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Wed, 06 October 2021
Pak court indicts Saba Qamar for mosque dance video
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23:30 Pak court indicts Saba Qamar for mosque dance video
A Pakistani court on Wednesday indicted Hindi Medium star Saba Qamar in a case registered against her last year for shooting a dance video' at a historical mosque here.
Both Ms Qamar and singer Bilal Saeed were present in the court of judicial magistrate Javeria Bhatti when they were charge-sheeted desecration of Wazir Khan Masjid (in old city of Lahore).
The magistrate directed the prosecution to present its witnesses on next hearing on next hearing on October 14.
Both the suspects pleaded before the court not guilty'. They said they would contest the trial.
Clad in a black burqa (scarf covering her from head to toe) Ms Qamar looked nervous when she was indicted in the case which she contested registered on frivolous charges.
The versatile actress said she was booked under baseless facts'.
No dance or music took place at the mosque. I am falsely implicated in this case, she pleaded.
Lahore police last year had registered a case against Qamar and Saeed under section 295 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) for allegedly desecration' of Masjid Wazir Khan in the old city of Lahore.
According to the FIR, both actors had trampled upon the sanctity of the mosque by shooting a dance video and this act also sparked an outrage among the people of Pakistan.
The Punjab government had also sacked two senior officers in connection with violation of the mosque's sanctity.
Following strong criticism and even death threats to her on social media, Saba Qamar and Bilal Saeed had apologised for their act. It was the music video featuring a Nikah (marriage) scene. It was neither shot with any sort of playback music nor has it been edited to the music track, she had said.
Saba Qamar whose work in Bollywood movies received appreciation had also done a biopic of social media sensation Qandeel Baloch. She received death threats on social media for her un-Islamic action.
She was warned on the social media that she might face the fate of Qandeel Baloch who was killed by her brother in 2016 for disgracing the family honour'.
Different religious parties including Jamaat-i-Islami had also held demonstrations in the city demanding strict punishment' to artist couple for what they call committing sin.
Representational pic
23:05 Modi to dedicate 35 oxygen plants to nation tom
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said that he will be visiting the 'Devbhoomi' of Uttarakhand tomorrow for dedicating 35 Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) oxygen plants across India.
Taking to Twitter, he called the oxygen plants 'vital healthcare infrastructure' and said, "I would be in Devbhoomi Uttarakhand tomorrow, 7th October. 35 PSA Oxygen Plants across various States and UTs would be dedicated to the nation. This is vital healthcare infrastructure for larger public benefit." The Prime Minister will dedicate to the nation 35 PSA oxygen plants, established under PM CARES, across 35 states and union territories tomorrow.
The event will be held at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Rishikesh, Uttarakhand on October 7, 2021, at 11 am.
Uttarakhand Governor Gurmit Singh, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya will also be present on the occasion.
According to Prime Minister's Office (PMO), with the inception of these 35 PSA oxygen plants, all districts of the country will now have commissioned PSA oxygen plants.
Till now, a total of 1,224 PSA oxygen plants have been funded under PM CARES all across the country, out of which more than 1,100 plants have been commissioned, providing an output of over 1,750 MT oxygen per day.
Operations and maintenance of these plants have been ensured by training more than 7,000 personnel. They come with an embedded Internet of Things (IoT) device for real-time monitoring of their functioning and performance through a consolidated web portal, said PMO.
22:23 Cumulative COVID-19 vaccine doses administered cross 92.60 crore
The cumulative COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in the country crossed 92.60 crore on Wednesday, the Union health ministry said.
More than 40 lakh vaccine doses were administered on Wednesday till 8:30 pm.
The daily vaccination tally is expected to increase with the compilation of the final reports for the day by late night, the ministry said.
The vaccination exercise as a tool to protect the most vulnerable population groups in the country from COVID-19 continues to be regularly reviewed and monitored at the highest level, the ministry underlined.
The countrywide vaccination drive was rolled out on January 16 with healthcare workers (HCWs) getting inoculated in the first phase. The vaccination of frontline workers (FLWs) started on February 2.
The next phase of COVID-19 vaccination commenced from March 1 for people over 60 years of age and those aged 45 and above with specified co-morbid conditions.
The country launched vaccination for all people aged more than 45 years from April 1.
The government then decided to expand its vaccination drive by allowing everyone above 18 to be vaccinated from May 1.
21:51 SC to hear Lakhimpur violence case tomorrow
The Supreme Court of India has taken suo motu cognisance of the Lakhimpur Kheri violence.
A bench of Chief Justice NV Ramana and Justices Surya Kant and Hima Kohli will hear the matter tomorrow.
21:37 Mumbai sees 600+ Covid cases after July 14
For the first time after July 14, Mumbai on Wednesday logged more than 600 new COVID-19 cases a day ahead of the scheduled reopening of temples and other religious places in Maharashtra on the first day of the Navratri festival.
With 629 new cases and seven fatalities, Mumbai's tally of infections rose to 7,45,792 and the toll to 16,136 on Wednesday, a civic body official said.
This is only the first occasion that Mumbai saw over 600 fresh COVID-19 infections in a single day after July 14 when 635 cases and 10 fatalities were recorded.
On Tuesday, the financial capital reported 433 COVID-19 cases and two fatalities.
With 540 patients being discharged, the number of recoveries in Mumbai rose to 7,22,636 on Wednesday, leaving the city with 4,519 active cases, the official said.
With 39,569 new tests, the number of samples tested so far in Mumbai went up to 1,05,74,242.
The number of buildings sealed due to the rise in COVID-19 cases in Mumbai now stands at 48. The city is free of containment zones in slums and chawls since mid-August.
Mumbai's average case recovery rate is 97 per cent. The average doubling rate of cases has dipped to 1,131 days. The average growth rate of cases stood at 0.06 per cent for the period between September 29 to October 5, the BMC official said.
As per the guidelines of the Maharashtra government, temples and other religious places will reopen from October 7, the first day of the Navratri festival. However, religious congregations are not allowed.
The Mumbai civic body had earlier said that garba dance will not be allowed during Navratri this year as well.
20:45 Jim Corbett Park may become Ramganga National Park
Jim Corbett National Park, a world-renowned tiger reserve in Uttarakhand, may be renamed as Ramganga National Park in the future.
Union minister of state for forest and environment Ashwini Kumar Choubey hinted about the change in name of India's first national park which is spread over an area of about 521 sq km. He recently mentioned it in a museum guest book on his tour of the park.
He wrote that the name of Jim Corbett National Park should be changed to Ramganga National Park.
Jim Corbett National Park Director Rahul confirmed this but declined to comment further.
However, wildlife lovers have expressed their displeasure over the probable name change. Wildlife lover Prakash Kimothi said, "We should focus more on preserving our heritage than changing the name."
If the Jim Corbett park's name is changed, it will not be the first time. The park, which was named Hailey National Park at its inception in 1936, was renamed after hunter-turned-conservationist Jim Corbett two decades later. However, for some time in between it was also named Ramganga National Park as the Ramganga, a tributary of the Ganges, passes through it.
Most of the park falls in the Nainital district and is renowned for its healthy density of tigers.
20:34 Cabinet approves 78 days' wage as bonus for over 11L railway employees
The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved a productivity-linked bonus equivalent to 78 days' wage to eligible non-gazetted Railway employees, Union minister Anurag Thakur said.
The bonus for the financial year 2020-21 will benefit about 11.56 lakh non-gazetted Railway employees, he said.
An expenditure of nearly Rs 1,985 crore will be incurred on this.
The bonus is usually announced ahead of Dussehra and Puja festivities.
The wage calculation ceiling prescribed for payment of PLB to the eligible non-gazetted railway employees is Rs 7000/- p.m.
The maximum amount payable per eligible railway employee is Rs. 17,951 for 78 days.
About 11.56 lakh non-gazetted Railway employees are likely to benefit from the decision.
Railway Board Chairman and COO Suneet Sharma, later at a press conference, said that the bonus will be disbursed as usual before Dussehra.
He said that the payment of these bonuses, specially after a tough year that saw railwaymen battling against coronavirus and still reporting for duty, would encourage them to work harder.
Many rail employees reported to work despite the fear for their personal welfare. They were frontline workers. This payment of bonus will encourage them to work harder, said Sharma.
The Productivity Linked Bonus on Railway covers all non-gazetted railway employees (excluding RPF/RPSF personnel) who are spread over the entire country.
Last year, the Indian Railways had disbursed a bonus worth 78 days' wages to its 11.58 lakh non-gazetted employees after Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Union Cabinet had approved disbursal of productivity and non-productivity-linked bonus for 2019-2020 to more than 30 lakh central government employees.
20:12 Congress may hold CWC meet by month end
The Congress Working Committee is likely to meet by the end of the month amid demands by several leaders including those from the G-23 dissident group to hold internal deliberations on the "turmoil" within the party and multiple desertions taking place, sources said on Wednesday.
Even though no date has been set, the sources said the CWC, the party's apex decision-making body, may meet this month to discuss the internal matters of the party.
The party sources said Sonia Gandhi has already indicated that the meeting of the CWC will be convened soon and internal issues will be debated.
Senior party leaders Ghulam Nabi Azad and Kapil Sibal, who are part of a group of 23 leaders (G-23) seeking organisational revamp, have demanded that a meeting of the CWC be convened immediately to discuss internal party issues like the spate of defections from the party and the turmoil in many state units including Punjab.
Azad had also written to party chief Sonia Gandhi in this regard, demanding the convening of the CWC meeting. He has said that the party should welcome suggestions and not suppress them.
Sibal had also recently raised questions on the decision-making process in the party in the absence of a regular president and demanded a dialogue where all senior leaders would be heard.
While Azad and some other G-23 leaders are part of the CWC, Sibal is not.
The Congress is also to elect its new regular president and the election schedule is likely to be discussed at the meeting.
19:59 MVA calls for Maharashtra bandh on Oct 7 over Lakhimpur Kheri violence
Shiv Sena-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government on Wednesday called for a statewide bandh on October 11 against the Lakhimpur Kheri violence incident, said Maharashtra minister and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Jayant Patil.
The MVA is a coalition of NCP, Congress and Shiv Sena. All three parties and their allied partners will participate in the bandh tomorrow, noted Patil.
A total of eight people including four farmers died in violence in the Lakhimpur Kheri district in Uttar Pradesh that took place on October 3.
19:40 How much India pays for its LPG cylinder
The four major cities in India have seen the graph of LPG prices rising since Jan 2021.
Representational pic
19:31 Delhi cops bust drug racket, seize Rs 13 cr heroin
Three African nationals were arrested in Dwarka for allegedly running a drug racket and heroin worth Rs 13 crore was seized from their possession, police said on Wednesday.
Stanley Chimeize Alasonye (41), the mastermind of the drug syndicate, Henry Okolie (41) and Uchechukwu Peter Igbonaju (37) were arrested with 1 kg and 300 gram of heroin, they said.
According to the police, the gang was recently active in Uttam Nagar and Mohan Garden.
The accused were intruders and lived here without valid visas, they said.
The contraband was smuggled in India from Nigeria via Russia through Indian ports, the police said.
Dwarka Deputy Commissioner of Police Shankar Choudhary said based on a tip-off, the police laid a trap in Mohan Garden on October 1 and arrested Okolie and Igbonaju with 1 kg heroin.
The two came to India in 2019 via Bangladesh and during interrogation, they told the police that the contraband came from Africa through Russia and then it reached India, the officer said.
The accused said some times, the narcotic drug was smuggled into the country from Bangladesh and Nepal.
"Big vendors contacted the retailers through virtual numbers and supplied the drugs at the retailer's locations here. The arrested African nationals rented two rooms on different floors in the Mohan Garden area. They lived on the ground floor and had set up a factory on the top floor, from where chemicals and instruments used in mixing heroin were seized," the DCP said.
On their instance, Alasonye was arrested on October 4 and 300 gms of heroin was seized from his possession, he said.
"Alasonye procured the drug from an African vendor and has a large customer base in Delhi," Choudhary added.
The police said further investigation is underway and efforts are being made to nab their associates.
18:58 LIVE! Rahul, Priyanka leave Sitapur for Lakhimpur Kheri
Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra have left for Lakhimpur Kheri from the PAC guest house in Sitapur.
Earlier in the day Rahul Gandhi left for violence-hit Lakhimpur Kheri from Lucknow airport along with four other Congress leaders -- Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi and party general secretaries KC Venugopal and Randeep Surjewala.
The state government had initially denied permission to Gandhi to visit the violence-hit district, with an official spokesperson saying no one would be allowed to go there to vitiate the atmosphere.
Later, additional chief secretary, home, Awanish Kumar Awasthi, told PTI in Lucknow, "Permission has been given to political parties to visit Lakhimpur. Only five people will be allowed."
18:32 Rising crude, inflation worries send rupee tumbling down 54 paise against the US dollar
The Indian rupee on Wednesday suffered its biggest single-day drop in six months, losing 54 paise against the US dollar to end at 74.98 as investors turned cautious in view of massive selloffs in domestic equities and strengthening greenback against key rivals.
At the interbank foreign exchange market, the local currency opened at 74.63 and witnessed an intra-day high of 74.54 and a low of 74.99 against the US dollar in day trade.
The local unit finally settled at 74.98 a dollar, down 54 paise over its previous close. This was also the lowest closing for the rupee since April 23 this year.
The dollar index, which gauges the greenback's strength against a basket of six currencies, was trading 0.41 per cent higher at 94.36.
Meanwhile, Brent crude futures, the global oil benchmark, declined 0.55 per cent to USD 82.11 per barrel.
On the domestic equity market front, the BSE Sensex ended 555.15 points or 0.93 per cent lower at 59,189.73, while the broader NSE Nifty declined 176.30 points or 0.99 per cent to 17,646.00.
"The rupee fell sharply primarily on the back of weakness in domestic and global equities and also as the dollar rose to a fresh one-year level. Market participants remain cautious also ahead of the important RBI policy statement that is scheduled to be released this Friday," said Gaurang Somaiyaa, Forex & Bullion Analyst, Motilal Oswal Financial Services.
Any concerns over higher inflation in India in the RBI policy meeting could also weigh on the rupee, he added.
Reserve Bank's rate-setting panel started its three-day deliberations on the next bi-monthly monetary policy on Wednesday amid rising global commodity prices and the need to contain inflation at home.
The decision of the six-member Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) would be announced on Friday by RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das on Friday.
Foreign institutional investors were net sellers in the capital market on Tuesday as they offloaded shares worth Rs 1,915.08 crore, as per exchange data.
On the macro-economic front, international ratings agency Moody's on Tuesday upgraded India's rating outlook to 'stable' from 'negative', saying a recovery is underway in the Asia's third-largest economy and growth this fiscal will surpass the pre-pandemic rate.
Moody's Investors Service however kept India's sovereign rating at 'Baa3' -- which is the lowest investment grade, just a notch above junk status.
18:23 Cruise ship raid 'fake', no drugs found: NCP
The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) alleged on Wednesday that the NCB's raid on a cruise ship off the Mumbai coast on October 2 was "fake", and no narcotic drugs were found during it.
The party also questioned the presence of two persons along with the NCB team during the raid, and alleged that one of them was a BJP member.
The BJP's reaction was not available immediately.
The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has so far arrested 17 people, including Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan's son Aryan, after allegedly seizing drugs from the Goa-bound ship on Saturday.
"The drama (the raid) was fake. They did not find drugs on the ship," NCP spokesperson and Maharashtra Minorities Affairs Minister Nawab Malik claimed here.
He also released a few videos, purportedly of the raid. A man who is seen escorting Aryan Khan in one of the videos was not an NCB official, and his social media profile states that he is a private detective based in Kuala Lumpur, the NCP leader alleged.
Further, two men are seen escorting Arbaaz Merchant, also arrested in the case, in another video, and one of them is a member of the BJP, Malik alleged.
"If these two men are not officials of the NCB, then why were they escorting two high-profile people (Khan and Merchant)," he asked.
The man seen with Merchant was in Gujarat on September 21-22 and could be connected to the seizure of about 3,000 kilograms of heroin at Mundra Port, Malik claimed, asking the BJP to come clear on this person's credentials.
"The entire NCB is being used by the BJP to malign people, the Maharashtra government and Bollywood," Malik said, alleging that the anti-drug agency was targeting those who are against the saffron party.
Notably, Malik's son-in-law Sameer Khan had been arrested by the NCB on January 13, 2021, in an alleged drug case. He got bail in September.
Shraddha Bindroo
17:46 My father served Kashmir, Kashmiriyat: Slain chemist's daughter
Following the killing of three civilians by terrorists in separate incidents in Jammu and Kashmir yesterday, the daughter of one of the victims, Makhan Lal Bindroo, on Wednesday said that the one responsible for the crime has opened doors of hell for himself.
Describing the deceased ML Bindroo, a pharmacist, as an 'awesome person', Shraddha Bindroo said, "He served Kashmir and Kashmiriyat. His body is gone but his spirit is still alive."
"Person responsible for the crime has opened doors of hell for himself," she added.
Condemning the killing of Bindroo, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti in a tweet said, "Condemn the killing of Shri ML Bindroo who chose to stay back in Kashmir even during the peak of insurgency. Such acts of violence have no place in our society. May his family find the strength to deal with this loss."
Three civilians were killed by terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday evening in separate incidents.
On Tuesday evening, ML Bindroo, the owner of Bindroo Medicate, was killed by terrorists.
17:40 Pak ISI gets new chief
Lieutenant General Nadeem Ahmed Anjum has been appointed as the new director-general of Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), the military's media affairs wing announced on Wednesday: Pak media
SBI's outlook has been revised to stable
17:27 Moody's raises rating outlook to stable for 18 corporates, banks
Moody's Investors Service on Wednesday raised the rating outlook for 18 Indian corporates and banks, including Reliance Industries, Infosys, SBI and Axis Bank, to 'stable' from 'negative'.
This follows the upgrade by the US-based rating agency in India's sovereign rating outlook to 'stable' from 'negative' on Tuesday. The agency had affirmed the sovereign rating at 'Baa3'.
The nine companies whose rating outlook has been revised upwards are RIL, TCS, Infosys, ONGC, Petronet LNG Ltd, UltraTech Cement, Oil India, Indian Oil Corporation and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd (HPCL).
The agency also affirmed the rating on privatisation-bound Bharat Petroleum Corporation (BPCL), but maintained the 'negative' outlook.
The nine banks whose outlook has been revised to 'stable' are SBI, Axis Bank, Bank of Baroda, Canara Bank, Axis Bank, HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, PNB, Union Bank and EXIM Bank. -- PTI
Rahul Gandhi leaves Lucknow airport
17:25 Only Rahul's car allowed through UP toll booth
A cavalcade of cars following Congress leader Rahul Gandhi from Lucknow airport to Lakhimpur Kheri district in Uttar Pradesh was stopped at Itaunja Toll Plaza and only his car was permitted to pass, sources close to Gandhi told ANI.
Rahul Gandhi left for violence-hit Lakhimpur Kheri from Lucknow airport along with four other Congress leaders - Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi and party general secretaries KC Venugopal and Randeep Surjewala.
The Uttar Pradesh government on Wednesday gave permission to Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra to visit Lakhimpur Kheri.
Anas Haqqani at Mahmud Ghaznavi's shrine
17:21 Taliban leader praises Mahmud Ghazni who ransacked Somnath temple
Anas Haqqani tweeted, "Today we visited the shrine of Sultan Mahmud Ghaznavi, a renowned Muslim warrior & Mujahid of the 10th century. Ghaznavi (May the mercy of Allah be upon him) established a strong Muslim rule in the region from Ghazni & smashed the idol of Somnath. The shrines of these honors inspire us with freedom, pride & courage."
Taliban leader Anas Haqqani on Tuesday visited the tomb of Mahmud Ghaznavi from Ghazni, who we know from history as the one who attacked the Somnath temple in Gujarat multiple times in the 17th century.
Haqqani, younger brother of Taliban's new Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani of the infamous 'Haqqani Network', glorified Ghaznavi calling him "a renowned Muslim warrior".
Mahmud Ghaznavi or Mahmud of Ghazni as he is better known, attacked the Somnath temple 17 times, and finally ransacked it in 1024 AD
17:09 Lakhimpur Kheri violence hits local Sikh community
The spot near Tikonia village where violence erupted on Sunday during a farmers' protest is amid an area linked to the life of Guru Nanak Dev, the founder of Sikhism.
Granthi Baljeet Singh from Kaudiyawala Ghat Gurdwara says the Guru came here in 1554 and cured a person of kodh, or leprosy.
The shrine gets its name from there. The devout believe that a dip in the sarovar' of the gurdwara, located close to the spot where eight people were killed, can cure people of skin diseases.
Lakhimpur Kheri district and the adjoining areas in the Terai have been home to Sikh farmers for generations --- including those who came during the time of the Awadh nawabs, migrants from undivided Punjab and the more recent settlers.
On Sunday, Sikh farmers formed a sizeable number of those protesting over the visit of Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya.
And all the four dead farmers had Punjabi names.
They were allegedly mowed down by a vehicle carrying BJP workers. The other four victims included two BJP workers, allegedly lynched by angry protesters.
Many farmers from Lakhimpur Kheri and the neighbouring areas in the Terai have been actively involved in the protests against the agri-marketing laws enacted at the Centre last year.
16:58 Pak Army transfers ISI chief
In a surprise move, Pakistan Army on Wednesday transferred the powerful spy agency ISI's chief Lieutenant General Faiz Hameed and appointed him as Peshawar Corps Commander.
However, his replacement on the key post of Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) chief was not immediately announced.
Hameed was appointed as head of the spy agency on June 16, 2019, in a military shake-up.
He had previously served in the ISI as the head of internal security.
He is considered as close to Army chief General Qamar Bajwa and was appointed as ISI head at a crucial time due to several external and internal security challenges.
He oversaw the crucial changes in Afghanistan where the Taliban took control in August.
In September, he visited Kabul and told the media in a brief chat that "everything will be ok" in Afghanistan, when there were rumours about differences among Taliban ranks due to delay in the announcement of the government.
16:19 Sensex tanks 555 pts amid global selloff
Equity benchmark Sensex plunged 555 points on Wednesday following losses in index majors Reliance Industries, Infosys and ICICI Bank amid a selloff in global markets.
The 30-share BSE index ended 555.15 points or 0.93 per cent lower at 59,189.73.
Similarly, the broader NSE Nifty tumbled 176.30 points or 0.99 per cent to 17,646.
IndusInd Bank was the top loser in the Sensex pack, shedding over 3 per cent, followed by Tata Steel, Bajaj Auto, HCL Tech, Sun Pharma and Tech Mahindra. On the other hand, HDFC twins and Bajaj Finance were the gainers.
16:13 Kejriwal's Wednesday with the sound of music
Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal was graced with the presence of legendary sarod artiste Ustad Amjad Ali Khan and his son, also a sarod artiste, Amaan Ali Bangash.
15:57 Parambir Singh missing from all addresses with CID
Former Mumbai Police Commissioner Parambir Singh did not appear before the state-appointed Chandiwal Commission today.
The CID told the commission that it went to several known addresses of Singh to serve him the notice but couldn't find him.
Commission again asks Singh to appear on October 18.
Once a top cop with the Mumbai police, Parambir Singh is now an absconding accused with a lookout notice issued against him.
Maharashtra home minister Dilip Walse Patil confirmed that a lookout notice has been issued against Singh after he was not found at his residence and failed to respond to multiple summons issued by both the central and state investigating agencies.
Patil also indicated that Singh could have escaped the country, fearing arrest.
15:44 Two scientists share Nobel Chemistry prize
2021 Nobel Prize in Chemistry has been awarded to Benjamin List and David WC MacMillan "for the development of asymmetric organocatalysis".
The prize acknowledges the development of a precise new tool for molecular construction: organocatalysis. This has had a great impact on pharmaceutical research, and has made chemistry greener.
15:41 Rahul heads to Lakhimpur, will pick up Priyanka
A 5-member Congress delegation led by Rahul Gandhi leaves for violence-hit Lakhimpur Kheri from the Lucknow airport.
He is now heading to pick up Priyanka Gandhi Vadra from Sitapur an approximately 2 hour drive. Priyanka has been in detention at a guesthouse in Sitapur since Monday.
The Congress leader is accompanied by the Chief Ministers of Punjab and Chhattisgarh, KC Venugopal and Randeep Surjewala.
15:18 Not allowed to leave Lucknow airport, says Rahul
Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and his entourage are now waiting at Lucknow airport to head to Lakhimpur Khera.
The distance of 130 km will be traversed by road.
This is the hiccup now:
"We want to go in our car (to Lakhimpur Kheri) but they (police) want to take us in their vehicle. I asked them to let me go in my personal vehicle. They're planning something. I'm sitting here," Rahul Gandhi said.
He added, "What kind of permission have I been granted by the UP Govt? These people are not letting me go out of the airport."
Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel who is also at Lucknow airport with Rahul announced a compensation of Rs 50 lakh each to the families of the farmers and the journalist who were mowed down by the SUV belonging to MoS Ajay Mishra Teni.
Punjab CM Charanjit Singh Channi who is part of the entourage along with KC Venugopal and Randeep Surjewala matched the Chhattisgarh government's compensation.
14:36 Modi, Yogi govts can be compared with British rule: Yechury
Reacting to the Lakhimpur Kheri incident, leader of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and former Rajya Sabha MP, Sitaram Yechury, on Wednesday, said the Narendra Modi government at the Centre and the Yogi Adityanath government in Uttar Pradesh could be compared to British rule in India.
"This sort of atrocities and brutalities were seen during the British rule and that is what Modi government and UP government is doing. This incident also reminds us of atrocities committed by Britishers in Champaran... This government has a habit of torturing and this habit is increasing every day," Yechury said.
On the issue of UP government denying permission to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to visit Lakhimpur Kheri citing the law and order situation, CPI leader said, "In India, any citizen can travel in any part of the country. Now, how a state government can say that you cannot enter my state? This is an outright violation of our constitution."
He demanded that the person responsible for the Lakhimpur Kheri incident should be put behind bars as soon as possible.
Rahul Gandhi with KC Venugopal
14:10 Rahul, entourage arrive in Lucknow
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi arrives at Lucknow airport.
He is accompanied by party leaders Bhupesh Baghel, Charanjit Channi, KC Venugopal and Randeep Surjewala.
The Uttar Pradesh government has granted permission to Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi and three other people to visit Lakhimpur Kheri.
The state govt has now permitted people in groups of five to visit Lakhimpur Kheri. "Anyone who wants to go there can go now. The state govt had imposed restrictions to maintain law & order, not to restrict any movement," ADG, Law & Order, Prashant Kumar said.
13:59 MoS Mishra meets Shah amid Lakhimpur row
Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Ajay Mishra Teni on Wednesday met Home Minister Amit Shah amid charges that his son ran over farmers in UP's Lakhimpur Kheri on Sunday.
Mishra was seen at the Ministry of Home Affairs in the national capital's North Block.
Opposition parties have demanded his resignation in the aftermath of the Lakhimpur Kheri incident.
Teni had earlier today clarified that he has not been summoned by the party high command.
He has also maintained that the SUV that ran over the farmers belonged to him but his son was not present in the car.
As many as eight people died in the Lakhimpur Kheri incident on Sunday.
13:17 UP govt nod for Rahul, Priyanka to visit Lakhimpur
Big news: The UP government has given permission to Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi and three other people to visit Lakhimpur Kheri, the State Home Department said.
13:02 Rahul, Channi, Baghel on the way to Lucknow
Congress MP Rahul Gandhi was briefly stopped from boarding a flight to Lucknow.
Gandhi accompanied by Punjab CM Charanjit Singh Channi, Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel and KC Venugopal and few other Congress leaders want to visit Lakhimpur Kheri to meet the families of farmers who died in Sunday's violence.
Sachin Pilot will be travelling to Lucknow by road.
The UP government has refused permission to Gandhi and the other leaders to step out of Lucknow.
Gandhi had addressed a press conference in Delhi, condemning what he called "a systematic attack on farmers" and pointing out "there used to be democracy in India..."
"There used to be democracy (now) there is dictatorship in India. Politicians cannot go to Uttar Pradesh. We are being told since yesterday that we cannot go to Uttar Pradesh," he had said.
Cong workers protest Priyanka Gandhi's detention
12:31 Now, Sachin Pilot en route to Lakhimpur
So, senior Congress leader Sachin Pilot landed in Delhi on Wednesday morning and set out for Sitapur in Uttar Pradesh by road straight from the airport.
Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra is in detention at the PAC compound in Sitapur since Monday morning. She was on her way to meet the families of farmers killed in Sunday's violence when she was stopped.
Pilot, who arrived in Delhi on a flight from Jaipur, will also try to visit Lakhimpur to meet the grieving families, the sources said.
The Ghaziabad Police, meanwhile, launched a special checking drive upon getting information about Pilot's intended visit to Lakhimpur Kheri.
"Every vehicle is being checked. The Ghaziabad administration will not permit Pilot to go Lakhimpur as his presence may cause law and order problems there," City Superintendent of Police (second) Gyanendra Singh, who is on duty at Ghazipur border, told PTI.
Four of the eight dead in Sunday's violence in Lakhimpur Kheri were farmers, allegedly knocked down by vehicles driven by BJP workers travelling to welcome Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya to an event in the area.
The four others included two BJP workers, a driver of Union Minister of State for Home Ajay Kumar Mishra, and Raman Kashyap, a journalist working for a private TV channel.
12:15 Is UP in Pakistan, asks a furious Sena
Lashing out at the BJP government, Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut questioned whether Uttar Pradesh is Pakistan as Indians are stopped from entering the state, adding that the administration is imposing Section 144 in the Lakhimpur Kheri but detaining opposition leaders in Lucknow.
Speaking to ANI on Lakhimpur Kheri violence where eight people died on Sunday, senior Shiv Sena leader Raut said, "Section 144 of CrPC is imposed in Lakhimpur Kheri and you (the government) are arresting (the opposition leaders) in Lucknow. What kind of law is this? Is UP is in Pakistan where the Indians are stopped from going? There is a restriction of movement from one state to another. Is this a new lockdown?"
He further said, "The administration is like a caged parrot of the ruling party and it follows whatever the instruction is given by the government. There is evidence of a vehicle running over the farmers..."
Raut added, "Priyanka Gandhi has been arrested, Rahul Gandhi is being stopped (from boarding a flight), a state CM is also stopped. What crime they have committed? Is there a new constitution in the country?"
Raut also said that all the opposition parties will discuss whether a delegation should be sent to Lakhimpur Kheri.
File pic
11:49 Stopped from checking on my wife: Robert Vadra
Robert Vadra on Wednesday said he had been stopped from going to Lucknow to "check on my wife (Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra) and make sure she is fine and well".
In a lengthy post on Facebook, Vadra wrote:
"I have been stopped to get to Lucknow, UP. to check on my wife and make sure she is fine and well.
I am shocked beyond belief, how Priyanka has been arrested under Section 151 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
I spoke with her yesterday & she informed me, that she has not been served with any order or notice. She has not been produced before a judicial officer & has not been allowed to meet her legal counsel.
I am really worried for her & I had packed my bag to go to Lucknow now, when I was informed that I won't be allowed to step out of the airport. This is totally shocking that as a husband I can't even go & support my wife.
Thankfully, she has a huge support of the masses.
But for me, my family & my wife comes first.
I really hope & pray that she is released soon & is back home safe."
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's extended detention has triggered furious protests from the Congress and other opposition leaders, including Sanjay Raut of the Shiv Sena.
11:34 Kejriwal to address presser on Lakhimpur violence today
Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal will address a press conference today on the Lakhimpur Kheri violence.
11:12 Never said ill words against farmers: MoS Teni
Reacting to viral video and audio of his speech, Union Minister of State (MoS) for Home Ajay Mishra Teni on Wednesday clarified that the audio is just a part of a speech and said that he has never said any ill words against the farmers.
Speaking to ANI over the phone, the MoS said: "The viral audio is just a portion from my address to farmers at an event. Ahead of the event, some miscreants had torn the hoardings and posters which had pictures of Bharat Mata and PM Narendra Modi in the area. The speech was with reference to that event."
"At the event, I had said that the people who had torn the hoardings and posters cannot be farmers. I am a farmer too."
"The entire video and audio have not been played. If the entire audio is heard, the real facts will come into the light. I have never said any ill words against the farmers. I am a farmer myself. No farmer can be behind this incident. Some miscreants present among farmers behind the incident," he said.
"When I said that people should know about my history, I meant that I started from District Panchayat and became what I am today. I had challenged the miscreants who were behind the incidents," he clarified.
Teni further alleged that some Khalistani elements were present at the site where the incident happened.
11:01 Rahul won't be allowed to visit Lakhimpur: UP govt
Best laid plans and intentions of Rahul Gandhi will come to naught before the UP police.
The UP government has refused permission to Rahul Gandhi to visit Lakhimpur Kheri.
"If he arrives in Lucknow, we'll request him at the airport not to visit Lakhimpur Kheri and Sitapur. SP and DM of Lakhimpur and Sitapur urged us to stop him from coming in the wake of law and order situation," DK Thakur, Lucknow Police Commissioner said.
Rahul Gandhi, Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel and Punjab CM Charanjit Channi will be part of a 5-member delegation visiting Lakhimpur Kheri, today.
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has been detained in Sitapur while trying to visit Lakhimpur Kheri on Monday. The Congress has alleged that drones were being used to monitor her movement.
10:51 'Lakhimpur Kheri reporter was alive but police took him to morgue'
While on Lakhimpur, this heartbreaking story from The Print.
Police deny allegations made by brother of Raman Kashyap, say he died after he was taken to hospital. Journalist Raman was one of 8 people killed in Lakhimpur Kheri Sunday.
Read the report here.
10:29 Systematic attack on farmers: Rahul
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel and Punjab CM Charanjit Channi are at the party office in Delhi.
A 5-member delegation led by Rahul Gandhi will visit Lakhimpur Kheri, Uttar Pradesh today.
Highlights from Rahul Gandhi's press conference.
Unlike the Prime Minister who has the unique distinction of not holding a single press conference since he assumed office in 2014, Gandhi has held several pressers over the years.
"Farmers are being mowed down by a jeep, they're being murdered, the name of a union minister and his son is coming up in this incident (Lakhimpur Kheri). Yesterday, PM visited Lucknow, but he didn't visit Lakhimpur Kheri. It's a systematic attack on farmers.
"Today, with two CMs we will visit Lakhimpur Kheri in Uttar Pradesh to understand the situation there and support the farmers' families. Yes, Priyanka has been put under detention (in Sitapur) but this is a matter relating to the farmers.
"It is your (media) responsibility to raise this issue, but when we ask questions, raise the issue, then, you (media) say that we are doing politics.
10:10 Car that ran over farmers ours: MoS Mishra
Union Minister of State Ajay Mishra has accepted that the vehicle seen running over farmers in Uttar Pradeshs Lakhimpur Kheri was indeed his.
Speaking to NDTV, Mishra said neither he nor his son was present at the spot when the incident happened.
"From Day One, we have been clear that the (Mahindra) Thar is ours, which is registered in our name. Tthe vehicle was going to receive someone after picking up our workers," Mishra said.
He further said,"My son was at another venue. From 11 am till the evening, he was organising another event. My son was present there, there were thousands there. There are photos and videos. If you take out his call records and CDR, location... can check all. Thousands of people are willing to give an affidavit also that Ashish Mishra was there," Mishra told NDTV.
According to the FIR lodged on a complaint of Jagjit Singh, a native of Bahraich district, Mishra's son Ashish Mishra alias Monu was sitting in the car that mowed down protesting farmers and he also opened fire at them
The FIR also alleged that 'provocative' statements of the Union minister of state for home had led to the farmers' protest here during which violence erupted and claimed the lives of eight people.
10:01 Ramayan's Ravan aka Arvind Trivedi passes away
Veteran actor Arvind Trivedi, best known for playing Raavan on the popular 1986 mythological show Ramayan, died on late Tuesday evening following a heart attack.
He was in his early 80s.
According to the actor's nephew, Kaustubh Trivedi, the actor had been unwell for a long time and breathed his last around 10 pm at his residence in Mumbai in suburban Kandivali.
"He had a lot of age related health issues and was not keeping well. He was in the hospital earlier and had come home only recently. He died of a heart attack at his residence around 10-10.30 pm," Kaustubh told PTI.
His last rites were held at Dahanukar Wadi cremation ground, Kandivali, on Wednesday morning.
A host of celebrities including his co-stars from Ramayan took to social media and mourned Arvind Trivedi's demise.
Actor Dipika Chikhalia, who essayed the role of Sita in "Ramayan", wrote, "My heartfelt condolences to his family a very fine human being #arvindtrivedi #ravan."
Actor Sunil Lahri, seen in the role of Lakshman in Ramayan, said he was deeply saddened by the news as he has lost a dear friend and a well-wisher.
"There is very sad news for all of us. Our beloved Arvind bhai (Ravan of Ramayan) is no more with us. May his soul rest in peace. I am speechless. I lost a father figure, my guide, well wisher & gentleman."
Arvind Trivedi also served as the chief of the Central Board for Film Certification from 2002-2003.
Current CBFC chief Prasoon Joshi also paid homage to the late actor on Twitter.
"Saddened to hear the news of respected Arvind ji's death. He was a good actor and also spent a few years guiding the #CBFC. Prayers. #ArvindTrivedi#arvindtrivedi," Joshi wrote.
"Sad to know about the demise of well known theatre, tv & film actor #ArvindTrivedi ji due to massive heart attack. My heartfelt condolences to his entire family & near ones. Om Shanti," wrote filmmaker Ashok Pandit.
Arvind Trivedi acted in nearly 300 Hindi and Gujarati movies and found immense popularity on the Ramanand Sagar 1986 TV series Ramayan.
The actor's other works, including TV series Vikram Aur Betaal (1985) and the 1998 Gujarati feature film Desh Re Joya Dada Pardesh Joya, were also huge hits.
Besides his acting career, in 1991, Arvind Trivedi was elected as a Member of Parliament from Sabarkatha constituency as a member of Bharatiya Janata Party and was in the office till 1996. -- PTI
09:06 Tikait gives UP govt week's time to arrest MoS' son
Bhartiya Kisan Union leader Rakesh Tikait has given a week's ultimatum to the Uttar Pradesh government for arresting Union Minister of State for Home Ajay Kumar Mishra's son, accused in an FIR of being behind farmers' death in Lakhimpur Kheri.
"We have given a week to the government to arrest the son of the Union MoS (Home). We all will gather here again on the day of bhog' (a ritual during the 13-day post-death mourning period) and then will discuss and decide the future strategy," Tikait told newspersons in Bahraich.
Tikait, who visited the house of Gurvinder Singh, a farmer from Moharnia village in Bahraich killed in the Lakhimpur violence, said the minister's son was seen by many people at the spot on the fateful day.
"People have several videos that will come up as soon as the net is restored," he said.
"The district administration has said they will arrest the minister's son in a week. If it does not happen, we will assemble at one place on the day of bhog' of all four farmers, when it is held in eight to ten days. We will then discuss and decide our next strategy," he added.
Tikait said people of the area have told him that the minister and his son are criminals.
"They are involved in diesel theft. They have three petrol pumps in Nepal where diesel is cheaper by Rs 15 to 20," he said.
Union MoS (Home) Misra's son Ashish Misra alias Monu has been named in an FIR lodged at a Lakhimpur Kheri police station. -- PTI
08:20 Lakhimpur: Autopsy of deceased farmer performed again
The post mortem of a farmer, Gurvinder Singh, who lost his life in the Lakhimpur Kheri violence was performed again on Wednesday, informed Dinesh Chandra, District Magistrate of Bahraich.
Speaking to ANI, Dinesh Chandra, DM of Bahraich, said, "An expert panel of doctors had come from Lucknow to monitor the post mortem, which was recorded in compliance with the orders from Chief Minister's Office. The panel will give the result. The post-mortem is being done again as the satisfaction of the family is our priority."
"Family of a person who died in Lakhimpur incident had raised doubts over post mortem and requested another one. The state government complied and post mortem was done again to ensure it is done impartially and transparently," he added.
The post mortem was done again as his family believed that he was shot dead.
A family member of the deceased, said, "I have no issue now. The team from the Lucknow came for the post-mortem. We will accept the result. After few rituals, the cremation will take place."
Eight people including four farmers had died in the violence in the Lakhimpur Kheri district in Uttar Pradesh on Sunday.
00:41 Modi meets noted investor Rakesh Jhunjhunwala
Prime Minister Narendra Modi
on Tuesday met well-known stock market investor Rakesh Jhunjhunwala,
noting that he is very bullish about the Indian economy.
'Delighted to meet the one and only Rakesh Jhunjhunwala... lively,
insightful and very bullish on India,' Modi tweeted.
The prime
minister also had a 'productive' meeting with Nunzio Quacquarelli, the
CEO and Managing Director of QS Quacquarelli Symonds Ltd, and said they
talked at length about aspects relating to the education sector. -- PTI
IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi with ace investor Rakesh Jhunjhunwala in a brief meeting, in New Delhi, on Tuesday. Photograph: Kind courtesy @narendramodi/Twitter
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