Crime and Brief Reports

Health department issues closure notice for two hospitals in Salem

The Health Department issued a closure notice for two hospitals in Salem after they were found offering Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) illegally.

Health officials, acting on a tip-off, raided a clinic at Veeranam in Salem district run by Muthamizh, a doctor attached to a primary health centre (PHC) and Kalaimani, a staff nurse at another PHC. The raid revealed that the two were running a sex-determination racket. A special team of health officials from Salem and Attur districts further identified six village health nurses involved in the operation and suspended them.

Based on their findings, officials raided two hospitals in Salem Town and Ponnammapet and seized the records of patients who had chosen MTP. Upon verifying the records, the officials found that the hospitals offered MTP illegally to a number of patients. Acting on the findings, the Health Department served a closure notice for the two hospitals.

As there are some inpatients in these hospitals getting treatment, the health officials instructed them to close the hospital after discharging them, or they will seal the hospital.

Prisoners from Attur prison shifted to Salem Central Prison

The Attur sub-jail, which was upgraded to a district prison in 2009, has been closed following allegations of fund misappropriation in buying groceries and bribery against a number of officials. 28 prisoners and 37 prison staff were transferred to Salem Central Prison on Friday.

SSI suspended in Salem

Baskaran, a special sub-inspector attached to the Salem City Armed Reserve, was suspended on Saturday, following allegations that he was running a monthly chit fund scheme and cheated a sum of ₹16 lakh. The Central Crime Branch Police held an inquiry and, finding prima facie evidence for the allegations, submitted a report to City Police Commissioner Praveen Kumar Abhinapu, who issued the suspension order for the SSI on Saturday.

Gutka seized in an omnibus in Salem

Acting on a tip-off that banned gutka items were smuggled in an omnibus from Bengaluru to Tenkasi, the Salem City police checked an omnibus in the early hours of Saturday at Salem New Bus Stand. During the check, the police found 114 kg of gutka items from two passengers, Saravanakumar and Premkumar, residents of Tenkasi district. The police arrested the duo and also seized the bus. The other passengers are sent in an alternate bus to Tenkasi.

Jallikattu event held in Namakkal

A Jallikattu event was held at Erumapatti in Namakkal district on Saturday, in which 600 bulls from Salem, Namakkal, Tiruchi, Madurai, and other districts participated. 350 participants tried to tame the bulls, and the successful ones were felicitated by the organisers. 44 people, including a special sub-inspector, head constable, and home guard personnel, sustained minor injuries during the event.