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New Indian Express
7 hours ago
- New Indian Express
Tiruvannamalai mom's suicide over girl baby: Postmortem confirms foetus was male
TIRUVANNAMALAI: In a disturbing revelation, the postmortem report of Umadevi (25), a five-month pregnant woman who allegedly killed her one-and-a-half-year-old daughter Meghanasree and ended her life at Karikalampadi village in Tiruvannamalai, confirmed that the foetus was male, contradicting an earlier illegal scan that had identified it as female. Her husband and in-laws had allegedly harassed her over the female foetus. Health officials at the Tiruvannamalai Government Medical College and Hospital on Friday confirmed the findings after the autopsy. According to police sources, Umadevi and her husband had travelled to Tirupati on Monday to undergo an illegal scan to determine the sex of the foetus. The scan allegedly revealed the foetus to be female. Following this, her husband's family allegedly tried to coerce her into undergoing an abortion. When Umadevi resisted, an altercation ensued during which she was allegedly assaulted. Hours later, both Umadevi and her daughter were found dead in a well near their home in Kilpennathur. Police had arrested four people, including Umadevi's husband and in-laws, on Wednesday under Sections 296 (b), 85 and 108 of the BNS, and Section 4 (b) of the Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Harassment of Women Act, 1998. Responding to queries on whether the postmortem confirmation would lead to changes in the charges, a senior police officer told TNIE, 'There is no need to alter the sections. Regardless of whether the foetus was male or female, sex determination itself is illegal. The offence remains the same under the law.' Special teams have now been formed to probe the illegal scanning centre in Tirupati and other districts. (Assistance for those having suicidal thoughts is available on health department helpline 104)
New Indian Express
7 hours ago
- Health
- New Indian Express
Pothole-ridden road near hospital puts lives at risk in Hyderabad
HYDERABAD: The road outside a prominent multi-speciality hospital, Prasad Hospital, in Pragathi Nagar, Kukatpally, has become a serious threat to public safety. Deep potholes dot the entire stretch on the HMT Hills Road, causing daily distress to patients, schoolchildren and commuters. 'This vital road not only provides access to the hospital but also connects students to Satavahana schools and several Gurukul institutions in the area. Despite the heavy usage of this stretch linking Bachupally, JNTU-Hyderabad and Nizampet, it has remained in a state of disrepair for months,' Sai Teja, a civic activist, told the TNIE. 'Just imagine trying to bring a patient in an ambulance over this road. These potholes are leading to slow movement of ambulances, risking the lives of many during emergencies,' Anitha Reddy, an attendant at the hospital told the TNIE. The situation has worsened with the onset of monsoon rains. Water stagnates in the potholes, making it hard to assess their depth, increasing the chances of skidding and falls.
New Indian Express
9 hours ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Karnataka government forcibly acquiring forest land, says Chalavadi
BENGALURU: As the State Government initiates action to reclaim encroached forest land, a fierce political row has erupted, with Leader of Opposition in the Council, Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, alleging that authorities are forcibly attempting to reacquire land valued at nearly Rs 7,000 crore — land he claims belongs to Dalit families. Addressing the media at Vidhana Soudha, Narayanaswamy accused the government of betraying Dalits by targeting their homes and livelihoods under the pretext of forest land reclamation. The land in question-around 711 acres in Kadugodi 200 village, Bidarahalli Hobli, Mahadevapura constituency-was reportedly 'sanctioned' to local farmers in the 1950s and subsequently distributed among Dalits and marginalised farmers through cooperative societies. Though it was originally classified as forest land, Narayanaswamy insisted it had later been converted to revenue land. However, Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre strongly rebutted these claims. Speaking to TNIE, he said, 'Once a land is notified as forest land, it remains forest forever. It cannot be granted, sold, or used for non-forest activities without approval from the Government of India or the Supreme Court. Any responsible person should understand this simple fact.' Narayanaswamy alleged that the reclassification of the land as forest property was abrupt and strategically timed to facilitate its takeover. 'How can land already allotted to KSSIDC, Metro Rail, Railways, and even temples now suddenly be termed forest land?' he asked. Despite a court order upholding status quo and staying demolition, reports have emerged of homes and structures being razed. Narayanaswamy claimed over 2,000 houses and more than 5,000 residents-mostly Dalits-are affected. He accused the police of using force to evict residents in defiance of legal protection. 'This is nothing short of hooliganism,' he said. Demanding transparency, Narayanaswamy called for a white paper on all land allotments and transactions since 1950 and warned of statewide agitation if the government continues what he termed a 'coercive and unlawful' land grab. 'Investigate the matter and publish the white paper,' he urged.
New Indian Express
9 hours ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
TNIE journalist conferred with Devrishi Narad Patrakar Samman
NEW DELHI: The Devrishi Narad Patrakar Samman 2025, one of the most esteemed recognitions in Indian journalism, was conferred on several outstanding journalists this year, including The New Indian Express (TNIE) Senior Assistant Editor Rajesh Kumar Thakur, on Friday. Based in Delhi, Thakur was recognised for his exceptional reportage across key beats such as politics, government policies, the BJP, PMO, RSS, Indian Railways, and the Rajya Sabha. His award-winning portfolio featured several high-impact stories, including the investigative series Operation Sindoor, his in-depth coverage of the Delhi Assembly elections, and notable reports like 'Dilli Ab AAP Ki Nahi' ('Delhi No Longer Yours, AAP') and 'Delhi to Get a woman CM' — stories that sparked wide readership and discussion for their sharp insights and timely revelations. Thakur's incisive journalism stood out among over 90 nominations received by the Indraprahstha Vishwa Samvad Kendra (IVSK) for this year's awards. Held annually since 2010, the awards celebrate excellence in journalism across diverse beats such as rural affairs, women's empowerment, politics, and governance. The award ceremony took place on Friday at the Constitution Club, New Delhi. Among the dignitaries present were Pradeep Joshi, Akhil Bharatiya Sah-Prachar Pramukh of the RSS, and Navneet Kumar Sahgal, IAS and Chairman of Prasar Bharati, along with other eminent personalities from media and governance. The winners were selected by a distinguished jury comprising veteran journalists and experts, underscoring the credibility and prestige of the honours.
New Indian Express
12 hours ago
- Health
- New Indian Express
Abortions in Kerala rise 76% over nine years
KOLLAM: Kerala has recorded an over 76% jump in abortion cases over a nine-year period, given the improved access to reproductive healthcare, according to data with the Health Management Information System (HMIS) portal. The state reported 30,037 abortions in 2023-24, compared to 17,025 in 2014-15, marking a 76.43% increase. In the latest period, 21,282 abortions were conducted in private hospitals, while government hospitals accounted for only 8,755 cases, indicating a growing reliance on private healthcare facilities. The data includes both spontaneous and induced abortions. In 2023-24, the state reported 20,179 induced abortions and 9,858 spontaneous abortions. In 2014-15, abortion procedures were almost evenly split between public and private hospitals, with 8,324 and 8,701 cases respectively. However, since 2015-16, private hospitals have consistently recorded a higher share of cases. From 2015-16 to 2024-25, Kerala reported a total of 1,97,782 abortion cases, of which only 67,004 were in government hospitals. Private hospitals accounted for 1,30,778 cases during this period. The report also noted a steady rise in induced abortions over the period under under review, reflecting better access to reproductive healthcare. Health experts, however, express concern over the increasing dependence on private hospitals and stress the need to strengthen the public health sector. Speaking to TNIE, Dr Leema, senior gynaecologist at the Women and Children Hospital, Thiruvananthapuram, said more patients now prefer private institutions due to better facilities and enhanced privacy. 'Medical termination of pregnancy (MTP) is a high-risk procedure,' said Leema. 'It is high time govt invested in better infra' 'Under the MTP (Amendment) Act, 2021, the permissible abortion limit has been extended from 20 to 24 weeks. Most women seeking abortions today are aware of their rights. They trust private hospitals for better operational care, post-procedure support, and, importantly, privacy — something often lacking in government institutions. Women today don't want to take risks with their lives and naturally lean towards private care,' she said. Dr Pandu R, senior gynaecologist at Kannur MCH, said it is high time the government invested in better infrastructure to regain public trust.
