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News18
2 days ago
- Politics
- News18
Thiruvallur Freight Train Fire Causes Rs 1.69 Crore Damage To Indian Railways
Last Updated: On July 13, at 05.10 am, a freight train carrying petroleum products had caught fire near Thiruvallur station over Chennai Division of Southern Railway. A fire on a goods train in Tamil Nadu's Thiruvallur on July 13 damaged railway tracks, electrical and signaling infrastructure, with losses estimated at Rs 1.69 crore, the Railways Ministry informed Lok Sabha on Wednesday. Kannur Lok Sabha MP K Sudhakaran and Nilgiris MP A Raja had asked the Railway Ministry about the fire incident involving a crude oil tanker on a freight train near Thiruvallur in Tamil Nadu earlier this month. In the reply, the Ministry said that on July 13, at 05.10 am, a freight train carrying petroleum products caught fire near Thiruvallur station over Chennai Division of Southern Railway. 'In the incident, 18 wagons of the train suffered damage. At the location of the incident, there was damage to the tracks (sleepers, rails, turnout switch), electrical equipment (overhead equipment mast, catenary and contact wires) and signaling equipment (point machine, bond wires). The cost of damage to the railway infrastructure due to the incident has been estimated to be roughly Rs 1.69 crore," the Ministry said. An inquiry committee has been constituted by Southern Railway to inquire into the incident, the Ministry added in the written reply. The Ministry also clarified that immediately upon the occurrence of the incident, Indian Railways controlled the movement of trains and no passenger suffered any injury or loss of property directly due to the incident. The MPs also asked whether a safety audit had been conducted on the affected section of track under Southern Railway. The Ministry explained that to ensure safety of track, inspection, maintenance and renewal of track is accorded the utmost priority in Indian Railways. 'There are well-laid down inspection and monitoring schedules and guidelines stipulated in Indian Railways manuals for the same… intra-railway safety audits were conducted in the section comprising the location of the incident in February 2024 and before that in December 2017," the Ministry said. In both these audits, no specific deficiencies were found in the track, signaling, or communication systems at the incident site. These audits are over and above the regular inspections that have been conducted as prescribed in Indian Railways manuals. view comments First Published: July 30, 2025, 14:02 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Time of India
22-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
MM Hills tiger deaths raised in Lok Sabha
Mysuru: The killing of a tigress and her four cubs inside the MM Hills Wildlife Sanctuary has now echoed even inside the Lok Sabha. The DMK and TMC MPs raised the issue in the ongoing Lok Sabha session. It can be recalled that on June 26, the tigress and her four cubs were found dead inside the sanctuary, which led to widespread anger against the forest department over its failure to save the big cats. DMK member A Raja and Sougata Ray of TMC raised the issue through an unstarred question. In his reply, Union minister Kirti Vardhan Singh informed that a SIT advised various interventions to bring down the wild animal-human conflict in the region. It can be recalled that the forest department arrested three locals with the help of district police. The accused allegedly killed the tigress and her cubs using carbofuran poison as revenge for killing their cow. In his reply, the minister confirmed that the SIT, based on evidence collected during the investigation, concluded that the tigers were killed in retaliation by lacing a cattle carcass with the pesticide Carbofuran, by a group of three who were arrested within 48 hours. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Use an AI Writing Tool That Actually Understands Your Voice Grammarly Install Now Undo According to the Lok Sabha documents, the SIT submitted its report to the govt and suggested notifying the Male Mahadeshwara Hills Wildlife Sanctuary as a tiger reserve for additional protection and financial assistance, which has already been approved by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) under relevant provisions of the Wildlife Protection Act (WLPA), 1972. Inter-alia, the SIT recommended welfare measures for frontline staff, filling up staff vacancies, conflict management strategies with local communities, educational outreach, improving habitat and prey-base, besides developing monitoring protocols. According to the activists, there is nothing new in the SIT recommendations. "All the local issues and problems faced by the frontline staff were known to the forest department even before the incident," said activist Joseph Hover, former member of the wildlife board. "It is sad that MPs from other states raised questions about the killing of the tigress and her cubs. The state MPs are silent spectators to all the attacks on our forest," he said.
News18
22-07-2025
- Politics
- News18
Mumbai Blasts To 2G Scam: Challenges That Explain Prosecution Failures In Criminal Cases
The acquittal of all 12 accused in the Mumbai train blasts case is not just a legal outcome—it is a mirror to our broken criminal justice system The acquittal of all 12 convicts in the 2006 Mumbai train blasts case by the Bombay High Court on July 21 has stunned the nation. The devastating attacks, which claimed 189 lives and injured over 800, led to a trial court convicting the accused in 2015. But the higher court overturned that verdict, citing the prosecution's failure to present credible evidence. This case reflects a broader trend in India's criminal justice system—prosecutions in high-profile terror cases and other serious crimes often collapse due to weak evidence, procedural delays, and political interference, leaving victims and the public disillusioned. There are legal and political factors behind these failures. Drawing on the Mumbai case, the 2G spectrum scandal, and systemic trends, one can understand why convictions often remain elusive. Robust evidence is the foundation of any successful prosecution, yet criminal cases in the country often stumble here. In the Mumbai train blasts case, the Bombay High Court flagged unreliable witnesses, flawed identification parades, and inadmissible confessions allegedly extracted through torture. The prosecution couldn't even specify what type of bombs were used—an indicator of unpreparedness. This evidentiary fragility is not limited to terror cases. For instance, in the 2017 2G spectrum case, all accused, including A Raja and K Kanimozhi, were acquitted because the CBI failed to produce sufficient documents or reliable witnesses after years of investigation. A 2019 Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy report reinforces this view, citing uncorroborated testimonies and coerced confessions as recurring issues. Courts demand strong, verifiable proof—when agencies rely on shaky foundations, acquittals become inevitable. Another chronic flaw is the lack of a comprehensive witness protection law. Witnesses often retract statements or refuse to testify due to fear of reprisal. The Supreme Court has repeatedly flagged this issue, noting that laws like the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) offer only limited protection. In cases involving organised crime, threats from powerful syndicates further weaken the prosecution. Strengthening evidence collection and ensuring witness safety are thus essential reforms. Procedural delays and systemic inefficiencies The nation's criminal justice system is bogged down by procedural delays and inefficiencies, which undermine even the strongest cases. Investigations often involve multiple agencies, causing coordination failures. The 2002 Akshardham attack case is a clear example—the Supreme Court, in 2014, criticised the investigation's lack of diligence after a series of handovers between agencies. Special courts, meant to fast-track serious crime trials, often share space with regular courts, creating backlogs. The Vidhi report points out that even high-profile cases under UAPA or MCOCA languish for years due to overburdened dockets and limited resources. The Mumbai train blasts case, for instance, took nearly two decades to reach a final verdict—long enough for evidence to degrade and witness recollections to fade. Laws like UAPA permit prolonged pre-charge detention—up to 180 days, compared to 24 hours under the Criminal Procedure Code. Agencies sometimes detain suspects without building strong cases, assuming that the legal process itself serves as punishment. But once cases reach higher courts, judges scrutinise them more rigorously, often leading to acquittals, as seen in the Mumbai case. Better agency coordination and court infrastructure are key to reducing delays and improving outcomes. Judicial scepticism and the misuse of stringent laws The country has stringent laws—like the now-defunct TADA, repealed POTA, UAPA, and Maharashtra's MCOCA—to empower law enforcement against terror and organised crime. But when misapplied, they often lead to prosecution failures. In the Mumbai case, the prosecution leaned heavily on MCOCA, but the High Court found the supporting evidence too weak, resulting in acquittals. The Vidhi report highlights that POTA Review Committees found no prima facie evidence in 1,006 out of 1,529 cases by 2005—indicating misuse. Under Section 43D(5) of UAPA, bail is denied if courts see any reasonable ground for guilt. This leads to prolonged detentions without trial. However, higher courts remain wary of overreach. For example, in the 2007 Mecca Masjid blast case, all 39 accused were acquitted due to a lack of evidence beyond coerced confessions. Judicial scepticism is widespread, even in financial scam cases, where agencies detain suspects but fail to produce solid evidence. Judges play a key role—no matter how stringent the law, a judge's discretion determines its application. When evidence is weak, courts hesitate to convict, especially in an era where judicial outlooks are influenced by liberal constitutional values. The perception that the legal process is the punishment has become more entrenched. Agencies may use long detentions to pressure suspects, but without credible evidence, courts intervene—leading to collapses like that of the Mumbai case. Thus, the focus must return to meticulous evidence collection and responsible application of law. Political interference and federal tensions Political dynamics often complicate criminal prosecutions. Federalism-based conflicts between the Centre and states delay investigations. Agencies like the National Investigation Agency (NIA) require state cooperation. The controversial National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) proposal failed after 14 states opposed it, citing threats to federal autonomy. Similarly, Gujarat's 2015 GCTOC Bill was delayed due to a lack of Presidential assent, stalling state-level efforts. Political alignments can also shape outcomes. The 2G spectrum case offers a telling example. On December 21, 2017, a special CBI court in New Delhi acquitted all accused—including A Raja and K. Kanimozhi—calling the case baseless. The court noted that despite one and a half years of waiting, the CBI failed to bring in evidence or witnesses. Judge OP Saini expressed frustration, saying the agency 'couldn't care less". This came at a time when the DMK appeared poised for a resurgence after J Jayalalithaa's death, while the BJP, with actor Rajinikanth hesitating to join politics, seemed to seek renewed ties with M Karunanidhi—its one-time ally during the Vajpayee era. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had even been photographed with Karunanidhi's family just months before the verdict. Was the CBI 'nudged" to go soft on DMK leaders? Media trials further complicate matters. In high-profile cases, widespread coverage often convinces the public that an accused is guilty long before a court weighs the evidence. But judges—aware of media excesses—may be repelled by aggressive reportage, affecting their outlook. Public perception, shaped by these narratives, pushes agencies to act fast, sometimes cutting corners. But legal outcomes depend on facts, not headlines. Reducing political interference and improving Centre-state coordination are vital to restoring integrity in prosecutions. Legal representation and the prosecution-defence gap The outcome of trials often hinges on the quality of legal representation. There's a stark imbalance between well-resourced defence lawyers and overburdened or undertrained state prosecutors. To fix this, the nation must invest in the training and independence of public prosecutors. Only then can they counter the skill and strategy of top defence lawyers. Road ahead: Reforming the system The acquittal of all 12 accused in the Mumbai train blasts case is not just a legal outcome—it is a mirror to our broken criminal justice system. Evidentiary lapses, systemic delays, misuse of harsh laws, political meddling, and lopsided legal representation all contribute to failed prosecutions. These failures cut across terror cases, corruption scandals, and violent crimes, leaving victims without closure and eroding public faith in the system. Reforms are urgent. Investigative agencies need better training. Witness protection laws must be enacted. Court infrastructure must expand to reduce backlogs. Political interference must be checked by preserving institutional autonomy. And prosecution teams must be strengthened to ensure fair competition in the courtroom. top videos View all Justice in India cannot remain hostage to inefficiencies and influence. A legal system that upholds fairness, efficiency, and accountability is the only way to deliver justice—and restore faith that those behind mass killings, like the Mumbai train blasts, will face the consequences of their crimes. The author is a senior journalist and writer. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18's views. tags : Bombay High Court judiciary justice Mumbai train blasts view comments Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: July 22, 2025, 18:45 IST News opinion Opinion | Mumbai Blasts To 2G Scam: Challenges That Explain Prosecution Failures In Criminal Cases Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Time of India
01-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
BJP workers protest against A Raja; held
Chennai: BJP functionaries and cadres were detained by the police for attempting to hold a protest against DMK MP A Raja for his 'derogatory' remarks about Union home minister Amit Shah. Condemning the controversial remarks made by Raja at a Dravidar Kazhagam event last month, BJP announced protests at seven places here on Tuesday. When they assembled for protest, police detained them as permission for the agitation was not granted. Slogans demanding the state govt to arrest Raja were raised when the BJP functionaries were detained. In Saidapet, former Telangana governor Tamilisai Soundararajan was detained along with other BJP functionaries. Addressing reporters, Tamilisai condemned DMK govt and the "police high-handedness". Similarly, in the protest held in Sivananda Salai, police detained BJP men headed by the party's state vice-president Narayanan Tirupathi. The protest in chief minister M K Stalin's Kolathur constituency was led by TN BJP spokesperson A N S Prasad. You Can Also Check: Chennai AQI | Weather in Chennai | Bank Holidays in Chennai | Public Holidays in Chennai "DMK's police brutality has been exposed as opposition parties are silenced and democracy is under threat. This is authoritarian rule where police are loyal to the party and not to the people," Prasad said on X. Police said that close to 600 party cadres and functionaries including 120 women were detained. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Doctor's Day 2025 , messages and quotes!
India Today
24-06-2025
- Politics
- India Today
DMK leader calls Amit Shah ‘fool', BJP fires back with ‘he's an idiot'
DMK MP A Raja has triggered a political controversy by indirectly calling Union Home Minister Amit Shah a 'fool' during a recent speech. The comment, aimed at Shah's recent assertion that the BJP would make inroads into Tamil Nadu after its victories in other states, has drawn strong condemnation from party a public meeting, Raja said, 'Amit Shah came to Madurai. He said, 'We have captured Delhi, Haryana, Maharashtra and the next is Tamil Nadu.' Fool, fool. Arvind Kejriwal in Delhi is a lone leader of a political party. He defeated a lone man in Haryana and Maharashtra. Muthuvel Karunanidhi Stalin is not a lone man as he has Periyar, Anna, Karunanidhi and the Dravidian philosophy behind him.'advertisementRaja went on to accuse the BJP of being 'jittery' in the face of the Dravidian ideological tradition. 'You are jittery to halt that philosophy. Because from the top, they are holding that One Language, One Nation and One Religion. How can all this be one?' he said. In a swift reaction, BJP spokesperson Narayanan Thirupathy condemned Raja's remarks and hit back strongly. 'Former Minister and idiot A Raja has called Amit Shah 'fool' and spoken disrespectfully. Whoever criticises the Home Minister of India in such a way can only be an idiot,' Thirupathy said.- Ends IN THIS STORY#Tamil Nadu
