Vol 12, Issue8

Vol.12 Issue 8

Indian Institute of Journalism & New Media, Bangalore

5 October 2012

Woman beaten and abused for ten years begs court:“Make him marry me” The woman was in a relationship with him from 1997 and started living with him without marriage from 2012. The 31-year-old woman said that she went through six abortions during the period of their relationship.

She added that when she conceived the fourth time, she was forced to have an abortion. On refusing, she was beaten by her partner and his family. The assault led to her fourth miscarriage.

The victim - Pyusha

By Pyusha Chatterjee

A

woman abused for over a decade by her partner has asked a court to force him to marry her.

The woman claimed she has been abandoned by her partner after being physically and mentally tortured for more than ten years.

She has also lodged a case against the man for committing fraud and demanding dowry.

According to the lawyers this is the first case in Bangalore Family Court, in which a woman wants marriage instead of maintenance after so much abuse. The case is on-going.

The woman filed a complaint against her partner on 20th July this year, but the case started on 27th September in Bangalore Family Court.

The victim said: “After my sixth abortion I was unconscious for twelve hours which is unusual and I fear that he made me undergo some permanent contraceptive measure.”

When she was forced to abort her first pregnancy she was about to graduate from college. Her partner told her that it was too early to have a child and they should focus on their careers so she agreed.

She claims her former lover also threatened her by saying that he would kill her brother if she demanded marriage. She finally left him and went to live with her family. After a few days he came to take her and said he would make amends but she was tortured again after that.

He told her that he would marry her after his sister’s marriage and got engaged to her in 2010. He and his family demanded a dowry

Visually impaired find it difficult to walk without handrail -Page 2 of Rs. 50 lakhs, according to the woman and her legal team. The woman’s parents did not entertain their request but promised to do as much as possible during the wedding.

She said they had gone through a temple wedding ceremony but this is not recognized in law.

When he filed a case against her for forcing him to marry her, she left him and decided to report him.

Her mother said: “I will support my daughter in her fight whether my husband does or not” During the process of mediation, the mediator said to the woman: “Why do you want to marry him?

You should claim for maintenance and lead your life.” She did not agree and said that she wanted to

give him a last chance.

The mediator also said that the man denies the allegations and has produced a document saying that their engagement has been cancelled. To this, the woman said that she was made to sign blank papers. Her partner said that he was taking the signatures for insurance policy.

One of the lawyers of the firm backing the woman’s case said: “There is no law with respect to live-in relationships until now but there are rulings under the Supreme Court which say that a woman is entitled to maintenance in such a case.”

Despite repeated attempts the partner was not available for comment.

Patients fear over lack of doctors on night duty - Page 3

Lack of female cops leaves women helpless shutting down completely due to shortage of staff. The other major reasons for the shutting down of this police station was said to be inefficient personnel, allegations of exploitation and theft in the premises, as per reports.

By Amrita Ray

N

ot a single complaint has been registered in women’s police station in Bangalore this year.

The rising crime rate against females in Bangalore are being registered only in two police stations which are solely for women.These police stations are located in Basvangudi and Halasuru gate which come under the South and East zone respectively.

When asked that why just two female constables present in the police station including her, she said that few of the constables were on training and would be back only after a month. After which she refused to make any further comments.

Renuka, sub inspector at Basvangudi Mahila police station said: “We have not registered a single complaint in the police station this year. We do not have most of the facilities and there is an immense shortage of staffs.”

“At times we transfer our complaints to Banashankari police station as we are not able to deal with them ourselves. There are just twelve constables including me and that is not enough to run any police station,” she added.

“It is extremely unfortunate that women are not able to register complaints due to shortage of staff in the women’s police stations. It

Petrol is still black marketed round the city. Page 4

“Women police stations are important as women feel more comfortable describing the incidences with female constables, besides, they can approach them at any point of time without feeling unsafe or uncomfortable.” said Manohar Hosea, a lawyer.

Basvangudi police station run by women shows the level of ignorance on this particular issue” said Suzanne, one of the coordinators at Ashraya women’s centre.

There were a total of sixteen female constables including a subinspector, a head constable, 12

- Amrita

police constables, a mutual constable and two WPSIs in the police station till July 2012.The number has come down to twelve by September 2012.

In 2008, Basvangudi women’s police station was on the verge of

Ranjeeta Sharma, a student of Christ college said, ”I think these women police stations are of no use. Once I went there to file a complaint against a few eve teasers and these people turned me away saying that it would be better if I contacted the local police station.”

Ganesha idols being immeresed in mobile tanks -Page 4

2

The Weekly Observer

05 October 2012

Majestic bus station not disabled friendly terminal. However, no mention was made about other basic facilities which would be of advantage to the disabled at a bus station.

As per section 33 and 43 of People with Disability (PWD) Act 1995, at least 3% of the development budget should be allotted for the welfare of people with disabilities.

Visually impaired find it hard to walk without handrail.

By Kriti Khandelwal

D

isabled people find it hard to commute at Majetic Bus Station as it lacks disabledfriendly facilities.

Majestic bus station, the largest bus terminal owned by Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corpora-

tion (BMTC), was opened in 1980, but has no disabled friendly access.

When asked about the convenience for disabled people at Majestic Bus Staion, Mr. Niranjan Krishna, Junior Assistant in Public Relations Department of BMTC said: “We have a special

Rising thefts continue to worry Bangaloreans

By Shreya Mukherjee

T

here has been an increase in thefts from houses over the past year.

355 House Break Thefts (HBT) cases during the day were registered in 2011. Upto April this year, cases registered were 193.

HBT cases at night were 958 in 2011, while 614 cases were already registered by April this year. 32 percent of these registered cases were detected.

HBT during the night are increasing very rapidly across the city. On questioning ACP Anand Kumar of Bangalore city, he said: “I agree that the house break thefts are increasing in the city, but at the same time Bangalore police is doing a commendable job by detecting those cases and they try their level best to control it.”

Approximately 109 theft cases have been recorded in Bangalore in last two months.

On further asking about thefts, the ACP said: “Sometimes, it

-Kriti K reservation system for all the BMTC owned buses and the new Volvo buses have a ramp entrance specially made for the disabled. “ He added that there are ramps made for the commuters’ convenience for the overbridge that takes passengers across the bus

With the bus station being so crowded at all hours, no handrails have been set keeping the visually impaired in mind. Only the over bridge has a ramp to get people across the bus terminal.

But even that is constructed in such a manner that people have to eventually use the stairs.

Also, the toilets inside bus terminal are not disabled friendly.

“If my father tried to travel alone at this place, he would keep running into people because this station is always full of people,” said Mr. Raju’s son who was accompanying him.

By Sumit

N

oise pollution on the roads of Bangalore is on the increase.

A resident of Ulsoor, Jogpalya area said: “We do face a lot of problems regarding house thefts.

Sometimes back, there was a case of thefts in three consecutive houses in our colony. All of them were at night time. We informed police, but, as usual they were not on time. I don’t know whether the thieves are being detected or not. The police force used to come every day for the enquiry of the case. They used to ask questions to the residents.

Vehicles are manufactured keeping in mind a permissible limit of noise to be emitted by them. However, some youngsters in the city get a slight welding and some alterations done in the muffler of the silencer to give a normal motorcycle that ‘racing bike’ sound effect.

So, the cases of house- thefts in Bangalore are on a hike but, at the same time, people have faith in city police-force. They are satisfied with the service rendered to city people by the Bangalore police deparment.

He said that handrails are there at the bus station up to the entrance. But when asked about why there are no handrails at the main area like the ones in Shanthinagar Bus station which is also owned by BMT C, he said:”The movement is too much in Majestic. Handrails are not given so people can walk easily. Buses

“I always have to ask my son to lead me till the bus whenever I have to go somewhere”, said Mr. Raju who is visually impaired.

Modified silencers on cars and bikes deafen the city

happens because of the reluctance of people. They keep their doors unlock which causes thefts in their house. Police force always keeps in touch with the citizens whenever they need any help.”

“There behavior is always good.

They have never misbehaved with anyone of us,” he added.

When asked about where the 3% was used in Majestic Bus Station infrastructure, Mr. Nagaraj, Chief Traffic Manager of BMTC said he cannot disclose that information.

are going in the same direction in Shanthinagar so handrails are not a problem”. But buses in Majestic Bus station are also going in the same direction. He didn’t comment further on this.

Modified silencers in four wheelers and motor-cycles emit noise much higher than the tolerable limit.

Young Bangaloreans can be easily spotted on bikes with altered silencers. The silencer of any motorcycle or car can be easily altered at a motor garage in the city.

“The length of the silencer is increased or the muffler is cut and welded. This can be done at any garage” said Muniraj, a motor mechanic in Maruthi Nagar. Upon being asked whether the law permits it. He added: “I have never been told by a policeman not to do welding on silencers. If a law does exist, I don’t know about it.”

One youngster Jameel, a resident of BTM layout who recently got his bike modified, said: “I had my silencer modified at a local garage. It gives my bike the touch of a racing bike.” When asked about the noise created by such alterations in silencer, he said: “Even generators on construction sites create noise. How can someone accuse me of creating noise pollution?”

By law, the Section 182 (a) of the Motor Vehicle Act recognizes such alterations of a vehicle as a cognizable offence. A fine of Rs. 1000 is to be imposed on anyone who modifies the construction of a vehicle without the permission of an authority (traffic police in

Motor bike silencers is modified. this case).

Further, the section 190 of MVA imposes a fine of up to Rs. 1000 in case of violation of standards set for noise and air pollution.

Noise rules have also been issued by the government of India under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. They are known as the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000.

These rules set a permissible noise level for different areas at different times. The noise level in decibels, allowed during the day time in a residential area is 55 dB. The same during night is 45 dB.

- Sumit However, the modified silencers of motorcycles and cars clearly flout these rules. Dr. M.A. Saleem, Additional Commissioner of Bangalore Traffic Police, had a different take on this issue.

“There have been 9,189 cases registered against modification /alteration of vehicles. Also, 11,880 cases have been registered against pressure horns in vehicles”: said Dr. Saleem.

The statistics shows an increase in the number of registered cases.

However, the high decibel noise of a vehicle can still be heard on any road of Bangalore.

3

The Weekly Observer

05 OCTOBER 2012

Child laborers face occupational hazards in plastic factories years is prohibited.“

By Romana D’Souza

Therefore, the question of regulation does not arise in Karnataka,” the law states.

C

hildren as young as 10 are being brought to Bangalore to work in unsafe factories.

The Karnataka state government has allocated Rs. 189 million during the last nine years to put into operation various programs for the eradication of child labor.

The children have been transported from North Indian states such as Uttar Pradesh and Haryana.

Mrs. Pankaja N., deputy director of the Women and Children Development Department, said: “Karnataka will become a child labor-free state by the end of 2012.

The factories in question process, manufacture and recycle plastics and are under the control of Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIADB).

The labor department has been carrying out raids on factories, construction sites and other hazardous industries.”

Child laborers at the factories work for more than 12 hours a day and live at the industrial site in crude sheds with wet and dry waste littered all around.

Their wages of Rs.5,000Rs.10,000 for an entire year’s work are directly handed over to their families.

Children workimg in hazardous conditions in a factory

Safety regulations are violated as workers processing thermoplastics and polymers work without respirator masks while the fumes of burning plastic engulf the small, cramped workshops.

Deepak Krishna, a worker in one of the nearby factories which does not employ children, said: “A 10year-old child had his fingers cut off while operating a sheet cutting machine.”

Minors handle hot presses, sheet cutting and laser cutting machines without any prior training.

The Child Labour (Prohibition & Regulation) Act, 1986, states that “employment of children not com-

pleted the age of 14 years in certain hazardous processes and occupations as listed in part A & B of the schedule to the Act is prohibited under this Act and it regulates the conditions of work of children in certain other employments.”

The law stipulates that no child be allowed to work in any estab-

- Romana lishment for more than 4½ hours a day, one hour rest be given after three hours of work and weekly holidays, medical facilities are to be provided.

However, under Section 24 of the Karnataka Shops & Commercial Establishments Act, 1961, employing children below the age of 14

The current penalty for employing children in hazardous occupations is up to one year’s imprisonment and a fine of Rs.20,000 per child as per the directions of the Supreme Court. In August, the Union Cabinet cleared a proposal to increase the penalty to imprisonment up to two years or a fine up to Rs.50,000 or both.Repeated offenders can be jailed for upto three years.

The monitoring of the law is the labour department’s responsibility.

Property fraud cases leave Patient fears over lack of doctors on night duty Bangaloreans out of pocket

By Urmi Sengupta

By Priyanka Roy

B

A

lack of properly trained staff at Rajarajeshwari Medical College and Hospital during the night is causing distress for patients.

angaloreans are afraid to buy property in the city over fears they will lose their deposits.

According to statistics from the deputy police commissioner’s office, last year 3155 cases were registered whereas this year 2150 cases were registered upto August.

There are very few senior doctors at night and diagnostic facilities are unavailable. Patients are incorrectly prescribed by interns, even for basic treatment.

A village dweller from Kengeri visiting the hospital for his wife’s treatment said, “I came here yesterday night but couldn’t get any senior doctor so I had to wait till this morning.”

Mrs. Shobna Prakash, a local resident in Koramangala, said: “I have planned to buy a flat long time back, but I changed my mind after listening to several people being deceived by property owners.”

Mr. Raj Kumar Choudhary, a victim of property fraud case said: “I had booked a flat with two bedrooms, hall and a kitchen by Orange Property, a real estate company. The flat was near Bangalore International airport in the name of my wife, Mrs.Shanti Choudhury. I paid Rs.1 lakh to the property owner’s account in ICICI bank, Bangalore. But after a few days, when I asked for the ownership of flat and legal papers, they started giving excuses and delayed the tentative date of transferring the ownership to us.”

“My son tried his best to contact the authorities of the Orange Property for the refund of the amount.

He used to go and visit the company office and the site of the project, but nothing happened. The doors of the office were closed, they changed their contact numbers and the office was shifted somewhere else,” he added.

He also said: “I was sure that the police would do something but nothing concrete has happened.”

A construction site

- Sumit

Mr. Shrihari Saraf, another victim of property fraud case said: “last year I booked a plot in Kanakpura road in Bangalore from another real estate office, People Infrabuild Company.But later, the company started giving excuses in handing over my plot.” “ Soon I realized that the project is not being implemented and People Infrabuild denied returning my amount,” he added.

But, Mr. Ravi, one of the directors of People Infrabuild said: “It is not our fault, the landlord of the plot changed his mind and started demanding more money for it, but we are trying our level best to either relocate the clients or refund the money.”

ACP Kumar said: “These cases have recently increased.The companies convince common people by offering sites at low cost.”

“The urgent surgical cases require immediate diagnosis, but they can’t be done in this hospital as diagnostic machines often remain closed whenever you come in the evening and often interns prescribe medicines which people can’t rely upon.” said Ramesh D, a resident from the locality.

He added: “We have to rely on this particular hospital as the treatment cost is cheap and there are no other hospitals nearby. If any emergency arrives, doctors give excuses that diagnosis machines are not available. People suffer a lot."

Interns are on rounds in the evening along with only a few seniors and experienced surgeons, but these seniors are usually unavailable for appointments. In case of a casualty, the responsibility directly falls upon the interns available. It is often risky for patients, as interns usually fail to render proper treatment.

When contacted, Mr. Ramchandra, Medical Director of the hospital said: “There must be some

Hospital where patients struggle to get treated seniors during the night. Interns are not allowed to take any decision on their own, even if they are just prescribing a medicine. But if this is the situation then I would certainly look into the matter.”

Asked about the lack of diagnosis facility during night he said, “We have sufficient diagnosis machines but it’s mostly used in urgent cases.”

“As it is a government hospital, doctors avoid taking any hasty decision like private hospitals do for the sake of earning money. Thus

- Priyanka

we wait for a day in case of any surgery or major treatment that needs to be undertaken,” he added.

Patients can avail treatment, diagnosis and medicine at a low price because it’s run by the government.

The diagnostic services are provided for free.

Therefore, this hospital’s services are availed by a large number of patients from neighbouring vilages like Kumbalgodu.

4

The Weekly Observer

5 October 2012

Petrol black marketed round the city option if a petrol pump is not located in the near vicinity.

Chandrakanth, a bakery owner in Kaglipura area also stores petrol in tanks with a capacity of 35 litres. “I buy petrol from the petrol pump in Kanakpura and sell it for Rs. 85 a liter. People buy fuel for their vehicles from my shop” said Chandrakanth.

The petrol pump owners in the city are aware of this black marketing but they are helpless as no action is generally taken.

Mr. Anand, owner of a petrol pump in Madiwala expressed his concern over this issue as he said that the police are hand-in-glove with the unauthorized dealers. “I have not heard of any recent raids conducted. It’s an open fact that police are aware of such outlets but then, action has not been taken” said Mr Anand.

Pitcher full of petrol kept in a shop

By Sumit

P

etrol is being black marketed in areas around Electronic City at exorbitant rates.

Motorcycle garages and other unauthorized shops in the city sell petrol openly at an approximate rate of Rs.80 per litre. Going by the Petroleum Rules, 1976, petrol cannot be stored at illegal outlets; however black markets thrive in the city.

The Petroleum and Explosives

- Sumit

Safety Organization makes it clear in its guidelines that inflammable fuel cannot be sold at any place other than the authorized dealer’s outlet. But the unauthorized outlets in the city are clearly flouting these rules. Petrol and diesel can be obtained even from a bakery in the city.

Apart from being a threat to the shops and residential areas in the near vicinity, these outlets also adulterate the petrol. Though the customers know about the impurity of petrol, they are left with no other

On questioning him over the losses incurred to the petrol pumps by this black marketing, he said: “they buy petrol from us. So there is no question of loss.”

Petrol is explosive in nature and if stored under improper conditions, it can be a high potential threat for people.

The Explosive Act, 1884 and the Petroleum Act, 1934 therefore, have laid down rules for the purchase, transport, import, export, possession, sale and use of petroleum products and compressed gases.

Immersion of idols pollutes city lakes

By Nikita Malusare

Rhetoric

H

ardly any idols were immersed in mobile immersion tanks in the city.

The Observer Team

Out of around 3 Lakh Ganesha idols, a total of only 4,308 were immersed in 17 mobile immersion tanks all over Bangalore. That contributes to only 1.43% of the total idols immersed.

Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) says they have successfully implemented the idea for the 11th year. But the low rates suggest otherwise.

Bangalore city west had only one tank but, 1000 idols were immersed in it. A total of 846 and 752 idols were immersed in Bangalore City East and Dasarahalli mobile tank respectively.

Senior environment engineer, KSPCB, Mr. Nanda Kumar, said: “KSPCB is a regulatory body and not administrative. We initiated the program in order to create awareness among the people on other eco friendly methods to tackle pollution caused during immersion. It is the duty of the BBMP or the Residents Welfare Association to take the initiative forward and implement in their respective areas.”

Presently KSPCB has only 200 workers all over Karnataka. Nanda Kumarn, thinks, if KSPCB strengthens its workforce they would be able to implement their goals at a wider scale.

Ideal Homes Resident Association’s member, Mr. Srinath, believes that people must also act responsibly “We, people are

Sidharth

Man immersing idol in mobile tank BBMP. Why should we rely on BBMP to take any kinds of measures?”

Many of his friends took the initiative to go eco friendly and immersed their idols at their homes.

“If all of us take such initiative, we won’t need any government aid,” said Mr. Srinath.

On the contrary an ex member of the association, who preferred being anonymous, spotted only one mobile tank at Raja Rajeshwari Nagar. He believes a change cannot be brought in a day. “We don’t have funds to allocate mobile tanks. BBMP should take up the responsibility instead of shoving it off,” he said.

Despite a workshop being held

by KSPCB and Parisara Rural Development Society on the usage of eco-friendly Ganesha idols, there has been no change in the pattern of usage of chemical colors.

These colors have high percentage of lead, mercury,cadmium and arsenic which pollute water bodies.

-Nikita

KSPCB are disappointed by the high number of colored idols used.

Records released by KSPCB of 2012 show that 60 % of the idols immersed in the mobile tank were colored. While 38 percent were not colored and rest were made of Plaster Of Paris (POP).

Mrs. Karthikeyan , assistant environment officer stated “ Although POP are hazardous to the environment people are buying POP idols as they are light in weight.”.

On the contrary, public points out at the economical value of the idols, Shylendra Rao, a mechanic, who has stringent budget to take care of his house said, “Clay idols are expensive than POP.I cannot afford them. ” KSPBC with the help of its Board of Directors pools in funds and distribute to its regional offices.

They use the funds to allot trucks and blue barrels to the specific locations. The collected waste water is then purified in a waste water treatment plan at Peenya, said, Pralhad Rao ,PRO of KSPCB.

Publisher: Indian Institute of Journalism and New Media Address: Opp.BGS International Residential School, Kumbalgudu, Kengeri, Bangalore-560060 News Editor: Shreya Mukherjee Chief-Sub Editor: Pyusha Chaerjee Photo Editor: Deepu Aby Varghese Sub-Editors: Piyanka Roy, Siharth Shekhar, Nikita Malusare, Urmi Sengupta Proof Readers: Kriti Khandelwal, Vintu Augustine, Amrita Ray, Rohan D.Premkumar,Sumit Printer: Lotus Printer, 32/25, 2nd Main Road, Sir M.V. Industrial Town, West of Chord Road, Bangalore Mail us at: editor@iijnm.org