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International Criminal Court wants to arrest Russian President Vladimir Putin: What prosecutor Karim Khan said and why the warrant is useless

OpIndia Staff
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International Criminal Court wants to arrest Russian President Vladimir Putin: What prosecutor Karim Khan said and why the warrant is useless

On Friday (March 17), the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for Vladimir Putin over alleged war crimes and unlawful deportation of children to Russia from Ukraine.

In a statement, ICC claimed, “There are reasonable grounds to believe that Mr Putin bears individual criminal responsibility for the aforementioned crimes, (i) for having committed the acts directly, jointly with others and/or through others…and (ii) for his failure to exercise control properly over civilian and military subordinates who committed the acts, or allowed for their commission, and who were under his effective authority and control, pursuant to superior responsibility (article 28(b) of the Rome Statute).”

While speaking to the BBC, ICC prosecutor Karim Khan remarked, “Children can’t be treated as the spoils of war, they can’t be deported…This type of crime doesn’t need one to be a lawyer, one needs to be a human being to know how egregious it is.”

Meanwhile, Dmytro Lubinets, Ukraine’s human rights chief, claimed that 16221 children were deported to Russia while only 308 have been repatriated to Ukraine. The high-handedness of the International Criminal Court has been applauded by ‘human rights groups’.

While speaking about the development, associate international justice director at ‘Human Rights Watch (HRW)’ Balkees Jarrah stated, “This is a big day for the many victims of crimes committed by Russian forces in Ukraine since 2014.”

She claimed, “With these arrest warrants, the ICC has made Putin a wanted man and taken its first step to end the impunity that has emboldened perpetrators in Russia’s war against Ukraine for far too long.”

“The court’s warrants are a wakeup call to others committing abuses or covering them up that their day in court may be coming, regardless of their rank or position,” Jarrah added.

As expected, the arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court for the Russian President was welcomed by Joe Biden. He said, “I think it’s justified…But the question is, it’s not recognized internationally by us, either. But I think it makes a very strong point.”

Similarly, Ukranian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy hailed ICC’s overreach as ‘historic’ and ‘real prospect (for justice to be served).’

Russia responds to ICC

The Russian government has rubbished the arrest warrant for Vladimir Putin as ‘outrageous’. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that ICC’s directives are null and void.

Russia’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova pointed out, “(It has) no meaning for our country, including from a legal point of view. Russia is not a party to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court and bears no obligations under it. Russia is not cooperating with this body.”

Former Russian President, Dmitry Medvedev, went on to compare the arrest warrant to toilet paper. He said in a tweet, “The International Criminal Court has issued an arrest warrant against Vladimir Putin. No need to explain where this paper should be used.”

Jursidiction of the International Criminal Court

While the International Criminal Court does not recognise immunity enjoyed by the heads of state in cases of war crimes and crimes against humanity, it lacks the power to prosecute individuals.

As such, the court cannot arrest Vladimir Putin despite having issued an arrest warrant against him. It also cannot put the Russian President on a trial or try him in absentia. ICC is dependent on member States to act as its sheriffs.

Interestingly, Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, and the United States are not parties to the Rome Statute, which led to the establishment of the International Criminal Court. Having said that, it can affect the international travel of Vladimir Putin and lead to further isolation of Russia.

Members of the ICC are bound by an obligation to arrest Putin if he sets foot on their soil. However, such a move is unlikely due to the fear of an imminent war.

The case of Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, who had outstanding arrest warrants against him but was successful in evading them, shows that the current warrant against Vladimir Putin is useless and will have no ramifications whatsoever in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Bengaluru: Congress and BJP workers engage in violent clashes over banners, pelt stones, attack with sticks, 3 FIRs registered

OpIndia Staff
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Bengaluru: Congress and BJP workers engage in violent clashes over banners, pelt stones, attack with sticks, 3 FIRs registered

Workers from Congress and the BJP engaged in a violent confrontation against one another in Karnataka over placed banners. The incident happened on Friday in the Govindrajnagar constituency of Bengaluru when BJP activists allegedly objected over posters that Congress workers had put up for a gathering related to the Women’s Convention at the BGS venue.

According to the reports, the party members pelted stones and attacked each other with sticks resulting in massive injuries. Police had to intervene and use lathi charges in order to get the situation under control. Laxman B. Nimbargi, DCP, West Division, Bengaluru confirmed the incident and said that several police officers also were injured amid the brawl.

“Both groups pelted stones as well, and our police personnel also got injured. 3 FIRs have been registered in connection with the incident. Further investigation is being done,” said DCP.

The saga bagan as members of the Congress party gathered at the venue in Bengaluru on Friday to install the event banners. The BJP members, however, objected to it. This led to a disagreement that quickly escalated into a violent fight.

The workers flung sticks and hurled stones at one another. The Police was informed about the incident who arrived at the spot and deployed lathi charges to subdue the crowd.  The injured members were meanwhile transported to the hospital by the police, and each one was eventually released following treatment.

The Congress party event was scheduled to be held on March 19. At present, three FIRs have been registered in the matter. Further investigations are meanwhile underway.

NIA chargesheet in Shivamogga ISIS case: 2 BTech students, Maaz Ahmed, Syed Yasin booked, had committed over 25 incidents of arson and sabotage

OpIndia Staff
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NIA chargesheet in Shivamogga ISIS case: 2 BTech students, Maaz Ahmed, Syed Yasin booked, had committed over 25 incidents of arson and sabotage

In the Shivamogga Islamic State (ISIS) conspiracy case, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has submitted a charge sheet against two jihadis who were B.Tech students. The case refers to the plan devised to promote the activities of ISIS by committing acts of violence, sabotage, and arson in Karnataka.

Maaz Muneer Ahmed, 23, and Syed Yasin, 22, of Shivamogga, were charged on Thursday by the anti-terror agency under sections 1208, 121A, and 122 of the IPC, 1860, sections 18, 188, 20, and 38 of the UA (P) Act, 1967, along with sections 4 I & 5 of the ES Act, 1908, and section 2 of the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971.

According to the NIA, both B.Tech graduates were radicalized and inspired to attack both public and private facilities, including warehouses, liquor stores, hardware stores, automobiles, and properties owned by members of a particular community. “In furtherance of a conspiracy hatched by the Islamic State, Maaz and Yasin had committed over 25 incidents of arson and sabotage,” the charge sheet read.  

The NIA said that their actions reflect how committed they are. Further according to the anti-terror agency, Maaz and Syed Yasin travelled to the Agumbe and Varahi river backwaters woodland region of Shivamogga district to go hiking and scout out potential hiding places. They also purchased explosives and were preparing to make an IED.

According to the agency, Syed Yasin executed a mock explosion of an improvised explosive device (IED) along the Varahi River in Shivamogga, burned an Indian National Flag, and made a video to prove his anti-India credentials. “The terror operatives were being paid in cryptocurrencies by their online handler by fund transfers from abroad,” NIA noted.

“Investigation has revealed that the accused Maaz Muneer radicalised his close associate and college-mate Reshaan Thajuddin. And the two accused, Reshaan Thajuddin Sheikh and Huzair Farhan Baig received funds from their IS handler through crypto-wallets for furthering the terrorist activities of the Islamic State,” said the NIA.

The investigations have revealed that Maaz received a Crypto equivalent of around Rs 1.5 lakhs from the online handler into the accounts of his friends. In contrast, Syed Yasin received Ps 62,000 into the account of a friend. The NIA said that accused Mohamed Shariq had intended to carry out an IED bombing at Kadri Temple in Mangaluru on November 19 of last year as part of a bigger IS scheme.

Muslim woman approaches SC against discriminatory Shariat law after she was given half the share in ancestral property as her brother: Details

OpIndia Staff
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Muslim woman approaches SC against discriminatory Shariat law after she was given half the share in ancestral property as her brother: Details

A Muslim woman named Bushara Ali has filed a special leave petition (SLP) before the Indian Supreme Court, highlighting the discriminatory nature of Shariat Law in the distribution of property between male and female heirs.

On Friday (March 17), a Division Bench of Justices Krishna Murari and Sanjay Karol issued a notice in the matter. Ali was allotted only 1/2 the shares in her ancestral property as compared to her male counterparts. According to reports, she was granted 7/152 shares in her ancestral property while her brothers were granted 14/152 shares.

Aghast at the discrimination meted to her under the archaic Islamic law, she has approached the apex court in the hopes of redressal. While contending that a female is not entitled to an equal share of property at par with a man under Shariat, the petitioner said, “In spite of (the) guarantee of the Constitution, Muslim women are subjected to discrimination.”

Ali has challenged Section 2 of the Muslim Personal Law (Shariat) Application Act, 1937 for violating Article 15 (prohibition of discrimination) of the Indian Constitution. The contentious section of the Muslim Personal law states –

“Notwithstanding any custom or usage to the contrary, in all questions (save questions relating to agricultural land) regarding intestate succession, special property of females, including personal property inherited or obtained under contract or gift or any other provision of Personal Law, marriage, dissolution of marriage, including talaq, ila, zihar, lian, khula and mubaraat, maintenance, dower, guardianship, gifts, trusts and trust properties, and wakfs (other than charities and charitable institutions and charitable and religious endowments) the rule of decision in cases where the parties are Muslims shall be the Muslim Personal Law (Shariat).“

The petition was filed through advocate Matthew Joy who argued that the Muslim Personal Law (Shariat) Application Act, 1937 is a pre-constitutional legislature and thus fell under Article 13 (1) of the Indian Constitution. It states –

“All laws in force in the territory of India immediately before the commencement of this Constitution, in so far as they are inconsistent with the provisions of this Part, shall, to the extent of such inconsistency, be void.”

Bihar govt grants permission to Muslim employees to change office timing for the month of Ramzan, decision taken for ‘their convenience’: Details

OpIndia Staff
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Bihar govt grants permission to Muslim employees to change office timing for the month of Ramzan, decision taken for ‘their convenience’: Details

Ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the CM Nitish Kumar-led government has started with its attempt to woo Muslim voters. On Friday, March 17, the Bihar government announced its decision to change office hours for Muslim employees during the month of Ramzan.

In a circular issued by the General Administration Department of the state government, it has been stated that Muslim officials and staffers will be allowed to arrive one hour before the usual working hours and leave one hour before accordingly during the month of Ramzan if they so choose.

According to the official circular issued by the general administration department, “Taking into account the convenience of Muslim employees and officials, the government has granted permission for them to arrive at the office one hour before the scheduled time and leave the office one hour before the scheduled time during the month of Ramzan”.

Moreover, the circular stated that this government order would be effective every year during the month of Ramzan.

Circular issued by Bihar government’s General Administration Department

Sunil Kumar Singh, the leader of Janata Dal United claimed that with this decision of the government, Muslim employees would have adequate time to break their fast in the evening without having any impact on their office work as they will come to the office one hour before the office timings.

Notably, a similar decision was made by the YS Jagan Mohan Reddy-led Andhra Pradesh government recently ahead of Ramzan. During the holy month of Ramadan, the Andhra Pradesh government has issued directives allowing its Muslim employees to leave work an hour earlier in the evening.

A circular issued by principal secretary Revu Mutyala Raju will come into force most likely on March 24 and will be effective till  April 23.

According to the circular, all Muslim government officials and teachers, as well as volunteers from villages and wards, will be permitted to leave early unless their presence is essential due to work-related emergencies.

3 days a week with each wife, Sunday free: Man and her 2 wives reach an innovative settlement after his 2nd marriage is discovered

OpIndia Staff
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3 days a week with each wife, Sunday free: Man and her 2 wives reach an innovative settlement after his 2nd marriage is discovered

A 28-year-old software engineer from Noida and two women he married have arrived at a strange mutual agreement saving the married life of the three. The three have decided that the man will stay for three days a week with each wife and will be free on Sunday. The man has also agreed to divide his salary equally for both his wives and will give one flat each to both the women he married. Though bigamy is unlawful, the man will continue to live with both his wives while the first wife will retain all her legal rights despite the settlement ensuring that the matter does not reach the court.

According to reports, the 28-year-old man from Noida married a 26-year-old woman from Gwalior in 2018. Both of them worked as software engineers in Gurugram. In 2020, the woman became pregnant and her husband dropped her in Gwalior at her parents’ house. She was also advised not to move anywhere owing to the coronavirus pandemic. The husband returned to Gurugram and married another woman in 2021.

This second wife also worked in the same software company. As the man moved into this second marriage, his second woman also became pregnant. She delivered a baby in July 2021. During this time, the first wife continued to ask her husband to come back, but he did not visit Gwalior again.

Finally, the first wife went to Noida in January 2023 to confront her husband and was shocked to learn about the second marriage and the child born out of it. Following this, the first wife filed a complaint at the Noida police station but no FIR was filed in this case. After coming back to Gwalior, she wanted to file a case against her husband under section 498A of the IPC at the Gwalior family court. However, when she approached a lawyer for the same, he advised her against it, it finally resulted in the arrangement.

Advocate Harish Dewan, the counsellor appointed by the Gwalior Family Court, told the first wife that she can file the case under IPC section 498A, but the case will go on for years, and her husband will continue to live with his second wife. Moreover, she will get nothing while the case is heard by the court. He asked her to device some other solution so that her livelihood is not affected. He advised that she should go and live her with husband, and try to get the second wife out of the house.

The woman understood the situation and asked how to go ahead with it. He asked her to call her husband to Gwalior. Hearing that she is filling a case in court, he went to Gwalior, accompanied by his second wife. The advocate then told the man that he has committed a crime, and asked him to divorce the first woman and legally marry the second wife. But the man was not willing to do that, after which advocate Harish Dewan asked them to devise some other solution so that the first wife is taken care of.

Accordingly, all three sat together for a discussion and arrived at the strange settlement, which will mean that the man will live with both wives.

The advocate said that the three mutually reached an agreement outside the court that saved their married life. According to the agreement, the man will divide his salary Rs. 1.5 lakh per month equally between the two wives. He is also giving his wives one flat each, with the first wife getting a flat worth Rs 80 lakh.

The first wife agreed to the settlement, under which the flat will be transferred to her name, and the man will pay her Rs 75000 each month, half of his salary. The second wife also agreed to it as she also got a flat and half of his salary. But, this was not all. The main question to be solved was with whom will the man live. The second wife said that he has married her also, so the matter should be resolved.

To solve this problem, the three persons again sat for a discussion, and again arrived at a solution. They mutually agreed that the man shall live for three days a week with each of his wives. From Monday to Wednesday, he will live with one wife, and Thursday to Saturday with the other. On Sundays, the man will be free to live with either of the wives, or he can go somewhere else. He is set free for Sundays.

Though bigamy is illegal, the three have agreed to follow this agreement, and the first wife agreed to not file a legal case against the man. However, all the legal rights of the first wife shall remain protected. If the husband breaks any condition of this agreement, the first wife will file a case against the husband.

Advocate Harish Dewan said, “Being a counsellor, the first attempt is to resolve the issue. The first wife wanted security for her baby and did not necessarily want to send her husband to jail. The second wife was ready to live with the first, but the man himself did not want to live with the first.”

He added, “Though it is not legal according to the Hindu Marriage Act and the IPC, the three can live according to the terms of the contract with mutual understanding. If the contract is violated, the first wife can move court.” He said that the court did not remark anything in this regard because the matter is settled outside the court.

PM Modi shares ‘Kesariya’ song rendition in various languages amid anti-Hindi divisive conversations on social media

OpIndia Staff
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PM Modi shares ‘Kesariya’ song rendition in various languages amid anti-Hindi divisive conversations on social media

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday took to Twitter to share a rendition of Ranbir Kapoor-Alia Bhatt starrer Brahmastra’s Kesariya song by one Snehdeep who sang the song in five Indian languages.

Sharing the video, PM Modi tweeted on March 17, “Came across this amazing rendition by the talented @SnehdeepSK. In addition to the melody, it is a great manifestation of the spirit of ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat.’ Superb!”

Snehdeep Singh Kalsi, the artist, shifts from Malayalam to Tamil, Kannada, Telugu, and Hindi while maintaining the rhythm and tunes of the song. Kalsi first shared the rendition on Instagram in July 2022 but it grabbed attention today after Twitter users shared it. He had also shared it on YouTube at that time.

Snehdeep Singh Kalsi identifies himself as a singer and songwriter, and he has posted several covers of Hindi and Punjabi songs on social media.

This tweet comes amid social media chatter around so-called ‘stop Hindi imposition’ activists who have been spewing hate on Hindi language while alleging ‘imposition’ of Hindi language in the Southern Indian states. So much that the anti-Hindi hatred has led to vicious social media attacks on individuals with differing view point. These divisive anti-Hindi movements are often backed by politicians and predominantly raise their hoods during elections.

NIA files chargesheets against 68 PFI cadres in Kerala, Tamil Nadu

ANI
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NIA files chargesheets against 68 PFI cadres in Kerala, Tamil Nadu

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Friday filed two chargesheets against a total of 68 Popular Front of India (PFI) leaders, cadres and members in two separate cases in Kochi (Kerala) and Chennai (Tamil Nadu).

With these, the total number of chargesheets filed by NIA against PFI cadres this month has gone up to four. The first such chargesheet was filed in Jaipur on March 13 and the second in Hyderabad on March 16.

The chargesheets filed on Friday in Kerala and Tamil Nadu, the two states where PFI is the most active, relate to separate criminal conspiracies hatched by the PFI to create a wedge between people of different communities through the radicalisation of impressionable Muslim youth, providing them with training in handling of weapons, and raising funds for carrying out acts of terror and violence with the ultimate objective of establishing an Islamic Rule in India by 2047, said the NIA statement.

Kerala PFI case was registered in September 2022 by the NIA to probe the criminal conspiracy hatched by the PFI and its leaders and cadres to create a wedge between people of different communities through the radicalisation of impressionable Muslim youth, training them in the handling of weapons and raising funds for carrying out acts of terror and violence with the ultimate objective of establishing an Islamic Rule in India by 2047.

In addition to the above-mentioned criminal conspiracy, the NIA has, in its Kerala chargesheet, also included the connected case of the brutal killing of a Palakkad resident, Sreenivasan, who was hacked to death by armed PFI cadres.

NIA investigations had shown some of the accused in the PFI criminal conspiracy case (September 2022) to have been involved in the Sreenivasan killing too, according to an agency spokesperson.

The accused in the two chargesheets filed today have been charged under various sections of IPC, the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, and the Arms Act, 1959.

In the Kerala case, registered in September 2022, the chargesheet has been filed in the Special Court for NIA Cases, Ernakulam, against the PFI as an organisation and 58 other accused persons. NIA had arrested 16 of the accused after taking over the case in 2022, while the others were arrested earlier by Kerala Police.

The Kerala chargesheet has been filed after searches conducted by the NIA at more than 100 locations across the state. The NIA has also attached 17 properties as they were identified as ‘proceeds of terrorism’ and frozen 18 bank accounts of the accused during the course of its investigations.

Investigations in the case revealed that the accused had been conspiring to drive a wedge between different communities and groups living in India, spread the concept of violent extremism and Jihad in India with the objective of dismembering the country and taking it over by establishing Islamic Rule in India by 2047.

To achieve these objectives, PFI established various wings and units, such as ‘Reporters Wing’, ‘Physical and Arms Training Wing’ and ‘Service Teams’, said the NIA statement.

Investigations by the NIA revealed that PFI was using its various campuses, facilities and infrastructure to impart arms training to selected cadres in the guise of physical education, yoga training etc. They also established a ‘Reporters Wing’ and ‘Service Teams or Hit Teams’ to eliminate their ‘targets’. Whenever required, PFI pressed into service it’s loyal and highly trained cadres of their ‘Service Teams’, as ‘executioners’ of the Orders pronounced by their parallel Courts, called ‘Dar-ul-Qaza’.

In a separate case registered and investigated by NIA Branch Office in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, NIA has also filed a chargesheet against 10 accused on Thursday. This case was also registered in September 2022 to probe the criminal conspiracy, hatched by the PFI and its leaders to divide people based on religious affiliations through radicalization and weapons training.

Some of the prominent PFI leaders and office bearers charge-sheeted in this case on Friday include Abdul Sathar state general secretary, Yahiya Koya Thangal state executive member, Shihas MH Ernakulam zonal secretary, along with district secretaries/president Sainudhen TS, Sadik AP, CT Sulaiman and PK Usman state general secretary Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) Kerala.

In the Tamil Nadu case, the chargesheet filed before the NIA Special Court Chennai has named 10 accused, including Khalid Mohammed, the state vice president of PFI. This case was also registered in September 2022, when nine of the accused were arrested by NIA. The 10th accused was taken into custody a few months later.

NIA investigations in the case had shown that the accused had conducted radicalization programmes to motivate, instigate and recruit gullible Muslim youth, who were then provided weapons training in training camps. PFI cadres used to carry out instructions of PFI office bearers and leaders to conduct recce and attack adversaries and commit unlawful and violent activities.

This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)

Uttar Pradesh: Agra police arrest Shahid Usmani who raped a 9-year-old girl and attempted to kill her by hitting her head with a brick

OpIndia Staff
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Uttar Pradesh: Agra police arrest Shahid Usmani who raped a 9-year-old girl and attempted to kill her by hitting her head with a brick

On 13th March 2023, a 9-year-old girl was raped near a railway track in the area under the Shahganj police station of Agra city. The accused in this case also attempted to kill the girl after the rape which left the girl injured. The police arrested the accused on 17th March 2023, who has been identified as Shahid Usmani.

The victim girl left her house at around 5 am on Monday and went near the railway track for defecation. The accused Shahid Usmani who lives in the neighbourhood of the victim’s house was already present around there. As the minor girl was alone, he dragged her away and took her to a nearby railway cabin where he raped her. After raping the minor girl, the accused Shahid Usmani hit the victim’s head with a brick with the intent to kill her. The girl was injured and she started bleeding. Shahid Usmani immediately left the spot.

The girl somehow reached her home and told her family members about the incident. The girl’s parents filed a complaint at the Shahganj police station and police registered a case in this regard. The girl was sent to the hospital for treatment.

It is notable that miscreants often gather at the spot of the incident right from early in the morning. Youths also roam around the track early in the morning and consume alcohol there. After the incident took place, angry people staged protests as the police did not take action against the miscreants even after several complaints.

The police took swift action in this case. Six teams of Agra police were formed to locate the absconding accused Shahid Usmani. CCTV footage of the areas surrounding the crime spot was checked. The accused was arrested in the morning on 17th March 2023.

Vikash Kumar – SP of Agra city said, “A case of rape of a 9-year-old girl came to light in the Shahganj police station area of Agra on 13th March 2023. Police took action in this case and arrested the accused in this case. He is identified as Shahid Usmani – the son of Zahir Usmani. He is a resident of Shiv Nagar which comes under the Shahganj police station of Agra. The accused was present around the railway track when the victim minor girl went there for defecation early in the morning. Spotting the girl alone, he forcibly took her away and raped her. He also caused injuries to this girl. After committing this crime, the accused went absconding.”

SP Vikash Kumar added, “The police arrested the accused and took him to the spot and made a video in which the accused explained in detail the crime he committed. The police have also recovered the clothes worn by the accused on the day of the crime. We will send those clothes for a forensic investigation. Samples of the victim are also collected and they are sent for forensic investigations. Based on all the statements collected and the scientific evidence obtained in this case, the investigation will further go on. After collecting all the data we will file the charge sheet in this case as soon as possible. We will try our best so that the accused gets a punishment very soon.”

Activist alleges Rs 400 crore missing from Samayapuram Mariamman Temple fund, Tamil Nadu govt refutes the claim

OpIndia Staff
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Activist alleges Rs 400 crore missing from Samayapuram Mariamman Temple fund, Tamil Nadu govt refutes the claim

T R Ramesh, an activist based in Tamil Nadu has alleged that over Rs 400 crores has been missing from the Samayapuram Mariamman Temple fund. The activist filed an RTI requesting a 5-year income and expenditure statement of the Temple. He alleged that up until 2021, the funds looked intact, however, in December 2022, 92% (approximately ₹422 crores) were missing from just this temple.

Tamil Nadu government’s HR&CE dept has, however, refuted the claim and said that the funds are safe.

In a tweet posted on March 7, Ramesh accused officers of the Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) department of reducing temple deposits by 92% of savings, which is both illegal and against temple welfare.

Ramesh accused the department of buying cars with temple funds and appointing drivers for minister use, in addition to taking 12% of fees as administration charges and 4% as audit fees.

He claimed that the department purchased automobiles for Rs 12-15 lakhs (Innova/Scorpio) with funds from the Samayapuram Mariamman temple and had them delivered to the Commissioner’s office for use by some officer there. Fuel and insurance costs are included in the costs. TR Ramesh stated that this is in addition to the 12% that they take.

According to the activist, the car is being utilised in Chennai, and money is being delivered to a certain petrol bunk where they have an account for petrol purchases. This procurement of vehicles and appointing drivers for state ministers is not limited to one temple, but also to Swami Malai temple, Kapaleeshwarar temple, and Tiruvannamalai temple, among others, he alleged.

Ramesh stated that it was also found that there is no trustee for this temple, and the board of trustees has sole authority over all administrative matters pertaining to the temple. He claimed that the disappearance of large sums of money is not limited to this temple. Supposedly, 70 crores have vanished from the Kapaleeshwarar temple (from an existing saving of about 80 crores) and about 100 crores have vanished from the Madurai Meenakshi temple, he said.

Notably, T R Ramesh discussed this issue, as well as other fraudulent activities carried out by the TN HR&CE department, in a video interview with Pesu Tamizha Pesu’s YouTube channel.

After the matter was brought to the fore by the activist, Tamil Nadu HR&CE Department Minister Sekar Babu clarified that the temple deposits are safe. T R Ramesh, today took to Twitter to inform about the same, He tweeted, “Hon’ble @tnhrcedept Minister @PKSekarbabu has clarified that Samayapuram Sri Mariamman Temple Deposits are safe. Devotees can have a big relief. The Dept shd NOW clarify why on 30.11.2022 it was ₹421.98 crores less as per the temple records.”

It’s worth noting here that last year n December, the Supreme Court demanded the Government of Tamil Nadu’s statement to a petition alleging that the administration indirectly had taken over the operation of over 38000 temples in the state of Tamil Nadu by recruiting executive officials but without nominating temple trustees. According to the petition, the act had resulted in the mishandling of the finances of large temples. 

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