Justice Irshad Ali also directed deputy commissioner Harish Gidwani to surrender before its senior registrar at 3 pm on December 22. 

The high court's Lucknow bench passed the order on a contempt petition moved by Prashant Chandra. 

In his plea, he has alleged that the bench had on March 31, 2015, quashed an assessment notice of about Rs 52 lakh issued to him by the income tax department and also the consequential orders passed in pursuance to the notice, holding them to be without jurisdiction as the assessment should have been done in Delhi instead of Lucknow. 

Despite the bench's order, the outstanding of notice of the assessment year 2011-12 became operative on the web portal of the department for seven months, Chandra has alleged, pleading that it has ruined his reputation. 

Passing the order, Justice Ali said, "The fine only would not meet the ends of justice because Gidwani, deputy commissioner of Income Tax, Range-2, Lucknow, is a senior officer, who is the custodian of assessing the applicant and has committed a grossly reprehensible act and if he is not punished, it would send down a wrong signal to other officials of the Income Tax department that even such un-business like conduct invites only a warning or fine." 

"As per own admission of Gidwani's lawyer Manish Mishra, the outstanding amount was deleted from the web portal after seven months, which amounts deliberate and wilful disobedience of the judgment of this court," he said. -- PTI

Minister of State for Defence Ajay Bhatt told the Lok Sabha that the defence ministry has entrusted the BRO with the construction of roads in border areas, according to priority fixed by the Army based on a five-year Long Term Roll over Works Plan. 

In his written response, he also shared data on lengths of roads constructed across the country, according to which, a total of 257 roads spanning 13,525.417 km have been built in the last five years, in 10 states and three Union Territories.                  

The BRO has constructed 64 roads spanning 3,097 km in Arunachal Pradesh and 43 roads spanning 3,140 km in Ladakh in the last five years, according to the information shared.                  

India has been bolstering the infrastructure along the Line of Actual Control since the eastern Ladakh standoff in 2020.                  

The Border Roads Organisation functions under the Ministry of Defence.                  

The details of roads constructed in other states and Union Territories include -- 18 roads (663.535 km) in Sikkim; 22 roads (947.21 km) in Uttarakhand; 61 roads (2381.963 km) in UT of Jammu & Kashmir; 13 roads (884.309 km) in Rajasthan.                  

"In addition, the Government of India is implementing the Border Area Development Programme through the state governments and Union Territory administrations in habitations located within 0-10 km from the first habitation at international border in 117 border districts of 16 states and two Union Territories," Bhatt said in his response. -- PTI

Purohit is currently out on bail. 

The launch of Lt Colonel Purohit - The Man Betrayed written by Smita Mishra is scheduled to take place on December 18 at SP College in Pune in the presence of former police commissioner Jayant Umranikar, BJP MP and former IPS officer Dr Satyapal Singh and former additional director general of police Sanjay Barve. 

Mulnivasi Muslim Manch and Bhim Army Bahujan Ekta Manch have written to the SP College authorities asking them to withdraw the permission for the programme. 

In a letter submitted to the college authorities and local police station, Anjum Inamdar, president of the Mulnivasi Muslim Manch, said that it was not appropriate to hold the event as the trial is going on before the NIA court. 

Ranjit Natu, one of the organizers, told PTI that the book is already available in book shops and on e-commerce websites. 

"As per my knowledge, already 2,000 copies have been sold. The book release on December 18 is just a formal launch event," he said. 

"I had earlier clarified this with the author that while writing the book, she did not take any information from Col Purohit. All the data and information is taken from open sources and the Internet," Natu said. 

The programme will take place as per the schedule, he added. -- PTI

According to various media reports on Thursday, the parents and US Coastal Guard authorities stated that the teen's bicycle, bag and phone were found at the bridge. 

And the guard also said that the incident happened around 4:58 pm. 

The Coastal Guard team began a rescue operation after they saw "a human" jumping from the bridge. 

The operation reportedly stretched over two hours. 

The recent suicide case raised eyebrows about the common cases of depression. 

According to psychiatrists, depression in children and adolescents is harder to detect than in adults and is often seen as anxiety, disruptive behaviour and personality disorders in younger people. 

The symptoms of depression in adolescents, say experts, can differ from the adult population with adolescents tending to have more frequently somatic symptoms, anxiety, disruptive behaviour and personality disorders "Children don't present with anhedonia and sadness. 

They look completely normal. But they have strong suicidal ideation," says Dr Arati Rao, an oncologist in San Francisco. -- ANI

Senior superintendent of police, Muzaffarpur, Jayant Kant told reporters that the arrested person, Ravi Chaurasia, came in contact with the woman on Facebook, who used a pseudonym, fell in love and remained smitten even after she revealed her identity.                 

"Chaurasia, who hails from Munger district, works at the registry office here. He formerly worked at an ordnance factory at Avadi near Chennai. He has confessed to have passed on sensitive information to the woman," said Kant.                 

The SSP said Chaurasia also received money in his bank account in exchange for the information he passed on from his mobile phone, where many photographs of the ordnance factory and screenshots of documents were found saved. -- PTI

According to a media report, BYJU's is facing a range of complaints on social media platforms and consumer websites with customers alleging that they were exploited and deceived as they had to put their savings and futures in jeopardy. 

The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights, taking cognisance of the matter, has summoned BYJU's CEO Byju Raveendran to appear before it next week. 

"The Commission is in observance that indulging into malpractices to lure the parents or children into entering loan based agreements and then causing exploitation is against the welfare of children and in pursuance of the functions and powers under Section 13 and 14 of CPCR Act, 2005," NCPCR said. 

The Commission asked the company to appear in person before it along with the details of all the courses run by BYJU's for children the structure of these courses and the fee details, the number of students currently enrolled in each course, the refund policy of BYJU'S. -- PTI

Big B inaugurated the 28th edition of the film festival on Thursday. KIFF is holding an exhibition on a living legend for the first time. 

Earlier, similar exhibitions were held on auteur Satyajit Ray, thespian Soumitra Chatterjee, Ingmar Bergman and Akira Kurosawa.

The exhibition, which is being held at two venues in Gaganendra Pradarshansala and Nazrul Tirtha, will continue till December 22.

Exhibition curator and KIFF office-bearer Sudeshna Roy told PTI, "Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had first broached the idea of doing something as a mark of tribute to Big B, and KIFF chairperson Raj Chakraborty and others decided to hold the exhibition."

The exhibition is divided into different sections covering his lifetime.

The first section dates to October 11, 1942 when Bachchan was born, showcasing a photograph of smiling Big B with his father and eminent poet Harivansh Rai Bachchan. -- PTI

Gandhi, along with Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, AICC general secretary KC Venugopal, state in-charge Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, attended the concert at Albert Hall in Jaipur. 

Playback singer Sunidhi Chauhan and other singers gave performances at the event. 

Besides Bharat Yatris', those who are participating in the yatra, senior Congress leaders and party workers were present in the concert. 

Bharat Jodo Yatra' started from Kanyakumari on September 7 and covered Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Telangana, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh before entering the Congress-ruled Rajasthan. 

It will conclude in Jammu and Kashmir in early February 2023. -- PTI

The detection of three new cases took the tally to 475, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation official added. 

The city has also witnessed five deaths, though confirmation of it being caused by measles is yet to be received, he said. 

The five-month-old boy, who was not eligible for measles vaccination, died in Govandi on December 13 of "acute respiratory failure due to bronchopneumonia with measles". 

However, a report on Friday confirmed measles as the cause of death, the BMC said in a release. 

The release said 37 children were admitted in hospitals during the day and 26 were discharged. 

Out of 2,57,525 children in the 9-month to 5-years age group, a total of 48,093 children were given additional doses of the Measles-Rubella special dose at 72 health posts, it said. 

Of the 5,293 children in 6-9 months age group in 21 health posts, where measles count in this segment was more than 10 per cent of lab confirmed cases, zero dose of MR vaccine was administered to 1,331 children, the release informed. -- PTI

Justice S Sunil Dutt Yadav issued the stay on the eve of the winter vacation of the high court. 

The interim stay will be in force till the next date of hearing. 

Senior advocate A S Ponnanna appearing for the Congress party leaders submitted that it was alleged two music clips from the movie were used in the videos related to the Bharat Jodo yatra. 

A suit in a commercial court was filed two days before the police complaint was lodged in the Yeshwantpur police station in Bengaluru though the yatra did not pass through the city. 

The commercial court's order to freeze the social media handles of the Congress party was set aside by the high court after the party promised to remove the alleged offending content. 

Ponnanna informed the court that though the content was removed, MRT Studio filed a contempt petition. Ponnanna argued that the issue was related to copyright infringement but a criminal complaint was filed and immediately a FIR was registered by the police. 

"Copyright is statutory right. In the absence of a cognizable offence, (the) FIR is bad in law," he pointed out. He said the video is not from the KGF movie but only a part of the song which was synchronised with the visuals of the yatra. -- PTI

The accused, identified as Jatin Lamba, Harshad Madaan and Vikas Gupta, were held in Delhi after police conducted overnight raids, whereas their counterpart Jayant Bhatia was arrested by Canadian Law Enforcement Agency from Toronto and Kulwinder Singh was arrested by the FBI, USA from New Jersey, they said. 

The police said Jatin Lamba with his brother Gagan Lamba was running a company from Ganesh Nagar, New Delhi camouflaging as a tech support company and used to run call centres that targeted US citizens. 

Deputy commissioner of police (IFSO, Special Cell) Prashant K Gautam said Gupta has been involved in the scam as calling agent to provide tech support to fix the technical glitch in the computer of the victim. 

Madaan, the DCP said, used to mobilize the cheated funds to the account of the alleged company on commission basis as he had arranged bank accounts in a fraudulently-created companies WebMaster and Webleaders in United States to collect the amount from victims in US and then transfer the same through wire to the account of alleged company in Delhi. 

According to police, the matter came to light after the Federal Bureau of Investigation approached the Delhi Police through Interpol Wing of the CBI with details of cyber criminals who had been operating full-fledged call centres from Delhi and adjoining areas to defraud senior citizens of the US on the pretext of providing them tech support against malfunctioning of their computers. 

According to the information shared by the US, there are more than 20,000 victims who have fallen prey to such schemes of crime devised and executed by the criminals based in India, causing revenue loss of more than USD 10 million to America between 2012 and 2020, the police said. -- PTI

The woman, locally identified as a 40-year-old Malayali nurse from Kottayam, and her six-year-old son and four-year-old daughter died after being discovered in their home in the town of Kettering.                 

A 52-year-old man, believed to be the woman's husband, has been arrested on suspicion of murder in connection with the incident and remains in police custody. 

The Northamptonshire police said officers are not seeking anyone else in relation to the desperately sad case.                 

"There are no words to describe how upsetting this incident is, but I want to reassure the public that we have a team of detectives working on the case, absolutely determined to get justice for this woman and the two children," said superintendent Steve Freeman, Local Policing Area Commander for Northamptonshire police.                 

"We understand that the local community, and indeed many people across the country, will be shocked by this event. It is a desperately sad incident and I want to be absolutely clear on our unwavering commitment in establishing what has happened here and in seeking justice for this woman and these young children," he said.                 

He said the man they arrested is being questioned by detectives in custody and asked for anyone with any information to contact them.                 

Police officers were called to the residential property on Thursday morning and said that despite their best efforts and that of the paramedics, the woman died at the scene and the two children later died in the hospital.                 

Forensic post-mortem examinations to establish the cause of death will be taking place in the coming days after which the names of the victims will be formally released. -- PTI

The Mumbai police tightened security arrangements so that no law and order problem arises.   

"More than 2,000 police personnel will be deployed to keep an eye on the rally of Maha Vikas Aghadi in which two additional commissioners and four-five DCPs are also included," said the police.      

During this rally, Central Reserve Police Force contingent will also be deployed.      

According to the police, if the crowd increases too much, then the Mumbai police will also use drones from time to time for surveillance through drone cameras.      

Earlier in the day, Mumbai police gave permission to MVA for its protest march in Mumbai on December 17 against the Eknath Shinde government and the governor. 

The march is scheduled to culminate in a rally outside Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus Maharaj station, where all the senior opposition leaders, including Shiv Sena-UBT chief Uddhav Thackeray, will address the crowd. 

NCP chief Sharad Pawar may participate in the rally.  -- ANI

The accounts of Ryan Mac of The New York Times, Donie O'Sullivan of CNN, Drew Harwell of The Washington Post, Matt Binder of Mashable, Micah Lee of The Intercept, Steve Herman of Voice of America, and independent journalists Aaron Rupar, Keith Olbermann as well as Tony Webster had all been suspended as of Thursday evening, CNN reported.

The journalists, however, found a backdoor way onto the platform through the website's audio function, and hours later of suspension faced off with Musk in a Twitter Space audio discussion before an audience of more than 30,000 listeners.

"You doxx, you get suspended. End of story. That's it," Musk said to one of the suspended journalists, explaining his latest policy to the group before he left minutes after having joined the discussion.

Musk was referring to Twitter's latest rule change about accounts that track private jets, including one owned by Musk himself, which was put in place on Wednesday.

The Twitter account for Mastodon, a platform billed as a Twitter alternative, was also suspended early on Thursday evening.

Twitter accounts operated by NBC News journalists were unable to tweet any links to Mastodon pages. Mastodon was, however, trending on Twitter.

According to NBC News, Musk said the suspensions stemmed from the platform's new rules banning private jet trackers, responding to a tweet from Mike Solana, a vice president of the venture capital firm Founders Fund, who noted that the suspended accounts had posted links to jet trackers on other websites.

"Criticising me all day long is totally fine, but doxxing my real-time location and endangering my family is not," he said in another tweet.

Doxxing refers to the practice of sharing someone's home address or other personal information online. Musk tweeted that the accounts banned on Thursday posted "my exact real-time location, basically assassination coordinates, in (obvious) direct violation of Twitter terms of service".

Musk later added that the suspensions would last seven days. -- PTI

The Eastern Zonal Council comprises West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, and Odisha. 

It will be attended by chief ministers, ministers, chief secretaries, principal secretaries, and senior officers of the member states and senior officers of central government, a home ministry official said. 

The meeting of the council is also expected to discuss power and other issues of common interests, the official said. 

As per the established procedure and practice, the zonal council meeting is preceded by a standing committee of the council, in which the agenda items to be placed before the council are scrutinised and listed in order of priority. 

The Modi government has been regularly holding meetings of the zonal councils as a part of its strategy to strengthen and promote cooperative and competitive federalism in the country, another official said. -- PTI

The charge-sheet was filed before the special NIA court in Mumbai. 

The court had in September granted the central agency 90 days' extension to file the charge-sheet. Kolhe was killed in eastern Maharashtra's Amravati city on June 21, 2022 after sharing on social media a post supporting suspended BJP leader Nupur Sharma over her controversial remarks about Prophet Mohammed. 

The NIA registered a case on July 2 on the directions of the Ministry of Home Affairs under Indian Penal Code sections 120-B (criminal conspiracy), 302 (murder), 153-A (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, etc) and 153-B (imputations, assertions prejudicial to national integration), and provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. -- PTI

The Shiv Sena-UBT, Nationalist Congress Party and Congress, which are partners in the MVA, have already announced that they would take out a morcha (protest march) against the Maharashtra government in the city on Saturday. 

Mumbai BJP president Ashish Shelar told reporters on Friday that Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut tried to create a controversy over Ambedkar's birthplace, while another leader Sushma Andhare `insulted' Lord Ram, Lord Krishna, saint Dynaneshwar and saint Eknath as well as the Warkari community. 

"Is this not anti-Maharashtra?" he asked. 

Despite his party's leaders "insulting Hindu gods and hurting Hindu sentiments," Uddhav Thackeray was not ready to break his silence, Shelar said. 

"Why conduct the farce of a protest march,'' he asked. 

Shelar, a former minister, alleged that Raut made a false statement that Ambedkar was born in Maharashtra which was an attempt to create controversy over his birthplace. 

''Congress defeated Ambedkar in elections in the past, and Uddhav Thackeray joined hands with the Congress to form government. Hence, `Maafi Maango (apologise) marches have been organised in all six Lok Sabha constituencies in Mumbai," he said. -- PTI

An officer of Erumely police station said the accident occurred at around 3.30 pm when the vehicle was trying to navigate a treacherous hairpin curve there which is prone to accidents.         

"A lot of accidents take place here as the road goes steep downhill right after the hairpin curve," she said.         

The officer said it was believed that mechanical failure of the minibus was the cause for the accident, but it was not confirmed.         

There were 20 pilgrims, including five children, and the driver in the bus, she said, adding that 12 people were admitted to the nearby medical college for treatment. 

"No one else suffered any major injuries," she said. -- PTI

The meeting between Walkar, who was accompanied by Bharatiya Janata Party Kirit Somaiya, and Pandey lasted about 40 minutes. 

During the meeting, Walkar referred to the letter written to the police by his daughter in 2020, in which she had alleged that Poonawala abused her, beat her up, tried to kill her and also threatened to cut her into pieces, a local BJP office-bearer who was present for the meeting said. 

Walkar raised the issue of delay in action by the local police, he said. 

MBVV police chief Pandey assured the delegation that the police will not spare anyone and appropriate action would be taken against the guilty, he added. 

Poonawala allegedly strangled Shraddha and cut her body into 35 pieces which he kept in a 300-litre fridge for almost three weeks at his residence in Mehrauli in south Delhi in May this year, before dumping them across the city over several days. -- PTI

Deputy superintendent of police (Bansdih) Rajesh Kumar Tiwari said that Shailendra Singh is posted in Maniyar police station.

In the video, which appeared on social media on Friday, Singh was shown flexing his clout while drunk, and boasting about his caste, he said.

Ballia police in a tweet said that superintendent of police RK Nayyar has ordered the suspension of Shailendra Singh, and that the matter will be probed by a deputy superintendent of police. -- PTI

Rahul Gandhi on 100 days of Bharat Jodo Yatra: "Critics felt Bharat Jodo Yatra will fail in Rajasthan due to factionalism, but it's been a huge success here. We saw that it's not just party workers, general public also loves Congress a lot."

"If we utilise our workers well, we will be able to ensure a massive victory for Congress in Rajasthan," Rahul Gandhi said addressing a press conference.

"If some lack courage to take on BJP, they're welcome to leave; we need people who believe in Congress," Gandhi on exodus from the party.

The two leaders spoke over a phone call.

Following up on their meeting in Samarkand on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit, the two leaders also reviewed several aspects of the bilateral relationship, including energy cooperation, trade and investments, defence and security cooperation, and other key areas, the PM's office said.

The Prime Minister also briefed President Putin on India's ongoing Presidency of the G-20, highlighting its key priorities.  

The activists of Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad staged a protest against the shooting of Shah Rukh Khan starrer 'Return Ticket' at Panchvati in Jabalpur district of Madhya Pradesh on Friday. 

Three places in Bhedaghat in the district have been selected for the shooting of the film Return Ticket. 

The shooting started at Bhedaghat this morning, but as soon as the activists of Bajrang Dal and VHP heard about it, they reached Panchvati and started opposing the shooting.

The police reached the spot and tried to convince the activists but they did not listen and sat on dharna outside Panchavati.

Activist Sumit Singh Thakur said, "We have staged a protest that the way our 'saffron' colour has been insulted in the Pathan movie, we will not allow the shooting of such actors and filmmakers here. The shooting of the movie at Bhedaghat should be stopped immediately. We have also requested the collector to think before giving permission for the shooting that insults our Sanatan Dharma.

"We have recited Hanuman Chalisa for purification of the land. We will purify the land with Gau-Mutra after the shooting," he added.

The delegates of G20 Development Working Group were be treated to a heritage walk at the iconic Gateway of India and an excursion to the Kanheri Caves today. 

The Kanheri Caves located deep inside the Sanjay Gandhi National Park is one of the major tourist attractions in the financial capital of Mumbai. Chiseled out of a massive basaltic rock outcrop, the cave complex demonstrates Buddhist style in art and architecture.

 A huge crowd gathered at the school following the incident that took place at the Prathmik Vidyalaya in central Delhi's Model Basti area, they said.

 The police reached the spot and brought the situation under control, officials said. 

 The class teacher, identified as Geeta Deshwal, first hit the girl with a small scissor and then threw her off from the first floor of the building, a senior police officer said. 

 The injured girl child is under treatment at the Hindu Rao hospital and is stated to be out of danger, he said. The accused has been detained, the officer added. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central) Shweta Chauhan said a case of attempt to murder under section 307 of the Indian Penal Code is being registered on the statement of the eyewitness.

 "The student has been admitted to Hindu Rao Hospital. All necessary tests including CT scan has been done. The child is safe and stable and responding well.

"The teacher has been detained by police. The MCD has also suspended her with immediate effect. Further investigation is being conducted by the department," a senior MCD official told PTI.

The delegates of the G20 Development Working Group were treated to a heritage walk at the iconic Gateway of India and an excursion to an ancient place in Mumbai today.

 

Can you guess the place?

Sitharaman, scheduled to present her fifth straight Budget on February 1 for the fiscal starting April, had unveiled a massive public spending programme to support the economy, emerging out of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

 In the Budget, the finance minister had raised capital expenditure by 35.4 per cent for the financial year 2022-23 to Rs 7.5 lakh crore to boost demand, while the capex last year stood at Rs 5.5 lakh crore. 

 "It is very inspiring and motivating for me, especially at a time when we are readying the next budget for the country, a budget which will follow the spirit of the earlier Budgets. We are going to set the template, which was set to earlier but follow it and take it further for India's next 25 years...," she said at an event in New Delhi. 

 The GDP growth has slowed in recent months due to global headwinds and rising interest rates globally to control spiralling inflation.

 This has prompted some to seek a further government push to revive the growth rate. The Budget 2023-24 will be presented in the backdrop of many institutions, including the Reserve Bank, slashing India's growth forecast to 6.8 per cent or so for the current fiscal. 

 The RBI projected the real GDP growth for 2022-23 at 6.8 per cent, with the third quarter at 4.4 per cent and the fourth at 4.2 per cent. -- PTI

 While responding to a supplementary question by Chandra Sekhar Sahu of the BJD on fortified food for children, Irani referred to him as "gentleman" which was objected to by Chowdhury who said that as per parliamentary procedures she should have referred to him as "honourable member". 

 Irani said Chowdhury was interrupting her reply to impress his "political masters". 

Chowdhury was supported by another Congress member, K Suresh. Congress leader Sonia Gandhi was also present in the House.

 "I would...request the member who stands here trying to ensure that I do not speak to score political brownie points.... For him to presume that the gentleman is not a gentleman is an issue to deal (with) between the gentleman and the so-called member," Irani said. PTI

 Addressing the 'UNSC Briefing: Global Counterterrorism Approach: Challenges and Way Forward' via video link on Thursday, Kulthe recalled the horror that the victims of the attacks went through on that fateful day when 10 Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists launched coordinated shooting and bombing attacks in Mumbai at five major locations, killing 166 people and injuring over 300 people. 

Kulthe, who was a staff nurse at the Cama and Albless Hospital for Women and Children when the attack took place, told the Security Council members that Kasab did not show even an "iota of remorse" when she saw him in jail after he was captured alive. 

 She reportedly saw two terrorists, including Kasab, storm into the gates of the hospital and kill the guards. 

 The LeT terrorists targeted five prominent places of the financial capital - Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus railway station, Nariman House business and residential complex, Cama Hospital, Leopold Cafe, the Oberoi-Trident Hotel, and Taj Hotel and Tower.

Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhuri compliments Air Commodore Nitin Sathe (retd) on his book, 1971. 1999. War Stories, which was released last month.

The book covers the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation and 1999 Kargil wars with passing reference to the Western Front through anecdotal stories starting with his dad, Col BK Sathes Mountain Artillery exploits with the then-fledgling Mukti Bahini inside East Pakistan. 

The Air Chief Marshal writes in a note to Sathe, "I would like to place on record my compliments on a well researched book on the 1971 war and the Kargil conflict. The book aptly brings out various aspects of operations carried out at the icy heights of Kargil and the muddy landing grounds of erstwhile East Pakistan."

The stories in Sathe's book is a compendium of his writings for Rediff.com over many years.

Air Commodore Nitin Sathe is also the author of  2004 Tsunami: The IAF Story: a Few Good Men and the Angry Sea; Born to Fly: Fighter Pilot MP Anil Kumar Teaches Us There is No Battle the Mind Cannot Win and Up in the Sky: Helicopter Stories. 

 The hearing is likely to take place on Saturday before Additional Sessions Judge Vrinda Kumari, he added. 

 As the initial investigation in the case is complete and the chargesheet is yet to be filed, there is no purpose in keeping the accused in judicial custody, the lawyer said. 

 On December 9, Poonawala's judicial custody was extended by 14 days. Poonawala (28) allegedly chopped Walkar's body into 35 pieces and kept those in a 300-litre refrigerator for almost three weeks at his residence in south Delhi's Mehrauli, before dumping those across the city over several days. PTI

Addressing an event organised by industry body FICCI, Gadkari said the central government is aiming to boost growth and employment to achieve sustainable development. 

The road transport and highways minister said India will play a key role in achieving global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030. 

Gadkari noted that India needs to increase its exports and reduce imports. "We are also working on developing alternative, clean and green fuel like bio ethanol, bio-CNG, bio-LNG and green hydrogen," he said, adding green hydrogen is the fuel for the future. 

 The minister said currently India's automobile industry is worth Rs 7.5 lakh crore and he wants to take it to Rs 15 lakh crore.

"This will create lots of new jobs." He also said his focus is on reducing cost of construction. "We are trying to minimise use of steel and cement." PTI

 In recent weeks, the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) in the national capital has been grappling with congestion, resulting in long waiting hours for passengers and many of them have been complaining about the situation on social media. Against this backdrop, all agencies concerned are taking action, including increasing the number of security personnel at the gates, to reduce the congestion amid rising domestic air passenger traffic. 

 "Within 9 days, @DelhiAirport has installed 5 x-ray machines at the security-check area, taking the total to 18 ATRS/x-ray machines a major reason behind ease in congestion at T3," Scindia said in a tweet. 

 On Thursday, members of a Parliamentary panel questioned officials of Delhi airport operator DIAL (Delhi International Airport Ltd) about congestion at the airport and they assured the committee that the issues will be resolved by the end of this month. PTI

In an interview with PTI, Venugopal also exuded confidence that the Congress would win the Rajasthan assembly polls next year and return to power. 

His remarks come after a major row erupted last month following Gehlot's comments that Pilot is a 'gaddar' (traitor) and cannot replace him. 

The remarks drew a sharp response from Pilot who had said it was unbecoming of Gehlot's stature to use that kind of language and that such "mud-slinging" would not help at a time the focus should be on the yatra.

 Asked about the row and whether the differences between Gehlot and Pilot would be resolved, Venugopal, who is participating in the Rahul Gandhi-led Bharat Jodo Yatra, said, "Everything will be resolved smoothly." 

"The party is very much united and working together," the AICC general secretary organisation said. 

"We will win definitely, our chances are very bright," he said referring to the Rajasthan Assembly polls next year. 

 The escalation of the Gehlot-Pilot rift just ahead of the entry of yatra into the desert state had put the party in a spot but Venugopal's visit to the state last week calmed tempers and in a show of unity both Pilot and Gehlot posed for the cameras along with the AICC general secretary. -- PTI

 After chairing a signature event in the Security Council held under India's presidency on Global Counterterrorism Approach: Challenges and Way Forward,' Jaishankar on Thursday hosted the special lunch for the UN leaders. 

 "Delighted to welcome UNSG @antonioguterres and UNSC members for a millet lunch' in New York today. As we head into International Year of Millets 2023, a strong message for their greater production, consumption and promotion would help global food security and enhance sustainability in agriculture," Jaishankar tweeted. 

 Jaishankar said the luncheon with the Secretary-General and Security Council members is themed on the International Year of Millets 2023 which we have been promoting." 

 "So I hope to familiarise Council members more with the virtues of millet," he said. 

 The year 2023 has been designated as the 'International Year of Millets' after a proposal for the same was brought forward by the Government of India and endorsed by members of FAO (Food and Agriculture Organisation) Governing Bodies, as well as by the 75th session of the UN General Assembly.

Millets include Bajra, Ragi, Nachni, Kangni and are popularly known as superfoods for the immense benefits they offer towards a healthy gut. 

 China rushed in as a knight in shining armour to shield Myanmar, beset by a global boycott and turmoil following the overthrow of the legitimate elected civilian government of Aung San Suu Kyi, Tatum says, reminding, "However, such a savior's act seldom comes for free". 

 "The dragon, the apostle of development, chooses to take underdeveloped nations for a ride and later arm-twists them into making diplomatic and economic concessions. There is little doubt that China clamours to solve Myanmar's problem only to serve its own ends." 

 China has its eyes on Myanmar's natural resources for its economic gains, says the writer whose pen name is Roalnd Tatum. 

 China stepped into Myanmar at a time of political and economic crisis due to Myanmar's recent coup.

 Foreign firms were leaving the country suffering from poverty, unemployment and the country's military after failing to implement an agreed five-point consensus, was blocked from attending the ASEAN meetings. 

 At this time, China was quick to recognize Myanmar's authoritarian regime, legitimising it by branding the coup as a "cabinet reshuffle".

 For China's continued support and investments, the Myanmar generals bartered their natural resources, including timber, jade, copper and gas. 

As a result, China obtained massive gas fields and land for the Kyaukphyu port and the SEZ in Rakhine State for free. According to Mizzima News, China continues with its ambitious Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) through Myanmar, with a view to effecting economic and military domination in the Indian Ocean. Only Myanmar could give China access to both the Indian Ocean and the Pacific to fend off the perceived encirclement of its borders. 

 The development of China Myanmar Economic Corridor (CMEC) is therefore going on in full swing. Through the project, the Chinese government aims to build a transport corridor comprising roads, railroads and economic special zones from Kunming in China's Yunnan province to Myanmar's west coast. 

 It includes a deep-sea port as part of the BRI in Kyaukphyu, to which the junta is extending much-needed assistance, reported Mizzima News.

 The new passageway will act as a substitute for the Malacca Strait which is currently under the dominance of the US military. The route, an important one, accounts for 80 per cent of the Chinese import of oil and gas.

 It is not a stretch to imagine that the Kyaukphyu deep-sea port could double up as a site for the future deployment of the Chinese Navy, writes Roland Tatum for Mizzima News.

Congress MPs sought setting aside of the business of the day to take up a debate on the issue but when the chair did not permit, they shouted slogans and trooped into the well of the House, forcing Deputy Chairman Harivansh to adjourn proceedings. PTI

 The deceased has been identified as Vasudeva Salian, a resident of Nadipatna. Sources said the man ran towards the sea to get away from the attack of swarm of bees. However, before he could run to safety, the bees had stung him all over his body. 

 Many others in the area who were also attacked by the bees received treatment at various hospitals. Padubidri police have registered a case. PTI 

Stating that there are different perceptions of the Line of Actual Control by the Indian Army and China's PLA at several points, he said that in one of these areas in the Tawang sector, the PLA transgressed, which was very firmly contested by Indian forces on ground. 

"It led to some amount of physical violence, but it was contained at local level resorting to existing bilateral mechanisms and protocols," Kalita said.

He said that there were some minor injuries to soldiers on both sides. "Local commanders were able to resolve the issue by carrying out negotiations resorting to existing protocols," the Eastern Army Commander said. 

He said that this was followed by flag meeting at the delegation level at Bumla, wherein the issue was resolved further. 

He added that there is a protocol being followed in Doklam area by both sides in which there's regular interaction between local commanders so that no constructions come up on both sides. "No fresh development as far as Dolkam is concerned, with regard to infrastructure development," Lt Gen Kalita said. 

Senator James Lankford sent a letter to Blinken after the State Department in its annual release of Countries of Particular Concern, Special Watch List, and Entities of Particular Concern designations did not follow the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom's recommendations, specific to India, Nigeria, and Afghanistan. 

 In its report early this year, the USCIRF had urged the Department of State to designate India as a country of particular concern on religious freedom issues.

The Biden administration did not agree with the recommendations of the USCIRF. 

Lankford is asking for the State Department's legally required explanation to Congress on its designations, a media release said.

India was not formally designated despite overt and repeated severe violations of religious freedom. India is an important security partner for the United States and a key counter-weight against China in the Indo-Pacific region, he wrote. 

 In the context of that partnership, the United States must have a robust discussion about the deteriorating religious freedom conditions for religious minorities in India, Lankford said. 

 The purpose of any designation is to shine a light on the most egregious religious freedom violators and promote continued engagement on the value of religious liberty at all levels of government, he said.

 Masrakh Station House Officer (SHO) Ritesh Mishra and Constable Vikesh Tiwari were suspended immediately after the Tuesday night tragedy on the recommendation of Marhaura Sub-Divisional Police Officer, Yogendra Kumar.

 Most deaths have occurred over Wednesday and Thursday creating an uproar both at the state and national level as sale and consumption of alcohol have been banned in Bihar by the Nitish Kumar government since April 2016.

 Nitish Kumar's former ally, BJP, have come down heavily on him with MPs of the Bharatiya Janata Party from the state raising the issue in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday. 

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, when questioned regarding the Chhapra Hooch tragedy, on Thursday told media that "if someone consumes liquor, they will die", that has not gone down well with victim families among others. -- ANI

Answering a question from a Pakistani journalist, who accused India of spreading terrorism, Jaishankar replied, " You are asking the wrong minister when you say how long will we do this. It is the ministers of Pakistan, who will tell how long Pakistan intends to practice terrorism." 

In a sharp retort, Jaishankar said the world isn't stupid and it is not forgetful. "...The world increasingly calls out countries, organisations indulging in terrorism...my advice is to clean up your act and try to be good a neighbour."

During a media stakeout at the UN, Jaishankar said the world today sees Pakistan as the epicenter of terrorism who has its fingerprints over a lot of terrorist activities. "I know we have been through two and half years of COVID and a lot of us have brain fog as a result. I can assure the world has not forgotten ...that who has their fingerprints over a lot of activities in the region and beyond the region," he added. -- ANI

Thus, a bigger portion of the Pakistan army was deployed in West Pakistan and a much smaller force was kept in East Pakistan to defend the border. Sahibzada Yakub Khan who was posted as commander, Eastern Command, in 1969 had conceived a security plan titled 'Op Blitz', meant to counter any unrest in East Pakistan. 

This was formulated much before the 1970 elections and on 11 December 1970, within days of the general elections in Pakistan the plan was operationalized. 

It authorized the commander, Eastern Command, to take control of the entire civil administration and restore law and order with complete freedom in the exercise of his powers.

The Hamoodur Rehman Commission (HRC) set up to enquire into the surrender in Dacca, in its report confirmed that 'The decision not to hand over power, and the use of a military crackdown codenamed "Operation Blitz" had been prepared well ahead'; and 'the negotiations which were carried on from the middle of March up to this date were no more than a camouflage, it being all along the intention of Gen. Yahya Khan and his military advisers to cow down the Awami League with a heavy hand.

The excesses carried out by the Pakistan army in East Pakistan have been very well documented. According to Lt Gen A A K Niazi, Commander Eastern Command and Chief Martial Law Administrator, his predecessor Lt Gen Tikka Khan's policy was brutal--killing of civilians and scorched the earth. 

His order to the troops was: 'I want the land and not the people.' 

Major General Farman Ali and Brig. (later Lieutenant General) Jahanzeb Arbab carried out these orders faithfully. Farman had written in his table diary, 'Green land of East Pakistan will be painted red.' 

Niazi goes on to say: 'The military action was a display of stark cruelty, more merciless than the massacres at Bukhara and Baghdad by Changez Khan and Halaku Khan, or at Jallianwala Bagh by the British General Dyer.

During his interrogation in India after the war, General Niazi said that Pakistan's strategy was centred on the premise that India had 'planned only a limited action' for establishing Bangladesh Government in East Pakistan.

 On the basis of this assessment, Pakistan deployed her forces thinly all along the border spread out over twenty-five hundred miles and ordered them to hold on at any cost. 

As a result, Pakistani troops were pinned down at the periphery. This enabled the Mukti Bahini to expand their sway inside East Pakistan. In reality, the Indian objective was not capturing a chunk of territory but by the time this was realized, it was much too late for Pakistan to rectify its strategic mistake.On 9 July 1971, Henry Kissinger arrived in Islamabad en route to his secret trip to Beijing. 

During the discussions with Yahya, he realized that 'Yahya... fundamentally was oblivious to his perils and unprepared to face realities.' On his return to the US, Kissinger briefed the National Security Council that India was determined on a war with Pakistan and that Yahya 'lacked the imagination to solve the political problem in time to prevent an Indian assault.' He thus recommended that the US should prepare for an 'evolution that would lead to eventual independence for East Pakistan.'The Pakistani attack on 3 December 1971 pivoted around pre-emptive air strikes against Indian airfields. In all, thirty-two aircraft out of an inventory of 278 fighter planes took part in the initial strike that started between 5:09 pm and 5:23 pm but was not successful. 

The limited Pakistani attack surprised even the US. As Henry Kissinger put it, 'That's [a] helluva way to start a war.'The confused state of higher-level decision-making in Pakistan was revealed by the fact even the defence secretary and the head of the ISPR, the official mouthpiece of the regime, were unaware of the war on 3 December. 

The defence secretary heard over Radio Pakistan that India had invaded West Pakistan. The naval chief and Pak Navy ships at sea too found out from the Pakistani radio broadcast. 

On the eastern front, Lt Gen. Niazi learnt of the air strikes while listening to the BBC world service.Though Niazi waxed eloquent about his prowess and about not surrendering, the reality was just the opposite. One of his colleagues, Gen. Rao Farman Ali, told the Hamoodur Rehman Commission that Niazi's morale had collapsed as early as 7 December when he broke down in a meeting with the governor, Abdul Motaleb Malik.Dacca fell without a fight even though barely twenty-four hours earlier Niazi had defiantly told BBC that the army would fight to the last man. 

However, instead of any heroics, Niazi surrendered to the Indian army on 16 December and tamely signed the instrument of surrender in a formal public ceremony. 

The main thrust of Niazi's defence of his actions as detailed in his book was that he was forced to surrender by the Pakistan high command in West Pakistan. With the war in the West not going well, Yahya Khan was unwilling to risk losing the West in order to save the East. 

Pakistan's strategy that the defence of the East lay in the West had boomeranged.Just as Ayub Khan told a cabinet meeting after the 1965 war that never again would Pakistan 'risk 100 million Pakistanis for 5 million Kashmiris,' Yahya Khan announced that he was not going to endanger West Pakistan 'for the sake of Bengalis.'

The people of Pakistan heard the news of the surrender on 16 December through the Indian prime minister's broadcast over All India Radio. The announcement of surrender was soft-pedaled by Radio Pakistan in its 5 p.m. news bulletin in these memorable words: 'Following an arrangement between the commanders of India and Pakistan, fighting has ceased in the Eastern theatre and the Indian troops have entered Dacca.' -- ANI

 The suspended constables were not in uniform in the video shared widely on social media platforms, they said.

 Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Muniraj G ordered the suspension of constables Kavita Patel, Kamini Kushwaha, Kashish Sahni and Sandhya Singh based on an inquiry report filed by Additional SP (security) Pankaj Pandey on Thursday. PTI

Two civilians were killed and one person was injured when an Army sentry allegedly opened fire on them in Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir on Friday morning, officials said.

 

The victims, who were reportedly working as porters with the Army, were approaching the alpha gate of an Army camp in the district around 6.15 am when they were fired upon, they said.

The officials said Shalinder Kumar and Kamal Kishore, both residents of Rajouri, died in the firing, while another person was injured.

The cause of the firing is not yet known, they said, adding that the situation in the area is tense and some agitated people pelted stones at the camp.

Reinforcements have been rushed in and further details are awaited, the officials said. -- PTI 

The Bharat Jodo Yatra's biggest achievement is that it highlighted issues relevant to the people, senior Congress leader K C Venugopal said on Friday as the Rahul Gandhi-led foot march completed 100 days on the road.

 

Gandhi, Venugopal, former Rajasthan deputy chief minister Sachin Pilot and other senior leaders of the party began the morning leg of the yatra from the Meena High Court here.

"Bharat Jodo Yatra's biggest achievement is that issues of the common people of the country have been highlighted through it," Venugopal told PTI while walking in the yatra.

"The BJP's attempt of demolishing his (Gandhi's) image has also been destroyed by us," he added.

The Congress general secretary (organisation) also stressed that the message of the yatra will be spread through a follow-up campaign to be undertaken by the party from January 26.

The yatra, which was launched on September 7 in Kanyakumari has traversed eight states � Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and now, Rajasthan.

With over 2,800 kilometres under his belt, Gandhi has managed to catch the attention of his supporters as well as detractors.

Controversies have also been part and parcel of the yatra, with the Congress and the BJP trading barbs on several occasions.

The yatra will enter Delhi on December 24, and after a break of about eight days, move on to Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab and finally, Jammu and Kashmir.

It has seen participation from a cross-section of society, including film and TV celebrities such as Pooja Bhatt, Riya Sen, Sushant Singh, Swara Bhasker, Rashami Desai, Akanksha Puri and Amol Palekar.

Besides participation from tinsel town celebrities, writers, military veterans, including former Navy chief admiral L Ramdas, Opposition leaders such as Shiv Sena's Aaditya Thackeray and the NCP's Supriya Sule, and former RBI governor Raghuram Rajan, have also joined the march at various points. -- PTI 

India is facing the danger of becoming a Hindu nationalist State, an outgoing Democratic Congressman known for his anti-India tirade said on Thursday.

 

Describing himself as a "lifelong human rights advocate" Congressman Andy Levin (62) in his last speech on the floor of the US House of Representatives said the US has had more success in human rights, although the situation was dire in many parts of the world.

 

"I have been a vocal advocate for human rights in places like India, which is in the danger of becoming a Hindu nationalist State rather than a secular democracy, the world's largest democracy," alleged Levin, who represented the ninth Congressional District from Michigan. In the next Congress, it will be represented by Lisa McClain of the Republican Party.

 

"I am a lover of Hinduism, a lover of Jainism, Buddhism and other religions that were born in India, but we need to protect the rights of all people there. Whether they're Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, Jews, Christians, Jains," Levin, said.

 

The Congressman also highlighted some other countries, including Egypt where he said thousands of political prisoners were languishing in jail.

 

"Let me mention just a few highlights. The House passed my bipartisan resolution condemning the coup in Burma (Myanmar) and we have continued oversight of the very troubling human rights situation there as well as the inspiring efforts of the Burmese people to resist repression," he said.

 

"Indeed, my first foreign trip as a congressman was to Bangladesh to visit Rohingya refugees just over the border from Burma there," Levin said.

 

As a lawmaker, Levin was known for making frequent statements against India, including those on Kashmir.

 

During a special Congressional briefing titled India's Brutal Persecution of Kashmir, organised by multiple human rights groups, including the Indian American Muslim Council (IAMC), on April 20, Levin had called for international attention on the issue.

 

"While Kashmir may not be in the nightly news, what's happening there deserves the world's attention, and it's still a prime example of how Prime Minister Modi is taking India in the wrong direction in terms of human rights and democracy," Levin alleged. Levin is a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and is vice chair of the subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific, Central Asia, and non-proliferation.

 

During another Congressional briefing organised by IAMC last year, Levin had expressed concern over religious freedom in India.

 

"The India of (Prime Minister) Narendra Modi today is not the India I fell in love with," he said.

 

"Why would I be so critical and so publicly critical of a country that I love? The answer is it is because I love India that I am committed to ending these attacks on its people. It is because I am so passionate in my support for the vibrant democracy I came to know as a young man, that I want to see that democracy flourish for generations to come," Levin said.

 

Following his defeat in the Democratic primary, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi described him as a skilled legislator, a valuable leader and a proven fighter for working people.

The world sees Pakistan as the epicentre of terrorism and Islamabad should clean up its act and try to be a good neighbour, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said, recalling United States leader Hillary Clinton's blunt message to India's neighbour that snakes in one's backyard will eventually bite those who keep them.

 

Jaishankar was addressing reporters at the UN headquarters after chairing a signature event held under India's presidency of the Council on Global Counterterrorism Approach: Challenges and Way Forward.'

 

Responding to a question on Pakistan Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar's recent statements about a dossier and allegations against India, he said, "I saw, I read the reports on what minister Khar said. And I was reminded, more than a decade ago, my memory serves me right. Hillary Clinton was visiting Pakistan. And Hina Rabbani Khar was a minister at that time.

 

"Standing next to her, Hillary Clinton actually said that if you have... snakes in your backyard, you can't expect them to bite only your neighbours. Eventually, they will bite the people who keep them in the backyard. But as you know, Pakistan is not great on taking good advice. You see what's happening there," Jaishankar recalled.

 

During her visit to Islamabad in October 2011, Clinton had addressed the media with Pakistan's then Foreign Minister Khar and said, "It's like that old story - you can't keep snakes in your backyard and expect them only to bite your neighbours. Eventually those snakes are going to turn on whoever has them in the backyard."

"We asked very specifically for greater cooperation from the Pakistani side to squeeze the Haqqani network and other terrorists because we know that trying to eliminate terrorists and safe havens on one side of the border is not going to work," Clinton had said.

 

Jaishankar said, the world today sees them (Pakistan) as the epicentre of terrorism. Now I know we've been through two-and-a-half years of Covid and a lot of us have brain fog as a result. But I assure you the world has not forgotten where does terrorism (emanate), who has their fingerprints over a lot of activities in the region and beyond the region."

 

"So I would say that it's something which they should remind themselves before indulging in the kind of fantasies which they do," he added.

Tapinder Singh, who lived in Sector 40 in Chandigarh, was arrested by the Punjab police's state special operation cell on Wednesday, they said. 

Singh was produced before a Mohali court, which remanded him to four-day police custody, a police official said. 

He had been supplying information about important government buildings in Punjab to the ISI for the last four years, he said. 

 Further investigation in the matter is underway, the official said. -- PTI

The raids are being carried out in Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Mumbai to unearth the "undisclosed foreign investments" of the film producers including a prominent Malayalam actor-cum-producer. 

"The raids started at 8 am today. They are still underway," the source said. -- PTI

India on December 1 assumed the monthly rotating Presidency of the Security Council, the second time after August 2021 that India is presiding over the Council during its two year tenure as elected UNSC member. 

"I am glad to inform you that we have declared our candidature for our next tenure at the Security Council for 2028-29," Jaishankar said. 

India, whose 2021-2022 term on the Council ends December 31, has been at the forefront of efforts calling for urgent reform of the Security Council, which has remained deeply divisive in dealing with current challenges. 

India has asserted that the Council, in its current form, does not reflect today's geo-political realities and its credibility is at risk if nations such developing powers like India do not have a permanent seat at the horse-shoe table. -- PTI