fair audit of the situation without getting influenced by any political party (in power or opposition). The fire audit of such centres should happen at the same compliance as is done for nursing homes and hospitals. No compromise should be done in terms of the materials used in such a centre concerning fire safety norms. Let the expert agencies do their job without getting undue pressure from political parties and come up with an explanation of the problems and ways to solve them. Any more fire or such accident in any of the COVID centres should be completely avoided.”
“I would like to urge here to all the stakeholders involved in making and operating COVID care centres that please don’t use this disaster as an opportunity to make money. Please be kind to humanity and give your best for the larger social, national and human cause. We all have to answer ourselves and our next generation of all what we are doing today. Let’s stay loyal to this social cause”, Dr Chaturvedi added.
Niyati Kadam a resident of Thane said, “Many parts of Mumbai have been experiencing fires at COVID centres. It has been speculated that it is because of mismanagement of the hospital staff and authorities overlooking the Centres but it is a very strange coincidence that these fires have started after the Remidisivir smuggling Scam was caught, where BJP’s senior leader Devendra Fadavnis was allegedly involved and he received a lot of backlashes. Mismanagement and excess load on medical workers could also be the reason but that seems very unlikely as they are trained to work under pressure. Also, it is important to note that all these fires have started quite suddenly. When we have dealt with major COVID waves last year.”
Ekta Morabkar who owns a food venture – Mom’s Magic Kitchen told Afternoon Voice, “It’s quite unfortunate that people are losing their lives because of the poor management in hospitals and lack of sensitivity in doctors during the pandemic. Just being emotional is not good we also need to be practical and think about what could be the other reasons behind it. I feel somewhere management who is supposed to take care of all these incidents are not able to do their work efficiently. Also, I feel the authority has taken things very lightly because the same incidents are happening everywhere that cannot be a coincidence.”
COVID-19: Cannot remain a ‘mute spectator’ in a national crisis, doesn't intend to supplant High Courts: SC 21
Terming the massive resurgence of COVID-19 cases a “national crisis”, the Supreme Court on Tuesday said it cannot remain a “mute spectator” and made clear that its suo motu proceeding on devising national policy for COVID-19 management is not meant to supplant high court hearings.
A bench headed by Justice D Y Chandrachud said the high courts are in a better position to monitor the pandemic situation within their territorial boundaries and the apex court was playing a complementary role and its “intervention must be understood in the correct perspective” as there are some matters which transcend the regional boundaries.
There is a need for top court’s intervention on certain national issues as there might be matters related to coordination between states, it said.
“We are playing a complementary role. If High Courts have any difficulty in dealing with issues due to territorial limitations, we will help,” said the bench, also comprising Justices L Nageswara Rao and S Ravindra Bhat.
These observations assume significance as some lawyers had criticized the apex court last Thursday for taking suo motu cognizance of the pandemic’s resurgence and issues by saying that high courts be allowed to continue with hearings.
A day later on April 23, a bench headed by the then CJI S A Bobde, who has retired, took a very strong exception to “unfair” criticism by some lawyers for “something which was not part of its order” in the suo motu case related to framing of national policy on the COVID-19 pandemic and said, “this is how institution is being destroyed”.
The bench on Tuesday also took note of the submissions of lawyers including senior advocate Vikas Singh on differential pricing of COVID-19 vaccines and asked the Centre to apprise it of the “rationale and basis” behind such pricing.
On the government’s decision to vaccinate all citizens above 18 years, the court sought replies from states by Thursday as to how they intend to cope with the surge in vaccine demand and the infrastructure required for that.
The bench also asked the Centre to apprise the top court of the modalities on distribution of oxygen as well as the vaccines to states and the monitoring mechanism.
In the hearing, conducted via video conferencing, the top court also appointed senior counsel Jaideep Gupta and Meenakshi Arora as amicus curiae to assist it in the COVID-19 management case as Harish Salve had sought recusal following some controversial remarks by some lawyers.
Last Thursday, the bench took note of the pandemic situation due to sudden surge in COVID-19 cases as also as mortality and said it expected the Centre to come out with a “national plan” to deal with the distribution of essential services and supplies, including oxygen and drugs.
Observing that oxygen to patients infected with the virus is said to be an “essential part” of treatment, the top court had said it seemed that a certain amount of “panic” has been generated due to which people have approached several high courts seeking relief.
Prior to this, the bench had rapped some lawyers for their unfair criticism that the apex court was intending to transfer to itself the cases from HCs saying that no such order was passed.
It had also lamented imputation of motive by some senior bar members while allowing senior advocate Harish Salve to withdraw as an amicus curiae from the case after he had said that he did not want it to be decided under the shadow that he was friends with Justice Bobde from “school and college days”.
Delhi to get 44 oxygen plants within a month announces CM Kejriwal 23
Amid the rising demand for medical oxygen due to an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases, the Delhi Government on Tuesday announced that it will set up 44 oxygen plants in the national capital within one month.
Addressing a digital press conference Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said, “We’re going to set up 44 oxygen plants in Delhi within the next one month – 8 of these are being installed by Centre. The remaining 36 are being installed by Delhi government, 21 plants coming from France and 15 plants from within the country itself.”
He said that the Delhi government is importing 21 ready-to-use oxygen plants from France and 18 oxygen tankers from Bangkok. “We are importing 21 ready-to-use oxygen plants from France. They can be brought to use immediately. These will be installed at different hospitals and this will help us in resolving the oxygen crisis in those hospitals,” said Kejriwal.
“The Delhi government has decided to import 18 oxygen tankers from Bangkok, they’ll start arriving from tomorrow. We’ve requested the Centre to allow the use of Air Force planes for this. Talks are on, I’m very hopeful that talks will be successful. This will resolve the issue of transport,” said the Delhi Chief Minister.
“I had written to many industrialists of the country in last four to five days. I had also written to chief ministers and sought help. We are receiving tremendous support; we have received offers from many people. Many of them are helping. I thank everyone who is helping Delhi Govt,” he added.
ऑक्सीजन की कमी दूर करने के लिए दिल्ली सरकार बैंकॉक से 18 ऑक्सीजन टैंकर और फ़्रांस से 21 ऑक्सीजन प्लांट मंगवा रही है | Press Conference | LIVE https://t.co/pGEqBNmDME
Kejriwal had earlier on Tuesday visited the Ramlila Ground to inspect the construction work of an additional COVID Care Centre. He was accompanied by Health Minister Satyendar Jain. “Almost all ICU beds in Delhi are occupied right now. 500 ICU beds each are coming up at the ground near GTB hospital and the main Ramlila Ground, 200 ICU beds at Radha Soami complex. So, around 1200 proper ICU beds will be ready by 10th May,” Kejriwal had said while speaking to reporters after he visited the Ramlila ground.
Visited GTB hospital. We are constructing 500 ICU beds. Should be ready by 5 May. Work going on 24 hrs at war footing. I salute all those who are making it happen. pic.twitter.com/fcKZ7oyHTz
Delhi is among the ten states that reported 71.68 per cent of the new cases in the country, said the Union Health Ministry on Tuesday. Delhi reported 20,201 new COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours. As many as 380 deaths were reported in the last 24 hours in the national capital, according to the ministry.
Chitra Wagh should start reform by cleaning her own carpet 25
A firebrand politician who recently stood against the atrocities by seeking justice for women, she is not only popular on social media but has her strong existence. Now a BJP leader Chitra Wagh has been making allegations against Forest Minister Sanjay Rathore in the Pooja Chavan suicide case continuously, she cherry-picked only opposition leaders, for political motives ignoring her own party leaders who came under attack.
Messiah of justice got bare when her husband got arrested by ACB, she was hell-bent on proving him right but did not dare to speak for the victim from whom he demanded 4 lakhs. An open inquiry was conducted by the ACB into the assets of Kishor Wagh during his service period from December 1, 2006, to July 5, 2016. Those days BJP was ruling Maharashtra with the alliance of Shiv Sena.
The investigation found embezzlement of more than Rs 1 crore in the custody of Kishor Wagh. His wealth was found to be 90 per cent more than his total income. Chitra who randomly attacked all those leaders of opposition with her kind of social media trials, became submissive all of sudden. She could not handle the pressure.
Well, that was one long story, but the so-called political leader who always stood against injustice this time persisted with her husband by pleading him right. She took press conferences, she met NCP supremo Sharad Pawar, and she was running polls for her husband. In the pressure of this event, Chitra Wagh resigned from the post of Mahila Morcha as state president in the NCP party in January 2021 and joined BJP.
As we all know, BJP is best at safeguards bivouacked politicians once they join their party. Remember the dialogues of veteran BJP politician Nitin Gadkari stating that the “criminals change for good in BJP, and the party always faces criticism for admitting criminals into the party. If criminals enter the party, we lessen their faults and increase their merits… In our party, criminals change for good, in the same way in which Valya, a robber, turned into Valmiki.” Keeping this in mind, Prasad Lad, who was an NCP MLA a few years ago and now a BJP MLA, has played a mediating role in the entire matter.
Unfortunately, Chitra Wagh when she was in opposition never attacked BJP leaders who are accused of rape and molestation. As per the ADR report, 48, 45 MLAs and three MPs have cases of crimes against women. Among various recognized parties, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has the highest number of MPs, MLAs (12) with cases of crime against women followed by Shiv Sena (7) and All India Trinamool Congress (6).
There are many famous examples like Kuldeep Singh Sengar who is no longer associated with the BJP, but his wife is an active member of the party who was supposed to get a ticket to contest elections. Kuldeep Sengar was an elected BJP MLA when he was accused of sexual abuse.
Self-proclaimed religious leader and BJP leader Swami Chinmayanand is accused by a post-graduate student of sexual abuse. The accuser claimed that the BJP leader exploited her physically for over a year. The accuser had released a video in which she accused Chinmayanand of raping and threatening her and her family.
In March 2017, Bhojpal Singh and two of his aides were booked for gang-raping a Dalit woman after promising to get her a BPL card in Madhya Pradesh’s Morena. Former Delhi BJP MLA Vijay Jolly booked for sexual abuse after a woman accused her of drugging and raping her in February 2017.
BJP Corporator Kashimira Anil Bhosale was booked for raping and forcing unnatural sex on a 44-year-old woman in January 2017. BJP leader Venkatesh Maurya was accused of rape by a woman in October 2016. The woman also alleged that Maurya had introduced himself to her as a BJP leader and a member of the National Executive Council of BJP’s SC Morcha in 2010. Another BJP leader Hamid Sardar along with five others were arrested in a case of trafficking and sexual assault of a minor in August 2014.
Nihal Chand, then the Rajasthan MP and a minister in Modi’s cabinet, Chand was accused of sexually assaulting a 20-year-old in June 2014. Pramod Gupta, Former BJP leader and Cooperative Bank Chairman, Gupta was convicted in a rape case of a 5-year-old child. He was sentenced to life imprisonment. The BJP has the highest number of MPs and MLAs facing cases of crime against women, but Madam Chitra Wagh had no problem with those cases because those criminals belong to BJP. When she was in Opposition, I mean in the NCP the same Chitra was silent against all the crime against women, have you ever seen her ranting so much?
You don’t need any guess to understand why she is vocal on selective politicians; anyways the hypocrisy of so-called women’s right leaders is exposed time and again. I don’t advocate any criminal, but I expect politicians should have the guts to call sped a sped irrespective of any politician.
Chitra Wagh, who claims to be a voice of women, should know Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has the greatest number of MPs/MLAs with cases of crimes against women. About 30% of them face very serious charges, like those related to rape and other crimes against women, murder, kidnapping. The BJP has 116 MPs or 39% of its winning candidates with criminal cases. She should start reform by cleaning her own carpet.
Maharashtra’s newspaper industry has suffered irrecoverable losses during the lockdown, which is spinning under the impact of circulation and advertising both tumbling swiftly during the lockdown. Mythoi and mistrust about coronavirus spreading through newspapers have only added to the problem.
Print media shut their print editions and the printing press went out of order. There are many small to big newspapers asking their staff to leave. The Times of India has reduced staff with at least three employees of Times Life, its Sunday supplement, including two editors and a designer, having been verbally asked to leave. Times Life, initially a four-page supplement has been reduced to one page.
Afternoon Despatch and Courier closed its print edition and somehow resumed online publication but financial crunch has forced it to close the online edition too by asking all its staff to quit. The Indian Express and The Business Standard and many other regional publications have announced pay cuts up to 50 per cent in internal emails.
The Hindustan Times has made changes to the salary component of its employees by diverting a percentage of fixed pay to the variable component, which is linked to the company’s performance. Among the regional troupes, the Pune-based Sakal Media Group last month asked 15 employees from the editorial team of its Sakal Times to leave.
Hamara Mahanagar, a Hindi newspaper published from Mumbai, has shut down three editions — from Mumbai, Pune and Nashik. Similarly, Free Press Journal shut its Sunday special edition, reduced their print and also staff, the paper is running with freelancers.
English daily Star of Mysore, a 43-year-old evening publisher published from Mysore, has stopped publishing since 13 April. The newspaper industry had suffered from loss of circulation in Mumbai, but, by and large, across the rest of the country. The Covid-19 crisis has been so sudden and severe that it forced the Indian Newspaper industry to shrink.
After eight months of long lockdown, Mumbai gave way to a steady re-opening, many people resumed to work with minimum wages but again lockdown was announced to break the chain and they hit the spine of the business.
But there is no hope in industry people. The Indian economy came to a virtual halt on 25 March when the government announced its decision to implement a nationwide lockdown to stop the spread of Covid-19 and again when it continued in April 2021. Although the lockdown has impacted businesses across the board, the print media, cinema and live entertainment industry are hit especially hard.
Afternoon Voice spoke to some Mumbai-based printing press factories to know how they are dealing with the lockdown crises, here is what they had to say.
Abhishek Brid, owner of Rajesh Printouch in Mumbai said, “Printing press is a labour-intensive business and due to COVID-19 lockdown the industry has come to standstill. Our industry hasn’t overcome the previous lockdown and yet again the state government has announced new restrictions to curb. According to the government SOP, only essential workers can travel by public transport, but what about us? How our labour will travel? The lockdown crises have been so sudden and severe that it forced printing press media to shrink.”
“Earlier we used to get several orders from the Pharma companies and doctors to print their pamphlet and cards but due to labour shortage (As they cannot travel) the business has shut, and now everything is available online starting from visiting card to the pamphlet. So, the condition is quite deplorable and frustrating, I am not even able to pay to my workers as there’s no income”, added Brid.
“In the printing press, most of the people are belong to a middle-class family and everyone cannot afford to own a vehicle. In my factory, most of the labourers are reside in Virar, Dombivali and Vashi areas. It’s quite tough for them to travel from roadways. I am not saying that the government should allow it fully but at least they can give permission to 25 per cent of the staff. Around 60-70 per cent of the industry are suffering loss due to lockdown and restriction. The government should think once and provide some relief measures to us, said Shridhar Kurtadkar, owner of Shri Printers & Sudhir Book Binder in Byculla.
Owner of Jamali printers press, Zulfikar Kutbuddin Bhopalwala told Afternoon Voice, “The printing industry has been suffering huge losses in a backdrop of COVID 19 lockdown and after seeing the current scenario there is no hope in industry people. Due to lock down the 70% of offices are shut and people are working from home which has affected the business to a great extent. Secondly, the digital media has taken all the market and due to this the print media is either on the decline or showing stunted gains.”
Mahesh Naik owner of Mauli Printing, “Earlier the govt has said that if you have taken the permission from Maharashtra industrial development corporation (MIDC) to run the factory then you don’t have to ask them again. But now the govt is not allowing our workers to travel by the public transport. One day the govt allows and the very next they’ll not restrict them to travel on the train. The government itself is not cleared with its SOPs. The government should come with up some solution or relief measure for the printing industry.”
The Indian newspaper industry is in loss of Rs 4,000-5,000 crore in just March and April due to the lockdown. The media and entertainment sector’s annual revenue is likely to decline by 16% in the financial year 2020-2021. Diminishing advertising revenues and circulation of print copies have led major media houses to shut or scale down operations that were non-profitable further restructuring the organization. A major impact of this was seen on print publications.
The Economic Times Hindi and Sandhya Times have stopped publishing their Delhi editions while Maharashtra Times in Marathi has shut down its three editions — Kolhapur, Jalgaon and Ahmednagar.
The TV Today Network announced ceased operations and transmission of Delhi Aaj Tak from 30 June 2020 onwards. The group may also close down all its niche print products, including Harper’s Bazaar, Cosmopolitan magazines, and the Mail Today newspaper.
Mint Lounge has disengaged a couple of regular columnists, and senior journalists Priya Ramani and Natasha Badhwar have been asked to leave. Dainik Bhaskar has temporarily closed its 4-page pullouts and merged the Gurugram and Faridabad news in its Delhi edition. Amar Ujala’s Gurgaon and Faridabad editions have also been merged.
The Telegraph in English shut down its Jamshedpur, Ranchi, and Guwahati editions from 1 June 2020. The ABP (Anandabazar Patrika) Group, which also owns The Telegraph and Fortune India, sent an internal email announcing vacating its rented offices in Delhi, Bengaluru, Noida, Chennai, and Hyderabad. The ABP Group shut down its Infocomm department and is most likely to close the iconic Bengali magazines — Sananda and Desh.
ABP also shut all offices other than Kolkata as a large number of employees have been sacked, and the rest are working from home. Network18 has announced the shutdown of its lifestyle channel FYI TV18 from 8 July, while Firstpost has shut its business desk. Forbes India suspended print operations beginning its issue dated 27 March. Bloomberg-Quint announced shutting down its television division. The move leads to 100 people losing their jobs.
