LIVE! Sridevi's ashes to be immersed in Rameswaram

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Fri, 02 March 2018

Sridevi's ashes to be immersed in Rameswaram

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21:00 Sridevi's ashes to be immersed in Rameswaram

An urn carrying the ashes of Bollywood Superstar Sridevi was brought in Chennai on Friday by her husband Boney Kapoor for immersion in the sea off Rameswaram.

The ashes brought by Kapoor in a special aircraft will be taken to holy island town of Rameswaram on Saturday and immersed in the sea there, airport sources said.

Sridevi, 54, died on February 24 in a Dubai hotel.

The body of Bollywood icon was flown back to Mumbai on February 27 after Dubai authorities had determined that she had accidentally drowned in her hotel bathtub.

The body of the actor, who was born in a village in Tamil Nadu and started her career in Tamil films, was cremated on February 28.

Her death sent shock waves across India with those who knew her at a loss to explain how the star could die so suddenly. -- PTI

Photograph: Pradeep Bandekar

Former India seamer Venkatesh Prasad today tendered his resignation from the post of chairman, junior national selection committee, less than a month after the country won the U-19 World Cup.

Prasad, who has worked as the head of the junior national selection committee for 30 months, of late shared a cold relationship with the BCCI mandarins.

It has been learnt that Prasad cited personal reasons for stepping down and has also mentioned that he doesn't want to fall under the purview of 'Conflict of Interest'.

"It's still not clear but there are chances that he might be joining any IPL franchise and that's why he wanted to avoid a potential conflict of interest," a senior BCCI official told PTI from Mumbai.

When acting president C K Khanna was asked about the resignation, he said: "I tried to convince him but it seems he has made up his mind. He has been one of the finest talent spotters and deserves due credit in selecting a world champion junior team."

Prasad, in 2016, was tipped to become the chairman of the senior selection committee, but BCCI decided to continue with him in the junior panel.

Interestingly, Prasad is only one among the six national selectors (3 juniors and 3 seniors) to have played more international matches than all senior selectors put together (33 Tests and 161 ODIs).

Recently, after the Indian junior team won the U-19 World Cup, the selection panel was not given any cash reward.

However, the senior selection panel and women's panel had been handsomely rewarded by BCCI after both the senior men's and women's team lost the finals of the Champions Trophy and World Cup respectively.

COA member Diana Edulji had gone on record saying "selectors were rewarded for selecting good team" -- a comment that had raised a few eyebrows as both teams lost their summit clashes.

However, many believe that Prasad had irked a senior office bearer and that is why the junior selection committee never got cash award after the World Cup triumph. -- PTI

The Telugu Desam Party today said it will "step-by-step escalate" its fight inside Parliament till the centre addresses Andhra Pradeshs concerns related to the implementation of the promises made in the AP Reorganisation Act, 2014.

The budget session of the Parliament resumes on March 5.

Party leaders said it will also launch a legal battle against the Centre in the Supreme Court to get the provisions of the Reorganisation Act, and assurances given by the then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in the Rajya Sabha, fully implemented.

"We will not reveal right now what we will do but we will escalate our fight step-by-step till our concerns related to 19 items, including according special category status to the state, are specifically addressed."

"As a first step we will write a letter to all parties in Parliament explaining why we have taken the agitation mode and will seek their support to get the promises made in the Reorganisation Act fulfilled," TDP MPs Thota Narasimham, Jayadev Galla and K Rammohan Naidu said.

The MPs were briefing the media after a four-hour long meeting with TDP supremo and Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu in Amaravati.

The MPs said they have raised the demand for SCS afresh because the centre had failed to implement the special assistance measures it announced in September 2016 in lieu of granting special status.

"There are 19 issues in all, including the SCS. We want all of them fully implemented. We will see if certain amendments favourable to AP are tabled in Parliament when the budget session resumes. Otherwise, we will oppose the Finance Bill 2018-19," the TDP MPs asserted.

The party would also take up a legal battle against the centre in Supreme Court to get the promises made in the Act honoured, they added. "We will use all options," the MPs said.

"The Telugu Desam Parliamentary Party will write letters to the presidents of all political parties as well as floor leaders in Parliament explaining why, despite being a partner in the coalition government, the TDP has chosen to

disrupt Parliament," the TDP lawmakers said.

"We will remind them of the promises made in the Reorganisation Act as well as the assurances given by the then Prime Minister in February 2014. This has already become a national issue and we will seek the support of all parties in our fight for justice for AP," they added.

They, however, remained evasive when asked if the TDP would move a no-confidence motion against the Narendra Modi government.

Asked about the meeting TDP MP Rammohan Naidu and AP Planning Board vice-chairman C Kutumba Rao had with BJP chief Amit Shah in New Delhi yesterday, the MPs said Shah "just took a briefing" on the contentious issues.

"There has been no response from him," the MPs pointed out. -- PTI

Praying for release of former Navy officer Kulbhushan Jadhav, facing a death row in Pakistan on charges of espionage, a local citizen forum today made 'pongala' offering to the presiding deity of Atukkal Bhagavathy temple in Thiruvananthapuram.

As thousands of women prepared 'pongala' (a mix of rice, jaggery and scraped coconut offering made to the deity) in makeshift brick stoves on the roadsides, a small group of two women and three men representing the forum took part in the event seeking divine intervention for the early release of 47-year-old Jadhav.

President of the East Fort Paura Samithi P K S Rajan said they offered pongala as they wanted justice for Jadhav.

"This is to show our commitment. This is an issue which has national and international ramifications. We want justice for him," he told PTI.

At the spot in East Fort, the group displayed a big flex board with a picture of Jadav with two Indian flags just below the photograph of Goddess Atukkal Devi, who is worshipped by women on this day by making the 'pongala' offering.

Jadhav has been sentenced to death by a Pakistani military court on charges of espionage and terrorism. The International Court of Justice in last May halted his execution on India's appeal.

Several film and television actors and well known personalities were among those who offered 'pongala' this year. -- PTI

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today said that the Centre should initiate a CBI probe in the alleged Staff Selection Commission paper leak, stating that the issue is related to the fate of thousands of exam aspirants.

A similar demand was also made by Swaraj India president Yogendra Yadav this week.

"Thousands of SSC exam aspirants have been demanding a CBI enquiry. This issue is related to the fate of thousands of exam aspirants. The Centre should accept their demand for CBI probe immediately," Kejriwal tweeted.

The students have been protesting outside the Staff Selection Commission office at CGO complex in Lodhi Road since February 27, seeking a CBI investigation into the alleged paper leak in the Combined Graduate-Level examination held from February 17 to 21.

Late last night, Yadav tweeted that there were rumours of police action on students protesting outside the SSC office.

"The information coming out indicated towards a scam of massive proportion. The demand for a fair and independent CBI probe is absolutely right," Swaraj India said in a statement quoting Yadav. -- PTI

A fresh video has surfaced in Srinagar showing Lashkar-e-Tayiba terrorist Naveed Jutt, who escaped from police custody last month, with top terrorists of the Hizbul Mujahideen in a forest area of the valley.

The video shows Jutt, carrying an automatic rifle, exchanging hugs with some Hibzul Mujahideen terrorists, although police officials refused to comment on the video saying they were verifying its veracity.

The video is believed to have been filmed somewhere in a forest area of south Kashmir, as Jutt had joined Saddam Padder in Pulwama after his escape from custody from the SMHS hospital on February 6.

Two cops, on escort duty with Jutt, were shot dead by the militant and his accomplices before he made good his escape.

Four people were arrested by police for facilitating Jutt's escape. -- PTI

Complaints have been filed before a Kollam court and the Kerala State Child Rights Commission against a Malayalam fortnightly magazine for featuring a model breastfeeding a baby on its cover page.

Advocate Nobel Mathew said he filed a complaint in the Kollam Chief Judicial Magistrate court against the magazine and the model-actress Gilu Joseph.

"The case was filed yesterday before the CJM Kollam for offence under sects 3 and 4 of Indecent Representation of Women Act," Mathew told PTI.

The case has been posted for hearing on March 16.

The model was featured in the latest edition of 'Grihalakshmi,' a sister publication of leading media group 'Mathrubhumi'.

Asked for his reaction on the case being filed on the matter, Joint Managing Director of Mathrubumi group M V Shreyams Kumar said it was done for cheap publicity.

However, he said the group has not received any intimation so far from the court on the matter.

Meanwhile, a complaint has also been filed before the Kerala State Commission for Child Rights.

Commission Chairman Shobha Koshy said it has been done on charges of "fake feeding" and denial and violation of child rights.

"We will look into the complaint," she said when asked if any action had been taken on the matter.

The magazine in its latest edition had featured Joseph, also an air-hostess, breastfeeding the child without covering her breasts as part of a campaign to end the stigma attached to it, igniting a massive debate.

The women's magazine has also launched a 'challenge' urging women to send pictures of them breastfeeding children as part of its 'breastfeed freely' campaign.

Besides the model, the magazine also carries the photos of Amritha, a 23-year-old Keralite homemaker breastfeeding her one-and-a-half-month-old daughter in a similar way.

In January, Amritha's husband Biju, in his Facebook page, had shared a photo of her breastfeeding their child, urging to end the stigma attached to open breastfeeding.

The magazine drew inspiration from the couple's bold act to launch the unique campaign.

In the article, titled 'Don't stare, we want to breastfeed', the magazine also quotes a number of women from various walks of life including professionals and homemakers.

It also carries a detailed article by award-winning writer Indu Menon in this regard. -- PTI

IMAGE: Anoushka Shankar shared the pic on Instagram on her son's third birthday. Photograph: Kind courtesy Anoushka Shankar/Instagram

Bharatiya Janata Party MP Varun Gandhi today called for change in India's political system, including the right to recall elected representatives and more representation for women, saying people should have a greater say in democracy.

He said people are less aware about the selection of their elected representatives, and choose them based on caste, religion and region, which is not the way to take the country forward.

Addressing a Youth Conclave on Nation Building organised by Sri Krishna Institutions in Coimbatore, he said people should have the right to recall elected representatives, even though it can be abused, but in the long run it will help in realising "a direct democracy."

"Unless the political system changes, nothing will change, since people should matter and have more say, which will lead to a direct democracy," Gandhi said.

On reservation for women, the Lok Sabha member from Sultanpur in Uttar Pradesh said only 11 per cent women are in Parliament and 9 per cent in state assemblies. He said largely relatives of political leaders were entering the Houses.

"Without the suffix of Gandhi, I would not have addressed you today," he said, adding that this system should change.

Women who have no political background should enter politics, Gandhi said.

He said India now has its first woman defence minister in Nirmala Sitharaman, but the Supreme Court has had only six women judges since 1950.

He said the problem is people do not challenge the system, adding that they need not depend on those who are bad and corrupt.

The 37-year-old leader said the solution for these problem lies with the youth, who should fight to make the dreams of people come true. -- PTI

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan today visited the home of the tribal man, who was lynched in Attapady last month for allegedly stealing food articles, and assured his family that stringent action would be taken against the accused.

The chief minister, accompanied by Health Minister K K Shylaja, met 30-year-old Madhu's mother, sister and other relatives and gave them the assurance.

At least 16 persons have so far been arrested on charges of lynching the mentally challenged man, whose death had recently triggered outrage in Kerala.

In a Facebook post, Vijayan said he visited Madhu's house, consoled his relatives and assured them that the probe in the case was going ahead and the government would take all steps to ensure that the accused get the punishment as per the law.

Stringent action would be taken against those indulging in malicious propaganda in the social media, he said.

The chief minister also held discussions with government officials on providing facilities for the tribals.

Later talking to reporters, Vijayan said the government would take all steps to ensure that tribals in all districts get enough food, drinking water and employment opportunities.

District Collectors would ensure this in their respective areas, he said.

The government has also decided to ensure that tribals get at least 200 days of employment, he said.

As tribals are facing severe problems relating to liquor addiction, a massive awareness drive would be held in such areas, the chief minister said.

A de-addition centre would be set up and a disability census would be held here, he said, adding care homes would be set up to look after mentally-challenged persons.

Community kitchens were being planned in the tribal areas and Rs 10 crore would be set apart for the purpose, he said. -- PTI

The Congress today took on the centre over the Fugitive Economic Offenders Bill while saying that the former approved the bill just to divert attention of the people.

"All this is being done just to divert attention. We want to know what they did earlier and not what they will do in the future," Congress leader Anand Sharma told ANI.

"The country already has many laws. The Enforcement Directorate attaches the properties of so many people and makes cases," he added.

On the Punjab National Bank fraud case, Sharma said that "scamsters have looted" and fled the country.

"The government knew all this yet let them (Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi) flee. Complaints against Nirav and Choksi had been coming since 2015 and were presented to Prime Minister Narendra Modi," Sharma added.

Sharma also called former finance minister P. Chidambaram's son Karti Chidambaram's arrest in the INX media case as an 'act of revenge.'

"Whatever is happening with Karti Chidambaram is happening with the feeling of revenge. They caught him, while Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi ran away," he said. -- ANI

15:44

Foreign tourists celebrate Holi in Goa.

15:25 Rajinikanth's Kaala teaser released

The teaser of superstar Rajinikanth's upcoming flick Kaala was released today, with the trilingual movie all set to hit the screens on April 27.

The near two-minute teaser starts off with veteran star Nana Patekar asking what kind of a name Kaala is, with a voiceover in the next scene saying it means not only the colour black, but also someone who fights and defends.

Later, Rajinikanth himself is shown explaining that black is the colour of hard work. The actor is seen speaking in the Tirunelveli slang of the Tamil language.

Actor Dhanush, also Rajinikant's son-in-law, has produced the movie under his banner Wunderbar Films Pvt Ltd.

Pa Ranjith is the director of the film, his second association with Rajinikanth after their 2016 gangster flick Kabali.

Dhanush released the teaser on his Twitter page today.

'Kaala' will be released in Tamil, Telugu and Hindi.

Besides Rajinikanth and Patekar, the movie also features Huma Qureshi, actor-director Samudrakani, Eswari Rao and a host of others.

Ranjith's favourite musician, Santosh Narayanan has once again teamed up with the filmmaker to compose the musical score for the film. -- PTI

Pakistan summoned India's Deputy High Commissioner J P Singh for the second consecutive day today over the "unprovoked firing" by Indian troops across the Line of Control.

Foreign Office said that Director General (South Asia & SAARC) Mohammad Faisal summoned Singh and condemned the "unprovoked ceasefire violations" by the Indian forces along the LoC on March 1 in Bhimber/Samahini sectors.

The firing killed a civilian and injured his wife and son, it said, adding that Indian troops were using "heavy mortars".

Faisal said despite calls for restraint, India continues to indulge in ceasefire violations. India carried out more than 415 ceasefire violations along the Line of Control and the Working Boundary so far in 2018, resulting in the killings of 20 civilians and injuries to 71 others, he said.

He said this "unprecedented escalation in ceasefire violations by India is continuing from the year 2017 when the Indian forces committed 1970 ceasefire violations."

"The deliberate targeting of civilian populated areas is indeed deplorable and contrary to human dignity, international human rights and humanitarian laws. The ceasefire violations by India are a threat to regional peace and security and may lead to a strategic miscalculation," said Faisal.

Pakistan urged the Indian side to respect the 2003 Ceasefire arrangement; investigate this and other incidents of ceasefire violations; instruct the Indian forces to respect the ceasefire, in letter and spirit and maintain peace on the LoC and the Working Boundary. -- PTI

Anushka Sharma's film Pari has been banned in Pakistan, as it "promotes black magic, some non-Islamic values and anti-Muslim sentiments", Pakistan-based daily, The Express Tribune has reported.

"Pari's script, dialogues and storyline go against our Islamic values. The concepts within Islam have different ideologies about magic. This film stimulates the viewers in favour of black magic and promotes thoughts that are contradictory to our religion," The Tribune said quoting a senior member of the Central Board of Film Censors of Pakistan.

"Any film that goes against our culture and Islamic history should be banned in Pakistan," Chaudhry Ejaz Kamran,Pakistan Film Distributors Association's chairman, said.

Last month, Pakistan banned Akshay Kumar's Padman -- a film on menstrual hygiene -- saying that it dealt with a "taboo subject".

ArcelorMittal today said it has entered into a joint venture pact with Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal Corporation to jointly acquire the assets of Essar Steel.

The company's arm ArcelorMittal India Pvt Ltd had submitted a resolution plan for Essar Steel on February 12, which outlined the intention to have NSSMC formally join its bid for Essar Steel.

Essar Steel was among the initial 12 companies identified by the Reserve Bank of India for insolvency proceedings.

"Should the submitted resolution plan be selected and formally accepted by India's National Company Law Tribunal, ArcelorMittal and NSSMC would jointly acquire and manage Essar Steel," ArcelorMittal said in a statement.

In its resolution plan, the AMIPL set out a detailed industrial and turnaround plan aimed at restoring Essar Steel's fortunes, enabling it to realise its full potential and participate in the anticipated steel demand growth in India, the statement said.

"Partnering with NSSMC for Essar Steel was always our intention and adds further strength to our offer. Combining our experience and expertise creates a powerful partnership that has a proven track record - our rich history of positive collaboration dates back more than 20 years with three joint ventures in the US," ArcelorMittal Chairman and CEO Lakshmi Mittal said.

"We believe that together we can contribute our knowledge and technology to support a rapid turn-around in Essar's performance, enabling it to increase production, enhance its product capabilities and make a meaningful contribution to the future growth of India's manufacturing sector and the development of its economy," he said.

ArcelorMittal and NSSMC have operated in Indiana, USA, under joint venture agreements since 1987.

More recently, in 2014, ArcelorMittal partnered with NSSMC on the acquisition of AM/NS Calvert, a state-of-the-art downstream finishing facility in Alabama, USA. -- PTI

A boy, who joined militancy in Kashmir, has returned home on Friday following an appeal by his mother, a senior police official said.

"Another young boy responding to the appeals of crying mother returned to the fold of family leaving path of violence in the valley", Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police S P Vaid said in a tweet.

The DGP also wished a happy reunion to the family in his tweet.

"I wish the family happy re-union", he said.

The age of the boy has not been disclosed.

Four Kashmiri youths, who had taken to militancy, shunned the path of violence and returned to the mainstream in 2017.

Image: Days after joining the Lashkar-e-Tayiba terror outfit, Majid Arshid, the footballer-turned-militant, surrendered before security agencies in November last year. Photograph: S Irfan/PTI Photo

More needed to be done to manage the perception about the army among the people of Jammu and Kashmir to counter the negative influences being spread in the valley, former senior officers of the armed forces have said.

Lt Gen. (retd) Syed Ata Hasnain has said efforts were made to reach out to and connect with the people of Jammu and Kashmir in the past.

"There is the Operation Sadbhavna. It has transformed the situation largely. Then there is the Army Goodwill School. We even started the Kashmir Premier League, so that the youth could be engaged in sports and kept away from the elements of radicalisation," he said.

Hasnain, who was posted in the Valley as the General Officer Commanding, 21 Corps, said mass communication strategies should be used effectively to manage the perception about the army among the people of Jammu and Kashmir and counter the negative influences being spread.

He was yesterday speaking at the Annual Army Seminar on "Contribution of the Army Towards Nation Building" at the Manekshaw Centre in New Delhi.

Former GOC-in-C, Northern Command, Lt Gen. (retd) K T Patnaik said, "A perception management strategy is needed to curb the nefarious elements.

"There are those in the valley, who are spreading a negative perception about the army. There are elements who are promoting radicalisation among the youth, spreading anti-army and anti-India feelings. We need to counter all that." -- PTI

An official government spokesperson on Friday clarified that Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama has been "accorded all freedom to carry out his religious activities in India."

The clarification comes after some news media reported that the centre had allegedly asked officials to skip Dalai Lama events, in a bid to mend fences with Beijing.

In this regard, the ministry of external affairs reiterated that New Delhi's stance on the spiritual leader was "clear and consistent."

"The government of India's position on His Holiness the Dalai Lama is clear and consistent. He is a revered religious leader and is deeply respected by the people of India. There is no change in that position. His Holiness is accorded all freedom to carry out his religious activities in India," the statement read.

Earlier in February, Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale had reportedly issued an official statement asking to skip all functions of the Dalai Lama, seeking to be an embodiment of India's commitment to mending ties with China.

The note was reportedly issued a day before the foreign secretary departed for Beijing to hold talks with China's Vice Foreign Minister Kong Xuanyou, Foreign Minister Wang and State Councillor Yang Jiechi. -- ANI

11:17 Update: 10 Maoists gunned down in Chhattisgarh

At least 10 Maoists were killed in an encounter with the police in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur district this morning, a senior official of the Telangana police said.

The Naxals were killed in a joint operation by the Telangana and Chhattisgarh police.

A jawan was also injured in the gunfight which took place in the Pujari Kanker forests under Pamed police station area, around 500 km from Raipur, Bijapur SP Mohit Garg said.

A cache of weapons was recovered from the encounter site, Garg said.

"It was a joint operation by the Chhattisgarh and Telangana police. Initial reports indicate 10 Maoists were killed in an exchange of fire between them and police at around 6.30 am in Bijapur district. A clear picture would emerge later," the Telangana police official told PTI.

The bodies are being shifted to a nearby hospital for post-mortem and other formalities, the official added.

The identity of the killed Naxals was not immediately known, but security agencies believe some top Naxal leaders could be among those killed, officials said.Image used for representational purpose.

10:45 Jammu-Srinagar highway closed due to landslide

The Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, NH44, remained closed on Friday due to a landslide in Ramsu, in Ramban district.

Incessant rainfall at various places in Ramban had triggered the landslide.

Rare recordings by legendary British singer-songwriter David Bowie are set to be released in April.

A three-LP set titled Welcome To The Blackout (Live London '78) by the Ziggy Stardust hitmaker will be put on the account of Record Store Day 2018 on April 21, FemaleFirst reported.

The collection will include recordings from Bowie's Isolar II performances at London's now-razed Earls Court on June 30 and July 1 in 1978.

A 12" single of the first full-length version of Let's Dance, with a live take of the track as the B-side, will also be up for grabs.

Bowie Now, a promotional-only LP which was originally brought out especially in the US in 1977 -- which includes tracks from Heroes and Low -- will also release the same day.

Bowie died on January 10, 2016, due to liver cancer, two days after his 69th birthday.

Photograph: Alex Livesey/Getty Images.

08:54 President, PM extend Holi greetings

President Ram Nath Kovind has greeted Indians on the festival of Holi, praying for peace, joy and prosperity for everyone.

President Kovind took to Twitter to say, 'Greetings and best wishes to fellow citizens on the auspicious occasion of Holi. The festival of colours, Holi is a celebration of harmony in our society. May it bring peace, joy and prosperity to everyone's lives.'

Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted: 'Wishing everyone a happy Holi!'

Repolling will be held today in Nagaland in 11 booths spread across nine assembly constituencies, the state's chief electoral officer has announced.

The nine constituencies where repolling is to be held are Tamlu, Peren, Kohima Town, Chizami, Phek, Meluri, Tizit, Pungro-Kiphire and Llongkhim-Chare.

Elections to 59 seats in the 60-member state assembly was held on February 27. The poll results will be declared on March 3.

08:44 Vietnamese president arrives in India today

Vietnam President Tran Dai Quang will arrive in India today on a three-day visit.

During his visit, he will meet President RN Kovind and hold official talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He will also have an interaction with prominent Indian businessmen.

President Quang will be accompanied by Nguyen Thi Hien and an official delegation, including ministers and party leaders, and a business delegation.

The Vietnamese president will visit Bodh Gaya in Bihar during his visit.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had visited Vietnam in 2016.

In 2017, India and Vietnam celebrated 45 years of diplomatic ties between the two nations.

08:26 Nirav Modi's effigy burnt in Holi celebrations

Residents of BDD chawl in Worli, central Mumbai, burnt an effigy of fugitive diamontaire Nirav Modi for Holika Dahan on Thursday night.

Photograph: ANI.

08:17 BJP MLA, son, thrash toll plaza employee in UP

Kanpur Dehat's Bharatiya Janata Party president Rahuldev Agnihotri and his son thrashed a toll plaza employee in Uttar Pradesh's Akbarpur city, reports ANI.

The incident took place on February 28, after Agnihotri was trying to cross the toll plaza without paying and the employee did not let their vehicle pass through.

In the CCTV footage, Agnihotri and his son can be seen forcefully entering the plaza and slapping the employee.

In a similar incident months ago, Vijay Charel, husband of a BJP MLA, was caught thrashing a toll plaza employee in Ratlam district of Madhya Pradesh. Vijay is the husband of Sangeeta Charel, the BJP legislator from Sailana constituency.

The United States government is aware of media reports that diamond jeweller Nirav Modi is in the country but is unable to confirm them, a state department official has said, reports Lalit K Jha for PTI.

"We are aware of recent media reports that Nirav Modi is in the United States but cannot confirm them," the spokesperson told PTI when asked about reports that the Indian businessman is in New York.

Asked if the department is providing any assistance to the Indian government in tracing Modi, the spokesperson said, "We refer you to the department of justice for questions on legal assistance to the Indian authorities in relation to their investigation of Mr Modi".

The department of justice declined to comment on Modi.

Modi, his uncle Mehul Choksi and others are being investigated by multiple probe agencies following a complaint by the Punjab National Bank that they allegedly cheated the nationalised bank to the tune of over Rs 12,000 crore, with the purported involvement of a few employees of the bank.

They allegedly acquired fraudulent letters of undertaking from its Brady House branch in Fort area for overseas credit from other lenders.

The Central Bureau of Investigation and the Enforcement Directorate have registered two FIRs each in this case.

Modi, his family, and Choksi, the promoter of Gitanjali Gems, left the country in early January, much before the CBI received a complaint from the PNB.

On being asked by the CBI to join its investigation into the alleged fraud, Modi refused, saying he has "business abroad".

The CBI then directed him to contact the embassy of India in a country where he is staying so that his travel to India can be arranged.

A Look Out Circular, also known as a blue corner notice, has already been issued against Modi and Choksi to keep a tab on their entry at all land, air and sea ports in India.

Photograph: Kind courtesy, Nirav Modi's Facebook page.

00:12 China plans to build nuclear aircraft carrier

China plans to build its first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier and submarines as part of the People's Liberation Army Navy's transformation as a major blue-water force, the state-owned defence company said, amid growing Chinese assertiveness in the strategic Indo-Pacific region.

China commissioned its first-ever aircraft carrier, Liaoning, a refurbished Soviet ship it bought from Ukraine, in 2012.

Its second carrier and the first domestically built carrier, known as Type 001A, was launched in April last year.

A third aircraft carrier, Type 002, is said to be under construction at the Shanghai Jiangnan Shipyard Group, although it has yet to be officially confirmed by authorities.

China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation (CSIC) said in a statement on Tuesday that it plans to 'speed up the process of making technological breakthroughs in nuclear-powered aircraft carriers, new-type nuclear submarines, quiet submarines, maritime unmanned intelligent confrontation systems, maritime three-dimensional offensive and defensive systems, and naval warfare comprehensive electronic information systems'.

This is the first time a state-owned Chinese defense firm has openly identified nuclear-powered aircraft carriers on its agenda, said the Global Times, the tabloid affiliated to the People's Daily - the mouthpiece of the ruling Communist Party of China.

Hong Kong's South China Morning Post also reported that the first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier could be operationalised by 2025 to bolster its maritime defence capabilities.

Military experts said China may have achieved initial progress in its research of nuclear-powered aircraft carriers and that it may not be too long before the authority confirms the news, the Global Times report said.

"I think we can say that China has made major breakthroughs in the implementation of nuclear power on large vessels," Li Jie, a Beijing-based naval expert was quoted as saying.

Hu Wenming, chairman of the board of CSIC, had said last year that China is capable of designing and building any type of aircraft carrier.

"Hu's speech indicates that China can build aircraft carriers powered by either diesel, gas or nuclear power. The country has mastered all the fundamental core technologies, including ski-jump and catapult-assisted launch technologies," Li said.

"In the future, China's national interests will continue to expand overseas. Without a fleet of large nuclear-powered vessels, the Chinese navy cannot sail for a long time to faraway waters," Li said.

Aircraft carriers with conventional power require the company of large depot ships, Li said, which in turn requires replenishment from ports or overseas bases.

"This is conducive to protecting national security and overseas interests."

Established in July 1999, CSIC owns the largest shipbuilding and repair facilities in China and is a leading player in the research and design of naval and merchant ships.

The US military is periodically sending warships and airforce jets to assert freedom of flights and navigation over the strategic South China Sea as China claims most of it. Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan have counter claims over the area.

China also has maritime territorial dispute with Japan in the East China Sea. -- PTI

Image only for representation.

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