Former Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy was today acquitted by a court in Bengaluru in a case relating to the alleged solar scam due to lack of evidence.

Additional City Civil and Sessions Court accepted Chandy's application seeking annulment of an earlier order in which six respondents, including Chandy and a firm, were directed to pay about Rs 1.61 crore to M K Kuruvilla, a Bengaluru-based industrialist.

In the interim application, Chandy had stated that the order was ex parte and his version was not heard.

Judge Patil Mohankumar Bheemanagouda acquitted Chandy on the grounds of lack of evidence to prove he had any money transaction with Kuruvilla.

"Even in the plaint that Kuruvilla had filed does not mention about Rs 1.61 crore changing hands between him and Chandy, and therefore, taking this premise into cognisance this honourable court acquits Chandy in the case," the judge said in his order.

However, the judge said the court will continue proceedings against other five accused, who allegedly did not give money to Kuruvilla.

Kuruvilla had filed a civil petition in 2015 seeking to return of Rs 1,60,85,700 deposited with SCOSSA Educational Consultants Private Limited, the first defendant, for setting up a solar power project in Kerala.

According to Kuruvilla, in 2011, he got acquainted with one Binu Nair who claimed to be the Director of Kochi-based SCOSSA.

The petitioner had said that Nair had approached him for setting up the solar power project.

The petition stated that Nair had claimed that one of the directors of SCOSSA, Andrews, was Chandy's first cousin and would be appointed consultant to the project and that he would operate from Abu Dhabi.

Kuruvilla had also submitted that Nair had named one Diljith as another director of SCOSSA who he claimed was the private secretary to Chandy and contended that the former chief minister too was jointly liable to return his money.

On October 24 last, the court had directed six persons, including Chandy, and a firm to together to pay Rs 1,60,85,700 to Kuruvilla with 12 per cent interest per annum for a solar power project that did not materialise.

Chandy had filed two applications appealing against the earlier verdict.

The first plea had challenged the court's ex parte order and the second one sought that his arguments be heard.  -- PTI

The Tamil Nadu government on Saturday allowed multiplex owners in the state to increase the minimum price of the tickets by up to Rs 160 in Chennai and Rs 140 in other cities the state.

Additional goods and services tax of 28 per cent will be applicable now on the base price of the tickets.

The revision in the fares comes after the members of Multiplex Association of India decided to go on strike earlier this week over the imposition of local body tax of 10 per cent over GST.

The association decided to stall the release of Tamil films from October 6.

Previously, the Tamil Nadu government had capped ticket prices at Rs 120.

The revision was made by the high-level committee meeting comprising of government officials, representatives from the Tamil Film Chamber of Commerce, and the Tamil Film Producers' Council.   -- ANI

A Central Reserve Police Force officer was injured on Saturday in an attack by terrorists in the Kulgam district of Jammu and Kashmir, an official said.

Terrorists opened fire at a road opening party of the CRPF at Mir Bazaar in Kulgam district, a police official said.

Sub-inspector Anwar Ali was injured in the incident, he added.

Security forces have cordoned off the area and launched a manhunt for the attackers, the official said.  -- PTI

Image for representation only.

x"The education department has initiated the process to inform all the heads of the schools including aided and government run institutions to put up portrait of the President and Prime Minister in their premises," a senior department official said today.

He said the instructions are part of the Union Ministry of Human Resource Development's (HRD) rule which makes it mandatory for the schools to have portraits of Mahatma Gandhi, B R Ambedkar, the prime minister and the President for the students to know about them.

"There are some children who don't know the name of prime minister or President. That is part of their educational activity," he added.

The state has more than 2,000 schools including primary, middle, secondary and higher secondary institutions.  -- PTI

Prime Minister has begun his speech at a public meeting in Gandhinagar.

- You are IIT-ians, I was a Tea-ian when I was young (I sold tea). On this day, a few years ago, I took oath as chief minister for the first time. Till then, I had never even been an MLA. I had decided that whatever I will do, I will do to the best of my abilities.

- Work is underway to spread digital literacy to every part of India, among all age groups and sections of society.

- In this day and age, we cannot afford to have a digital divide.

- A Digital India guarantees transparency, effective service delivery and good governance.

- If user friendly technology is introduced then we can take the country on the path of digital literacy.   -- Courtesy @PMOIndia/Twitter

The Punjab and Haryana high court today granted interim bail to Ryan International Group CEO Ryan Pinto, and his parents, founding chairman Augustine Pinto and managing director Grace Pinto, in connection with the killing of a seven-year-old student in a Gurugram school run by the group.

The court has also asked the Central Bureau of Investigation, which is probing the case, to submit a report in the matter on December 5.

"High Court Justice Surinder Gupta today granted interim bail to them (the three trustees) till December 5," said Arshdeep Singh Cheema, who along with Sandeep Kapur, appeared for the Pinto family.

They have also been asked by the court to join the investigation whenever called by the CBI, Cheema said.

"The CBI has also been asked by the high court to submit a report in this matter on December 5," said Cheema.

On September 28, the high court had stayed the arrest of the three trustees of the Ryan group, who had sought anticipatory bail in this case.

Ryan Pinto, and his parents had approached the high court on September 16, seeking anticipatory bail in connection with the student's killing.

Class 2 student Pradhyumn Thakur was found with his throat slit in a school washroom on September 8.

Schoolbus conductor Ashok Kumar was arrested in connection with the crime.

There was nation-wide outrage over the child's killing and allegations were levelled against the school management also.

On September 25, the high court had impleaded CBI as a respondent in a petition seeking bail for the three Ryan International Group trustees.

The Haryana government had earlier recommended a CBI probe in the matter.

The premier investigating agency took over the case on September 22.  -- PTI

The newly-elected members of the Delhi unit of Congress today unanimously adopted a resolution urging Rahul Gandhi to take over as the party's president. Gandhi is currently the Congress vice president and there have been reports that he could soon take over its presidency.

Speaking to PTI this week, Rajasthan Congress chief Sachin Pilot said Gandhi may take over as Congress president after Diwali and the time was ripe for him to 'lead from the front'.

Today, a resolution seeking Gandhi's elevation to the president's position was unanimously passed by 280 delegates of the Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee.

Former prime minister Manmohan Singh attended the meeting as a delegate from the New Delhi assembly constituency.

The Congress is currently conducting organisational polls, including for the post of president.

The Election Commission has set a December deadline for the Congress to conclude the exercise.

The All India Congress Committee, however, plans to complete the process by the end of this month.

Another resolution passed in the meeting authorised the AICC president and the vice-president to nominate the president of the Delhi unit of the party.

Ajay Maken, the Delhi Congress president, said the election of former prime minister Singh as a PCC delegate was a matter of pride for the Delhi unit of the party.

Others who attended the meeting included AICC general secretary Janardhan Dwivedi, Delhi Congress in-charge P C Chacko, Delhi Pradesh returning officer Ulhas Patil and APRO Manoj Chouhan. Patil said the organisational elections in the Delhi unit of the party have been conducted in a tranparent manner.

A total of 280 delegates have been elected by block-level party workers across the 70 assembly segments in Delhi.  -- PTI

The Indian Meteorological Department has forecast showers coupled with thunder and lightning over the next few hours in Mumbai.

According to IMD's forecast, Mumbai will experience 'loud peals of thunder with frequent lightning flashes, moderate to heavy spell of rain and maximum wind speed 29 to 74 Kmph', a Times of India report said.

The forecast is valid up to 5.53 pm today.

Photograph: Sahil Salvi

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman today made an aerial survey of the Doklam-Nathula area on the Sino-India border, a day after the government said the status quo at the site has not changed since the disengagement on August 28.

Sikkim government officials said the defence minister also made a survey of the new Pakyong Airport in East Sikkim and neighbouring areas this afternoon.

Sitharaman is on a day-long visit to Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim today.

The survey follows the external affairs ministry statement yesterday that there were no new developments at the India-China military face-off site in Doklam and its vicinity since the August 28 disengagement.

The statement had come amidst reports that China has maintained a sizeable presence of its troops near the Doklam standoff site and even started widening an existing road around 12 km from the area of face-off.

"We have seen recent press reports on Doklam...The status quo prevails in this area. Any suggestion to the contrary is incorrect," the external affairs ministry had said in the statement.  -- PTI

Image only for representation.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday claimed that his government has been successful in bringing waters of the Narmada River to villages.

Addressing a rally in Rajkot, Prime Minister Modi said, "The definition of development is changing. Earlier, a hand pump would be put and a leader would use that for multiple elections. Things have changed now. We are bringing the waters of the Narmada here for the benefit of citizens."

He added that because of the Narmada waters, new employment opportunities will come up in Surendranagar and it will also become an important place for education.

He asserted that drip irrigation can be adopted in Surendranagar, with the help of the Narmada.

"If Surendranagar adopts drip irrigation, one cannot imagine the scale of development, and thanks to the Narmada, that will happen," said the Prime Minister.

Describing Gujarat as a 'water scarce state' that needs to be revolutionised, Prime Minister Modi said that, "By 2022, make a pledge to revolutionise agriculture by bringing micro-irrigation in agriculture."

On aviation for Rajkot he said, "Our government has made policies of aviation and taken responsibility to connect the smallest of places by air."

He also said that his government has made aviation affordable and within the reach of the less privileged.Speaking about Rajkot Airport, which he had inaugurated today, Prime Minister Modi said that the government needed only four percent of farmland for the airport.

"We need to take only four percent of land from farmlands for this airport. Ninety six percent of barren land has been taken for this so far," he said.

He said the day is not far when Rajkot Airport will offer international services.

Foundation stone for the greenfield was laid airport at Hirasar in Rajkot district.  -- ANI

Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray has said that the time of final decision has come, replying to questions on his party's decision on remaining a part of the National Democratic Alliance.

"We don't give ultimatum to anyone. We take decision whenever we think so,' he said.

Criticising the Bharatiya Janata Party-led central government, he said, "People are still not happy. Petrol prices are still high, inflation is still up."

On revised rules of goods and services tax, he said, "I thank central government for reducing tax slabs under GST but will it refund the tax collected so far?"

"I'm not an economist to comment on yesterday's announcements, but I must say that the previous government stood firm on its decisions. Now decisions are being changed following opposition and dissatisfaction among people," the Sena chief said.

Reacting to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's statements that the new GST rules are like an early Diwali for people, Thackeray said, "Changes announced by GST Council are not Diwali gift. Several more changes are required. These changes were announced in light of forthcoming Gujarat election."

On questions of giving an ultimatum to the BJP, he replied, "Time of a final decision has come. We're here to serve people and will continue doing that." -- as reported by ANI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today condoled the death of filmmaker Kundan Shah and said he would be remembered for his wonderful use of humour and satire to showcase the struggles of common people.

The noted director, best known for the dark comedy Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro, died of a heart attack at his Mumbai home this morning.

'Anguished by the passing away of Shri Kundan Shah. He will be remembered for his wonderful usage of humour and satire to showcase the life & struggles of common citizens,' Modi tweeted.

'My thoughts are with his family & admirers. May his soul rest in peace,' the prime minister added.  -- PTI

United States President Donald Trump will send his top diplomatic and military advisers to Pakistan in the coming weeks, turning up the heat on Islamabad.

Weeks after Trump angrily accused Islamabad of providing safe haven to 'agents of chaos', Secretary of State Rex Tillerson plans to leave for Pakistan later this month.

He will be followed by Secretary of Defence James Mattis, according to sources.

The visits are intended to deliver Trump's message to Pakistan that state support to terror groups has to end, according to officials.

Washington, DC has long been frustrated by Pakistan's willingness to offer cross-border safe havens to Taliban factions and armed Islamist groups fighting US troops and their Afghan allies.

"We have been paying Pakistan billions and billions of dollars at the same time they are housing the very terrorists that we are fighting," Trump had said in August.

But in the six weeks since Trump signalled that tougher tone, there have been very few signs that the equations in South Asia has changed.

Mattis told Congress this week that he will try 'one more time' to 'see if we can make this work'.

However, Pakistan's foreign minister Khawaja Asif, who visited Washington, DC recently, appeared unwavering.

He lashed out at 'hollow allegations' about Pakistan harbouring terrorists as 'not acceptable'.

"That is not the way you talk to 70-year-old friends," Asif said bitterly.

"Instead of accusations and threats we should cooperate with each other for the peace in the region," he said while confirming Tillerson's visit.

Earlier this month a US drone killed three suspected militants in an attack on a compound in Pakistan's tribal region.

Pakistani officials complain of receiving mixed messages from the Trump administration, which is still struggling to find its feed under a mercurial commander-in- chief.

A September meeting in New York between Vice President Mike Pence and Pakistan Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi was said to be cordial, despite Trump's fire and brimstone rhetoric.

"It was a very good meeting with the vice president," said Asif.

After that, Pakistan officials said, they were surprised at a tougher tone outlined in public by Mattis and in private by Trump's National Security Adviser HR McMaster. -- With agency inputs

The Prime Minister is addressing a public meeting in Dwarka, Gujarat after laying foundation stone for a bridge between Okha and Bet Dwarka:

- Today, I am seeing a very different mood here in Dwarka. There is tremendous enthusiasm here. What we are working towards is not merely a bridge to reach Bet Dwarka, it connects us to our history and culture.

- I still recall how tough it was for people of Bet Dwarka. Lack of infrastructure meant transportation was tough, people faced difficulties if an emergency came up. We wanted to change this with a push on infrastructure.

- Development of the tourism sector cannot be in isolation. If we want to draw more tourists to Gir, we should also inspire the tourist to visit other parts like Dwarka.

- Building of infrastructure should enhance economic activities and add to the atmosphere of development.

- When Madhavsinh Solanki ji was CM, I recall front page advertisements for the CM coming to Jamnagar to inaugurate a water tank. This is how narrow their conception of development was. We have come a long way since then and are looking at more all round and extensive progress.

- We want development of ports and port-led development. The blue economy should help further the progress of India.

- Government of India is taking steps towards the empowerment of fishermen. We do not want our fishermen to live in poverty. We want to create more opportunities for them.

- Kandla Port is seeing unprecedented growth. This is because we devoted resources to improve the port. New lease of life was added to Alang, steps were taken for the welfare of the labourers working there. These are steps we are taking towards development.

- Marine policing is a sector we are looking at very closely. We are modernising marine security apparatus. An institute for this will be set up in this Devbhoomi of Dwarka. It will draw people and experts from all over India.

- Diwali has come early for our citizens due to the decisions taken in the GST Council. We had said we will study all aspects relating to GST for three months, including the shortcomings. And thus, the decisions were taken with consensus at the GST Council.

- When there is trust in a government and when policies are made with best intentions, it is natural for people to support us for the best interests of the nation.

- The common citizen of India wants the fruits of development to reach him or her. Nobody wants their children to live in poverty. We want to help our people fulfil that dream and want to fight poverty.

- The world's attention is being drawn to India. People are coming to invest here. All this will bring opportunities for the people of India. I see Gujarat contributing actively to the development of India and congratulate the Gujarat government.

Courtesy @PMOIndia/Twitter

Writer-Director Kundan Shah, known best for his comedy classic Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro and TV series Nukkad, has died, reports say.

He reportedly died of a heart attack today.

Confirming his death, Director Hansal Mehta tweeted, 'Jaane bhi do yaaron... RIP Kundan Shah. Sad news.'

Filmmaker Vikram Bhatt tweeted, Kundan Shah, the man who gave us the unforgettable Jaane bhi do yaaro leaves us. He is gone... He lives on...

Shah was one of the national awardees who returned their awards in 2015 in solidarity with the protesting students of Film and Television Institute of India and 'growing intolerance in the country'.

Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro was Shah's directorial debut which earned him a National Award.

Shah then started to work in television. He was one of the directors of the popular sitcom Yeh Jo Hai Zindagi.

In 1985-1986 he directed the TV series Nukkad along with Saeed Akhtar Mirza.

In 1988, he started directing sitcom, Wagle Ki Duniya, based on cartoonist, R K Laxman's character, the common man, starring Anjan Srivastav.

Shah made a comeback to cinema in 1993 with Shah Rukh Khan starrer Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa. He wrote the screenplay for the film. In 1994, Shah won the Filmfare Critics Award for Best Movie for the film. He was the first filmmaker to win this award.

In 1998, Shah directed another acclaimed film, Kya Kehna.

Shah's next releases were Hum To Mohabbat Karega (2000) starring Bobby Deol and Karisma Kapoor, Dil Hai Tumhara (2002), and Ek Se Badhkar Ek (2004).  -- Agencies

Prime Minister Narendra Modi offers prayers at Dwarkadhish Temple in Gujarat's Dwarka.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives in Gujarat for 2-days visit. 

Internet services suspended in Srinagar and Budgam in Jammu and Kashmir to stop braid chopping rumors.