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Thu, 28 June 2018
Pakistan rejects video clips of Indian surgical strikes
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23:28 Pakistan rejects video clips of Indian surgical strikes
Pakistan today rejected purported video clips circulated in the Indian media about the Indian Army's 2016 surgical strikes on terror launch pads across the border, calling India's claim as "farcical".
Several Indian TV channels showed video clips reportedly of the surgical strikes which were carried out on terror launch pads across the border in September, 2016.
Reacting to the video, Pakistan Foreign Office spokesman Mohammad Faisal said, I have said it before and will say it again. The farcical claims of surgical strikes is a figment of Indian imagination and nothing else! They may dream on".
Talking about the controversy regarding visit of Indian high commissioner to a Sikh Gurdwara, he said the Sikhs have been protesting against the release of a controversial movie that has hurt their religious sentiments.
The Indian high commission was informed about the escalated situation and the heightened anti-India sentiments of the Sikhs and agreed to cancel their visit. Any attempts to politicise the sentiments of a religious community would be regrettable and counterproductive, he said.
He said the Pakistan high commission in New Delhi issued visas to more than 300 Indian Sikhs to participate in their religious event and a special train was arranged by Pakistan to transport the pilgrims from Attari to Wagah.
To a question about transfer of FIA officer in-charge of the Mumbai attack probe, Mazhar-ul-Haq, he said the matter of the Mumbai trial has been ongoing for the past 10 years or so.
The officers in-charge have been changed during this time, but the state functions continue uninterrupted, he claimed.
-- PTI
23:07 2 Mexican women molested in Jaipur; accused sent to police remand
The general manager of a five-star hotel in Jaipur has been remanded to three-day police custody for allegedly molesting two Mexican women tourists at the hotel on Tuesday night.
Rishi Raj Singh, 40, was arrested last night on the basis of the complaint by the women and the CCTV camera footage of the hotel, DCP (South) Vikas Pathak said.
Pathak said the women had checked into the hotel on Tuesday and the general manager molested them later that night.
The SHO of Vidhayakpuri police station, where the FIR was filed yesterday, said the women have left for New Delhi and a team is being sent there to record their statements.
"The accused was produced before a local court where the magistrate remanded him to police custody till June 30," the SHO said.
The accused has been booked on various charges, including assault or using criminal force on a woman with intent to outrage her modesty.
-- PTI
22:40 Cong asks Modi to follow Kabir's teachings; hits out at not covering head at mausoleum
The Congress today took a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his visit to poet-saint Kabir Das's village in Uttar Pradesh, and hoped that he would "change his track" by "uniting" people instead of "dividing" them, as preached by the 15th century poet.
Congress leader Pramod Tiwari said Sant Kabir preached Hindu-Muslim unity and worked towards uniting people of all religions and faiths, while Modi and the BJP were dividing the society.
"Modi ji has gone to the right place today. But Sant Kabir had a principle, but Modi ji has all his life worked against such principles. Kabir preached Hindu-Muslim unity and brought people of all religions and faiths together all his life, while Modi ji and the BJP have tried to create a wedge between religions," he told reporters.
"I pray that Modi ji draws inspiration from Sant Kabir and changes his track and hope he follows the path shown by Kabir. Otherwise, his (Modi's) history is of dividing religions and not uniting them," he said.
Tiwari also lamented that Modi did not cover his head when he paid obeisance at Kabir's 'mazar' in Maghar village in Sant Kabir Nagar district of Uttar Pradesh today.
The Congress leader said whenever one visits a place like this, a head gear is worn as a mark of respect.
Tiwari also hit out at Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for reportedly refusing to wear a skull cap at the Kabir mausoleum.
"The skull cap was given to him as he was going to the 'mazar' of Kabir in order to cover his head. It would have been better if Yogi Adityanath had covered his head even by a handkerchief," he said.
-- PTI
22:24 Delhi minister says cops refused to file FIR against cutting of trees
Delhi Environment Minister Imran Hussain today alleged the police refused to register an FIR in connection with felling of trees in the Netaji Nagar in violation of a high court order, and wrote to city police chief Amulya Patnaik seeking his intervention.
Hussain had earlier this week said he received a complaint from environment activist Vimlendu Jha that trees were being cut at the Netaji Nagar despite the stay by the Delhi high court till July 4.
He directed the Forest Department to lodge an FIR against the people responsible for it. But Hussain said the police were refusing to file an FIR in the case and sought Patnaik's intervention in the matter.
He has also asked for an appointment with the police commissioner to discuss the matter.
The proposal to cut tress was made for re-development of seven colonies in the South Delhi.
Under the redevelopment project, the NBCC and the CPWD will be building 25,667 government flats which will also have arrangements for 70,000 underground car parking.
The government-owned real estate development body NBCC is redeveloping Sarojini Nagar, Netaji Nagar, Nauroji Nagar, while the Central Public Works Department is managing the rest four colonies in Kasturba Nagar, Thyagraj Nagar, Srinivaspuri and Mohammadpur.
The re-development would require chopping off of over 14,000 trees.
The proposal to cut tress triggered a massive protest following which the NBCC and the CPWD agreed in the high court to halt the felling of trees till July 4.
-- PTI
22:02 Iran the 'next North Korea', India should re-think ties: Haley
Dubbing Iran as a "threat" and "the next North Korea", US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley today said her country will encourage India to rethink its relationship with Iran and decide whether it wants to continue doing business with it.
Her remarks assume significance as they come after the US told India and other countries to cut oil imports from Iran to "zero" by November 4 or face sanctions, making it clear that there would be no waivers to anyone.
Haley, here on her first visit after becoming the US Ambassador to the UN, said in an address that Iran is a "theocratic dictatorship" that abuses its people, funds terrorism, and spreads conflict throughout the Middle East.
The Tehran regime is the hidden, and sometimes not-so-hidden, force behind most of the conflict in the region, she said.
Replying to questions after her address, the 46-year-old Indian-American said she had discussed the issue of India's business with Iran with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
"We do have this in terms of our dialogue because I think that India also recognises the threats of Iran. We understand the logisitics becoming a play with Iran but we have to always make sure that the priority is peace and security," Haley said.
Later, in an interview to NDTV, she said India should rethink its relationship with Iran, as the US gets set to impose sanctions against those doing business with Tehran.
-- PTI
21:31 UK blamed for allowing 'inexcusable' torture by US after 9/11 attacks
Britain's intelligence officers and ministers have been blamed for allowing "inexcusable" torture by the US in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in New York.
A damning UK parliamentary report released today concluded that British authorities turned a blind eye to the routine mistreatment of detainees by US authorities. The cross-party House of Commons' Intelligence and Security Committee said UK intelligence agencies, like MI6 and GCHQ, knew what was going on from an early point but failed to act.
"In addition to individual cases, we have considered the actions of those in the agencies' head offices. Immediately after 9/11, the agency heads and deputies were briefed by the CIA. These briefings clearly showed US intent but were not taken seriously," the report noted, adding, "In our view the UK tolerated actions, and took others, that we regard as inexcusable".
"It is difficult to comprehend how those at the top of the office did not recognise the pattern of mistreatment by the US. That the US, and others, were mistreating detainees is beyond doubt, as is the fact that the agencies and defence intelligence were aware of this at an early point," it says.
"The same is true of rendition: there was no attempt to identify the risks involved and formulate the UK's response," it added.
MPs also found three cases in which Britain's spy agencies MI6 and MI5 "made, or offered to make, a financial contribution to others to conduct a rendition operation".
"Given the countries concerned, these can be described as 'extraordinary renditions' due to the real risk of torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment," it said.
MPs found that British spies had seen detainees being mistreated at least 13 times and were told by prisoners on 25 other occasions that they were being mistreated. On another 128 occasions, they were told of mistreatment by foreign agencies.
-- PTI
21:13 Nirav Modi did not have more than one Indian passport: MEA
The ministry of external affairs has written to several European countries seeking help in tracing bank fraud fugitive Nirav Modi even as it asserted that he did not have more than one Indian passport in his possession.
MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said the ministry has also sent messages to all its missions abroad to get in touch with local governments to deny entry to Modi and inform India if he was residing there.
There were reports that Modi, wanted in connection with Punjab National Bank fraud case, may have visited the UK, France and Belgium in the past few weeks.
"We have sent a message to all our missions as well as to select countries requesting the help of the local government in denying entry and to inform us if he is residing in their country," Kumar said during a media briefing.
Kumar also said that Modi was issued a fresh passport only after his previous passport were physically cancelled.
"At no time, he had more than one valid passport in his possession. You are all aware that in February, based on the advise of our agencies, his passport was initially suspended and then revoked," Kumar said.
His clarification comes following reports that Modi had multiple passports.
"The revocation notice was sent to all passport issuing authorities in India and abroad as well as to all our Missions and Posts. Intimation was also given to the agencies on this matter," said Kumar.
Sources said Modi cannot be arrested abroad unless the Interpol issues a red corner notice against Modi.
-- PTI
21:13 It's the final word on Priyanka Chopra
Two years after the sublime Shashi Kapoor: The Householder, the Star, columnist, writer, journalist and man of many seasons, Aseem Chhabra, announces his new book, on who else, but Priyanka Chopra.
Published by Rupa, the book will be out mid July. Chhabra, shared the news on Instagram saying he was excited to share the news of his book on #PriyankaChopra.
You can pre-order the book on Amazon or Flipkart.
Chop chop.
Published by Rupa, the book will be out mid July. Chhabra, shared the news on Instagram saying he was excited to share the news of his book on #PriyankaChopra.
You can pre-order the book on Amazon or Flipkart.
Chop chop.
20:15 Final draft of NRC not to be released on June 30
The final draft of Assam's National Register of Citizens will not be released on June 30, as scheduled, due to the heavy floods in the Barak Valley, NRC state coordinator Prateek Hajela said today.
He added that a petition was filed in the Supreme Court last week, seeking more time to prepare the draft and the apex court had fixed the date of hearing on July 2. The NRC is being updated under the Supreme Court's supervision.
It would not be possible to publish the draft on the scheduled date of June 30 due to the flood situation in Cachar, Karimganj and Hailakandi districts in the Barak Valley, parts of Karbi Anglong and Hojai, Hajela said.
"We tried our best to complete (the draft) within the deadline and recover the time lost due to the floods, but were not able to do so," he told reporters.
"We have made considerable progress in the last few days and will most likely be in a position to publish the draft on the next date fixed by the Supreme Court," Hajela added.
Replying to a query, he said adequate precautions were being taken to ensure the safety of the documents in the flood-affected areas.
Meanwhile, security across the state has been stepped up ahead of the publication of the draft and the state government has sought more security forces from the Centre to prevent any untoward incident.
-- PTI
19:56 India asks refiners to look at alternatives as it looks to cut Iranian oil imports
India has asked its oil firms to prepare a blueprint of alternatives sources as it considers acquiescing to US President Donald Trump's demands for ending oil imports from Iran by November 4, government and industry officials said today.
While New Delhi says it does not recognise unilateral restrictions imposed by the US on any country and instead follows UN sanctions, oil firms have been asked to be prepared for channels to pay for Iranian oil getting blocked by November, following sanctions against the Persian Gulf nation, they said.
Imports from Iran, which currently is India's third largest supplier of oil after Iraq and Saudi Arabia, are likely to come down and will have to be replaced with more purchases from Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, they said, adding imports from Iran after November 4 will be possible only if Iran accepts alternates like rupee payments.
The Trump administration is piling pressure on India, China, and other buyers to end all imports of Iranian oil by a November 4 deadline as it looks to choke the Persian Gulf state's economic lifeline with sanctions over its nuclear programme.
While a final view on the US asking India and China to cut Iranian oil imports has not yet been taken, the petroleum ministry has asked refiners to tread cautiously and start looking at alternatives.
Oil Minister Dharmendra Pradhan in Mumbai said India will decide on Iranian imports keeping its best interest in mind.
"Our basket (of crude imports) has become multi-country. There may be no country in the world that we have a problem getting oil from. We buy from Latin America, we buy from Brunei. When the US became an exporter, Indian companies were first to buy," he told reporters on sidelines of an industry event in Mumbai.
India, he said, is keeping its basket of imports open and will buy oil at competitive prices.
"When we decide on Iran we will inform you," he said.
"India is a stable market and a mature democracy. We have a vigilant leadership. We go by our interests."
-- PTI
19:49 Mumbai plane crash: Black box recovered
The black box of the chartered plane that crashed in Mumbai's Ghatkopar, has been recovered. There were fears that it may not be recovered after locals trampled all over the crash site as the Mumbai police and fire brigade personnel tried to sanitise and cordon off the site. An aircraft's black box records cockpit conversation and airspeed, altitude, vertical acceleration and fuel flow and provides crucial clues to the reason behind a plane crash.
Five persons were killed when a 12-seater aircraft crashed in a crowded Mumbai suburb today, the second air mishap in Maharashtra in as many days. Those killed include two pilots and two aircraft maintenance engineers on board and a pedestrian in the Ghatkopar area where the plane crashed, police said.
Read the report here.
Image: The wreckage of the chartered plane that crashed in Ghatkopar.
Five persons were killed when a 12-seater aircraft crashed in a crowded Mumbai suburb today, the second air mishap in Maharashtra in as many days. Those killed include two pilots and two aircraft maintenance engineers on board and a pedestrian in the Ghatkopar area where the plane crashed, police said.
Read the report here.
Image: The wreckage of the chartered plane that crashed in Ghatkopar.
19:25 MEA denies receiving request for Rahul's visit for Kailash Mansarovar Yatra
The ministry of external affairs on Thursday said that the ministry has not received any formal request for Congress president Rahul Gandhi's visit for Kailash Mansarovar Yatra.
Addressing the media, MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said, "We have not received any formal request for Rahul Gandhi's visit to Kailash Mansarovar Yatra."
Reportedly, the Congress had claimed that Gandhi applied for special permission, which is normally granted to Members of Parliament but was yet to receive an answer so far from the MEA.
While addressing a rally on April 30, the Congress President had announced that he will undertake the Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage post-Karnataka assembly elections.
Gandhi had stated that the thought of the yatra struck his mind when he was travelling to Karnataka in a chartered aircraft that suddenly descended by 8,000 feet due to a technical snag.
This year's Kailash Mansarovar Yatra had started on June 8.
The four-month travel period of the pilgrimage starts in June. Thousands of Indian pilgrims take part in the Yatra every year via Nepal in the Tibetan Autonomous Region of China ahead of the monsoon season.
The tour is organised by the MEA each year between June and September in cooperation with the government of People's Republic of China, through two different routes - Lipulekh Pass (Uttarakhand) and Nathu La Pass (Sikkim).
The NathuLa route was opened to Indian pilgrims in 2015. After crossing over the Nathu La pass, Indian pilgrims are ferried by Chinese transportation to Kailash.
-- ANI
18:49 Indians' money in Swiss banks rise 50 per cent to Rs 7,000 crore
Money parked by Indians in Swiss banks rose over 50 per cent to CHF 1.01 billion (Rs 7,000 crore) in 2017, reversing a three-year downward trend amid India's clampdown on suspected black money stashed there.
In comparison, the total funds held by all foreign clients of Swiss banks rose about 3 per cent to CHF 1.46 trillion or about Rs 100 lakh crore in 2017, according to the official annual data released today by Swiss National Bank, the central banking authority of the Alpine nation.
The surge in Indian money held with Swiss banks comes as a surprise given India's continuing clampdown on suspected black money stashed abroad, including in banks of Switzerland that used to be known for their famed secrecy walls for years.
The Indian money in Swiss banks had fallen by 45 per cent in 2016, marking their biggest ever yearly plunge, to CHF 676 million (about Rs 4,500 crore) -- the lowest ever since the European nation began making the data public in 1987.
According to the SNB data, the total funds held by Indians directly with Swiss banks rose to 999 million Swiss franc (Rs 6,891 crore) in 2017, while the same held through fiduciaries or wealth managers increased to CHF 16.2 million (Rs 112 crore). These figures stood at CHF 664.8 million and CHF 11 million, respectively, at the end of 2016.
As per the latest data, the Indian money in Swiss banks included CHF 464 million (Rs 3,200 crore) in the form of customer deposits, CHF 152 million (Rs 1,050 crore) through other banks and CHF 383 million (Rs 2,640 crore) as 'other liabilities' such as securities at the end of 2017.
The funds under all three heads have risen sharply, as against a huge plunge across all categories in the previous year, the SNB data showed.
18:33 Delhi Police recover knife used for killing army major's wife
The Delhi Police on Thursday recovered the knife that was used in the murder of Army Majors wife Shailja Dwivedi, sources told news agency ANI. This comes two days after the police clarified that the weapon they earlier had in their custody wasnt the one used by the accused.
West Delhi police DCP Vijay Kumar had said, "The weapon that we have in our custody is not the weapon with which Shailaja was killed." He had further said that the accused, Major Nikhil Handa, was giving misleading information day after day, adding, "We have done 90% of the work and in coming days the truth will come out."
The 40-year-old army major was arrested from Uttar Pradesh's Meerut on June 24, 2018, for allegedly killing a fellow officer's wife in west Delhi.
The woman's body was found with her throat slit near the Brar Square in the Delhi Cantonment area on June 23. Kumar had said earlier that the accused, Major Handa, was "obsessed" with the victim and wanted to marry her.
18:10 Trump, Putin to hold summit meeting in Helsinki on July 16
US President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin will hold a summit meeting on July 16 in Helsinki, Finland, the White House announced today.
They "will meet on July 16, 2018, in Helsinki, Finland," White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said. "The two leaders will discuss relations between the United States and Russia and a range of national security issues," Sanders said in a statement.
The announcement of the date and venue comes a day after Putin's adviser Yuri Ushakov in Moscow said the two leaders will meet in a third country. The summit will include one-on-one talks between the presidents and conclude with a joint news conference, Ushakov said, adding that the two leaders are expected to issue a joint statement.
They "will meet on July 16, 2018, in Helsinki, Finland," White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said. "The two leaders will discuss relations between the United States and Russia and a range of national security issues," Sanders said in a statement.
The announcement of the date and venue comes a day after Putin's adviser Yuri Ushakov in Moscow said the two leaders will meet in a third country. The summit will include one-on-one talks between the presidents and conclude with a joint news conference, Ushakov said, adding that the two leaders are expected to issue a joint statement.
-- PTI
File pic.
File pic.
18:00 US backs India's membership in Nuclear Suppliers Group: Haley
US Ambassador to United Nations Nikki Haley, who is on a three-day visit to India, on Thursday, said the United States supports India's membership in Nuclear Suppliers Group.
Addressing a press gathering, Haley said, "India, a nuclear state, is respected widely because it is a responsible democracy. US also supports India's membership in Nuclear Suppliers Group."
The NSG is a group of nuclear supplier countries controls the export of materials, equipment and technology that can be used to manufacture nuclear weapons.In 2010, former US President Barack Obama also announced U.S. support for India's participation in the NSG.
Addressing a press gathering, Haley said, "India, a nuclear state, is respected widely because it is a responsible democracy. US also supports India's membership in Nuclear Suppliers Group."
The NSG is a group of nuclear supplier countries controls the export of materials, equipment and technology that can be used to manufacture nuclear weapons.In 2010, former US President Barack Obama also announced U.S. support for India's participation in the NSG.
17:55 Pakistan becoming safe haven for terrorism: Nikki Haley
United States Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley, who is on a three-day visit to India, on Thursday stated that Pakistan is becoming a safe haven for terrorists.
She said that even though Pakistan is a partner to the United States, terrorism operating on the Pakistan soil would not be tolerated by them.
"We share a commitment to defeating terrorism and the hateful ideology that motivates it. The US values Pakistan as a partner but we cannot tolerate the state becoming a haven for terrorists and hope to see a change," Haley said.
Earlier in the day, Haley met External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, and both the leaders held a discussion on various topics like UN reforms, counter-terrorism and leadership roles of women in India.
On Wednesday, Haley had called on Prime Minister Modi and discussed ways to enhance cooperation between the two countries, including on counter-terrorism.
They expressed confidence that strong India-US partnership would continue to be an important factor for global peace and prosperity.The 46-year-old diplomat, who is the highest-ranked Indian-American in US President Donald Trump's administration, last visited India in 2014, when she was the South Carolina Governor. -- ANI
She said that even though Pakistan is a partner to the United States, terrorism operating on the Pakistan soil would not be tolerated by them.
"We share a commitment to defeating terrorism and the hateful ideology that motivates it. The US values Pakistan as a partner but we cannot tolerate the state becoming a haven for terrorists and hope to see a change," Haley said.
Earlier in the day, Haley met External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, and both the leaders held a discussion on various topics like UN reforms, counter-terrorism and leadership roles of women in India.
On Wednesday, Haley had called on Prime Minister Modi and discussed ways to enhance cooperation between the two countries, including on counter-terrorism.
They expressed confidence that strong India-US partnership would continue to be an important factor for global peace and prosperity.The 46-year-old diplomat, who is the highest-ranked Indian-American in US President Donald Trump's administration, last visited India in 2014, when she was the South Carolina Governor. -- ANI
17:43 Fadnavis visits plane crash site
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis visits the site of the chartered plane crash in Mumbai's Ghatkopar. The CM said it was a worrying incident. "What were the reasons behind the crash and who is responsible for it needs to be found out."
Five people lost their lives in the crash. Read the report here.
Five people lost their lives in the crash. Read the report here.
17:39 Complete passport formalities of autistic child at home: HC
The Bombay High Court has allowed a US national to adopt a 12-year-old autistic boy and directed the passport office to complete the travel document formalities at his residence.
Justice Gautam Patel gave the direction yesterday while hearing a petition filed by a 59-year-old American woman to legally adopt the child. According to the rules of the Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA), any foreigner wanting to adopt an Indian child needs to take permission from a high court.
Giving a go ahead for the adoption, the court noted that it would not be possible for the boy to go to the passport office for the required formalities. "It seems to me that it will be exceedingly difficult for the boy to wait in the passport office while his application is processed. His condition will not permit this," Justice Patel said. Terming it as a special case, the court directed the Regional Passport Office to complete the necessary procedure at the residence, where the boy would be more comfortable.
The child is currently residing in neighbouring Thane district with the US national. According to the petition, the boy, born in February 2006 in Bihar, was found abandoned in a hospital there in 2010. The hospital contacted the police which failed to trace his parents. In the meanwhile, the boy's temporary custody was handed over to the petitioner, who works with NGOs to create awareness about autism. The woman later sought to legally adopt him. -- PTI
Justice Gautam Patel gave the direction yesterday while hearing a petition filed by a 59-year-old American woman to legally adopt the child. According to the rules of the Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA), any foreigner wanting to adopt an Indian child needs to take permission from a high court.
Giving a go ahead for the adoption, the court noted that it would not be possible for the boy to go to the passport office for the required formalities. "It seems to me that it will be exceedingly difficult for the boy to wait in the passport office while his application is processed. His condition will not permit this," Justice Patel said. Terming it as a special case, the court directed the Regional Passport Office to complete the necessary procedure at the residence, where the boy would be more comfortable.
The child is currently residing in neighbouring Thane district with the US national. According to the petition, the boy, born in February 2006 in Bihar, was found abandoned in a hospital there in 2010. The hospital contacted the police which failed to trace his parents. In the meanwhile, the boy's temporary custody was handed over to the petitioner, who works with NGOs to create awareness about autism. The woman later sought to legally adopt him. -- PTI
17:35 PNB Scam: ED files chargesheet against Mehul Choksi
The Enforcement Directorate on Thursday filed a prosecution complaint against Gitanjali Gems owner Mehul Choksi before Mumbai Prevention of Money Laundering Act Special court, in connection with the Punjab National Bank fraud case.
Choksi and 13 other entities, including eight individuals and five companies, have been charged under section 4 of PMLA, 2002 Act for the offence of money laundering.
The ED initiated money laundering case against Choksi in February, on the basis of the FIR filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation.
On June 27, Choksi moved an application in the Mumbai CBI Special court, seeking cancellation of a non-bailable warrant in connection with the aforementioned case.
Choksi cited ill-health and threat to life as reasons for seeking cancellation.
He had said that it would not be possible for him to travel and attend the court due to ill-health.He had added that he is apprehensive of his safety in India and that he could not even disclose his location to the court at this stage.
On April 8, the Central Bureau of Investigation had issued Non-Bailable Warrants against celebrity jeweller Nirav Modi and his uncle and business partner, Mehul Choksi.
The warrants were issued after a special CBI court in Mumbai allowed the same.
The Punjab National Bank detected a multi-crore scam, wherein Nirav Modi and Choksi had allegedly cheated the bank to the tune of Rs 114 billion, with the purported involvement of a few employees of the bank.
The scam, which reportedly began in 2011, was detected in the third week of January this year, after which the PNB officials reported it to the concerned agencies. -- ANI
Choksi and 13 other entities, including eight individuals and five companies, have been charged under section 4 of PMLA, 2002 Act for the offence of money laundering.
The ED initiated money laundering case against Choksi in February, on the basis of the FIR filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation.
On June 27, Choksi moved an application in the Mumbai CBI Special court, seeking cancellation of a non-bailable warrant in connection with the aforementioned case.
Choksi cited ill-health and threat to life as reasons for seeking cancellation.
He had said that it would not be possible for him to travel and attend the court due to ill-health.He had added that he is apprehensive of his safety in India and that he could not even disclose his location to the court at this stage.
On April 8, the Central Bureau of Investigation had issued Non-Bailable Warrants against celebrity jeweller Nirav Modi and his uncle and business partner, Mehul Choksi.
The warrants were issued after a special CBI court in Mumbai allowed the same.
The Punjab National Bank detected a multi-crore scam, wherein Nirav Modi and Choksi had allegedly cheated the bank to the tune of Rs 114 billion, with the purported involvement of a few employees of the bank.
The scam, which reportedly began in 2011, was detected in the third week of January this year, after which the PNB officials reported it to the concerned agencies. -- ANI
17:32 AI flight makes emergency landing after bird hit
JUST IN: Air India flight with 124 passengers makes emergency landing at Patna airport after a bird hit it. The flight was bound for Delhi. All passengers are safe.
17:00 Shujaat's murder a Pakistan-based conspiracy, say J-K police
A day after three persons involved in the killing of veteran journalist Shujaat Bukhari were identified by the Jammu and Kashmir Police, the Jammu-Kashmir Police held a press conference giving details about the investigation.
Here's what they had to say:
>> Three LeT militants and a Pak-based Srinagar resident involved in killing journalist Shujaat Bukhari
>> Sajad Gul now based in Pakistan, Azad Ahmed Malik, LeT oeprative from anantnag district, Muzafar Ahmad bhat, LeT, Naveed Jatt have been identified in Shujaat Bukhari murder case
>> The conspiracy to kill Shujaat Bukhari was hatched by LeT in Pakistan
>> We have tangible evidence to establish these were done from Pakistan. The evidence we have in cooperation of service providers is that they belong to Pakistan
15:55 Weather clears, Amarnath yatra begins
The annual Amaranth Yatra to the 3,880-metre high cave shrine in south Kashmir Himalayas began from both Baltal and Pahalgam routes today after a delay of several hours due to heavy rain in the morning.
"The yatra began from Baltal base camp as the first batch of pilgrims made their way towards the holy cave," a spokesperson of the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board told PTI.
The yatra also commences from the traditional Pahalgam route as 59 pilgrims from Chandanwari were allowed to proceed towards the cave shrine, she said Heavy rainfall in the morning delayed commencement of annual Amaranth Yatra. -- PTI
File pic
"The yatra began from Baltal base camp as the first batch of pilgrims made their way towards the holy cave," a spokesperson of the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board told PTI.
The yatra also commences from the traditional Pahalgam route as 59 pilgrims from Chandanwari were allowed to proceed towards the cave shrine, she said Heavy rainfall in the morning delayed commencement of annual Amaranth Yatra. -- PTI
File pic
15:36 CCTV cameras at Kejriwal's residence lagged by 40 minutes on CS assault night: Forensic report
In other news, the time displayed on the CCTV cameras at Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's residence on the night of the alleged attack on Chief Secretary Anshu Prakash was nearly 40 minutes behind the actual time, a forensic report has confirmed, ahead of the filing of the chargesheet in the case.
A senior police officer privy to the investigation said the forensic report was received earlier this week. The report does not mention whether the cameras were tampered with or the clock was altered around the time of the alleged attack on Prakash by AAP MLAs or it was set like this.
On February 23, a police team examined the CCTV system installed at Kejriwal's official residence in Civil Lines area and seized the hard disk connected to the system for investigation.
Fourteen of the CCTV cameras were running while seven did not function. It was found that there was a time lag of 40.43 minutes with respect to the time of the alleged attack, the police had said and now the forensic report has confirmed. The Delhi Police is expected to file a chargesheet in the case soon.
Chief Secretary Prakash was allegedly attacked during a meeting at Kejriwal's official residence on February 19. The police said Kejriwal was present when the attack happened. They have questioned Kejriwal, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and 11 AAP lawmakers present at the meeting. Kejriwal's former advisor V K Jain was also present there. Two AAP lawmakers - Amantullah Khan and Prakash Jarwal - were arrested in the case; Jain was questioned by the police. The alleged attack on Prakash had triggered a bitter tussle between the Delhi government and its bureaucrats. The government had accused the IAS officers, who had protested the alleged attack on Prakash, of boycotting meetings with Delhi ministers. The IAS officers have denied the accusation. -- PTI
Image: Delhi Chief Secretary Anshu Prakash
A senior police officer privy to the investigation said the forensic report was received earlier this week. The report does not mention whether the cameras were tampered with or the clock was altered around the time of the alleged attack on Prakash by AAP MLAs or it was set like this.
On February 23, a police team examined the CCTV system installed at Kejriwal's official residence in Civil Lines area and seized the hard disk connected to the system for investigation.
Fourteen of the CCTV cameras were running while seven did not function. It was found that there was a time lag of 40.43 minutes with respect to the time of the alleged attack, the police had said and now the forensic report has confirmed. The Delhi Police is expected to file a chargesheet in the case soon.
Chief Secretary Prakash was allegedly attacked during a meeting at Kejriwal's official residence on February 19. The police said Kejriwal was present when the attack happened. They have questioned Kejriwal, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and 11 AAP lawmakers present at the meeting. Kejriwal's former advisor V K Jain was also present there. Two AAP lawmakers - Amantullah Khan and Prakash Jarwal - were arrested in the case; Jain was questioned by the police. The alleged attack on Prakash had triggered a bitter tussle between the Delhi government and its bureaucrats. The government had accused the IAS officers, who had protested the alleged attack on Prakash, of boycotting meetings with Delhi ministers. The IAS officers have denied the accusation. -- PTI
Image: Delhi Chief Secretary Anshu Prakash
15:24 Mumbai police reach chartered plane's office
The Mumbai Police at UY Aviation's office, the company that owns the chartered plane that crashed in Mumbai.
Interestingly, one of the three directors of the company, Deepak Kothari. who runs 18 companies is under the umbrella company of Kothari Products Ltd
Kothari is of the Pan Parag family. His brother is the promoter of Rotomac Pens accused of allegedly defaulting on repayment of loans of Rs 2,919 crore.
Interestingly, one of the three directors of the company, Deepak Kothari. who runs 18 companies is under the umbrella company of Kothari Products Ltd
Kothari is of the Pan Parag family. His brother is the promoter of Rotomac Pens accused of allegedly defaulting on repayment of loans of Rs 2,919 crore.
15:16 Two women among crew in plane crash
From the Indian Express: The four on board who are among the five who have died in the crash have been identified as: Pliot: Capt PS Rajput, Co pilot: Maria Zuberi, Aircraft Maintenance Engineer: Surbhi and aircraft technician: Manish Pandey
15:08 Aviation ministry orders probe in chartered plane crash
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau will conduct a detailed probe into a chartered plane crash in Mumbai today, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) today said.
"The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau will conduct a detailed probe into the crash. A DGCA team is already on its way to the spot," Director General of Civil Aviation B S Bhullar told PTI.
Civil Aviation Minister Suresh Prabhu also asked officials to rush to the spot to assist in the relief operations, an official in the ministry said.
He said the minister also asked the investigation authorities to ascertain the cause of the crash.
The small aircraft crashed in Sarvodya Nagar of Ghatkopar area in Mumbai at around 1.30 pm, police said. Police, fire brigade and disaster management teams rushed to the spot, Akhilesh Singh, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone-7) said. Four fire engines have reached the spot, a BMC official said. -- PTI
"The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau will conduct a detailed probe into the crash. A DGCA team is already on its way to the spot," Director General of Civil Aviation B S Bhullar told PTI.
Civil Aviation Minister Suresh Prabhu also asked officials to rush to the spot to assist in the relief operations, an official in the ministry said.
He said the minister also asked the investigation authorities to ascertain the cause of the crash.
The small aircraft crashed in Sarvodya Nagar of Ghatkopar area in Mumbai at around 1.30 pm, police said. Police, fire brigade and disaster management teams rushed to the spot, Akhilesh Singh, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone-7) said. Four fire engines have reached the spot, a BMC official said. -- PTI
14:59 Plane crash site cordoned off
Recap: Five people were killed when a 12-seater Beechcraft King Air C90 chartered aircraft on a test flight crashed in a residential area in Ghatkopar in suburban Mumbai today.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation said two pilots, two Aircraft Maintenance Engineers on board and one person on ground were killed in the crash.
Eyewitnesses reported seeing a ball of flame and a hearing a loud crash at around 1:15 pm.
The plane is believed to have crashed when it was about to land.
Various images posted on Twitter show flames and thick, black smoke rising from the wreckage.
Police, fire brigade and disaster management teams rushed to the spot, Akhilesh Singh, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone-7) told PTI.
A fire brigade official said, "Our control room got a call at 1.15 pm informing a plane crash. Our jawans were immediately rushed at the site to launch the rescue operation. Four fire engines and as many water tankers were rushed to douse the fire that occurred after the plane crashed." The police cordoned off the area, an official said.
Further reports say that the plane was flying on a wrong flight path. Only passenger jets are allowed to fly on this flight path.
A DGCA team is on its way to Mumbai for preliminary investigation into the plane crash. DG Civil Aviation B S Bhullar also said that an Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau will be set up to conduct a detailed probe into the crash.
Principal Secretary Information Avnish Awasthi, Uttar Pradesh, said that he plane which had earlier belonged to the UP government was sold to Mumbai's UY Aviation. The deal was done after the plane had met with an accident in Allahabad.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation said two pilots, two Aircraft Maintenance Engineers on board and one person on ground were killed in the crash.
Eyewitnesses reported seeing a ball of flame and a hearing a loud crash at around 1:15 pm.
The plane is believed to have crashed when it was about to land.
Various images posted on Twitter show flames and thick, black smoke rising from the wreckage.
Police, fire brigade and disaster management teams rushed to the spot, Akhilesh Singh, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone-7) told PTI.
A fire brigade official said, "Our control room got a call at 1.15 pm informing a plane crash. Our jawans were immediately rushed at the site to launch the rescue operation. Four fire engines and as many water tankers were rushed to douse the fire that occurred after the plane crashed." The police cordoned off the area, an official said.
Further reports say that the plane was flying on a wrong flight path. Only passenger jets are allowed to fly on this flight path.
A DGCA team is on its way to Mumbai for preliminary investigation into the plane crash. DG Civil Aviation B S Bhullar also said that an Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau will be set up to conduct a detailed probe into the crash.
Principal Secretary Information Avnish Awasthi, Uttar Pradesh, said that he plane which had earlier belonged to the UP government was sold to Mumbai's UY Aviation. The deal was done after the plane had met with an accident in Allahabad.
14:38 4 passengers, 1 passerby killed in chartered plane crash in Mumbai
Update: News agency PTI says five people have died in the plane crash -- four passengers and one passerby. The plane was a 12-seater aircraft. The wreckage has scattered all over the place.
This is a confirmation from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation: Two pilots, two Aircraft Maintenance Engineers on board & one person on ground are dead in the Mumbai chartered plane crash.
A DGCA team is on its way to Mumbai for preliminary investigation into the plane crash. DG Civil Aviation B S Bhullar also said that an Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau will be set up to conduct a detailed probe into the crash.
Noteworthy is that the plane had crashed earlier as well.
Principal Secretary Information Avnish Awasthi, Uttar Pradesh, said that he plane which had earlier belonged to the UP government was sold to Mumbai's UY Aviation. The deal was done after the plane had met with an accident in Allahabad.
This is a developing story and facts may change.
This is a confirmation from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation: Two pilots, two Aircraft Maintenance Engineers on board & one person on ground are dead in the Mumbai chartered plane crash.
A DGCA team is on its way to Mumbai for preliminary investigation into the plane crash. DG Civil Aviation B S Bhullar also said that an Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau will be set up to conduct a detailed probe into the crash.
Noteworthy is that the plane had crashed earlier as well.
Principal Secretary Information Avnish Awasthi, Uttar Pradesh, said that he plane which had earlier belonged to the UP government was sold to Mumbai's UY Aviation. The deal was done after the plane had met with an accident in Allahabad.
This is a developing story and facts may change.
14:17 UP govt sold plane to pvt company after it met with an accident
Update on the plane crash: The chartered plane which has crashed in Mumbai's Ghatkopar does not belong to the UP government as reported earlier. The UP govt had sold it to Mumbai's UY Aviation. The deal was done after the plane had met with an accident in Allahabad, says Principal Secretary Information Avnish Awasthi, Uttar Pradesh.
Image: Smoke emanates from the crash site at Ghatkopar. Pic: ANI
Image: Smoke emanates from the crash site at Ghatkopar. Pic: ANI
14:15
Fire brigade personnel at the plane crash site in Ghatkopar, Mumbai. One person feared dead, several injured, say reports.
14:11 1 feared dead as chartered plane crashes in Mumbai
To recap, a chartered King Air C90 plane belonging to the Uttar Pradesh government has crashed at Sarvodaya Nagar in Ghatkopar in suburban Mumbai.
Early reports say that the plane was carrying around eight passengers and crashed at around 1:30 pm.
One person is believed to be dead and several injured. At least five fire engines are at the spot, which is near an under-construction building in Ghatkopar. Fire brigade personnel are attempting to rescue passengers stuck inside the plane which is on fire. Several reports point to a passenger on fire.
Police, fire brigade and disaster management teams rushed to the spot, Akhilesh Singh, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone-7) told PTI.
Image: The wreckage of the plane on fire near the under-construction building in Ghatkopar. The picture was tweeted by @khyati_dhanani.
Early reports say that the plane was carrying around eight passengers and crashed at around 1:30 pm.
One person is believed to be dead and several injured. At least five fire engines are at the spot, which is near an under-construction building in Ghatkopar. Fire brigade personnel are attempting to rescue passengers stuck inside the plane which is on fire. Several reports point to a passenger on fire.
Police, fire brigade and disaster management teams rushed to the spot, Akhilesh Singh, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone-7) told PTI.
Image: The wreckage of the plane on fire near the under-construction building in Ghatkopar. The picture was tweeted by @khyati_dhanani.
14:00 One dead, several injured in Mumbai plane crash
ABP News reports that a man on fire could be seen running out of the plane. Republic TV says that the chartered plane belonged to the Uttar Pradesh Government and was a King Air C90. Early reports say that one person is believed to be dead. Several people are believed to be injured, but these are unconfirmed reports. The plane had around eight passengers, say reports.
Image: The wreckage of the plane on fire near the under-construction building in Ghatkopar. The picture was tweeted by @khyati_dhanani.
Image: The wreckage of the plane on fire near the under-construction building in Ghatkopar. The picture was tweeted by @khyati_dhanani.
13:48 Chartered plane crashes at Mumbai's Ghatkopar
Just in: A chartered plane crashes in an open area in Mumbai's Ghatkopar. Fire brigade teams rush to the spot at Sarvoday Nagar. More details awaited.
Early reports say the plane belonged to the UP government. The plane crashed around 1:30 pm, but no details yet on the number of passengers on board. The crash took place near an under construction building.
Early reports say the plane belonged to the UP government. The plane crashed around 1:30 pm, but no details yet on the number of passengers on board. The crash took place near an under construction building.
13:37 Shourie explains his 'farzical's statement
Former Union Minister Arun Shourie clarifies on the statement he is believed to have made at a book launch recently where he slammed the Narendra Modi-led NDA government, calling surgical strikes against Pakistan farzical or fake.
At Congress leader Saifuddin Soz's book release function, Shourie also also said there has been no improvement in the ground situation in Kashmir even after the surgical strike.
Speaking to ANI, Shourie said today, "I never had any doubt on the fact that the strike took place. But to use it for propaganda and to boast about it that 'my chest is 56 inch & I gave a befitting reply to Pakistan', is wrong.
"Two reporters from North Indian channels misconstrued my words. I did not denigrate the services. When I said 'farzical' I meant that the over-hyping of a military strike makes it into a farcical incident.
"Imagine a situation if strikes would have happened during Atalji's time & people would have asked him, he would've had a twinkle in his eye and said "Really a strike has happened?". Today the credibility of the govt is so low that they have to provide video proof when asked."
At Congress leader Saifuddin Soz's book release function, Shourie also also said there has been no improvement in the ground situation in Kashmir even after the surgical strike.
Speaking to ANI, Shourie said today, "I never had any doubt on the fact that the strike took place. But to use it for propaganda and to boast about it that 'my chest is 56 inch & I gave a befitting reply to Pakistan', is wrong.
"Two reporters from North Indian channels misconstrued my words. I did not denigrate the services. When I said 'farzical' I meant that the over-hyping of a military strike makes it into a farcical incident.
"Imagine a situation if strikes would have happened during Atalji's time & people would have asked him, he would've had a twinkle in his eye and said "Really a strike has happened?". Today the credibility of the govt is so low that they have to provide video proof when asked."
13:22 My voice becomes stronger: Prakash Raj on
Not threatened at all", said actor Prakash Raj on Thursday, on reports that the killers of journalist Gauri Lankesh had planned to kill him as well.
"I laugh at these sorts of threats. I'm not threatened at all. My voice becomes stronger. Forces like these are bringing hatred in the country," Raj said, while speaking to ANI.
Expressing concern over "installing fake propaganda in youngsters", he said, "What I'm more worried about is who brainwashes these youngsters and why? Through these threats we can understand how arrogant and fearless they are. Especially in installing fake propaganda in youngsters."
A local Kannada news channel reported that according to the SIT investigation, Gauri Lankesh's killers had conspired to kill Raj, after he targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Lankesh was shot dead outside her Bengaluru residence on September 5, 2017. -- ANI
"I laugh at these sorts of threats. I'm not threatened at all. My voice becomes stronger. Forces like these are bringing hatred in the country," Raj said, while speaking to ANI.
Expressing concern over "installing fake propaganda in youngsters", he said, "What I'm more worried about is who brainwashes these youngsters and why? Through these threats we can understand how arrogant and fearless they are. Especially in installing fake propaganda in youngsters."
A local Kannada news channel reported that according to the SIT investigation, Gauri Lankesh's killers had conspired to kill Raj, after he targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Lankesh was shot dead outside her Bengaluru residence on September 5, 2017. -- ANI
13:13 Saina crashes out of Malaysia Open
Olympic medallist Saina Nehwal's run in the Malaysia Open ended with a straight-game loss to Japan's Akane Yamaguchi in the women's singles competition of the USD 700,000 world tour super 750 tournament in Kuala Lumpur today.
The former world no 1 Saina went down 15-21 13-21 to world no 2 Yamaguchi in 36 minutes at the Axiata Arena in Bukit Jalil, a suburb in Kuala Lumpur.
This is Saina's sixth straight loss to the Japanese in seven meetings. The only time Saina had defeated Yamaguchi was in the 2014 China Open. Yamaguchi, who had struggled a bit against Saina during their last meeting at the Uber Cup Final, produced a dominating show as she led 9-2. Saina fought back to narrow the gap to 10-11 but the Japanese again jumped to an 18-11 advantage and eventually secured the opening game comfortably. In the second game, Yamaguchi again raced to an 8-2 advantage before shutting the door on the Indian. -- PTI
The former world no 1 Saina went down 15-21 13-21 to world no 2 Yamaguchi in 36 minutes at the Axiata Arena in Bukit Jalil, a suburb in Kuala Lumpur.
This is Saina's sixth straight loss to the Japanese in seven meetings. The only time Saina had defeated Yamaguchi was in the 2014 China Open. Yamaguchi, who had struggled a bit against Saina during their last meeting at the Uber Cup Final, produced a dominating show as she led 9-2. Saina fought back to narrow the gap to 10-11 but the Japanese again jumped to an 18-11 advantage and eventually secured the opening game comfortably. In the second game, Yamaguchi again raced to an 8-2 advantage before shutting the door on the Indian. -- PTI
12:58 People who claim to follow Kabir are more worried about their bungalows: PM
PM Narendra Modi offers a 'chadar' at Sant Kabir's mazar in Maghar, UP, and lays the foundation of an academy in his name. Excerpts from his speech, which began with an eulogy to the syncretic poet-saint Kabir, but quickly moved on to a robust takedown of the Opposition.
"Woh (Kabir) dhool se uthey theyy lekin maathe ka chandan ban gaye. Woh vyakti se abhivyakti aur isse aage badhkar shabd se brahmshabd ho gaye. Wo vichaar bankar aaye aur vyavhaar bankar amar huye.
"There are some parties which do not want peace and development but unrest. They think if there will be unrest, they will benefit politically. Such people are cut off from their roots. They don't know the nature of this nation of Sant Kabir, Mahatma Gandhi & Baba Ambedkar.
"Two days ago, there was the 43rd anniversary of the Emergency. It is the greed for power that those who imposed and those who opposed Emergency have come together today. They don't see the welfare of society but only the welfare of themselves and their families. Those who imposed Emergency and those against it are together now.
"Ambedkar advocated for equality in society but unfortunately there are parties that are using his ideals for political gains. People who claim to follow Kabir are more worried about big bungalows."
"Woh (Kabir) dhool se uthey theyy lekin maathe ka chandan ban gaye. Woh vyakti se abhivyakti aur isse aage badhkar shabd se brahmshabd ho gaye. Wo vichaar bankar aaye aur vyavhaar bankar amar huye.
"There are some parties which do not want peace and development but unrest. They think if there will be unrest, they will benefit politically. Such people are cut off from their roots. They don't know the nature of this nation of Sant Kabir, Mahatma Gandhi & Baba Ambedkar.
"Two days ago, there was the 43rd anniversary of the Emergency. It is the greed for power that those who imposed and those who opposed Emergency have come together today. They don't see the welfare of society but only the welfare of themselves and their families. Those who imposed Emergency and those against it are together now.
"Ambedkar advocated for equality in society but unfortunately there are parties that are using his ideals for political gains. People who claim to follow Kabir are more worried about big bungalows."
12:02
Prime Minister Narendra Modi offers a 'chadar' at Sant Kabir mazar in Maghar, UP.
12:01 At Kabir shrine, Yogi does a Modi, refuses to wear Muslim cap
Taking a leaf out of his chief's book, UP CM Yogi Adityanath today refused to wear karakul (a woollen cap favoured by Muslims) at the shrine of Saint Kabir today. A karakul is the kind of cap that used to be worn by Pakistan founder Muhammad Ali Jinnah or at times by former J-K CM Farooq Abdullah.
Adityanath who entered Kabir's mazhar in Maghar in Uttar Pradesh for a recce ahead of PM Modi's visit, was offered a karakul by the caretakers of the mazhar. The UP CM however pushed it away.
It may be recalled that in 2011, when Narendra Modi was the Gujarat CM, he refused to wear a skull cap offered by a Muslim cleric during his sadbhavana fast in Ahmedabad. In an interview given to India TV on the incident, Modi said, "If a cap is a symbol of unity then why did Mahatma Gandhi not wear any. If by wearing a cap one becomes a symbol of unity then nobody has ever seen Mahatma Gandhi, Sardar Patel and Pandit Nehru wearing this kind of a cap."
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is Uttar Pradesh to inaugurate a two-day 'Kabir Mahotsav' at Maghar in Sant Kabir district of of the state. The PM offered a chaadar at Kabir's mazhar and will unveil a plaque to mark the laying of the foundation stone of the Kabir Academy. Kabir died 500 years ago and programmes including a dance and music festival will mark the event.
Adityanath who entered Kabir's mazhar in Maghar in Uttar Pradesh for a recce ahead of PM Modi's visit, was offered a karakul by the caretakers of the mazhar. The UP CM however pushed it away.
It may be recalled that in 2011, when Narendra Modi was the Gujarat CM, he refused to wear a skull cap offered by a Muslim cleric during his sadbhavana fast in Ahmedabad. In an interview given to India TV on the incident, Modi said, "If a cap is a symbol of unity then why did Mahatma Gandhi not wear any. If by wearing a cap one becomes a symbol of unity then nobody has ever seen Mahatma Gandhi, Sardar Patel and Pandit Nehru wearing this kind of a cap."
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is Uttar Pradesh to inaugurate a two-day 'Kabir Mahotsav' at Maghar in Sant Kabir district of of the state. The PM offered a chaadar at Kabir's mazhar and will unveil a plaque to mark the laying of the foundation stone of the Kabir Academy. Kabir died 500 years ago and programmes including a dance and music festival will mark the event.
11:29
Former J&K CM Mehbooba Mufti @MehboobaMufti Heartening to see the Amarnath Yatra commence on a positive note , I wish the Yatris a fulfilling pilgrimage. The Yatra is one of the oldest symbols of our syncretic culture & I hope to see it continue to represent the same.
11:21 Cong accuses Modi govt of politicising surgical strikes
The Congress today accused the Modi government and the BJP of politicising the September 2016 surgical strikes after a video of the same was released and said the blood and sacrifice of the country's brave soldiers cannot be a political vote garnering tool for them.
Addressing a press conference, Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala charged that while on the one hand the Modi government is seeking credit for the sacrifice and valour of the armed forces, on the other it has failed to provide direction and vision to deal with Pakistan .
He also accused the government of meting out "step-motherly treatment' to the armed forces by not providing them with state-of-the-art equipment and slashing their budgetary allocation.
"Let the ruling dispensation remember that the blood and sacrifice of our brave soldiers cannot become a political vote garnering tool for the Modi Government and the BJP,' he told reporters, alleging that the surgical strikes of September 28 and 29, 2016 were "shamelessly politicised' by the BJP for the March 2017 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections.
"On the one hand, the Modi Government/BJP indulge in seeking credit for the sacrifice of our soldiers and surgical strikes, yet the Government has utterly failed to provide the direction, the vision and the policy for dealing with Pakistan and checkmating Pak-sponsored terrorism,' he charged.
Surjewala said the "apathy" and "incapacity" of the Modi Government has resulted in the sacrifice of 146 soldiers, more than 1,600 ceasefire violations by Pakistan and 79 terrorist attacks post September 2016.
"The doublespeak of the Modi government and the BJP stands is reflected in the step motherly treatment of our armed forces, both in terms of providing for security apparatus as also in slashing the budgetary allocation. Vice Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen. Sarath Chand, was forced to publicly state that 68 per cent of all equipment is 'vintage',' he said. -- PTI
Representational image
Addressing a press conference, Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala charged that while on the one hand the Modi government is seeking credit for the sacrifice and valour of the armed forces, on the other it has failed to provide direction and vision to deal with Pakistan .
He also accused the government of meting out "step-motherly treatment' to the armed forces by not providing them with state-of-the-art equipment and slashing their budgetary allocation.
"Let the ruling dispensation remember that the blood and sacrifice of our brave soldiers cannot become a political vote garnering tool for the Modi Government and the BJP,' he told reporters, alleging that the surgical strikes of September 28 and 29, 2016 were "shamelessly politicised' by the BJP for the March 2017 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections.
"On the one hand, the Modi Government/BJP indulge in seeking credit for the sacrifice of our soldiers and surgical strikes, yet the Government has utterly failed to provide the direction, the vision and the policy for dealing with Pakistan and checkmating Pak-sponsored terrorism,' he charged.
Surjewala said the "apathy" and "incapacity" of the Modi Government has resulted in the sacrifice of 146 soldiers, more than 1,600 ceasefire violations by Pakistan and 79 terrorist attacks post September 2016.
"The doublespeak of the Modi government and the BJP stands is reflected in the step motherly treatment of our armed forces, both in terms of providing for security apparatus as also in slashing the budgetary allocation. Vice Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen. Sarath Chand, was forced to publicly state that 68 per cent of all equipment is 'vintage',' he said. -- PTI
Representational image
11:00 PM in UP for Kabir's 500th death anniversary
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Uttar Pradesh this morning to inaugurate a two-day 'Kabir Mahotsav' at Maghar in Sant Kabir district of of the state. The event is being held to mark the 500th death anniversary of Kabir Das.The festival, organised by the Ministry of Culture, will feature folk music, dance performances, and musical theatre, and artistes from all over the country will participate. Union Minister for Culture Mahesh Sharma and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will also be in attendance.
"Modi will also visit the Sant Kabir cave and unveil a plaque to mark the laying of foundation stone of the Kabir Academy, which will highlight the great saint's teachings and philosophy. The Prime Minister will offer a chadar at the mazaar of Kabir," read an official statement. Prime Minister Modi will also address a public rally at Maghar. -- ANI
"Modi will also visit the Sant Kabir cave and unveil a plaque to mark the laying of foundation stone of the Kabir Academy, which will highlight the great saint's teachings and philosophy. The Prime Minister will offer a chadar at the mazaar of Kabir," read an official statement. Prime Minister Modi will also address a public rally at Maghar. -- ANI
10:47
A visual from Baltal, the base camp for the Amarnath Yatra which was stalled due to heavy rainfall.
10:43
Amitabh Bachchan and the fine art of laughing at yourself.
Amitabh Bachchan
@SrBachchan I walk the street of Glasgow by myself .. until a car drives by and occupant yells out .. " hey Salman Khan how you doin' .. "
Amitabh Bachchan
@SrBachchan I walk the street of Glasgow by myself .. until a car drives by and occupant yells out .. " hey Salman Khan how you doin' .. "
10:37 Amarnath pilgrims hopeful yatra will resume
Amarnath pilgrims say they are hopeful they will soon get permission to resume the yatra. The yatra has been stalled due to heavy rainfall, which is expected to continue for the next 48 hours. Dr Piyush Singla, Ganderbal Dy Commissioner said they were in constant touch with the IMD and have bene closely monitoring the situation.
10:27 Indian-American among Trump's list of judges to replace Kennedy
Amul Thapar, an Indian-American legal luminary, is among the 25 shortlisted judges US President Donald Trump could nominate to replace Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy, according to American media reports.
Justice Kennedy, 81, announced his retirement from the US Supreme Court yesterday. He met Trump at the White House last afternoon soon after he told his colleagues in the Supreme Court that July 31 would be his last day at the apex court. Thapar, 49, is one of the 25 shortlisted judges on Trump's Supreme Court List. Trump told reporters that his nominee to replace Judge Kennedy would be from this list compiled by the Heritage Foundation and the Federalist Society.
Multiple American media outlets later identified Thapar from Kentucky as one among the shortlisted judges. Last year, Trump appointed Thapar, who sits on the 6th US Circuit Court of Appeals and a former United States Attorney, for the District of Kentucky and District Judge.
The son of Indian-American immigrants, Thapar is the Nation's first Article III judge of South Asian descent. He was confirmed by the Senate 52-44. -- PTI
Justice Kennedy, 81, announced his retirement from the US Supreme Court yesterday. He met Trump at the White House last afternoon soon after he told his colleagues in the Supreme Court that July 31 would be his last day at the apex court. Thapar, 49, is one of the 25 shortlisted judges on Trump's Supreme Court List. Trump told reporters that his nominee to replace Judge Kennedy would be from this list compiled by the Heritage Foundation and the Federalist Society.
Multiple American media outlets later identified Thapar from Kentucky as one among the shortlisted judges. Last year, Trump appointed Thapar, who sits on the 6th US Circuit Court of Appeals and a former United States Attorney, for the District of Kentucky and District Judge.
The son of Indian-American immigrants, Thapar is the Nation's first Article III judge of South Asian descent. He was confirmed by the Senate 52-44. -- PTI
10:20 Rupee sinks to record low vs US dollar, breaches 69-mark
The rupee collapsed to a lifetime low of 69.10 against the US dollar by plunging 49 paise in early trade today as rising crude oil prices deepened concerns about the country's current account deficit and inflation dynamics. Consistent dollar demand from banks and importers, mainly oil refiners, following higher crude oil prices kept the rupee under pressure. At the interbank foreign exchange market, the rupee opened at 68.87 a dollar against 68.61 previously and sank to 69.10 in morning deals, falling 49 paise. -- PTI
10:16 Somnath Chatterjee hospitalised
Former Lok Sabha speaker Somnath Chatterjee admitted to Belle Vue hospital in Kolkata. The hospital said he was admitted with a a hemorrhagic stroke with a medium size clot which is ordinary, but dangerous for a patient aged 89 years.
10:14 Sensex suffers more losses as rupee hits record low
Benchmark Sensex fell over 90 points in early trade today after the rupee sank to a lifetime low of 69.10 against the US dollar amid firming crude oil prices.
There was also caution among investors on the expiry day of the June series derivatives contracts, brokers said. The 30-share index, which had lost 272.93 points in the previous session, fell further by 90.26 points, or 0.25 per cent to 35,126.85. The NSE Nifty also dropped by 31.30 points, or 0.29 per cent, to 10,640.10.
Sectoral indices led by realty, capital goods, PSU, oil and gas, infrastructure, banking and power remained in the negative zone, declining up to 1.43 per cent. Brokers said market sentiment was fragile following the rupee hitting a new low of 69.10 against the dollar amid rising crude oil rates.
There was also caution among investors on the expiry day of the June series derivatives contracts, brokers said. The 30-share index, which had lost 272.93 points in the previous session, fell further by 90.26 points, or 0.25 per cent to 35,126.85. The NSE Nifty also dropped by 31.30 points, or 0.29 per cent, to 10,640.10.
Sectoral indices led by realty, capital goods, PSU, oil and gas, infrastructure, banking and power remained in the negative zone, declining up to 1.43 per cent. Brokers said market sentiment was fragile following the rupee hitting a new low of 69.10 against the dollar amid rising crude oil rates.
09:51 Amarnath Yatra set to begin today delayed after heavy rain
Heavy rainfall today delayed commencement of the annual Amaranth Yatra to the cave shrine in south Kashmir Himalayas from Pahalgam and Baltal base camps.
"The yatra has not commenced yet from either Baltal or Pahalgam base camps due to rain," a spokesman of the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board said. He said the yatra will commence only after weather improves and the tracks are safe for the pilgrims to move on. Amid tight security, the first batch of nearly 3,000 Amarnath pilgrims from Jammu reached the twin base camps at Baltal and Pahalgam in Kashmir last evening.
Of this group of pilgrims, 1,904 have opted for traditional Pahalgam route while 1,091 choose the Baltal route to reach the Himalayan cave shrine in south Kashmir.
The batch comprises of 2,334 men, 520 women, 21 children and 120 Sadhus, officials said. The pilgrims, coming from across the country, were taken to their respective base camps as security forces dotted the 400-km road length from Jammu to Baltal and Pahalgam.
The government is for the first time using radio frequency tags to track Amarnath-bound vehicles, while the CRPF has introduced motorcycle squads with cameras and various life-saving equipment.
Around 40,000 security personnel from the Jammu and Kashmir Police, paramilitary, National Disaster Response Force and the Army, have been deployed for this year's pilgrimage.
A total of 2.60 lakh pilgrims offered prayers at the shrine last year. Considering the carrying capacity of the existing tracks and other available infrastructure in the pilgrimage area, the SASB has decided to allow 7, 500 pilgrims on each route daily.
The fleet of 109 vehicles was escorted by security forces vehicles from Jammu upto the base camp as security has been heightened for this year's yatra in view of the militant attack on a bus carrying Amarnath pilgrims that left eight of them dead and 18 others injured.
While the pilgrims performing the yatra via shorter Baltal route usually return to the base camp within a day, those taking the traditional Pahalgam route have to trek 42 kms, with an overnight stay at one of the halting stations before they can pay obeisance at the cave shrine. -- PTI
"The yatra has not commenced yet from either Baltal or Pahalgam base camps due to rain," a spokesman of the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board said. He said the yatra will commence only after weather improves and the tracks are safe for the pilgrims to move on. Amid tight security, the first batch of nearly 3,000 Amarnath pilgrims from Jammu reached the twin base camps at Baltal and Pahalgam in Kashmir last evening.
Of this group of pilgrims, 1,904 have opted for traditional Pahalgam route while 1,091 choose the Baltal route to reach the Himalayan cave shrine in south Kashmir.
The batch comprises of 2,334 men, 520 women, 21 children and 120 Sadhus, officials said. The pilgrims, coming from across the country, were taken to their respective base camps as security forces dotted the 400-km road length from Jammu to Baltal and Pahalgam.
The government is for the first time using radio frequency tags to track Amarnath-bound vehicles, while the CRPF has introduced motorcycle squads with cameras and various life-saving equipment.
Around 40,000 security personnel from the Jammu and Kashmir Police, paramilitary, National Disaster Response Force and the Army, have been deployed for this year's pilgrimage.
A total of 2.60 lakh pilgrims offered prayers at the shrine last year. Considering the carrying capacity of the existing tracks and other available infrastructure in the pilgrimage area, the SASB has decided to allow 7, 500 pilgrims on each route daily.
The fleet of 109 vehicles was escorted by security forces vehicles from Jammu upto the base camp as security has been heightened for this year's yatra in view of the militant attack on a bus carrying Amarnath pilgrims that left eight of them dead and 18 others injured.
While the pilgrims performing the yatra via shorter Baltal route usually return to the base camp within a day, those taking the traditional Pahalgam route have to trek 42 kms, with an overnight stay at one of the halting stations before they can pay obeisance at the cave shrine. -- PTI
09:38 Pompeo expresses 'regret' to Swaraj after US postpones '2+2 dialogue'
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and her American counterpart Mike Pompeo have agreed to reschedule the postponed '2+2 dialogue' at a mutually convenient time and location as soon as possible, a state department spokesperson said today.
Swaraj and Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman were earlier scheduled to travel to the United States to take part in the meeting with Pompeo and Secretary of Defence James Mattis on July 6.
But yesterday, Pompeo spoke over the phone with Swaraj to express his "regret and deep disappointment" at the US having to postpone the dialogue for "unavoidable reasons".
During the phone call, Pompeo discussed further strengthening the US-India cooperation, the spokesperson said, asserting that India is "a major priority" for the Trump administration.
"The secretary and minister Swaraj agreed the 2+2 dialogue would be rescheduled as soon as possible at a mutually convenient time and location," the spokesperson told PTI.
The spokesperson asserted that the US-India relationship is "a major priority" for the Trump administration and it looks forward to continuing to "strengthen" the partnership, hours after the Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted that during the call Pompeo expressed his "regret and deep disappointment" at the US having to postpone the 2+2 Dialogue for "unavoidable reasons".
"India's central role in US national security is enshrined in the President's National Security Strategy, which noted that 'We welcome India's emergence as a leading global power and stronger strategic and defence partner'," the spokesperson said, without explaining the "unavoidable reasons".
The spokesperson said: "US ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley is in New Delhi right now for a visit focused on advancing the US-India relationship and underscoring our shared values as the largest and oldest democracies committed to a rules-based international order."
The decision to postpone the maiden 2+2 dialogue between the two countries has come as a disappointment for India watchers in the American think-tank community.
"The postponement is disappointing," Jeff Smith from Heritage Foundation, a think-tank close to the ruling Republican establishment told PTI.
"It is not so pleasing to see the 2+2 being called off. I believe the Trump administration is distracted with a summit with President Putin," Bharat Gopalaswamy from the Atlantic Council said.
"Like the summit with North Korea, they believe they might be able to advance their relations with Russia, whatever that means in tangible terms. The US' relations with Russia have deteriorated significantly over the last 18 months and I believe the Trump administration might be able to turn around a corner with one of US's significant adversaries," he said. -- PTI
09:17 Meet the 'reel' Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi
Bollywood actor Anupam Kher, who will next be seen as former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in upcoming film 'The Accidental Prime Minister', on Wednesday revealed the first look of actors Arjun Mathur and Aahana Kumra as Congress President Rahul Gandhi and his sister Priyanka Gandhi respectively.
Anupam took to Twitter to share a photograph from the set in which the he can be seen as Manmohan Singh while Arjun and Aahana donned the looks of Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi.
"Introducing Arjun Mathur as #ShriRahulGandhi and Aahana Kumra as #MsPriyankaGandhi in our movie 'The Accidental Prime Minister'. @TAPMofficial #OathCeremony #2004 #VijayGutte #SunilBohra," Anupam captioned the image.
Based on the 2014 memoir of the same name, written by Dr Singh's media adviser Sanjay Baru, the film revolves around the life of former prime minister.
The film also features Akshaye Khanna, who will play Baru, and Suzanne Bernert, who will portray former Congress president Sonia Gandhi, among others.
Directed by debutant Vijay Gutte and written by Hansal Mehta, the flick is all set to hit the theatres on December 21, 2018. -- ANI
09:10 Surgical strikes video out, shows army destroying terror camps in PoK
For the first time since India announced that it had carried out surgical strikes on terror launch pads across the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir in September 2016, video clips of these operations have surfaced.
The Indian army had conducted surgical strikes against terror launch pads in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir on the night of September 28-29, 2016, days after the terror strike by Pakistan-based terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammad on an Indian army camp in Uri in Kashmir in which 19 jawans were martyred.
The video clips showed some terrorists being killed, besides destruction of bunkers and other military constructions.
TV channels claimed that these videos were taken by unmanned aerial vehicles and thermal imaging cameras used by the army to monitor the operation.
"The videos are real. I can confirm that," Lt General D S Hooda (retd), former Northern Army Commander who was directly in-charge of the surgical strikes told The Indian Express.
"When the surgical strikes happened, my view was that the videos should have been released as proof. It is good that they have come out now," Lt General Hooda added.
The officers and men of the army's 4 and 9 Special Forces battalions, who had taken part in the surgical strikes, were later awarded gallantry medals by the government.
08:34 Most likely to meet Putin next month in Europe, says Trump
United States President Donald Trump said that he is "most likely" to hold a summit meeting with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in Europe next month.
Trump is scheduled to attend the July 11-12 NATO summit in Brussels. Besides, he is likely to visit London for talks with British Prime Minister Theresa May on that trip.
"I've said it from day one: Getting along with Russia and with China and with everybody is a very good thing. It's good for the world, it's good for us, it's good for everybody. So, we'll probably be meeting sometime around my trip to Europe," Trump told reporters during a joint media appearance with Polish President Rebelo De Sousa.
The likelihood of a Trump-Putin summit comes on the back of US National Security Advisor John Bolton's Moscow visit.
Trump said he would know about the date and venue of his maiden summit meeting with Putin later in the day.
The two leaders have met twice last year on the sidelines of the international summits.
"I think we'll be talking about Syria,Ukraine, and many other subjects. We'll see what happens. So you never know," Trump said in response to a question.
"You never know about meetings, what happens. But I think a lot of good things can come with meetings with people. We had great meetings with President Xi of China. Every place I've been, we have had great meetings. So maybe something positive will come out of it," he said. -- PTI
00:03 'We won't forget,' US President Trump warns Harley Davidson
US President Donald Trump today asked Harley Davidson motorcycle company to stay in America, warning that "we won't forget" if the firm went ahead with its plan to shift its manufacturing offshore.
"Harley-Davidson should stay 100 per cent in America, with the people that got you your success," Trump tweeted.
The manufacturer of iconic motorcycles has said it planned to move some manufacturing abroad in response to European Union tariffs retaliating for US duties.
"I've done so much for you, and then this. Other companies are coming back where they belong! We won't forget, and neither will your customers or your now very HAPPY competitors!" Trump said, in an apparent reference to his effort to help the firm reduce its export duties in India from 100 to 50 per cent.
On Monday, Harley-Davidson in its US Securities and Exchange Commission filing said that new retaliatory tariffs by the European Union (an increase from six per cent to 31 per cent) will result in an incremental cost of approximately $2,200 on an average motorcycle exported from the US to the 28-member trading bloc.
"To address the substantial cost of this tariff burden long-term, Harley-Davidson will be implementing a plan to shift production of motorcycles for EU destinations from the US to its international facilities to avoid the tariff burden," said the company, without indicating to which country it plans to move its production facilities to.
It said that shifting targeted production from the US to international facilities could take at least nine to 18 months to be fully completed.
Soon thereafter Trump, who had batted for Harley-Davidson's case against India over its high tariffs on the iconic motorcycles, had criticised the company for its plan to shift some of its production units overseas.
Trump yesterday said he was surprised by such a decision by the Wisconsin-based motorcycle manufacturer.
He also cited his talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to get India to reduce the tariff on the bikes from 100 per cent to 50.
-- PTI
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