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Mon, 04 February 2019
'Don't need your certificate': Gadkari pans Rahul, prompts 'huge apology'
Timeline Refresh
23:22 Air India apologises after passenger finds cockroach in food served during flight
Two days after one of its passengers found a cockroach in the food served aboard a Bhopal-Mumbai flight, Air India on Monday apologised and said it has initiated "corrective action internally".
"We sincerely apologise for the incident where our valued pax (passenger) had a disappointing experience with the meal served on board our Bhopal-Mumbai flight. Air India always endeavours to ensure our pax enjoy our services," it issued a statement on Twitter.
Rohit Raj Singh Chauhan, who was on the the Air India plane heading to Mumbai from Bhopal, tweeted on Saturday he was served idli-vada-sambar during the flight and it had a cockroach in it. He also posted a picture of the food served where a cockroach could be seen.
"We have taken serious note of the incident and immediately issued a strong notice to the caterer concerned. Air India has zero-tolerance policy in this respect and has initiated corrective action internally. Our senior officials are in touch with the aggrieved passenger," the airline tweeted.
-- PTI
23:09 'Don't need your certificate': Gadkari pans Rahul, prompts 'huge apology'
Union minister Nitin Gadkari on Monday hit back at Rahul Gandhi, saying he did not need a certificate of courage from the Congress president after the latter had described him as the only person in BJP with guts over a comment on domestic responsibilities.
Rahul Gandhis remarks had come in response to Gadkaris address to former workers of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad, student wing of RSS, to fulfil their domestic responsibilities before working for the party or the country and that those who cannot do deliver at home, cannot manage the country.
Gadkari said Rahul Gandhi was relying on twisted media reports to attack the Narendra Modi government, which he said would come back to power again after the Lok Sabha elections and work with full strength to take the country forward.
Rahulji I dont need a certificate of courage from you, but I am surprised that as president of a national Party, you are referring to twisted reports filed by the media to attack our government, he said in a series of tweets in Hindi.
This is the strength Modi and our government that you have to take the support of others shoulders, he said.
In another tweet, Gadkari sought to respond to the Congress presidents request to speak up on three topics that he wanted the minister to speak about the Rafale scam and Anil Ambani, farmers distress and destruction of institutions.
On the issues you have raised, I would like to say that our government has made the Rafale deal keeping the countrys interests in front. Modijis honest policies have been to bring farmers out of the crisis that your (Congresss) policies had put them in.
You are not able to bear that Modi has become the Prime Minister, so you are getting dreams of intolerance and attacking of constitutional institutions, Gadkari said, hoping that Rahul Gandhi would behave with rationality and responsibility in the future.
In another tweet, which came after Gadkaris response to his first, Rahul Gandhi asked the minister to speak up on the issue of jobs generation too. This time, Rahul, in a jab, issued a huge apology for having forgotten the most important issue.
22:45 Alka Lamba claims Kejriwal unfollwed her on Twitter, says finding hard to work in AAP
AAP MLA Alka Lamba Monday claimed Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal unfollowed her on Twitter and said she was finding it hard to work in the party under the prevailing situation.
In December, Lamba had claimed that the Aam Aadmi Party had asked her to resign for protesting an alleged proposal seeking to revoke former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi's Bharat Ratna. The AAP had, however, rubbished her claims.
"I have a strong feeling that the party does not need my services at all. But till I am an MLA, I will continue serving the people of my constituency," the Chandni Chowk MLA said.
The legislator said she has sent a message to the AAP leadership, asking them to clear their stand on her position in the party.
Her message has been communicated to the party leadership through the organisation secretary of Chandni Chowk constituency.
The MLA claimed she was removed from all official WhatsApp groups of the party and Kejriwal unfollowed her on Twitter on Sunday.
"Such things, like removing from WhatsApp groups, unfollowing on Twitter and not inviting in meetings make me feel that I deserve the same position and respect as other MLAs have. Otherwise, it will be very difficult for me to continue. I cannot compromise my self respect," she said.
Lamba said she was actively involved in campaigning for the Lok Sabha polls with the party in-charge of the Chandni Chowk constituency, but she will now focus on her work as MLA.
Rejecting speculation that she was cozying up to the Congress, Lamba said: "It is being assumed that I am going to join the Congress though I have not uttered a word against the AAP or its leaders. But on the other hand, efforts to ally with the Congress through a 'Mahagathbandhan' are considered okay by them."
-- PTI
22:06 After Mallya's extradition order, Jaitley takes jibe at Opposition
In a big development in Vijay Mallya extradition case, UK Home Secretary Sajid Javid today has signed the order to extradite Mallya to India.
Mallya now has a 14-day window to appeal to a higher court. According to multiple sources, the entire procedure to bring back Mallya to India may take at least 7-8 months if he uses all his legal options.
Reacting to the news of UK Home Secrectary clearing Mallya's extradition, Union Minister Arun Jaitley tweeted "Modi Government clears one more step to get Mallya extradited while Opposition rallies around the Saradha Scamsters."
21:36 Mallya's extradition order to India cleared by UK Home Secretary
In what can be seen as a success for investigating agencies, UK Home Secretary on Monday approved fugitive liquor baron Vijay Mallya's extradition order.
On Friday, Vijay Mallya claimed his groups properties worth over Rs 13,000 crore have been attached, more than the claimed Rs 9,000 crore that he ran away with asking where is justice and how far will it go.
Mallya also claimed that the banks to which he owes money have given an open licence to their lawyers in England to pursue multiple frivolous litigations against him questioning the brazen spending of public money on legal fees".
Last year in December Westminster Magistrates Court Chief Magistrate Emma Arbuthnot had ruled in favour of extradition of Mallya.
Mallya left India on March 2, 2016 after defaulting on loan amounting to Rs 9,000 crore he had taken for his now-defunct Kingfisher Airlines.
21:19 Dharna to continue till Friday: Mamata
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday said that her dharna against CBI's attempt to grill Kolkata Police chief in chit fund scam cases will continue till Friday in view of the coming board examinations.
Banerjee is sitting on dharna since Sunday night at the Metro channel in Esplanade area in the heart of the city, the place where she had sat on a 26-day fast in 2006 against acquisition of farm land by Tata Motors at Singur for its small car project.
"This demonstration will continue till February 8. Because the board examinations will be starting soon we will not be playing the loudspeakers so that the students are not disturbed," she said.
She has termed her dharna as "satyagraha" or passive political resistance against the CBI attempting to question the city police commissioner on chit fund scams and against the Centre for attemting a "coup" in the state.
A CBI team had gone to Kolkata Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar's residence in the city Sunday to question him in connection with multi-crore rupees ponzi scams, but it was denied permission, bundled into jeeps and whisked to a police station.
The chief minister has accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah of trying to organise a "coup" in the state and alleged that National Security Advisor Ajit Doval was directing the CBI to harass political opponents on the orders of the prime minister.
-- PTI
21:12 Owl enters cockpit in Jet Airways aircraft parked at Mumbai airport
A barn owl somehow made its way to the cockpit of a Jet Airways aircraft in Mumbai.
The nocturnal bird was found inside the plane on Monday morning when it was parked at Mumbai airport over night.
The bird was later handed over to Fire Department of Mumbai International Airport for release.
According to reports, the presence of a bird inside the cockpit of a plan was rare. Some reports also said that it was a good omen for the debt-ridden airline.
Saddled with debt of about $1.14 billion, Jet Airways has been hit by fierce competition, rupee depreciation and high oil prices.
The airline, which controls a sixth of Indias booming aviation market, owes money to banks, vendors and lessors some of whom are considering taking back aircraft, sources have told news agency Reuters.
20:58 Purification ritual at Sabarimala not due to women entry: Tantri
Sabarimala temple Tantri (head priest) Kandararu Rajeevaru on Monday described as 'baseless', the allegation that the purification ritual he conducted at the Ayyappa shrine on January 2 was due to the entry of the two women of menstruating age.
In his 11-page explanation to the Travancore Devaswom Board, which manages the Sabarimala temple, he said the ritual was held to restore the 'grace' of the deity, which was lost as the temple faced many controversies and allegations during the Chithira Atta celebrations and the Mandala-Makaravilaku festival.
"The temple was facing many issues during the Chithira Aatta celebration and mandala-makaravilakku festival.
When such issues come up, we need to perform a purification ceremony to revive the lost grace of the deity," Tantri said in his explanation.
He also said that since there was no puja on December 31, 2018, the next day-January 1, 2019, witnessed huge crowds, prompting him to perform the ritual on January 2.
"Hence, the allegations that the temple was closed due to the women's entry and the act was against the Supreme Court order of September 28 are baseless," he said.
The Tantri also said that it was not necessary to take permission from the TDB to perform the rituals.
"The ceremony was conducted after informing all the devoswom officials who were present at the Sannidhanam at that time.
-- PTI
20:21 Attorney General files contempt petition against Prashant Bhushan
Attorney General K K Venugopal on Monday filed a contempt petition in the Supreme Court against activist lawyer Prashant Bhushan for allegedly scandalising the court with his recent tweets on the appointment of former interim chief of CBI M Nageswara Rao.
The contempt petition refers to the February 1 tweets by Bhushan in which he allegedly said that the government appeared to have misled the apex court and perhaps submitted fabricated minutes of the meeting of the high-powered Selection Committee headed by the Prime Minister.
Venugopal, in his petition, said Bhushan had deliberately intended to cast aspersions on the integrity and honesty of the Attorney General who had placed the minutes of the meeting before the apex court during the February 1 hearing.
-- PTI
19:47 CBI row: Kharge writes to Jaitley, says his dissent on flouting procedure not integrity of officer
Criticised by Union Minister Arun Jaitley for his "dissent" note on appointment of CBI Director, Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge has written to the BJP leader that the objections raised by him were on the flouting of procedure and not on the integrity of the officer.
In a letter to Jaitley after his blog --"Has Mr. Kharge Brought Down the Value of Dissent?", the Congress leader in Lok Sabha demanded that the government put in public domain the minutes of the meeting of the panel headed by the prime minister on the CBI Director's appointment.
Kharge said he "is pained to say the value of the Prime Minister's Office has been brought down" by the way the government has conducted itself in the matter of CBI Director's appointment.
The Congress leader said Jaitley had himself penned "the strongest dissent note" against the CBI and its functioning after which the agency transferred its officers and stopped investigations, an apparent reference to the minister's remarks on the CBI investigation in the case against former ICICI bank CEO Chanda Kochhar.
In his two-page letter, Kharge also expressed the hope that the new director's "lack of experience" in CBI would not hamper his ability to rebuild institution "this government has destroyed".
Jaitley had on Sunday accused Kharge of dissenting excessively, saying he has made the appointment of CBI director look like a political battle which was never envisaged.
He was referring to Kharge writing to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to express his dissent on the appointment of new CBI Director Rishi Kumar Shukla, alleging that the officer did not have experience in handling anti-corruption cases and the criterion for selection was diluted in violation of law and Supreme Court judgments.
-- PTI
19:18 3 SC judges to hear CBI petition against Kolkata top cop tomorrow
Three-judge Supreme Court bench comprising Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi, Justice Deepak Gupta and Justice Sanjiv Khanna will hear CBIs pleas tomorrow against Kolkata Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar and West Bengal govt for alleged non-cooperation in a case connected with Saradha chit fund scam.
19:07 Third of Himalayan ice cap doomed, finds 'shocking' report
At least a third of the huge ice fields in Asias towering mountain chain are doomed to melt due to climate change, according to a landmark new report, with serious consequences for almost 2 billion people.
Even if carbon emissions are dramatically and rapidly cut and succeed in limiting global warming to 1.5C, 36 per cent of the glaciers along in the Hindu Kush and Himalaya range will have gone by 2100. If emissions are not cut, the loss soars to two-thirds, the report found.
The glaciers are a critical water store for the 250 million people who live in the Hindu Kush-Himalaya region, and 1.65 billion people rely on the great rivers that flow from the peaks into India, Pakistan, China and other nations.
This is the climate crisis you havent heard of, said Philippus Wester of the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development, who led the report. In the best of possible worlds, if we get really ambitious [in tackling climate change], even then we will lose one-third of the glaciers and be in trouble. That for us was the shocking finding.
18:31 Think I'd have such a police chief? Nitish Kumar quips on Bengal row
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Monday reacted to the ongoing hostilities between the centre and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, saying anything can happen when elections are around. Mr Kumar, a BJP ally, said it was a matter of a month until the Election Commission announces dates for the Lok Sabha elections.
A team of CBI officers Sunday reached Kolkata police chief Rajeev Kumar's house to question him on two ponzi scams. The police whisked the officers away and briefly detained them. Riled with the development, Ms Banerjee started an indefinite sit-in protest in central Kolkata.
"What is happening between the CBI and the West Bengal government is for them to explain. I am not in the habit of commenting on others. But this is all a matter of a month or so, until the Election Commission comes out with the poll schedule and model code of conduct comes into force," PTI quoted him as saying.
Nitish Kumar -- known for making stinging attacks on his opponents-- took a dig at Banerjee when he was asked how he would have reacted if he was involved in a similar controversy. "Do you think I will have a DGP with such a record?" he quipped.
The CBI wants to question the Kolkata Police Commissioner over missing documents linked to an investigation into the Saradha and Rose Valley chit fund scams. The agency says Rajeev Kumar -- who headed a Special Investigation Team probing the scams--had ignored several summons and had been missing.
Nitish Kumar ruled out the possibility of the Modi government dismissing Banerjee's government in Bengal. He said unlike in the past, "when Congress governments at the centre used to clamp President's rule at will," now there were clear guidelines laid down by the Supreme Court.
18:04 Cong women's wing files complaint for offensive tweets against Priyanka Gandhi
Alleging a smear campaign against Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on social media by the RSS and the BJP, the party's women's wing Monday filed a complaint with the Delhi Police, demanding action against those behind it.
All India Mahila Congress President Sushmita Dev and Delhi Pradesh Mahila Congress President Sharmistha Mukherjee said the complaint was filed against "unknown persons for spreading distasteful and offensive tweets/pictures" of Vadra at the Parliament Street police station.
"We have filed a complaint at Parliament police station along with some evidences. We know that the BJP and RSS are behind this but we want police to investigate and uncover the truth and to put accused persons behind bars," Dev said.
She added that the social media campaign has been started against Vadra from the day she had joined politics.
Last month, Vadra was named the AICC general secretary of eastern Uttar Pradesh.
"The BJP has gone berserk after she (Vadra) became the general secretary of the AICC in charge of eastern Uttar Pradesh and they had done the same in past with Rahul Gandhi. We have asked our party members to file the case against this in every state across India," Dev added.
The complaint outlines charges amounting to offences like defamations, sexual harassment and sections of the IT Act. Screenshots of offensive tweets and pictures have been attached along with the complaint.
Mahila Congress' Rajasthan unit also protested in Jaipur and handed over a complaint to Jaipur police commissioner Anand Srivastava.
-- PTI
17:47 Why is Centre targeting Bengal Tigress?: Shatrughan Sinha
Disgruntled BJP leader Shatrughan Sinha on Monday fired a fresh salvo at the Narendra Modi government, accusing it of playing with fire by targeting West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee whom he called a tried and tested mass leader.
The second consecutive term Patna Sahib MP also rued that the party in power at the Centre has almost lost its credibility and people are not accepting anything we are saying, a day after Banerjee sat on a dharna in Kolkata in protest against visit of a team of CBI officials to question the police commissioner in connection with a corruption case.
"Sirji, what is happening. Why are we playing with fire through the much-maligned, disgraced and condemned government institutions, that too when elections are around the corner, Sinha, who had recently annoyed his party by addressing an opposition rally organised by Banerjee at Kolkata, tweeted.
"By targeting the tried and tested mass leader with impeccable image, Bengal Tigress @MamataOfficial the lady who is identified with hawai chappal and cotton saris. We have
almost lost our credibility and people are not accepting
whatever we are saying. Let us not get into knee-jerk panic
action reaction," Sinha added in an another tweet.
For quite some time, Sinha has been criticising the leadership of Modi and BJP president Amit Shah calling it a one man army and two man show.
He has also indicated that if denied a ticket by the BJP, he was ready to seek re-election from Patna Sahib as a nominee of another party with the cryptic remark location would be same, situation may be different.
-- PTI
17:05 No threat to JDS-Cong govt; Cong MLAs happy with me: Kumaraswamy
Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy today ruled out any threat to his eight-month old government, dismissing speculations that disgruntled Congress MLAs could pose trouble in the coming budget session of the assembly by staying away from it.
The chief minister also said he was in regular touch
with the Congress MLAs and asserted that the JDS-Congress
ministry would not only survive before but also post the Lok
Sabha elections and complete its full five-year term.
His remarks come amid reports that disgruntled Congress
lawmakers on the BJP\'s radar for poaching as part of its bid
to topple the ruling coalition might keep away from the
session beginning February 6.
\"I have no problem. I am relaxed. Some sections of media are projecting instability, saying disgruntled legislators will not attend the session... They (Cong MLAs) are in regular touch with me. I don\'t know whether they are in touch with the Congress. I spoke to them today also. They will come to the session... no problem,\" Kumaraswamy said.
Speaking to the media here, the JDS leader also said that he would do \"whatever needs to be done\" to ensure that the government completed its full term.
The chief minister also said he was in regular touch
with the Congress MLAs and asserted that the JDS-Congress
ministry would not only survive before but also post the Lok
Sabha elections and complete its full five-year term.
His remarks come amid reports that disgruntled Congress
lawmakers on the BJP\'s radar for poaching as part of its bid
to topple the ruling coalition might keep away from the
session beginning February 6.
\"I have no problem. I am relaxed. Some sections of media are projecting instability, saying disgruntled legislators will not attend the session... They (Cong MLAs) are in regular touch with me. I don\'t know whether they are in touch with the Congress. I spoke to them today also. They will come to the session... no problem,\" Kumaraswamy said.
Speaking to the media here, the JDS leader also said that he would do \"whatever needs to be done\" to ensure that the government completed its full term.
14:44
A confidential report prepared by West Bengal Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi has been sent to Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). Details shortly.
14:42 Your grit, Tahira Khurana, has us cheering for you
Actor Ayushmann Khurrana's beautiful message to his wife, Tahira, a cancer survivor. Tahira, who was diagnosed with breast cancer, tweeted this picture writing, "Today is my day! Wish you all a happy #worldcancerday with the hope to celebrate it in an embracing way. These scars are my badges of honour. It was tough but this picture was my decision as I want to celebrate not the disease but the spirit with which I endured.@atulkasbekar"
Ayushman Khurana tweeted this reply,
"Paa le tu aisi Fateh.
Samandar teri pyaas se darey.
These lines are for you @tahira_k. Your scars are beautiful. You are a trailblazer. Keep inspiring the millions to fight their personal battles. Be the lifer you are! #WorldCancerDay."
14:35 Sunanda Pushkar death: Trial begins on Feb 21
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor face trial in the death of his wife Sunanda Pushkar. Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Court commits the case to the Sessions Court. The court also dismisses Subramanian Swamy's plea seeking to assist the court in the case. The next date of hearing is 21st February.
Tharoor has been charged under sections 498-A (husband or his relative subjecting a woman to cruelty) and 306 (abetment of suicide) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), but has not been arrested in the case.
Pushkar was found dead in a suite of a luxury hotel in the city on the night of January 17, 2014. The couple were staying in the hotel as the official bungalow of Tharoor was being renovated at that time.
14:13 Won't react: Nitish
Nitish Kumar decides to remain perched on the fence. Speaking on the CBI action in West Bengal, the Bihar CM said, "These things can only be explained by people who are doing it. I don't react to such things. CBI and the govt in question will explain. Until the Election Commission announces the date of elections, anything can happen in the country."
14:11 PDP stands with Mamata: Mehbooba
Former J&K CM M Mufti: Manner in which constitutional institutions in this country, like CBI, are being misused to settle scores with opponents is unfortunate...We stand with Mamataji. If institutions continue being discredited like this federal structure will be fractured.
14:08 TMC doesn't believe in democracy: Sitharaman
Union minister Nirmala Sitharaman: In the interest of wanting free and fair environment in which LS polls can be conducted, we have come to bring to the notice of EC certain happenings in WB which has complete cooperation of TMC. Instances we highlighted point out that TMC doesn't believe in democracy.
13:57 Centre's behaviour with opposition leaders disastrous: Kumaraswamy
Karnataka CM HD Kumaraswamy on the CBI issue: This isn't a good development. I think central govt must behave properly and place confidence in state govts. Central govt is misusing constitutional institutions. It's not good for future. How central govt is behaving with opposition leaders is disastrous.
13:46 A toast to you, Mr Parrikar
A speedy recovery to Goa CM Manohar Parrikar who has been battling a crippling pancreatic ailment for months now and yet has the grit and determination to attend Cabinet meetings, survey bridges and meet netas across the political spectrum. Parrikar tweeted yesterday, "Human mind can overcome any disease. #WorldCancerDay."
13:37 Unprecedented view of anarchy in Bengal: Smriti Irani
Union Minister Smriti Irani: The fact that paramilitary forces had to be deployed for the protection of those officers, who were diligently doing their duty, is for the first time an unprecedented view given to the citizen with regards to the state of anarchy in West Bengal.
13:34 Kejriwal lends his support
Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal: Whatever central govt did in West Bengal is very dangerous, against constitution and democracy... Every state has an elected govt, if PM sends CBI & ED like this & try to scare the officers then this country will not be safe.
13:22 Constitutional breakdown in Bengal: Rajnath
Home Minister Rajnath Singh Monday said there may be a constitutional breakdown in West Bengal in the wake of the Kolkata Police-CBI face-off and asserted that the Centre has power to take action. Amidst din in the Lok Sabha, he also termed as "unprecedented" the move to stop the probe agency from performing its duty.
The home minister said the action was taken after the SC had ordered an investigation into Saradha chit fund case. "The Police Commissioner was summoned many times but he did not appear. West Bengal Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi has summoned Chief Secretary and Director General of Police and has asked them to take immediate action to resolve the situation," Rajnath Singh said.
An all-out war broke out between the Centre and the Mamata Banerjee government on Sunday over the CBI's attempt to question the Kolkata Police commissioner in connection with chit fund scams.
Making a statement in Lok Sabha on the prevailing situation in Kolkata, Singh described the action against the CBI probe team, which went to question Kolkata Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar, as "unprecedented" and a threat to the federal political system of the country. "There may be constitutional breakdown in West Bengal... under the Constitution, the central government has been vested with the power to maintain normalcy in any part of the country," he said.
Members from Trinamool Congress, Biju Janata Dal, NCP and Samajwadi Party spoke against the CBI move to question the Kolkata police chief. A CPI-M member said both the Trinamool Congress and the Centre were at fault.
Image: Mamata Banerjee sitting in dharna at Metro Channel, Kolkata, at 11:25 pm yesterday. Pic: @AITCofficial
12:29 Mamata has murdered democracy: Javadekar
Union Minister Prakash Javadekar on the CBI vs Mamata 'emergency' in Bengal:
"Ye Mamataji ki emergency hai Bengal mein. Hamari nahi hai, Mamata ji ki hai. Opposition parties have supported Mamata Banerjee. Who are these people? They are out on bail. Such people are standing together. This is not Mahagathbandhan, they are divided by vision and united by corruption. The corrupt are standing together.
"Whatever is happening in Kolkata and West Bengal is one of a kind. Never before was an investigating team taken into custody by police. It's murder of democracy.
"We want to ask Mamata Banerjee why is she staging dharna, who does she want to shield? Police Commissioner or herself?"
12:26 Heads up, Bongs
Markandey Katju, former Press Council of India chief and SC judge, has a sense of humour. Katju tweets on the CBI vs Mamata faceoff in Bengal...
"Don't mess with Bengalis
I often say that Bengalis are born revolutionaries.
When an ordinary child is born he/she is born crying.
But when a Bengali child is born he/she is born with a red flag in one hand and shouting '" Cholbe na, Cholbe na ".
12:17 Rajnath calls up WB Guv; MHA monitoring situation
Union Home Minister Rajanth Singh has spoken to West Bengal Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi to take stock of the situation in the wake of a CBI team being allegedly obstructed by the state police to grill the Kolkata Police commissioner in the Saradha ponzi scam case, officials said Monday.
The ministry has decided to deploy central forces at the official and residential premises of the Central Bureau of Investigation in West Bengal and the MHA is now "closely monitoring the situation", they said.
The Home Ministry on Sunday evening received information that officers of the CBI in Kolkata had experienced "intimidation and threat to personal safety in course of investigation into the Saradha scam being conducted under the directions of the Supreme Court", they said. Singh called up the governor to be apprised of the facts of the "unfortunate and unprecedented situation of CBI officers being manhandled, detained, intimidated and obstructed", the officials said.
Tripathi told Singh that he had summoned the chief secretary and director general of police (DGP) and asked them to take immediate action to resolve the situation, according to the officials. Reports were also received that the residence of Joint Director of the CBI was surrounded by Kolkata police, they said. -- PTI
12:07 'Is this CBI vs Mamata Banerjee or Mamata Banerjee vs BJP?'
Sanjay Raut, Shiv Sena: If CM of a big state as WB, is sitting on dharna, then it is a serious matter. Is this CBI vs Mamata Banerjee or Mamata Banerjee vs BJP, we'll find out soon. If CBI is being misused, it's a matter of dignity of the nation, and prestige of the agency (CBI).
11:54 BJP has started misusing CBI as elections are approaching: Akhilesh
Akhilesh Yadav, SP chief on the CBI issue in West Bengal: Besides West Bengal, such things have been heard from other states too. BJP govt have started misusing CBI as elections are approaching. Not only I, not only Samajwadi Party, but all political parties are saying this. There was CBI row, centre was scared of a CBI director, now they are trying to scare everyone using CBI. Who has misused the institutions? If someone has politicised the institutions, it is BJP.
11:50 Mamata is right, India is in danger: Farooq Abdullah
Farooq Abdullah, National Conference on the CBI issue in West Bengal: Her (Mamata Banerjee) allegation is right. This country is in danger as its becoming dictatorial. They (Central govt) are not masters of this country, people are.
11:49 No party more corrupt than BJP: Azad
Ghulam Nabi Azad of the Congress: From the day the BJP has come to power at the Centre, they have paid very less attention towards working for the country but towards eliminating opposition parties, this has been their focus for the past five years. There is no other party more corrupt than BJP.
11:23 Memorandum signed by all Opposition parties to be submitted to EC: Mamata
Amidst high political drama in West Bengal, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who is currently on a 'Save the Constitution' dharna, said that a memorandum has been signed by all the Opposition parties which will be submitted to the Election Commission later in the day.
"A memorandum has been signed by all the opposition parties and it will be submitted to the Election Commission, Banerjee said in Kolkata.
The dharna began on Sunday night after a CBI team moved to arrest Kolkata Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar. They were unceremoniously denied entry to Kolkata Police chief's residence and then detained.
Kumar arrived earlier today to visit Mamata at the dharna site. A 1989-batch IPS officer of West Bengal cadre, Kumar was heading a SIT on the Saradha and Rose Valley scams. The CBI wanted the top officer to hand over the seizure list made during his probe, sources said.
Reportedly, the top cop was to be questioned regarding missing documents and files but he is not responding to notices to appear before the agency.
Image: Kolkata Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar (extreme left) meets West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee at the dharna last night.
11:03 CJI: Police commissioner will regret if he destroyed evidence
The Supreme Court to hear at 10:30 am tomorrow, the CBI's plea seeking directions to the Kolkata Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar to cooperate with the investigation in the Saradha chit fund case.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta representing CBI submits before the Supreme Court: 'Our team was arrested and kept in alleged custody. Kolkata Police Commissioner should immediately surrender."
The Solicitor general also alleged that senior policemen in uniform sat on dharna with political leaders at Kolkata last night.
The hearing comes after the CBI moved the Supreme Court seeking directions to Kolkata Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar to cooperate with the investigation in Saradha chit fund case.
The CBI in its petition says Kolkata Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar was summoned multiple times but failed to cooperate and created hurdles in the investigation.
Hearing the CBI plea in the SC, the Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi says, "If Kolkata Police Commissioner even remotely thinks of destroying evidence, bring the material before this Court. We will come down so heavily on him that he will regret."
Meanwhile, Home Minister Rajnath Singh called up Governor of West Bengal Keshari Nath Tripathi to be apprised of the facts of the "unfortunate and unprecedented situation of officers of a Central Investigating Agency being manhandled, detained, intimidated and obstructed".
Image: Samajwadi Party leader Kiranmoy Nanda met Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee at her 'Save the Constitution' dharna in Kolkata, earlier today.
10:54 BJP's 'get well soon' message for Rahul
The BJP reacts to the Congress party extending support to Mamata Banerjee with throwback tweets on the party's criticism of the TMC over its alleged involvement in the Sharada chit fund scam.
The BJP tweets with the picture (alongside). Click on the image to enlarge: "Diagnosed: Multiple Personality Disorder is characterized by atleast two distinct and enduring personality states - there is trouble remembering certain events, beyond ordinary forgetfulness. These states alternately show in person's behavior. Get well soon, Rahul ji."
10:46 CBI moves SC to make Kolkata police commissioner cooperate
The CBI moves the Supreme Court seeking directions to Kolkata Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar to cooperate with the investigation in the Saradha chit fund case. CBI in its petition says the Kolkata Police Commissioner was summoned multiple times but failed to cooperate and created hurdles in the investigation.
10:38 New CBI chief takes over
Meanwhile, at the Central Bureau of Investigation, Rishi Kumar Shukla takes charge as the Director of the bureau.
10:31 Indefinite dharna, says Mamata
Mamata is expected to deliver a speech after the state's Finance Minister Amit Mitra presents the state Budget in the Legislative Assembly. The CM has said that this will be an indefinite dharna.
10:28 Mamata to hold Cabinet meeting at dharna site
West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee is likely to hold a cabinet meeting at the dharna site in Kolkata at around 10:30 am.
Kolkata Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar left the site of CM Mamata Banerjee's 'Save the Constitution' dharna after meeting her this morning. The CM has been back at the dharna after taking a short break earlier this morning. The dharna began last night.
The CM had tweeted last night, "The highest levels of the BJP leadership are doing the worst kind of political vendetta. Not only are political parties their targets, they are misusing power to take control of the police and destroy all institutions. We condemn this. The Kolkata Police Commissioner is among the best in the world. His integrity, bravery and honesty are unquestioned. He is working 24x7, and was on leave for only one day recently. When you spread lies, the lies will always remain lies."
A CBI team, which went to Kumar's residence in the city's Loudon Street area on Sunday, was denied permission, bundled into police jeeps and were whisked to a police station.
The CBI wants to quiz Kumar, who led a Special Investigation Team of West Bengal police probing the scams, regarding missing documents and files.
Several political leaders, including Congress president Rahul Gandhi, Kejriwal, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister M Chandrababu Naidu, R J D national president Lalu Prasad, came out in support of Banerjee.
Congress president Rahul Gandhi had tweeted her support to Mamata Banerjee last night: "I spoke with Mamatadi tonight and told her we stand shoulder to shoulder with her. The happenings in Bengal are a part of the unrelenting attack on India's institutions by Mr Modi & the BJP. The entire opposition will stand together & defeat these fascist forces."
10:04 CBI to initiate contempt of court proceedings against Kolkata top cop
The CBI will move the Supreme Court this morning with a petition seeking the initiation of contempt of court proceedings against West Bengal Chief Secretary, DGP and Kolkata police commissioner Rajeev Kumar for obstructing the SC directed probe into the chit fund scams by the CBI, reports say.
The CBI will also move an application seeking a direction to Kolkata police commissioner Rajeev Kumar to join investigation into chit fund scams and cooperate in probe. Meanwhile, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee continues her dharna over the CBI issue after a short break early this morning.
The CM began the 'Save the Constitution' dharna last night. A memorandum has been signed by all the opposition parties and it will be submitted to the Election Commission.Banerjee, who began a sit-in protest over the CBI's attempt to question the Kolkata Police chief in connection with chit fund scams, said Monday she will continue her "Satyagraha" till the country and its Constitution are "saved".
The Chief Minister skipped meals and remained awake the entire night on a makeshift dais in Kolkata along with some senior ministers and party members. "This is a Satyagraha and I'll continue till the country is saved," Banerjee told reporters who accompanied her at the place of dharna. She said she was getting calls from politicians, including former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamalnath, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Gujarat MLA and Dalit leader Jignesh Mevani.
Image: West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee at the dharna this morning.
09:14 Kolkata drama to move to SC as Mamata continues sit-in
After an all-out war broke out between Centre and the Mamata Banerjee government, Central Bureau of Investigation sources said the agency will move the Supreme Court on Monday, claiming its probe in ponzi scams was being obstructed by the West Bengal government and the state police.
The fast-paced development started unfolding as soon as a team of 40-odd agency officers arrived at Kumar's residence at Loudon Street in central Kolkata on Sunday afternoon, but they were stopped by sentries and officials.
The team had gone to question Kumar in connection with chit fund scam cases.
As the CBI team landed at his residence, a team of Kolkata Police officers rushed to the spot to speak to the CBI officials and tried to enquire if they had the documents required for questioning Kumar.
Later on, a small team of CBI officials was taken to Shakespeare Sarani police station for further discussions. Thereafter, more men arrived at the spot and a commotion ensued. Some CBI officers were then forcibly bundled into police jeeps and taken to the police station.
The detention of the team by the local police perplexed the agency top brass here as the CBI does not have any full time chief to take call in such politically sensitive matters. Recently appointed Director R K Shukla is yet to take reins of the agency.
The CBI has been probing cases allegedly involving opposition leaders like illegal mining case and the Saradha scam in which it was seeking to question the Kolkata police chief. The probe was handed over to the CBI by the Supreme Court.
In a dramatic showdown with the Modi government, a furious Banerjee, wrapped in a brown woollen shawl, began a sit-in right in front of the Metro Cinema to protest "insults" she faced at the hands of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah.
Banerjee, one of the prime movers behind the effort to cobble together an anti-BJP alliance ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, claimed the CBI knocked on the doors of Kumar without a search warrant.
She alleged they want to impose President's rule in whatever states the opposition is in power. -- PTI
08:31 Mamata's dharna in Kolkata continues on day 2
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who began a sit-in protest over the Central Bureau of Investigation's attempt to question the Kolkata Police chief in connection with chit fund scams, said that she will continue her "Satyagraha" till the country and its Constitution are "saved".
The chief minister skipped meals and remained awake the entire night on a makeshift dais in Kolkata along with some senior ministers and party members.
"This is a Satyagraha and I'll continue till the country is saved," Banerjee told reporters who accompanied her at the place of dharna.
She said she was getting calls from politicians, including former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav, Madhya Pradesh chief minister Kamalnath, Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and Gujarat MLA and Dalit leader Jignesh Mevani.
Asked if any of the leaders would arrive in Kolkata to meet her, Banerjee said, "I've no idea about that. If someone wants to come, we will welcome them. This fight is not by my party. It is for my government".
Several party supporters from different districts thronged the area shouting slogans in support of Banerjee.
"We have come here in support of our beloved didi. We stand in support of her," said a supporter Poritosh Sengupta from Halisahar.
In an unprecedented development on Sunday evening, Banerjee sat on a dharna, protesting CBI's attempt to quiz Kolkata Police chief Rajeev Kumar in connection with chit fund scams.
A CBI team, which went to Kumar's residence in the city's Loudon Street area, was denied permission, bundled into police jeeps and were whisked to a police station.
The CBI wants to quiz Kumar, who led a Special Investigation Team of West Bengal police probing the scams, regarding missing documents and files.
Several political leaders, including Congress president Rahul Gandhi, Kejriwal, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister M Chandrababu Naidu, R J D national president Lalu Prasad, came out in support of Banerjee.
Gandhi called up Banerjee and extended support to her, saying the entire opposition is together and it will defeat the fascist forces. -- PTI
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