National
Sanjay Dutt’s early release from jail okay, says Bombay HC
Mumbai, Feb 1 (IANS) The Bombay High Court on Thursday ruled that there was no violation of rules by the Maharashtra government in releasing actor Sanjay Dutt over eight months before completion of his five-year jail sentence in a case related to the March 1993 Mumbai blasts.
The court also said that the state government had successfully backed its claims on impartiality in the case with valid documents submitted by the Home Department.
A division bench of Justice S.C. Dharmadhikari and Justice Bharati Dange delivered the verdict while disposing off a PIL challenging the remission in Dutt’s sentence, as also the “frequent parole and furlough” leaves granted to the actor while serving his sentence in Yerawada Central Jail, Pune.
“We found nothing contrary in the records submitted by the Home Department and the explanation offered.. No violations or abuse of discretionary powers were detected,” the bench said.
Mumbai activist Pradeep Bhalekar, who filed the PIL, had claimed that while there were many other inmates with exemplary conduct, only Dutt was favoured by the jail authorities for granting parole/furlough.
Even as the state government denied the charge by the petitioner, the court said the state government must come up with a scheme to ensure that henceforth all convicts’ applications for parole or furlough are decided expeditiously and in a transparent manner.
It pointed out that the public or the inmates should not gather the impression that the authorities grant favours in allowing them parole and furlough.
The court also warned that PILs must not target any individual or become a “publicity” interest litigation, since the allegations made in the PIL were not substantiated and the matter deserved to be closed.
The state government had already submitted full details of the dates and number of days Dutt stayed out of jail on parole or furlough, the reasons for granting the leave and the procedures followed.
Dutt, who was sentenced to undergo the jail term after being convicted under the Arms Act for illegal possession and destruction of an AK-56 rifle, had spent around one year and four months in prison before trial and another two and half years as a convict between June 2013-February 2016.
During his incarceration in Yerawada Central Jail, the actor was granted bail or furlough for a little over five months on various grounds.
Finally, he walked out a free man on February 25, 2016, eight and half months before completion of his sentence, with the remainder remitted on the basis of his “exemplary conduct” while in jail.
–IANS
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National
Foodman Vishal Singh Honored for Hunger Free World Mission in Bangkok
Lucknow: Vishal Singh, a renowned social worker from Lucknow, also known as Foodman, has once again made India proud. He was honored by the Happy Hands Gloves Cooperative Limited Company in Korathai, Thailand, for his work with the Hunger Free World Mission.
The Hunger Free World Mission’s meeting was held in Korathai, Thailand, under Vishal Singh’s leadership. Representatives from several countries, including Mr. Raja Dwivedi (Managing Director of Happy Hands Gloves Limited), Thailand Coordinator Mr. Raja Mishra, and member Mr. Varun Singh, attended the event.
Under Vishal Singh’s leadership, the attendees took a pledge to work together toward creating a hunger-free world.
Speaking on the occasion, Vishal Singh explained that the main goal of the Hunger Free World Mission is social participation. He said the mission is not just about feeding people but also about meeting other basic needs of those who are struggling. The mission focuses on helping families of terminally ill patients in hospitals by providing food and shelter. It also works to fulfill essential needs like education, jobs, and care for the elderly.
For the last 16 years, the Vijay Sri Foundation has been providing free services, benefiting thousands of people. Vishal Singh highlighted that the mission aims to gain global recognition like other organizations such as WHO, WWF, and Red Cross, which work for social causes.
During this meeting, Vishal Singh was appointed as the Chairman of the Hunger Free World Mission by representatives from various countries. They also discussed holding regular meetings in different countries to push the mission forward.
Business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has also supported this humanitarian mission, vowing to promote the idea of “Seva Parmo Dharma” (Service is the highest duty) worldwide. Vishal Singh praised him, stating that people like Dr .Abhishek Verma inspire others to work for the betterment of society.
Recently, Romania’s Ambassador, Mr . Daniela Sezonov Ţane, invited Vishal Singh to the Romanian Embassy in Delhi, where they discussed the mission in detail. Impressed by his humanitarian work, she honored Vishal Singh and invited him to Romania to take the mission forward .
Food man Vishal Singh has been serving the people of India for the past 16 years. Through the Vijay Sri Foundation, he provides free meals to cancer patients & their families ,shelter, and education for women & children along with running free old-age homes in Lucknow.
In addition to his humanitarian work, Vishal Singh also addresses issues like crime and corruption through his role as Chairman of Seva Path Media and Managing Director of Vijay Sri Foundation.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Vishal Singh and his team worked tirelessly to provide food and help to the needy, including starving children, elderly citizens, and pregnant women. Despite contracting the virus himself, he continued to assist others after his recovery. He even created a life-saving oxygen regulator using household items, which was praised by doctors both in India and abroad.
In his address at the meeting, Vishal Singh spoke about his mission to create a hunger-free world. He pointed out that India’s large population, along with issues like unemployment and poverty, has caused the country to fall on the Hunger Index. He urged people to contribute just one handful of grains daily to help create a hunger-free world.
He concluded by saying that through social participation, we can empower the people around us, meet their basic needs, and work together to build a stronger, more prosperous, and developed society.