LIVE
Fri, 26 March 2021
Paresh Rawal tests Covid +ve after being vaccinated
Timeline Refresh
23:29 Paresh Rawal tests Covid +ve after being vaccinated
Paresh Rawal is the latest Bollywood actor to have tested positive for COVID-19.
The actor took to his Twitter handle to confirm the same.
"Unfortunately, I have tested positive for COVID-19. All those that have come in contact with me in the last 10 days are requested to please get themselves tested", wrote the actor.
On March 9, Rawal had shared on social media that he has received the first dose of the coronavirus vaccine.
23:19 'Bharat bandh' a big success, claims farmers' union
The 12-hour 'Bharat bandh' called by farmers protesting the three agri laws was a "big success", the Samkyukta Kisan Morcha said on Friday, and claimed that shutdown was observed in many parts of the country, including Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana and Bihar.
However, there was minimal impact in Delhi with no report of disturbance in the metro and road transport services, and major markets of the city remaining open during the day.
In a statement, the Morcha, an umbrella body of farmer unions protesting the three farm laws, alleged that its several leaders and cadres were detained by the police in Karnataka and Gujarat during the 'bandh' that marked four months of the agitation at Delhi's three borders -- Singhu, Ghazipur and Tikri.
On Friday, the nationwide shutdown started at 6 am and was in force up to 6 pm across the country.
The statement claimed that in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, the impact of the bandh was "impressive".
"There are reports of successful 'Bharat Bandh' from almost every district in Haryana. Markets and other services in cities like Kurukshetra, Karnal, Sonipat, Yamunanagar, Ambala etc remained suspended.
"In Punjab, 'Bharat Bandh' programs were held in more than 200 places, including Mansa, Amritsar, Moga, Ferozepur, Jalandhar," it claimed.
The SKM said the 'bandh' was observed in more than 20 districts of Bihar and over 200 places in Punjab as well as in Haryana where people made it a "a big success"
The 'bandh' was observed in Patna, Bhojpur, Rohtas, Buxar, Gaya, Nawada, Sheikhpura, Nalanda, Purnia, Begusarai, Darbhanga, Muzaffarpur, Siwan, Vaishali Samastipur, Sitamadi, Jehanabad, Arwal, Aurangabad, Jamui, West Champaran and other places, the morcha claimed.
"Sustaining such a long movement is not only a matter of patience and hard work of the farmers, it is also a shame for the government. Despite extreme weather conditions, farmers stayed resolute, and continue to be in high spirits," the Samkyukta Kisan Morcha said.
According to their statement, in Uttar Pradesh, roads and markets were closed at many places, including Aligarh, Shamli, Moradabad, Etawah and Sambhal.
Farmer organisations in Kurnool and Vijayawada made this bandh "a success", the statement claimed, adding that the impact was also seen at dozens of places, including Warangal, Hanmakonda and Mehboobabad in Telangana .
In Rajasthan, farmers blocked roads in Bikaner, Sriganganagar, Kesari Singhpur, Anupgarh, Padampur, NH 62 and other places, the SKM statement claimed.
Many political parties, bar associations, trade unions, student organisations, democratic organisations, small traders, organisations fighting for social justice, social and religious organizations and conscious citizens supported the nationwide shutdown and made every effort for it, the Morcha claimed. -- PTI
22:26 SC reserves verdict in Maratha reservation case
The Supreme Court Friday reserved judgement on a batch of petitions challenging the Bombay High Court verdict which had upheld the grant of reservation to Marathas in admissions and government jobs in the state.
A five-judge Constitution bench headed by Justice Ashok Bhushan concluded hearing of arguments in the matter in which submissions were also advanced on whether the landmark 1992 Indra Sawhney verdict (called the Mandal judgement), which put a cap of 50 per cent on reservations, requires re-consideration by a larger bench.
"K K Venugopal, Attorney General has addressed his arguments in reply to the submissions made in the writ petition... Tushar Mehta, Solicitor General appearing for the UOI (Union of India) and state of Gujarat adopts the submission of the Attorney General. Hearing completed. Judgment reserved," said the bench, which also comprised justices L Nageswara Rao, S Abdul Nazeer, Hemant Gupta and S Ravindra Bhat.
The bench had commenced hearing arguments in the matter on March 15.
On March 8, the top court had said that it proposes to consider issues, including whether the judgement in the Indra Sawhney case needs to be referred to or requires re-look by a larger bench in the light of subsequent constitutional amendments, judgments and changed social dynamics of the society.
The high court, while upholding the law in June 2019, had held that 16 per cent reservation was not justifiable and the quota should not exceed 12 per cent in employment and 13 per cent in admissions.
The Centre had argued in the top court that Maharashtra has the legislative competence for granting reservation to Marathas and its decision is Constitutional as the 102nd amendment does not denude a state of the power to declare its list of Socially and Educationally Backward Classes (SEBC).
The 102nd Constitution amendment Act of 2018 inserted Articles 338B, which deals with the structure, duties and powers of the National Commission for Backward Class (NCBC), and 342A dealing with power of the President to notify a particular caste as SEBC as also of Parliament to change the list.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre, had said that in its view, the SEBC Act 2018 of Maharashtra granting reservation to people of the Maratha community in the state in jobs and admissions is Constitutional. -- PTI
22:02 Sex scandal: FIR against ex-K'taKa Min Jarkiholi
In a new twist to the ongoing probe into the sex scandal allegedly involving former Minister Ramesh Jarkiholi, an FIR was registered against him on Friday on a complaint by the woman,said to be in the purported video.
Maintaining that he is innocent and ready for a legal battle against the "conspiracy", Jarkiholi said his "game will start now" and he was "capable enough" to face more such complaints.
The FIR came hours after the woman released her third video statement this morning, announcing her decision to file a complaint against Jarkiholi through her lawyer Jagadish Kumar.
Kumar met Bengaluru Police Commissioner Kamal Pant at his office this afternoon and handed over the copy of the complaint, said to have been written by the woman.
He was then directed by the Commissioner to file a complaint at the Bengaluru's Cubbon Park Police Station, based on which an FIR was registered against Jarkiholi under several sections of the Indian Penal Code, police sources said.
Speaking to reporters, Kumar confirmed that the FIR was registered, but did not divulge details of the sections invoked, citing that it was a case of crime against women.
"Serious sections have been laid for the crime against women," he said.
On whether Jorkiholi can be arrested under the sections, he said "definitely, they are non-bailable sections."
Kumar also said he would meet the Director General of Police on providing protection for the woman and her family and she would also come forward and cooperate with the probe.
According to police sources, the FIR was registered under various sections of the IPC,including 354A- sexual harassment, 506- criminal intimidation,504 -Intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace, 376C- sexual intercourse by person in authority, 417- cheating and also under the IT act.
The sources said the woman accused Jarkiholi of sexually "using" her, cheating and threatening her after promising a government job.
She has alleged that Jarkiholi had released the video to defame her, thinking she may file a complaint, and has sought protection fearing a threat to her life and to that of her family, they said. -- PTI
21:15 SC order upholds freedom of expression: Meghalaya journalist
Padma Shri awardee and senior journalist Patricia Mukhim on Friday said that the Supreme Court order to quash an FIR lodged against her over a Facebook post gives hope to people across the country and upholds
freedom of expression, which is important in a democracy.
An FIR was lodged against the 'Shillong Times' editor last year for a Facebook post in which she had condemned an attack on non-tribal boys in Shillong. The complainant, a village council, had claimed that her comments might incite communal tension.
The Meghalaya high court had earlier refused to quash the police complaint and also ordered a thorough investigation.
Mukhim was informed about the apex court's judgment while she was trekking through the famous David Scott's trail.
"The enlightened and well-considered judgment gives hope to the people across the country that the Supreme Court respects freedom of expression which is very important in a democracy," she told PTI.
This ruling will be a precedent if anybody else falls under the same predicament, Mukhim added.
The senior editor, whose house was attacked in April 2018 a month after the BJP-backed Meghalaya Democratic Alliance government was sworn-in, said the judgment is a victory for those who believe in free speech, especially journalists.
"We are not living in easy times. We find that specifically journalists and social activists are booked under sedition and all kinds of intimidatory tactics are used against them. I take the judgment as a collective victory for
all those who believe in free speech," she said.
Mukhim, who is being trolled after the Supreme Court judgment, said she is never intimidated by threats or legal actions, and will never stop putting her views on social media.
"I believe that as a citizen of a democratic country, we should make our voices heard especially because we are in a position to speak for the voiceless masses.
"If we are not bringing social issues to the table and making the government hear them, then we are not doing our jobs at all," she said.
Speaking on trolls, Mukhim said, "If we can't bear the heat, we have to get out of the kitchen. This is inevitable in social media. We can block them or delete their comments but we shouldn't stop thinking or speaking." -- PTI
20:53 Mumbai reports new high of 5513 new Covid cases
Mumbai today reported its highest one-day rise in COVID-19 cases so far with 5,513 new infections, said the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation.
On Thursday the city had reported 5504 new Covid-19 cases, and reported 5185 cases on Wednesday.
20:51 Maha issues Holi, Good Friday, Easter guidelines
People should celebrate Holi in a simple manner considering the rise in COVID-19 cases in Maharashtra and crowding should be avoided, the state government said on Friday.
Holi will be celebrated on March 28 and Rang Panchami falls a day later.
"The festival should be celebrated in a simple manner, observing social distancing norms and without coming together in any way given the increasing spread of COVID-19. Rang Panchami too should be celebrated in a simple manner," the government said in a statement.
Noting that the state's Konkan region has a tradition of carrying a 'palkhi' or palanquin in a procession on Holi, the state government said this should be confined to temples and asked the local administration to do the needful.
"No big religious or cultural programmes should be organised on the day of Holi and Rang Panchami," the government added.
The state government also urged the Christian community to observe Good Friday (on April 2) and celebrate Easter Sunday (on April 4) in a simple manner in view of the spread of the disease.
The government said, if a church is spacious, maximum of 50 persons should attend the prayer meet there during the holy week from March 28 to April 4.
If the church is smaller in size, then a special prayer meet should be held in the presence of 10-25 persons, and four to five special masses may be organised depending on the need, it said.
It said adherence to COVID-19 protocols, including wearing masks, using hand sanitisers etc, must be ensured, adding that efforts must also be made to broadcast prayer meets online.
"No religious programme that can attract crowd in any way should be organised. Besides, procession should not be taken out," the statement said. -- PTI
20:44 Cong alleges voters' list 'fraud' in Kerala, moves EC
The Congress on Friday alleged that the Left Democratic Front government in Kerala was committing electoral "fraud" in cahoots with the state election machinery by enrolling bogus voters, and moved the Election Commission seeking corrective measures for ensuring "free and fair" polls.
Kerala goes to polls on April 6. Counting of votes will take place on May 2 along with Tamil Nadu, Assam, West Bengal and Puducherry.
A delegation of Congress leaders met with the election commissioners in the central election commission and alleged that the Pinarayi Vijayan-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) government was "committing a fraud" in collusion with officials of the state election machinery by inducting "dubious voters, double voters and voters with fraudulent identities".
Addressing the media over the Congress delegation's meeting with the EC officials, party chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said the delegation pointed out three particular instances of fraud -- same voter registered in different booths; person's name, father's name and photograph being same but registered as a voter in different assembly constituencies; and photograph of voter remaining same but the name changing in different IDs.
"So, this is a clear cut instance of fraud. Everyone knows that in a politically aware state like Kerala, the victory and loss margins are very small. In a dubious and fraudulent fashion, the LDF government in cahoots with the state election machinery, is enrolling such voters. We have given evidence of eight assembly constituencies," he said.
The Congress general secretary said the party has urged the commission to clean the voters' list within one week so that a "free and fair" election can be held.
The Congress has asked the EC to take action against officers who are guilty of this fraud and have tampered with the list in a manner so as to soil the majesty and transparency of the election process, Surjewala said.
He said the party also wants a criminal case be registered against a voter who has got himself or herself registered multiple times or with the same photograph under different names.
This is fraud under different sections of the Indian Penal Code, the Congress leader said.
"We requested the EC to delete all such voters immediately," Surjewala said.
"The EC heard us and based on an earlier representation that the Congress party had given, they have already taken four actions," he said. They have suspended the officer who had ensured enrolment of the same voter at different places, Surjewala said.
"The commission also informed us that in the eight constituencies, where specific evidence was given, the chief electoral officer has been given a written direction to look into it and clean the list failing which action will be taken against the CEO," he said The EC has now deputed an officer from Delhi to supervise the cleaning of the voters' list, Surjewala said.
They will ensure and issue directions that nobody can vote twice, he said.
In its memorandum, signed by senior leaders, including Surjewala, Abhishek Singhvi, Ajay Maken and Leader of Opposition in the Kerala Assembly Ramesh Chennithala, the party claimed that booth level workers after conducting close scrutiny of the state voters' list have unearthed huge discrepancies in the data published by the CEO Kerala. -- PTI
20:03 Night curfew imposed in Maharashtra from Sunday
In view of the increasing number of coronavirus cases in Maharashtra, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray has decided to impose a curfew in the state from Sunday night (March 28) to avoid congestion, implement strict measures to curb the growing infection and implement it effectively, the chief minister's secretariat has announced.
The decision was taken following a meeting the chief minister held with all district collectors to review the Covid-19 situation in the state.
Mumbai on Thursday reported 5,504 new COVID-19 cases, and 14 deaths in the last 24 hours.
Of the 10 districts with the maximum coronavirus cases in the country, nine are in Maharashtra.
19:41 Wife's family says she couldn't have died by suicide: Tharoor
Congress leader Shashi Tharoor claimed before a Delhi court on Friday that the family and friends of his wife Sunanda Puskar have maintained that she couldn't have died by suicide.
Tharoor, represented by senior advocate Vikas Pahwa, said there cannot be abetment when she didn't die of suicide and sought discharge in the case.
The submissions were made before Special Judge Geetanjli Goel during arguments on framing of charges in the case.
"Her relatives and son say she was a strong woman and couldn't have died by suicide. How can there be a question of abetment when she didn't die by suicide," Pahwa said.
He further said the prosecution have failed to prove suicide.
The court put up the matter for further hearing on April 9.
He had earlier said post mortem and other medical reports have allegedly established that it was neither a suicide nor homicide.
The senior lawyer had further said not even a single witness has made any allegations of dowry, harassment or cruelty against him.
Pushkar was found dead in a suite of a luxury hotel in the city on the night of January 17, 2014.
The couple was staying in the hotel, as the official bungalow of Tharoor was being renovated at that time.
Pahwa had said there was no evidence against Tharoor to prove the offence punishable under either section 498A (husband or relative of husband of a woman subjecting her to cruelty) or 306 (abetment of suicide) of Indian Penal Code.
Pahwa had said her death should be treated as accidental.
He had also said that during the course of the investigation there have been a plethora of reports by experts before the investigating officer (IO) but there was 'no definite opinion on the cause of death'.
He had added that even after years of investigation by the police, the prosecution has failed to conclusively identify the cause of death.
Pahwa had further submitted before the court that Pushkar was grappling with various medical ailments at the time of her death.
"The Investigating Officer erroneously formed an opinion vis-a-vis the commission of an offence. However, reports and other material relied upon in fact exonerates Tharoor from all charges," he said.
"The opinion of the Autopsy Board took into consideration circumstantial evidence beyond the four corners of the autopsy room which is not permissible.
"The Board has failed to substantiate their opinion during the course of the investigation due to which the IO decided to move onto seeking opinion from another Medical Board," Pahwa told the court.
Tharoor has been charged under sections 498A and 306 of the IPC, but was not arrested in the case.
He was granted bail on July 5, 2018. -- PTI
Devotees celebrate 'Lathmar Holi' in Mathura
19:36 Regulate crowd during festivals: Centre to states
The Centre on Friday asked states and union territories to regulate crowd during upcoming festivals like Holi, Easter and Eid in view of rising cases of COVID-19.
In a communication to chief secretaries of all states and union territories, Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla said the country is passing through a critical juncture as COVID-19 cases and deaths have been on the rise.
Bhalla said after assessing the situation, guidelines for effective control of COVID-19 were issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs on March 23 and it has been emphasised that states and UTs should strictly enforce the 'test-track-treat' protocol.
It has also been told that COVID-19 appropriate behaviour should be observed and prescribed SOPs followed on various activities, such as opening of schools, higher education institutions, hotels and restaurants, shopping malls, multiplexes, entertainment parks, gymnasium, exhibitions, among others.
Further, states and UTs, based on their assessment of the situation, are allowed to impose local restrictions at the district, sub-district, and city and ward levels.
"In view of upcoming festivals such as Holi, Shab-e-Barat, harvesting festivals, Easter, Eid-ul-Fitr, etc. the state governments and UT administrations should take necessary measures to regulate crowds during these festivals by ensuring strict observance of COVID appropriate behaviour, such as wearing of mask and maintaining social distancing, as mandated in aforesaid guidelines and in the National Directives for COVID- 19 Management," the communication said.
The home secretary also asked chief secretaries to issue necessary instructions to district administrations and police authorities to scrupulously enforce COVID-19 appropriate behaviour and SOPs in all public gatherings during the upcoming festivals.
Further, Bhalla said, campaign should also be intensified for creating public awareness.
"As has been emphasised time and again by health experts, strict adherence to COVID appropriate behaviour in public places and gatherings will help in breaking the chain of transmission and reduce the incidence of COVID cases in the country," he said.
India saw 59,118 new coronavirus infections in a day, the highest single day rise so far this year, taking the nationwide COVID-19 tally to 1,18,46,652, the health ministry said on Friday. -- PTI
19:16 Can polls in Pondy be deferred, HC asks EC
The Madras high court on Friday said a serious investigation was required into the allegations that the Puducherry unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party had access to voters' Aadhaar details and asked the Election Commission if the April 6 polls in the Union Territory could be deferred till completion of probe.
The commission submitted that polls cannot be deferred on mere allegations but informed the court that a show-cause notice has been issued to the BJP.
The first bench of Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice Senthilkumar Ramamoorthy raised the query when a public interest litigation from A Anand, president of the Puducherry unit of the Democratic Youth Foundation of India, came up for further hearing on Friday.
The bench asked the EC if it would be possible to defer the polls in the Union Territory beyond April 6, till completion of the probe on the allegation that the BJP was illegally using the Aadhaar data for canvassing.
The petitioner had alleged that the Puducherry unit of the BJP had illegal access to the Aadhaar data of the voters and had formed several hundred WhatsApp groups for campaigning in their respective constituencies.
EC senior counsel G Rajagopalan said a show-cause notice had been issued to the BJP calling for an explanation on the matter.
In the meantime, the police were at liberty to probe the source from which the BJP had obtained the cell phone numbers of the voters, he added.
Polls cannot be deferred merely on allegations, he submitted.
The petitioner's counsel told the judges that her client was being harassed by the Puducherry police in the guise of inquiry.
The bench later directed the EC to continue the inquiry and file a status report on March 31. -- PTI
18:56 China is a 'challenging neighbour': Jaishankar
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday said that in many ways China is a "challenging neighbour" for India and that he has always seen lessons from that country's growth.
Speaking at the India Economic Conclave, he also described as "sensible" the recent agreement between the director-generals of military operations of India and Pakistan to adhere to the 2003 ceasefire along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir.
"We always wanted normal neighbourly relations with Pakistan. Everybody knows what that means. If there are trends in that direction, of course, I would welcome it," he said.
Asked during the interaction on whether India will engage with the Taliban, Jaishankar noted that it would like to clearly see a sovereign democratic and inclusive Afghanistan that takes into account the interests of its minorities.
"There is something called the peace and reconciliation process and everybody else is saying that the Taliban is reaching out and changing etc. Let us wait and watch,' he said.
To a question whether China has become indispensable to economic calculations, Jaishankar said the Chinese have a salience in the global economy.
"I do not think anybody can deny it. I think one needs to appreciate what they have done to their national capabilities in the last 40-odd years," he said.
He said the Chinese in many ways, starting with then US President Richard Nixon and former US Secretary of State Henry A Kissinger, had "outthought" the West, adding "not just them but their successive generations."
"And not just America, the West as a whole which explains why they are where they are today," he added.
At the same time, Jaishankar noted that it would be difficult to say what will happen in the future as there are a lot of "contradictions and frictions" out there today.
"But when it comes to us, we need to ask ourselves: so we have this neighbour who has done spectacularly well. So do we just stand there with our hands in our pocket and marvel at what they have done or do we say this is an inspiration, I need to also strengthen my competitiveness and my capabilities and so on," he said.
Jaishankar clarified that his comments are not a political statement and that it is an international relations or even a domestic governance observation.
"We were about the same size of economy when Rajiv Gandhi went to China in 1988 and look at the difference today. So for me I have always seen lessons in China's growth," he said.
"To me, in many ways, yes China is a neighbour and it is in many ways a challenging neighbour," he added.
Following a series of military and diplomatic talks, India and China completed withdrawal of troops and weapons from the North and South banks of Pangong lake in line with an agreement on disengagement last month. The two countries were locked in a tense border standoff since May 5 last in eastern Ladakh. -- PTI
18:43 India, Pak hold brigadier-level meet on ceasefire pact
Indian and Pakistani armies held a brigadier-level meeting at Poonch-Rawalkot crossing on Friday as a follow-up to their agreement to observe ceasefire along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir.
Last month, the Indian and Pakistani armies recommitted themselves to the 2003 ceasefire on the LoC.
The return to the ceasefire was agreed upon by the director-generals of military operations of the two countries.
"Post the DGsMO Understanding 2021, a Brigade Commander Level Flag Meeting was held between Indian and Pakistan Army at Poonch-Rawalkot Crossing Point on 26 Mar 2021 to discuss implementation mechanism as per the understanding," the army tweeted.
On Thursday, Army Chief Gen MM Naravane said the LoC has been silent for the first time in around five to six years as not a single shot was fired in March barring an odd incident.
At the same time, he said the terror infrastructure including terrorist launch-pads on the Pakistani side remained intact,
"I am glad to inform that in the whole month of March, we have not had a single shot fired at the Line of Control barring an odd incident. It is for the first time in about five or six years that the LoC has been silent. That really bodes well for the future," Naravane had said. -- PTI
18:32 Did satyagraha for Bangladesh freedom: PM in Dhaka
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday hailed Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's leadership and contribution of the Indian Army in Bangladesh's 1971 freedom war as he joined President Abdul Hamid and his counterpart Sheikh Hasina in celebrating the country's 50 years of independence here.
Addressing Bangladesh's 50th Independence anniversary at the National Parade Square, Modi recalled the role played by Indian Army in the freedom war and said the blood of those who fought for their liberation and the blood of Indian soldiers are flowing together and this blood will form such a relationship that will not break down under any type of pressure.
"I salute the brave soldiers of the Indian Army who stood with the brothers and sisters of Bangladesh in Muktijuddo. Those who gave their blood in Muktijuddo, sacrificed themselves, and played a very big role in realising the dream of independent Bangladesh," said Modi.
Modi, who was wearing a 'Mujib Jacket' as tribute to Bangladesh's Father of the Nation, said that Bangabandhu's leadership and bravery had ensured that no power could enslave Bangladesh.
"This is one of the most memorable days of my life. I am grateful that Bangladesh has included me in this event. I am grateful that Bangladesh has invited India to take part in this function. It is a matter of our pride that we got the opportunity to honour Sheikh Mujibur Rahman with Gandhi Peace Prize," said Modi.
The Gandhi Peace Prize 2020 was conferred on Bangabandhu early this week.
It was for the first time that the award was given away posthumously.
At the beginning of the programme, Modi handed over the Gandhi Peace Prize to Bangabandhu's daughters, Prime Minister Hasina and her sister Sheikh Rehana.
Recalling the 1971 war of independence, Modi said the pictures of atrocities that the Pakistan Army inflicted on the people in then East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) used to distract people in India.
"I must have been 20-22 years old when I and my colleagues did Satyagraha for Bangladesh's freedom," he told the gathering.
The war in 1971 broke after the sudden crackdown at midnight past on March 25, 1971 in the erstwhile East Pakistan by the Pakistani troops and ended on December 16.
The same year Pakistan conceded defeat and unconditionally surrendered in Dhaka to the allied forces comprising the freedom fighters and the Indian soldiers.
Officially three million people were killed during the nine-month long war.
Modi said both India and Bangladesh have the power of democracy and vision for the future, and it is necessary for the region the two countries progress together. "That is why Indian and Bangladeshi governments are making meaningful efforts in this direction," he said.
"We must remember that we've similar opportunities in fields of trade and commerce, but at the same time, we've similar threats like terrorism. The ideas and powers behind such types of inhumane acts are still active. We must remain vigilant and united to counter them," he added. -- PTI
Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina in a gorgeous Dhakai Jamdani sari
18:07 Will always remember India's contribution: Hasina
Bangladesh's Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's address on the 50th anniversary of the country's independence.PM Modi is in Dhaka for the occasion.
"India has now become one of our best development partners. In our independence war, we always remember the contribution of India.
"PM Narendra Modi has graced this occasion, being physically present here as a Guest of Honour. We are honoured to have him here.
"I extend my heartiest thanks to PM Narendra Modi who has consented to grace this occasion even amidst this pandemic.
"I thank govt of India and PM Modi in particular for awarding the prestigious Gandhi Peace Prize 2020 to Sheikh Mujibur Rehman. On this very auspicious moment, I must say India indeed honoured a worthy leader of south Asia and a real follower of Gandhiji through this award.
"The government of India was beside us during our good and bad times. This time India hands over 109 Ambulances for people of Bangladesh. I extend my heartiest thanks to PM Modi, his govt & people of India. Before that India had cooperated with us and gifted us vaccines for COVID."
17:36 Phase 1 of Bengal polls: Here are the figures
Here's the breakup of the number of candidates per party in the 30 seats going to the polls in West Bengal tomorrow.
17:27 Sensex rebounds 568 points amid bulls' charge
Equity indices ratcheted higher on Friday after two sessions of heavy losses as investors snapped up recently-battered banking and finance stocks in lockstep with a rebound in global markets. A recovering rupee also bolstered market sentiment, traders said.
The 30-share BSE Sensex surged 568.38 points or 1.17 per cent to finish at 49,008.50. Similarly, the broader NSE Nifty climbed 182.40 points or 1.27 per cent to 14,507.30. Bajaj Finance led the Sensex gainers' chart with a jump of 4.49 per cent, followed by Asian Paints, Titan, HUL, Bajaj Auto, Bharti Airtel, HDFC and Nestle India. The HDFC twins accounted for most of the index's gains.
Tata group stocks rallied after the Supreme Court set aside the NCLAT order restoring Cyrus Mistry as executive chairman of the conglomerate.
On the other hand, PowerGrid, IndusInd Bank, ITC and Maruti were the laggards, dropping up to 0.97 per cent. On a weekly basis, the Sensex declined 849.74 points or 1.70 per cent, while the Nifty fell 236.70 points or 1.60 per cent.
17:25 No question of hiding COVID numbers: Karnataka Health Minister
Karnataka Health Minister K Sudhakar said on Friday all factual data on Covid-19 is being made public. There was no question of hiding numbers and the government has no such intention nor is it possible to hide any details, he said.
"We are not hiding any statistics regarding Covid-19.All opposition leaders are welcome to give their valuable suggestions for controlling Covid.They can also figure out any flaws in the system," Sudhakar said. He said the Chief Minister may call an all party meeting to discuss the issue. "We are free to discuss anything in this regard," he was quoted as saying by his office in a release.
He said the Manipal institute alone had 704 cases and it has been sealed. Stringent measures were being taken to curb spreading. Maharashtra reported 35,000 cases yesterday while over 2,000 were recorded here.
People should follow guidelines and youngsters should voluntarily take the elderly at home for vaccination, the minister said. Stating that the technical advisory committee on Covid-19 has suggested several precautionary measures, Sudhakar said the Chief Minister will take a decision in this regard.
17:11 Elect govt that upholds democracy: Manmohan
Ahead of the Assam assembly polls, former prime minister Manmohan Singh on Friday alleged that the society is being divided on the basis of religion, culture and language, and asked people to elect a government that upholds the constitution and the principles of democracy.
He assured the people that if the Congress is voted to power, the Citizenship Amendment Act will not be implemented. In a video message, a day before the first phase of polling on March 27, Singh urged the people of Assam to vote for the Congress.
"Today, I am speaking as one of you. Once again, the time has come to cast your ballot in the Vidhan Sabha election. You must vote wisely. Your future and the future of your children is in your hands. I urge you to vote for the Congress Party and the Mahajot," he said.
"There is an atmosphere of tension and fear in the state," he claimed.
The former prime minister urged the people to elect a government that upholds the Constitution of India and the principles of democracy and brings about inclusive growth for all.
Singh is a star campaigner for Assam polls but has not been able to go there physically due to health reasons and COVID restrictions. The Congress is seeking to wrest power in the state back from the BJP.
Assam goes to polls in three phases -- on March 27, April 1 and April 6 -- to elect the 126-member state Assembly. The results will be declared on May 2. Singh said the people of Assam have endured terrible suffering through a long period of insurgency and unrest, and the state made a new beginning towards peace and development under the leadership of former chief minister Tarun Gogoi from 2001 to 2016.
"However, it is now facing a very serious setback. Society is being divided on the basis of religion, culture and language. The basic rights of the common man are being denied. There is an atmosphere of tension and of fear," the former prime minister said.
He said the "ill-conceived demonetisation and the badly implemented GST" have weakened the economy and lakhs of people have lost their livelihoods. The youth are desperate for decent jobs and the rise in the prices of petrol, diesel and cooking gas is making life difficult for the common people, he said. "The poor are becoming poorer and COVID-19 is making matters much worse."
"You must vote for a government that upholds the Constitution of India and the principles of democracy. You must vote for a government that will care for every citizen, for every community. You must vote for a government that will ensure inclusive growth. You must vote for a government that will put Assam once again on the path of peace and development," Singh exhorted.
He said the Assam Congress is committed to protect the unique language, culture and history of the state and to ensure the wellbeing of all communities. Singh said the Congress has prepared a 'Jan Manifesto' with promises that are practical and as a measure of its determination, it has also announced five guarantees to the people of the state.
"If elected to power, the Assam Congress will not implement the Citizenship Amendment Act. Also, it will do its utmost to repeal the CAA," he said. Singh also cited the party manifesto that promises jobs to 5 lakh unemployed youth in the public sector and 25 lakh in the private sector. The daily wage of tea plantation workers will be increased to Rs 365," the former prime minister said, adding these workers will also receive other social security benefits.
He also said the party has promised that every household will receive up to 200 units of free electricity and every housewife will receive an allowance of Rs 2,000 every month under the Grahani Samman scheme. Singh has represented Assam for 28 years in Rajya Sabha from 1991 to 2019.
16:36 Rahul becoming reason for Cong's downfall: Yogi
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday took a swipe at Rahul Gandhi, saying the Congress leader does not speak on his own but depends on "borrowed wisdom" and he is becoming a reason for his party's downfall.
"Rahul ji apni buddhi se toh kuch kahte nahin. Udhar ki buddhi vivek nahin deti hai. (Rahul ji does not say anything from his wisdom. Borrowed wisdom does not give sense of reasoning)," Adityanath said while responding to a question about Gandhi's criticism of the state of affairs in Uttar Pradesh under his government.
Adityanath made the remarks at the India Economic Conclave which he attended via a video bridge. The chief minister said that since Gandhi hardly visits the state, he would have little information about the ground situation there. When India faces a crisis, Rahul Gandhi does not remember the people of the country but his maternal grandmother in Italy, Adityanath said.
"He criticises north when he is in south, and south when he is in north (India)," the senior BJP leader said targeting Gandhi who is the MP from Wayanad in Kerala.
The Congress leader had contested the 2019 Lok Sabha Elections from Wayanad and Amethi, but lost to BJP's Smriti Irani in the Uttar Pradesh seat. Gandhi also criticises India when he is abroad, Adityanath said, adding that when a person has such a nature, his reliability is under question. Adityanath claimed that Gandhi is becoming a reason for the Congress' downfall.
To a question about opinion polls predicting another term for the Left Democratic Front in Kerala against the convention of the party in power being ousted in the next election in the state, he said Gandhi's arrival in the state has triggered a slide in Congress' fortunes there.
16:11 PM's screw is loose: Mamata
West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee at a rally: "Industrial growth has stopped. Only his (PM Narendra Modi's) beard is growing. Sometimes he calls himself Swami Vivekananda and sometimes renames stadiums after his own name. Something is wrong with his brain. It seems his screw is loose."
Taking into account that elections in West Bengal have been historically marred by violence, a total of 732 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) have been deployed in the state for the first phase of elections, confirmed Vivek Dubey, Special Police Observer.
Thirty seats go to the polls in the first phase and include all constituencies in Purulia and Jhargram and some seats from Bankura, Purba Medinipur and Paschim Medinipur districts.
16:03 Case to be registered for negligence in Bhandup fire
Bhadup hospital fire update: "Ten people have died in the fire incident. This is a serious incident. Negligence of hospital management has come to light. We will register a case," Mumbai Police Commissioner on the fire at Sunrise Hospital, Bhandup West, Mumbai.
Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray and Mumbai Police Commissioner Hemant Nagrale visit the hospital last night.
"Out of 84 patients, 10 have lost their lives. Others have either been shifted to other hospitals or have gone home," says the commissioner.
15:58 Govt extends validity of driving licences
The government on Friday extended the validity of motor vehicle documents like driving licence (DL), registration certificate (RC) and permits till June 30, 2021, in view of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
In an advisory to states, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) said it is extending the validity of fitness, permit, driving licence, registration and other documents whose extension of validity could not be granted due to lockdown and which had expired since February 1, 2020, or would expire by March 31, 2021.
It had earlier issued advisories dated March 30, 2020, June 9, 2020, August 24, 2020, and December 27, 2020, in connection with extension of validity of documents related to the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, and Central Motor Vehicle Rules, 1989. It is advised that the validity of the documents that have expired since February 1, the same may be treated to be valid till June 30, 2021, the ministry said in an advisory to states. Enforcement authorities are advised to treat such documents valid till June 30, 2021, the MoRTH said adding that "this will help out citizens in availing transport-related services".
15:50 FM seeks votes in Puducherry
Nirmala Sitharaman takes part in door to door campaigning in Nellithope, Puducherry and seeks votes for Vivilian Richards Johnkumar, the BJP's candidate from the constituency for the assembly election.
15:39 Financial bids will be invited in coming days for Air India sale: Puri
The government is looking at a new timeline for Air India disinvestment and financial bids will be invited in the coming days, Union minister Hardeep Singh Puri said on Friday. Noting that there is no choice but to either "privatise or close" Air India, he said the government will have to keep the airline running till it gets divested.
"We are looking at another timeline now, what is called data room for prospective bidders to look at... that is opened up, 64 days for the financial bids to come in. After that it is the question of taking a decision and handing over the airline," the Minister of State for Civil Aviation said.
He was speaking at a session at the Times Network India Economic Conclave. The government has started the process to sell its entire 100 per cent stake in Air India that has been in losses since it merged with Indian Airlines in 2007.
"...There is no choice, we either privatise or we close the airline. We run a loss of Rs 20 crore every day despite Air India making money now. Because the mismanagement has resulted in a cumulative debt of Rs 60,000 crore," Puri said.
"I don't have the capacity to keep going to Nirmala ji and say please give me some money," he said in an apparent reference to seeking funds to run Air India from the finance minister.
He also noted that earlier attempts at Air India privatisation were not successful because the attempts were half-hearted. Puri also spoke about the domestic civil aviation sector, which is recovering from the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray
15:29 Maha population: 12 cr, vaccinations: 52 lakh
The COVID-19 vaccination tally in Maharashtra reached 52,65,462 with 2,14,123 people getting the vaccine doses in a single day, officials said on Friday.
As per projections, the population of Maharashtra in 2020 is 12.49 crore.
Of the 2,14,123 who were vaccinated on Thursday, 10,397 were healthcare workers, 29,160 frontline workers, 34,197 people in the age group of 40 to 60 suffering from co- morbidities, while 1,24,632 were senior citizens who received the first dose, they said.
A total of 5,040 healthcare workers were administered the second dose of the vaccine during the day. The state has so far given the first dose of vaccine to 9,51,219 healthcare workers. Of them, 4,57,621 have received the second dose as well, they said.
Similarly, 7,43,238 frontline workers have received their first COVID-19 vaccine dose, of whom 2,25,489 also got the second dose. As many as 5,34,227 people in the age group of 40 to 60, who are suffering from co-morbidities, and 23,53,668 senior citizens have received their first dose till now.
Mamata Banerjee at a rally in Bankura with candidate Sayantika Banerjee
15:02 732 armed cops for phase 1 of WB polls tomorrow
Taking into account that elections in West Bengal have been historically marred by violence, a total of 732 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) have been deployed in the state for the first phase of elections, confirmed Vivek Dubey, Special Police Observer.
Thirty seats go to the polls in the first phase and include all constituencies in Purulia and Jhargram and some seats from Bankura, Purba Medinipur and Paschim Medinipur districts.
Both Trinamool Congress and BJP have often accused each other of killing their party cadres. The BJP has accused the Trinamool Congress government of the murder of over 130 party workers.
Due to the possibility of violence, elections are being held in eight-phases for 294-member Assembly.In the first phase, Kathi Uttar-Vaja Chawli, Pataspur, Khejuri, Saltora, Raipur, Lalgarh, Jhargram, Salboni, Garhbeta, Balarampur and Kashipur are the sensitive areas.
The state had reportedly witnessed nearly 700 cases of violence during the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.
Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora and Deputy Election Commissioner Sudip Jain had on Tuesday reviewed poll preparedness ahead of the first phase.
The first phase of polling will decide the electoral fate of 191 candidates including 21 women. Some prominent names in the first phase of polling include Srikanto Mahato, Rajib Lochan Saren and Uttam Barik of TMC and Rabindranath Maity, Chandana Bauri and Rajib Kundu from BJP.
Congress has fielded five candidates for the first phase - Nepal Mahato from Baghmundi, Shiu Maiti from Bhagabanpur, Uttam Banerjee from Balarampur, Manas Kumar Karmahapatra from Egra and Partha Pratim Banerjee from Purulia.
TMC had won 27 out of these 30 seats in the 2016 elections and BJP was not a major player in the last polls.
14:53 Uddhav promises action against guilty in Bandhup fire incident
Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Friday said strict action will be taken against those who will be found responsible for the Bandhup fire.
He also added that compensations would be given to families of the deceased.
"Action will be taken against those who are found responsible. Compensation will be given to families of the deceased. Most of the patients who have died were on the ventilator," Thackeray said while interacting with reporters on Friday.
He also offered condolences and apologies to the families of the deceased.
"10 people have died in the fire incident. This is a serious incident. Negligence of hospital management has come to light. We will register a case," said Mumbai Police Commissioner Hemant Nagrale.
Meanwhile, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has ordered an investigation into the fire incident.
14:46 Will enact laws for love & land jihad: HM in Assam
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday said the BJP will enact laws to tackle the "menace of love and land jihad" in Assam if it is voted to power.
Addressing an election rally, Shah said appropriate laws and policies will be put in place to strengthen Assamese culture and civilisation.
The manifesto also promised it will enforce a deradicalisation policy to identify and quash organisations and individuals fanning communal exclusion and separatism.
"The Congress manifesto is merely a tool for election campaign but the BJP manifesto is meant for implementation," he asserted. He also accused Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of describing AIUDF chief Badruddin Ajmal as representative of Assam's identity. "He (Gandhi) does not understand Assam and its identity," he said.
Assam's identity is linked to Vaishnav saints Srimanta Sankardeva and Madhavdeva, brave Ahom general Lachit Barphukan who saved the state from Mughal invasion and Bharat Ratnas Bhupen Hazarika and Gopinath Bordoloi, he said.
"We will not allow Ajmal to become a symbol of Assam's identity notwithstanding Congress's efforts to do so. Can the Congress and AIUDF save the state from illegal infiltration?" he said.
"Rahul baba should remember that it was their chief minister Tarun Gogoi who was once dismissive of the AIUDF chief and had asked 'Who is Ajmal?' And now it is the Congress which has joined hands with Ajmal to gather votes," he added. Calling Gandhi a "tourist", Shah said the Congress leader was seen in the state only for 2-3 days during the elections and then vanishes for the next five years.
"There are only three images before the people of Assam--that of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's development and service to people, of Rahul Gandhi's tourism and Ajmal's agenda of infiltration. The people of Assam have to decide what they want, Modiji's double engine for development or Congress-AIUDF's double infiltration," he said. PTI
14:39 Women lured with modelling assignment raped
Another day, another rape in Yogi Adityanath's UP. Ironically, the CM had held rallies in West Bengal where he spoke about how unsafe the state was for women.
A woman was allegedly raped by two men in a guest house on the pretext of giving her a modelling assignment in Lucknow.
"A case has been registered & medical examination of the woman is being conducted. The investigation is underway," say police.
14:36 PM meets Bangladesh's muktijodhas
Prime Minister Narendra Modi met 'Muktijodhas', the liberation war fighters of Bangladesh, in Dhaka today. The Prime Minister had arrived at the Dhaka airport earlier today for his two-day visit to Bangladesh. He received a warm welcome from his counterpart Sheikh Hasina.
PM Modi's visit comes as Bangladesh is celebrating its 50th independence day and the centennial birth anniversary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Rhea Chakraborty
14:33 SC rejects Sushant's sister's plea to quash Rhea's FIR
The Supreme Court on Friday rejected the petition filed by Sushant Singh Rajput's sister Priyanka Singh against the Bombay high court order which did not quash Rhea Chakraborty's FIR against her in connection with allegedly providing banned medicines to the late actor.
A three-judge bench of the apex court, headed by the Chief Justice of India S A Bobde and also comprising Justices A S Bopanna and V Ramasubramanian, dismissed the petition filed by Priyanka.
"We are dismissing the petition," CJI S A Bobde said.
Priyanka Singh, had filed the petition before the Supreme Court challenging an FIR registered on the basis of this complaint before the Bombay high court.
She had claimed in her petition, that the FIR was lodged to "concoct a whole new story entirely different from the statements made" by Chakraborty before the Supreme Court and media platforms.
However, the Bombay high court had held that "there is prima facie case found against Priyanka Singh and there should not be any impediment against investigation against her."
14:18 Maha Covid spike: CM to meet district collectors
Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray will chair a meeting of all district collectors on Friday to review the COVID-19 situation in the State.
According to Chief Minister's Office, CM will chair the meeting through video conference which is scheduled to start at 3.30. Mumbai on Thursday reported 5,504 new COVID-19 cases, and 14 deaths in the last 24 hours, Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM) said.
2,281 cases have been discharged in the last 24 hours.
There are 33,961 active cases in Mumbai and the death toll in the city stands at 11,620.
With this, 3,80,115 cases of Coronavirus have been reported in Mumbai so far, including 3,33,603 discharges -- ANI
13:51 Mourning the loss of a true hero
It's with a heavy heart that we announce the passing away of Lt Gen Walter Anthony Gustavo 'WAG' Pinto.
The Param Vishisht Seva Medal winner and former GOC, Central Command, fought in World War II, the China war of 1962, and led the 54 Infantry Division to victory in the battle of Basantar during the 1971 Indo-Pak war, informs LestWeForgetIndia on Twitter, and earning the well-deserved sobriquet 'Victor of Basantar'.
In his passing, we have lost a true hero.
Migrants protest in Mumbai in April 2020
13:47 Migrants rebuild lives year after horrific crisis
About this time last year, when people all over India locked down in their homes, they undertook epic journeys back to their villages some clambering on trains and buses and others walking and cycling many hundred miles as they fled the big cities that could no longer promise two meals a day.
One year later, the lockdown that had caught them by surprise is over and many migrants who had lost their jobs have made it back to towns and cities but life is akin to the proverbial square peg in a round hole. An uneasy fit.
Avinash Yadav is among them, one of the millions of men, women and even children who traversed the country in a migrant exodus that is perhaps the largest movement of people since Partition.
The 22-year-old from Raigarh in Chhattisgarh worked as a construction worker at a Delhi school when the lockdown was announced on the evening of March 24. The next morning, as much of the country was pushed inside their homes, Yadav found himself staring at both homelessness and unemployment. His wife was seven months pregnant at the time. After waiting for several weeks for trains to resume, the couple, along with few others, decided to walk home. The risk of contracting COVID-19 was ever present but there was little option.
It took them 10 days to complete the more than 1,000-km journey, but that he said was only the beginning of their struggle. With no source of income in the village, the couple and their baby survived five months by borrowing money from local lenders at an exorbitant interest rate of 5 per cent per month.
At this point, I have a loan of Rs 1 lakh, he said. He returned to his job in Delhi but soon had to look out for alternatives due to non-payment of wages. Yadav is now in Chandigarh, working at another school. While there is a salary, he said it is barely enough to feed his family, let alone replay the loan.
The nationwide lockdown that was first imposed on March 25 last year, was extended in five phases continuing for three months till June 30, after which different states continued or lifted the restrictions depending on the number of COVID-19 positive cases. The total number of migrant workers who returned to their home states was 1,04,66,152 (10.44 million, 1.04 crore), Santosh Kumar Gangwar, minister of state of labour and employment, said in a parliamentary response in September last year.
One year later, the vaccine is here, and life is slowly resuming to its pre-corona form, but those who were part of the catastrophic human tragedy that was the migration crisis are still recovering from the scars. -- PTI
13:41 Sailing across the Suez
With a giant container stuck sideways in Egypt's Suez Canal since Tuesday and blocking maritime traffic in the world's busiest sealane, writer and traveller Susmita Bhattacharya recalls the time she sailed across the canal with her husband on a tanker, 'a truly exciting experience', as she wrote on Rediff.com, here.
13:34 SC reserves order in pleas against Maratha reservation
The Supreme Court on Friday reserved its judgement on petitions challenging the constitutional validity of a Maharashtra law that grants reservation to the Maratha community in education and jobs.
A five-judge Constitution Bench comprising Justices Ashok Bhushan, L Nageswara Rao, S Abdul Nazeer, Hemant Gupta and Ravindra Bhat also reserved the judgement on the issue of whether the top court's 1992 verdict for capping reservation at 50 per cent needs re-examination.
The Bench, during the hearing, had also decided to hear all state governments in the matter after a question of whether the top court's nine-judge bench Indra Sawhney judgement, the ceiling on reservation fixed by the Court, should be re-considered cropped up.
The final hearings in the case had commenced on March 15.The bench was hearing appeals challenging the Bombay High Court order that upheld reservations to Marathas in jobs and education under Maharashtra Socially and Educationally Backward Classes (SEBC) Act, 2018. -- ANI
13:28 Prez Kovind hospitalised for chest discomfort
President Ram Nath Kovind was admitted to a hospital in Delhi on Friday after he reportedly experienced chest discomfort. His condition is stated to be stable.
"President of India Shri Ram Nath Kovind visited Army Hospital (R&R) in New Delhi following chest discomfort this morning. He is undergoing routine check-up and is under observation. His condition is stable," a medical bulletin by Army R&R Hospital said.
13:24 Flying high
The new custom-made VVIP aircraft that Prime Minister Narendra Modi flew from Delhi to Dhaka today.
12:58 Not about winning or losing: Ratan Tata on verdict
Ratan N Tata reacts to the Supreme Court verdict setting aside the NCLAT
rder restoring Cyrus Mistry as the executive chairman of the conglomerate.
Ratan Tata, who is former chairman of Tata Sons, tweeted:
"I appreciate and am grateful for the judgement passed by the honourable Supreme Court today.
It is not an issue of winning or losing.
After relentless attacks on my integrity and the ethical conduct of the group, the judgement upholding all the appeals of Tata Sons is a validation of the values and ethics that have always been the guiding principles of the group.
It reinforces the fairness and justice displayed by our judiciary."
In a major victory for the Tata Group, the Supreme Court on Friday set aside the NCLAT order restoring Cyrus Mistry as the executive chairman of the conglomerate.
A bench of Chief Justice SA Bobde and Justices AS Bopanna and V Ramasubramanian said it is allowing the appeals filed by Tata Group.
"The order of National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) dated December 18, 2019 is set aside," the bench said.
The court said, "All the questions of law are liable to be answered in favour of the appellants Tata Group and the appeals filed by the Tata Group are liable to be allowed and those by Shapoorji Pallonji Group are liable to be dismissed."
On December 17 last year, Shapoorji Pallonji (SP) Group had told the top court that removal of Mistry as the chairman of Tata Sons in a board meeting held in October 2016 was akin to a blood sport and ambush and was in complete violation of principles of corporate governance and pervasive violation of Articles of Association in the process.
The Tata Group had vehemently opposed the allegations and said there was no wrongdoing and the board was well within its right to remove Mistry as the chairman.
PM Modi at martyr's memorial in Dhaka
12:50 PM uses new VVIP aircraft for B'desh trip
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday went from Delhi to Dhaka on a new custom-made VVIP aircraft, using it for the first time on a foreign journey.
The prime minister is on a two-day visit to Bangladesh. India and Bangladesh are currently celebrating the golden jubilee of the 1971 war victory. India had defeated Pakistan in December 1971, which led to the creation of Bangladesh.
The B777 aircraft, which has registration number VT-ALW, was delivered by Boeing to the Indian government in October last year. The aircraft, which has call sign AI1 or Air India One, departed from Delhi around 8 am and landed at the Dhaka airport around 10.30 am on Friday, government officials said.
Another custom-made B777 aircraft, with registration number VT-ALV, was also delivered by the American aircraft giant to the Indian government in October last year.
Both custom-made planes are to fly only president, vice president and prime minister of the country. These two aircraft were part of Air India's commercial fleet for a few months in 2018 before they were sent back to Boeing for retrofitting for VVIP travel. The B777 planes have state-of-the-art missile defence systems called Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures and Self-Protection Suites. PTI
12:46 People in Delhi preparing to form UPA-II: Raut
Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut on Friday said that "some people in Delhi" are preparing to form UPA-II, which is why the existing UPA needs to be strengthened if the opposition is to fight the BJP.
He made the statement while speaking to reporters in Delhi, a day after he reiterated that NCP chief Sharad Pawar should head the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) that is currently being led by the Congress. Replying to a question, Raut said the "drama" of forming "third, fourth or fifth fronts" has failed so far, hence the existing UPA needs to be strengthened.
"Some people in Delhi are preparing to form UPA-II. Hence, I am saying this out of concern. The UPA-I has to be strengthened," he said, without specifying who these people in the national capital are.
He said the importance of the present-day UPA will reduce if the UPA-II is formed and then the opposition parties will have nothing in their hands. On Raut's suggestion that Pawar should lead the UPA, Maharashtra Congress leaders had on Thursday asked the Shiv Sena leader to desist from making such comments as his party is not even part of the alliance.
When asked about the Maharashtra Congress leaders' comments and its state unit chief Nana Patole also questioning Raut if he is the spokesperson of Pawar, the Shiv Sena leader replied, "Maybe. Sharad Pawar is a leader of the country. All know what Sharad Pawar or Uddhav Thackeray are." Raut said one need not be part of the UPA to speak about it.
"The issue of the UPA is not of a state, but a national one. So the people from the state should not talk about it," he added.
The Rajya Sabha member said that discussion needs to be held on strengthening the alliance of the opposition parties if they are to take on the BJP. "If the (Congress) leaders in Maharashtra are not getting this, then they need to study...they are our colleagues, but they should understand. "We will give a reply if Sonia Gandhi or Rahul Gandhi are to speak on this issue. But they are not speaking. They are also analysing this (the situation)," he added.
Actor Parambrata Chatterjee is also part of the video
12:35 Bengal Polls 2021: Tollywood artistes appeal to vote wisely
You bash education to satisfy the spite of the ignorant/
Your devotion is bloodstained, you love none'.
You shout your hollow words louder and louder, the thicket of your lies hide the truth/
I spotted your reflection in Goebbels's mirror/ I have seen the shark teeth, how venomous they are...
These are lines from a music video created by some of Bengal's young and accomplished artistes, and featuring a few celebrated veterans, with the aim of warning people against the politics of hate ahead of the Assembly elections.
Read more here.
12:23 'No proof Covid 2nd wave due to virus variants'
There is so far no evidence that the second wave of COVID-19 in the country is due to variants of the virus, but it is possible, said noted virologist Shahid Jameel.
He, however, stressed that the sharp rise in coronavirus infections seen recently is mainly because people have stopped following COVID-appropriate behaviour.
In an interview with PTI, Jameel, who has won the coveted Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize, said the rollout of vaccines has caused a false sense of security among people. "But vaccines won't work unless we take them. As of March 25, only 8.1 million people have taken both doses, which is 0.6 per cent of India's population. Further, 46.4 million people or 3.3 per cent of India's population have taken only one dose, which gives weak or no protection," he said. Jameel further said there is so far no evidence that the second wave is due to variant viruses. "But this is possible".
"The mortality rate in the second wave appears to be no different. In fact, it appears to be lower than what we saw in August and September 2020, during the first peak," said Jameel, who is presently the director of the Trivedi School of Biosciences at Ashoka University.
He said the second wave is mainly because there are enough susceptible people in the country and in the past four months most of the people have stopped following Covid-appropriate behaviour such as wearing masks and avoiding crowded places.
"Further, all commercial and recreation activities are back to normal even as the pandemic is still there," Jameel said. Registering a steep spike in COVID-19 cases for the 16th day in a row, India on Friday saw 59,118 new coronavirus infections in a day, the highest single-day rise so far this year. The active caseload has breached the 4-lakh mark again after around three-and-half months.
12:15 TN candidate promises chopper, car, trip to moon
When your candidate promises you a trip to the moon and back, should you believe him? Yes, says this candidate from Tamil Nadu.
Thulam Saravanan, an independent candidate from Madurai South constituency, says, "I promise a helicopter and car for every house, a three-storey house and a trip to the moon.
"People ask me if all this is possible. I believe it is possible but will cost us a little extra."
Polling day in Tamil Nadu is April 6.
For now, it is difficult to tell which of the two majors in the fray -- the ruling All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam led front or the Opposition DMK-led front -- is ahead in the race to the state secretariat.
12:09 Assam Assembly elections: Polling for 47 seats tomorrow
Polling will begin at 7 am on Saturday in 47 constituencies across 12 districts in the first phase of Assam Assembly elections where the ruling BJP and Congress-AIUDF alliance are locked in a direct electoral contest.
According to the Election Commission, 81,09,815 voters including 40,77,210 males and 40,32,481 females are eligible to cast their votes at 1,1537 polling stations in the first phase. The polling will begin at 7 am and will continue till 6 pm. In the three-phased polls, the BJP, which is seeking to retain the power in Assam, is banking on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's governance, Central public welfare schemes, and on the image of Chief Minister Sarbanand Sonowal.
While Congress is heading into the battle against the ruling party bringing the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the National Register of Citizens (NRC) to the fore.
A total of 264 candidates are in the fray from 47 seats-- 42 seats from 11 districts of Upper Assam and northern Assam region and five seats from central Assam's Nagaon district going to polls in the first phase.In 2016, the BJP and its ally AGP had swept the elections in the region by winning 35 of these seats. The BJP alone had bagged 27 seats. Congress could manage to win only 9 seats despite securing nearly the same vote percentage.
Till 2014 Lok Sabha, the Upper Assam area was dominated by Congress but the matrics changed after Himanta Biswa Sarma shifted his base to BJP from Congress.
The profile of candidates in phase I of the WB polls
12:02 SC dismisses plea to stay sale of electoral bonds ahead of assembly polls
The Supreme Court on Friday dismissed a plea seeking stay on further sale of electoral bonds ahead of assembly elections. A bench headed by Chief Justice S A Bobde declined to stay sale of the electoral bonds as sought in the application moved by the NGO, Association for Democratic Reforms.
The Centre had earlier told the bench, also comprising Justices A S Bopanna and V Ramasubramanian, that the bonds would be issued fromApril 1 to April 10. The NGO had claimed that there is a serious apprehension that any further sale of electoral bonds before the upcoming assembly elections, including in West Bengal and Assam, would further increase illegal and illicit funding of political parties through shell companies. PTI
11:45 SC sets aside Cyrus Mistry as Tata chairman
The Supreme Court on Friday set aside order of the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal of December 17, 2019, which ordered the reinstatement of Cyrus Mistry as Chairman of Tata Sons.
The NCLAT order had restored Cyrus Mistry as the executive chairman of the over USD 100 billion salt-to-software Tata conglomerate. The apex court had on January 10 last year granted relief to the Tata group by staying the NCLAT.
Tata Sons had earlier told the top court that it was not a 'two-group company' and there was no 'quasi-partnership' between it and Cyrus Investments Pvt Ltd.
A bench headed by Chief Justice SA Bobde said the decision to remove Cyrus Mistry was right. The bench, also including Justices AS Bopanna and V Ramasubramanian, had on December 17 last year reserved the verdict.
11:35 Ajit Pawar holds Pune Covid review meet
A weekly Covid review meeting, under the chairmanship of Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar, begins in Pune. Pune reported 6432 new Covid-19 cases yesterday. Pawar is the guardian minister of Pune.
A total of 3,318 new coronavirus cases were reported in Thane district of Maharashtra, which pushed its caseload to 2,99,341, an official said on Friday. These new cases were reported on Thursday, he said.
11:03 Bharat Bandh: 4 Shatabdi trains cancelled
Protesters squatted on railway tracks at 32 locations across Punjab and
Haryana on Friday as part of the 'Bharat Bandh' called by farmer unions
protesting against agri laws, leading to disruption of rail traffic.
A railway spokesperson said four Shatabdi trains have been cancelled
and 31 other trains detained due to the protests.
The 32 locations
where train movement has been disrputed fall under the Delhi, Ambala and
Ferozepur divisions of the railways.
"As of 9 am kisan agitators are
sitting at 32 locations. Total 31 trains have been detained so far. Four
Shatabdi trains have been cancelled," Northern Railways spokesperson
Deepak Kumar said.
The Samkyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) has called for
the bandh from 6 am to 6 pm to mark four months of the farmers'
agitation at Delhi's three borders -- Singhu, Ghazipur and Tikri.
Thousands of farmers, mainly from Punjab, Haryana and western Uttar
Pradesh, have been camping at Singhu, Tikri and Ghazipur borders
demanding a complete repeal of the three farm laws and a legal guarantee
for minimum support price on their crops. -- PTI
10:51 PM Modi arrives in Bangladesh
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Bangladesh on Friday to take part in the country's 50th Independence Day celebrations, his first foreign visit since the Covid-19 outbreak.
He was welcomed by his Bangladeshi counterpart Sheikh Hasina at the airport.
He will attend an event at the National Martyr's Memorial at 10:50 am.
Thereafter, Bangladesh Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen will call on Prime Minister Modi at 3:15 pm.
Later, he will attend the National Day programme at 3:45 pm and then inaugurate Bapu Bangabandhu Digital Video Exhibition at 7:45 pm.
PM Modi will call on Bangladesh President Abdul Hamid during the visit and hold restricted delegation-level talks with his counterpart Hasina.
"I look forward to my participation at the National Day celebrations tomorrow, which will also commemorate the birth centenary of the Father of the Nation of Bangladesh, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Bangabandhu was one of the tallest leaders of the last century, whose life and ideals continue to inspire millions," PM Modi said in a tweet.
The Prime Minister will also interact with diverse groups of Bangladesh's polity and society. The visit comes at a momentous time in bilateral ties between two countries, Shringla added.
Anil Dharker (right) with Zubin Mehta in 2015
10:43 Writer-journalist Anil Dharker passes away
Anil Dharker, writer, editor, and founder of Tata Literature Live and the Mumbai International Literature Festival, is dead. He had been admitted to a hospital in Mumbai for a heart ailment and is said to have died there.
A writer and editor, Dharkar was the founder of the popular Mumbai International Literature Festival. He was associated with publications like The Illustrated Weekly of India, The Independent and Mid-Day.
Among his books are The Romance of Salt, Invisible Goodness: The Story of Tata Power, and Icons: Men & Women Who Shaped Today's India.
Author Shobhaa De summed it up best when she tweeted: 'Goodbye dearest Anil. An elegant mind, a stylish writer, and a loyal friend. You will be missed by all those whose lives you touched. RIP.'
09:54 India reports 59,118 new Covid cases, 257 deaths
India reports 59,118 new COVID-19 cases, 32,987 recoveries, and 257 deaths in the last 24 hours, as per the Union Health Ministry.
Total cases: 1,18,46,652
Total recoveries: 1,12,64,637
Active cases: 4,21,066
Death toll: 1,60,949
Total vaccination: 5,55,04,440
09:37 Sasikala will not be re-inducted in AIADMK: Jayakumar
Tamil Nadu Minister and All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam leader D Jayakumar said that expelled party leader V K Sasikala will not be re-inducted and asserted that no opinion poll can affect party's victory.
Jayakumar, who was campaigning in the Royapuram area in Tamil Nadu on Thursday said, "AIADMK stands with the people of Tamil Nadu in all aspects. No opinion poll can affect our victory."
"We never trade money to lure the voters. My supporters are campaigning with me in the scorching sun," he said.
When asked about Sasikala, the minister said, "My stand is the same as the party's that she will not be taken back."
The AIADMK has so far ruled out accommodating her or her nephew T T V Dinakaran-led Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam in the party or in the alliance led by it.
Speaking to ANI, Jayakumar said, "We will win the constituency with the Tamil majority."
Ruling AIADMK is contesting the poll in a pre-poll alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Paattali Makkal Katchi.
The 234-members Tamil Nadu assembly elections will be held in a single phase on April 6 and the counting of votes will be done on May 2. -- ANI
09:20 US adds India to list of countries affected by African swine fever
The United States has notified that India has been added to the list of countries that have been affected by African swine fever, imposing restrictions on the import of pork and pork products from the country.
In a federal notification issued on Thursday, the United States Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) said India has been to the list of regions we consider to be affected with African Swine Fever (ASF).
We took this action on May 13, 2020 when the disease was confirmed and are now publishing notice in the regulations.
Pork and pork products from India, including casings, are subject to APHIS import restrictions designed to mitigate the risk of ASF introduction into the United States, the Department of Agriculture (USDA) said.
It said on May 9 last year, the veterinary authorities of India reported to APHIS the occurrence of ASF in that country.
Therefore, in response to this outbreak, on May 13, 2020, APHIS added India to the list of regions where ASF exists or is reasonably believed to exist.
This notice serves as an official record and public notification of that action, the USDA said.
ASF is a highly contagious animal disease of wild and domestic swine.
It can spread rapidly in swine populations with extremely high rates of morbidity and mortality.
India's export of pork and related items to the US in 2020 was $5,00,000. -- PTI
08:32 Modi leaves for Bangladesh on two-day visit
Prime Minister Narendra Modi left for Bangladesh on Friday on a two-day visit during which he will take part in a wide range of programmes aimed at furthering cooperation between the two countries.
'PM @narendramodi emplanes for Dhaka. During his Bangladesh visit he will take part in a wide range of programmes aimed at furthering cooperation with our friendly neighbour,' the PMO tweeted, sharing a picture of Modi boarding the aircraft.
The prime minister had on Thursday said he will hold substantive discussions with his Bangladeshi counterpart Sheikh Hasina during the visit, as he expressed happiness that his first foreign tour after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic will be to a friendly neighbouring country with which India shares deep ties. -- PTI
00:13 Happy 1st foreign visit post Covid is to B'desh: PM
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said he will hold "substantive discussions" with his Bangladeshi counterpart Sheikh Hasina during his two-day visit to Bangladesh, as he expressed happiness that his first foreign tour after the onset of COVID-19 pandemic will be to a friendly neighbouring country with which India shares deep ties.
Modi said he will be visiting Bangladesh on March 26-27 at the invitation of Prime Minister Hasina, and looks forward to his participation at the Bangladesh National Day celebrations on Friday.
In his departure statement, he said, "I am happy that my first foreign visit after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic will be to our friendly neighbouring country, with which India shares deep cultural, linguistic and people-to-people ties."
Noting that Bangladesh's National Day celebrations on Friday will commemorate the birth centenary of the Father of the Nation of Bangladesh, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Modi said 'Bangabandhu' was one of the tallest leaders of the last century, whose life and ideals continue to inspire millions.
"I look forward to visiting Bangabandhu's Samadhi in Tungipara to pay my respects to his memory," the prime minister said.
Modi said he also looks forward to offering prayers to Goddess Kali at the ancient Jashoreshwari Kali Temple, one of the 51 Shaktipeeths in the Puranic tradition.
The prime minister said he is looking forward to his interaction with representatives of the Matua community at Orakandi, from where Sri Sri Harichand Thakur disseminated his pious message, Modi said.
"I will be having substantive discussions with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, following our very productive virtual meeting in December last year. I also look forward to my meeting with President Abdul Hamid, and to interactions with other Bangladeshi dignitaries," Modi said.
"My visit will not only be an occasion to convey appreciation for Bangladesh's remarkable economic and developmental strides under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's visionary leadership, but also to commit India's abiding support for these achievements," he said.
Modi said during his visit he will also express India's support and solidarity for Bangladesh's fight against COVID-19.
"As I leave for Bangladesh tomorrow, I look forward to remembering the life and ideals of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, and celebrate 50 years of Bangladesh's War of Liberation, as well as our diplomatic ties," Modi tweeted.
"Our partnership with Bangladesh is an important pillar of our Neighbourhood First policy, and we are committed to further deepen and diversify it. We will continue to support Bangladesh's remarkable development journey, under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's dynamic leadership," he said.
Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla, while briefing reporters on the PM's visit to Bangladesh, had said on Wednesday that a range of pacts will be signed and new announcements for bolstering cooperation in several areas will be made during the two-day visit.
Modi's visit is taking place at a time Bangladesh is commemorating Mujib Borsho, the birth centenary of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and 50 years of the country's War of Liberation.
The two countries are also celebrating 50 years of the establishment of diplomatic ties. -- PTI
TOP STORIES
© 2024 Rediff.com - Investor Information - Advertise with us - Disclaimer - Privacy Policy - Feedback - About us - Terms of use - Grievances