Vigilance caught a village officer while accepting a bribe. The vigilance caught Vijayakumar, the village officer of Pazhayakunnummel in Kilimanoor, Thiruvananthapuram. The incident occurred while accepting a bribe of Rs 5,000.

The action was taken on a complaint by a Pazhayakunnummel native. An online application was filed in January 2024 to convert 34 cents of land registered as field in the property data bank in the name of the complainant into dry land.

After the proceedings at the Thiruvananthapuram Collectorate and Chirayinkeezhu Taluk Office, the file reached the Pazhayakunnummel Village Office in January 2024 itself. However, the village officer did not send it back to the Collectorate along with the report.

Village officer Vijayakumar took a bribe of Rs 2,000 from the complainant who had come to the village office on Friday to inquire about the information. When he met the village officer again on Saturday, he said that the report would be sent to the collectorate only if he paid another bribe of Rs 5,000. With this, the complainant informed the Vigilance South Zone Superintendent of Police.

Thiruvananthapuram: The Central Meteorological Department has warned that there may be rain in the state in the coming days. The Meteorological Department issued a yellow alert in three districts on Friday, January 31. The Meteorological Department has issued a rain warning in Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam and Pathanamthitta districts.

Isolated heavy rains are predicted. Heavy rain is defined as a situation where rainfall of 64.5 mm to 115.5 mm is received in 24 hours.

Telangana: The Telangana High Court has directed the government not to allow children below the age of 16 to watch movies in theatres after 11 pm.

The court has directed the government in this regard. Children below the age of 16 should not be allowed to watch shows after 11 pm in theatres and multiplexes. This directive is also applicable before 11 am. The court has ordered that the views of the concerned parties should be sought on the directive and the subsequent directives should be made available to the public.

The court’s observation was made while considering petitions related to the increase in ticket prices of films, including Ram Charan’s ‘Game Changer’. Minors should not be allowed to watch movies at late hours. It will also adversely affect their physical and mental health, argued the lawyer of the petitioner, Vijay Gopal.

The lawyer also said that in the case of the woman’s son who died in a stampede during the screening of ‘Pushpa-2’, which resulted in serious injuries, the government should have taken a drastic decision to restrict the entry of minors into theaters.

Thiruvananthapuram: Sherin, the prime accused in the murder case of Bhaskara Karanavar from Cheriyanad, has been granted jail release by the Kerala Cabinet. Sherin, who served 14 years of imprisonment, was released considering her unique circumstances as a woman and the plea she submitted. In her application, Sherin highlighted the need to secure the future of her son, who is currently outside the prison.

Background of the Case:
On November 7, 2009, Bhaskara Karanavar was murdered at Karanuver’s Villa in Thuruthimel, Cheriyanad. Sherin, Karanavar’s daughter-in-law, was the prime accused in the case. She had been married to Karanavar’s younger son, Binu Peter, who has physical challenges, as a measure to ensure his future security. However, marital discord and Sherin’s alleged extramarital relationships and revenge motives eventually led to the crime.

Basit Ali, Shanur Rasheed, and Nithin, whom Sherin met through the social media platform Orkut, were other accused in the case. The police investigation concluded that the motive for the murder was retaliation for Sherin being excluded from inheriting property.

Verdict of the Case:
On June 11, 2010, the Mavelikkara Fast Track Court convicted Sherin and sentenced her to life imprisonment. Following her conviction, Sherin was initially imprisoned at Poojappura Central Jail and later transferred to Neyyattinkara Women’s Jail. She faced disciplinary action in prison for using a mobile phone. In March 2015, Sherin was moved to Viyyur Central Jail, where an incident involving her relationship with the jail doctor sparked significant controversy. She was subsequently transferred to the Women’s Jail in Thiruvananthapuram in March 2017.

Cabinet’s Decision:
The Kerala Cabinet decided to approve Sherin’s release, citing her completion of 14 years of imprisonment and the special considerations of her being a woman. Her plea emphasized the importance of safeguarding her son’s future, which was a significant factor in the government’s decision.

Mananthavady: The Forest Department has made more preparations to catch the man-eating tiger that bit a woman in Pancharakolli in Mananthavady, Wayanad. The Forest Department is putting forward the possibility that the tiger may remain in the area. In this situation, the District Collector has announced prohibitory orders in the divisions including Pancharakolli. Cameras and cages have been installed in various places to search for the tiger in the area.

Inspections have also been intensified using drones. Cameras from all over the North and South divisions will be immediately brought to the area. District Collector Meghasree announced that surveillance will continue in the area even at night.

The Forest Department will conduct inspections in the Pancharakolli area using 12 bore pump action guns. The veterinary team led by Dr. Arun Zakaria will reach Pancharakolli. The RRT team from Bathery will reach the base camp in Pancharakolli. Thermal drones will be used along with normal drones. Camera traps from the South Wayanad division will also be deployed in Pancharakolli. Cages with live prey tied to them will be set up in Pancharakolli to attract the tiger.

The deceased is Radha (45), the wife of Achappan, a forest department watcher at the Pancharakolli Tharatt Unnati. Radha was attacked and eaten by a tiger while she was going to a private plantation to pick coffee.

Kochi: Security checks have been increased at all airports in the state as part of the Republic Day celebrations. CIAL informed that various procedures at the airport will take more time in the coming days due to increased traffic, and therefore passengers are advised to arrive at the airport early.