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The special court convicted 32 people, including Kodnani and Bajrang Dal leader Babu Bajrangi, on charges of murder and conspiracy. 97 people belonging to the minority community were killed in the post-Godhra riots.
"All the convicts should be given such a punishment that nobody in the future can even think of committing such a crime," Shakeela, who lost most of her family members during the communal violence in Naroda Patiya, said.
Similar sentiments were expressed by Dildar Umraav Saiyed, who was also present during a press meet organised by Citizens for Justice and Peace, an NGO run by social activist Teesta Setalvad, who actively helped the victims get justice.
Patnaik was the commissioner of the Mumbai police till as recent as last week. He was transferred and promoted to Director General, Security Corporation, after being criticised by some parties for his handling of the August 11 riots in the city. Patnaik was succeeded by Satyapal Singh.
Safdarjung Hospital is one of the biggest government hospitals in the capital.
More details are awaited.
"Though the idea behind district tours to review and assess progress of work is good, it appears that the Chief Minister is mixing party work and that of the administration," Leader of the Opposition Suryakanta Mishra belonging to the CPI(M) said.
Stating that the district tours had yielded nothing worthwhile in last 15 months of Trinamool Congress rule in the state, he said "Lakhs of rupees are being spent in the chief minister's district tours where nearly the entire cabinet and bureaucrats are taken."
Without naming the Railway minister, the CPI(M) leader questioned the necessity of a union minister accompanying the chief minister on her district tours.
Miscommunication between a Spanish airline pilot and Dutch ground control caused a hijack scare on Wednesday that led the Netherlands to send F-16 fighters to intercept a plane, the airline said.
"There was never any danger. There was a lack of communication between the pilot and the tower and the airport has activated the security protocol," a spokeswoman for Spanish carrier Vueling said.
The airline's flight from Malaga in Spain to Amsterdam was surrounded by Dutch security forces on landing at Amsterdam's Schiphol airport.The Dutch Defence Ministry had sent two F-16 fighters to intercept the airplane after suspecting a hijacking, a Dutch military police spokesman told Reuters.
"We are still trying to establish communication with passengers and with the crew," Martijn Peelen, spokesman for the military police, told Reuters by phone..
"The plane approached the airport in an unusual way. This led to a miscommunication between the pilot and the control-tower", a Vueling spokeswoman tells Reuters.Initial press reports from Holland told of a feared hijacking, including the possibility of hostages, according to The Associated Press.
Those fears prompted Dutch police to swarm the plane after it arrived to Amsterdam from the Spanish city of Malaga, according to The Associated Press.
An unprecedented 25 sportspersons were honoured with the Arjuna awards in a glittering ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhawan here. A loud applause greeted the two Olympic heroes as they received their Khel Ratna Awards from President Pranab Mukherjee in the presence of a host of Ministers, dignitaries and sports celebrities.
And according to this tweet: Schiphol Incidenten '@112SchipholPassenger on board Vueling 8366 report to Dutch media that there is NO hijack or hostage in progress.
Dutch media are reporting that the passenger plane was hijacked en route from Malaga in Spain to Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport. News website Nu.nl reports that the plane was escorted to Schiphol today by two F16 fighter jets. The report cited the Defense Ministry. Nu.nl reports that the plane is from carrier Vueling.
Heaping praise on the media for exposing "more wrongdoings" in coal block allocations, BJP spokesperson Prakash Javadekar alleged the Screening Committee formed by the Centre for making these allotments was only a "facade".
"The coal block allocation process was twisted and manipulated. While the Committee had ten representatives from the central government, there was only one from the state concerned. It appears that these bunglings were pre-planned and the motive was to make profits not as a nation but as a party," Javadekar said.
Read the Firstpost.com report on the conviction of Maya Kodnani.
"Of course there is a need for foreign coaches. I have practised with Indian coaches for so many years and after the Olympics, we need to learn something from a foreign coach as well," she told reporters at a promotional event here. Mary wanted to be trained by a foreign coach prior to the Olympic qualifying rounds, a demand that wasn't met by the Sports Ministry.
The CBI on Friday received a complaint from the ministry of defence (MoD) on the alleged violation of the Official Secrets Act (OSA), which is based upon the classified documents provided by alleged arms-dealer Abhishek Verma's estranged business associate, C Edmond Allen.
MoD has not named Verma in its complaint, but has requested the CBI to probe the "leakage of the secret documents". The agency is, however, taking legal opinion on the `involvement' of Verma as documents were not recovered from his possession, but were provided by a third person.
"Had I attacked the Japanese wrestler first, I could have won the gold medal for India in London Olympics," Sushil told reporters in Bhopal. The silver medallist arrived here to take part in the Madhya Pradesh government's Shikhar Khel Award ceremony, to be held later in the evening.
While Gandhi was present in the Lok Sabha on 24 days out of the 85 sittings it had between May 2011 and May 2012, Yadav fared slightly better by remaining present on 31 days. Sidhu and Kumaraswamy, former Karnataka Chief Minister, attended the Lok Sabha on 16 days.
This was stated in 'Representative at Work' - a report on the third year performance of the 15th Lok Sabha 2011-12 prepared by an NGO 'Mass for Awareness'.
"We are very happy with the verdict. We are now waiting for it to be implemented," he said. "The truth has come out before the world. I request the government to implement the sentence," he mentioned. All Indians are awaiting the moment when Kasab is hanged, Ombale said. "Had Afzal Guru been hanged 10 years ago, maybe 26/11 and 13/7 wouldn't have happened," he said.
On the role of Pakistan, the crime branch chief said, "Abu Jundal's interrogation further reveals role of Pakistan in exporting terror to our country and his links with LeT".
Jundal, suspected to be one of the key 26/11 handlers, was deported to India by Saudi Arabia and is currently in the police custody in connection with the 2006 Aurangabad arms haul case. "Crime Brnach is collecting very strong evidence against Jundal," Roy said.
The Indian community representatives said that though Indians were the oldest expatriate community in Iran, unfortunately due to various reasons, the strength of the community has come down tremendously as the "new generation faces problems, face difficulties to work and many families have left for good".
Though there are no "irritants" in particular between India and Iran, Singh will be raising the issue of trade imbalance in favour of Tehran and seeking more access for Indian goods, including wheat and tea.
The back-to-back meetings with Iranian leaders assume significance in view of the US pushing India and other countries to curtail their engagement with Iran to press Tehran on its controversial nuclear programme.
Oil supply, one of the major components of bilateral ties, will also be discussed in the backdrop of the sanctions imposed by the US. India has already made it clear that it will continue to be one of the biggest oil buyers from the sanctions-hit country, notwithstanding US' reservation on the issue.
The school children, including a Bangladeshi and an Iraqi girl, left the audience including Kaur mesmerised with their songs and dance sequences. The Prime Minister's wife was seen tapping her feet and clapping softly, enjoying every moment of her over one and half hours.
The Indian governnemt extended a grant of Rs two crore to the school. During the second half of the 20th century till the 1979 revolution here, the school used to have more than 350 students on its roll and was affiliated to Punjab University and later with CBSE.
After the revolution, many Indian families left Tehran and from about 350 Indian families, only just 60-65 families were left.
The funny part is that the signed document does not specify a single payment method, so Samsung is entitled to send the creators of the iPhone their billion dollars in the way they deem best.
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However, the Gujarat government says that the MLA was not a minister at the time of the riots and the judgement would be studied carefully. The court will announce the quantum of punishment on August 31.
But the newly single mother got to keep lots of expensive gifts she received throughout their marriage, reported Radar online. "Tom was extremely generous to Katie with lavish gifts during their marriage and she will be keeping millions of dollars of jewelry, Hermes handbags and other luxurious items," said a source.
Apparently, Cruise gave Holmes a pair of diamond earrings that cost over USD 500,000 and he had lots of other jewelry pieces custom designed just for her. She also has a Hermes Birkin handbag collection that could easily be worth from USD 100,000 to USD 500,000.
The pill, called Alcopal costs Rs 1,400 and is already banned in the US. In the UK, it is being sold online. Supplier Arthur Kibble claims a motorist who has had alcohol above the legal limit can reduce the booze reading to almost zero.
If his claims are correct, it could mean a driver who had five pints of beer can still be found to be under the limit.Interestingly, the key ingredient in the pill - simethicone - is commonly used to treat digestive discomfort.
Maharashtra Home Minister R R Patil "We welcome the apex court verdict and will ask the Centre to ensure that it is implemented at the earliest."
State Congress president Manikrao Thakre "We expect the next process to be completed and the death sentence should be executed at the earliest."
NCP state president Madhukar Pichad "The death sentence is the appropriate punishment for the crime committed by Kasab. It was not an ordinary crime but an attack on our country. The punishment should be executed at the earliest,."
Asserting that India has provided enough evidence to show involvement of not only non-state actors but also of official hierarchy in 26/11 attacks, government sources said Singh will raise the issue of terrorism, which is of prime concern to the country, with Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari, who is arriving in Tehran tomorrow to participate in the 16th NAM summit.
The government sources said other bilateral issues will also be discussed during the Singh-Zardari meeting. Asked about Pakistan equating the Mumbai attacks, in which 166 people were killed, with Samjhauta Express blasts in which 67 Pakistani nationals died, sources said, "... there is no comparison. We have shown the will to take action, not chosen to make statements of convenience".
The sources also noted that India had managed to convict some of those involved in the Mumbai attacks through the same set of evidence which was provided to Islamabad in a trial which was not a "show trial".
Pakistan keeps switching judges, and people inside the jails are using mobile phones to run their network, the sources said, clearly expressing India's unhappiness over the slow progress of the 26/11 trial in that country.
The remarks, which were made in the backdrop of Pakistan equating the two incidents to project that it is also a victim of terrorism, also assume significance given that they come before the structured Indo-Pak talks between their Foreign Ministers in Islamabad next week
"I bow to the verdict of the court. As amicus curiae, I was given an opportunity to advance every convincing arguments, I could," said Ramachandran, who was appointed amicus by the apex court to defend Kasab. "I made my arguments and the court considered them. No lawyer should be attached to the result of the case... Let us all take pride in our judicial system," he added.
He said he considered Kasab's case as one of the greatest professional challenges of his career, which he performed as per the best of his abilities. "I would definitely call it one of the greatest professional challenges of my career to be able to make plausible arguments in a case which world has thought to be hopeless.
"I think the court has given anxious consideration to various submissions made on behalf of the accused and that is a matter of satisfaction," Ramachandran told reporters soon after the apex court delivered its judgement. The lawyer said, "I would not call it an opportunity (to be an amicus in Kasab case). I think it was an honour given to me. "I took it as a sacred duty and I performed it to the best of my ability,
Does this mean Kasab will be hanged before the Lok Sabha polls? Wait and watch.
However, Yasmin did not attend the Supreme Court hearing owing to her domestic pre-occupations. "I am alone in my house and this news was given to me by Jamiat (the organisation which provided legal help to Fahim)," Yasmin said, adding she is looking forward to meet her husband.
The apex court today upheld the acquittal of two Indians, Faheem Ansari and Sabauddin Ahmed, who were alleged to be co-conspirators in the Mumbai terror attack case. The trial court and Bombay High Court had also given a clean chit to them in the case.
Posing for pictures in the lobby they were interrupted by triple gold medalist Bolt, who joined the lucky couple and a handful of guests in some memorable wedding snaps.
Bolt was happy to pose for shots with the newly weds and sign autographs as he left the hotel. Bolt was staying in Manchester during a trip to the city which included a meeting with Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson, the Daily Mail reported.
"No leniency should be shown against this kind of a terrorist. They have tried to destroy the peace of the nation, so he (Kasab) should be hanged as fast as possible," he said.
Earlier, it was reported that Saif and Kareena's wedding would take place on October 16, but later Saif refused to confirm it. Saif had earlier said that the wedding would take place in November or December.
Sharmila, the wife of late Nawab of Pataudi Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, arrived in Bhopal to take part in the first meeting of Aukaf-e-Shahi (Wakf properties) of which her eldest daughter, Saba Sultan, is the 'Mutawalli' (custodian).
The meeting was held to discuss the issue of caretaker of 'Rubaat' (guest house situated in holy city of Medina). The row has been settled with the appointment of Saba Sultan as the 'naazir' (caretaker) of the 'rubaat', Sharmila said.
Welcoming the verdict, senior BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said that those who wage war against the country and kill innocents deserve no mercy.
In a caustic remark, Naqvi said, "Kasab should be hanged without delay, enough of biryani for him.' He also demanded that there should be separate law for terror related cases.
Kasab has two options left before him. He can file a review petition in the apex court against today's verdict or file a mercy plea with the President of India.
Seven more persons also tested positive for swine flu yesterday and were undergoing treatment in various hospitals, officials said. Three swine flu deaths have been reported from the city in the last couple days.
"The death sentence awarded to Kasab should be executed as soon as possible so that it gives a strong signal to the terrorists that law takes stern action against such acts," Nikam said.
The prosecution against perpetrators of the 26/11 terror strikes should now be expedited by the prosecuting agency of Pakistan, he said.
"The (prosecution in Pakistan) should not delay the trial on the ground that India has to furnish evidence because conspiracy behind the terror attacks was hatched in Pakistan and it is for them to prove the same," Nikam said, adding the apex court in India has also held that criminal conspiracy behind the attacks was hatched in Pakistan.
Before the charges could be framed or trial could begin, six persons died, while two - Mohan Nepali and Tejas Pathak - jumped bail and are still absconding.
The Naroda Patiya case was probed by eight investigating officers over the last decade. The present investigating officer was Himanshu Shukla, on behalf of the SIT.
All the accused have been charged under Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections 302 (murder), 307 (attempted murder), 323, 324, 325 (causing grievous hurt with deadly weapons), 367 (kidnapping in order to cause grievous hurt) and various others.
The Naroda Patiya case was one of nine cases of Gujarat riots being probed by the SIT, including the Godhra train burning case.
On February 28, 2002 when a bandh call was given by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), a large crowd gathered in the Naroda Patiya area and attacked the people of minority community, killing 97 persons and injuring 33 others.
The trial began in August 2009 and charges were framed against 62 accused. One of the accused, Vijay Shetty, died during the trial. As many as 327 witnesses including eye witnesses, victims, doctors, police personnel, government officials, forensic experts and journalists like Ashish Khetan, who conducted a TV sting operation on the accused, have been examined by the court. Initially, after the incident, 46 persons were arrested by the Gujarat police.
After the probe was handed over to the Supreme Court appointed Special Investigation Team (SIT) in 2008, the agency arrested 24 more persons, taking total persons arrested in the case to 70.
The incident had taken place a day after the Godhra train burning incident on February 27, 2002. The key accused in the case include former Minister in Narendra Modi government and MLA from Naroda constituency Maya Kodnani, Bajrang Dal leader Babu Bajrangi, local BJP leaders Bipin Panchal, Kishan Korani, Ashok Sindhi and advocate Raju Chaumal.
Ajmal Kasab will also be remembered for being India's costliest prisoner -- the government has been spending well over Rs 2 lakh a day on his security.
The SC also upholds the Bombay HC acquittal of Indians Fahim Ansari and Shahbuddin Ahmed and says the conspiracy was hatched in Pakistan.
foremost offence committed by Kasab and dismissed Kasab's plea that he was not given a fair trial in the 26/11 terror case.
The SC bench said that not providing counsel to Kasab by the government at a pre-trial stage does not vitiate his trial in the case and the confessional statement of Kasab was very much voluntary.
Kasab had sought mercy on the grounds of his age. He had also contended that the prosecution had failed to prove the case against him beyond doubts and told the bench that his right against self-incrimination as well as his right to get himself adequately represented by a counsel to defend himself in the case had been violated during the trial. The apex court had stayed Kasab's death sentence on October 10 last year.
The Supreme Court ruled that Kasab had waged war against the nation. The court said that it was crystal clear that the conspiracy was hatched in Pakistan.
The Supreme court on Wednesday upheld the death sentence against lone surviving gunman in 26/11 attacks Kasab.
The apex court ruled that the Pakistani terrorist waged war against India
French prosecutors opened a murder inquiry into the death of Yasser Arafat on Tuesday, his widow's lawyer said, after she and a TV investigation raised new questions about whether the Palestinian leader was poisoned.
There have long been rumours in the Arab world that Arafat was poisoned, and a Swiss lab's recent finding of elevated levels of polonium-210, a rare and highly lethal radioactive substance, on Arafat's clothing has fed those claims.
PTI: Observing that Mitt Romney shares the vision of Indian American community for the US, a political action committee of the community has endorsed Republican's nomination for this year's presidential polls.
"Without question, Governor Romney shares the Republican Indian Committee's vision for America for all of our citizens. The Indian-American community supports the highest ideals of advanced education, entrepreneurial risk taking, strong work ethics, and family values," said Dilip Palith, national president of Republican Indian Committee.
Soon after Romney officially bagged party's presidential nomination at convention in Tampa, RIC endorsed Romney noting that he represents the "highest" of American ideals and "thoroughly understands" that private sector.
PTI: Terming India a geopolitical ally and strategic trading partner of the United States, the Republican Party has called for strengthening the working relationship and a renewal of "historic ties" between the two countries.
"We welcome a stronger relationship with the world's largest democracy, India, both economic and cultural, as well as in terms of national security. We hereby affirm and declare that India is our geopolitical ally and a strategic trading partner," declared the party's platform adopted by the Republican national convention that began in Tampa on Tuesday.
The party also stressed at "encouraging" New Delhi for "permitting" greater foreign investment and trade and urged for "protection" for adherents of all India's religions. It also lauded the contribution made by US citizens of Indian ancestry in development of the country.