LIVE! Khashoggi murder: Crown prince vows to punish 'culprits'

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Wed, 24 October 2018

Khashoggi murder: Crown prince vows to punish 'culprits'

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23:37 CBI row: PM Modi should answer the nation, asserts Chandrababu Naidu

Following the Centre's decision to divest Central Bureau of Investigation director Alok Verma and special director Rakesh Asthana of their duties, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu asserted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is answerable to the nation on the developments witnessed pertaining to the case.

"The Centre is destroying all the institutions of the government and does not want them to function independently. It's a big threat to democracy and the Constitution. The Prime Minister is responsible for the developments in the CBI, and he should give a proper answer to the nation," Naidu said.

The Chief Minister further opined that Alok Verma was removed to cover up investigation being done in the Rafale scam. "This development clearly establishes the Modi government's link to the Rafale scam," he added.

Earlier, Naidu had claimed that institutions meant for protecting the citizens had been made powerless.

-- ANI

The Saudi crown prince has vowed to punish all the "culprits" responsible for the murder of writer Jamal Khashoggi in Turkey.

Speaking at a business forum in Riyadh, Mohammed bin Salman said "the crime was painful to all Saudis" but he would never allow any rift with Turkey.

The Saudis have previously denied accusations that the prince, the de facto ruler, had a role in the killing.

Khashoggi died during a 2 October visit to the Saudi consulate in Istanbul.

The Saudi government has blamed the murder on rogue agents.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says the journalist, a prominent critic of the government, was the victim of a carefully planned "political murder" by Saudi intelligence officers and other officials.

He said the killing was "a heinous crime that cannot be justified" and vowed that "those behind this crime will be held accountable... in the end justice will prevail".

He said there had been good co-operation with Turkey, adding: "A lot of people are trying to seize this painful situation to create a rift between Saudi Arabia and Turkey. And I want to send them a message: you will never be able to do that.

"The rift will never be there."

Convicted American comedian Bill Cosby will have to stay behind bars as his first attempt at an appeal for a new trial was denied by a trial court judge on Tuesday.

According to Page Six, Montgomery County Court Judge Steven O'Neill in his verdict pronounced that the 81-year-old comedian will now have to present his request for an appeal at a higher court. Furthermore, he will now have a 30 day period to file a direct appeal to the Pennsylvania Superior Court.

During the hearing, Cosby's lawyers had argued that O'Neill overlooked the former's age and blindness when his prison term was announced on September 25.

On October 19, prosecutors termed the appeal filed by Cosby's team of defence lawyers as 'timeworn' and 'meritless'.

Earlier in the month, Cosby's defence team tried to argue that the comedian should get a new trial as his sentence was harsh in nature, and claimed that they had unearthed new evidence. The prosecutors said that the newly discovered piece of audio evidence had been doctored and that they were aware of its existence for 13 years.

Cosby's sentence came after a lengthy trial where he faced accusations from former Temple University employee Andrea Constand and was eventually found guilty. He was found to have drugged and raped her at his suburban Philadelphia home in 2004. Since then, multiple women came forward against "The Cosby Show" star. The first part of the hearings focused on the prosecution's efforts to label Cosby as a sexually violent predator.

Cosby's trial was heralded as the first major celebrity trial of the #MeToo movement, and the first to result in a conviction.

-- ANI

White House press secretary Sarah Sanders tweeted a statement one the serious of suspicious packages sent to various political figures.

"These terrorizing acts are despicable, and anyone responsible will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law," Sanders' statement said.

In addition to Clintons and Obama receiving suspected bombs, CNN New York offices were also evacuated after they received a bomb threat.

It has also been revealed that a suspicious package was located near 6th Avenue where the San Diego Union-Tribune is located, according to Officer Billy Hernandez.

The building that was evacuated houses the San Diego Union-Tribune, Senator Kamala Harris' field office, and other offices.

It is not clear where the packages were to be delivered. One U-T staffer also noted that a bicycle pump looking device was near the boxes.

Cathay Pacific, Hong Kongs flag carrier, has suffered a huge data leak, revealing late on Wednesday that someone gained unauthorised access to the data of up to 9.4 million passengers, including passport numbers, contact details and travel histories.

The airline said in a press release that it had no evidence that any personal information has been misused and was in the process of contacting affected customers, having already informed the Hong Kong police.

We are very sorry for any concern this data security event may cause our passengers, said Rupert Hogg, the airlines chief executive. We acted immediately to contain the event, commence a thorough investigation with the assistance of a leading cyber security firm, and to further strengthen our IT security measures.

It said the combination of data accessed varied by passenger but included passenger name, nationality, date of birth, contact details, passport number, identity card number, frequent flyer programme membership number and historical travel information.

It added that no passwords and only a small number of credit cards were compromised.

The Railways formed a four-member committee to probe into the circumstances that led to the stampede at Santragachi station which claimed two lives and left 15 injured, a South Eastern Railway spokesperson said.

The stampede had occurred on Tuesday evening when an express train and two EMU locals arrived at the Santragachi station at the same time and passengers rushed to the platforms to board the trains.

The inquiry panel comprising SER principal chief commercial manager, principal chief engineer, principal chief security commissioner-cum-IG and chief safety officer will look into allegations of "negligence" levelled against the Railways in the mishap, SER spokesperson Sanjay Ghosh said.

"Among other allegations, the committee will also probe claims of a last-minute change in platform for an incoming train which apparently led to cross-movement of passengers on the foot overbridge at the station," he said.

The probe panel visited the site to study the infrastructural facilities at the location. Its members also interacted with the locals, railway officials and passengers admitted in the hospitals, the official said.

Following the stampede, additional railway personnel have been deployed at the Santragachi station as well as the foot overbridge on Wednesday to ensure smooth movement of passengers alighting or boarding trains, said a railway official.

The official said there was no disruption in services and trains were running as per schedule through the station.

Pinning the blame on the Railways for the mishap, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, a former railway minister herself, had claimed on Tuesday that internal coordination could have prevented the incident.

-- PTI

Saudi Arabia's powerful crown prince has called the killing of Jamal Khashoggi a "heinous crime that cannot be justified."

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman separately said that the killing of the Washington Post columnist will not "drive a wedge" between the kingdom and Turkey.

His comments came at the Future Investment Initiative. This year's summit, however, has been overshadowed by the killing October 2 of Khashoggi.

Turkish officials say a 15-man Saudi team killed the writer at the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul. A member of Prince Mohammed's entourage was allegedly at the consulate at the time.

International business leaders have pulled out from attending the summit over the killing.

An emerald and seed-pearl necklace owned by Maharani Jindan Kaur, the wife of Sikh emperor Maharaja Ranjit Singh, has sold for 187,000 (Rs 17,971,188) at a London auction after triggering a fierce bidding war, an official has said.

The necklace worn by Kaur, the final and the only one of Maharajas wives not to commit Sati on his death, surpassed its estimated price.

It was among a number of treasures from the Lahore Treasury auctioned as part of the Bonhams Islamic and Indian Art Sale in London on Tuesday.

As Regent to her five-year-old son Duleep Singh, who was proclaimed Maharaja of Punjab in 1843, Kaur organised armed resistance to the British invasion but was captured and imprisoned.

Escaping to Kathmandu, she was kept under house arrest by the King of Nepal, before eventually moving to England where she was reunited with her son and her jewellery, including the necklace up for auction this week.

-- PTI

Activist Rahul Eswar, among those who spearheaded the frenzied protests in Sabarimala, on Wednesday said they had a contingency plan to force the closure of the temple by spilling blood on its premises by some devotees in case any woman in the 'barred' age group managed to reach it.

Released on bail after being arrested over the stir, he claimed 20 Lord Ayyappa devotees opposing the entry of women in the age group of 10 and 50 were ready to inflict knife injuries on themselves on the temple premises which would have forced the priests to close the gates on account of impurity.

"Had their blood fallen on the floor of the temple, that

would have forced the priests to shut the shrine for three

days for purification rituals," Eswar, president of the

'Ayyappa Dharma Sena', told reporters.

Easwar, who was arrested along with 19 others a day after the temple opened for monthly pujas on October 17, said those leading the agitation had discouraged the devotees from taking such an extreme step.

He, however, claimed devotees may take such a step if the government facilitated the entry of women in menstrual age into the temple of Lord Ayyappa, the eternally celibate deity, during the coming annual three-month long pilgrim season.

The temple witnessed high drama for six days with around a dozen women in 10-50 age group being prevented by protesting devotees from entering it after it opened for the first time after the Supreme Court lifted the ban on women of menstruating age.

-- PTI

19:59 CNN offices in NYC evacuated on bomb threat

AP reports that the CNN offices in New York have been evacuated because of a suspicious package. The news comes after former US president Obama and Bill and Hillary Clinton also received 'suspicious packages' containing bombs.

The BJP in Goa on Wednesday said Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, whose extended absence from office due to ill health has sparked demands of temporary replacement, is likely to resume duty next month.

The state unit Bhartiya Janata Party president Vinay Tendulkar, however, conceded the pace of administration in the coastal state has "slowed down" in the absence of the chief minister.

Earlier in the day, Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party president Dipak Dhavlikar demanded that Parrikar hand over his charge to "any of the senior ministers" till he recovered from illness. He also said the people of Goa were complaining about the "collapse" of administration in absence of Parrikar.

According to BJP, Parrikar, 62, is currently recuperating at his private residence at Dona Paula near Panaji since he was shifted there from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in Delhi.

"Parrikar is recovering well and we expect him to resume office in the next month, that is November," Tendulkar told reporters.

19:18

JUST IN: Package identified as 'potential explosive device' sent to former US President Barack Obama in Washington.

19:15 Yashwant, Shourie, Bhushan move SC seeking FIR in Rafale deal

Former Union ministers Yashwant Sinha and Arun Shourie and activist-lawyer Prashant Bhushan moved the Supreme Court on Wednesday seeking registration of an FIR into the Rafale fighter jet deal between India and France alleging "criminal misconduct" by high public functionaries.

They have sought a direction to the CBI to investigate the offences disclosed in their complaint in a "time-bound" manner and submit periodic status reports to the apex court.

The complaint was filed on October 4 with the CBI after their meeting with CBI Director Alok Kumar Verma, who was late Tuesday day directed by the Centre to proceed on leave in the wake of feud with second in command in agency Rakesh Asthana.

A bomb has been found in a package sent to the home of Bill and Hillary Clinton.

Officials said the explosive device was found in post at the couple's property in a New York suburb.

It was said to be similar to the device found at the home of billionaire philanthropist George Soros on Monday.

19:04

JUST IN: Bomb found at home of Hillary and Bill Clinton in New York City suburb.

18:46

JUST IN: Bomb found at home of Hillary and Bill Clinton in New York City suburb.

18:15 Boat carrying Maharashtra chief secretary capsizes off Mumbai coast, all safe

A boat carrying Maharashtra government officials, including the chief secretary, capsized near near the location of the proposed Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj statue off the Mumbai coast on Wednesday evening.

The Indian Coast Guard said a rescue operation was launched and all the people on board were brought to safety. It had pressed a hovercraft and choppers for the rescue operation.

According to the information available so far, the boat, which belongs to the Maharashtra government, overturned around 2.6 km away from Nariman Point.

The officials were on their way to the site where the statue is being built in the Arabian Sea off Mumbais Marine Drive when the mishap took place. Larsen & Toubro, who was awarded the contract, was supposed to begin work on the statue today. An event planned to mark the commencement of work has been cancelled.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Wednesday alleged that the Central Bureau of Investigation has become the BJP's policing agency.

The Trinamool Congress chief's remarks come amid the ongoing spat between two top officers of the agency.

"CBI has now become so called BBI (BJP Bureau of Investigation) - very unfortunate!" Banerjee tweeted.

The government has divested CBI Director Alok Verma and Special Director Rakesh Asthana of all powers amid the ongoing spat between them, sources said, calling it the first such case in the history of the agency.

The prime minister-led Appointments Committee on Tuesday night gave charge of the director to Joint Director M Nageshwara Rao with immediate effect, a government order said.

According to the law, the CBI director is appointed for a fixed tenure of two years.

Earlier, Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala wondered if Verma was "sacked" for his keenness to probe the "layers of corruption" in the Rafale scam and sought an answer from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley Wednesday said that the government's decision to remove Verma and Asthana is based on the CVC's recommendations and asserted that it was absolutely essential to restore the agency's institutional integrity and credibility.

-- PTI

Communist Party of India (Marxist) general secretary Sitaram Yechury on Wednesday alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Centre have conducted a political coup against the CBI.

"The Modi government and the Prime Minister have conducted a political coup against the CBI. They have conducted transfer of all the officers and directors, and main objective appears to be to protect the chosen officers of the Prime Minister posted at CBI," Yechury told ANI.

"We don't know if CBI was investigating other issues like Rafale scam. If that was the case, it was ordered to protect the govt, Prime Minister and concerned officers. Why was the DIG investigating the charges against Asthana has been sent to 'Kala Pani' in Andaman?," he added.

Soon after the government's decision to send him on leave, CBI Director Alok Verma had moved the Supreme Court to challenge it. The apex court has accepted Verma's petition and the matter is likely be heard on October 26.

The Centre's move has been criticised by several Opposition parties. However, Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley rubbished the allegations.

M Nageshwar Rao was appointed as the interim Director of the CBI with immediate effect. Rao, a 1986 batch Indian Police Service officer of the Odisha cadre, was working as the Joint Director in the investigating agency.

He will now look after the duties and functions of Director, CBI, and will take over the duties and functions with immediate effect, read an order from the central government.

The Central Government's decision came a day after CBI Special Director Rakesh Asthana moved the Delhi High Court seeking the quashing of First Information Report filed against him by the premier investigating agency of India. The court later ordered that no action would be taken against Asthana until next hearing, which is scheduled for October 29. -- ANI

17:19 It's work as usual, says CBI

CBI spokesperson on the infighting and transfers: "The team probing Rakesh Asthana's case has been reconstituted for a fair, impartial and expeditious probe. We have put available best resources in the reconstituted team. There were searches and sealing any offices are totally untrue. Nothing has been sealed. CBI is working normally. It is work as usual in the CBI. "

Feuding CBI Director Alok Verma and Special Director Rakesh Asthana have been divested of their powers and sent on leave, capping overnight discussions that led to the agency's reins being handed to a joint director as an interim measure early Wednesday.

It is the first such case in the history of the investigating agency, sources said as Finance Minister Arun Jaitley told reporters that the government's decision to remove the CBI's two top officers was based on the Central Vigilance Commission's recommendations.

Joint Director M Nageswar Rao, a 1986-batch Odisha cadre IPS officer, was appointed to look after the "duties and functions" of the director with "immediate effect" as an "interim measure".

A late night order Tuesday from the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi sent Verma and Asthana on leave.

On Tuesday evening, the CVC recommended after a meeting that Verma and Asthana be sent to leave and a Special Investigation Team be formed to probe the allegations against them.

A SIT will look into the charges and both officers will "sit out" the duration of the probe, Jaitley told reporters after a cabinet briefing, adding that they have been sent on leave as an interim measure.

17:18

Just in: A passenger boat has capsized near Shivaji Smarak. Boat belongs to the Maharashtra Government. Rescue operation underway. More details awaited.

16:46 Bharti Airtel shares soar nearly 11%, m-cap zooms Rs 12,332 cr

Shares of Bharti Airtel surged nearly 11 per cent Wednesday, adding Rs 12,332 crore to its market valuation, after global investors, including Warburg Pincus, Temasek and Singtel, agreed to invest USD 1.25 billion in its unit Airtel Africa.

The scrip zoomed 10.79 per cent to end at Rs 316.75 on the BSE. Intra-day, it soared 14.98 per cent to Rs 328.75. The stock was the biggest gainer among the BSE barometer's 30-blue chips during the day. On the NSE, shares of the company jumped 8.97 per cent to close at Rs 311.55. -- PTI

16:20 Sensex rebounds 187 points, ends above 34k

Buoyed by easing crude oil prices and a recovery in the rupee, the BSE Sensex on Wednesday recaptured the 34,000-mark by jumping 187 points after four sessions of losses as global markets bounced back. The broader Nifty, after struggling, also managed to end above the 10,200-level.

The rupee strengthened 42 paise to 73.15 (intra-day) against the US dollar in the forex market. The Sensex swung nearly 575 points during the session on heavy buying and selling by participants.

After opening on a strong footing, the Sensex quickly reclaimed the 34,000-mark to scale the session's high of 34,300.97 in early hours of trade, largely supported by easing crude prices and recovery in the rupee amid positive Asian cues. -- PTI

The CPI Wednesday described the situation in the CBI as one akin to a "coup" that has shocked the nation and demanded the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as head of the government, explain to the people the truth. Communist Party of India's national secretary D Raja said there is also speculation that the goings-on in the premier investigative agency has something to do with the Rafale scam and that the prime minister must clarify.

"What is happening in the CBI is like a coup that has shocked the entire nation. The CBI has been plunged into such a crisis. It's credibility stands completely destroyed. It is happening under the nose of the prime minister. "There is speculation that it has something to do with the Rafale scam. People want to know the truth. The prime minister being the head of the government should explain to the people and the nation," Raja said.

Top two officers of the CBI have been embroiled in a bitter battle with each accusing the other of corruption, with government asking both the officers - CBI Director Alok Verma and its special director Rakesh Asthana -- to go on leave.

The Government of India today constituted a Group of Ministers (Nitin Gadkari, Nirmala Sitharaman and Maneka Gandhi) headed by Home Minister Rajnath Singh, to strengthen the legal and institutional frameworks to deal with, and prevent sexual harassment at workplace.

The GoM will revisit the requirement of filing a complaint within three months of the date of offence as per the 2013 law on prevention of sexual harassment. Other lacunae in the laws of sexual harassment will also be reviewed.

The proposal comes after Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi proposed the formation of a legal panel to look into the legal and institutional framework in place for handling complaints of sexual harassment, including some of the complaints if required, and advise the ministry on how to strengthen these.

India's #MeToo movement, which started with Tanushree Dutta alleging actor Nana Patekar harassed her during a film shoot in 2008, has escalated sharply with increasing numbers of women coming forward with their complaints against various personalities.

M J Akbar who resigned as Minister of State for External Affairs, film director Subhash Ghai, Sajid Khan, Vikas Behl, actors Rajat Kapoor and Alok Nath are among those accused of sexual misconduct.

Saurabh Madan Mithu, the organiser of the Dussehra event in Amritsar's Choura Bazar area, on Wednesday denied responsibility for the accident in which 59 people lost their lives after being crushed by a speeding train.

He also added that a thorough investigation should be conducted into the matter at the earliest.

"I am not at all responsible for the accident as I organised the event within the permitted boundary. There was an 8-feet tall boundary wall between the event venue and railway land. People came and stood there. We even made the announcements and told them to move. Nobody realised that those two trains were moving in their direction," Mithu told ANI.

The organiser also clarified that he had sought permission from the police to organise the event and urged the authorities to deploy more security personnel as they were expecting a good footfall.

"Both local and railway police were present at the spot. The fire department was also present there and all arrangements pertaining to safety were made. We had informed the authorities that around 10 to 15 thousand people will be present at the event," he added.

When asked as to why he fled from the spot moments after the incident, Mithu said that he got scared after some of the people pelted stones at him and his family.

"Some 20-25 people started running towards me after people were killed by a speeding train. All my relatives were present at the event. I was afraid that the mob will also attack them which is why I ran from there," he said.

In his concluding remarks, Mithu said that people should be aware of the consequences of standing on the tracks while reiterating that they repeatedly urged the people not to stand on the railway track.

The accident took place on October 19 in Choura Bazar near Jhoda Phatak area of Amritsar after a train ran over the crowd, standing along train tracks to watch an effigy of Ravan being burnt. At least 59 people died while 57 sustained injuries in the tragedy. -- ANI

All sensitive cases including Vijay Mallya and Agusta Westland cases will be personally supervised by the new interim Central Bureau of Investigation chief Nageshwar Rao.

Congress president Rahul Gandhi addressing a public gathering in Jhalawar, Rajasthan.

Talking about the CBI mess, Rahul said, "Kal raat chowkidar ne CBI ke director ko hataya kyunki CBI Rafale pe sawal utha rahi thi. CBI chief Alok Verma was collecting evidence on the Rafale scam. He was per force sent on leave.

"The message from the PM is clear. All those who come close to probing the Rafale deal will be removed. The country and the Constitution are in danger," Rahul said.

The Congress said the CVC was being misused by the government since it has no power to interfere in appointments.

The Congress Wednesday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of interfering in the working of the CBI and wondered if its Director Alok Verma was "sacked" for his keenness to probe the "layers of corruption" in the Rafale scam. Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said the Modi government has put the "last nail" in the independence of the CBI by removing Verma.

Systematic dismantling and denigrating of CBI is now complete. Once a premier investigating agency, PM ensures that CBI's integrity, credibility and reliability is 'buried and dead', he wrote on Twitter.

Has the CBI Director been sacked for his keenness to probe the layers of corruption in Rafale Scam? Isn't the rest a shoddy cover up? Let PM answer, he said in another tweet.

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, however, dismissed as "rubbish" allegations that Verma was removed because he wanted to look into the Rafale fighter jet deal.

Cadila Healthcare along with Zydus Wellness will acquire Heinz India in a deal worth Rs 4,595 crore, a regulatory filing said Wednesday. The two companies have signed definitive agreements to buy Heinz India, a subsidiary of Kraft Heinz. Acquisition of popular brands such as Complan, Glucon D, Nycil and Sampriti Ghee from Heinz India would be a part of the deal, Cadila Healthcare said in a filing to BSE.

"The transaction is proposed to be financed by a mix of equity and debt. Select leading private equity firms have committed to partnering the transaction by way of equity support," it added. -- PTI

CBI director Alok Verma on Wednesday moved the Supreme Court challenging the central government's decision to send him on leave.

The apex court has accepted Verma's petition and the matter is likely be heard on October 26.

Gopal Sankaranarayanan, the lawyer appearing for Verma, told the apex court that the Centre on Wednesday morning asked his client and Special Director Rakesh Asthana to go on leave, hence compromising the investigation into many sensitive cases.

Earlier today, M Nageshwar Rao was appointed as the interim Director of the CBI with immediate effect. Rao, a 1986 IPS officer of the Odisha cadre, was working as the Joint Director in the investigating agency.

He will now look after the duties and functions of Director, CBI, and will take over the duties and functions with immediate effect, read an order from the central government.

The central government's decision came a day after Asthana moved the Delhi High Court seeking the quashing of First Information Report filed against him by the premier investigating agency of India.

The court later ordered that no action would be taken against Asthana until next hearing, which is scheduled for October 29.The CBI had filed an FIR against Asthana for allegedly accepting a bribe from a businessman, who was related to Moin Akhtar Qureshi case. Asthana was heading the Special Investigation Team that was probing Qureshi's case. -- ANI

Finance minister Arun Jaitley speaking on the CBI. Excerpts from his press conference.

-- Director has been accused by Special Director. A Special Director has been accused by CBI. Two topmost officers of CBI have been accused. Now who will investigate it? Requirements of fairness and fair play have to be there. Government can't investigate it.

-- CBI is a premier investigative agency, for maintenance of its institutional integrity, it is a pre-condition and absolutely essential for fair investigation.

-- CVC in its meeting yesterday said neither these 2 officers (Arun Verma & Rakesh Asthana) nor any agency under their supervision can investigate charges against them. So the officers will sit out by going on leave. It's an interim measure. The CVCs recommendation and the government's action is intended to restore the institutional integrity and credibility of CBI

-- CBI is meant for honest investigations. CBI's sanctity has to be maintained. Requirements of fairness and fair play have to be there.

-- This is outside the purview of the government. It is important to keep the integrity of the CBI intact. There are charges, counter charges in the CBI. Only CVC can investigate both officers.

-- The officers will go on leave, and a SIT not functioning under any of these officers will probe the matter. Officers were sent on leave for a fair probe. SIT will probe both officers. Who will constitute the SIT, will be decided by the CBI, not the government.

-- The CBI will decide on the framing of the SIT, not the government.

-- Every person is entitled to the presumption of innocence so we will not prejudge.

-- We cannot make mockeries of investigations.

Saudi authorities staged the "worst cover-up ever" in the killing of prominent journalist Jamal Khashoggi, President Donald Trump has said as the US announced its first punitive action in the case by revoking the visas of some of the senior Saudi officials involved.

Khashoggi, a columnist for The Washington Post, disappeared after he entered the Saudi consulate in Turkey on October 2 to collect a document for his upcoming marriage to a Turkish woman.

The Saudi government initially said he left the consulate through the back door. Following a global outrage, Riyadh on Friday in a statement acknowledged that Khashoggi was killed in a fistfight inside the consulate after an interrogation went wrong.

Trump offered his most stinging indictment yet of a Saudi effort to silence a dissident journalist, calling the series of events that led to Khashoggi's death "the worst cover up ever." "They (the Saudis) had a very bad original concept. It was carried out poorly. And the cover-up was one of the worst in the history of cover-ups. Very simple. Bad deal. Should have never been thought of. Somebody really messed up. And they had the worst cover-up ever," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office Tuesday.

To bring you up to speed on what is happening in the CBI:

CBI Director Alok Verma and Special Director Rakesh Asthana have been "divested of all powers" amid an ongoing spat between them, sources said, calling it the first such case in the history of the agency.

As an interim measure, the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given charge of the CBI to Joint Director M Nageswar Rao, an Odisha-cadre officer, with immediate effect, a government order said.

"The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved that during the period of the subsistence of the aforesaid interim measure...M Nageshwar (sic) Rao, IPS, presently working as Joint Director, CBI, shall look after duties and functions of Director, CBI, and shall take over duties and functions with immediate effect," it read.

After taking over last night, Rao overhauled the team probing allegations of corruption against Asthana, bringing in completely new faces, officials said.

There have been changes from the investigation officer to supervisory levels, they said. Rao, a 1986-batch Odisha cadre IPS officer, who took over the duties and functions of CBI director late last night, appointed Satish Dagar as Superintendent of Police to probe the case, they said.

The previous investigating officer, Deputy SP A K Bassi, has been shunted to Port Blair in "public interest" with "immediate effect". Rao, was also holding the charge of Additional Director along with A K Sharma and Praveen Sinha, who are Gujarat-cadre officers.

11:35 Oppn attacks govt for removal of CBI director

Opposition parties Wednesday slammed the government for CBI Director Alok Verma's removal amid an escalating feud between him and his deputy Rakesh Asthana, with the Congress dubbing it the "last nail" in the agency's independence and the CPI(M) calling it illegal.

Adding its voice to the debate, the Aam Aadmi Party asked the reasons for sending the CBI director on leave. Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala wondered if Verma was "sacked" for his keenness to probe the "layers of corruption" in the Rafale scam and sought an answer from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"Modi govt buries the 'last nail' into the independence of CBI. Systematic dismantling & denigrating of CBI is now complete. Once a premier investigating agency, PM ensures that CBI's integrity, credibility & reliability is buried & dead," Surjewala said on Twitter.

There was no immediate comment either from the government or the ruling BJP on the allegations levelled by opposition parties.

"PM Modi has demonstrated the true colour of his infamous 'Modi Made Gujarat Model' by this cloak-and-dagger mugging of CBI. Has the CBI Director been sacked for his keenness to probe the layers of corruption in Rafale Scam? Isn't the rest a shoddy cover up? Let PM answer!" the Congress leader said. -- PTI

The Supreme Court Wednesday agreed to hear on October 26 the plea of CBI Director Alok Kumar Verma challenging the Centre's decision sending him on leave.

A bench comprising Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justices SK Kaul and KM Joseph considered the submission of Verma that his plea against the Centre's decision to send him on leave required urgent hearing.

The CBI chief has also challenged the decision to appoint Joint Director M Nageshwar Rao as head of the probe agency. The Centre had yesterday taken note of the internal feud in the CBI and passed an order sending the CBI chief and Special Director Rakesh Asthana on leave. -- PTI

Update on CBIvsCBI: M Nageshwar Rao takes charge as interim Central Bureau of Investigation director.

CBI spokesperson said that no room at the agency headquarters has been sealed.

Meanwhile, officers probing the corruption case against Special Director Rakesh Asthana have been transferred.

The officers transferred are:

Joint Director (P) Arun Kumar Sharma,
JD (P) A Sai Manohar,
HoZ V Murugesan,

Deputy Inspector General Amit Kumar,

DIG Manish Kumar Sinha,

DIG Taurn Gauba,

DIG Jasbir Singh,

DIG Anish Prasad,

DIG K R Chaurasia,

HoB Ram Gopal,

SP Satish Dagar

Deputy SP A K Bassi, posted as Dy SP CBI, ACB Port Blair; and,

Addnl SP CBI S S Gum, posted as CBI, ACB Jabalpur.

IMAGE: Rakesh Asthana

11:03 Union council of ministers meeting is underway

A meeting of the Union council of ministers is underway at 7 Lok Kalyan Marg, the official residence of the prime minister, against the backdrop of the divesting of powers of the top two officers in the Central Bureau of Investigation.

A media briefing by Arun Jaitley and Ravi Shankar Prasad will follow at 12 noon.

10:59

CBIvsCBI: Gopal Sankaranarayanan, lawyer appearing for Alok Verma, told Supreme Court that the central government in the morning, asked Verma and Special Director Rakesh Asthana to go on leave compromising the investigation into many sensitive cases. -- ANI

10:49 CBI chief Verma moves SC against removal

JUST IN: Central Bureau of Investigation Director Alok Verma has moved the Supreme Court, challenging his removal as illegal.

Verma's petition accepted by the Supreme Court and is likely to be heard on October 26.

Verma was 'divested of all powers' with immediate effect this morning by the Centre.

More details awaited. -- ANI

Some unidentified persons have booked for allegedly shouting 'anti-national slogans' during the immersion of Durga idols in Bahraich, Uttar Pradesh, police said on Wednesday.

Additional Superintendent of Police Ravindra Singh said that heated arguments erupted between people belonging to two communities during the immersion of Durga idols at Khaira Bazaar on Saturday.

"Subsequently, some anti-social elements shouted anti-national slogans. A video of the incident was shared on social media. A case has been registered against unidentified people under various sections of the IPC and IT Act," he said. -- PTI

Image only for representation.

JUST IN: The offices of Central Bureau of Investigation Director Alok Verma's office and CBI Special Director Rakesh Asthana have been sealed.

There will be no movement of officials or files at both the offices till 2 pm today, said agency sources.

More details awaited. -- ANI

IMAGE: Alok Verma

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be honoured with this year's Seoul Peace Prize for his contribution to world peace through his economic vision.

Prime Minister Modi will become the 14th recipient of this coveted award.

'The Seoul Peace Prize Committee has decided to confer the 2018 Seoul Peace Prize on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in recognition of his dedication to improving international cooperation, raising global economic growth, accelerating the Human Development of the people of India by fostering economic growth in the world's fastest growing large economy and furthering the development of democracy through anti-corruption and social integration efforts,' read a statement from the Ministry of External Affairs.

The Award Committee recognised Modi's contributions to the growth of the Indian and global economies, crediting 'Modinomics' for reducing social and economic disparity between the rich and the poor.

'The Committee lauded the prime minister's initiatives to make the government cleaner through anti-corruption measures and demonetisation. The Committee also credited the prime minister for his contribution towards regional and global peace through a proactive foreign policy with countries around the world under the 'Modi Doctrine' and the 'Act East Policy',' the statement added.

Expressing his gratitude for the prestigious honour and in light of India's deepening partnership with the Republic of Korea, Prime Minister Modi has accepted the award.

The award will be presented by the Seoul Peace Prize Foundation at a mutually convenient time.

The Seoul Peace Prize was established in 1990 to commemorate the success of the 24th Olympic Games held in Seoul.

Former chairman of the International Olympic Committee Juan Antonio Samaranch was its first recipient.

Other winners include former United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and former United States Secretary of State George Pratt Shultz. -- ANI

The rupee recovered by 42 paise to 73.15 against the United States currency in early trade on Wednesday on fresh dollar selling by exporters amid easing crude oil prices and higher opening in the domestic equity markets.

At the Interbank Foreign Exchange, the rupee opened up at 73.18 and further advanced to quote 42 paise higher at 73.15 on increased selling of the American currency by exporters and banks.

The rupee sentiment also received a boost after a steep fall over 4 per cent in Brent crude prices on Tuesday, dealers said.

Brent crude prices fell 4.37 per cent, biggest single day's fall in three months to $76.24 barrel. The benchmark oil was trading near $76.79 barrel in early trade on Wednesday.

On Tuesday, the local currency had ended almost flat at 73.57 against the US currency on Tuesday.

On a net basis, foreign funds sold shares worth Rs 340.35 crore, while domestic institutional investors bought shares to the tune of Rs 116.41 crore on Tuesday, provisional data showed.

The benchmark BSE Sensex was trading sharply higher by 444.39 points or 1.31 per cent at 34,291.62 points in opening trade on Wednesday. -- PTI

09:34 Two terrorists killed in encounter

Two terrorists were killed in an encounter with security forces in Nowgam area of Srinagar on Wednesday, police said.

Security forces launched a cordon and search operation in Srinagar on information that some terrorists had sneaked in the area.

The terrorists opened fire on security forces, triggering a gunbattle in which two ultras were killed.

A police official said locals have been told not to go near the operation site till the area has been santiised.

Authorities have snapped mobile Internet services in the city and shut educational institutions as a precautionary measure. -- PTI

Image only for representation.

The internal squabble in the Central Bureau of Investigation is shocking and unprecedented in the history of the country's premier investigation agency, former officials of the probe agency said.

Former Assistant Director of CBI, N S Kharayat has said that the central government should take the issue very seriously.

"The CBI is directly under the Prime Minister. This incident is unparalleled in the history of the CBI. This is very unfortunate that one special director of the CBI is facing corruption charges.

"The CBI is such a reputed agency and it is the duty of CBI officials to maintain its dignity and image I am shocked that the government has not woken up yet," Kharatyat told ANI.

Former Joint-Director of the CBI N K Singh termed the matter unfortunate.

"It is the most unfortunate. There have been ups and downs in the CBI in the past too. But, whatever is happening today has been never heard before. The credibility of the CBI is also lost now," he said. -- ANI

Photograph: Rakesh Asthana

08:31 CBI building sealed

JUST IN: The Central Bureau of Investigation building has been sealed, neither staff nor outsiders are being allowed, say sources. -- PTI

JUST IN: The government has appointed Central Bureau of Investigation Joint director M Nageshwar Rao as the interim director of the investigating agency with immediate effect.

The warring agency's chief Alok Verma and Special Director Rakesh Asthana have been sent on leave.

Rao will assume office as interim CBI chief at 9.30 am today.

The move comes after the Central Vigilance Commission passed an order seeking removal of all powers to both Alok Verma and Rakesh Asthana.

Nageshwar Rao is a 1986 batch IPS officer from the Odisha cadre.

More details awaited. -- Agencies

IMAGE: M Nageshwar Rao

France's niqab ban violates the human rights of Muslim women and risks "confining them to their homes," the United Nations Human Rights Committee said.

The committee said two women fined for wearing the full-face Islamic veils should be compensated and it called on France to review its controversial 2010 law banning the garment.

"The French law disproportionately harmed the petitioners' right to manifest their religious beliefs," the committee said in a statement, adding that France had not adequately explained the need for the ban.

"The Committee was not persuaded by France's claim that a ban on face covering was necessary and proportionate from a security standpoint or for attaining the goal of 'living together' in society," they said.

Women in France can be fined up to 150 euros for wearing the niqab, a full-face veil with an opening for the eyes, under a law that came into effect in 2011 prohibiting the wearing of headgear covering the face.

Denmark and the Netherlands have passed similar bans on face-covering garments since the French law came into effect, while German Chancellor Angela Merkel has called for legislation to do the same.

Yahoo has agreed to pay $50 million in damages and provide two years of free credit-monitoring services to about 200 million people in the US and Israel whose email addresses and other personal information were stolen as part of the biggest security breach in history.

The restitution hinges on federal court approval of a settlement filed late Monday in a 2-year-old lawsuit seeking to hold Yahoo accountable for digital burglaries that occurred in 2013 and 2014, but weren't disclosed until 2016.

About 3 billion Yahoo accounts were hit by hackers that included some linked to Russia by the FBI . The settlement reached in a San Francisco court covers about 1 billion of those accounts held by an estimated 200 million people.

Yahoo is now owned by Verizon Communications.

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