We've been fooled, say disgruntled kin of Mangalore air crash victims

[email protected] (Gulf News)
January 6, 2012

Dubai, January 6: Two days after the Indian apex court issued notices to the Government of India and Air India on a petition seeking minimum compensation of Rs7.5 million (Dh518,944) to the kin of the 158 Mangalore crash victims, some UAE-based families have said that their struggle is far from over.

Although they welcomed the Supreme Court's move which is in line with the Montreal Convention, they said the injustice resulting from the inordinate delay in disbursing the compensation due to them has to be undone.

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Santosh Rai and his son Milind with a picture of Reshma, Naland and Viha who were among the 158 victims who died in the May 2010 air crash.

"We have been fooled. There is no doubt about that," said Santhosh Rai, an Abu Dhabi-based resident who lost his wife and two children when their Air India Express Flight 812 from Dubai to Mangalore crashed on May 22, 2010.

Rai said like other family members of the crash victims, he has been engaged in a protracted battle with Air India and its legal counsel H.D. Nanavati for higher compensation after the legal counsel fixed the compensation amounts at slabs far less than the Rs7.5 million due to them under the Montreal Convention. The amount for children for instance was fixed at Rs2.5 million.

Rai said besides the "skewed" compensation amounts, the families had also lost out because of the rupee's devaluation over the past year and the arrears due to them. "For example, if we take the case of my two kids, not only did I not get the Rs15 million that was due as compensation, but I have also lost out on 17 months of interest at the rate of nearly eight per cent on that money."

His sentiments were echoed by Abdul Rahman, who lost his wife and son in the crash. "We have lost our families. And now we are losing out because of this. They are playing with our lives. By delaying the compensation due to us, they [Air India] have stood to gain. And the matter will be dragged further. In any case, we cannot act until the Supreme Court's hearing in April."

Abu Dhabi-based Satish Shetty, who also lost his wife in the accident, said, "I was the first family member to receive the compensation amount. But now I realise that the amount due should have been much more. Why was injustice done to us?"


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News Network
September 17,2024

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Mangaluru: In an act of extraordinary selflessness, a young lecturer and mother, Archana Kamath, tragically passed away just days after donating a portion of her liver to a relative. She was 33.

Archana, who had devoted her career to shaping young minds as a lecturer at Canara College and most recently at Manel Srinivasa Nayak MBA College, was a loving mother to a four-year-old boy. Her sudden passing has left her family, students, and colleagues reeling in shock and grief.

The story of her untimely demise began when a relative of her husband, CA Chethan Kumar, required a life-saving liver transplant. 

With no other matching donors in sight, Archana stepped forward, her heart full of compassion. Her blood type matched, and without hesitation, she made the brave decision to donate a part of her liver—an act that would ultimately cost her life.

The surgery, performed 12 days ago in Bengaluru, seemed successful. Archana appeared to recover well and was discharged, bringing hope and relief to her loved ones. 

But just days after returning home, she suddenly fell ill and passed away on September 15 in a Mangaluru hospital. The cause of her sudden decline remains a mystery, compounding the sorrow of those who knew and loved her.

Her final act of love saved a life—the relative who received her liver is said to be recovering well. But Archana’s loss is felt deeply by her husband and their young son, who are now left to navigate a world without her warmth and strength.

As family and friends grapple with this tragic turn of events, Archana’s memory will live on in the hearts of those who knew her as a caring educator, devoted mother, and a woman whose ultimate sacrifice was made out of love.

The full story of her passing is still unfolding, and her untimely death has left an irreplaceable void in the lives of all who knew her.
 

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News Network
September 19,2024

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Ramanagara, Sep 19: A case of rape, sexual harassment and criminal intimidation has been registered against BJP MLA Munirathna and six others, police said on Thursday.

It was registered following the complaint of a 40-year-old woman who alleged that the incident took place at a private resort within the Kaggalipura police station’s jurisdiction.

“We received a complaint on Wednesday night and based on it, we have registered case against seven people, including the BJP MLA under various sections for rape by public servant, sexual harassment, criminal intimidation, criminal conspiracy, voyeurism, intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace, Information Technology Act, and others,” a senior police officer said.

The matter is being investigated, he said.

The fresh FIR against the BJP MLA, also a former Minister, comes days after he was arrested by the Bengaluru Police in connection with the two cases filed against him for alleged harassment, threats and casteist abuse, police said.

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News Network
September 20,2024

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Mandya: The Deputy Superintendent of Police of Nagamangala town in Mandya district has been suspended for "negligence and dereliction of duty" in connection with the clashes that broke out between two groups during a Lord Ganesh idol procession, police said on Friday.

This is the second suspension of a police officer over the clashes on September 11 following which mobs went on a rampage targeting several shops and vehicles leading to tension here.

The situation in the town has since returned to normalcy and most of the shops have started operating. However, adequate security forces continued to be stationed here as a precautionary measure, according to police.

Sumeeth A R, DySP (Nagamangala), was suspended on Thursday for negligence and dereliction of duty, Mandya Superintendent of Police Mallikarjun Baldandi told PTI.

"He (Sumeeth) was not present at the spot nor was he at the police headquarters when the incident occurred. He arrived late at the spot despite the sensitive nature of events," he said.

Earlier, Police Inspector Ashok Kumar posted at Nagamangala town police station was suspended for dereliction of duty in connection with the violence.

A total of 55 people have been arrested in connection with the incident.

According to police, an argument broke out between two groups, when the Ganesh idol procession by devotees from Badarikoppalu village reached a place of worship on September 11, and some miscreants hurled stones, which escalated the situation.

The police had used mild force to disperse the crowd to control the situation.

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