Latest news with #MDC
Los Angeles Times
10 hours ago
- Politics
- Los Angeles Times
Letters to the Editor: Protests around L.A. Metropolitan Detention Center are affecting those inside, too
To the editor: This recent article detailed how the city's response to protests drains public coffers ('L.A. immigration protest costs reach nearly $20 million for police and city repairs,' June 16). So far, media coverage has ignored how the battle between protesters and law enforcement affects those of us locked up in the Metropolitan Detention Center. Because MDC L.A. is located at the heart of the protests, I've watched them out the window of my cell. For more than a week, we've been on lockdown, which means no commissary, programming or exercise, and severely limited phone time. My own release date is approaching, but overburdened MDC staff can't, for example, help me prepare for reentry by securing placement in transitional housing. I'm terrified that I will be left homeless. When considering the protests and police response, please keep in mind how they make our imprisonment even more painful and our post-release prospects even worse. Andrew Goltz, Los Angeles .. To the editor: As an American citizen, it is a duty and an honor to participate in nonviolent protest when the government violates our constitutional and human rights. That's why I participated in the 'No Kings' demonstrations in downtown L.A. and Pasadena on June 14. What I witnessed were massive crowds of passionate, diverse marchers who raised our banners and our voices against Donald Trump and Immigration and Customs Enforcement for their unwarranted roundup and arrests of workers, students and families. There was very little criminal activity reported, and there was a vast contingent of police and security. Staff writer Dakota Smith's article reported a cost of some $20 million dollars due to the protest in L.A., with most of the cost racked up by the Los Angeles Police Department, primarily for overtime pay. At the same time, on the other side of the country, a military parade hosted by Trump on his 79th birthday cost taxpayers an estimated $25 million to $45 million and saw low attendance. It seems that a nonviolent march for human rights is a bargain compared to a useless, arrogant show of power. John C. Wood, Pasadena
Indian Express
3 days ago
- Indian Express
In 2012 case: Why HC ordered fresh probe into ‘shocking' New Year's Eve party at children's home
The Bombay High Court on Monday ordered a probe into an alleged party hosted on New Year's Eve in 2012 at a home for children with special needs in suburban Mankhurd in Mumbai. The court said that it cannot keep the issue pending for a decade and expressed displeasure and surprise over no action taken despite earlier inquiry. The judges remarked that the authorities should be 'ashamed of their officers.' The incident The HC disposed of the PIL filed in 2014 by activist Sangeeta Punekar, citing news reports of an alleged party hosted by donors at the home for children with special needs, and raised concerns over the 'shocking state of affairs'. The Mankhurd institution is run by the Children's Aid Society, a 100 percent aided NGO As per Punekar, on December 31, 2012, a New Year's Eve entertainment programme for mentally deficient children (MDC) was organised in the Agarwal Hall, situated in the boy's section of the Mankhurd shelter home. Some bar dancers were allegedly invited for the programme and 25 girls with special needs were brought to the said hall without seeking permission of concerned authorities. She added that champagne was popped, cash was showered on bar dancers till early morning hours, and that alcohol was served at the party. The PIL claimed the Trombay Police gave clean chit to organisers and the entire incident was hushed up, with no action had been taken against the perpetrators, prompting her to file PIL. Moreover, as per the news report of March, 2014, two girl inmates were allegedly sexually assaulted by the peon at a shelter in Mankhurd. Petitioner's contentions The complaints were lodged by the MDC home authorities regarding the party and a probe was conducted by a panel comprising the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) Chairman, Divisional Deputy Commissioner-Konkan, and an officer of the Women and Child Development Department. However, despite the inquiry, no action was taken against the persons concerned, the petitioner argued. Punekar, in her PIL sought criminal action in the form of FIR against the then Superintendent and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Home and action against all offenders/officials under Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000 and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and Indian Penal Code (IPC). The PIL also sought proper safety measures for girls with special needs in the said home. It sought appointment of a Judicial officer to conduct impartial enquiry in the matter and for strict supervision of appointment, working and sittings of CWCs and MDC homes. Moreover, Punekar sought that the control of shelter homes be handed over to the Social Justice and Empowerment department. Hearings over a decade In August 2014, during one of the initial hearings, the High Court noted that if the allegations in the complaint are true, it clearly disclosed commission of an offence. The HC had referred to an earlier incident wherein the owner of the same MDC home was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment and one person was awarded death penalty for abusing and murdering the children in the home and wondered how such incidents including the party continue at the home. It had then directed the Mumbai Police crime branch to probe the matter and register FIR if cognisable offences are disclosed and had also said the witnesses be protected. In the same month, the Court was informed that the concerned Superintendent of the MDC home was no longer on the post. The HC had also ordered suspension of its CEO. In March 2015, the High Court had observed that a preliminary inquiry had been carried out by then Deputy Police Commissioner (DCP) Rashmi Karandikar after recording statements of the children and no FIR had been registered in the party incident. Thereafter, the plea was heard from time to time along with a batch of other pleas and the court had passed orders seeking corrective measures from authorities. The HC had expanded the scope of the matter for administration of all MDC homes in the states. In January and February 2018, the HC questioned the state government over lack of attendants, safety measures at MDC homes, budgetary allocations, whether surprise checks were being conducted, quality of food and basic facilities provided to children and installation of CCTV cameras. It had orally remarked the Children had been 'left for God's mercy.' The state government, in January, this year, responding to another PIL, had told HC that allegations of mental and physical abuse of children at the NGO-run Mankhurd home were false. In April, the HC had questioned why all 94 MDC homes in Maharashtra were not perational. June 16 decision: HC emphasis on need for fresh probe On Monday, disposing of Punekar's PIL, a bench led by Chief Justice Alok Aradhe noted that despite a three-member panel having conducted an enquiry with regard to the party incident, no action was taken against delinquent officials. The HC expressed 'surprise' and said 'no useful purpose will be served in keeping the petition pending.' The bench, while ordering a fresh probe, remarked that the plea could not be kept pending for 10 years and 'effect of the incident cannot be diluted and the authorities cannot be protecting wrong doers.' What next? The Commissioner of Persons with Disabilities will initiate a probe into the alleged party incident within six weeks and forward the findings to the Maharashtra government. The concerned department of the government will be required to take 'suitable action' against errant persons within three months. The court has also kept pending other pleas on the issue of MDC homes, which will be heard in due course
Indian Express
5 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
‘Can't dilute issue or protect wrongdoers': Bombay HC orders probe into 2012 New Year's Eve ‘party' at Mankhurd children's home
Observing that the authorities cannot protect wrongdoers or keep an issue pending for a decade, the Bombay High Court on Monday ordered a probe into an alleged party hosted on New Year's Eve in 2012 at a home for mentally deficient children (MDC) in suburban Mumbai's Mankhurd, consisting of 265 inmates. The court ordered the Commissioner for Persons With Disabilities to initiate an inquiry into the alleged incident within six weeks and forward the findings to the Maharashtra government which shall take appropriate action against the errant people within three months. The bench of Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice Sandeep V Marne disposed of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed in 2014 by activist Sangeeta Punekar, which had highlighted the 'shocking state of affairs', citing news reports of an alleged party hosted by donors at the MDC homes. According to a news report, champagne was popped, cash was showered on bar dancers, and alcohol was served at the party on December 31, 2012. The institution is run by the Children's Aid Society, a 100 per cent aided NGO. The petitioner claimed that complaints were lodged by the MDC home authorities regarding the New Year's Eve party and a probe was conducted by a panel comprising the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) chairman, Divisional Deputy Commissioner-Konkan, and an officer of the Women and Child Development Department. However, despite the inquiry, no action was taken against the concerned persons, the petitioner argued. After the lawyer representing the respondent authorities sought time to take instructions from officials and further respond to the plea, Chief Justice Aradhe orally remarked, 'The petition cannot be kept pending for 10 years. Effect of the incident cannot be diluted and you cannot be protecting wrong doers. What action have you taken in 11 years? You do not know. It has to be taken.' When the lawyer responded that the respondents will find out, the bench stated, 'We are allowing the petition. It took 11 years? You should be ashamed of your officers. And now you have the guts to say that will find out? So that we should continue the matter for another 25 years? Do you know the effect of keeping the petition pending?' It noted in the order, 'We are surprised to note that despite the inquiry being conducted in the alleged incident, till today no action has been taken against the delinquents. The counsel for the respondent was unable to point out that any action was taken against the delinquent. No useful purpose will be served by keeping the petition pending.' The bench ordered a probe followed by 'suitable action' by the state government and seeking its compliance report, disposed of the PIL. In April, while hearing a batch of pleas including that of Punekar, the high court had questioned the state government as to why all 94 MDC homes in Maharashtra were not operational. The court has, meanwhile, kept pending other pleas on the issue to be heard in due course.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Yahoo
Investigation underway after inmate attacked at MDC
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) –An investigation is underway after a Metropolitan Detention Center inmate attacked another inmate with a pen. An MDC spokesperson said a 24-year-old woman attacked a 49-year-old woman sitting next to her during court proceedings. The woman was seriously injured. Albuquerque City Council votes down 'RENT' ordinance Officials said the attacked seemed unprovoked. The investigation is ongoing. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Springfield Art Museum seeks artists for Route 66 sculpture project
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — The Springfield Art Museum has announced a new Route 66 sculpture series to place citywide sculptures around Springfield and across the Ozarks in 2026. According to a Springfield Art Museum social media post, the museum has announced the Springfield 66 Centennial Sculpture Series, which will feature designed Route 66 shield sculptures being displayed starting in spring 2026. The museum is seeking artists who are interested in showcasing a story of community, heritage and imagination for the project, the post says. New pavilion at Springfield city park is cooperative effort of MDC and other partners Artists will receive a blank Route 66 emblem sculpture canvas to bring their creative skills to life for the Springfield 66 marketing campaign. The museum says that artists must present a submission between June 1 to July 27, 2025, for the project. Artists will be notified for approval by Monday, September 1. For more information on the project, visit the museum's website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
