Latest news with #KeralaStateHumanRightsCommission
The Hindu
01-07-2025
- General
- The Hindu
SHRC orders urgent action on violations at apartment
The Kerala State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) has directed immediate steps to address the flaws detected by multiple government agencies at the PTC Western Ghats Apartment complex near Catholicate College in Pathanamthitta. In an order, commission member V. Geetha has directed the municipal secretary of Pathanamthitta to ensure that the builder, PTC Builders, rectifies the defects listed in the report within 10 days. Failing this, legal action must be initiated within 15 days under the relevant provisions. The order noted that the building lacks a functioning liquid waste treatment system and a sanitary waste disposal mechanism. The Pollution Control Board's operational permit expired in May 2021 and several provisions of the Kerala Municipality Act have been violated. The commission also ordered that all three elevators be made fully operational for emergency use, warning of action by the District Fire Officer if neglected. Authorities have been asked to clarify whether an occupancy certificate was issued despite objections from the Pollution Control Board, Health Inspector and Fire department. The builder , meanwhile, has been directed to form a residents' association within 30 days and maintain all shared amenities until then. The complainants have been advised to approach the Kerala Real Estate Regulatory Authority for compensation if promised facilities remain undelivered.
The Hindu
06-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Roof sheet collapse: Congress files complaint with human rights panel
Leader of the Opposition in the Thrissur Corporation Rajan J. Pallan and deputy leader E.V. Sunilraj have lodged a formal complaint with the Kerala State Human Rights Commission (SHRC), demanding legal action against officials responsible for the collapse of a roof sheet from a building owned by the Thrissur Corporation onto Municipal Office Road recently. The incident occurred on May 23, followed heavy rain and gusty wind. The metal roofing, installed atop a multi-storey building owned by the Corporation, had been in a dangerously unstable condition since April 22 due to a storm. Despite being aware of the risk, officials failed to take any preventive measures for over a month, the complainants alleged. No one was injured, but it was purely due to luck, the Opposition leaders stressed. Even 15 days after the incident, the LDF-led Corporation council has taken no action against those responsible, Mr. Pallan said. The official involved with the construction work is a known sympathiser of the ruling Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)], and hence the inaction, he added. 'Unsafe buildings' He further criticised the Corporation for not demolishing structurally unsafe buildings and accused the CPI(M) leadership of attempting to shield negligent officials. The Opposition warned that if such efforts continue, they would escalate protests both within and outside the council. 'We will not accept a Mayor or a ruling council that puts the lives of citizens at risk,' Mr. Pallan said.
The Hindu
03-06-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Crime Branch team records statement of woman who was illegally detained by Peroorkada police
The Crime Branch on Tuesday commenced its probe in a case involving the illegal detention and alleged custodial harassment of a Dalit woman by the Peroorkada police following a false charge of stealing a gold necklace. A team led by Pathanamthitta District Crime Branch DySP K.A. Vidyadharan recorded the statement of the complainant, Bindu R., at her house in Nedumangad. Expressing hope that the truth would emerge through the ongoing investigation, she demanded the probe be extended to the house owner, Kowdiar native Omana Daniel, who had filed the theft complaint against her. Reiterated accusations In her statement, Ms. Bindu is learnt to have reiterated her accusations against suspended sub-inspector Prasad S.G. and grade assistant sub-inspector Prasannakumar of subjecting her to unlawful custody and mental harassment. She added that she was held in custody at the Peroorkada police station for over 20 hours. The Crime Branch will also collect statements from the house owner as well as the police officers who had investigated the case in its initial stages. CCTV footage from the Peroorkada police station will be thoroughly examined as part of the inquiry. Besides the suspension of the two officers, the Station House Officer was suspended after the issue had come to light. Mr. Vidyadharan has been entrusted with the probe based on a directive issued by the Kerala State Human Rights Commission. The panel had instructed the Kerala Police to hand over the investigation to a police officer of the rank of DySP or above from outside the Thiruvananthapuram district for an impartial probe. The team has been instructed to submit its report by July 7.
New Indian Express
03-06-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
KSHRC steps in over Vanchiyoor slaughterhouse, seeks strict environmental checks by PCB in Thiruvananthapuram
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With complaints rising against the setting up of a slaughterhouse at the Vanchiyoor market, owned by Karavaram panchayat, the Kerala State Human Rights Commission (KSHRC) has directed the Kerala State Pollution Control Board to ensure that all environmental norms and guidelines are strictly followed before granting approval to the modern slaughterhouse under construction. KSHRC chairperson Justice Alexander Thomas issued the order while addressing a petition regarding the project. He emphasised that the Pollution Control Board's environmental engineer must inspect the site and consult with relevant stakeholders, including the complainant and Karavaram panchayat secretary, before issuing any clearance. The directive comes in response to a complaint -- filed by S Shaji, a resident of Alamcode, Vanchiyoor -- demanding a halt to the alleged illegal construction of the slaughterhouse. The facility is being developed by the district panchayat. Vanchiyoor ward member V Shibulal alleged that the infrastructure development for the slaughterhouse was launched without getting any clearance. 'They have already invested Rs 1 crore on infrastructure. The development was done on wetland, and it's a clear violation,' he said. According to the district panchayat's submission to the KSHRC, the building is located on land recorded in the data bank, affirming its designated use.
The Hindu
02-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
KSHRC asks govt. to consider life convict's plea for premature release
The Kerala State Human Rights Commission (KSHRC) has directed the Home department Secretary to examine the plea of Rajesh, a life convict lodged in Cheemeni Open Jail for over 15 years, for premature release, if found eligible. The KSHRC issued the directive after reviewing the petition filed by Rajesh, a native of Kollengode, Palakkad. The petitioner, convicted in Sessions Case No. 97 by the Palakkad District Sessions Court, pointed out that several other convicts in similar cases were released after serving 14 years. Responding to the Commission, the Superintendent of Cheemeni Open Jail informed that Rajesh's name was recommended for early release in the first Jail Advisory Committee meeting of 2024, and the matter is presently under government consideration.
