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Fri, 26 October 2018
Trump accuses Twitter of delisting his followers
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23:32 Trump accuses Twitter of delisting his followers
United States President Donald Trump on Friday accused Twitter of delisting his followers and making it tougher for new people to join, as he criticised the microblogging site's efforts to remove fake and abusive accounts.
Trump has 55.3 million followers on Twitter. The site is the most preferred medium of the president to communicate with his followers.
In a tweet, Trump accused Twitter of being biased towards him.
"Twitter has removed many people from my account and, more importantly, they have seemingly done something that makes it much harder to join - they have stifled growth to a point where it is obvious to all," said the president.
"A few weeks ago it was a Rocket Ship, now it is a Blimp! Total Bias?" Trump wrote.
Twitter said it has been removing fake accounts from its system and in the last two months it has lost some nine million accounts.
"Our focus is on the health of the service, and that includes our work to remove fake accounts and those engaging in malicious behaviour," Twitter said in a statement.
"Many prominent accounts have seen follower counts drop, but the result is higher confidence that the followers they have are real, engaged people," it said. -- PTI
23:13 Dhoni dropped from T20I series against Windies, Australia
Mahendra Singh Dhoni was today dropped from India's 16-member teams for both the T20 International series against the West Indies and Australia later this year.
Captain Virat Kohli was rested from the three-match T20I series against the West Indies beginning on November 4. Rohit Sharma will lead the team in Kohli's absence.
Kohli, however, returns for the four-match Test series against Australia later this year with the BCCI's selection committee naming a 18-member team for the important assignment. He will also lead the side in the three T20 matches against Australia.
The selection panel also named a 15-member India A team for first four-day game against New Zealand A.
Team for three T20I match series against West Indies:
Rohit Sharma (C), Shikhar Dhawan, KL Rahul, Dinesh Karthik, Manish Pandey, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant (wk), Krunal Pandya, Washington Sundar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah, Khaleel Ahmed, Umesh Yadav, Shahbaz Nadeem.
Team for four-match Test series against Australia:
Virat Kohli (C), M Vijay, KL Rahul, Prithvi Shaw, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Hanuma Vihari, Rohit Sharma, Rishabh Pant, Parthiv Patel, R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Ishant, Umesh Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar.
Team for three-match T20I series against Australia:
Virat Kohli (C), Rohit Sharma (vc), Shikhar Dhawan, KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, Manish Pandey, Dinesh Karthik, Rishabh Pant (wk), Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Washington Sundar, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah, Umesh Yadav, Khaleel Ahmed.
India A team for first four-day game against New Zealand A:
Ajinkya Rahane (C), M Vijay, Prithvi Shaw, Mayank Agarwal, Hanuma Vihari, Rohit Sharma, Parthiv Patel (wk), K Gowtham, Shahbaz Nadeem, Md Siraj, Navdeep Saini, Deepak Chahar, R Gurbani, Vijay Shankar, KS Bharath. -- PTI
22:41 Govt asks telcos to stop using Aadhaar eKYC for verifying users
The government on Friday ordered telecom companies to stop using Aadhaar for electronic verification of existing mobile phone customers as well as for issuing new connections to comply with a recent Supreme Court order.
The apex court had last month in a landmark verdict restricted the use of Aadhaar by private entities in the absence of a legal provision.
To comply with the order, the department of telecom on Friday issued detailed instructions to telecom companies on stopping the use of Aadhaar-based electronic-know your customer and report compliance by November 5.
Aadhaar e-KYC cannot be used for verifying existing customers as well as giving new SIM connections, DoT said in a three-page circular.
Also, it permitted the use of physical Aadhaar card for giving new connections provided the customer voluntarily offers it. -- PTI
22:13 IFS officer Devyani Khobragade promoted
Indian Foreign Services officer Devyani Khobragade, who was stripped searched in the US in 2013, finally was promoted Friday, seven months after the Central Administrative Tribunal ruled in her favour, according to an official order.
The Appointments Committee of Cabinet has approved the empanelment of Dr (Mrs) Devyani Uttam Khobragade for promotion to Grade-III (joint secretary) of the Indian Foreign Service in "on notional basis with effect from November 1, 2016", the order stated.
It comes nearly seven months after the CAT asked the ministry of external affairs to promote the 1999 IFS officer as a joint secretary within two months if she was found fit for the job.
The direction had come on her plea alleging that when her batch was considered for promotion to Grade-III of the Indian Foreign Service, that is the joint secretary rank for he vacancy year 2016-17, her case was not considered and kept in a sealed cover, apparently due to the pendency of enquiry proceedings against her.
The MEA had initiated proceedings against her for giving interviews to the media without taking permission from the ministry, as also for her "misleading" statement that it was permissible for her children, who were both under 18 years of age, to retain both Indian and US passports.
The disciplinary authority had in November 2017 imposed on her the penalty of "reduction to a lower stage in the time scale of pay by one stage for a period of one year without cumulative effect and not adversely affecting her pension".
The CAT noted there was an "inordinate and unexplained" delay of about 20 months on the end of the ministry in acting on Khobragade's March 2015 reply on the charges and said the penalty imposed by the DA shall be treated as effective from September 2015 and ending on August 2016.
"From the inordinate delay of 20 months at the end of the respondents (ministry), we are fully convinced that the respondents have not shown any alacrity or seriousness to complete the proceedings against the applicant (Khobragade) in a reasonable time frame," it said.
Khobragade was deputy consul general in New York in late 2013 when she was arrested by the US authorities for allegedly underpaying her Indian maid in a fraudulent manner.
Her strip-search, which followed the arrest, had created an uproar in India with the then UPA government threatening similar action against US diplomats and scaling down the immunity enjoyed by them here.
Khobragade's children live in the US with their father while she is not allowed to travel abroad pending the case against her in the US. She has also moved the high court against denial of Indian citizenship and passport to her children by the MEA.
She has also written a book "The white sari" after the controversies in the US. -- PTI
22:00 I will remain PM, naming Rajapaksa unconstitutional: Wickremesinghe
The swearing in of former president Mahinda Rajapaksa as Sri Lanka's new prime minister is "illegal and unconstitutional", sacked premier Ranil Wickremesinghe asserted on Friday.
In a dramatic turn of events, President Maithripala Sirisena's Sri Lanka Freedom Party withdrew from the ruling coalition and then sacked Wickremesinghe.
In a telephonic conversation with a TV station, Wickremesinghe said "I will continue to be the Prime Minister. Mahinda Rajapaksa's appointment is unconstitutional".
Similarly, Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera tweeted that "the appointment of Mahinda Rajapaksa as the Prime Minister is unconstitutional and illegal. This is an anti-democratic coup".
Mahinda Amaraweera, agriculture minister and the general secretary of the United People's Freedom Alliance, told reporters that the UPFA decision has been conveyed to Parliament.
Within minutes of the statement, Rajapaksa was invited by Sirisena to take oath as the Prime Minister.
The unity government was formed in 2015 when Sirisena was elected President with Wickremesinghe's support.
Sirisena, who was Rajapaksa's minister of health, broke away from him to contest the presidential elections.
Political analysts said Sirisena's move to install Rajapaksa as the prime minister could lead to a constitutional crisis as the 19th amendment to the Constitution would not allow the sacking of Wickremesinghe as the premier without a majority.
Rajapaksa and Sirisena combine has only 95 seats and is short of a simple majority.
Wickremesinghe's UNP has 106 seats on its own with just seven short of the majority. -- PTI
21:46 Activist Rahul Easwar booked for remarks on Sabarimala
A case was registered against activist Rahul Easwar Friday for allegedly making provocative statement on the Sabarimala issue, police said.
A case was registered against Easwar, who belongs to the Thazhamon family of Sabarimala tantris (priests), on the basis of a complaint filed by a Thiruvananthapuram native, they said.
He has been charged under IPC Section 153 (Wantonly giving provocation with intent to cause riot).
Easwar, among those who spearheaded the frenzied protests in Sabarimala, had 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.
He had claimed that 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," Easwar, President of the 'Ayyappa Dharma Sena', had told reporters.
Kerala Devaswom Minister Kadakkampally Surendran had claimed Thursday that effective police intervention had foiled the protesters' bid to "desecrate" the Ayyappa Temple by spilling blood in the premises if women devotees in the 10-50 age group offered prayers.
He had said the "conspiracy" of the devotees was made clear by the statement of Ayyappa Dharma Sena president Easwar.
"This was a planned attempt to desecrate the holy temple, but effective police intervention defeated their efforts," Surendran had said. -- PTI
21:14 Man arrested in Florida over suspicious packages
A man has been arrested in connection with the suspected pipe bombs that were sent to political figures including Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton.
"We can confirm one person is in custody," Sarah Isgur Flores, a Justice Department spokeswoman, said on Twitter.
Several US media reported that the suspect was taken into custody for questioning in Florida.
A total of 12 suspicious packages have been found so far.
20:54 Modi has failed electorate, eroded voters' faith: Manmohan
Former prime minister Manmohan Singh on Friday accused his successor Narendra Modi of failing the electorate and eroding voters' faith as he attacked him for his silence on incidents of communal violence, lynching and cow vigilantism in the country.
He alleged that the environment in the country's universities and national institutions like the CBI have been vitiated under the Modi government.
Singh was speaking at the launch of Congress leader Shashi Tharoor's book "The Paradoxical Prime Minister" in New Delhi.
"In 2014, Narendra Modi was elected 14th prime minister of India on the back of many lofty promises he made to the people of India. In the past four years, Modiji and his government have failed the electorate and eroded their voters' faith," he said.
Citing the book, he said Modi is a paradoxical prime minister and Tharoor has demonstrated it in his "superbly written and devastatingly accurate book".
"He (Modi) has spoken of being a prime minister for all Indians but he...presides over and has mostly been silent in the face of widespread communal violence, mob lynching and cow vigilantism," Singh said.
"The environment in our universities and national institutions like the CBI is being vitiated," he also said, referring to the current crisis in the CBI where the top two bosses of the agency were divested of their powers and sent on leave. -- PTI
20:31 Mahinda Rajapaksa sworn in as Sri Lankan PM
Former Sri Lankan president Mahinda Rajapaksa has been sworn-in as the prime minister after president Maithripala Sirisena's party on Friday withdrew from the ruling coalition.
Rajapaksa replaced Ranil Wickremesinghe as the PM.
The unity government of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party and the United National Party was thrown into a crisis after Rajapaksa's new party pulled off a stunning victory in local elections in February seen as a referendum on the ruling alliance.
The United People's Freedom Alliance withdrew from the government, UPFA General Secretary Mahinda Amaraweera was quoted as saying by Daily Mirror news.
"The UPFA left the coalition government," he said.
Last week, it was reported that Sirisena accused his senior coalition partner the UNP of not taking seriously an alleged conspiracy to assassinate him and Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, the former top defence ministry bureaucrat and brother of ex-president Mahinda Rajapaksa.
20:15 8 killed, 3 injured in explosion at firecracker factory in UP
At least eight persons were killed and three others seriously injured on Friday in an explosion at a firecracker factory in Uttar Pradesh's Badaun, police said.
At around 4.00 pm, there was an explosion in a licensed firecracker factory in Rasulpur village under the Civil Lines police station, Badaun Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Ashok Kumar said.
"Seven persons died on the spot, while one person succumbed to his injuries in hospital. Three injured persons have been admitted to the district hospital. Their condition is serious," he said.
The intensity of the blast was so strong that people sitting in an adjacent cycle shop and some passersby were injured in the incident, the SSP said.
"Two passersby were among those killed," he said.
Sub-divisional magistrate of Badaun Parasnath Maurya said the deceased have been identified as Guddu Sharma (23), Sher Singh (55), Ramesh (30), Sanju (34), Pannalal (41), Yameen (42) and Satish (24).
The identity of one victim is yet to be ascertained.
The district administration had pressed excavators and fire brigades into service for rescue work.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath took immediate cognizance of the explosion and directed the district magistrate of Badaun to take all necessary steps to provide relief to the injured. -- PTI
20:04 Two more 'suspicious packages' found in US
Two more suspicious packages -- addressed to Senator Cory Booker and former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper -- were discovered at mail facilities on Friday, law enforcement officials said.
The packages are identical in appearance to the 10 others containing pipe bombs that were sent this week to opponents of President Trump.
One was found at a United States Postal Service facility in Manhattan addressed to CNN in the care of Clapper, a contributor at the network.
The one addressed to Booker, a Democrat, turned up at a mail facility in Royal Palm Beach, Florida, NBC News reported.
A total of 12 packages have been found so far.
They have been addressed to former President Barack Obama; former Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr.; former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton; Representative Maxine Waters of California; former Attorney General Eric Holder; the actor Robert De Niro; and George Soros, the billionaire Democratic donor.
United States President Donald Trump has termed as 'abhorrent' the sending of 'suspicious packages', asserting that threats of political violence have no place in America.
19:18 CBI books Daati Maharaj for alleged rape and unnatural sex
The Central Bureau of Investigation has booked self-styled preacher Daati Maharaj, who runs a temple in South Delhi, for allegedly raping and having unnatural sex with an inmate of his ashram, officials said Friday.
The agency had taken over investigation in the case on the instructions of the Delhi high court, they said.
On a complaint by a woman disciple, a case of rape and unnatural sex was filed against Daati Maharaj, his three brothers and a woman at Fatehpur Beri Police Station in South Delhi.
On June 22, the police had questioned Daati Maharaj also known as Daati Madanlal, who was charged with rape of a disciple at his ashrams in Delhi and Rajasthan.
The accused had claimed he was being framed in the case.
A bench of Chief Justice Rajendra Menon and Justice V K Rao had allowed the complainant woman's plea to transfer the matter to the CBI, saying the manner in which the Delhi Police carried out the probe "casts a shadow on the investigation".
It is possibly the first case registered by the agency after a midnight drama in which its Director Alok Verma and Special Director Rakesh Asthana were divested of all powers by the government on the recommendation of Central Vigilance Commission. -- PTI
19:05 Petrol price cut by Rs 2, diesel by Rs 1 in last 8 days
Petrol price has been cut by nearly Rs 2 per litre and diesel by Re 1 a litre in the last eight days on the back of softer international rates, an official statement said Friday.
Petrol price has been reduced by Rs 1.98 per litre and diesel by Rs 0.96 a litre during the last eight days.
In Delhi, petrol now costs Rs 80.85 per litre and diesel is priced at Rs 74.73 a litre, it said.
The rates are off their record high of Rs 84 per litre for petrol and Rs 75.45 a litre for diesel touched on October 4.
On that day, the government decided to cut excise duty on petrol and diesel by Rs 1.50 per litre each and asked state-owned fuel retailers to subsidise by another Re 1 a litre by reducing their margins.
Subsequent to this, the petrol price came down to Rs 81.50 per litre and diesel at Rs 72.95 a litre on October 5, the statement said. -- PTI
18:52 Next of kin of those killed in Amritsar train accident will be given govt jobs: Sidhu
The Punjab government will provide jobs to the eligible family members of those killed in the Amritsar rail tragedy, Cabinet minister Navjot Singh Sidhu said Friday.
At least 59 people were killed after a crowd of Dussehra revellers that had spilled onto railway tracks while watching the burning of a Ravana effigy was run over by a train in Amritsar.
The people falling in the old age category would be given pension by the government, he said.
Sidhu reiterated that he is committed to help the affected families monetarily and that the families would not be left in the lurch with the government standing shoulder-to-shoulder with them in their hour of need.
"The state government will give jobs to the eligible family members of those killed in the rail tragedy," he told reporters here.
The minister said that though many people are coming forward to adopt the children rendered orphan in the tragedy, the government would only allow the adoption to take place after the completion of formalities and procedures as per the law.
The local government minister handed over cheques of financial assistance to 5 more victim families of the recent rail tragedy.
He said that till date 46 families have been provided with the financial assistance and the rest of the 13 cheques would also be given soon.
Sidhu termed as "most unfortunate" that some elements are playing politics over the bodies of the people killed in the tragedy.
He said the state government would do everything possible to help the affected families. -- PTI
18:44 Army jawan killed in stone pelting in Kashmir
Army soldier Rajendra Singh was part of Quick Reaction Team that was providing security to a Border Roads Organisation convoy y'day.When convoy was passing through Anantnag bypass tri-junction,few youth hurled stones at vehicle&he was hit by a stone.He later succumbed to injuries
An army soldier was killed after protesters threw stones at an army convoy passing through the Anantnag bypass tri-junction in Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday, an army spokesperson said today.
The soldier, identified as Rajendra Singh, was part of a quick reaction team responsible for providing security cover to a Border Roads Organisation.
Singh, who was critically injured in the incident, died despite being given medical assistance.
Singh, a resident of Badena in Uttarakhand's Pithoragarh, had joined the army in 2016.
He is survived by his parents.
18:19 BJP, JD-U will contest equal number of seats in Bihar LS poll: Shah
The Bharatiya Janata Partyand the Janata Dal-United will contest an equal number of seats in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections in Bihar, BJP president Amit Shah said Friday.
"It has been decided that the BJP and the JD-U will fight on equal number of seats for the 2019 Lok Sabha election in Bihar," Shah told reporters after meeting Nitish.
Other NDA allies, including the Lok Janshakti Party and the Rashtriya Lok Samta Party, will get due representation in the seat sharing formula, Shah said.
Addressing reporters along with Bihar chief minister and JD-U leader Nitish Kumar, Shah said the number of seats each ally will get will be announced in the next three-four days.
LJP chief Ram Vilas Paswan and RLSP leader Upendra Khushwaha are firmly with the NDA and their parties will get due representation in seat sharing, the BJP chief said.
17:33 SC hearing on Verma's plea did not find mention of stay on govt order
The fast-paced hearing on the controversy surrounding the CBI before the Supreme Court on Friday went without a mention of stay sought by the premier probe agency's chief Alok Kumar Verma on the Centre's decision to divest him of powers and sending him on leave.
While Verma's plea sought stay on the Centre's order asking him to proceed on leave and giving the interim charge of his post to M Nageswara Rao, a 1986 batch Odisha-cadre IPS officer, the issue did not come up during the brief hearing.
The hearing before a bench comprising Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justices SK Kaul and KM Joseph commenced with senior advocate Fali S Nariman, appearing for Verma, opening the arguments.
Nariman started his arguments by referring to the apex court's 1997 Vineet Narain judgement, which relates to probe of allegations of corruption against high-ranking public officials in India, the Central Vigilance Commission Act 2003 and amendments in the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act.
He argued that CBI Director is appointed for a tenure of two years by a committee comprising the Prime Minister, Leader of Opposition and the Chief Justice of India as per provisions of the DSPE Act.
"The question is whether the tenure could be breached at any time?," he told the bench and said that consent of the committee was needed for transferring the CBI Director. Nariman also argued that in this matter, orders were passed by the government which divested Verma of his duties and send him on leave.
He said after the orders divesting Verma of his duties were passed, on October 23 another order was issued appointing Rao to perform the duties of the CBI Director.
However, before the issue of stay on government's order could be raised in the court, the bench told Attorney General K K Venugopal that it would examine the issues.
"The only thing which we need to look is what interim order to pass. Without wasting the time, we will tell you what we have in our mind," the CJI told Venugopal.
The bench said CVC's inquiry should be completed within 10 days and should be conducted under the supervision of a judge of the apex court and Rao would not take any policy decision.
It said the Centre and CBI should place before it in a sealed cover the list of decisions taken by Rao from October 23 till today. The bench said that at this stage, the CVC has to see whether there was any prima facie ground to proceed in the matter and for this, it does not have to go through thousands of pages of documents for this. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for CVC, said that several documents were required to be looked into during the inquiry and 10 days time would not be sufficient. -- PTI
While Verma's plea sought stay on the Centre's order asking him to proceed on leave and giving the interim charge of his post to M Nageswara Rao, a 1986 batch Odisha-cadre IPS officer, the issue did not come up during the brief hearing.
The hearing before a bench comprising Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justices SK Kaul and KM Joseph commenced with senior advocate Fali S Nariman, appearing for Verma, opening the arguments.
Nariman started his arguments by referring to the apex court's 1997 Vineet Narain judgement, which relates to probe of allegations of corruption against high-ranking public officials in India, the Central Vigilance Commission Act 2003 and amendments in the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act.
He argued that CBI Director is appointed for a tenure of two years by a committee comprising the Prime Minister, Leader of Opposition and the Chief Justice of India as per provisions of the DSPE Act.
"The question is whether the tenure could be breached at any time?," he told the bench and said that consent of the committee was needed for transferring the CBI Director. Nariman also argued that in this matter, orders were passed by the government which divested Verma of his duties and send him on leave.
He said after the orders divesting Verma of his duties were passed, on October 23 another order was issued appointing Rao to perform the duties of the CBI Director.
However, before the issue of stay on government's order could be raised in the court, the bench told Attorney General K K Venugopal that it would examine the issues.
"The only thing which we need to look is what interim order to pass. Without wasting the time, we will tell you what we have in our mind," the CJI told Venugopal.
The bench said CVC's inquiry should be completed within 10 days and should be conducted under the supervision of a judge of the apex court and Rao would not take any policy decision.
It said the Centre and CBI should place before it in a sealed cover the list of decisions taken by Rao from October 23 till today. The bench said that at this stage, the CVC has to see whether there was any prima facie ground to proceed in the matter and for this, it does not have to go through thousands of pages of documents for this. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for CVC, said that several documents were required to be looked into during the inquiry and 10 days time would not be sufficient. -- PTI
17:25 No greed to become CM again but 'let's see' in next polls: Siddaramaiah
"Let's see if there are blessings of the people in the next elections," was senior Congress leader Siddaramaiah's refrain Friday when asked if he wants to become Karnataka chief minister again even though he asserted he has no such "greed".
The head of the Congress-JD(S) coalition coordination committee also accused state BJP chief and former chief minister B S Yeddyurappa of being "greedy" to become chief minister once again, as he was growing old.
"... Am I going on claiming that I will become chief minister (like Yeddyurappa)... have I said that? That question does not arise at all at this stage... Let's see if there are blessings of the people in the next election," he said in response to a question about his aspiration to become chief minister again.
Speaking to reporters in Shivamogga, he said, "... If people bless in the next assembly election, let's see it then..."
Noting that he contested the recent assembly polls on the insistence of Congress President Rahul Gandhi, the Congress legislature party leader said there are no such thoughts in his mind as of now.
"I had got an opportunity to become chief minister for five years, we have run a government that has walked its talk, and we have fulfilled the promises made to the people. I have that contentment. I don't have the greed to keep on becoming the chief minister," he added.
Ahead of the May 12 assembly polls, Siddaramaiah had indicated that it could "most likely" be his last election.
Earlier during the 2013 assembly polls also he had said it was his last election.
Chiding the BJP for its claims that the coalition government would not last long, Siddaramaiah claimed Yeddyurappa has greed, and somehow wants to become chief minister, but his desire would not get fulfilled.
"As Yeddyurappa is growing old he some how wants to become the chief minister before the Lok Sabha election, so various kinds of exercises are going on, but their (BJP) attempts will not succeed and this government will not fall, it is stable," he said.
16:08 Sensex extends losses as new F&O series opens weak
The BSE Sensex tumbled almost 341 points to end at a fresh seven-month low of 33,349.31 Friday as the November derivatives series began on a subdued note amid weakness in the rupee and negative leads from global markets. On a weekly basis, both key indices Sensex and Nifty recorded their second straight week of losses by falling 966.32 points, or about 3 per cent, and 273.55 points, or 2.7 per cent, respectively. Continuous fall in the rupee, which depreciated to 73.45 (intra-day) against the dollar, and prevailing liquidity crunch remain key dampening factors, brokers said.
Most Asian markets skidded to multi-month lows and European shares opened sharply lower on worries over corporate earnings and global growth.
Disappointing quarterly earnings from Maruti Suzuki, Yes Bank and a few others accelerated the selling momentum, brokers said. -- PTI
Most Asian markets skidded to multi-month lows and European shares opened sharply lower on worries over corporate earnings and global growth.
Disappointing quarterly earnings from Maruti Suzuki, Yes Bank and a few others accelerated the selling momentum, brokers said. -- PTI
16:08 Sensex extends losses as new F&O series opens weak
The BSE Sensex tumbled almost 341 points to end at a fresh seven-month low of 33,349.31 Friday as the November derivatives series began on a subdued note amid weakness in the rupee and negative leads from global markets. On a weekly basis, both key indices Sensex and Nifty recorded their second straight week of losses by falling 966.32 points, or about 3 per cent, and 273.55 points, or 2.7 per cent, respectively. Continuous fall in the rupee, which depreciated to 73.45 (intra-day) against the dollar, and prevailing liquidity crunch remain key dampening factors, brokers said.
Most Asian markets skidded to multi-month lows and European shares opened sharply lower on worries over corporate earnings and global growth.
Disappointing quarterly earnings from Maruti Suzuki, Yes Bank and a few others accelerated the selling momentum, brokers said. -- PTI
Most Asian markets skidded to multi-month lows and European shares opened sharply lower on worries over corporate earnings and global growth.
Disappointing quarterly earnings from Maruti Suzuki, Yes Bank and a few others accelerated the selling momentum, brokers said. -- PTI
15:27 Maoist links: Pune court rejects bail pleas of three activists
A court in Pune Friday rejected the bail applications of activists Sudha Bharadwaj, Vernon Gonsalves and Arun Ferreira, who were arrested for their alleged Maoist links.
The Pune Police had arrested these three activists along with two others - poet P Varavara Rao and Gautam Navlakha -- on August 28 in connection with the Elgar Parishad conclave held in Pune on December 31, which allegedly triggered violence at Koregaon Bhima the next day.
Police alleged that some of the backers of the conclave had Maoist links. District and Sessions Judge (Special Judge) K D Vadane rejected the bail applications of Bharadwaj, Gonsalves and Ferreira.
The prosecution, while opposing the bail applications, had argued that they have "corrborative evidence" against the accused to prove their involvement in Maoist activities, such as mobilising cadres, recruiting students from eminent institutes and sending them to the interior to become "professional revolutionaries", raise funds and procure weapons. -- PTI
The Pune Police had arrested these three activists along with two others - poet P Varavara Rao and Gautam Navlakha -- on August 28 in connection with the Elgar Parishad conclave held in Pune on December 31, which allegedly triggered violence at Koregaon Bhima the next day.
Police alleged that some of the backers of the conclave had Maoist links. District and Sessions Judge (Special Judge) K D Vadane rejected the bail applications of Bharadwaj, Gonsalves and Ferreira.
The prosecution, while opposing the bail applications, had argued that they have "corrborative evidence" against the accused to prove their involvement in Maoist activities, such as mobilising cadres, recruiting students from eminent institutes and sending them to the interior to become "professional revolutionaries", raise funds and procure weapons. -- PTI
15:24 Govt treating human rights organisations like criminal enterprises: Amnesty India
Amnesty India's Executive Director Aakar Patel in a statement on Friday accused government authorities of increasingly treating human rights organisations like "criminal enterprises".Patel's statement comes following Enforcement Directorate's raids at the Amnesty International's office in Bengaluru yesterday.
"We could not agree more with the Prime Minister when he says that periods of repression, like during the Emergency, have left a stain on India's history. Sadly, those dark days are now casting a shadow over India again. Instead of protecting human rights, as it vowed to do, the government is now targeting the people who fight for them," read his statement.
"Our work in India, as elsewhere, is to uphold and fight for universal human rights. These are the same values that are enshrined in the Indian Constitution and flow from a long and rich Indian tradition of pluralism, tolerance and dissent," Patel added.
Venting anger over the government for its move, Patel said: "Amnesty India is thus the latest target of the government's assault on civil society in the country. Amnesty India's bank accounts have been frozen by the Enforcement Directorate, effectively stopping our work."Giving out clarification on the ED raids, he stated, "Most of the documents asked for during the search were available in the public domain or were already filed with the relevant authorities. Details of our current structure, which was the focus of much of the questioning, have been available on our website since 2014. However, ahead of the raids, the Indian authorities leaked a cache of their internal documents marked secret that appear to cast Amnesty India's operations as a dark web of intrigue." -- ANI
Image: Amnesty India's Executive Director Aakar Patel
"We could not agree more with the Prime Minister when he says that periods of repression, like during the Emergency, have left a stain on India's history. Sadly, those dark days are now casting a shadow over India again. Instead of protecting human rights, as it vowed to do, the government is now targeting the people who fight for them," read his statement.
"Our work in India, as elsewhere, is to uphold and fight for universal human rights. These are the same values that are enshrined in the Indian Constitution and flow from a long and rich Indian tradition of pluralism, tolerance and dissent," Patel added.
Venting anger over the government for its move, Patel said: "Amnesty India is thus the latest target of the government's assault on civil society in the country. Amnesty India's bank accounts have been frozen by the Enforcement Directorate, effectively stopping our work."Giving out clarification on the ED raids, he stated, "Most of the documents asked for during the search were available in the public domain or were already filed with the relevant authorities. Details of our current structure, which was the focus of much of the questioning, have been available on our website since 2014. However, ahead of the raids, the Indian authorities leaked a cache of their internal documents marked secret that appear to cast Amnesty India's operations as a dark web of intrigue." -- ANI
Image: Amnesty India's Executive Director Aakar Patel
15:06 Here's looking at you, Rahul
Congress President Rahul Gandhi inside the Lodhi Colony Police Station after being reportedly detained during the CBI protests. " The PM can run, he can hide, but in the end, the truth will be revealed. Removing the CBI director will not help. The PM acted against the CBI Director; it was an act of panic," Rahul said after leaving the police station.
14:50 TTV Dhinakaran's MLAs decide to move SC against disqualification
The 18 disqualified AIADMK legislators on Friday decided to approach the Supreme Court against the Madras high court order upholding their disqualification by Tamil Nadu Assembly Speaker P Dhanapal last year.
Thanga Tamilselvan, one of the disqualified MLAs and a staunch supporter of sidelined AIADMK leader TTV Dhinakaran, said the decision was "unanimous" and accepted with "joy" by all the 18 MLAs.
The decision was taken after a discussion between the disqualified legislators and Dhinakaran in Madurai.
"It has been decided that we will go in for an appeal to show to the world that what the Speaker has done is a mistake. We are going to appeal in the Supreme Court," he told reporters.
The Madras high court on Thursday upheld the June 14 order of the then chief justice disqualifying 18 rebel AIADMK legislators, in a huge relief to the K Palaniswami government.
The 18 disqualified MLAs are loyalists of Dhinakaran, who now heads the AMMK, and deposed AIADMK leader V K Sasikala.
14:29 Rahul Gandhi courts arrest
Congress President Rahul Gandhi Friday courted arrest after staging a protest outside the CBI headquarters in Delhi against the move to divest CBI Director Alok Verma of his powers and send him on leave.
Earlier addressing the gathering Gandhi attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the issue. He also accused him of destroying institutions including the CBI, the Election Commission and the Enforcement Directorate. Senior Congress leaders, including Ashok Gehlot, Ahmed Patel, Motilal Vora, Veerappa Moily and Anand Sharma, took part in the march that culminated in a demonstration ahead of the CBI headquarters.
Loktantrik Janata Dal leader Sharad Yadav, CPI leader D Raja and TMC's Nadimul Haque joined the protest.
The Congress' protests in the national capital were replicated in other parts of the country. State Congress leaders led demonstrations in their regions against what the Congress described as the "illegal, unconstitutional and illegitimate removal of the CBI director by the Modi-Shah duo".
The apex court said former Supreme Court judge AK Patnaik will oversee a CVC inquiry into the allegations against Verma and the report has to be placed before it within two weeks. It directed that interim CBI chief M Nageswara Rao shall not take any major policy decisions. Decisions taken by him since October 23 till date shall not be implemented, it said. All decisions taken by Rao shall be placed before the apex court in a sealed cover. -- PTI
Image: Congress president Rahul Gandhi inside a police van near the CBI HQ in Delhi.
Earlier addressing the gathering Gandhi attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the issue. He also accused him of destroying institutions including the CBI, the Election Commission and the Enforcement Directorate. Senior Congress leaders, including Ashok Gehlot, Ahmed Patel, Motilal Vora, Veerappa Moily and Anand Sharma, took part in the march that culminated in a demonstration ahead of the CBI headquarters.
Loktantrik Janata Dal leader Sharad Yadav, CPI leader D Raja and TMC's Nadimul Haque joined the protest.
The Congress' protests in the national capital were replicated in other parts of the country. State Congress leaders led demonstrations in their regions against what the Congress described as the "illegal, unconstitutional and illegitimate removal of the CBI director by the Modi-Shah duo".
The apex court said former Supreme Court judge AK Patnaik will oversee a CVC inquiry into the allegations against Verma and the report has to be placed before it within two weeks. It directed that interim CBI chief M Nageswara Rao shall not take any major policy decisions. Decisions taken by him since October 23 till date shall not be implemented, it said. All decisions taken by Rao shall be placed before the apex court in a sealed cover. -- PTI
Image: Congress president Rahul Gandhi inside a police van near the CBI HQ in Delhi.
14:17 CBI officers should be beyond suspicion like Caesar's wife: Jaitley
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on the Supreme Court order granting 14 days to the CVC to probe CBI chief Alok Verma's plea in the court on the CVC asking asking him to go on leave.
Jaitley said all officers of the CBI, particularly the top two officers like Caesar's wife must be beyond suspicion.
"The current CBI controversy is an extremely positive development. The government has no interest for or against any individual. The government is interested in maintaining professionalism, image and constitutional integrity of the CBI.
"Today, the SC has further strengthened the fairness criteria. They fixed a time limit and in order to ensure that the highest standard of fairness are maintained even in the inquiry they have appointed a retired judge to ensure that the CVC inquiry is extremely fair.
"Recent developments had eroded the credibility of the CBI. CVC in the interest of fairness passed an order that till investigations are pending against two top officers of CBI, they must step aside and recuse themselves from CBI functioning till inquiry is over."
The Supreme Court Friday asked the Central Vigilance Commission to complete within two weeks its inquiry into allegations against CBI Director Alok Kumar Verma and barred interim director M Nageswara Rao from taking any major policy decision.
The inquiry will be conducted under the supervision of a former Supreme Court judge, the court ordered. Hearing Verma's plea challenging the government's decision to divest him of his duties and send him on leave, the court sought a response from the CVC and the Centre.
Jaitley said all officers of the CBI, particularly the top two officers like Caesar's wife must be beyond suspicion.
"The current CBI controversy is an extremely positive development. The government has no interest for or against any individual. The government is interested in maintaining professionalism, image and constitutional integrity of the CBI.
"Today, the SC has further strengthened the fairness criteria. They fixed a time limit and in order to ensure that the highest standard of fairness are maintained even in the inquiry they have appointed a retired judge to ensure that the CVC inquiry is extremely fair.
"Recent developments had eroded the credibility of the CBI. CVC in the interest of fairness passed an order that till investigations are pending against two top officers of CBI, they must step aside and recuse themselves from CBI functioning till inquiry is over."
The Supreme Court Friday asked the Central Vigilance Commission to complete within two weeks its inquiry into allegations against CBI Director Alok Kumar Verma and barred interim director M Nageswara Rao from taking any major policy decision.
The inquiry will be conducted under the supervision of a former Supreme Court judge, the court ordered. Hearing Verma's plea challenging the government's decision to divest him of his duties and send him on leave, the court sought a response from the CVC and the Centre.
13:38 Sinead O'Connor converts to Islam
Irish singer Sinead O'Connor has announced she has converted to Islam. The "Nothing Compares 2U" singer revealed the news on Twitter, adding that she has changed her name to Shuhada Davitt. ''This is to announce that I am proud to have become a Muslim. This is the natural conclusion of any intelligent theologian's journey. All scripture study leads to Islam. Which makes all other scriptures redundant. I will be given (another) new name. It will be Shuhada'
''Thank you so much to all my Muslim brothers and sisters who have been so kind as to welcome me to Ummah today on this page. You can't begin to imagine how much your tenderness means to me(sic)'' she wrote.
The 51-year-old singer also shared a video of herself singing the Azan, the Islamic call to prayer. ''Here is my 1st attempt at singing the Azan. I got some pronunciation wrong because emotions took me from my page... but there'll be hundreds of others onstage to come ... (sic)''
On Thursday, Irish Imam Shaykh Dr Umar al-Qadri posted a video of the singer saying the Islamic declaration of faith. The singer shared a picture of herself wearing a hijab and changed her profile picture on Twitter to a Nike tick logo featuring the words: ''Wear a hijab. Just do it.'' -- PTI
''Thank you so much to all my Muslim brothers and sisters who have been so kind as to welcome me to Ummah today on this page. You can't begin to imagine how much your tenderness means to me(sic)'' she wrote.
The 51-year-old singer also shared a video of herself singing the Azan, the Islamic call to prayer. ''Here is my 1st attempt at singing the Azan. I got some pronunciation wrong because emotions took me from my page... but there'll be hundreds of others onstage to come ... (sic)''
On Thursday, Irish Imam Shaykh Dr Umar al-Qadri posted a video of the singer saying the Islamic declaration of faith. The singer shared a picture of herself wearing a hijab and changed her profile picture on Twitter to a Nike tick logo featuring the words: ''Wear a hijab. Just do it.'' -- PTI
13:26 3 opposition parties join Rahul's march to CBI HQ
Update: Congress workers led by their president Rahul Gandhi took to the streets on Friday against the move to divest CBI Director Alok Verma of his powers and send him on leave, and to demand an apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The Congress, which marched from Dayal Singh College on Lodhi Road to the CBI headquarters about a kilometre away, has termed the move against Verma "illegal and unconstitutional".
Senior Congress leaders, including Ashok Gehlot, Ahmed Patel, Motilal Vora, Veerappa Moily and Anand Sharma, took part in the march that culminated in a demonstration ahead of the CBI headquarters.
Loktantrik Janata Dal leader Sharad Yadav, CPI leader D Raja and TMC's Nadimul Haque joined the protest.
Carrying placards against the prime minister, the protesters walked the distance with scores of police personnel maintaining vigil and camera crews jostling with each other to capture the moment. One of the protesters was carrying a placard depicting the Central Bureau of Investigation in a cage. Gandhi got on to a truck in front of the police barricades put up ahead of the CBI headquarters in the CGO complex to prevent the protesters from reaching the building. Gehlot said the decision to remove CBI director Alok Verma was "illegal". -- PTI
Image: Congress workers were detained by police during protests near the CBI headquarters in Delhi.
The Congress, which marched from Dayal Singh College on Lodhi Road to the CBI headquarters about a kilometre away, has termed the move against Verma "illegal and unconstitutional".
Senior Congress leaders, including Ashok Gehlot, Ahmed Patel, Motilal Vora, Veerappa Moily and Anand Sharma, took part in the march that culminated in a demonstration ahead of the CBI headquarters.
Loktantrik Janata Dal leader Sharad Yadav, CPI leader D Raja and TMC's Nadimul Haque joined the protest.
Carrying placards against the prime minister, the protesters walked the distance with scores of police personnel maintaining vigil and camera crews jostling with each other to capture the moment. One of the protesters was carrying a placard depicting the Central Bureau of Investigation in a cage. Gandhi got on to a truck in front of the police barricades put up ahead of the CBI headquarters in the CGO complex to prevent the protesters from reaching the building. Gehlot said the decision to remove CBI director Alok Verma was "illegal". -- PTI
Image: Congress workers were detained by police during protests near the CBI headquarters in Delhi.
13:13
Pune court rejects bail pleas of activists Sudha Bharadwaj, Vernon Gonsalves and Arun Ferreira in Elgar Parishad case.
12:57 Rahul leads Opposition's protest march to CBI headquarters
Congress president Rahul Gandhi and senior party leader Ashok Gehlot lead the protest march to Central Bureau of Investigation headquarters against the removal of agency chief Alok Verma.
Congress's Anand Sharma, Communist Party of India's D Raja and former Janata Dal-United president Sharad Yadav are also joining the protest march.
The Trinamool Congress was represented in the protests by Rajya Sabha MP Nadimul Haque, the sources said.
Congress workers also held protests outside CBI offices in Chandigarh and Lucknow. -- ANI
12:37 A lower low
The CBI has a history of politicisation. But things have never been this bad, writes senior journalist Ritu Sarin. Read the column here.
12:26 News updates at this hour
Amnesty Indias bank accounts have been frozen by the Enforcement Directorate, effectively stopping our work. Amnesty India is thus the latest target of the governments assault on civil society in the country: Amnesty India on ED raids at their office in Bengaluru yesterday.
Mumbai's Dindoshi Sessions Court rejected Alok Nath's wife's application for an injunction order against Vinta Nanda (pictured alongside). The court says it can't pass an injunction order against her at this stage.
The Special NIA Court has deferred framing of charges in the 2008 Malegaon blasts case till 30th October now as some of the accused were not present in Court today. Bombay High Court agreed to hear Lt Col Prasad Purohit's appeal on Monday. Purohit had moved the Court against the order of the special NIA court that had rejected his challenge to Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) sanctions. No stay on trial for the meanwhile.
Mumbai's Dindoshi Sessions Court rejected Alok Nath's wife's application for an injunction order against Vinta Nanda (pictured alongside). The court says it can't pass an injunction order against her at this stage.
The Special NIA Court has deferred framing of charges in the 2008 Malegaon blasts case till 30th October now as some of the accused were not present in Court today. Bombay High Court agreed to hear Lt Col Prasad Purohit's appeal on Monday. Purohit had moved the Court against the order of the special NIA court that had rejected his challenge to Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) sanctions. No stay on trial for the meanwhile.
12:10 SC seeks Centre, CBI, CVC reply on Verma's plea
The Supreme Court Friday sought a response from the CBI, the CVC and the Centre on agency Director Alok Kumar Verma's plea challenging the government's decision to divest him of his duties and send him on leave.
The SC bench, also comprising Justices S K Kaul and K M Joseph, issued notices on the petition filed by an NGO, Common Cause, which has sought a Special Investigation Team probe against the CBI officers.
CBI's Special Director Rakesh Asthana has also been named as one of the respondents in the NGO's petition. Verma and Asthana have made allegations of corruption against each other. During the brief hearing Friday, senior advocate F S Nariman advanced arguments on behalf of the CBI chief.
He submitted that the CBI director was appointed with the approval of a selection panel having the Prime Minister, the Leader of Opposition and the Chief Justice of India.
Nariman referred to the CVC and Centre's orders divesting Verma of his duty. He also cited the Vineet Narain judgment to support Verma's pleas. In the beginning, the apex court said the CVC inquiry on allegations and counter-allegations should be completed in 10 days under the supervision of this court. CVC submitted that 10 days for inquiry was not sufficient as it has to look into several documents. It said for the time being, no monitoring by anyone else should be allowed. The bench granted the CVC two weeks to conclude its probe.
The SC bench, also comprising Justices S K Kaul and K M Joseph, issued notices on the petition filed by an NGO, Common Cause, which has sought a Special Investigation Team probe against the CBI officers.
CBI's Special Director Rakesh Asthana has also been named as one of the respondents in the NGO's petition. Verma and Asthana have made allegations of corruption against each other. During the brief hearing Friday, senior advocate F S Nariman advanced arguments on behalf of the CBI chief.
He submitted that the CBI director was appointed with the approval of a selection panel having the Prime Minister, the Leader of Opposition and the Chief Justice of India.
Nariman referred to the CVC and Centre's orders divesting Verma of his duty. He also cited the Vineet Narain judgment to support Verma's pleas. In the beginning, the apex court said the CVC inquiry on allegations and counter-allegations should be completed in 10 days under the supervision of this court. CVC submitted that 10 days for inquiry was not sufficient as it has to look into several documents. It said for the time being, no monitoring by anyone else should be allowed. The bench granted the CVC two weeks to conclude its probe.
12:06 CJI: CVC probe against Alok Verma has to be completed in 2 weeks
To summarise: An inquiry against CBI chief Alok Verma, who has been sent on leave, must be completed in two weeks and incumbent CBI chief M Nageswar Rao, cannot take any policy decisions, the Supreme Court ruled today.
The Supreme Court was hearing the petition filed by Alok Kumar challenging the decision of the Centre to divest him of his duties and sending him on leave.
A bench of Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justices S K Kaul and K M Joseph is hearing the plea.
Senior advocate F S Nariman is advancing arguments on behalf of the CBI chief.
The counsel submitted that the CBI Director was appointed with the approval of a selection panel having the Prime Minister, the Leader of Opposition and the Chief Justice of India.
The court said CVC inquiry to be conducted under supervision of retired Supreme Court Judge AK Patnaik and the Enquiry CVC should be completed in two weeks. The next hearing is on November 12 after the Diwali recess.
All decisions taken by M Nageshwar Rao from Oct 23 (when he was appointed as interim chief of the CBI) to be submitted in sealed cover to SC.
The Supreme Court was hearing the petition filed by Alok Kumar challenging the decision of the Centre to divest him of his duties and sending him on leave.
A bench of Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justices S K Kaul and K M Joseph is hearing the plea.
Senior advocate F S Nariman is advancing arguments on behalf of the CBI chief.
The counsel submitted that the CBI Director was appointed with the approval of a selection panel having the Prime Minister, the Leader of Opposition and the Chief Justice of India.
The court said CVC inquiry to be conducted under supervision of retired Supreme Court Judge AK Patnaik and the Enquiry CVC should be completed in two weeks. The next hearing is on November 12 after the Diwali recess.
All decisions taken by M Nageshwar Rao from Oct 23 (when he was appointed as interim chief of the CBI) to be submitted in sealed cover to SC.
11:55
Decisions taken by incumbent CBI director Nageshwar Rao from Oct 23 (when he was appointed) till date shall not be implemented, the court said.
11:50 What the SC said today on CBI vs CBI
-- CVC inquiry to be conducted under supervision of retired Supreme Court Judge AK Patnaik
-- Enquiry by CVC should be completed in 10 days
-- All decisions taken by M Nageshwar Rao from Oct 23 to be submitted in sealed cover to SC.
-- Next hearing on November 12
-- Enquiry by CVC should be completed in 10 days
-- All decisions taken by M Nageshwar Rao from Oct 23 to be submitted in sealed cover to SC.
-- Next hearing on November 12
11:44 Incumbent CBI director can't take policy decisions: CJI
To bring you up to speed, this is what happened in the SC which is hearing a plea by CBI director Alok Verma challenging the Centre's decision to send him on leave.
The Supreme Court Friday commenced hearing on the petition filed by CBI Director Alok Kumar Verma challenging the decision of the Centre to divest him of his duties and sending him on leave.
A bench of Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justices S K Kaul and K M Joseph is hearing the plea.
Senior advocate Fali S Nariman is advancing arguments on behalf of the CBI chief.
The counsel submitted that the CBI Director was appointed with the approval of a selection panel having the Prime Minister, the Leader of Opposition and the Chief Justice of India.
Nariman referred to the Central Vigilance Commission and Centre's orders divesting Verma of his duty. He also cited the Vineet Narain judgment to support Verma's pleas.
Verma has also sought stay of the Centre's order asking him to proceed on leave and giving the interim charge of his post to Joint Director M Nageswara Rao, a 1986 batch Odisha-cadre IPS officer.
The SC grants two weeks time to the CVC for concluding the probe after the CVC said 10 days for the enquiry is not sufficient as it has to look into several documents.
The CJI also said the incumbent, Nageshwar Rao, cannot take any policy decisions and will carry out only routine administrative work.
CJI Gogoi says at this stage the enquiry will be only to find out whether there is a prima facie case for Alok Verma.
The Supreme Court Friday commenced hearing on the petition filed by CBI Director Alok Kumar Verma challenging the decision of the Centre to divest him of his duties and sending him on leave.
A bench of Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justices S K Kaul and K M Joseph is hearing the plea.
Senior advocate Fali S Nariman is advancing arguments on behalf of the CBI chief.
The counsel submitted that the CBI Director was appointed with the approval of a selection panel having the Prime Minister, the Leader of Opposition and the Chief Justice of India.
Nariman referred to the Central Vigilance Commission and Centre's orders divesting Verma of his duty. He also cited the Vineet Narain judgment to support Verma's pleas.
Verma has also sought stay of the Centre's order asking him to proceed on leave and giving the interim charge of his post to Joint Director M Nageswara Rao, a 1986 batch Odisha-cadre IPS officer.
The SC grants two weeks time to the CVC for concluding the probe after the CVC said 10 days for the enquiry is not sufficient as it has to look into several documents.
The CJI also said the incumbent, Nageshwar Rao, cannot take any policy decisions and will carry out only routine administrative work.
CJI Gogoi says at this stage the enquiry will be only to find out whether there is a prima facie case for Alok Verma.
11:33 CJI: CVC probe against Verma, Asthana, to be completed in 10 days
The Supreme Court begins hearing the plea filed by CBI director Alok Verma challenging the Centre's decision to remove him.
Fali S Nariman arguing for Verma cites the Vineet Narain judgment and the 2-year statutory protection and the amendment to the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act.
CJI Ranjan Gogoi says the CVC probe against both Alok Verma and Rakesh Asthana have to be completed in 10 days under a Supreme Court judge AK Patnaik.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta (one of the three-judge bench hearing the matter) says, "10 days may not be enough to complete the inquiry" and opposes the supervision of the CVC inquiry by a SC judge.
The CJI also said the incumbent, Nageshwar Rao, cannot take any policy decisions and will carry out only routine administrative work.
CJI Gogoi says at this stage the enquiry will be only to find out whether there is a prima facie case for Alok Verma.
Attorney General KK Venugopal and Solicitor General Tushar Mehta responding to CJI Gogoi's proposal.
Fali S Nariman arguing for Verma cites the Vineet Narain judgment and the 2-year statutory protection and the amendment to the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act.
CJI Ranjan Gogoi says the CVC probe against both Alok Verma and Rakesh Asthana have to be completed in 10 days under a Supreme Court judge AK Patnaik.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta (one of the three-judge bench hearing the matter) says, "10 days may not be enough to complete the inquiry" and opposes the supervision of the CVC inquiry by a SC judge.
The CJI also said the incumbent, Nageshwar Rao, cannot take any policy decisions and will carry out only routine administrative work.
CJI Gogoi says at this stage the enquiry will be only to find out whether there is a prima facie case for Alok Verma.
Attorney General KK Venugopal and Solicitor General Tushar Mehta responding to CJI Gogoi's proposal.
11:15 Asthana moves SC against Centre's leave order
CBI Special Director Rakesh Asthana moves the Supreme Court against the Centre's leave order.
The Supreme Court will begin hearing the petition filed by Central Bureau of Investigation director Alok Kumar Verma challenging the decision of the Centre to divest him of his duties and sending him on leave at 11:30 am.
He has also sought stay of the Centre's order asking him to proceed on leave and giving the interim charge of his post to Joint Director M Nageswara Rao, a 1986 batch Odisha-cadre IPS officer.
Verma's petition is listed for hearing before a bench comprising Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justices S K Kaul and K M Joseph. Justice Fali Nariman will be representing Verma.
The Supreme Court will begin hearing the petition filed by Central Bureau of Investigation director Alok Kumar Verma challenging the decision of the Centre to divest him of his duties and sending him on leave at 11:30 am.
He has also sought stay of the Centre's order asking him to proceed on leave and giving the interim charge of his post to Joint Director M Nageswara Rao, a 1986 batch Odisha-cadre IPS officer.
Verma's petition is listed for hearing before a bench comprising Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justices S K Kaul and K M Joseph. Justice Fali Nariman will be representing Verma.
11:09 Gang of 4 working against PM Modi: Swamy on CBI rift
Reacting to the rift in the CBI, senior BJP leader Subramanian Swamy on Thursday said that "a gang of four persons" is working against Prime Minister Narendra Modi to hurt the party's image.
"A gang of four persons is working against Prime Minister Modi. Our party's image is being hurt. Nirav Modi, Choksi and Mallya escaped. How can we fight against corruption if this continues? I am still a supporter of the Prime Minister. He is still the best. But his aides are working against him," Swamy said.
On Tuesday, Swamy lauded the honesty of CBI Director Alok Verma by calling him "an upright officer" who was doing a great job. At the same time, he sharply criticised Special Director Rakesh Asthana for not being pro-active in a case involving former finance minister P Chidambaram.
"I urge Prime Minister Modi to reconsider the action taken against Alok Verma," Swamy said.
Swamy had alleged that the government was protecting those guilty of corruption and a reshuffle was done to protect Chidambaram.
"The players in the CBI massacre are about to suspend ED's Rajeshwar (Singh) so that he cannot file the charge-sheet against Chidambaram. If so I will have no reason to fight the corrupt since my govt (government) is hell-bent on protecting them. I shall then withdraw from all the corruption cases I have filed," Swamy wrote on Twitter.
The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet led by Prime Minister Modi on Tuesday sent Director Verma and Special Director Rakesh Asthana on leave with immediate effect and appointed M. Nageswara Rao as Interim Director of the investigating agency.Alok Verma on Wednesday moved Supreme Court challenging the government's decision. The apex court will hear his plea on Friday. -- ANI
"A gang of four persons is working against Prime Minister Modi. Our party's image is being hurt. Nirav Modi, Choksi and Mallya escaped. How can we fight against corruption if this continues? I am still a supporter of the Prime Minister. He is still the best. But his aides are working against him," Swamy said.
On Tuesday, Swamy lauded the honesty of CBI Director Alok Verma by calling him "an upright officer" who was doing a great job. At the same time, he sharply criticised Special Director Rakesh Asthana for not being pro-active in a case involving former finance minister P Chidambaram.
"I urge Prime Minister Modi to reconsider the action taken against Alok Verma," Swamy said.
Swamy had alleged that the government was protecting those guilty of corruption and a reshuffle was done to protect Chidambaram.
"The players in the CBI massacre are about to suspend ED's Rajeshwar (Singh) so that he cannot file the charge-sheet against Chidambaram. If so I will have no reason to fight the corrupt since my govt (government) is hell-bent on protecting them. I shall then withdraw from all the corruption cases I have filed," Swamy wrote on Twitter.
The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet led by Prime Minister Modi on Tuesday sent Director Verma and Special Director Rakesh Asthana on leave with immediate effect and appointed M. Nageswara Rao as Interim Director of the investigating agency.Alok Verma on Wednesday moved Supreme Court challenging the government's decision. The apex court will hear his plea on Friday. -- ANI
10:29 Ahead of SC hearing, CBI's Asthana meets his lawyer Mukul Rohatgi
CBI Special Director Rakesh Asthana outside former Attorney General and senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi's residence in Delhi. Rohatgi will be representing Asthana in the Supreme Court today.
Rohatgi brushed aside suggestions that the hearing was important. "It is just one more case. What is big about it? It is not as important as you think it is," the former Attorney General told ANI.
The Supreme Court is slated to hear today the petition filed by CBI director Alok Kumar Verma challenging the decision of the Centre to divest him of his duties and send him on leave.
He has also sought a stay of the Centre's order asking him to proceed on leave and giving the interim charge of his post to Joint Director M Nageswara Rao, a 1986 batch Odisha-cadre IPS officer. Verma's petition is listed for hearing before a bench comprising Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justices S K Kaul and K M Joseph. His petition will come for hearing along with another plea filed on Thursday by an NGO, 'Common Cause', which has sought a Special Investigation Team probe into the allegations of corruption against CBI officials including special director Rakesh Asthana.
Rohatgi brushed aside suggestions that the hearing was important. "It is just one more case. What is big about it? It is not as important as you think it is," the former Attorney General told ANI.
The Supreme Court is slated to hear today the petition filed by CBI director Alok Kumar Verma challenging the decision of the Centre to divest him of his duties and send him on leave.
He has also sought a stay of the Centre's order asking him to proceed on leave and giving the interim charge of his post to Joint Director M Nageswara Rao, a 1986 batch Odisha-cadre IPS officer. Verma's petition is listed for hearing before a bench comprising Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justices S K Kaul and K M Joseph. His petition will come for hearing along with another plea filed on Thursday by an NGO, 'Common Cause', which has sought a Special Investigation Team probe into the allegations of corruption against CBI officials including special director Rakesh Asthana.
10:27 Delhi girds up for Cong-led protests
IN Delhi, security has been tightened and barricades put up outside the CBI headquarters ahead of the Congress protest against the removal of CBI Director Alok Verma. The TMC will also be joining the protests.
09:52 Bhagwat's Ram temple comments: 'Politically win-win'
Barely a month after his all-inclusive addresses at the three-day event -- 'Future of Bharat: An RSS perspective', RSS Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat renewed the demand for a Ram temple in Ayodhya in his annual Vijayadashami speech last week.
'Temple construction is necessary from the self-esteem point of view; it will also pave the way for an atmosphere of goodwill and oneness,' Bhagwat said.Bhagwat also made a strong electoral pitch for the BJP in his Vijayadashami address, indicating that other political parties support 'Urban Maoists'.
Professor Walter K Andersen, co-author of two acclaimed books on the RSS, "expected a somewhat sharper tone on some economic issues" from Bhagwat, he tells Rediff.com's Utkarsh Mishra. Read the interview here.
'Temple construction is necessary from the self-esteem point of view; it will also pave the way for an atmosphere of goodwill and oneness,' Bhagwat said.Bhagwat also made a strong electoral pitch for the BJP in his Vijayadashami address, indicating that other political parties support 'Urban Maoists'.
Professor Walter K Andersen, co-author of two acclaimed books on the RSS, "expected a somewhat sharper tone on some economic issues" from Bhagwat, he tells Rediff.com's Utkarsh Mishra. Read the interview here.
09:48 Google says it fired 48 people for sexual harassment over 2 years
Google has fired around 48 people for sexual harassment in the last two years.
According to an email sent to Fox News by Google Chief Executive Officer Sundar Pichai, people from the management who were accused of sexual misconduct were also sacked from the company.
In the email, Google spokesperson stated that 'the company was dead serious about making sure we provide a safe and inclusive workplace'.
The email which was also sent to all the employees of the Google came after a United States national daily reported that the company gave Android creator Andy Rubin $90 million as an exit package after being accused of sexual misconduct by an employee.
Pichai, however, said that as many 13 senior managers were sacked from the company and none of them received any exit package.
The email which was also signed by Eileen Naughton, vice president of people operations, encouraged the employees to report any incidents of sexual misconduct or harassment they experience or notice. -- ANI
09:33 Encounter breaks out between security forces, terrorists in Sopore
An encounter broke out between terrorists and security forces in Sopore area of Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir on Friday, police said.
Security forces launched a cordon and search operation in Pazalpora village of Dangiwacha town in the north Kashmir district this morning after receiving specific information about the presence of militants in the area, a police official said.
He said the search operation turned into an encounter after the terrorists fired on the search party of the forces, who retaliated.
The gunfight is going on, the official said, adding further details were awaited. -- PTI
09:16 CIA director briefs Trump on Khashoggi investigation
Central Intelligence Agency director Gina Haspel on Thursday briefed President Donald Trump on the investigations related to United States-based journalist Jamal Khashoggi, who was brutally killed inside Saudi Arabia's Istanbul Consulate, the White House said.
"The President received a briefing from director Haspel this morning following her return from Turkey. She briefed the president on their findings and her discussions," White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said.
The White House did not provide any other details of the meeting. Haspel returned from Turkey last night.
In Turkey, she met with officials involved in the investigations of the murder of the Saudi journalist Khashoggi.
Turkish officials say they have audio of the proof of the murder.
In a news report, The Washington Post said that Haspel listened to the audio tape. A person familiar with the audio said it was 'compelling' and could put more pressure on the US to hold the kingdom accountable for the death of Khashoggi, the daily reported.
Khashoggi was a contributing columnist for The Washington Post.
"This puts the ball firmly in Washington's court," Bruce Riedel, a former CIA official and scholar at the Brookings Institution, told The Washington Post.
"Not only will there be more pressure now from the media but Congress will say, 'Gina, we would love to have you come visit and you can tell us exactly what you heard'," he told the daily.
Haspel's briefing to Trump comes amidst latest change in Saudi stance in which it acknowledge that Khashoggi was murdered by its officials in a 'premeditated' operation. -- PTI
08:39 Modi must be aware of Congress's sacrifice for India: Pawar
Nationalist Congress Party president Sharad Pawar cornered Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his 'Nehru-Gandhi family' jibe at the Congress party and said that the family has sacrificed a lot for the country.
Urging Prime Minister Modi to remember the sacrifices made by the Congress party since the Independence, Pawar said, "In every public rally, Modi ji says that one family ruled this country, I would like to say that, that family has sacrificed a lot for this country. Jawaharlal Nehru went to jail so many times. Everyone knows how Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi were assassinated."
"You had promised the citizens the dreams of development. You have nothing to say as to what extent these dreams have been realised, so you only talk about the one family," he added.
Pawar had earlier attacked Prime Minister Modi over the controversial Rafale jets deal between India and France and demanded a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) to probe into the contract. -- ANI
08:28 Why selection panel wasn't consulted: Kharge to PM on CBIvsCBI
Leader of the Congress party in Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge has demanded answers from Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the action against Central Bureau of Investigation director Alok Verma without consulting other members of the panel that selected him.
In a strongly-worded letter to the prime minister, Kharge accused him of acting 'arbitrarily' and creating a 'false equivalence of charges' between the CBI director and his deputy Rakesh Asthana.
Kharge was part of a three-member panel headed by Modi that had selected Verma last year to head the CBI.
The then Chief Justice of India Jagdish Singh Khehar was the other member of the selection committee.
He said that 'no meeting of the selection committee was convened to deliberate on this issue as prescribed under law'.
The Congress leader also accused Modi and his government of resorting to 'snooping' on Verma to 'cover-up' the Rafale 'scam'. -- PTI
00:06 Farmers plan march to Delhi next month
An umbrella body of 260 farmers organisations will hold a 'kisan march' to Delhi next month to protest against the central government's "apathetic attitude" in solving problems of their community, leaders of the farmers committee said.
Leaders of the All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee claimed that the planned 'kisan march' to Delhi, beginning November 28, would be larger than the farmers' march organised at Boat Club under the leadership of Mahendra Singh Tikait, founder of the Bharatiya Kisan Union in 1988.
"It is a protest march of farmers against the central government's apathetic attitude towards solving problems of the community. Government has no intension of solving farmers' distress," said Yogendra Yadav, founder member of Swaraj Abhiyan and Jai Kisan Andolan.
Yadav alleged that the central government's "apathetic attitude" towards solving farmers' issue reflected in minimum support price for 22 crops.
"From prime minister to finance minister, the implementation of MSP was announced at three different times. But farmers are still incurring huge losses," he alleged.
Convenor of AIKSCC Hannan Mollha said on November 28, farmers from various parts of the country will start their 'Delhi march' from Ghaziabad, Faridabad, Gurgaon and Sonepat.
"Farmers will come on tractors. On November 29, they will assemble at Ramlila grounds here. We are trying to organise our rally at Boat Club. If we will have government's permission, then the rally will be held at Boat Club, otherwise the rally's venue will be Ramlia ground," Mollah said.
-- PTI
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