Judge regrets 20 years’ delay in granting justice, sets port official free in assets case
CHENNAI: A CBI court in Chennai has acquitted a port official in a disproportionate assets case after 20 years. While delivering the verdict, the judge expressed regret for making the official wait for such a long time for justice.
Judge AK Mehbub Alikhan acquitted Rajiv Kohli after concluding that the value of the assets and the percentage of an excess source of income (9.37%) is very negligible/paltry considering the long and continuous employment of the official, and it does not warrant a conviction.
“Therefore, it is held that the accused was not in possession of assets disproportionate to the known sources of income,” the judge said in a recent order while finding Kohli not guilty of offences punishable under various sections.
Rajiv Kohli had worked as a pilot, dock master and harbour master from 1990 to 2000 at the Chennai Port. He had invested huge amounts of money in shares, fixed deposits, post office savings and had purchased immovable properties. The CBI ‘trapped’ him on July 2000 and booked him for amassing a wealth of Rs 27.23 lakh disproportionate to his known sources of income.
But he contended that the details of income as calculated by the CBI are not correct, and extra income earned through overtime remuneration and other allowances and the family members’ income were not accounted for. Referring to the long delay in delivering justice, the judge expressed anguish and said it is “quite inordinate”. Recalling Gandhi’s quote ‘It is the best thing to blame ourselves when people cannot get on well with us’, he said, the court does not hesitate to accept the blame for the delay.
Suggestions sought for proper functioning of juvenile homes in TN
Chennai: The one-man committee headed by retired judge of Madras High Court, K Chandru, on Tuesday sought suggestions/recommendations for effective functioning and administration of homes operating as per the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015. The committee was requested to submit its report within four months. The committee, formed last month, has its office in Mylapore. The suggestions/ recommendations can be sent to: The One Man Committee, 147, Kutchery Road, Mylapore, Chennai - 600004 or by email to: chandruonjuvenilehome@gmail.com. Besides, the committee can also be contacted between 3 pm and 5 pm on any working day.