LIVE! Police complaint against Dinkaran aide who released Jaya video

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Wed, 20 December 2017

Police complaint against Dinkaran aide who released Jaya video

Timeline Refresh

23:27 Trump not happy with media coverage of tax reform bill

President Donald Trump today expressed his unhappiness over the media coverage of his landmark tax reform bill passed in the US Senate, saying the "Fake News" was working overtime to "demean" the package.

The Senate approved the USD 1.5 trillion tax bill, which includes permanent tax break for corporations and temporary tax cuts for individuals, by a final vote of 51-48.

Trump, who is on the cusp of a major legislative victory, said the bill would unleash a new economic development in the country.

"The Tax cuts are so large and so meaningful, and yet the Fake News is working overtime to follow the lead of their friends, the defeated Dems, and only demean," Trump said in a tweet.

"This is truly a case where the results will speak for themselves, starting very soon. Jobs, Jobs, Jobs!" he said ahead of the Congressional passage of the tax reform bill.

The Senate passed a sweeping overhaul of the US tax code in more than 30 years.

The media and political opponents criticised the package, saying it disproportionately benefits the wealthy and corporations.

The House of Representatives earlier approved the bill comfortably. In the House it was passed by 227 to 203 votes. Republicans have majorities in the both houses of Congress.

For final approval, the legislation must go back to the House for a procedural issue before it can be sent to the White House for the president to sign it into law.

Anticipating that it is likely to happen in the next few hours, White House Press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said that after the tax bill is passed, there will be a "bill passage event" (distinct from a bill signing) at 3 pm (local time) at the White House with members of the House and Senate. -- PTI

The one man commission probing the circumstances leading to hospitalisation and medical treatment provided to late J Jayalalithaa till her death last year today filed a police complaint today against an aide of TTV Dinakaran who released a purported video of the late chief minister.

According to a police official, a complaint has been received from the Justice A Arumughaswamy Commission "seeking action against Vetrivel" even as the Commission has started the inquiry as per its terms of reference.

The official declined to divulge details of the complaint.

The commission reportedly alleged that Vetrivel had intentionally released the purported video to "degrade" it and to create law and order problems.

Earlier the Election Commisson had also filed a complaint against Vetrivel.

The release of the video, purpotedly showing Jayalalithaa in a hospital, released by P Vetrivel, loyalist of sidelined AIADMK leader Dhinakaran, had set off a political controversy.

The DMK ,which raised the issue of doubts over Jayalalithaa's death during the campaign, and several others alleged that the video had been released with an eye on the bypoll.

The about 20 second footage,showing a frail looking AIADMK supremo in a nightdress and sipping what appeared to be a health drink with a straw, was released by Vetrivel, disqualified AIADMK MLA and election agent of Dinakaran, contesting the bypoll as an independent.

The AIADMK hit out at Sasikala's family, saying the video release was a "conspiracy" and a "demeaning" act with an eye on the bypoll. -- PTI

Gujarat Governor O P Kohli today dissolved the 13th Legislative Assembly, paving the way for the formation of a new government under the BJP in the coming days.

"O P Kohli, Governor of Gujarat, hereby dissolves the 13th Gujarat Legislative Assembly," said a notification issued by the state legislature secretariat today.

According to officials, Vijay Rupani, the incumbent chief minister, would serve as the caretaker chief minister till the formation of a new government.

The term of the existing Legislative Assembly is due to expire on January 22, 2018.

In the recently-concluded polls, the BJP retained power for a sixth time by winning 99 seats in the 182-member House, while the Congress notched up 77 seats. Out of rest six seats, one was won by the NCP, three by Independents, while the Bharatiya Tribal Party bagged two seats. -- PTI

The BJP today said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had not uttered a single word for which he should apologise and accused the Congress of venting frustration of its defeat in the recent assembly polls by stalling Parliament.

BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra hit back at the Congress after its leaders demanded that Modi apologise for the allegation that his predecessor Manmohan Singh had colluded with Pakistan to influence Gujarat polls.

He told reporters that the opposition party should rather come clean on the dinner meeting as its leader Anand Sharma had first denied any such event before accepting it.

Patra alleged that Congress leaders, including its former chief Sonia Gandhi, her daughter Priyanka and many others, had humiliated Modi multiple number of times and the opposition party never tendered an apology to him.

It was appalling, he claimed, that the Congress had stooped down to stalling Parliament.

If anyone ever humiliated Manmohan Singh, then it was Congress president Rahul Gandhi who had torn up an ordinance proposed by the UPA government and called it nonsense, he claimed.

"Our prime minister has not uttered a single word or done any wrong for which he should apologise," he said.

The Congress ran out of issues after people showed their support to demonetisation and the GST by voting for the BJP as it used them to stall Parliament, he said.

'Vikas purush' (man of development) had defeated the 'Gabbar Singh' and anti-reform politics, he said, a reference to Gandhi's moniker of 'Gabbar Singh Tax' for the GST.

'Vikas Purush' is a reference to Modi.

When the Monsoon Session was delayed, then the Congress accused the government of not letting Parliament work and now when the session has started, it is not letting it work, Patra claimed. -- PTI

A total of 278 people were killed in 2,098 communal incidents in different parts of the country in last three years, the Rajya Sabha was informed today.

Minister of State for Home Hansraj Ahir said the highest number of 77 people were killed in Uttar Pradesh in 450 communal incidents in 2014-16, followed by Maharashtra where 32 people were killed in 270 such incidents.

There were 197 incidents of communal violence in Bihar in which 29 people were killed and 26 people lost their lives in 279 such incidents in Karnataka.

Ahir also said 24 people were killed in 200 communal incidents in Rajasthan and 21 people lost their lives in 182 such incidents in Gujarat between 2014 and 2016. -- PTI

India and China will hold the next round of border talks in New Delhi on Friday, the first after the 73-day-long military standoff between the two countries in Doklam in summer months.

Issuing a brief statement, the external affairs ministry said at the invitation of Ajit Doval, the National Security Adviser and the Special Representative on the boundary question, Yang Jiechi, State Councillor and China's

Special Representative on the issue will visit India on December 22 to hold the 20th SR-level meeting.

Ahead of the talks, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying told a media briefing that this SR meeting is not only a high-level channel for the border issue discussion but also the platform for strategic communication.

"In 2017, China-India relations have maintained a good momentum generally but the Doklam incident posed a major test for the two countries. We should learn lessons from this incident to avoid any further conflict of this kind in the future," Hua said.

Chinese and Indian troops were locked in the border standoff from June 16 when Indian soldiers stopped Chinese personnel from building a key road close to India's 'chicken's neck' corridor.

On August 28, India announced the "disengagement" between the soldiers of the two countries.

The road was being built by China in an area also claimed by Bhutan. -- PTI

The armed forces lost 14 pilots in 35 incidents of crash between 2014-15 and 2016-17, Minister of State for Defence Subhash Bhamre told the Lok Sabha today.

In a written response to a question, he said every such accident is thoroughly investigated by a Board of Inquiry to ascertain the cause of crash.

Replying to another question about Tejas, the multirole light fighter aircraft being designed and produced by defence public sector undertaking Hindustan Aeronautics Limited for the Indian Air Force and Navy, Bhamre admitted its production and deployment has been delayed.

The government sanctioned Rs 1381 crore to HAL in March this year for ramping up production capacity from the existing eight aircraft to 16 every year, he said.

In response to another question, Bhamre said the turnover of defence canteens rose from Rs 13,709 crore in 2014-15 to Rs 15,781 crore in 2015-16. It further went up to Rs 17,156 crore in 2016-17.

He said the governmet received no serious complaint about sub-standard ration being supplied to the armed forces. -- PTI

21:09 Virushka meets PM Modi

Indian cricket team captain Virat Kohli and actor Anushka Sharma, who recently got married, today met Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

It is most likely that the couple invited the prime minister to their reception which will be held in New Delhi on Thursday.

The PM also congratulated the newlywed on their marriage.

"Captain of the Indian cricket team @imVkohli and noted actor @AnushkaSharma met PM @narendramodi this evening. The Prime Minister congratulated them on their wedding," tweeted the Prime Minister's Office.

Photograph: @PMOIndia/Twitter

20:48 I stand by 'Padmavati', says Priyanka Chopra

Actor Priyanka Chopra hopes the controversy surrounding Padmavati clears up soon and the people get to witness the magnum opus in all its glory.

Priyanka, who featured in a song in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Goliyon Ki Raasleela: Ram-Leela and essayed a full-fledged role as Kashibai in his film Bajirao Mastani, said she would always stand by the filmmaker.

The period drama, Padmavati, is yet to receive a certificate from the CBFC. Several Rajput outfits and political leaders have accused the director of "distorting historical facts" in the movie.

Starring Deepika Padukone in the title role, with Shahid Kapoor as Maharawal Ratan Singh and Ranveer Singh as Sultan Alauddin Khilji, the film was earlier scheduled to arrive in the theatres on December 1.

"I have an incredible relationship with Sanjay sir and I admire him tremendously. I know this film will come out and people will see the art behind it.

"They just need to make sure that everything is sorted. I will always stand not only by Sanjay sir but also Deepika, Ranveer and Shahid for the film," Priyanka told reporters.

The actor was speaking at Zee Cine Awards in Mumbai last night where she also performed.

She trashed the reports which claimed her to be the highest-paid performer, saying she never talks about her remuneration.

Priyanka congratulated her contemporary Anushka Sharma, who recently tied the knot with Indian cricket captain Virat Kohli.

The "Quantico" star also extended greetings to actor friend Meghan Markle on her engagement to British royal Prince Harry.

Talking about the much-anticipated wedding, the actor said, "I don't know about the wedding, I don't know about that but of course I have spoken to her (Meghan) and I am extremely happy for her. It is a fairytale for both Meg and Anushka. Two people, who I know really, had (/will have) fairytale weddings. It is really great to see," she said.

When asked about her marriage plans, Priyanka said she will get married when she finds the perfect man. -- PTI

The government today said there was no proposal as of now for abolition of articles 35A and 370 which give special status to Jammu and Kashmir.

The reply came in response to the question posed by Akali Dal MP Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa about the status of abolishing Article 35A and Article 370.

"No proposal regarding abolition of Article 35A and Article 370 in respect of Jammu and Kashmir is at present under consideration of the government," Union Minister of State for Home Hansraj Ahir said replying to a written question.

Abrogation of Article 370, that gives autonomous status to Jammu and Kashmir, continues to be a part of the core ideology of the ruling BJP, but the party maintains that it does not have enough numbers in Parliament to do away with it.

In case of Section 35A, a writ petition was filed in the Supreme Court by an NGO seeking its abrogation.

The PIL said the Jammu and Kashmir government, under the guise of articles 35A and 370, were discriminating against non-residents who are debarred from buying properties, getting a government job or voting in the local elections.

Article 35A was added to the Constitution by a presidential order in 1954 and it empowers the state legislature to define the state's "permanent residents" and their special rights and privileges.

While the Jammu and Kashmir government contested the petition saying the president had the power to incorporate a new provision in the Constitution by way of an order, the Centre had expressed its reservations.

It filed a reply and requested the apex court to refer the matter to a larger bench as constitutional issues were involved in the case.

The matter is currently sub-judice. -- PTI

The European Union today set December 31, 2020 as the deadline for the Brexit transition period to end, after which the UK will be considered completely out of the 28-member economic bloc.

The cut-off date for what Britain terms as the "implementation phase" of Brexit has been laid out as part of the EU's guidelines for the next round of negotiations on Britains future relationship with the EU as a non-member,

released by EU chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier in Brussels today.

The guidelines state that the UK should continue to follow EU trade law and stay in the European customs union and single market during the transition phase.

"There should be no 'cherry picking': The United Kingdom will continue to participate in the customs union and the single market (with all four freedoms). All existing Union regulatory, budgetary, supervisory, judiciary and enforcement instruments and structures will apply, including the competence of the Court of Justice of the European Union," the guidelines state.

The EU's 28 commissioners, including President Jean- Claude Juncker, met today to approve guidelines for the bloc's negotiating position on the transition drawn up by Barnier.

Thrashing out the precise terms of the transition phase will form part of the next round of negotiations between both sides, after the first so-called "divorce" phase of talks was concluded earlier this month.

The UK had already said that the temporary arrangements should not last for more than two years after it has formally left the EU in March 2019, which marks the two-year timeline triggered after Britain invoked Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty in March this year following a referendum in favour of Brexit in June 2016.

Meanwhile, British Prime Minister Theresa is set to face her next parliamentary hurdle over Brexit as the flagship EU (Withdrawal) Bill comes up in the House of Commons once again.

May wants to specify that the UK will leave the EU at 23:00 GMT on March 29, 2019 in the Bill, a move which has been widely criticised by Opposition parties and some Conservative party MPs.

A compromise amendment, which allows some flexibility around that date being set in stone, is expected to help the British PM see off a second Commons rebellion by some of her own MPs. -- PTI

The Gujarat BJP today said the Congress must concede its defeat in the just-concluded polls in the state because voters gave a "clear cut" mandate to the ruling party to form the next government.

The BJP's statement came in the wake of assertions by Congress leaders that their party has recorded a moral victory in the home state of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Congress president Rahul Gandhi yesterday said the Gujarat election results were a "zabardast jhatka" (a massive jolt) to the BJP, which narrowly won the polls.

Gujarat BJP president Jitu Vaghani said the opposition party must admit defeat in the state polls, which saw the BJP winning 99 seats in the 182-member assembly, down from 115 in 2012, and the Congress bagging 77, a gain of 16 seats.

Vaghani accused Congress leaders of trying to protect their newly elected president by only projecting the rise in seats and not highlighting defeat, both in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh.

"While fighting the election in Gujarat, the Congress did not say they want to be in the opposition after the polls. They used to say that entire Gujarat is unhappy (with the BJP) and people were impressed with Rahul Gandhi. Now, when they lost, they must admit their defeat," he told reporters in Ahmedabad.

Referring to the Congress' defeat in Himachal Pradesh, where the BJP has come to power, he said, "The Congress just cannot win (polls). Neither in states where they were in power nor where they were in the opposition."

"We will be forming the government here for the sixth consecutive term. Though the Congress tried to lure voters through promises which can never be implemented, people gave us a clear cut mandate. The people of Gujarat are smart and did not fall prey to Congress tactics," he added.

"To save Rahul Gandhi, the Congress does not even talk about their defeat in Himachal Pradesh, where the BJP took the reins from them.

"In Gujarat, too, the Congress talks only about the number of seats they won. This is their tactic to help Rahul escape responsibility for the party's defeat," he said.

Vaghani exuded confidence the BJP would do well in Gujarat during the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. -- PTI

Pakistan today issued visas to convicted Indian death row prisoner Kulbhushan Jadhav's wife and mother.

Jadhav is likely to meet his wife and mother on December 25.

Pakistan had on November 10 granted permission to Jadhav's wife to visit him "on humanitarian grounds". New Delhi had then urged Islamabad to also allow Jadhav's mother to accompany his wife along with an Indian diplomat.

Pakistan has so far rejected over 20 Indian requests for consular access to Jadhav.

Jadhav, 47, was sentenced to death by a Pakistani military court in April on charges of espionage and terrorism.

The International Court of Justice in May had halted his execution on Indias appeal.

The government today termed as "motivated" and "baseless" the controversy over the Rafale deal and asserted that the fighter jets have been bought at better terms.

In a written response to a question in the Lok Sabha, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said all the provisions of Defence Procurement Procedure have been followed and an inter-governmental agreement was signed on September 23, 2016 after the approval of the Cabinet Committee on Security.

"The allegations are motivated and baseless. The government has bought the Rafale aircraft at better terms," she said.

The question was asked by six MPs, including three from the BJP, BJD member Bhartruhari Mahtab, Samajwadi Party member Tej Pratap Singh Yadav and Shiv Sena's Rahul Shewale.

The Congress had alleged a "huge scam" in the deal to buy 36 Rafale fighter aircraft saying this was done unilaterally without following the DPP, without any inter-governmental agreement and in the absence of the then Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar.

The Congress had also made it an election issue in the Gujarat polls.

In response to a question on the number of surgical strikes made by the army in the last three years, the defence minister did not given any direct answer.

"Based on specific and credible inputs, Indian Army strikes at terrorists/infiltrators at the borders from time to time, in order to preserve the unity, integrity and sovereignty of the nation," she held.

In response to another question on whether the government foresees a two-front war at western and northern borders and initiatives taken by the government to deal with situation like Doklam and proxy war by Pakistan, Sitharaman said the government is fully seized of the security threats and remains prepared to deal with all kinds of security challenges. -- PTI

Shops, hotels and malls can now remain open round-the-clock through the week in Maharashtra, according to a new law, which will not apply to bars, pubs, liquor shops and discotheques, the state's Labour Minister Sambhaji Nilangekar-Patil said.

The government notified the amended Maharashtra Shops and Establishments (Regulation of Employment and Service Condition) Act, 2017, yesterday which covers hotels, malls and restaurants.

The bill was passed by the Maharashtra legislature during its last session. The new law excludes bars, pubs, wine shops and discos which have to open and close at a particular time. -- PTI

Congress leader Randeep Surjewala today took a swipe at the BJP, saying young men and women should seek approval of the saffron party before getting married or deciding on the venue. His remarks came a day after a BJP legislator in Madhya Pradesh questioned the patriotism of cricketer Virat Kohli and actor Anushka Sharma for not getting married in India.

"Attention--To all 'Young Men/Women' in India. Please take prior approval from BJP for deciding whom to marry; deciding the venue of marriage; deciding the nature of festivities; deciding the food menu. Thank You. PS- Issued in Public Interest," Surjewala tweeted.

Virat and Anushka recently got married at a private function in Italy's Tuscany recently. BJP MLA from Guna Pannalal Shakya had yesterday said, "Virat earned money in India... But he didn't find any place to marry in the country. Is Hindustan untouchable?"

"Lord Rama, Lord Krishna, Vikramaditya, Yudhishthir got married on this land. You all must have got married here. None of us goes to a foreign country to get married...(Kohli) earned money here and spent billions there (Italy)...(he) doesn't have any respect for the country. This proves he is not a patriot," Shakhya had claimed. -- PTI

Miffed at the release of a video of J Jayalalithaa in Chennai's Apollo Hospital ahead of the RK Nagar by-polls, the DMK is planning to approach the Election Commission against the TTV Dhinakaran faction of the All India AIADMK.

DMK leader and Member of Parliament TKS Elangovan alleged that the video has been released for personal gains and is a violation of Election Commission of India's Model Code of Conduct.

"When Jayalalitha was in the hospital for more than a month and people were very anxious, nobody released the video. She was a great leader of the state. She was the chief minister of our state and people needed to know about her health. But these people did not release the video at that time and now, they are using it for their personal gain which is absolutely wrong and violating the model code of conduct. We will complain to Election commission", Elangovan told ANI.

The video of Jayalalithaa came a day before RK Nagar by-polls.Earlier, Dhinakaran supporter P Vetrivel had denied the reports that no one met Jayalalithaa in the hospital.

"It's false that no one met Jayalalithaa in the hospital; there's a video proof. We waited for days and released it now as we were left with no option. The Enquiry Commission has not summoned us yet. If it does, we will submit evidence to them," Vetrivel told the media.

The video shows a frail Jayalalithaa on a bed with an I-V drip attached to her right hand.

The Election Commission has issued a notice to all TV channels and newspapers to stop using the video that may directly or indirectly have any impact in the forthcoming elections.

"This telecast is in violation to Section 126 (1)(B) of the Representation of Peoples Act, 1951, which prohibits display of the any 'election matter', inter-alia, on TV during the period of 48 hours fixed for conclusion of poll," the notice read.

The release of the video can be viewed as an attempt by the Dinakaran faction to clear the speculations over Jayalalithaa's death. However, the death is already being investigated by a judicial commission.

The former AIADMK leader was admitted to the hospital after she complained of chest pain.

The RK Nagar by-polls, necessitated after Jayalalithaa's death, were earlier scheduled for April 12, but were cancelled following allegations that sums of money were distributed in a vote-for-cash scam.Counting of votes will be held on December 24. -- ANI

Former TV producer Suhaib Ilyasi sentenced to life imprisonment by a Delhi court for murder of his wife.

Ilyasi, who once hosted the popular television crime series 'India's Most Wanted', has been sentenced to life in jail for the death of his wife 17 years ago.

The 51-year-old was held guilty of murder by a Delhi court on Saturday.

Anju Ilyasi, 30, was found in her east Delhi home on January 11, 2000, with multiple stab wounds. Suhaib Ilyasi had told the police that she had committed suicide. Three months later, he was arrested on charges of dowry harassment.

Anju's mother and sister told a sub-divisional magistrate that she had been driven to suicide by Suhaib Ilyasi. An autopsy report hadn't established then if Anju had stabbed herself or was murdered.

Congress protests over Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "conspiracy with Pakistan" remark against his predecessor Manmohan Singh today led to a virtual washout of the Rajya Sabha proceedings, even as Chairman Venkaiah Naidu said there was no question of an apology. Noisy protests by the members of the Congress and other opposition parties seeking an apology from the prime minister continued unabated throughout the day since the proceedings began.

The Upper House saw two adjournments during the pre-lunch period, till the Chair finally called it a day a little after 2 PM. The prime minster's remarks also had its toll on proceeding in the Lok Sabha, where Congress members staged a walkout and boycotted the proceedings in the afternoon.

In the Upper House, Congress members raised slogans and created uproar soon after the House met for the day. As the protesting members entered the Well raising slogans, Naidu adjourned the House first during Zero Hour till noon and then during Question Hour till 2 PM .

Earlier, Chairman Venkaiah Naidu said there was no question of giving an apology on the issue as nothing has been stated inside the House. "Nobody is going to give apology. Nothing happened in the House. No statement is made in the House. There is no practice of suspension of Question Hour. Don't make a mockery of the House. Already wrong message is going," a visibly agitated Naidu told the protesting members when the House reassembled at noon after the first adjournment. -- PTI

The Bombay High Court today dismissed a petition filed by Tehelka's former editor-in-chief Tarun Tejpal seeking quashing of rape and other charges levelled against him by a former woman colleague.

Justice Nutan Sardesai of the Goa bench of the high court dismissed the petition by Tejpal, who has been accused of raping the woman during an event in Goa in 2013.

The detailed order is expected to be pronounced later in the day.

The district court in Mapusa town had earlier framed charges against Tejpal under IPC sections 354-A (sexual harassment), 376 (rape) and 376(2)(k) (rape of a woman by a person being in the position of control or dominance over the woman), and began the trial last month. The crime branch later added to the case IPC sections 341 (wrongful restraint) and 342 (wrongful confinement), 376 (2)(f) (person in the position of trust or authority over women, committing rape of such women), 376 C (sexual intercourse by person in authority) and 354 (assault or criminal force to a woman with intent to outrage her modesty). -- PTI

16:20 The Crossword shortlist for 2017

The Crossword shortlist of fiction has just been released. The shortlist comprises Murder in Mahim by Jerry Pinto, The Association of Small Bombs by Karan Mahajan, Savithri's Special Room and Other Stories by Manu Bhattathiri, Things to Leave Behind by Namita Gokhale and Harilal and Sons by Sujit Saraf.

The non-fiction shortlist comprises The Great Derangement by Amitav Ghosh, Borderlands--Travels across India's Boundaries by Pradeep Damodaran, Age of Anger by Pankaj Mishra, A Feast of Vultures by Josy Joseph and An Era of Darkness by Shashi Tharoor.

The jury shortlist in the children's category includes How old is Muttajji?, by Roopa Pai and Kaveri Gopalakrishnan, 2 by Paro Anand, Garima Gupta, Kaveri Gopalakrishnan and Orjan Persson, Hot Chocolate is Thicker than Blood by Rupa Gulab, Muezza and Baby Jaan by Anita Nair and Monkey Trouble and other Grandfather stories by Ruskin Bond and Priya Kurian.

The shortlist in the Translation category include, A Preface to Man by Subash Chandran translated by Fathima EV (Malayalam), I Want to Destroy Myself by Malika Amar Shaikh translated by Jerry Pinto (Marathi), Zindagi Nama by Krishna Sobti translated by Moyna Mazumdar & Neer Kanwal Mani (Hindi) ,The Saga of Muziris by A. Sethumadhavan, translated by Prema Jayakumar (Malayalam) and Bara by U. R. Ananthamurthy translated by Chandan Gowda (Kannada).

15:27 Pak Army chief supports Hafiz Saeed

United Nations-designated terrorist Hafiz Saeed has found a new supporter in Pakistan Chief of the Army Staff, Gen. Qamar Javed Bajwa, who has hailed the Mumbai attack mastermind as 'active' to resolve the Kashmir issue, as every other citizen of Pakistan.

This statement is being viewed as Bajwa comparing every Pakistani citizen with the chief of banned terror outfit - Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD).Bajwa, speaking at an 'in-camera session' of the Senate Committee of the Whole in Islamabad, deliberated on a wide range of topics from politics to counter-terrorism operations and foreign policy.

When asked about Hafiz Saeed's role in fighting for the country, especially the Kashmir issue, Bajwa said, "Like every other Pakistani, Saeed can also take up the Kashmir cause."

Bajwa's statement has come close on the heels of former Pakistan president General Parvez Musharraf declaring support for the terror outfits - Lashkar-e-Taiba and JuD.At the event, Bajwa further said if the Army's role was proved in the recent Faizabad sit-in, he would resign from his post. -- ANI

"Shashi was amazingly handsome. He had the good looks of the Kapoors, being the one who looked the most like his father Prithviraj, that went with a style and an elegant figure. His impossibly handsome face was made less daunting by his goofy grin which made him seem less of a 'Greek god'. So why, among the many words that have been written about him, particularly since his death, was 'gentleman' found so often?"

Rachel Dwyer's ode to Shashi Kapoor who passed away on December 4. Do read

14:48

Just in: The Reserve Bank of India has put Bank of India under watch for high bad loans, says the lender.

14:36 Modi meets BJP MPs, gets emotional recollecting Vajpayee's hug

Two days after the BJP's twin wins in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh, the party's MPs met for the first time in the Parliament library today. NDTV reports that the PM was given a standing ovation, and got emotional saying, "This is a big victory; we are now ruling 19 states. Even Indira Gandhi, when she was in power, was in 18 states."

The prime minister also warned his colleagues against complacency ahead of a string of state elections and the 2019 national polls.

Union Minister Ananth Kumar speaking about the meeting said the PM called for the promotion of the youth - in and outside party.

While briefing the media about the meeting, Kumar said, "Prime Minister Modi said that work should be done to bring the youth forward on every platform. He also spoke about new millennium voters, those born after 2000."

"New generation should be involved in services for country, society and development," he added.

Further hailing Prime Minister Modi's support for the people, the union minister added, "Modi ji said our booth level workers, with support of people, must tread towards victory and should not be distracted by what the Opposition is saying about credibility and the low-level comments they are making."

"Prime Minister Modi also got emotional thinking about the struggle of the party in the state of Gujarat. He also remembered the time when former prime minister Atal Bihari-ji had hugged him in 1991 and congratulated him for his efforts. He also praised Amit Shah a lot as he is a silent worker for the party," the union minister further stated.

The BJP has retained Gujarat for a sixth straight term and snatched Himachal Pradesh from the Congress, taking its total tally of states to 19, including the five it rules with allies.

Image: PM Modi with BJP MPs at the party's meeting today. L to R (front row): Nitin Gadkari, Rajnath Singh, Ananth Kumar and Sushma Swarj

Maoists have killed a 40-year-old tribal farmer here suspecting him to be a police informer, a senior police officer said today. Around 20 armed Left-wing extremists barged into Sadhu's house in Chitrakonda area of the district yesterday night and dragged him out, accusing him of being a police informer, Malkangiri Superintendent of Police Jagmohan Meena said.

Sadhu's body was found with his throat slit on the outskirts of the village this morning, Meena said. The Maoists also set ablaze two tractors, a JCB machine and some vehicles engaged in road construction work in the area, he said. Police have stepped up combing operations and patrolling in the district following the incident, the SP said.

The incident came a day after another tribal man was killed by the Maoists at Jandraguda village in Mathili police station area of the district. -- PTI

The Shiv Sena on Wednesday ridiculed the Bharatiya Janata Party for failing in its mission to win 150 seats in the recently held Gujarat Assembly elections and termed it 'a flop'.

The party in its mouthpiece 'Saamna' said, "For winning the election, the BJP can go to any extent in achieving their goal. BJP's true colours were seen during the Gujarat elections.

Despite them winning the Gujarat polls with 99 seats as opposed to its intended target of 150, this clearly states that their 'mission 150 was a flop'.

He further took potshots at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his development campaign as the BJP garnered votes mainly from the urban areas as compared to rural areas.

"Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his campaign always spoke about 'vikas' (development) but has forgotten the real meaning towards it. If 'Vikas' did take place then only in urban areas, the rural sector still lags behind," the article read.

The Shiv Sena added: "Despite the BJP reigning in Gujarat for over 22 years, they have failed to focus on 'vikas' especially for the farmers who deserve it more. Following the results of Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh elections, it should also be taken as a sign of warning for 2019 general elections."

The article concluded by saying that the BJP's 'Gujarat model' of development has been shaken and hoped that it would not get completely destroyed in 2019. -- ANI

The Uttar Pradesh government today introduced in the state Assembly a bill to enact a stringent law on the the lines of the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act to combat organised crimes in the state.

The Uttar Pradesh Control of Organised Crime Bill, 2017, was introduced in the House by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath soon after the Question Hour. The state cabinet recently approved the draft of the proposed legislation, which has been prepared in consultation with the law department for effective check on organised crimes, mafia and white collared crimes.
-- PTI

The Election Commission tells TV channels to take the video of J Jayalalithaa in hospital off the air. The EC says the telecast of the video may directly/indirectly have an impact in the forthcoming elections (the RK Nagar bypoll).

Pradhyumn Thakur murder case: The 16-year-old Class XI student accused of murdering the Class II student, Pradhyumn Thakur, will be tried as an adult.

The Juvenile Justice Board, Gurugram, has transferred the case to the District And Sessions Court and a hearing in the case will begin from December 22. Even if he is found guilty, he cannot be hanged or given a life sentence. Amended laws after the Nirbhaya case allows juveniles between the age of 16 and 18 to be tried as adults when the crimes are heinous. The accused in this case is 16 years and five months old, when the crime was committed.

On December 15, the board had rejected the bail plea of the teen accused, who allegedly killed Pradhyumn in the washroom of the Gurugram school in September.

The bail of the arrested juvenile was rejected on the basis of two reports submitted by an experts committee set up by the board to weigh on the matter. The committee also included a psychologist from PGI Rohtak.

Pradhyumn, a Class II student, was found with his throat slit in the school washroom in Gurugram on September 8. School bus conductor Ashok Kumar was earlier arrested by Haryana Police in connection with the crime. He was recently granted bail by a lower court.

The case was transferred to the CBI and the agency had apprehended a Class 11 student in connection with the killing.

Pradhyumn's father Varun Thakur said he is hopeful he will get justice.

Retired Air Marshal J S Gujral was today granted bail by a Delhi court in the VVIP chopper scam case filed against him, former IAF Chief S P Tyagi and others. Special CBI Judge Arvind Kumar granted the relief to Gujral on a personal bond of Rs 2 lakh and a surety of the same amount when he appeared before the court after a summons was issued to him.

Tyagi, who was earlier granted bail in the case along with others, also appeared before the court following summons issued in September. The court directed the probe agencies to hand over the chargesheet and other documents filed along with it to the accused and posted the matter for a hearing on May 30.

The court had issued summons to Gujral, Tyagi, his cousin Sanjeev alias Julie and advocate Gautam Khaitan on September 19. -- PTI

12:25 A secret visit and Sino-Tibetan dialogue

Issues to consider while waiting for the Sino-Tibetan 'Godot'. Read more

The Election Commission says they will not interfere with the release of a video showing J Jayalalithaa in hospital since the video has not been release at the RK Nagar constituency which is going to the polls tomorrow.

Yesterday, refuting reports on the cancellation of the RK Nagar bypoll, the Chief Electoral Officer of Tamil Nadu confirmed that polling will take place in its due time.

Speaking to ANI, Rajesh Lakhoni said, "News reports saying RK Nagar bypoll has been cancelled is not true."

The RK Nagar bypoll, necessitated after the death of former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, was earlier scheduled on April 12, but was cancelled following allegations that sums of money were distributed in a vote-for-cash scam.Counting of votes will be held on December 24. -- ANI

Naxals attacked Bihar's Masudan Railway Station and abducted three officials, including an Assistant Station Master. The incident took place after the Naxals had called for Bihar and Jharkhand bandh on December 20.

The Assistant Station Master had called up the Maldah Divisional Railway Manager, saying the Naxals threatened to kill them if trains continued plying on the Masudan track.

The Naxals also torched station property in the incident - which took place late last night.

The incident has affected the operation of trains on Bhagalpur-Kiul line. A joint team of the police and the Central Reserve Police Force have started the search operation to locate the abducted officers. -- ANI

Image: The burnt Masudan railway station in Bihar which was torched by Naxals

11:49 PM fully used Aiyar, Sibal statements: Moily

Senior Congress leader Veerappa Moily on Wednesday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi made maximum use of the controversial statements made by his party leaders Mani Shankar Aiyar and Kapil Sibal during the Gujarat polls.

Moily's statement comes after he alleged that Aiyar's and Sibal's controversial remarks may have undone the gains made by Congress party president Rahul Gandhi during campaigning in the Gujarat elections.

Moily also said the Congress' performance in Gujarat, particularly under Gandhi's leadership was par excellence."To an extent their statements did cause damage to the party during the Gujarat polls. Prime Minister Narendra Modi made maximum usage of their statements," Moily told ANI.

In Gujarat, the BJP continued its winning streak by bagging 99 out of 182 seats in the state assembly while, in Himachal Pradesh, the party overthrew Congress from the government by claiming 44 out of 68 seats.

11:41 Justice Karnan released from jail

Kolkata: Former Calcutta HC Judge, CS Karnan, released from Presidency Jail. He was arrested on 20th June and was later found guilty of contempt of Court.

11:38

Max Hospital Shalimar Bagh to resume operations from today, after obtaining a stay order by appropriate appellate authority, to whom they made an appeal against cancellation of license.

11:23 Dinakaran releases video of Jaya sipping drink in hospital

A visual of former Tamil Nadu CM J Jayalalithaa, when she had been admitted at Chennai's Apollo Hospital last year. The picture is a grab taken from a video released by TTV Dinakaran's supporter, P Vetriivel and shows Jaya sipping a drink while watch TV at the hospital.

VK Sasikalas family, who were with Jayalalithaa throughout her hospitalisation last year, has staunchly maintained that there is a video which clearly shows a conscious Jayalalithaa.

Doubts had been raised over whether Jayalalithaa was conscious even for a day and whether her thumb print was taken with her consent anointing O Panneerselvam as her successor.

The video has been released a day before Jayalalithaa's constituency goes to the polls tomorrow. Campaigning ended on Tuesday evening for the bypoll to the prestigious RK Nagar constituency.

While a total of 59 candidates are in the field, a triangular contest is on cards in RK Nagar bypolls among the ruling All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagams E Madhusudhanan, the partys sidelined leader TTV Dinakaran and the opposition DMK N Marudhu Ganesh.

Jayalalithaa had been admitted to hospital on September 22 last year and died on December 5.

Actor Shahid Kapoor says he is hopeful that there would be clarity on the release of his controversy-ridden film "Padmavati" by end of this month. Sanjay Leela Bhansali's period drama is yet to receive a certificate from the CBFC.

Several Rajput outfits and political leaders have accused the director of "distorting historical facts" in the movie. Starring Deepika Padukone in the title role, with Shahid as Maharawal Ratan Singh and Ranveer Singh as Sultan Alauddin Khilji, the film was earlier scheduled to arrive in the theatres on December 1.

Both Bhansali and Padukone received death threats for being a part of the film. Asked about the project's current status, Shahid said, "I am sure we will have clarity by the end of this year about when the film is releasing. But we want it to release as soon as possible." The actor was speaking at the red carpet of Zee Cine Awards last night. -- PTI

The Bharatiya Janata Party on Wednesday castigated its Madhya Pradesh MLA Panna Lal Shakya for questioning the patriotism of cricketer Virat Kohli for preferring Italy over India to get married.

BJP leader S.Prakash said it is not Shakya's business to question Kohil's patriotism.

Averring that Shakya should mend his ways and not tarnish party's image by making such unwarranted statements Prakash said, "The MLA who made this statement has no business to question the patriotism of Virat Kohli or Anushka Sharma, it is their choice to marry where ever they wanted to get married. The MLA who has made this statement has no right to tarnish the image of the BJP and I hope he mends his way.

"While inaugurating a 'Skill India Centre' in Guna Madhya Pradesh yesterday, Shakya, said: "Virat earned money in India but he didn't find any place to marry in the country. Is Hindustan untouchable?"

"Lord Rama, Lord Krishna, Vikramaditya, Yudhishthir got married on this land. You all must have got married here. None of us goes to a foreign country to get married, he (Virat Kohli) earned money here and spent billions there (Italy), he doesn't have any respect for the country. This proves he is not a patriot."Virat and Anushka got married last week at a private ceremony in Tuscany, Italy. -- ANI

Stocks made headway today as key indices Sensex and Nifty jumped to new peaks on bets that the government would unveil more reforms to boost rural economy. Asian stocks traded mixed as the final vote on US tax-cut legislation entered a crucial phase.

The 30-share index rose 119.57 points, or 0.35 per cent, to hit a new high of 33,956.31, surpassing its previous intra-day record of 33,865.95 hit on November 7. The gauge had gained 783.70 points in the previous four sessions.

The 50-share NSE Nifty added 31.25 points, or 0.29 per cent, at 10,494.45 -- a fresh intra-day high. The gauge had hit 10,490.45 during the day on November 6.

Auto, realty and consumer durables powered the stock gains, jumping by up to 1.08 per cent. Sentiment remained upbeat after the BJP's electoral victory in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh and a strengthening rupee against the dollar. Apart from Maruti Suzuki, others that hit the ground running were ONGC, Hero MotoCorp, Coal India and Wipro, surging up to 2 per cent. -- PTI

10:14 Minister falls ill during BJP Parl meeting

Delhi: MoS Agriculture Krishna Raj fell ill during the BJP parliamentary party meeting which is underway at the Parliament's Library Building. He has been rushed to RML hospital for treatment.

10:05

The BJP's parliamentary party meeting is underway at the Parliament's Library Building.

10:03 BJP came through by the skin of its teeth: Shatrughan

BJP MP Shatrughan Sinha‏ @ShatruganSinha tweets: "Far from becoming a Congress-mukt Bharat as many would like to shout from roof tops, there was almost the possibility of an upset right in the home base of our one man show & two man army...

"This was a real touch & go election because we hear that in 16 Seats, the INC lost with a margin of less than 3000. -Botad-906 -Dobhai-2839 -Dhokla-327 -Fatepura-2711 -Gariadhar-1876 -Godhra-236 -Himat nagar-1712 -Khambhat-2318 -Matar-2406 -Porbandar-1855 -Prantij-2551 -Rajkot rural-2179 -Umreth-1883-Vagra-2370 -Vijapur-1164 -Visnagar-2869.

"Our party came through by the skin of its teeth... Better booth & other management was probably the key...A true wake up call...and time for us to realise that there is no substitute to real & genuine development of one and all...Long live BJP. Jai Hind..!"

Twinkle Khanna is all set to don the producer's hat with Akshay Kumar's upcoming release Padman. The R Balki directorial is based on the life of Arunachalam Muruganantham, who is credited to have invented low cost sanitary pads for the women of his village.

Ahead of the movie's release, Twinkle caught up with the Information and Broadcast Minister Smriti Irani and discussed about the story of Padman with her.

Smriti Irani was delighted to chat with Twinkle. She even took to her Twitter account and posted a collage of pictures from their meeting. Irani wrote alongside, "Delighted to meet @mrsfunnybones who discussed upcoming film PadMan."

Naxals on Tuesday night attacked the Masudan railway station in Bihar and torched the station property.The Naxals have also abducted two railway officials, including the assistant station master.

The assistant station master, who has been abducted, called up Maldah DRM saying Naxals have threatened to kill them if trains continue plying on Masudan track. All passengers have requested to take other alternatives as a precautionary measure.

As of now, no casualties have been reported. Also, no official statement from the railway authorities has been issued regarding the incident.

This is not the first time that such an incident has happened in the state. Earlier this year, a group of 20 Naxals had allegedly hijacked a train in Lakhisarai district of the state.

-- ANI

The new BJP government in Gujarat is likely to be sworn in on December 25, party sources said today amid speculation that a new leader could be chosen to helm the state where it secured a narrow victory in the Assembly polls.

BJP president Amit Shah had announced during the campaign that the party was fighting elections under Chief Minister Vijay Rupani and his deputy Nitin Patel.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was, however, the face of the party in the keenly contested elections.

"Due to the thin margin of victory this time, the party leadership may think of changing the chief minister," sources said.

Modi and the central parliamentary board of the party will take the final call, they said.

Shiv Sena, a bickering ally of the BJP, recorded a dismal performance in Gujarat, with all the 42 candidates it fielded for the Assembly polls in the state losing their deposit amount paid for filing their nomination papers.

A candidate who fails to get more than one-sixth of the total number of valid votes polled by all the candidates does not get back the deposit amount he paid for filing nomination.

All the candidates put up by the Sena in the keenly contested election secured 33,893 votes, a party leader said.

"Of these 42, eleven candidates got more than 1,000 votes. Samrat Patil from Limbayat polled 4,075 votes, the highest votes secured by a Sena candidate in this election," he said.

This was not the first time that the Sena, which has been critical of its alliance partner BJP, faced a debacle in the Gujarat election.

"In 2007, Sena fielded 33 candidates in Gujarat and all lost," the leader said, attributing the latest poll fiasco to paucity of time for poll campaign.

"We barely got 15 days for campaign. This period was too short. Our performance could have been better had we got three to four months to do the groundwork in Gujarat," he said.

In the 182-member Gujarat Assembly, BJP retained power by bagging 99 seats, Congress improved its tally by winning 77 seats.

-- PTI

The US has concerns about Jamaat-ud-Dawah chief Hafiz Saeed running for office in Pakistan in 2018, a senior Trump Administration official has said.

The JuD head and LeT founder had earlier confirmed that his organisation Jammat-ud-Dawah will contest the 2018 general elections in Pakistan under the banner of the Milli Muslim League, which is yet to be

registered with the Election Commission.

"Saeed, who was released by Pakistan from house arrest last November resulting in angry reaction from the US, was the "mastermind" of the Mumbai terrorist attacks and is leader of Lashkar-e-Tayiba," State Department Spokesperson Heather Nauert said.

"It's a group that the US government considers to be a terror organisation. We have many conversations with the government of Pakistan. One of the things that happened recently was that this guy was held on house arrest. Pakistan released him from house arrest, and now there's word that he may be running for some sort of office," she told reporters.

Saeed, who has a $0 million American bounty on his head for terror activities, was freed by Pakistan on November 24.

He is a UN and US designated terrorist.

"I want to remind folks, we have a $10 million reward for justice programme that would reward for information that would bring him to justice. So I want to make that clear, so that everybody knows -- $10 million, out for this guy. And we would certainly have concerns about him running for office," Nauert said.

The US had also strongly condemned the release of the LeT leader from house arrest and had called for his immediate re-arrest and prosecution.

However, top Pakistani diplomats based in the US have said that there is no evidence against Saeed.

-- PTI

Taking note of the RSS-affiliate Hindu Jagran Manch's threat to all Aligarh schools against celebrating Christmas, the Uttar Pradesh Police has directed all district police chiefs to take strict action against those indulging in intimidation of any sort.

"The Aligarh SSP and all district police chiefs have been directed to take strict legal action against those indulging in intimidation of any sort," Additional Director General, Law and Order, Anand Kumar said.

The ADG also directed all district police chiefs of the state to ensure the freedom of practicing religion is protected.

The Manch issued a circular warning the managements of all Aligarh schools against celebrating Christmas and threatened, if they did so, it would be "at their own risk".

The warning set alarm bells ringing in all educational institutions in the Aligarh city, especially Christian schools.

"The circular would be reaching all schools very shortly and we will decide a course of action on receiving their response," Sonu Savita, city president of the Hindu Jagran Manch, told reporters in Aligarh on December 17.

Expressing concern, Praveen Agarwal, president of the Public School Development Society, Aligarh, said, "Each year we celebrate festivals belonging to all communities and this experience helps our children to play a responsible role as citizens of this country."

Similar sentiments were echoed by Anurag Gupta, convener of the Parents' Association, Aligarh, who said, "Our schools have been playing an important role in helping students acquire knowledge of different religions and this helps them when they move out to different countries all over the globe."

Senior superintendent of police, Aligarh, Rajesh Pandey, however, made it clear that the district authorities would not allow anyone to force any school not to observe or celebrate Christmas. -- PTI

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