Stolen gold comes back to owner in a laundry bucket
Hyphen Web Desk
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A significant portion of gold jewellery stolen from a residence in Kozhikode has been unexpectedly recovered. On Thursday morning, 25 of the 30 sovereigns reported missing were discovered concealed in a laundry bucket outside the victim's home.
The theft occurred on Saturday, 22 February 2025, at the residence of Chakkingal Sareena in Kumaranellur near Mukkam. The family had departed their home around 8 p.m. to attend a function and returned by 10 p.m., only to find that gold ornaments stored in boxes beneath a cupboard in the bedroom had been stolen. The intruder had gained access by removing roof tiles.
Following the incident, Sareena filed a complaint with the Mukkam police, expressing suspicion towards certain relatives. The investigation took an unexpected turn when, on Thursday morning, the missing jewellery was found hidden inside a bucket used for storing soiled clothes, placed outside the house. The discovery was made as the family prepared to do laundry.
Authorities speculate that the thief may have returned the jewellery out of fear of being apprehended. The Mukkam police have confirmed the recovery and are actively working to identify and apprehend the individual responsible for the theft.
Benadryl-fortified toddy
Authorities in Palakkad have moved to revoke the licenses of several toddy shops following the discovery of cough syrup traces in their alcohol. The affected establishments are located in the Kuttipallam and Vannamada regions of the Chittor range, where routine alcohol samples were found to be tainted with Benadryl, an active ingredient in over-the-counter cough syrups.
The investigation began last September when the Excise Department collected alcohol samples from multiple toddy shops in these areas. These samples were then sent to the Kakkanad lab in Kochi for thorough testing. The results, now confirmed, have shown alarming levels of Benadryl contamination in the alcohol, which is typically not used in the brewing or fermentation processes for toddy.
The practice of spiking alcoholic beverages with cough syrup is not new in certain parts of India, where it is believed to enhance the potency of the drink. However, such practices carry serious health risks, including toxicity and the potential for fatal overdoses, especially when the syrup is consumed in large quantities or combined with alcohol. This has raised significant concerns among health and safety experts, who have long warned against the dangers of unregulated toddy production and distribution.
The Excise Department has been under increasing pressure to enforce stricter regulations within the toddy industry, which has faced several scandals over the years, including adulteration of the drink with harmful chemicals. While the government has implemented measures to control the quality of toddy sold in authorised shops, enforcement in rural and semi-rural areas like Palakkad has been difficult.
The presence of Benadryl in the alcohol from these toddy shops has sparked a wave of public concern. Local authorities have already started the process of suspending and revoking the licenses of the affected establishments. The owners of the toddy shops have been summoned for hearings, where they will be given an opportunity to defend themselves. However, given the nature of the findings, it is highly likely that most licenses will be cancelled, and further legal action may be taken against the shop owners involved.
The investigation began last September when the Excise Department collected alcohol samples from multiple toddy shops in these areas. These samples were then sent to the Kakkanad lab in Kochi for thorough testing. The results, now confirmed, have shown alarming levels of Benadryl contamination in the alcohol, which is typically not used in the brewing or fermentation processes for toddy.
The practice of spiking alcoholic beverages with cough syrup is not new in certain parts of India, where it is believed to enhance the potency of the drink. However, such practices carry serious health risks, including toxicity and the potential for fatal overdoses, especially when the syrup is consumed in large quantities or combined with alcohol. This has raised significant concerns among health and safety experts, who have long warned against the dangers of unregulated toddy production and distribution.
The Excise Department has been under increasing pressure to enforce stricter regulations within the toddy industry, which has faced several scandals over the years, including adulteration of the drink with harmful chemicals. While the government has implemented measures to control the quality of toddy sold in authorised shops, enforcement in rural and semi-rural areas like Palakkad has been difficult.
The presence of Benadryl in the alcohol from these toddy shops has sparked a wave of public concern. Local authorities have already started the process of suspending and revoking the licenses of the affected establishments. The owners of the toddy shops have been summoned for hearings, where they will be given an opportunity to defend themselves. However, given the nature of the findings, it is highly likely that most licenses will be cancelled, and further legal action may be taken against the shop owners involved.
A chilli-ng experience
Motorists traversing the national highway at Pathadipalam, near Kalamassery in Kochi, experienced discomfort on Thursday morning as airborne chilli powder caused severe eye irritation. The incident led to multiple two-wheeler riders losing control, resulting in minor accidents and traffic disruptions.
Eyewitnesses reported that a cloud of red dust enveloped the area, impairing visibility and causing a burning sensation in the eyes and respiratory tract. Local vendors confirmed that the chilli powder originated from a nearby spice processing unit, where a malfunction in the ventilation system led to the unintended release of powdered chilli into the atmosphere.
Emergency services were promptly dispatched to the scene. Medical personnel provided first aid to affected individuals, primarily treating cases of eye irritation and mild respiratory distress. Traffic police managed the situation by diverting vehicles and facilitating the clearing of the affected area.
The spice processing unit's management issued a statement expressing regret over the incident. They attributed the mishap to a sudden mechanical failure in their grinding equipment, which caused an unexpected release of chilli powder. The management assured that immediate steps were being taken to repair the faulty equipment and implement additional safety measures to prevent future occurrences.
Local health authorities advised those exposed to the chilli powder to rinse their eyes and skin with clean water and seek medical attention if symptoms persisted. They also recommended that residents in the vicinity keep their windows closed until the air cleared to avoid further exposure.
The incident has raised concerns about the safety protocols of spice processing units located near residential and commercial areas. Environmental activists have called for stricter regulations and regular inspections to ensure that such facilities adhere to safety standards that protect both workers and the public.
The Kerala State Pollution Control Board has initiated an investigation into the incident. Officials stated that the processing unit would be inspected for compliance with environmental and safety regulations. Depending on the findings, the unit could face penalties or be required to upgrade its safety systems.
Residents have voiced their concerns, highlighting that this is not the first time industrial activities have impacted the local community. They are urging authorities to enforce zoning laws more strictly and ensure that industrial operations do not pose a hazard to public health.
In response to the incident, the local municipal council has scheduled a meeting to discuss the enforcement of stricter safety measures for industries operating within city limits. Proposals include mandatory installation of advanced filtration systems, regular maintenance checks, and the relocation of certain high-risk operations to designated industrial zones away from populated areas.
Eyewitnesses reported that a cloud of red dust enveloped the area, impairing visibility and causing a burning sensation in the eyes and respiratory tract. Local vendors confirmed that the chilli powder originated from a nearby spice processing unit, where a malfunction in the ventilation system led to the unintended release of powdered chilli into the atmosphere.
Emergency services were promptly dispatched to the scene. Medical personnel provided first aid to affected individuals, primarily treating cases of eye irritation and mild respiratory distress. Traffic police managed the situation by diverting vehicles and facilitating the clearing of the affected area.
The spice processing unit's management issued a statement expressing regret over the incident. They attributed the mishap to a sudden mechanical failure in their grinding equipment, which caused an unexpected release of chilli powder. The management assured that immediate steps were being taken to repair the faulty equipment and implement additional safety measures to prevent future occurrences.
Local health authorities advised those exposed to the chilli powder to rinse their eyes and skin with clean water and seek medical attention if symptoms persisted. They also recommended that residents in the vicinity keep their windows closed until the air cleared to avoid further exposure.
The incident has raised concerns about the safety protocols of spice processing units located near residential and commercial areas. Environmental activists have called for stricter regulations and regular inspections to ensure that such facilities adhere to safety standards that protect both workers and the public.
The Kerala State Pollution Control Board has initiated an investigation into the incident. Officials stated that the processing unit would be inspected for compliance with environmental and safety regulations. Depending on the findings, the unit could face penalties or be required to upgrade its safety systems.
Residents have voiced their concerns, highlighting that this is not the first time industrial activities have impacted the local community. They are urging authorities to enforce zoning laws more strictly and ensure that industrial operations do not pose a hazard to public health.
In response to the incident, the local municipal council has scheduled a meeting to discuss the enforcement of stricter safety measures for industries operating within city limits. Proposals include mandatory installation of advanced filtration systems, regular maintenance checks, and the relocation of certain high-risk operations to designated industrial zones away from populated areas.
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