HC: Can SKC give secret file?

By S A Ishaqui

Hyderabad, Jan. 29: The AP High Court on Saturday asked the attorney-general, Goolam E. Vahanvati, to be present before the court on Wednesday to assist it in deciding whether Justice Srikrishna Committee was right in submitting a sealed cover report separately on law and order situation.

Justice L. Narasimha Reddy, while dealing with a petition filed by M. Narayana Reddy, a former MP from Nizamabad, told the counsel representing the Centre to inform the AG to appear before the court.

Mr Gandra Mohana Rao, counsel for the petitioner, found fault with the committee for submitting a report on law and order in the region to the Centre.

He added that the suggestion about the problem of Naxalism growing in Telangana was an insult on four crore people of the region. “The committee is supposed to consult people, make suggestions and keep them available to all so that all stakeholders will play their roles,” he said. He told the court that the petitioner had given a representation to furnish a copy of the sealed report, but authorities did not comply.

Bhongir's Ahsan buys Spanish football team

S.A. ISHAQUI with agency inputs from Madrid

Hyderabad, Jan 22: Mr Ahsan Ali Syed, a rather mysterious businessman who claims to be a native of Bhongir town of Nalgonda district, has bought up the well-known Spanish football club Racing Santander, for about $54 million.
Mr Syed, founder of Bahrain-based asset manager Western Gulf Adviso

ry, had tried to acquire the English Premier League club Blackburn Rovers last year, but did not succeed “Football is not just an investment for me but also a personal passion,” he was quoted as saying. “For that reason it has always been a dream of mine to own a football club and see my team play.” However, the ‘Indian tycoon’s’ antecedents seems wrapped up in mist.

Inquiries by Deccan Chronicle revealed that Mr Syed had lived for some time in Purani Haveli area in Old Cty of Hyderabad.

Before he left abroad about 18 years ago, he sold off the house. Local residents of Purani Haveli were surprised to hear about his pur chasing a Spanish football club and said he did not seem to be a rich man when he was staying there.
"I know very well he did not have land in Bhongir and he was depending on others for his financial needs when he was staying here," said a resident.

However, according to another version, Mr Syed's family had lands in Bhongir area that were sold off in 2004.

A prominent Western media entity that probed his claims of being born to a rich farmers’ family in Bhongir also drew a blank.

It also found out that Mr Syed had taken over companies and then dissolved them without bothering about the staff.

Authorities in the UK, Canada, as well as in Bahrain are probing him over unpaid taxes.

“The deal would be carried out through Dutch holding company WGA Sports Holding, B.V,” Mr Syed was quoted as saying.

Nampally court’s judge suspended

By S A Ishaqui
Hyderabad,Jan. 3: The AP High Court on Monday issued orders suspending the second additional metropolitan sessions judge of Hyderabad criminal courts (Nampally), Ms Manjusri.
According to sources in High Court registry, Ms Manjusri committed an error in delivering a judgement in a criminal case. In a recent judgement, the judge sentenced an accused to 10 years imprisonment under Section 302 of the IPC.

However, according to the relevant Section, the judge should have awarded either death penalty or life imprisonment, and the mistake was brought to her notice, sources added. Later, the judge allegedly altered Section 302 to Section 304, contending that she awarded the punishment under that Section for culpable homicide and she never granted punishment under Section 302.

Chief Justice Nisar Ahmad Kakru directed the Registrar to conduct an enquiry into the matter. The vigilance authorities submitted a report confirming the error and based on the vigilance report, the CJ suspended the judge. The CJ has also suspended a district judge rank judicial officer, Mr K. Veera Chary, member of the industrial tribunal in another case.

Sources said there was an allegation of censuring a principal of a medical college beyond his jurisdiction against Mr Veera Chary. A judge of the High Court sought an explanation from Mr Veera Chary over the allegations. The CJ suspended him, as the explanation was not satisfactory.

It may be recalled that the High Court had ordered compulsory retirement of Mr Veera Chary. He moved the Supreme Court against the order and the case is pending.