LIVE
Tue, 27 October 2015
Geeta given rousing welcome in Indore
Timeline Refresh
23:52 Geeta given rousing welcome in Indore
Geeta, the deaf and mute girl who returned to India yesterday over a decade after inadvertently crossing into Pakistan, was accorded a grand welcome at the Ahilyabai Holkar airport here tonight.
Former State Minister Archita Chitnis, Indore Mayor Malini Gaud and several other political leaders received her. From the airport, she was taken to the premises of the institution for hearing-impaired where she would be staying for time being. At the institute, she was greeted by children who were eagerly waiting for her arrival.
At the function organised by the institute to welcome her, Union Social Justice Minister Thawarchand Gehlot, who accompanied her to the city from New Delhi, assured that the government will extend all possible help to Geeta for her future life.
Geeta, who had accidentally crossed over to Pakistan over a decade ago, had returned here to a grand welcome yesterday.
22:32 Trump trumped by neurosurgeon Carsen
For the first time in months, real estate tycoon Donald Trump '" who has been leading all national polls among the 17 Republican US presidential candidates '" has been knocked from the top spot by top neurosurgeon Ben Carson.
Carson, as per the latest national poll by CBS News / The New York Times leads Trump by four per cent. According to the poll released today Carson has support of 26 per cent of the Republican primary voters as against Trump's 22 per cent.
The rest of the Republican presidential candidates lag far behind in single digits. Marco Rubio is now in third place (eight per cent), followed by Jeb Bush (seven per cent) and Carly Fiorina (seven per cent).
All other candidates are at four percent or lower, a media release said. Indian-American Bobby Jindal's popularity has fallen below one per cent. Trump continues to lead in the national average with 26.8 per cent followed by 22 per cent of Carson.
22:31 Girls not safe in country: Satyarthi
Nobel laureate Kailash Satyarthi today said that girls were "not safe" in the country, and expressed deep concern over the recent incidents of rapes of minors in the national capital which he said stood out for the sheer "apathy".
The child rights activist wondered what moral argument can one give when girls are not safe in a society which also worships goddesses. "Where is the outcry?"
"What moral argument one can give that we are worshipping our goddesses and girls who are our living goddesses are not safe? Simply going to India Gate with candles won't do. This is unacceptable," he said. Satyarthi also decried growing "intolerance" in the society.
"The girls are not safe, neither in their homes, nor in their schools nor in neighbourhoods or in police stations. I am not generalising but they feel frightened. Fear is something which is driving us and all the reactions,
22:30 Up to 10,000 guns seized from home in US
US authorities have seized up to 10,000 guns from a South Carolina home during a raid, in one of the biggest arms hauls in the country that has witnessed a series of horrific mass shooting incidents. 51-year-old Brent Nicholson is behind bars on charges of possession of stolen property. And authorities are sifting through between 8,000 and 10,000 guns, trying to determine where they came from, Chesterfield County Sheriff's Captain Daniel Scott said.
There were so many guns inside the home and in a storage building nearby that investigators stopped counting after a while, Chesterfield County Sheriff Jay Brooks told The Charlotte Observer. There were so many guns that they filled multiple tractor trailers with items they seized in the raid.
And there were so many guns, Brooks said, that top law enforcement officials from the area had never seen such a big stash. "None of us have ever seen anything anywhere close to this," Brooks told CNN affiliate WBTV.
"No telling how many break-ins this will help wrap up." The raid began on Friday and continued over the weekend, the report said.
21:07 Hardik's 'abduction': HC seeks affidavit to back up charges
The Gujarat high court today for the fifth and the last time directed the two aides of Patel quota agitation leader Hardik Patel to file an affidavit substantiating the charges made in their habeas corpus petition regarding his alleged abduction.
The division bench of Justices M R Shah and K J Thaker directed the lawyers of petitioners Dinesh Patel and Ketan Patel, members of Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti, to file the affidavit before November 4. "The matter was adjourned from time to time.
Petitioners may file affidavit through B M Mangukia or other advocate as a last chance before November 4," the court said. On September 24, 29 and on October 8 and 21, the the high court had directed them to file an affidavit. The habeas corpus petition was filed when Hardik went missing after a public meeting in Tenpur village of Aravali village on September 22.
21:04 Court seeks Indrani Bora's production tomorrow
A Mumbai court today ordered production of former media magnate Indrani Mukerjea, the main accused in the murder of her daughter Sheena Bora, tomorrow for obtaining her consent for seeking her voice sample.
The CBI, which is probing the sensational murder, has petitioned the Metropolitan Magistrate's court for Mukerjea's voice sample. The central probe agency had told the court yesterday that it had got hold of some call recordings which purportedly featured her voice, and therefore it wanted her voice sample for verification.
All three accused in the case--Mukerjea, her ex-husband Sanjeev Khanna and former driver Shyamvar Rai--are in judicial custody in the case. Sheena was murdered in April 2012 in Mumbai and her body disposed of in a forest in neighbouring Raigad district.
20:43 First time: ITBP to post women at border posts along China
In a first, border guarding force ITBP has decided to deploy women personnel in combat duties at its high-altitude posts along the Indo-China border.
The force is training a special contingent of 500 'mahila' constables for the task and these personnel are expected to take position at the border by early next year.
"This is for the first time that we are deploying women personnel in full combat role right at the border. The aim is that women work shoulder-to-shoulder with men in this force. We are preparing infrastructure for them at these locations and they will take charge soon," ITBP Director General Krishna Chaudhary told reporters here on the eve of the forces' 54th Raising Day. In an another proverbial breaking of the glass ceiling, the about 60,000 personnel strong force will also induct women officers for the first time.
Chaudhary said the force has already sent a request to induct women officers in the entry-rank of Assistant Commandants to the UPSC.
"We are looking forward to have more and more women to come into the force. We want them in officer ranks so that they can lead our battalions. The women personnel who are in the force are doing good work and this is a positive indicator," he said.
20:00 India seeks Aus help to unravel conspiracy of ISIS in India
Days after Canberra helped nab underworld don Chhota Rajan, India today sought Australia's help to unravel the conspiracy behind ISIS luring Indian youths into its fold following the arrest of a Mumbai man who fought alongside the Middle-East terror group. The request was made when Australia's Attorney General George Brandis met Home Minister Rajnath Singh.
During the meeting, the Indian side conveyed that Mumbai youth Areeb Ejaj Majeed, who was arrested on his return from Iraq and Syria after fighting alongside ISIS terrorists, used to communicate with his recruiters and associates through various electronic and social media platforms. Areeb used Yahoo email id for substantial part of his communication in Syria, Iraq and back in India and the server of Yahoo is located in Australia.
Hence, assistance was sought from Australian authorities regarding subscriber information, login history, IP attachments.
"The information would assist in unearthing the entire conspiracy and details of the terrorist acts committed in Iraq and Syria and would also pinpoint the identities of ISIS recruiters and facilitators," a Home Ministry official said.
19:55 PM to hold 20 bilateral meetings with African leaders
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold as many as 20 bilateral meetings with Heads of States and governments from Africa tomorrow, a day ahead of the Third India-Africa Forum Summit on Thursday.
The bilaterals will include talks with Zimbabwe's President Robert Gabriel Mugabe, South African President Jacob G Zuma, Swaziland King Mswati III, Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari and Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama, Spokesperson in the External Affairs Ministry Vikas Swarup said.
Both sides are expected to discuss key strategic issues of trade, energy, security, UN Security Council reforms as well as ways to enhance cooperation in areas of Blue or Ocean economy, maritime security and counter-terrorism.
Modi had said, "The Summit is going to be one of the biggest gatherings of African countries outside Africa, which is a reflection of the desire on part of both Africa and India to engage more intensively in our quest for a better future."
19:38 Women like burqas as they don't need to wear makeup: Trump
In yet another controversial jibe, Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump has said women in the Islamic world like wearing burqas because it is easier as they do not have to wear makeup.
During a New Hampshire rally yesterday, Trump briefly spoke about his belief that the United States imposes its own version of Western democracy upon cultures that do not necessarily want it. Citing failed interventions in Libya and Iraq, Trump suggested it has been futile to try to export "freedom" to Muslim countries.
"I saw somebody say 'We want it over there where the women don't have to wear the you-know-what,'" Trump told the crowd, wiping his hand in front of his face to mimic the look of a burqa.
"And then I saw women interviewed. They said, 'We want to wear them, we've worn them for thousands of years. Why would anyone tell us not to?' They want to!" he was quoted as saying by CNN.
19:02 Donald Trump describes father's 'small loan': $1 million
Donald Trump on Monday said his climb to the top of the business world hasn't been an easy one and depicted a $1 million loan from his father as "small."
"My whole life really has been a 'no' and I fought through it," Trump said Monday at an NBC-sponsored town hall here. "It has not been easy for me, it has not been easy for me. And you know I started off in Brooklyn, my father gave me a small loan of a million dollars."
Read more HERE.
18:53 Dog named Trigger steps on gun, shoots owner
Sometimes you have to hunt for a good story. Other times it does the hunting for you.
Allie Carter was hunting with her dog Trigger in northern Indiana over the weekend when she became the object of an international punch line.
The 25-year-old laid her 12-gauge shotgun on the ground. The safety was off. Her 10-year-old chocolate lab did the rest.
"A dog stepped on the trigger, causing the gun to go off and strike a female hunter in the foot," Indiana Conservation Officer Jonathon Boyd told CNN affiliate WBND.
Yes, a dog named Trigger shot her human, accidentally as far as we know. Trigger has had little to say about the matter.
Read more HERE.
18:26 ISIS ties foes to ancient Palmyra columns and blows them up
ISIS, which comes up with more and more heinous methods of execution, has ramped up its cruelty: Members of the group tied three people to the pillars in the ancient section of Palmyra and killed them by detonating the pillars, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported.
The group said it learned of the killings from local sources in the city, which has been under ISIS control since May. The London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights relies on activists inside Syria to document human rights violations in the country .
Not much else is known about the executions, including the names of the men or what they were accused of.
But ISIS has killed for the slightest of offenses and used brutal ways to do so.
In another recent execution, ISIS ran over a member of the Syrian military with a tank "because he ran over dead bodies of the Islamic State soldiers by tank."
Some sentenced to death have been forced to dig their graves with their own hands before being put to death.
Read more HERE.
18:06 Zuckerberg visits India
Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg visited Agra's Taj Mahal today.
Here's a pic of him and his friends.
17:53 Won't face any problem in bringing back Rajan, says India
India today said it does not anticipate any problem in bringing back Chhota Rajan from Indonesia as he was arrested on a Red Corner Notice issued by Interpol.
"This is not an ordinary arrest. This is an arrest of a person with Red Corner Notice for which a whole different protocol operates," India's Ambassador to Indonesia Gurjit Singh said.
"That is why I said you don't have to talk too much about extradition because when you issue a Red Corner Notice to Interpol, there is a whole different ball game and since we have a very good relationship with Indonesia we do not anticipate a problem because after all they have clearly told us that this person was arrested on our request," he told an Indian news channel.
The arrest was made on a tip off from Australian police that 55-year-old Rajendra Sadashiv Nikalje alias Mohan Kumar alias Chhota Rajan, the powerful aide-turned-rival of terrorist Dawood Ibrahim, has flown from Sydney to Bali, where he was arrested on Sunday.
Once a close aide Dawood, Rajan parted ways after the 1993 Mumbai blasts and remained his fierce rival ever since and is wanted in about 20 murder cases.
Asked about bringing back Rajan to India, the Indian envoy said, "We have not only an extradition treaty, we also have a treaty on mutual legal assistance and both the treaties are enforced. We hope that this will be available to this case and any other case."
"I also want to clarify that these are not the only recourse. In the past we have gone beyond these treaties to fulfill our objectives. So I don't think it is the absence or presence of any legal document. The point I would like to emphasise is that India and Indonesia have a very warm relationship. It is multi-faceted and deep," Singh said.
CBI had issued a Red Corner Notice against Rajan in July, 1995 on the request of Mumbai Police which was probing cases against him.
"This is not an ordinary arrest. This is an arrest of a person with Red Corner Notice for which a whole different protocol operates," India's Ambassador to Indonesia Gurjit Singh said.
"That is why I said you don't have to talk too much about extradition because when you issue a Red Corner Notice to Interpol, there is a whole different ball game and since we have a very good relationship with Indonesia we do not anticipate a problem because after all they have clearly told us that this person was arrested on our request," he told an Indian news channel.
The arrest was made on a tip off from Australian police that 55-year-old Rajendra Sadashiv Nikalje alias Mohan Kumar alias Chhota Rajan, the powerful aide-turned-rival of terrorist Dawood Ibrahim, has flown from Sydney to Bali, where he was arrested on Sunday.
Once a close aide Dawood, Rajan parted ways after the 1993 Mumbai blasts and remained his fierce rival ever since and is wanted in about 20 murder cases.
Asked about bringing back Rajan to India, the Indian envoy said, "We have not only an extradition treaty, we also have a treaty on mutual legal assistance and both the treaties are enforced. We hope that this will be available to this case and any other case."
"I also want to clarify that these are not the only recourse. In the past we have gone beyond these treaties to fulfill our objectives. So I don't think it is the absence or presence of any legal document. The point I would like to emphasise is that India and Indonesia have a very warm relationship. It is multi-faceted and deep," Singh said.
CBI had issued a Red Corner Notice against Rajan in July, 1995 on the request of Mumbai Police which was probing cases against him.
17:48 How to seduce Bond at 51? Ask Monica Bellucci
At 51, Bellucci has grabbed attention as 'the oldest Bond girl ever'. She tells Celia Walden why the role is revolutionary, and why 007 needs a grown woman. Read more
17:43 Back in India, Geeta hops onto Delhi Metro, tours museum
A day after her return from Pakistan, Geeta took a ride today on the Delhi Metro and also visited the Metro Museum in the national capital.
Accompanied by members of the Edhi Foundation, who had taken care of the deaf and mute girl during her time in the neighbouring country, 23-year-old Geeta wore a constant smile and waved at the commuters who greeted her as she spent about an hour on the Metro network.
She travelled from the Civil Lines station to Patel Chowk station after earlier meeting Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal at his residence this morning.
At the Patel Chowk station, she was also taken around the Metro Museum that houses several exhibits related to the construction and operations of the city's Metro network.
"She was briefed about the Metro Museum with the help of an interpreter," a Delhi Metro Rail Corporation spokesperson said. Geeta, who also met President Pranab Mukherjee on the day, was accompanied, among others, by officials of Delhi government during her ride on the Metro.
Nearly 15 years after inadvertently crossing into the neighbouring country, Geeta returned to India yesterday to an emotional welcome. She was received by senior officials of External Affairs Ministry and Pakistan High Commission here on her arrival from Karachi and also met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj after landing in Delhi.
Accompanied by members of the Edhi Foundation, who had taken care of the deaf and mute girl during her time in the neighbouring country, 23-year-old Geeta wore a constant smile and waved at the commuters who greeted her as she spent about an hour on the Metro network.
She travelled from the Civil Lines station to Patel Chowk station after earlier meeting Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal at his residence this morning.
At the Patel Chowk station, she was also taken around the Metro Museum that houses several exhibits related to the construction and operations of the city's Metro network.
"She was briefed about the Metro Museum with the help of an interpreter," a Delhi Metro Rail Corporation spokesperson said. Geeta, who also met President Pranab Mukherjee on the day, was accompanied, among others, by officials of Delhi government during her ride on the Metro.
Nearly 15 years after inadvertently crossing into the neighbouring country, Geeta returned to India yesterday to an emotional welcome. She was received by senior officials of External Affairs Ministry and Pakistan High Commission here on her arrival from Karachi and also met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj after landing in Delhi.
17:11 Exclusive! The JEB BUSH interview 'We don't have to be the world's policeman'
George H W Bush spoke to him. Both George W Bush and John F Kerry spoke to him before the 2004 US presidential election. Barack Obama spoke to him, the first time the then US senator, spoke to any Indian publication.
Now Aziz Haniffa, Rediff.com's Editor in Washington, DC, has scored another scoop: An exclusive interview with former Florida governor Jeb Bush, one of the Republican party candidates for the 2016 US presidential election. Jeb Bush tells Rediff.com why the Indian-American community must vote for him, what he would do for the India-US relationship if he is elected President, and about his trip to India some years ago.
Read more
Now Aziz Haniffa, Rediff.com's Editor in Washington, DC, has scored another scoop: An exclusive interview with former Florida governor Jeb Bush, one of the Republican party candidates for the 2016 US presidential election. Jeb Bush tells Rediff.com why the Indian-American community must vote for him, what he would do for the India-US relationship if he is elected President, and about his trip to India some years ago.
Read more
16:57 NGO that took care of Geeta declines PM's Rs 1 crore donation
Just in: The Edhi Foundation on Tuesday turned down the Rs 1 crore donation announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Pakistan's Express News reported. Sources in Edhi foundation said Edhi has thanked the Indian premier for his donation but has politely declined it as taking aid from India was against their principles.
On Monday, Modi announced the donation for the Edhi Foundation, which took care of speech and hearing impaired Indian girl Geeta during her prolonged stay in Pakistan.
Describing the Edhi family as the apostle of kindness and compassion, Modi thanked them for taking good care of Geeta.
While complimenting Bilqis Bano Edhi, founder of Edhi Foundation, he said, I dont think any amount of words is enough to thank the family for taking care of Geeta with love and affection for so many years.
What the Edhi family has done is too priceless to be measured but I am happy to announce a contribution of Rs 1 crore to their foundation, the PM said.
While welcoming Geeta, Modi said It is truly wonderful to have you back home. Was truly a delight to spend time with you today All of India will take care of you. He also assured her that efforts would be made to ascertain whereabouts of her family.
On Monday, Modi announced the donation for the Edhi Foundation, which took care of speech and hearing impaired Indian girl Geeta during her prolonged stay in Pakistan.
Describing the Edhi family as the apostle of kindness and compassion, Modi thanked them for taking good care of Geeta.
While complimenting Bilqis Bano Edhi, founder of Edhi Foundation, he said, I dont think any amount of words is enough to thank the family for taking care of Geeta with love and affection for so many years.
What the Edhi family has done is too priceless to be measured but I am happy to announce a contribution of Rs 1 crore to their foundation, the PM said.
While welcoming Geeta, Modi said It is truly wonderful to have you back home. Was truly a delight to spend time with you today All of India will take care of you. He also assured her that efforts would be made to ascertain whereabouts of her family.
16:34 Esther Anuhya case: Mumbai court convicts driver, sentencing tomorrow
A sessions court in Mumbai on Tuesday convicted accused Chandrabhan Sanap for the rape and murder of Esther Anuhya, a software professional from Andhra Pradesh.
Special Judge Vrushali Joshi convicted accused Chandrabhan Sanap after agreeing with the prosecution, which examined 39 witnesses in the case. Sanap was convicted under IPC Section 302 (murder), Section 376 (rape) and Section 201 (causing disappearance of evidence of offence).
The court is likely to hear the arguments on sentencing tomorrow.
Mumbai Police's crime branch had arrested Sanap in early March last year about two months after the murder of the 23-year-old techie, who was a native of Machilipatnam in Andhra Pradesh and was employed as assistant system engineer with IT major TCS at its office in suburban Goregaon. Investigators caught Sanap after an exhaustive scrutiny of 36 CCTV footages at the railway station and grilling of about 2,500 people.
The victim went missing from Lokmanya Tilak terminus near Kurla after arriving by train from Andhra Pradesh in the early hours of January 5, 2014.
According to police, Sanap spotted her sitting alone at the railway station and offered to drop her off at Andheri on his two-wheeler. Subsequently, he took her to an isolated spot and strangled her when she resisted his attempt to rob her.
The decomposed body of the techie was found off the Eastern Express Highway in suburban Bhandup on January 16, 2014. Sanap, who worked as a porter and then as a driver in Nashik, is a history-sheeter.
Special Judge Vrushali Joshi convicted accused Chandrabhan Sanap after agreeing with the prosecution, which examined 39 witnesses in the case. Sanap was convicted under IPC Section 302 (murder), Section 376 (rape) and Section 201 (causing disappearance of evidence of offence).
The court is likely to hear the arguments on sentencing tomorrow.
Mumbai Police's crime branch had arrested Sanap in early March last year about two months after the murder of the 23-year-old techie, who was a native of Machilipatnam in Andhra Pradesh and was employed as assistant system engineer with IT major TCS at its office in suburban Goregaon. Investigators caught Sanap after an exhaustive scrutiny of 36 CCTV footages at the railway station and grilling of about 2,500 people.
The victim went missing from Lokmanya Tilak terminus near Kurla after arriving by train from Andhra Pradesh in the early hours of January 5, 2014.
According to police, Sanap spotted her sitting alone at the railway station and offered to drop her off at Andheri on his two-wheeler. Subsequently, he took her to an isolated spot and strangled her when she resisted his attempt to rob her.
The decomposed body of the techie was found off the Eastern Express Highway in suburban Bhandup on January 16, 2014. Sanap, who worked as a porter and then as a driver in Nashik, is a history-sheeter.
16:24 India protests ceasefire violations by Pak at BSF-Rangers meet
India strongly protests ceasefire violations by Pakistan and targeting of civilians at meeting of military commanders. Pakistan Rangers and BSF officials held a flag meeting in RS Pora sector, Jammu and Kashmir today.
Yesterday, Pakistan targeted 30 border outposts and several hamlets on Monday with mortar bombs and heavy machine guns in Samba and Kathua districts injuring a civilian, as it continued ceasefire violations for the fourth day
Yesterday, Pakistan targeted 30 border outposts and several hamlets on Monday with mortar bombs and heavy machine guns in Samba and Kathua districts injuring a civilian, as it continued ceasefire violations for the fourth day
15:56 Rahul wants her in K'taka cabinet, Siddaramaiah does not
Rahul Gandhi is keen to get former Mandya MP Ramya into the Siddaramaiah cabinet. Ramya is an yesteryear heroine in Kannada films and considered to be close to the Congress vice president.
However, Siddaramaiah is not keen on inducting her at this juncture. The Karnataka CM has conveyed to the AICC that there will be a revolt in the elders' camp of the Karnataka state congress if Rahul's wish comes to pass.
Ramya is not even a legislator, but Rahul still wants her to be elected to the Legislative Council of Karnataka, say state congress leaders.
Sidharamaiah is scheduled to meet Sonia Gandhi in New Delhi today and later will meet Rahul Gandhi as well.
According to news reports, Ramya would most probably be made a Legislative Council member, and the Chief Minister may have to remove Housing Minister, rebel leader Ambareesh from the Cabinet to accommodate her.
However, Siddaramaiah is not keen on inducting her at this juncture. The Karnataka CM has conveyed to the AICC that there will be a revolt in the elders' camp of the Karnataka state congress if Rahul's wish comes to pass.
Ramya is not even a legislator, but Rahul still wants her to be elected to the Legislative Council of Karnataka, say state congress leaders.
Sidharamaiah is scheduled to meet Sonia Gandhi in New Delhi today and later will meet Rahul Gandhi as well.
According to news reports, Ramya would most probably be made a Legislative Council member, and the Chief Minister may have to remove Housing Minister, rebel leader Ambareesh from the Cabinet to accommodate her.
15:48 ISIS militants tie captives to Palmyra columns, blow them up
Activists say the Islamic State group has killed three captives in Syria's ancient city of Palmyra by tying them to Roman-era columns at the site, then blowing the structures up with explosives.
A Palmyra activist who goes by the name Nasser al-Thaer said on Tuesday that the killings took place the day before at the Palmyra archaeological site, located a few kilometers away from the city.
Al-Thaer and the Britain based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which relies on a network of activists on the ground, say the identities of those slain remain unknown. IS captured Palmyra from government forces in May. Since then, it has destroyed ancient temples and other relics. The group is known for gruesome killings, including beheadings and immolation.
A Palmyra activist who goes by the name Nasser al-Thaer said on Tuesday that the killings took place the day before at the Palmyra archaeological site, located a few kilometers away from the city.
Al-Thaer and the Britain based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which relies on a network of activists on the ground, say the identities of those slain remain unknown. IS captured Palmyra from government forces in May. Since then, it has destroyed ancient temples and other relics. The group is known for gruesome killings, including beheadings and immolation.
15:39
This is what happened to cartoonist Aseem Trivedi who had filed the petition asking for the scrapping of the circular on sedition laws. Read
15:37 Maha govt withdraws controversial circular on sedition law
Maharashtra govt informs Bombay High Court that it has withdrawn its controversial circular on sedition law. On Saturday, Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis said the controversial order on sedition charges will be scrapped as early as possible. "We are scrapping the controversial circular. We do not require it. We will inform the Bombay high court accordingly."
In response to a petition filed by cartoonist Aseem Trivedi and a public interest litigation by Narendra Sharma, a division bench of the Bombay high court had, on September 23, restrained the state government from acting on the August 27 circular, which gave enormous powers to law-enforcement agencies. Trivedi's contention was that the circular was unconstitutional and violated an individual's fundamental rights.
Cartoonist Trivedi was arrested on September 8, 2012, under Section of 124A (sedition) of the Indian Penal Code on allegations that his cartoon on a website was against the National Anthem and Parliament. Law-enforcement agencies had said the cartoon's contents attracted provisions of Section 124A.
Also read: 5 high profile sedition cases in India
In response to a petition filed by cartoonist Aseem Trivedi and a public interest litigation by Narendra Sharma, a division bench of the Bombay high court had, on September 23, restrained the state government from acting on the August 27 circular, which gave enormous powers to law-enforcement agencies. Trivedi's contention was that the circular was unconstitutional and violated an individual's fundamental rights.
Cartoonist Trivedi was arrested on September 8, 2012, under Section of 124A (sedition) of the Indian Penal Code on allegations that his cartoon on a website was against the National Anthem and Parliament. Law-enforcement agencies had said the cartoon's contents attracted provisions of Section 124A.
Also read: 5 high profile sedition cases in India
15:18
Maharashtra govt informs Bombay High Court that it has withdrawn its controversial circular on sedition law.
14:49 Followed the law, says Delhi police chief over Kerala House beef row
Delhi police commissioner BS Bassi reacts to the severe criticism the police came in for swooping in on Kerala House over the complaint about beef being on the menu.
Bassi said, "We acted according to the law under the Delhi Agricultural Cattle Preservation Act,1994. W were well within our domain."
The Kerala government today dismissed claims that beef curry was served at Kerala Bhawan in New Delhi and said that a complaint has been lodged over entry of activists without permission following the episode yesterday involving a call to police complaining about cow meat on the canteen menu.
Kerala Chief Secretary Jiji Thomson categorically denied that cow meat was served at Kerala Bhawan and said they will wait for "police action" in the wake of their complaint over the incident.
'
"I totally deny that cow meat was served here (canteen of Kerala House). Only buffalo meat is served," Thomson said.
However, in the light of the events yesterday, Kerala Bhawan has temporarily taken buffalo meat off its menu.
Pic: VHP activist Prateesh Vishwanath posted a picture of the menu at the Kerala Bhavan saying, "This is the board in delhi kerala house .. Openly selling beef ... Let us see."
The entry in Malayalam after fish fry reads 'beef fry'. However the restaurant supervisor said they were in fact serving buffalo meat, but the menu read beef.
Bassi said, "We acted according to the law under the Delhi Agricultural Cattle Preservation Act,1994. W were well within our domain."
The Kerala government today dismissed claims that beef curry was served at Kerala Bhawan in New Delhi and said that a complaint has been lodged over entry of activists without permission following the episode yesterday involving a call to police complaining about cow meat on the canteen menu.
Kerala Chief Secretary Jiji Thomson categorically denied that cow meat was served at Kerala Bhawan and said they will wait for "police action" in the wake of their complaint over the incident.
'
"I totally deny that cow meat was served here (canteen of Kerala House). Only buffalo meat is served," Thomson said.
However, in the light of the events yesterday, Kerala Bhawan has temporarily taken buffalo meat off its menu.
Pic: VHP activist Prateesh Vishwanath posted a picture of the menu at the Kerala Bhavan saying, "This is the board in delhi kerala house .. Openly selling beef ... Let us see."
The entry in Malayalam after fish fry reads 'beef fry'. However the restaurant supervisor said they were in fact serving buffalo meat, but the menu read beef.
14:37 Smita Patil was born for the camera: Shabana
"I first set eyes on her in an FTII diploma film directed by Arun Khopkar '" I think it was called Teevra Madhyam. There was a long shot in which she was playing thetanpura. I was struck by her raw beauty and the stillness she exuded. She was born for the camera. It lingered over her face and she held it captive without the slightest effort"
Shabana Azmi on Smita Patil. Read
Shabana Azmi on Smita Patil. Read
14:25 Congress politician: 'Cancer can be cured by gaumutra'
The Politics of Cow may be synonymous with the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Sangh Parivar. But the Congress party does not want to be left behind, at least not in Mumbai.
Come November 3 and Congress councillor Parminder Bhamra will move a proposal in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation to make gaumutra (cow urine) compulsory to clean hospitals in Mumbai.Bhamra, image, left, tells Syed Firdaus Ashraf/Rediff.com why he feels so strongly about gaumutra. Read
Come November 3 and Congress councillor Parminder Bhamra will move a proposal in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation to make gaumutra (cow urine) compulsory to clean hospitals in Mumbai.Bhamra, image, left, tells Syed Firdaus Ashraf/Rediff.com why he feels so strongly about gaumutra. Read
14:23 Indian cricketer Amit Mishra arrested, given bail, for assaulting woman
Indian leg-spinner Amit Mishra who was arrested in an alleged assault case in Bengaluru today, has been released on bail.
Reports suggest that Mishra was grilled in a three-hour long interrogation session before being arrested.
Meanwhile, Bengaluru DCP Sandeep Patil stated on Tuesday that Mishra was released on bail, as it is a bailable offence. Amit Mishra was facing criminal charges for assaulting a woman friend in Bangalore recently.
I am waiting for Mishra to appear in the police station. We both will amicably withdraw the case. We were friends. We fought, and continue to remain friends here after, the complainant had said on Oct 22.
Mishra was in Bengaluru last month for Indias pre-tour training camp when he had met the woman.
The police had asked Mishra to appear before them in a weeks time. Mishra was booked under the Indian Penal Code sections 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty) and 328 (causing hurt with intent to commit an offence).
She clarified that that she has not taken the step under pressure.
There was no pressure from any quarters, including the BCCI. I am surprised how the media picked up the case, which I have decided to withdraw, she said.
Reports suggest that Mishra was grilled in a three-hour long interrogation session before being arrested.
Meanwhile, Bengaluru DCP Sandeep Patil stated on Tuesday that Mishra was released on bail, as it is a bailable offence. Amit Mishra was facing criminal charges for assaulting a woman friend in Bangalore recently.
I am waiting for Mishra to appear in the police station. We both will amicably withdraw the case. We were friends. We fought, and continue to remain friends here after, the complainant had said on Oct 22.
Mishra was in Bengaluru last month for Indias pre-tour training camp when he had met the woman.
The police had asked Mishra to appear before them in a weeks time. Mishra was booked under the Indian Penal Code sections 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty) and 328 (causing hurt with intent to commit an offence).
She clarified that that she has not taken the step under pressure.
There was no pressure from any quarters, including the BCCI. I am surprised how the media picked up the case, which I have decided to withdraw, she said.
13:55 Hardik Patel will be investigated for sedition, says Gujarat HC
Patel quota agitation leader Hardik Patel will be investigated for sedition, the Gujarat High Court ruled today, rejecting a petition that challenged a police complaint filed against him in Surat.
The 22-year-old leader of Patel community's agitation for reservations was arrested and booked by the police on sedition charges on October 19, for allegedly exhorting youngsters from his community to kill policemen rather than committing suicide. The court said today that prima facie, sedition charges hold against him and directed the police to continue further investigation. It however asked for charges that accuse him of creating animosity between two communities to be dropped.
The 22-year-old leader of Patel community's agitation for reservations was arrested and booked by the police on sedition charges on October 19, for allegedly exhorting youngsters from his community to kill policemen rather than committing suicide. The court said today that prima facie, sedition charges hold against him and directed the police to continue further investigation. It however asked for charges that accuse him of creating animosity between two communities to be dropped.
13:40 No beef at Kerala Bhawan, says state chief secy
Kerala government today dismissed claims that beef curry was served at Kerala Bhawan in New Delhi and said that a complaint has been lodged over entry of activists without permission following the episode yesterday involving a call to police complaining about cow meat on the canteen menu.
Kerala Chief Secretary Jiji Thomson categorically denied that cow meat was served at Kerala Bhawan and said they will wait for "police action" in the wake of their complaint over the incident.
"I totally deny that cow meat was served here (canteen of Kerala House). Only buffalo meat is served," Thomson said. However, in the light of the events yesterday, Kerala Bhawan has temporarily taken buffalo meat off its menu. Noting that the Resident Commissioner of Kerala House has lodged a police complaint, Thomson further said, "we will wait for police action".
"I was told that some persons gate-crashed into Kerala House yesterday, the police had also entered. The resident commissioner has made a complaint to the DCP over their (gate- crashers') entry. We will wait for the police's action now," he said.
A PCR call complaining about beef curry being served at Kerala House near Jantar Mantar here had thrown police into a tizzy yesterday.
Kerala Chief Secretary Jiji Thomson categorically denied that cow meat was served at Kerala Bhawan and said they will wait for "police action" in the wake of their complaint over the incident.
"I totally deny that cow meat was served here (canteen of Kerala House). Only buffalo meat is served," Thomson said. However, in the light of the events yesterday, Kerala Bhawan has temporarily taken buffalo meat off its menu. Noting that the Resident Commissioner of Kerala House has lodged a police complaint, Thomson further said, "we will wait for police action".
"I was told that some persons gate-crashed into Kerala House yesterday, the police had also entered. The resident commissioner has made a complaint to the DCP over their (gate- crashers') entry. We will wait for the police's action now," he said.
A PCR call complaining about beef curry being served at Kerala House near Jantar Mantar here had thrown police into a tizzy yesterday.
13:32 Kejriwal offers 'all help' to Geeta
Geeta, the Indian girl who returned home on Monday from Pakistan, met Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal at his residence this morning.
Interacting with 23-year-old Geeta for almost 20 minutes through a sign language interpreter, Kejriwal offered her every possible help as she begins her life anew in India.
Dressed in a sky blue-magenta salwar-kameez and her head covered with a dupatta, Geeta had come for the interaction accompanied by five members of the Pakistani Edhi foundation, which was taking care of her in Pakistan.
Nearly 15 years after inadvertently crossing into the neighbouring country, Geeta returned to India to an emotional welcome.
She was received by senior officials from External Affairs Ministry and Pakistan High Commission in Delhi on her arrival from Karachi and also met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj.
She failed, however, to recognise a family which she had initially identified from photographs and Swaraj said that she will be staying in India till her "real family' was found.
Geeta was reportedly just 7 or 8 years old when she was found nearly 15 years ago by the Pakistan Rangers, sitting alone on the Samjhauta Express at the Lahore railway station.
Interacting with 23-year-old Geeta for almost 20 minutes through a sign language interpreter, Kejriwal offered her every possible help as she begins her life anew in India.
Dressed in a sky blue-magenta salwar-kameez and her head covered with a dupatta, Geeta had come for the interaction accompanied by five members of the Pakistani Edhi foundation, which was taking care of her in Pakistan.
Nearly 15 years after inadvertently crossing into the neighbouring country, Geeta returned to India to an emotional welcome.
She was received by senior officials from External Affairs Ministry and Pakistan High Commission in Delhi on her arrival from Karachi and also met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj.
She failed, however, to recognise a family which she had initially identified from photographs and Swaraj said that she will be staying in India till her "real family' was found.
Geeta was reportedly just 7 or 8 years old when she was found nearly 15 years ago by the Pakistan Rangers, sitting alone on the Samjhauta Express at the Lahore railway station.
13:29 Delhi police acting like BJP-Sena, says Kejriwal after beef SOS at Kerala bhavan
Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal says he strongly condemns the Delhi police raid on Kerala House.
A PCR call complaining about beef curry being served at the Kerala House near Jantar Mantar in Delhi threw the police into a tizzy on Monday, with a 20-man team sent to avert any "untoward incident".
The call was received by the police control room around 4.15 pm, and the caller, claiming to be from a fringe right-wing group, told the police that beef was being served at Kerala House, said a senior official.
In a statement today, Kejriwal said, "The Delhi police is acting like BJP-Sena. I strongly condemn the Delhi police raid on Kerala house. I agree with the Kerala CM that Kerala House is a government establishment and not a private hotel.
"Will the Delhi police go and arrest a chief minister from a state bhavan in Delhi if they suspect the CM is eating something that the BJP or Modi-ji don't like? The Delhi police had no business to enter Kerala house. It is an attack on the federal structure," the Delhi CM said.
A PCR call complaining about beef curry being served at the Kerala House near Jantar Mantar in Delhi threw the police into a tizzy on Monday, with a 20-man team sent to avert any "untoward incident".
The call was received by the police control room around 4.15 pm, and the caller, claiming to be from a fringe right-wing group, told the police that beef was being served at Kerala House, said a senior official.
In a statement today, Kejriwal said, "The Delhi police is acting like BJP-Sena. I strongly condemn the Delhi police raid on Kerala house. I agree with the Kerala CM that Kerala House is a government establishment and not a private hotel.
"Will the Delhi police go and arrest a chief minister from a state bhavan in Delhi if they suspect the CM is eating something that the BJP or Modi-ji don't like? The Delhi police had no business to enter Kerala house. It is an attack on the federal structure," the Delhi CM said.
12:47
Resident Commissioner of Kerala House will make a formal complain to DCP: J Thomson (Kerala Chief Secy) on beef controversy at Kerala house
12:45 The pets who bring Amit Shah fame, fortune and ...Bihar?
Sonal Shah, BJP president Amit Shah's wife, has two cute pet tortoises at her Ahmedabad home. Sources tell us that she spends at least one hour with the pets during lunch time.
Sonal Shah considers them as avatars of Lord Vishnu even prays before them for hours. In fact, according to Hindu beliefs, the tortoise is supposed to bring good luck.
There are no tortoises in the Shahs Akbar Road bungalow in New Delhi, but Sonal has built a small Saibaba temple inside the compound, to the left of the main entrance to make the house vaastu compliant.
Will they win the Bihar elections for Shah's party? Watch this space.
Pic: Amit Shah with his wife at his son's wedding.
Sonal Shah considers them as avatars of Lord Vishnu even prays before them for hours. In fact, according to Hindu beliefs, the tortoise is supposed to bring good luck.
There are no tortoises in the Shahs Akbar Road bungalow in New Delhi, but Sonal has built a small Saibaba temple inside the compound, to the left of the main entrance to make the house vaastu compliant.
Will they win the Bihar elections for Shah's party? Watch this space.
Pic: Amit Shah with his wife at his son's wedding.
12:29 Over 300 dead in Pak-Afghan quake
Over 300 people are confirmed to have been killed a day after a powerful 7.5 magnitude earthquake rocked Pakistan and Afghanistan as rescuers scrambled to deliver relief aid to victims.
The death toll in the quake - the strongest in 10 years - in Pakistan has now risen to 237 from the earlier figure of 228 which included 214 dead in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), 5 in Punjab, and 9 in PoK, local media reports said.
The initial quake struck at 2:09 pm yesterday and was followed by seven aftershocks, measuring as high as magnitude 4.8, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS).
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) said at least 1,620 people have been injured across Pakistan. Thousands spent the night outdoors in near-freezing temperatures reluctant to go back inside for fear of aftershocks, Pakistani media reported.
In Afghanistan, over 90 people have been killed and 300 injured so far as the death toll is expected to rise, Express News reported. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif returned to Islamabad following his US tour. Upon arrival he summoned a meeting to discuss relief efforts in the aftermath of the earthquake.
The death toll in the quake - the strongest in 10 years - in Pakistan has now risen to 237 from the earlier figure of 228 which included 214 dead in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), 5 in Punjab, and 9 in PoK, local media reports said.
The initial quake struck at 2:09 pm yesterday and was followed by seven aftershocks, measuring as high as magnitude 4.8, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS).
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) said at least 1,620 people have been injured across Pakistan. Thousands spent the night outdoors in near-freezing temperatures reluctant to go back inside for fear of aftershocks, Pakistani media reported.
In Afghanistan, over 90 people have been killed and 300 injured so far as the death toll is expected to rise, Express News reported. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif returned to Islamabad following his US tour. Upon arrival he summoned a meeting to discuss relief efforts in the aftermath of the earthquake.
12:24 Kerala CM slams Delhi police swoop down over beef curry SOS
Kerala CM Omen Chandy slams the Delhi police swooping down on Kerala Bhavan. Chandy says the police should have shown restraint. "This is not a private hotel it is a Kerala govt establishment!"
Congress leader Tom Vadakkan added, "I have eaten at Kerala Bhawan, beef was never served there. Delhi police is indulging in moral policing on Hindu Sena's orders."
A PCR call complaining about beef curry being served at Kerala House near Jantar Mantar in Delhi threw the police into a tizzy on Monday, and a team had to be sent there to avert any "untoward incident".
The call was received by the police control room around 4.15 pm, and the caller, claiming to be from a fringe right-wing group, told the police that beef was being served at Kerala House, said a senior official.
CPI (M) MP MB Rajesh said that the incident was 'shocking and shameful' and the police entering the kitchen of the premises was 'not acceptable'.
Congress leader Tom Vadakkan added, "I have eaten at Kerala Bhawan, beef was never served there. Delhi police is indulging in moral policing on Hindu Sena's orders."
A PCR call complaining about beef curry being served at Kerala House near Jantar Mantar in Delhi threw the police into a tizzy on Monday, and a team had to be sent there to avert any "untoward incident".
The call was received by the police control room around 4.15 pm, and the caller, claiming to be from a fringe right-wing group, told the police that beef was being served at Kerala House, said a senior official.
CPI (M) MP MB Rajesh said that the incident was 'shocking and shameful' and the police entering the kitchen of the premises was 'not acceptable'.
12:07 Dear Mrs Ayesha Sultana
An open letter to Sharmila Tagore on her column for the Anandabazar Patrika last week.
12:02 Spicejet puts over three lakh seats on sale
No-frills airline SpiceJet today put on sale over three lakh seats across its network with base fares starting as low as Rs 749 sans taxes for domestic flights while Rs 3,999 for international travel under a limited period booking scheme.
Based on first-come-first served basis, 'Diwali Sale Dahmaka' offers fliers a nine-months travel window, starting February next year, SpiceJet said in a release.
"The attractive pricing clubbed with our robust network is expected to garner immense traction from customers across geographies and with advance purchase being a huge incentive to travellers, the year-long travel period under the current offering will provide SpiceJet customers with immense flexibility while enabling them to plan their travel well in advance," said SpiceJet spokesperson.
The sale launched today will be open till October 29 while the travel can be undertaken from February 1, 2016 to October 29, 2016, the airline said. The all inclusive one-way fare applicable on direct flights encompasses all the metro cities and some of the most attractive domestic tourist destinations, SpiceJet said. adding under this offer, tickets on routes like Delhi to Amristar, Ahmedabad to Mumbai all are priced at Rs 749 base fare (sans taxes).
Based on first-come-first served basis, 'Diwali Sale Dahmaka' offers fliers a nine-months travel window, starting February next year, SpiceJet said in a release.
"The attractive pricing clubbed with our robust network is expected to garner immense traction from customers across geographies and with advance purchase being a huge incentive to travellers, the year-long travel period under the current offering will provide SpiceJet customers with immense flexibility while enabling them to plan their travel well in advance," said SpiceJet spokesperson.
The sale launched today will be open till October 29 while the travel can be undertaken from February 1, 2016 to October 29, 2016, the airline said. The all inclusive one-way fare applicable on direct flights encompasses all the metro cities and some of the most attractive domestic tourist destinations, SpiceJet said. adding under this offer, tickets on routes like Delhi to Amristar, Ahmedabad to Mumbai all are priced at Rs 749 base fare (sans taxes).
11:49 BSF-Pak Rangers meet at 1 pm as ceasefire violations continue
Just in: Pakistan Rangers and BSF officials to hold a flag meeting in RS Pora Jammu and Kashmir at 1pm today.
Yesterday, Pakistan targeted 30 border outposts and several hamlets on Monday with mortar bombs and heavy machine guns in Samba and Kathua districts injuring a civilian, as it continued ceasefire violations for the fourth day.
Yesterday, Pakistan targeted 30 border outposts and several hamlets on Monday with mortar bombs and heavy machine guns in Samba and Kathua districts injuring a civilian, as it continued ceasefire violations for the fourth day.
Pakistani Rangers resorted to unprovoked firing on Border Security Force posts along the International Border in Samba and Kathua districts from 1900 hours last night, a BSF officer said.
They fired 82 mm mortar shells and used heavy machine guns to target 30 BoPs and border villages in Ramgarh, Samba, Kathua and Hiranagar sectors, he said.
BSF troops retaliated resulting in exchanges which continued till 5 am on Monday, he said.
One villager was injured in the mortar shelling on Monday morning in Ramgarh sector and hospitalised, a police officer said, adding that several cattle have died or were injured in the shelling.
The ceasefire violations by Pakistan, which had stopped after the Director General-level talks between BSF and Pakistan Rangers in Delhi on September 12, resumed on October 23 and a civilian has been killed and seven injured till now.
11:45
Just in: Hardik Patel's petition challenging sedition complaint against him rejected by Gujarat High Court.
11:45 Police at Kerala bhavan after SOS about beef on menu
A PCR call complaining about beef curry being served at Kerala House near Jantar Mantar threw police into a tizzy on Monday, and a team had to be sent there to avert any "untoward incident".
The call was received by the police control room around 4:15 pm, and the caller, claiming to be from a fringe right-wing group, told the police that beef was being served at Kerala House, said a senior official.
The policemen took no chance and the input was immediately passed on to Parliament Street police station, from where a team was sent to Kerala House to deal with any potential violence, said the official.
The team remained deployed there for several hours and had conversations with the officials posted there. They also informed them about the PCR call and later returned, assuring that "things were under control".
"We dealt with the matter with necessary alertness and took our position. The objective was to ensure that law and order is not disrupted," said DCP (New Delhi) Jatin Narwal.
A senior police official said that the police were not concerned about whether the said meat is served at the aforementioned place, as that doesn't constitute any criminal offence.
The role of police was to avert possible hooliganism and ensure that law and order is maintained.
The call was received by the police control room around 4:15 pm, and the caller, claiming to be from a fringe right-wing group, told the police that beef was being served at Kerala House, said a senior official.
The policemen took no chance and the input was immediately passed on to Parliament Street police station, from where a team was sent to Kerala House to deal with any potential violence, said the official.
The team remained deployed there for several hours and had conversations with the officials posted there. They also informed them about the PCR call and later returned, assuring that "things were under control".
"We dealt with the matter with necessary alertness and took our position. The objective was to ensure that law and order is not disrupted," said DCP (New Delhi) Jatin Narwal.
A senior police official said that the police were not concerned about whether the said meat is served at the aforementioned place, as that doesn't constitute any criminal offence.
The role of police was to avert possible hooliganism and ensure that law and order is maintained.
11:34 Intel report on ISIS, Boko Haram threat to India-Africa summit
Law enforcement agencies have been asked to step up security around dignitaries attending the Indo-Africa summit due to the possibility of outfits Boko Haram and Islamic State attempting to disrupt the meet, sources in the intelligence establishment said.
The Times of India reports that the threat perception of the summit has been marked as "very high" as several heads of state visiting Delhi are under threat from Boko Haram, which is mainly active in Nigeria and has recently pledged its allegiance to the Islamic State.
Pic: King Mswati III of Swaziland with Union culture minister Dr Mahesh Sharma at the India Africa summit in New Delhi yesterday.
The Times of India reports that the threat perception of the summit has been marked as "very high" as several heads of state visiting Delhi are under threat from Boko Haram, which is mainly active in Nigeria and has recently pledged its allegiance to the Islamic State.
Pic: King Mswati III of Swaziland with Union culture minister Dr Mahesh Sharma at the India Africa summit in New Delhi yesterday.
11:27
Nestle says it plans to resume production of Maggi and launch in markets by first week of November: Sources
11:26 Kejriwal meets Geeta
Just in: Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal meets Geeta at his residence.
If you haven't been following the news lately, Geeta is a hearing and speech impaired Indian girl, who was stranded in Pakistan for 14 years.
Geeta, whose story has touched people on both sides of the border, arrived in Delhi on Monday. Pakistan International Airlines flight PK 272 carrying 23-year-old Geeta from Karachi landed at the Indira Gandhi International Airport around 10.30 am where she was given a warm welcome.
Dressed in a white-red salwar suit and her head covered with a dupatta, she waved to people awaiting her arrival. She was reportedly just 7 or 8 years old when she was found sitting alone on the Samjhauta Express by the Pakistan Rangers 15 years ago at the Lahore railway station. She was adopted by the Edhi Foundation's Bilquees Edhi and lived with her in Karachi. Bilquis and her grandchildren, Saba and Saad Edhi, are accompanying Geeta.
If you haven't been following the news lately, Geeta is a hearing and speech impaired Indian girl, who was stranded in Pakistan for 14 years.
Geeta, whose story has touched people on both sides of the border, arrived in Delhi on Monday. Pakistan International Airlines flight PK 272 carrying 23-year-old Geeta from Karachi landed at the Indira Gandhi International Airport around 10.30 am where she was given a warm welcome.
Dressed in a white-red salwar suit and her head covered with a dupatta, she waved to people awaiting her arrival. She was reportedly just 7 or 8 years old when she was found sitting alone on the Samjhauta Express by the Pakistan Rangers 15 years ago at the Lahore railway station. She was adopted by the Edhi Foundation's Bilquees Edhi and lived with her in Karachi. Bilquis and her grandchildren, Saba and Saad Edhi, are accompanying Geeta.
11:15 Shourie in 'pain' for not being part of govt.: BJP
The Bharatiya Janata Party on Tuesday brushed aside former Union Minister Arun Shourie's statement that Prime Minister Narendra Modi "managed headlines instead of economy", saying that the former had made such a remark since he was in pain for not being a part of the NDA government anymore.
"All I can say for our former colleague Mr Arun Shourie is that somewhere, his pain of not being in the government anymore is being reflected through his career nationalism," BJP spokesperson Siddharth Nath Singh told ANI.
Minister of State for Minority Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi also slammed Shourie saying the effect of the current company he was in, was showing through his words.
Speaking at a book launch event yesterday, Shourie mocked the NDA Government saying that it was nothing but 'Congress plus cow'.
"All I can say for our former colleague Mr Arun Shourie is that somewhere, his pain of not being in the government anymore is being reflected through his career nationalism," BJP spokesperson Siddharth Nath Singh told ANI.
Minister of State for Minority Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi also slammed Shourie saying the effect of the current company he was in, was showing through his words.
Speaking at a book launch event yesterday, Shourie mocked the NDA Government saying that it was nothing but 'Congress plus cow'.
11:09 NDA Govt. nothing but 'Congress plus cow', says BJP's Arun Shourie
Training guns on Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led NDA Government, Former Union Minister Arun Shourie accused the former of managing headlines instead of economy, saying that such an approach would not work in the long run.
Speaking at a book launch event yesterday, Shourie also mocked the NDA government by saying that it was nothing but 'Congress plus cow'.
"There is a clearer belief that managing economy means managing headlines about the economy and this is not really going to work," Shourie said.
"The way to characterize the policies of the government is Congress scaled plus a cow," he added. He also said that the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) was never as weak as it was now. "I feel there was never a weaker a PMO as now... There has never been as great a centralisation of functions, not power, of functions in PMO as now," he said.
Shourie further said that looking at the way economy is being managed, people have started recalling the days of former prime minister Manmohan Singh.
"Doctor Singh (Manmohan Singh) ko log yaad karne lag gaye hain (People have started recalling the days of Manmohan Singh)," he added.
Speaking at a book launch event yesterday, Shourie also mocked the NDA government by saying that it was nothing but 'Congress plus cow'.
"There is a clearer belief that managing economy means managing headlines about the economy and this is not really going to work," Shourie said.
"The way to characterize the policies of the government is Congress scaled plus a cow," he added. He also said that the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) was never as weak as it was now. "I feel there was never a weaker a PMO as now... There has never been as great a centralisation of functions, not power, of functions in PMO as now," he said.
Shourie further said that looking at the way economy is being managed, people have started recalling the days of former prime minister Manmohan Singh.
"Doctor Singh (Manmohan Singh) ko log yaad karne lag gaye hain (People have started recalling the days of Manmohan Singh)," he added.
10:31 Sanatan Sanstha under scrutiny as religious tolerance debate rages
Reuters reports: The arrest of a member of India's Sanatan Sanstha sect following the murder of a well-known atheist has prompted renewed calls from some politicians to ban the Hindu group, as concerns grow the country's tradition of religious tolerance is being eroded.
Opening the doors of its Goa headquarters to foreign journalists for the first time this month, Sanatan Sanstha told Reuters it had nothing to do with the February murder of Govind Pansare, and its mission was opposed to violence in all forms.
Instead, its members are preparing for the advent of a divine Hindu kingdom in India within eight years.
"The aim is to prepare people for a divine kingdom, or Ram Rajya, by 2023," said Durgesh Shankar Samant, a founding member of the group that believes India's secular democracy has failed. "Right now an awakening is going on."
Read more HERE
10:16 Maggi in soup again: Maha govt to move SC against Bombay HC order
Maggi in soup again: The Maharashtra government is reportedly preparing to approach the Supreme Court against the Bombay high court order.
The state government will show lab reports cited by FSSAI to the apex court, TV reports say.
More details awaited
10:13 I will eliminate Rajan even if he is deported: Shakeel
Gangster Shakeel Shaikh alias Chhota Shakeel on Monday claimed credit for the arrest of absconding mafia don Rajendra Sadashiv Nikhalje alias Chhota Rajan, a trusted aide-turned-bitter foe of mob boss Dawood Ibrahim.
Talking to The Times of India, Shakeel, however, said he was not happy with Rajan's arrest as he wanted to 'eliminate' the gangster.
Notably, in September 2000, Dawood's men led by Chhota Shakeel tracked down Chhota Rajan to a hotel room in Bangkok. Posing as pizza delivery boys, they opened fire at him. A stunned Chhota Rajan jumped out of the hotel's first floor room and escaped but was seriously injured in the fall, breaking his back. But he survived and slipped out of Thailand.
"My boys were on the job in Fiji last week, and we had jammed him in his hideouts. He was forced to flee to Indonesia, which led to his arrest. The D Company is not happy with his arrest and our enmity does not end here. I want to eliminate him, and I will not rest. Even if he is deported my operation against him will continue," Shakeel told the daily.
10:09 Sensex down on weak Asian cues
The benchmark BSE Sensex fell over 106 points in early trade today on selling in banking, oil and pharma stocks by investors amid weak global trends.
Investors were cautious ahead of October series expiry in the derivatives segment on Thursday, brokers said.
The 30-share barometer, which had lost 108.85 points yesterday, fell further by 106.83 points or 0.39 per cent to 27,255.13.
All the sectoral indices led by healthcare, realty and banking were trading in the negative zone with losses up to 0.39 per cent. Also, the NSE Nifty declined by 27.40 points or 0.33 per cent to 8,233.15.
Housing finance major HDFC was down over 2 per cent after it posted moderate growth in profit for the second quarter of 2015-16 fiscal. Among major losers on BSE, oil major ONGC was down 2.5 per cent and Lupin by 2.2 per cent. Metal stocks Hindalco and Vedanta fell up to 2 per cent while telecom major Bhari Airtel fell up to 1 per cent in early trade.
10:05 Lankan Navy arrests 34 TN fishermen
Thirty-four Tamil Nadu fishermen were today arrested in separate batches by Sri Lankan Naval personnel near Katchatheevu in the Palk Straits and close to the Lankan coast respectively, a fisheries department official said.
The department's assistant director, who did not want his name to be quoted, told PTI that 23 fishermen from Kottaipattinam in Pudukottai district were arrested at Neduntheevu close to the Sri Lankan coast while others were arrested while fishing near Katchatheevu.
The Lankan naval men allegedly damaged two boats by forcing them to collide and also ruined 40 fishing nets, he said.
The fishermen have been taken to Talaimannar and Kangesanthurai respectively, he said, adding, seven boats were also seized.
09:40 US Navy ship passes disputed islands claimed by China
A US Navy ship passed within 12 nautical miles of disputed islands in the South China Sea late Monday in an apparent challenge to China's territorial claims in the region.
A defense official told the Associated Press that the USS Lassen, a guided missile destroyer, moved inside what China claims as a 12-mile territorial limit around Subi Reef in the Spratly Islands archipelago, a disputed group of hundreds of reefs, islets, atolls and islands in the South China.
The official said the patrol took place without incident.
"We are conducting routine operations in the South China Sea in accordance with international law," a senior defense official told Fox News.
"We will fly, sail, and operate anywhere in the world that international law allows."
The Navy's plan to send a destroyer near the Spratly Islands was first reported by Reuters.
Read more HERE
09:30 Austerity out of the window as Andhra ministers go abroad on study tour
At a time when the Andhra Pradesh government is embarking upon a severe austerity drive to tide over financial crisis, several of its top officials are on a world tour to 'study' prominent cities and their best practices.
In July, the AP cabinet had cleared a foreign tour by CRDA officials to undertake a survey of newly-built cities and implement some of those ideas back home in Amaravati.
While one CRDA team has already left for China, several other teams -- totaling about 10 officials led by commissioner N Srikanth -- will begin their tour on Wednesday.
Interestingly, P Naryana, the municipal & urban development minister and a close confidante of CM N Chandrababu Naidu, will also join the teams soon, sources said.
The government has finalised a list of 10 cities across the globe -- eight Asian, one South American and one European -- for the tour that will wind up on November 7.
Read more HERE
09:26 ED again summons SRK over Knight Riders share sale
The Enforcement Directorate has issued third summons to Shah Rukh Khan in connection with the share sale of Knight Riders Sports Pvt Ltd, the franchise owned by his company Red Chillies Entertainment Private Limited in partnership with actor Juhi Chawla and her husband Jay Mehta.
The matter pertains to the 2008 share transfer, audited by an external firm in 2014. It noted that shares sold to Jay Mehta-owned Sea Island Investment were 8-9 times undervalued by Knight Riders Sports Pvt Ltd.
This would be the second round of questioning of SRK by ED after 2011 on the KRSPL deal for the alleged forex violation of around Rs 100 crore.
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08:26 Saudi Prince held in record Beirut airport drug bust
A Saudi prince and four others were detained on Monday in Lebanon in the largest drug bust in the history of the Beirut airport, a security source said.
Saudi prince Abdel Mohsen Bin Walid Bin Abdulaziz and four others were detained by airport security while allegedly "attempting to smuggle about two tons of Captagon pills and some cocaine," a security source told AFP.
"The smuggling operation is the largest one that has been foiled through the Beirut International Airport," the source said on condition of anonymity.
Captagon is the brand name for the amphetamine phenethylline, a synthetic stimulant. The banned drug is consumed mainly in the Middle East and has reportedly been widely used by fighters in Syria.
The security source said the drugs had been packed into cases that were waiting to be loaded onto a private plane that was headed to Saudi Arabia.
08:21 Nestle plans to resume Maggi sales in India next month
Reuters reports: Nestle, the world's largest packaged food company, plans to resume sales of Maggi noodles in India in November, a spokesman for the Swiss group said.
Nestle has been grappling with a public relations crisis in India, a fast-growing consumer goods market, following a nationwide ban on its Maggi instant noodles in May.
The ban was imposed after local regulators reported in May that some packets of the noodles contained unsafe levels of lead. Nestle, which has said the noodles are safe, had to order a recall of the product a month later, which cost it about 66 million Swiss francs ($67 million).
The company has restarted manufacturing Maggi noodles and will send samples from the new batches for testing, the company said in a statement on Monday, adding that it would only restart sales after the samples had been cleared through the tests.
08:13 Jaitley to launch two initiatives of tax dept
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley will today launch eSahyog and Pan camps, initiatives of the Income Tax Department to improve services.
Through eSahyog he will launch the paperless initiative of the Central Board of Direct Taxes under which notices to assesses would be sent to their emails.
The PAN camps are aimed at expanding the coverage of number of people through Permanent Account Number. Currently there are 23 crore people with PAN card.
The expansion of Number of PAN card holders would help the government implement the budget proposal of mandatory quoting of PAN for cash transaction of Rs 1 lakh.
The tax department has already started a pilot project of using e-mails for sending notices, getting replies as well as carrying out tax assessments in an attempt to make sure taxpayers don't have to visit I-T offices physically in smaller cases.
The government in the Budget had announced that quoting of PAN will be mandatory for any purchase or sale exceeding Rs 1 lakh. But concerns were raised about complying with this condition because not everyone, particularly in rural areas, possesses a PAN card.
08:12 LIC to hand over Rs 2,000 cr cheque to Railways today
Life Insurance Corporation will today hand over a cheque of Rs 2,000 crore to the Indian Railway Finance Corporation, the first tranche of its financial assistance, for investment in capacity augmentation projects.
Railways had signed an MoU with LIC in March this year for financial assistance of Rs 1.5 lakh crore over the next five years for implementing railway projects.
IRFC will issue bonds to be subscribed by LIC for the purpose, said a senior Railway Ministry official.
Though the financial assistance is available from the current fiscal, there would be a five-year moratorium on interest and loan repayment.
The official said that Rs 2,000 crore LIC fund will be utilised for laying new lines to decongest busiest rail corridors.
08:11 CMs panel on central schemes to submit report to PM today
A chief ministers' panel on rationalisation of centrally-sponsored schemes constituted by NITI Aayog will submit its final report to the prime minister today.
The sub-group was formed in March this year and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan is its convener. NITI Aayog Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Sindhushree Khullar is the coordinator of the sub-group.
Chief Ministers of Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, Jharkhand, Arunachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Manipur, Nagaland, Telangana, and Lt Governor of Andaman & Nicobar Islands are among the members of the panel.
Terms of reference of the panel is to examine existing CSS and recommend measures for ensuring that implementation is streamlined and adequately flexible; increased devolution of taxes to States as per Finance Commission recommendations as well as to suggest suitable measures for coordination between Centre and States.
08:10 Delhi! Brace for major traffic jams today
Traffic flow in Lutyens' zone, central Delhi, Mathura Road, Rajghat, ITO and areas around India Gate is expected to be disrupted for the next few days in view of frequent VVIP route arrangements in connection with the India-Africa summit starting today.
To avoid the C-Hexagon near India Gate, which can be blocked for VVIP movements, commuters heading towards ITO or Kashmere Gate from South Delhi may take the Ring Road till Ashram and then move east towards Akshardham temple.
They can return to their route through Geeta Colony or Wazirabad and continue their journey northwards. Similarly, vehicles from Kashmere Gate and Civil Lines might take the Rani Jhansi Road, Karol Bagh route to reach south Delhi and avoid congestion, a senior police official said.
Large parts of Lutyens' zone and central Delhi shall be temporarily turned into restricted zones, in view of security, and only labelled vehicles of the invitees and vehicles of bona fide residents of the areas under restriction will be allowed inside during the four-day summit, the official said.
For Tuesday, the entire stretch between Ashoka Road and Copernicus Marg will be blocked in the afternoon hours as the delegates are scheduled to meet the prime minister for lunch.
When dignitaries head towards the office of the President, the traffic at the Mother Teresa Crescent and South Avenue will be halted for an hour.
03:02 3 dead in suicide attack at Saudi mosque
A suicide bomber blew himself up at a mosque in Najran in southern Saudi Arabia on Monday, killing at least three people and wounding several others, Saudi-owned al-Arabiya television reported.
The attack on the al-Mashhad mosque occurred during evening prayers, and authorities were investigating the bombing, a Saudi news website, reported, without giving further details.
02:30 Youth beaten outside south Delhi pub succumbs to injuries
A 23-year-old youth, who suffered severe injuries after allegedly being beaten up by a group of men outside a south Delhi pub last week, died today.
The police added Section 302 (murder) of the IPC in theFIR registered in connection with the incident and arrested one of the accused persons, a police official said.
According to police, the incident was reported on October 21 night, when the youth, identified as Rupesh, and his friendRohit had gone to a pub in south Delhi's Hauz Khas area.
There they entered into an argument with a group of men.
However, they were asked to leave the pub before the situation could get worse.
When Rupesh realised that he had left his phone at the pub, he returned there to enquire. The group held him outside the entrance and allegedly thrashed him. They had fled the spot by the time a police team reached there.
02:07 Heroin worth Rs 110 crore seized at Indo-Pak border
Twenty-two packets of heroin, worth Rs 110 crore in the street market, were seized along the India-Pakistan border near Bahadurke check-post in Abohar sector today, a BSF official said.
The personnel posted at the check-post noticed suspicious activities near the border by smugglers in the wee hours, Inspector General of BSF, Punjab Frontier, Anil Paliwal said.
When the BSF troops challenged them, the smugglers fled from the spot, Paliwal said, adding that they left 22 packets
00:52 DRI has issued 'alert circular' on illegal Chinese crackers import: TN govt to HC
An "alert circular" to maintain strict vigil against illegal imports of Chinese crackers has already been sent by Directorate of Revenue Intelligence to Chief Commissioners of Customs and related departments, Tamil Nadu government informed Madras high court today.
The state government also said the results of such illegal imports and enhanced vigil had been brought to the notice of the DRI.
Additional Advocate General P H Arvind Pandiyan stated this in response to an order by Justice N Kirubakaran on appointing squads to check menace of import of such crackers.
He said heads of departments, including DRI, had submitted the copy of instructions issued to subordinate officers. The State Home Secretary submitted that a meeting was held with all top officials concerned on October 20 and they were all directed to furnish a compliance report before this day.
The commissioner of police, Chennai said four squads in Greater Chennai City, comprising police department, fire and rescue services department, revenue department and municipal administration department, had been formed to prevent distribution and sale of Chinese crackers.
00:17 Retrial of police officer who beat Indian grandfather begins
The retrial of a US police officer accused of violently assaulting a 58-year-old Indian grandfather that left him partially paralysed began today in a federal court in Alabama.
Eric Parker is charged with violating the civil rights of Sureshbhai Patel following an encounter in a Madison neighbourhood off County Line Road on February 6. South Asian rights group hoped that Patel would be able to get justice this time. A deadlocked jury failed to convict Parker last month during the first federal trial on a civil rights charge brought against him by the US Department of Justice.
"It is our hope that today's retrial is heard before a jury that truly represents the population of Madison, AL where one in ten residents speaks a language other than English at home," South Asian Americans Leading Together said.
SAALT joined National Coalition of South Asian Organisations member and Huntsville, and community- based organisation, AshaKiran, in demanding justice for Patel.
00:09 US ready to provide assistance to Afghanistan and Pakistan: WH
Offering deepest condolences to those hit by a major earthquake in Afghanistan and Pakistan, the US today said it is ready to provide any kind of assistance to the two countries.
"We offer our deepest condolences to those who have been affected by the earthquake in Afghanistan and Pakistan," White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest told reporters at his daily news conference.
"We stand ready to provide any assistance that is needed," Earnest said. US officials said it has not received request for any kind of assistance from Pakistan. Pentagon said it is conducting ISR (intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance) operations in Badakhshan province of Afghanistan to look into the areas damaged by the earthquake.
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