NLSIU dilutes requirements for NLAT after backlash, but critics say it’s not enough

Education

NLSIU’s initial requirements for the examinations were criticised by the university’s students and aspirants.

Prajwal Bhat

The decision of the Bengaluru-based National Law School of India University (NLSIU) to not accept the Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) scores this year and conduct its own online entrance test has caused a furore among aspirants and even alumni. On Tuesday, Professor Venkat Rao, a former Vice-Chancellor of the University, moved the Supreme Court to challenge the institution’s decision. NLSIU will be holding the National Law Aptitude Test (NLAT) for admissions to the law course for the academic year 2020-21 on September 12. NLSIU had cited the delay in holding the CLAT exams this year due to the circumstances around the coronavirus pandemic in India as the primary reason for its decision. University officials reiterated that they will go ahead with the NLAT examination despite a letter from the consortium of National Law Universities asking NLSIU to reconsider its decision. The institution was also criticised for its extensive rules stipulated to write the exam in the first place. Earlier, a notice from NLSIU that listed requirements for appearing for the entrance exam. The notice stated that only laptops and desktops with a minimum 1 mbps internet connection speed will be able to appear for the examination. “No iPads or mobile phones will be allowed. The systems should also have an integrated webcam and Windows operating system, and Macbooks will not be allowed. The exam should be given using Google Chrome. Aspirants must also disable any AntiVirus installed on their system,” read the requirements first posted by NLSIU.  This notice was met with backlash from students and NLS alumni. Reservations were also raised by the Student Bar Association at NLSIU. “We realise there are multiple concerns regarding the accessibility of NLAT especially given the technical requirements and lack of clarity regarding several points,” the student bar association said in a statement. It added that some students will help aspirants ensure they have equipment to appear for the examination. “Taking the lead, some of our students had already started an initiative to ensure technical equipment such as laptops, dongles, etc, at least are available to aspirants who need them,” the statement added. Following this, NLSIU issued an updated circular making changes to the technical requirements for the examination. In the updated notice, the NLSIU allowed students to appear for the exams on Mac and Linux devices as well as Android mobile phones. The required internet bandwidth required was reduced to 512 kbps from 1 mbps and NLSIU also said that 14 exam centres will be set up in different cities where the students can appear for the exams. However, amid the pandemic, many students are facing difficulties in reaching the centres too, due to a lack of private transport and continued disruptions to public transport. Many also do not have facilities to write the exam from their homes as they do not have the required internet bandwidth or applications to access the examination. 21-year-old Raghunandan, an aspirant from Jammu, tells TNM that he only has 2G internet on his phone. "We only have 2G internet, but there is a cyber cafe nearby which has broadband connection, and I am thinking of going there to give the exam. Many others don't even have laptops or mobile phones and they have already left for Delhi to give the exam. However, there is a risk amid the pandemic and my parents are not allowing (me to travel to Delhi). NLSIU's decision has also added to the burden because now we have to study for two different examinations." Vikram Hegde, an advocate-on-record in the Supreme Court and an NLS alumnus, told TNM that the new changes are welcome but they are not enough.  “The changes are welcome but more needs to be done. Candidates who have been in touch with me have expressed that their problem is that they only have mobile internet. I don't know if the 14 centres mitigate their problems in view of the absence of regular public transport everywhere,” Vikram Hegde told TNM.

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KSRTC to resume non-AC sleeper bus services from Bengaluru to Goa

Transport

The route will be from Bengaluru to Panjim via Chitradurga, Hubli and Karwar.

TNM Staff

PTI

The Karnataka State Road Transport Commission (KSRTC) announced on Tuesday that it is set to operate new non-AC sleeper bus services from Bengaluru to Panjim on a daily basis, starting from September 10.  In a press release, the KSRTC stated that it plans to operate the new non-AC sleeper bus services to make travelling for public on the route more convenient. The route will be from Bengaluru to Panjim via Chitradurga, Hubli and Karwar, with services starting from September 10.  According to a report by the Indian Express, KSRTC Public Relations Officer T S Latha stated that the Non-AC sleeper bus service will connect the capitals of the two states, Karnataka and Goa with each other on a daily basis with each ticket priced at Rs 960.   "The bus is scheduled to leave Bengaluru at 6.30 pm to reach Panjim at 10.15 am the next day. On its return journey, the bus is expected to leave Panjim at 5.30 pm to reach Bengaluru at 9.15 am," T S Latha told The Indian Express.  The details of the ticket fare and bus timings, as issued by the KSRTC in the Press Release, are as follows:  Bengaluru to Panjim via Chitradurga, Hubli, Karwar (Non AC Sleeper)  Route: Bengaluru-Panjim  Date of Introduction: 10/09/2020 Adult Fare: Rs 960 Departure From Bengaluru: 6:30 pm Arrival at Panjim: 10:15 am Departure from Panjim: 5:30 pm Arrival at Bengaluru: 09:15 am The KSRTC had earlier given an official statement which said that it will restart operations to Goa from September 7 with the lockdown being relaxed, as a part of inter-state services being resumed amid the COVID-19 pandemic.  Earlier, as restrictions were eased, Karnataka had started special bus services from Bengaluru, Mysuru, Kodagu and Sulia, among other places to Kerala, during Onam, from August 25 to September 6. Similar services were introduced from Kerala to neighbouring Tamil Nadu as well.

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Actor Sanjana Galrani arrested in Bengaluru drugs case

Crime

The arrest came after searches were conducted at Sanjana's residence earlier in the day.

TNM Staff

Actor Sanjana Galrani, whose residence was searched earlier on Tuesday and who was later taken in for questioning as part of the Sandalwood drugs bust case, has been formally arrested by the Central Crime Branch of Bengaluru police. She has been remanded to five days police custody. As part of the process, the actor was taken to the KC General Hospital in Bengaluru for a mandatory health checkup and COVID-19 test. Sanjana is a multilingual actor who has acted in over 45 films, predominantly in Kannada and Telugu. Her younger sister, Nikki Galrani, is also an actor who has acted in over 25 Tamil and Malayalam movies. Earlier, sources had said that two mobile phones were seized from her residence.  The Kannada film circle has come under scrutiny for alleged drug use after the Narcotics Control Bureau foiled an international drug trafficking racket in multi-city raids in August. It was then that the arrest of a kingpin led the police and the NCB to find drug trafficking networks among the Sandalwood industry. Sanjana was under the CCB’s scanner following the arrest of her friend Rahul Shetty. According to police, Rahul was involved in ensuring celebrity presence in high-profile parties and procuring drugs for them. Rahul and Sanjana along with another Mangaluru-based party planner Pruthvi Shetty were running an event management company and police have claimed that parties organised by this company were a hotspot of drug consumption and sales. The arrest comes after on Friday, after Ragini Dwivdi, Sanjana’s colleague in the Sandalwood industry was the first celebrity to be arrested in connection with the case. Other than Ragini, police have arrested another high-profile party planner Viren Khanna, alleged drug peddlers Loum Pepper Samba, Rahul Tonse, Prashanth Ranka and Niyaz in connection with the case. The police are still looking for Vivek Oberoi’s brother-in-law, Aditya Alva, who has been named as ‘accused number 6’ in the case. The prime accused and Ragini Dwivedi’s long-time friend Shiva Prakash is yet to be arrested.  Both Ragini and Viren are now in police custody. Simultaneous raids were also being conducted at the residence of Viren Khanna, the party planner, who was arrested on Friday. Viren was arrested by the CCB in New Delhi. 

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Kannada film artistes association condemn moral policing of Samyuktha Hegde

Controversy

The organisation also said that they were disappointed with the media coverage of the recent drugs bust case, where multiple Kannada film actors are facing a probe.

TNM Staff

An organization of Kannada film artistes on Wednesday issued a statement in support of actor Samyuktha Hegde, who was subjected to moral policing by Congress functionary Kavitha Reddy last week in Bengaluru. Led by its president, filmmaker Kavitha Lankesh and Founder and Secretary actor Chetan, the Film Industry for Rights & Equality (FIRE) said, “In light of the unfortunate incident against Kannada film actor Samyuktha Hegde in a Bengaluru park on September 4, the conscientious members of FIRE condemn such moral policing on the basis of attire against a fellow industry member, as we would, such inappropriate treatment against a citizen of any gender.” They added, “FIRE holds that Constitutional freedoms must be maintained for all residents of our state and nation, and any 'transgressions' must be held accountable only through a defined legal course and not mob action or violence of any sort.” The actor had broadcasted the altercation on Instagram live which took place at the Agara Lake on Friday evening. The actor was heckled by Kavitha for wearing a sports bra in a public place as she and her friends had gone there to workout with their hula hoops. As part of the altercation, Kavitha had allegedly shamed the actor for “public indecency” and reportedly accused her of consuming drugs. After facing much flak on social media, Kavitha on Sunday issued an apology after initially claiming that she was being wrongly blamed. A First Information Report (FIR) was registered against Kavitha on Saturday morning at the HSR Layout Police Station based on a complaint by the actor. As part of the same statement, FIRE said that they are also disappointed with the media coverage of the recent drug bust case where multiple Kannada film actors are facing a probe. They called for responsible and sensitive coverage in the coming days which should be “devoid of mudslinging and personal attacks.” They also said that they are hopeful that attempts of moral policing and assault on women will be punished by law. As part of the ongoing Sandalwood drugs bust case coverage, many regional TV channels have gone on to analyse the actors’ personal lives.

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Karnataka CM inaugurates flyover named after Veer Savarkar in Bengaluru

Politics

The inauguration was held despite opposition raised by Congress and JD(S) urging the BJP to name the flyover after a freedom fighter from Karnataka.

TNM Staff

Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa inaugurated the 'Veer Savarkar' flyover in Bengaluru on Tuesday. The inauguration of the 400-metre long flyover built on Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan Road in Yelahanka in the city was held three months after it was postponed in May. The flyover has been named after Hindutva ideologue Vinayak Damodar Savarkar.  The inauguration ceremony was held at 12:30 pm on Tuesday with Yediyurappa marking the occasion by the customary cutting of ribbons. He was accompanied by Yelahanka MLA SR Vishwanath, Tourism Minister CT Ravi and Home Minister Basavaraj Bommai.  According to sources, the inauguration was held this week since it was on the agenda of BJP councillors to get the name changed before September 10 when the term of the BBMP council ends.  It was held despite opposition raised by Congress and JD(S) in the state.  "Savarkar's name finalized for Yelahanka flyover The JD(S) party opposes naming it after a person who has nothing to do with Karnataka," the JD(S) said in a tweet. . ಯಲಹಂಕ ಮೇಲ್ಸೇತುವೆಗೆ ಸಾವರ್ಕರ್ ಹೆಸರನ್ನು ಅಂತಿಮಗೊಳಿಸಿ,ರಾಜ್ಯ ಸರ್ಕಾರ ಉದ್ಘಾಟನೆಗೆ ಮುಂದಾಗಿದೆ. ನಮ್ಮದೇ ಬೆಳಗಾವಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ರಾಯಣ್ಣನ ಪ್ರತಿಮೆಯನ್ನು ಪ್ರತಿಷ್ಠಾಪಿಸಲು ಹರಸಾಹಸ ಪಟ್ಟಿದ್ದೇವೆ ಹೀಗಿರುವಾಗ, ಕರ್ನಾಟಕಕ್ಕೆ ಯಾವುದೇ ಸಂಬಂಧವಿಲ್ಲದ ವ್ಯಕ್ತಿಯ ಹೆಸರನ್ನು ಸಾರ್ವಜನಿಕ ಮೇಲ್ಸೇತುವೆಗೆ ಇಡುವುದನ್ನು ಜೆಡಿಎಸ್ ಪಕ್ಷ ವಿರೋಧಿಸುತ್ತದೆ. — Janata Dal Secular (@JanataDal_S) September 7, 2020 The regional party called the BJP's decision to name the flyover after Savarkar as 'anti-state'. A JD(S) spokesperson said that the party's Bengaluru youth wing president Praveen Kumar was detained by police ahead of the inauguration ceremony.  Earlier, the flyover was set to be inaugurated on May 28, the birth anniversary of Veer Savarkar. This was postponed a day before the event and Yelahanka MLA SR Vishwanath cited a delay in issuing the necessary gazette notification for the postponement.  The delay came after the Leader of the Opposition and former Chief Minister Sidaramaiah claimed that naming the flyover after Savarkar was an insult to freedom fighters from Karnataka who took part in the independence movement.  While the BJP counts on his contribution to India's freedom movement and describes him a 'patriot', Congress and other opposition parties criticise him for his alleged link to Mahatma Gandhi's assassin.  Read: Decision to name Bengaluru flyover after Savarkar put on hold amid opposition outcry    

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Delivery apps, and delivery personnel used to peddle drugs in Bengaluru say cops

Crime

Police say that most of those who employ delivery persons to supply drugs are student dealers.

Theja Ram

Representation photo

The Bengaluru police on Monday busted several drug peddlers in the city and among them were two delivery persons -- Aziz Niyaz, a Rapido captain and Guru Prasad, a Dunzo delivery person for allegedly supplying drugs. The Halasuru Police, who arrested the two men said that they took Rs 500 each from the drug peddlers to supply synthetic drugs, marijuana and its byproducts to customers.  Officers with the Anti-Narcotics Wing of the Central Crime Branch say that drug peddlers are using delivery apps and other mobility apps to hire supply agents. Police sources said that the number of such delivery personnel involved in the drug supply has increased in Bengaluru over the last five months and were exceptionally high during the lockdown following the outbreak of COVID-19.  “Most of the drugs supplied via delivery boys are in smaller quantities and most of the people who use these delivery boys for supply are student dealers,” a CCB source said.  In several cases, where student dealers were arrested, CCB sources said that the delivery personnel would not even know that they are supplying drugs as it is placed inside shoes, which are put inside a box and wrapped up in cloth bags. “There are many ways of concealing drugs. Some of the student dealers keep packets of synthetic drugs inside food carriers where some boxes have food and one of the boxes in the carrier will have the drugs. Since it smells like freshly cooked meals, the delivery persons don’t suspect,” the source said.  However, over the last one year, especially during the lockdown, police say that the delivery agents have also begun making deals with peddlers for delivering the drugs. “Many of these peddlers use delivery apps generally too. They source phone numbers and make deals with the delivery personnel. What happens here is that the peddlers prey on their need to earn more money. A lot of them have families of five or seven people to feed and this is easy money. So when a delivery should happen, and to avoid getting caught, the delivery agents are called, who come with their uniforms and pick up the contraband and deliver it,” the CCB source said.  In many cases, the delivery persons do not know what kind of contraband they are delivering, sources said. Besides, several of them, according to the police, have been instrumental in surveilling drug peddlers. “During the lockdown, many delivery persons were transporting small quantities of marijuana and weed oil. We were able to bust rackets as we watched the movement of delivery persons. It is very hard to say whether they are actually involved as suppliers but during surveillance, we found the links, especially when the same delivery person was moving from one particular location and going out for delivery for other locations,” the source said.  Police say that several students, who fall into debt traps with drug peddlers have ended up dealing drugs to their friends to repay the debts. Several other student dealers have also begun dealing drugs to their classmates to make easy money. “These are the students who mostly use Dunzo or Swiggy delivery agents. But there is no link to these companies. Just the delivery personnel so far they have been operating independently,” the source added.  The Bengaluru police began busting drug peddlers in the city after several celebrities were named in the drug case that the Central Crime Brach is currently probing. The CCB has so far arrested actor Ragini Dwivedi, party planner Viren Khanna, Ravi Shankar, Ragini's friend, Rahul Shetty, an architect and marketing agent, who is a friend of actor Sanjjana Galrani, along with alleged drug peddlers Loum Pepper Samba, Prashanth Ranka, Rahul Tonse and Niyaz. On Tuesday, the police took actor Sanjjana Galrani into custody for questioning her alleged role in organising parties where drugs were allegedly procured and consumed. 

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Bengaluru police take actor Sanjana Galrani into custody for questioning in drug case

Crime

The actor was taken into custody after a search and seizure operation at her residence in Indiranagar.

TNM Staff

The Bengaluru police, on Tuesday, took Sandalwood actor Sanjjana Galrani  to the CCB headquarters for questioning in connection with the drug case. Sanjjana is the second actor to be raided and questioned in connection with the case.  The Central Crime Branch officers took Sanjjana into custody at XXX am after a search and seizure operation conducted at her residence. Police said that based on information from one of the arrested accused Rahul Shetty, Sanjjana’s residence was searched and subsequently taken into custody.  CCB sources said that Rahul Shetty was a ‘marketing agent’ for private parties that were organised in various locations in Bengaluru and outside the country. “Rahul’s job was to bring in celebrities to these parties. He would get a commission from the profits made. He would also procure drugs which the celebrities consumed. He and Sanjjana were good friends and have attended several parties together,” the CCB added. The CCB said that Pruthvi Shetty, an event planner from Mangaluru and resident of HSR Layout, co-owned an event planning cmpany with Sanjjana. They allegedly used to organise private parties through the company. The CCB is currently looking into Sanjjanaa’s finances. Police say that Sanjjana and Pruthivi were business partners and organised several private parties, where drugs were allegedly procured and consumed.   Sources said that two mobile phones have been seized and Sanjjanaa has not been taken into custody yet. The CCB officials have been seen taking materials required for a panchnama at around 8:30 am, even as questioning of Sanjjana continued.  Simultaneous raids were also being conducted at the residence of Viren Khanna, the party planner, who was arrested on Friday. Viren was arrested by the CCB in New Delhi.  Sanjjana had spoken to the media when Rahul Shetty was arrested last week and stated that he was like a brother to her and that she has no connection with the drug case. She had on Monday, told the media that she has no reason to fear arrest as she did not consume drugs.  So far the police have arrested actor Ragini Dwivedi, party planner Viren Khanna, alleged drug peddlers Loum Pepper Samba, Rahul Tonse, Prashanth Ranka and Niyaz in connection with the case. The police are still looking for Vivek Oberoi’s brother-in-law, Aditya Alva, who is accused 6 in the case. The prime accused and Ragini Dwivedi’s long-time friend Shiva Prakash is yet to be arrested.  Sources said that Niyaz, an alleged drug peddler from Kerala used to attend parties organised by Viren Khanna. Niyaz is believed to have sourced drugs from Kerala for these parties, where he allegedly met Ragni Dwivedi. “They kept in touch and we have retrieved chats where they have spoken about drugs in code language,” the CCB official said.  Meanwhile, the CCB obtained 5-day custody of Ragini Dwivedi on Monday. Following which Viren Khanna and other arrested accused were also remanded to police custody by the magistrate. 

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