The year was 2017. After the CPI(M) leadership in Idukki locked horns with the IAS officer over the latter's drive against encroachment, Sreeram Venkitaraman, IAS was removed as the Sub Collector of Idukki. He had initiated strong action against 'illegal constructions' in Munnar hill station.
He was the toast of the town as an upright officer who brooked no nonsense, however mighty his opponent was. Also a medical doctor and Fullbright Fellow, he had recently returned to the state after completing higher studies abroad.
K Muhammed Basheer was the Thiruvananthapuram Bureau Chief of the Malayalam daily 'Siraj'. He was killed in a road accident in the state capital late last night - around 1 AM in the heart of the city, near the Museum Police Station when he was returning home from work.
A blue Volkswagen had crashed into the wall, killing the journalist who was standing, at the roadside beside his bike. The man behind the wheel was 33 year old Sreeram Venkitaraman, IAS who has been appointed Survey Director by the state cabinet on Thursday. The owner of the car, Wafa Firoz, a model working in the Gulf, was his pillion at the time of the accident. The fact was that the couple were returning after a party and Sreeram was:-
* Under the influence of liquor.
* Driving the car at prohibitive speeds.
* The damaged car was towed away from the site of accident even before the FIR was filed.
The policemen, on arrival at the site, recognised him and they initiated action to extricate him from trouble - helping a bigwig, you see. After consequent pressure from the media and when the details about the accident were out in the open, a case was registered but not after doing a damage towards proving the case - Sreeram did not undergo the mandatory medical test to confirm his inebriated condition for over nine hours. And he was allowed to get admitted into a private clinic.
By evening, he was arrested without bail under:-
* Section 279 (Rash driving on a public way)
* Section 304 (Culpable homicide not amounting to murder).
But since he's injured, he remains in the hospital.
35 year old Basheer is survived by his wife and two children.
Indeed, what a fall? Sreeram Venkitaraman will rue this day for life!
And always remember, no one can professionally take bold stands if his/her personal life is not clean.
Tailpiece.
Had gone to town to drop the credit card cheque into the bank's drop box and to buy some fruits. The messaging facility in my phone had ceased since afternoon and I was cursing the service provider but later realised that it was my own fault - I'd hit a button that should have been left alone! I still seem to be fumbling with technology!!
He was the toast of the town as an upright officer who brooked no nonsense, however mighty his opponent was. Also a medical doctor and Fullbright Fellow, he had recently returned to the state after completing higher studies abroad.
K Muhammed Basheer was the Thiruvananthapuram Bureau Chief of the Malayalam daily 'Siraj'. He was killed in a road accident in the state capital late last night - around 1 AM in the heart of the city, near the Museum Police Station when he was returning home from work.
A blue Volkswagen had crashed into the wall, killing the journalist who was standing, at the roadside beside his bike. The man behind the wheel was 33 year old Sreeram Venkitaraman, IAS who has been appointed Survey Director by the state cabinet on Thursday. The owner of the car, Wafa Firoz, a model working in the Gulf, was his pillion at the time of the accident. The fact was that the couple were returning after a party and Sreeram was:-
* Under the influence of liquor.
* Driving the car at prohibitive speeds.
* The damaged car was towed away from the site of accident even before the FIR was filed.
The policemen, on arrival at the site, recognised him and they initiated action to extricate him from trouble - helping a bigwig, you see. After consequent pressure from the media and when the details about the accident were out in the open, a case was registered but not after doing a damage towards proving the case - Sreeram did not undergo the mandatory medical test to confirm his inebriated condition for over nine hours. And he was allowed to get admitted into a private clinic.
By evening, he was arrested without bail under:-
* Section 279 (Rash driving on a public way)
* Section 304 (Culpable homicide not amounting to murder).
But since he's injured, he remains in the hospital.
35 year old Basheer is survived by his wife and two children.
Indeed, what a fall? Sreeram Venkitaraman will rue this day for life!
And always remember, no one can professionally take bold stands if his/her personal life is not clean.
Tailpiece.
Had gone to town to drop the credit card cheque into the bank's drop box and to buy some fruits. The messaging facility in my phone had ceased since afternoon and I was cursing the service provider but later realised that it was my own fault - I'd hit a button that should have been left alone! I still seem to be fumbling with technology!!
No comments:
Post a Comment