The Gujarat High Court has admitted the enhancement appeal filed by the Supreme Court- appointed Special Investigation Team (through state government) in the 2002 Naroda Patiya massacre case and also condoned the delay in filing the enhancement appeal.

A division bench of Justice Jayant Patel and Justice Z K Saiyed today admitted the appeal against sixteen accused, including Bajrang Dal leader Babu Bajrangi and also condoned the delay in filing the appeal.

An application for condonation of delay, filed by SIT last month, had cited administrative problems as the grounds for delay in filing the appeal, which was accepted by the court today.

The SIT had sought enhancement of the sentences of 16 people, including Bajrangi, in the Naroda Patiya massacre case.

Surrendered Maoist leader G V K Prasad alias Gudsa Usendi here today dismissed reports that creation of separate Telangana state will intensify Left-wing extremism in the region, saying such views are being deliberately spread by opponents of bifurcation.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal dharna's near the Rail Bhavan triggered massive traffic snarls in Central Delhi today as police barricaded the roads leading to the protest site. 

Debunking Narendra Modi's claims of empowerment of women and girl child, Union Minister Jairam Ramesh today ridiculed his vision speech yesterday saying the "pathetic" record of Gujarat does not support his "boasts". 

Iran today halted production of 20 per cent enriched uranium, marking the coming into force of an interim deal with world powers on its disputed nuclear programme. 

Just In: AAP leader Saurabh Bhardwaj has just been released by the Delhi Police

CNN-IBN reports: A picture of total chaos. AAP leader Somnath Bharti gets into a verbal spat with rebel member Tina Sharma. He denies conducting any raid. He tells CNN-IBN, "The most important thing is to stop trafficking of women."

Aam Aadmi Party leader Saurabh Bhardwaj detained by the Delhi police. He has been taken into preventive custody.    

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar today refused to comment on his Delhi counterpart Arvind Kejriwal sitting on a dharna, but said it would rest on the wisdom of a chief minister to deal with a situation where he had no control over police.

"Delhi has a peculiar condition where the state does not have control over police which rests with the central government," Kumar told reporters after 'Janata Darbar' in Patna.

"In such a special condition it depends on the wisdom of a chief minister how to act or what decision to take ... Kejriwal is competent to take a decision," he said.

The Aam Aadmi Party is likely to contest all the 25 Lok Sabha seats in Rajasthan in upcoming polls but if a suitable candidate is not available for a seat, it will opt out of the race from that constituency.

The party will most probably field candidates in all the 25 seats up for grabs in Rajasthan, AAP's state unit secretary Rakesh Pareek told reporters today.

The preliminary autopsy report of Sunanda Pushkar, the wife of junior HRD minister Shashi Tharoor, has been submitted to the sub-divisional magistrate. 

The Delhi police have begun a crackdown on protestors who have joined Arvind Kejriwal at the Rail Bhavan.

The police have picked up protestors and moving them into DTC buses.

Aam Aadmi Party MLA Akhilesh Mani Tripathi has been allegedly beaten up by the Delhi police. He has been shifted to RML hospital.

A session featuring producer Ekta Kapoor at the Jaipur Lit Fest was interrupted by a bunch of demonstrators protesting against Jodha Akbar, a TV serial produced by her.

The protestors, reportedly from the Rajput community, were objecting against the depiction of Jodha in the TV series.

The protesters even tried to throw a bottle at Kapoor, who was on the stage and addressing the audience. They were escorted outside the venue by security personnel.

An unruffled Kapoor waited for the ruckus to subside and then remarked coolly, I actually enjoyed that,.

The Aam Aadmi Party has refused to shift their protest to Jantar Mantar, reports CNN-IBN. 

"We will not move our protest," Somnath Bharti said.

The home ministry had requested to AAP to move their protest from Rail Bhavan to Jantar Mantar.   

Slamming AAP's protest in New Delhi, Kiran Bedia said, "They think the answer to everything is a protest. The voters will have second thoughts -- did I vote for chaos or order?"

Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi will be on a two-day visit to his Amethi Lok Sabha constituency from January 22, even as Aam Aadmi Party leader Kumar Vishwas continued targeting him over development issues in the area.

"Rahul will be on a two-day visit starting January 22 during which he will meet party workers and make surprise inspection of some villages to review progress of central schemes," Rahul's representative Chandrakant Dubey said today.

Making light of Narendra Modi's prime ministerial ambition, senior Congress leader Digvijay Singh today said many leaders including Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav are nursing a desire for the top job.

"There are many leaders in the country who want to become prime minister and at forefront among them is Narendra Modi," Digvijay told reporters at his residence in Bhopal. He said among leaders aspiring for the PM's chair are Mulayam Singh Yadav, Tamil Nadu chief minister Jayalalithaa and her Delhi counterpart Arvind Kejriwal.

The Aam Aadmi Party has withdrawn the Ugandan embassy letter released by it in a press conference today. "We withdraw the letter. It reveals the identity of the victim at one place. We regret the mistake," the media cell of AAP said.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal earlier had said that a woman from the Ugandan High Commission met Law Minister Somnath Bharti yesterday and handed him a letter purportedly from the Ugandan High Commission speaking of women from that country being trafficked to India. This letter was released to the media.

Meanwhile, the AAP dharna in the heart of Delhi is witnessing some unruly scenes. Authorities have called in the Rapid Action Force personnel at the venue, and the party's loudspeakers have been disconnected.  

 

Minor scuffles are going on between AAP supporters and Delhi Police personnel.

Maharashtra government cuts 15-20 per cent power tariffs across agriculture, industry and domestic consumers.   The government has accepted the Narayn Rane-led panel report on power tarrifs.

Congress vice president is interacting with women's groups in Bhopal. He has said that that India can't become a superpower if women continue to feel unsafe.

Sanchari Bhattacharya reports from the Jaipur Lit Fest: Speaking on Bharatiya Janata Party's PM candidate Narendra Modi at the Jaipur Lit Fest on Monday, senior leader Yashwant Sinha said, in a few months, he will become the prime minister of the country.  

 

On BJP's chances in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, the former finance minister also said that out of the 340 seats in India where they have a presence, BJP will win in 300 of them.   "I don't mean any disrespect to anyone, but the head of our government has contested only one election, which he lost and never went back. You cannot run a government like this, via surrogacy,' he said.  

 

On whether Muslims will vote for BJP in the LS polls, Sinha said, "I have tried to reach out to all communities. Yes, misunderstandings remain and we are trying to remove them. But that or another issue cannot stop the BJP from comuing to power this time'.

'Women have suffered the most because of Delhi Police's carelessness'   Senior AAP leader Yogendra Yadav is addressing a press conference at the moment.

 

Yadav has said that common man thinks Delhi Police is of no use to them.   Unusual that a chief minister has to sit for dharna for such small demands, Yadav also said.   There's nothing unusual that people complain to their MPs and MLAs if they face any problem, Yadav added.  

 

Women have suffered the most because of Delhi Police's carelessness, Yadav said.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Manish Tewari tore into the dharna by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, saying, "You are short on governance so you spread constitutional anarchy," reports Sheela Bhatt from New Delhi. 

Delhi Law Minister Somnath Bharti on Monday said the government will die for Delhi and will fight for their rights. The remarks came in the wake of the Aam Aadmi Party-led Delhi government holding a protest demanding suspension of police officers with whom Law Minister Somnath Bharti had an argument following a midnight raid at Khirki Extension, CNN IBN reported

 

Bharti said, "We will die for Delhi people and will fight for their rights."

 

Meanwhile, Delhi Police have now asked Kejriwal and his supporters to shift their dharna to Jantar Mantar from outside Rail Bhavan.

Here are the highlights of Kejriwal's speech outside Rail Bhawan: 

• Delhi Police not working for the people of the city  
• I didn't want to disturb Republic Day preparations but when women of Delhi are feeling unsafe, I can't keep quiet.  
• The Delhi government will not cooperate with inquiry against police in the South Delhi raid episode. The probe a waste.  
• Any constitutional crisis or disturbance in R-day celebrations will be the responsibility of Centre.  
• We have come prepared for ten days of dharna, and we hold Centre and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh responsible for the situation.

Meanwhile, Delhi Police have detained supporters of an outfit raising slogans against Kejriwal at Rail Bhawan.

Meanwhile, Home Minister Shinde has said that action against Delhi Police personnel can only be taken after the completion of inquiry.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal alongwith his six MLAs are now addressing supporters near the Rail Bhavan after their cars were stopped by the Delhi Police.   AAP leaders were on their way to stage a dharna outside Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde's office demanding suspension of Delhi Police personnel.  

 

Kejriwal said that why should responsibility not be on Delhi Police, demanding suspension 5 cops, alleging that BJP, Congress and certain  sections of the media are conspiring against the AAP.

NDTV reports: The Delhi Police have stopped Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal at barricades erected some distance away from the office of Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde, where Kejriwal wants to sit on protest. He has asked the public not to join him.  

 

The police are not allowing Kejriwal's blue WagonR car to proceed to the home minister's office in North Block near the President's residence. Kejriwal has rolled up the windows of his stalled car and is refusing to talk to the police.  

The Delhi Police is all set to stop Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal from reaching the office of Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde, NDTV reports.  

 

Kejriwal, who is already on his way, can be stopped near the Rail Bhavan. The chief minister has appealed to his supporters not to participate in the dharna.

 

The Aam Aadmi Party, led by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, is scheduled to hold a 'dharna' outside Union Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde's office demanding action against Delhi Police personnel for alleged dereliction of duty.

As a result, four Metro stations near the North block will be closed on Monday from 9 am to 1 pm.

Trinamool Congress has ruled out any pre poll alliance ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.   Trinamool MP Saugata Ray has said that their party will be remain equidistant from both the Congress and the BJP ahead of the general elections, CNN IBN reported.

China's economy, the world's second-largest, grew at its slowest pace in 14 years in 2013, latest figures show. Its gross domestic product (GDP) expanded 7.7% from a year ago, the slowest pace of growth since 1999.

 

The growth rate was better than the government's target of 7.5%. The pace of expansion was also the same as 2012. The data highlights the challenge policymakers face in sustaining China's high growth rate as they look to rebalance the economy.

 

Read more on BBC

A major legal battle has broken out in the family of late Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray in connection with his estate. A probate petition has been filed by Thackeray's son Uddhav, who now heads the party, in the Bombay high court along with four others '" Sena leader and lawyer Anil Parab, former Sena MP and noted lawyer Adhik Shirodkar, architect Shashi Prabhu and Ravindra Mhatre who was personal assistant to the late leader.

 

The petition has been strongly contested by Bal Thackeray's second son, Jaidev, who has questioned the veracity of the will. Jaidev has maintained that his father could not have signed the will in view of his several health problems which resulted in "cognitive dysfunction.'

 

Thackeray has not left a farthing for either Jaidev or the family of his late son, Bindumadhav. Thackeray had three sons '" Bindumadhav (who died in a road accident), Jaidev and Uddhav. In his petition, Uddhav has said that the properties and bank deposits willed by his father are valued at Rs14.85 crore.

 

However, Jaidev has contended that the 'Matoshree' bungalow in Bandra (East), where his father lived, was alone worth Rs40 crore. He said it was his belief that there were several other properties, bank deposits, ornaments, etc, which were worth several crores of rupees, but there is no mention of them in the probate petition.

 

A probate petition is filed to get the will of a deceased person certified by a court of competent jurisdiction. A probate is granted with the court seal and has a copy of the will attached to it. dna has copies of Uddhav's probate petition and the caveat and detailed affidavit filed by Jaidev.

 

Read the exclusive DNA report here

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who is about to lead an Aam Aadmi Party dharna outside the Union Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde's office seeking suspension of five Delhi Police personnel, could be detained under Delhi Police Act if he goes ahead with the dharna, CNN IBN reports.

AFP: England captain Alastair Cook has admitted for the first time that he will reconsider his leadership role after eight successive defeats to Australia.

 

The hosts emphatically beat England last night by seven wickets with 10 overs to spare to seal the one-day series 3-0 and leave two dead matches still to play.     

 

Coming on top of a 5-0 Ashes whitewash, Cook said he would review his position as skipper once the tour is over. "I think I am going to have to make a decision on that stuff after we take stock after the next two games," Cook told reporters.    

 

"We are going to have to sit down and talk about a lot of things. "I think there will be some changes, I think English cricket needs a little bit of a change as well."     

 

"Obviously in the last few months we haven't played the cricket we are capable of and we have to look at the reasons why but this is not really the time and place to discuss that."    

 

After the final Test in Sydney two weeks ago, the England and Wales Cricket Board backed Cook to remain as skipper and he strongly declared his own wish to remain in the job.

Rahul, Modi, Kejriwal are yet to show commitment on institutional regeneration.

 

Read Pratap Bhanu Mehta's opinion piece on The Indian Express

Wen Jiabao, the former Chinese premier whose relatives were accused of amassing a $2.7 billion fortune in 2012, tells Hong Kong columnist: "I want to leave this world clean."

 

Read the full report on The Telegraph

The Aam Aadmi Party, led by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, will begin a 'dharna' today outside Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde's office if his government's demand seeking the suspension of three Delhi Police personnel is not met by 10 am.

 

Mr Kejriwal has demanded action against the three cops for alleged dereliction of duty.But the Chief Minister has urged people against joining the sit-in protest. "I alongwid all ministers and MLAs, will sit on dharna outside home min office for the sake of women security... In view of republic day preps, i urge supporters and public not to come for dharna. Only MLAs will sit. No one else shud come pl," he tweeted last evening.

 

Senior AAP leader Sanjay Singh had, on Sunday, made it clear that the party would go ahead with its planned protest if action isn't taken against the three policemen despite prohibitory orders being in place in and around the New Delhi district.

 

Read more on NDTV

Women workers from the Congress will protest in Delhi today demanding state Law Minister Somnath Bharti's arrest for his midnight raid. The women workers have planned to assemble at the Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee's office in Rajiv Bhawan at 11 am and stage a march towards the Delhi Police headquarters.

 

The Delhi Police yesterday registered a First Information Report (FIR) against unknown people, following a complaint by a Ugandan woman after Aam Aadmi Party's 'midnight raid' at her house on Wednesday night. Mr Bharti, however, has not been named in the FIR.

 

The woman, in her complaint filed in the Saket court on Saturday, has alleged that a group of people from a political party forcibly entered her house in south Delhi and molested her. She also alleged that the accused threatened her to leave the premises where she has been residing in.

 

While she didn't name any individual or a political party, she told the court that she could identify the men. The court then ordered the police to lodge an FIR and report back to it on the matter on February 14.Mr Bharti had, aided by some residents and supporters, accosted four women from Uganda during the raid on a building in Khirki Extension, which is in his constituency in south Delhi.

 

At least two were allegedly forced to go to hospital and undergo drug tests. The minister justified raid saying drugs and sex were allegedly being trafficked there.

 

Read more on NDTV