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Mon, 17 April 2023
3 buildings collapse in Delhi in two incidents, 9 hurt
Timeline Refresh
23:57 Maha sees 505 new Covid cases, 131 in Mumbai; no death
Maharashtra on Monday reported 505 COVID-19 cases, which took the tally to 81,56,344, while the death toll stood unchanged at 1,48,479, a health department official said.
On Sunday, Maharashtra had reported 650 COVID-19 cases and two fatalities, he pointed out. Mumbai circle led with 262 cases, followed by 90 in Pune circle, 86 in Aurangabad circle, 39 in Akola circle, 12 in Nashik circle, seven in Kolhapur circle, six in Latur circle and three in Aurangabad circle, he said.
The addition to the state's tally included 131 cases in Mumbai, which took the infection count in the country's financial capital to 11,59,759, while the toll stood at 19,754.
The recovery count increased by 334 in the state to touch 80,01,778, leaving Maharashtra with an active caseload of 6,087, he said.
So far, 8,68,01,628 coronavirus tests have been conducted in the state, including 9,616 in the last 24 hours, comprising 7,276 at government labs, 2,185 at private labs and 155 by self-testing kits. -- PTI
23:34 Modi to inaugurate two-day global Buddhist meet in Delhi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate a two-day Global Buddhist Summit in Delhi, to be held later this week, that will see the participation of eminent Buddhist monks, scholars and delegates from various parts of the world, Union Culture Minister G Kishan Reddy said on Monday.
Addressing a press conference in Delhi, he said the conference will be held at The Ashok hotel on April 20-21.
The prime minister will inaugurate the conference that will be the first of its kind, given its scale and the stature of participants, Reddy said.
"Eminent Buddhist monks, scholars, ambassadors and diplomats from various foreign countries will take part in the summit, which will be hosted by the Union ministry of culture along with the International Buddhist Confederation," he told reporters.
IBC is a global umbrella body for Buddhists with its headquarters in New Delhi.
The Union minister said delegates from nearly 30 countries apart from India are scheduled to attend the mega event.
Over 170 foreign delegates and nearly 150 delegates from various Buddhist organisations in India will take part in the event, he said.
"Many leaders of Buddhist monks, considered 'gurus' in their respective countries, will set foot in India for the first time. They have been trying to come to India for many years but (for) some reason they were unable to do so. The government of India has decided that such eminent Buddhist monks should be invited," Reddy said.
The Union minister said India is the "birthplace of Buddhism" and "the land of the Buddha". -- PTI
23:10 'Denied' ticket for civic polls, BJP member commits suicide in UP
A Bharatiya Janata Party member allegedly committed suicide by consuming poison after the party denied him a ticket for the urban local body elections in Shamli district, his family members said on Monday.
Deepak Saini (26), had demanded a ticket from the BJP for the post of chairman of Kandhla Nagar Palika, but the party refused to make him its candidate.
Saini was a former member Kandhla Nagar Palika.
BJP's district president of Shamli Satyendra Tomar confirmed Saini's death.
According to the victim's family, he had consumed poison on Sunday after being refused a ticket from the BJP.
He was rushed to a hospital, where he was declared dead. No police case has been registered yet. -- PTI
Representational image
22:55 3 buildings collapse in Delhi in two incidents, 9 hurt
Nine people, including an infant, were injured in two separate incidents of buildings collapse in west Delhi, officials said on Monday.
In the first incident, nine people were injured when two houses collapsed in west Delhi's Nangloi area following a cylinder blast on Monday, they said.
The Delhi Fire Services said it was informed about the collapse around 5.15 am.
The victims were rescued by fire personnel and rushed to a hospital with the help of the public and police, a Delhi Fire Services official said.
The police rushed to the spot after houses D-1/100 and D-1/100A at Kunwar Singh Nagar, Street Number -- 10 in Nangloi collapsed.
Delhi Fire Services vehicles, two PCR vans, five ambulances, a Delhi Disaster Management Authority vehicle and a minibus of the Disaster Management Service also reached the spot, a senior police officer said.
Seven people were injured in the collapse of D-1/100, an old double-storey building. Two people were hurt in the collapse of the single-storey D-1/100A, deputy commissioner of police (outer) Harendra Singh said.
The injured were rescued from the debris with the help of local residents and fire services staff members and admitted to Sanjay Gandhi Memorial Hospital in Mangolpuri, he said.
Among the injured were five males, including a five-year-old boy, and four females, including two children aged five years and six months, the police said. -- PTI
22:38 EC orders transfer of 10 cops for smooth conduct of Karnataka polls
The Election Commission has ordered the transfer of 10 police personnel, including a deputy commissioner of police, for "stricter enforcement of poll code and smooth conduct" of the May 10 assembly polls in Karnataka, sources in the poll panel said on Monday.
Those transferred included the DCP (North) Bengaluru, the ACP of Yeshwanthpur and Bengaluru, and four police inspectors -- one each from Raja Rajeshwari Nagar, Yeshwanthpur, Nandini Layout police station and Rajagopal Nagar police stations.
Sources said the officers being transferred were posted at the behest of a state minister and it was felt that their removal will help in "stricter enforcement and smooth conduct" of the May 10 polls.
"Per se, there was no complaint. EC took the decision for better conduct of polls," a functionary said.
Following clashes between BJP and Congress workers in Surpur Yadgir earlier this month, the EC also ordered the transfer of local DSP and one circle inspector for their inept handling of the situation. -- PTI
22:32 SP's Azam Khan admitted to Delhi hospital, condition stable
Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan was on Monday admitted to the Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in Delhi where he is set to undergo an operation, the hospital said.
His condition is currently "stable", a hospital spokesperson said.
Vice chairman (laproscopic, laser and general surgery) Dr BB Aggarwal said Khan was "admitted today (Monday) morning with a complicated hernia".
He is currently off blood thinners because of recent heart stenting and "will be operated on soon for hernia", the hospital said in a bulletin on his condition.
Khan was admitted to the Sir Ganga Ram Hospital last May for a routine medical check-up. -- PTI
22:05 Karnataka minister declares Rs 1609 cr assets
Considered to be one of the richest politicians in the country, Karnataka Minister N Nagaraju (MTB) has declared total assets worth Rs 1,609 crore, while filing the nomination for May 10 assembly polls in the state.
He filed the papers on Monday as the ruling BJP's candidate from the Hoskote assembly segment, on the outskirts of Bengaluru.
In his election affidavit, Nagaraju, who has mentioned his occupation or profession as agriculturist and business, along with his wife M Shanthakumari, a housewife, together own movable assets worth Rs 536 crore.
The couple's immovable assets are worth Rs 1,073 crore,
Nagaraju, who is currently an MLC, in June 2020, while contesting the legislative council election, had declared assets worth about Rs 1,220 crore, along with his wife.
In the affidavit filed today along with nomination, the couple have declared total liabilities of Rs 98.36 crore.
Nagaraju (72), who has studied up to Class 9, has detailed his source of income as agriculture, house property, business and other sources, and that of his wife also to be house property and other sources.
Nagaraju in the 2018 assembly polls had won from Hoskote assembly segment on a Congress ticket. He was one of the 17 MLAs who later defected from the party that led to the collapse of Congress-JD-S coalition government in 2019.
In the subsequently held bypolls he lost from Hoskote against independent candidate Sharath Bachegowda, who is now with Congress. Both have turned out to be bitter rivals, and are facing each other once again.
File image
21:35 Ten-day online entrance test for Agniveers begins
The online common entrance examination, the first level of screening in the recruitment procedure for Agniveers, junior commissioned officers and others, commenced across the county on Monday, officials said.
The CEE began at 375 examination centres spread across 176 pan-India locations and will continue till April 26, they said.
The Army recently announced a change in the Agniveer recruitment process and candidates wanting to join the force will now have to first appear for an online CEE, followed by physical fitness and medical tests.
Earlier, candidates for Agniveers and others, had to undergo a physical fitness test, followed by medical tests, and appearing for the CEE was the last step.
"The Indian Army has transformed the procedure for recruitment of Agniveers, junior commissioned officers and other categories with the introduction of a computer-based online common entrance exam as the first step," the ministry of defence said in a statement.
The online exam is being conducted with assistance from Education Consultancy Services India Limited, a Mini Ratna Company under the ministry of education, it said.
"The technological threshold of youth in the nation has improved significantly and with enhanced network connectivity and the proliferation of smartphones, the youth is now empowered to undertake an online exam, instead of travelling long distances to appear for physical exams," the ministry said. -- PTI
Bihar Governor Rajendra Arlekar/Twitter
21:28 Close shave for Bihar Guv as fire tender in his convoy overturns, 5 injured
Five people were injured as a fire tender in Bihar Governor Rajendra Arlekar's convoy hit a divider, overturned and then collided head-on with an auto-rickshaw in Vaishali district on Monday, the police said.
The accident happened near Bhagwanpur on the Hajipur-Muzaffarpur highway around 11.30 am, they said.
The governor escaped unhurt, sub-divisional police officer of Hajipur Omprakash said.
"The fire tender, which was the last vehicle in the governor's convoy, hit a divider and overturned and then collided with an auto-rickshaw coming from the opposite side," he said.
"The conditions of those injured are stated to be stable," he added. -- PTI
21:02 Five killed, 2 hurt as iron hoarding collapses on people in Pune
At least five persons were killed and two others injured on Monday evening when an iron hoarding collapsed on them due to strong winds on a service road in Pimpri Chinchwad township in Pune district of Maharashtra, the police said.
The incident occurred on a service road along the Mumbai-Pune highway in Ravet Kivale area.
"Some people had taken shelter under the iron hoarding due to strong winds. Suddenly, the structure came crashing down on them, killing five persons and injuring two others," a police officer said.
He said five bodies have been recovered and a search operation is underway to find out if anybody is trapped under the hoarding.
The injured persons have been rushed to a hospital. -- PTI
20:52 Prez Murmu to visit Himachal, to open 'Rashtrapati Niwas' for public viewing
President Droupadi Murmu will be on a four-day visit to Himachal Pradesh from Tuesday during which the 'Rashtrapati Niwas', one of the presidential retreats, in Mashobra will be opened for public viewing, an official statement said on Monday.
Last month, she had opened another presidential retreat, 'Rashtrapati Nilayam' in Telangana's Secunderabad to the public.
President Murmu will visit Himachal Pradesh from April 18 to 21 and stay at the 'Rashtrapati Niwas', Mashobra, said the statement issued by the Rashtrapati Bhavan.
The President will inaugurate a tulip garden at Mashobra on Tuesday.
On the same evening, she will attend a civic reception to be hosted in her honour by the Himachal Pradesh government at the Raj Bhavan, Shimla, the statement said.
On April 19, the President will interact with the officer trainees of Indian Audit and Accounts Service at the National Academy of Audit and Accounts in Shimla, it said.
She will also grace the 26th convocation of Himachal Pradesh University in Shimla.
On April 20, the President will visit the Indian Institute of Advanced Study.
Later, she will host an 'At Home' reception at the Rashtrapati Niwas, the statement said.
'The Rashtrapati Niwas will be opened for public viewing on the same day,' it added.
Located at the hilltop of Mashobra, the building was taken over in 1895 by the Viceroy.
The President visits The Retreat at least once a year and the core office shifts to that place for the duration of the visit.
A thousand feet higher than the Shimla Ridge Top, The Retreat is located in picturesque surroundings.
The architectural pattern and the natural beauty of the place have made it a tourist attraction in Shimla.
The redeeming feature of this building is that it is purely a wooden structure with dajji wall construction, according to the Rashtrapati Bhavan's website.
Originally constructed in 1850, this building has a plinth area of 10,628 sq.ft., it said. -- PTI
File image
20:43 Civic polls: LSG's home game against CSK may be played on May 3 instead of May 4
Lucknow Super Giants' IPL home game against Chennai Super Kings is set to be played on May 3 instead of May 4 due to the municipal elections in the city.
While there is no official communication on the pre-ponement of the game, the BCCI has informally told the teams that the match could be held a day in advance.
"There could be issues with regards to security deployment as Lucknow municipality goes to polls on Thursday, May 4. LSG's game against CSK is a mid-week afternoon game at 3:30 pm. Now the game could be played a day earlier, Wednesday, May 3 at the same time," a senior BCCI source told PTI on conditions of anonymity. -- PTI
20:38 Tim Cook enjoys Vada Pav with Madhuri Dixit
Apple's CEO Tim Cook, who is expected to inaugurate the smartphone maker's first India store at BKC in Mumbai tomorrow, had a traditional introduction to Maximum City's favourite food on the go, Vada Pav, courtesy Bollywood diva Madhuri Dixit on Monday.
Posting a photo of the two of them tucking into what looks like delish fare at Swati Snacks (drool!), Dixit tweeted: 'Can't think of a better welcome to Mumbai than Vada Pav', a sentiment we wholeheartedly endorse, having gorged on both the fare at Swati and the Mumbai snack.
And the Apple CEO heartily concurred. 'Thanks Madhuri Dixit for introducing to my very first Vada Pav -- it was delicious!'
While on the subject of Apple, did you ask what you can expect at its first India store?
Hitesh Harisinghani/Rediff.com brings you the deets, here.
20:10 Sunak faces probe over wife's business interest
British Prime
Minister Rishi Sunak is facing a watchdog inquiry under his
parliamentary declaration of interest obligations related to a Budget
policy that could benefit his wife, Akshata Murty, through her business
interest in a childcare firm, it emerged on Monday.
The inquiry has
been opened by the UK's Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards, an
independent officer of the House of Commons in charge of looking at
evidence if individual British members of Parliament are feared to have
broken a rule under the Code of Conduct'.
The active inquiries on
the watchdog's list include one opened on Sunak, 42, last Thursday under
Paragraph 6 of the rules of conduct, as Downing Street said ministerial
interests were 'transparently declared'.
Members must always be open
and frank in declaring any relevant interest in any proceeding of the
House or its Committees, and in any communications with Ministers,
Members, public officials or public office holders, states Paragraph
6.
According to the BBC, the inquiry relates to the British Indian
leader's wife's interest in Koru Kids Ltd, which is likely to benefit
from a new pilot scheme announced in the Spring Budget last month to
incentivise people to become childminders.
Akshata Murty, the
daughter of Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy, is listed on the UK's
Companies House register as a shareholder in Koru Kids one of six
childminder agencies in England listed on the government's website with
contact details.
The Opposition had flagged this fact last month and
called for further explanations at a hearing of the Liaison Committee
made up of all House of Commons committee chairs.
Labour MP Catherine
McKinnell had asked Sunak if he had any interest to declare in relation
to the new childcare policy.
"No, all my disclosures are declared in
the normal way," he said at the time.
Now the parliamentary
watchdog's investigation will decide if there has been any breach of the
code, which can then be put before MPs sitting on the Committee on
Standards which is responsible for deciding any sanctions.
'We are
happy to assist the Commissioner to clarify how this has been
transparently declared as a ministerial interest,' a Downing Street
spokesperson said. -- PTI
19:25 Fire breaks out at ITBP headquarters in Delhi
A fire broke out on Monday evening at the headquarters of the Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) Force in Lodhi Road area in Delhi, officials said.
The fire broke out on the second floor of the ITBP headquarters and five fire tenders were rushed to the spot, they said.
Further details are awaited.
19:13 Guj AAP leader Italia arrested, granted bail over remarks against BJP leaders
Gujarat Aam Aadmi Party leader Gopal Italia was on Monday arrested in connection with a case registered in September last year for allegedly using defamatory words against state Bharatiya Janata Party leaders and was granted bail.
The case was lodged in Umra police station in Surat on September 2, 2022 for using allegedly defamatory words against state BJP chief C R Paatil and Gujarat minister Harsh Sanghavi and also calling BJP workers 'goons' in a video message uploaded on social media platforms.
Italia had uploaded the video messages after an alleged attack on his colleague Manoj Sorathiya in Surat on August, 2022.
In the video message, Italia had used some allegedly objectionable words to describe Paatil and Sangahvi and had said the attack on Sorathiya was carried out by BJP goons.
The case was being investigated by Surat Crime Branch, which arrested Italia during the day.
After being released on bail, Italia said the police action was aimed at harassing him.
"Such statements are made by all political leaders against one another. How come an FIR was lodged only against me? They (police and government) are misusing their power," he said.
The case was registered against Italia under Indian Penal Code sections 500 (defamation), 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace), 505 (1)(b) (offending act inducing person to commit an offence against state or public tranquillity), and 469 (forgery for purpose of harming reputation) of the Indian Penal Code. -- PTI
The Dalai Lama.
18:51 Protest in Ladakh against 'defaming' Dalai Lama
Leh and Kargil towns of the Ladakh Union territory observed a shutdown on Monday in protest against the "controversial video" of the Dalai Lama, which went viral of the social media, drawing criticism against the spiritual leader on social media.
The Dalai Lama had apologized to a boy, his family and friends for the "hurt his words may have caused", after a video clip purportedly showing the Tibetan spiritual head asking him to "suck" his tongue sparked a row.
In the two-minute-five-second video, the Dalai Lama also asked the child "to look at those good human beings who create peace, and happiness and not follow those who kill other people".
Led by the Ladakh Buddhist Association (LBA), the protesters also condemned the "conspiracy to defame" the Dalai Lama and extended support to him, requesting him to continue spreading peace, love, and compassion.
All the shops and business establishments remained closed and traffic was off the roads in Leh and Kargil districts in protests against "defaming the Dalai Lama by making a video viral on social media and comments made by various celebrities hurting religious feelings of Buddhists".
Hundreds of people took out protest rallies in Leh and Kargil. They carried placards, religious flags amid pictures of spiritual leaders in protests against attempts to defame him. They raised slogans against those involved in it.
"Entire Leh and Kargil districts of Ladakh observed shutdown. The people came on streets to protest against the attempt to defame Dalai Lama Ji. We are hurt over it," a social leader S Samphel told reporters.
The statement issued by the office of Dalai Lama had said, "A video clip has been circulating that shows a recent meeting when a young boy asked His Holiness the Dalai Lama if he could give him a hug. His Holiness wishes to apologise to the boy and his family, as well as his many friends across the world, for the hurt his words may have caused."
"His Holiness often teases people he meets in an innocent and playful way, even in public and before cameras. He regrets the incident," it said.
18:25 CBI summons Abhishek Banerjee, he cites SC stay
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) hand-delivered a summons to Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee for questioning in connection with the teachers' recruitment scam case on Monday, allegedly over two hours after the Supreme Court had stayed a high court order for his interrogation.
An agency official said the notice was prepared on Sunday and delivered on Monday.
Terming the action of the agency 'contempt of court', Banerjee tweeted, 'SC stayed the Calcutta HC's order in the morning that granted permission to the central agencies to summon me. Yet, the SUMMON' was HAND-DELIVERED today at 1:45 pm Grave State of affairs!'
A bench comprising Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justices P S Narasimha and J B Pardiwala, which decided to hear the plea on April 24, had stayed the direction of Justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay of the high court that TMC leader Banerjee and Kuntal Ghosh, an accused in the case, can be questioned by the ED and the CBI, and such 'interrogation should be made soon'.
The stay was granted at around 11.15 am.
'The petition was in the mentioning list. Dr A M Singhvi has adverted to the contents of the order and the directions passed by which the ED and CBI have been directed to file a report with respect to a probe in connection with a public speech by Abhishek Banerjee. List on April 24, 2023. Till the next date of listing, there shall be stay on all action against petitioner in relation to the directions passed in impugned order,' the apex court ordered.
The Calcutta high court on April 13 had passed a slew of directions, asking the police not to lodge FIRs on complaints against officers of the CBI or the ED who are investigating the educational recruitment scam of the West Bengal Central School Service Commission and the West Bengal Board of Primary Education without its permission.
It had asked the central agencies to probe the role of state TMC leaders in the case.
The apex court also stayed the order of Justice Gangopadhyay's April 13 order directing the West Bengal police not to lodge any FIR against CBI and Enforcement Directorate officers probing the school jobs-for-bribes scam. -- PTI
Doval with Manturov
18:20 Doval meets Russian dy PM Manturov
National Security Adviser (NSA) Ajit Doval on Monday met Russian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Industry and Trade Denis Valentinovich Manturov and discussed a wide range of bilateral issues to implement the India-Russia strategic partnership.
Manturov is on a two-day visit to India to co-chair the Intergovernmental Russian-Indian Commission, which is aimed at enhancing trade ties between the two countries.
India and Russia are discussing a free trade agreement, a move that would further deepen bilateral commercial ties that have flourished since war broke out in Ukraine.
On the first day of his visit, Manturov co-chaired the 24th India-Russia Inter-governmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technological and Cultural Cooperation (IRIGC-TEC).
The IRIGC-TEC is the main institutional mechanism supervising economic cooperation. It integrates six working groups on economic and trade cooperation, modernisation and industrial cooperation, energy, tourism and culture, science and technology, and IT.
A plenary meeting of the intergovernmental commission (IGC) will be held on Tuesday, following which the co-chairs will sign the final protocol of the 24th IGC meeting.
Manturov will be co-chairing the meeting of the bilateral Inter-Governmental Commission with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on April 18, 2023.
Both sides plan to discuss the issues of bilateral trade, and economic and humanitarian cooperation.
Manturov will also hold a number of bilateral meetings, the Russian embassy in India said in a tweet.
Atiq Ahmed's relatives speak to the media on Sunday
17:44 Normalcy yet to resume in Atiq's native place
Normal activities are yet to resume in Kasari-Masari, the place where gangster-politician Atiq Ahmad's ancestral house is located, and the adjoining areas of Prayagraj on Monday, a day after Ahmad and his brother Ashraf were buried in their native place.
The sensitive places in Allahabad West assembly constituency, which was the stronghold of the former Lok Sabha MP, on Monday continued to witness heavy deployment of police personnel.
Kasari-Masari falls in the Allahabad West assembly constituency.
A few shops opened in areas adjoining Chakia-Rajrooppur, Kareli and Khuldabad. Police are conducting patrolling in the sensitive places in the area, sources said. People were reluctant to speak about the gunning down of Ahmad and Ashraf on Saturday night, even as internet services remained suspended in the city.
However, normalcy returned to other parts of the city, including in and around Civil Line bus depot and Hanuman Temple on Monday. Normal traffic was seen on the roads of the city with the office goers and school children rushing to their destinations.
The police sources said that the police may submit an application in the court in a day or two seeking remand of three assailants -- Lavlesh Tiwari (a resident of Banda), Mohit alias Sunny (Hamirpur) and Arun Maurya (Kasganj) -- who killed Ahmad and his brother Ashraf.
On Sunday, the three attackers were sent to 14-day judicial custody by a local court. They could also be questioned about how they got such modern weapons, and whether anyone had given them a contract to kill Ahmad and Ashraf, the sources said.
17:12 Infosys shares fall over 9% at end of day
Shares of Infosys on Monday tanked more than 9 per cent, wiping out Rs 59,349.66 crore from its market valuation, after the company reported a lower-than-expected growth in the fourth quarter net profit and gave a weak 4-7 per cent revenue growth guidance for FY24.
The stock tumbled 9.40 per cent to settle at Rs 1,258.10 on the BSE. During the day, it plunged 12.21 per cent to Rs 1,219 -- its 52-week low mark. On the NSE, it fell 9.37 per cent to finish at Rs 1,259. Infosys was the biggest drag on both the benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty.
The company's market valuation also declined by Rs 59,349.66 crore to Rs 5,21,930.34 crore. The 30-share BSE Sensex fell 520.25 points or 0.86 per cent to finish at 59,910.75, pulled down by Infosys and weak trends in other IT counters.
"The real damage was done by the frontline IT stocks with Infosys coming under severe hammering after its corporate earnings failed to meet street estimates. Besides disappointing results, worries of weak IT spending by multinational giants on gloomy economic conditions and recessionary fears have weighed heavily on the sector over the past few months," Shrikant Chouhan, Head of Equity Research (Retail) at Kotak Securities Ltd, said.
Other IT firms also faced heavy drubbing, with Tech Mahindra, HCL Technologies, Tata Consultancy Services and Wipro falling in the range of 1-5.25 per cent. The IT index tanked 4.77 per cent to settle at 26,887.72.
17:08 Let's shake on it...
NSA Ajit Doval met Denis Manturov, Deputy PM and Minister of Trade & Industry of Russia today. Both sides discussed a range of bilateral issues to implement the India-Russia strategic partnership.
17:00 Atiq assailants shifted from Prayagraj jail
The three assailants who shot gangster-politician Atiq Ahmad and his brother Ashraf were shifted from the Prayagraj Central Jail to the Pratapgarh District Jail on Monday, a senior official said today.
The official said the transfer was done on administrative grounds. The assailants -- Mohit alias Sunny (23) of Hamirpur, Lavlesh Tiwari (22) of Banda and Arun Maurya (18) of Kasganj -- were arrested soon after the dramatic shootout outside the Prayagraj hospital where policemen were escorting the brothers for a medical check-up Saturday night.
The trio were taken from Prayagraj at noon and reached Pratapgarh at 2.10 pm, officials said. One of the sons of Atiq Ahmad is currently lodged in the Prayagraj Central Jail in Uttar Pradesh. PTI
16:50 Tripura shuts govt schools till April 23 amid heatwave
Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Monday announced that all government schools in the state will remain shut from April 18 to 23 due to the prevailing heatwave conditions. "The scorching heat may adversely impact the health of the students," he said in a Facebook post, announcing the closure of all state-run and state-aided schools.
He also appealed to the private schools in the state to do the same in view of the prevailing weather condition. Tripura has 4,226 state-run and state-aided schools with 7.02 lakh students.
However, colleges and universities in the state will function as usual, officials said. The mercury is hovering around 37 degrees Celsius in Tripura over the last three days. Rains are unlikely till April 20, weather officials said. PTI
16:34 Investments in realty remain strong in Q1 2023
Institutional investments in real estate remained strong during the first quarter of the calendar year 2023 at $1.7 billion, led by the office sector, which accounted for 55 per cent of the total inflows during the quarter, followed by the residential sector at 22 per cent, finds a Colliers report.
Investment inflows in the office sector rose by 41 per cent year-on-year to $900 million, led by select large deals. Owing to the strong growth prospects in the office sector, key institutional investors are entering into strategic partnerships to strengthen their presence and expand their office portfolio in India.
Pratigya Yadav/Business Standard
Pic: KBK Graphics
16:32 Inflation over the last six months
The headline WPI inflation for March eased to its lowest level since October 2020, when the rate of price rise was 1.31 per cent. Last month, inflation in food articles rose to 5.48 per cent as against 3.81 per cent in February. Among food items, although inflation in vegetables, onion and potato remained in negative, the rate of price rise was higher than that in February.
16:30 SC grants bail to TMC spokesperson Saket Gokhale
The Supreme Court on Monday granted bail to Trinamool Congress spokesperson Saket Gokhale in a case related to alleged misuse of money collected through crowdfunding.
A bench comprising Justices B R Gavai and Vikram Nath, while granting relief to the leader, noted that a charge sheet has already been filed in the case.
Gokhale was arrested by the Ahmedabad Cyber Crime Branch from Delhi on December 30, 2022. He is facing charges under sections 420 (cheating), 406 (criminal breach of trust) and 467 (forgery) of the IPC. -- PTI
Uddhav Thackeray meets patients hospitalised due to sunstroke at the event
16:06 Sunstroke deaths culpable homicide, says Cong
The Congress on Monday attacked the BJP-Shiv Sena government in Maharashtra over the loss of lives due to sunstroke at an award function in Navi Mumbai, and demanded that accountability be fixed in what it said was a case of "culpable homicide".
At least 12 people have died while two others are battling for life after suffering sunstroke at the Maharashtra Bhushan award event on Sunday. The deceased were nine women and three men.
Slamming the Maharashtra government at a press conference here, Congress spokesperson Kanhaiya Kumar said, "We express condolences to the affected families and demand that the government take responsibility for it and take action in the matter."
He said that when a contract of crores of rupees is given to organise an event why was there no arrangement of tent, shade, water and air conditioning for people.
"The government is only concerned with photo opportunities. Our Congress unit has already stated that this is a matter of culpable homicide," Kumar said.
He said the Maharashtra government should not make excuses, should fix accountability, take responsibility and action against those guilty.
"The government is the main accused in this," he alleged.
Leader of Opposition in the Maharashtra Assembly Ajit Pawar has sought an inquiry into how the award event was organised in Navi Mumbai during noon time when the temperature is very high. Union Minister Amit Shah conferred the Maharashtra Bhushan Award on spiritual leader and social reformer Appasaheb Dharmadhikari at the event. -- PTI
Pic: KBK Graphics
15:59 WPI inflation eases to 29-month low of 1.34% in March
The wholesale price-based inflation eased to a 29-month low of 1.34 per cent in March on easing prices of manufactured products and fuel items, even though food articles turned expensive. March is the 10th straight month when wholesale price index (WPI) based inflation has declined. The inflation was 3.85 per cent in February and 14.63 per cent in March 2022.
15:57 How to Get A Scholarship At Oxford
The Oxford India Centre for Sustainable Development is inviting applications from students for the Savitribai Phule Graduate Scholarship to pursue the following courses at Somerville College, University of Oxford.
A still from the series, Trial by Fire
15:49 Sushil Ansal to withdraw suit against Netflix series
The Delhi High Court Monday permitted real estate tycoon Sushil Ansal, convicted in the 1997 Uphaar cinema fire case, to withdraw a suit seeking to restrain the release of web series "Trial by Fire", which is inspired by the tragedy.
The series streamed on Netflix on January 13 as the high court refused to stay its release and dismissed an application for the interim stay. A massive fire had broken out at the Uphaar cinema during the screening of Hindi film 'Border' on June 13, 1997, claiming 59 lives.
On Monday, the suit came up before Justice Yashwant Varma who was informed by Ansal's counsel that he wishes to withdraw the suit. The high court allowed the plea for withdrawal.
15:46 Amit Shah should not speak like a goon: Mamata
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday slammed Home Minister Amit Shah for his "undemocratic" and "unconstitutional" remarks that the TMC government won't survive beyond 2025 if the BJP wins 35 seats in the next year's Lok Sabha polls.
She also called for his resignation over the comments he had made during a rally on April 14. "On Friday, Amit Shah addressed a rally. That is fine. But how can the Union home minister of the country talk about toppling a democratically elected government of a state? Is the constitution of the country being changed?
"He can never make such a comment that if BJP wins 35 Lok Sabha seats, the state government won't complete the full term," Banerjee told reporters.
The Mamata Banerjee government is scheduled to complete its third term in 2026. While addressing a public rally at Suri in Birbhum district, Shah set a target for the BJP to win 35 Lok Sabha seats from West Bengal and said the incumbent Mamata Banerjee government in the state won't survive beyond 2025 if the goal is achieved.
The TMC supremo claimed Shah's remarks prove that "a conspiracy is being hatched to dislodge the state government", and added that the home minister should not speak like a "goon". Referring to CBI's summons to her Delhi counterpart Arvind Kejriwal, Banerjee said, "Are they trying to send out a message that a chief minister can be summoned and questioned? If a CM can be questioned, why can't the home minister be questioned too?" she said.
Banerjee claimed that the BJP won't return to power in the next parliamentary polls, reiterating the appeal to the opposition leaders to unite against the saffron party ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. PTI
15:25 Congress will use and throw Shettar: Bommai
After prominent Lingayat leader Jagadish Shettar defected to the Bharatiya Janata Party and joined the Congress ahead of the upcoming Karnataka assembly elections, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Monday said the former Karnataka chief minister would be used and later thrown out by Congress.
"Shettar has gone to the party that expelled Virendra Patil, Bangarappa and Devaraj Urs. They first honour people and then insult them after the election. Jagdish Shettar will be used and will be thrown out. Till BS Yediyurappa is with us, the Lingayat community will be with us," Bommai told reporters.
Asked about Shettar's allegation, the Karnataka Chief Minister said, "Someone has to give a reason when he leaves the party. BJP has given everything to Shettar in his political life over the last 25 years. There is no question of ignoring them."
A day after quitting the BJP, former Karnataka Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar on Monday joined Congress ahead of the May 10 State assembly elections.
Shettar arrived at the Congress office in Bengaluru this morning. His induction to the party took place in the presence of Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge, Karnataka state Congress president DK Shivakumar and Leader of Opposition in the state assembly Siddaramaiah.
14:52 Bhatinda jawan killed soldiers over personal enmity
Punjab Police on Monday said that a preliminary investigation into the April 12 incident at the Bhatinda Military Station indicated that the gunner who shot dead four jawans in their sleep did so due to "personal enmity."
Addressing a press conference here, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Bathinda, Gulneet Khurana said that the Army gunner had on "sustained interrogation" confessed to stealing an INSAS rifle and to killing four of his colleagues.
"After sustained interrogation, we found that one weapon has been stolen and that was used to kill the jawans. Later, one individual from the Artillery unit was detained and during interrogation, he confessed to the police his involvement in stealing an INSAS rifle and killing four of his colleagues. Initial investigations indicate that this was due to personal enmity," said SSP Bathinda.
The police official said that further investigation will be conducted in the case after taking remand of the accused.
The SSP also said no other individual's involvement has been detected till now. The Indian Army in a statement today said that gunner Desai Mohan, from the Artillery unit, where the incident occurred has confessed to police to his involvement in stealing an INSAS rifle and killing four of his colleagues.
South Western Command Headquarters, Indian Army stated that initial investigations indicated that personal reasons or animosity could be reasons for the shooting.
As per his confession to police, the Army said that Mohan had stolen the weapon along with a filled magazine in the early morning hours of April 9 and hid it somewhere.
On April 12, at around 4.30 am while he was on sentry duty, he moved to the first floor and killed all four personnel while they were asleep. Mohan then threw the rifle into a sewage pit.
The weapon and additional ammunition have been recovered from the sewage pit, said the Army statement. In the initial FIR filed on April 12, the Army gunner had falsely stated that he had seen two people in civilian dress and wearing face masks carrying the INSAS rifle and axe coming out of the barracks and running towards the jungle on the morning of the shooting incident. This statement was an attempt by Desai Mohan to divert the attention of investigating agencies, the Army said. Mohan is currently in police custody and further details are being ascertained.
"There is no terror angle as speculated earlier in some media reports," said the statement by the South Western Command Headquarters of the Indian Army.
14:43 BJP, RSS attacking democracy: Rahul in Karnataka
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday accused the ruling BJP and RSS of attacking democracy and spreading hatred and violence in the country. He also appealed to the people to support the Congress and ensure that the party wins at least 150 seats in the May 10 Assembly polls in Karnataka, and comes to power with a full majority.
"Bidar is Basavanna's (12th century social reformer) 'karma bhoomi'. If someone first spoke about democracy and showed the path towards democracy it was Basavanna. It is sad that today across the country, people from RSS and BJP are attacking democracy," Gandhi said.
Addressing a public meeting in Karnataka, he alleged that the BJP and RSS are attacking Basavanna's ideals of equal partnership, equal opportunities, and that everyone should move ahead together.
"They are spreading hatred and violence in Hindustan, and they are taking away money from poor and weaker section people and giving it to two or three rich people," he added. AICC General Secretaries K C Venugopal and Randeep Singh Surjewala (in-charge of Karnataka), KPCC working president and candidate from Bhalki Assembly seat Eshwar Khandre were among those present.
File pic
14:08 Modi, Yogi likely to visit Udupi on May 4
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to arrive in Udupi on May 4 to take part in a conference of BJP workers, party sources said. BJP Udupi district president Kuyilady Suresh Nayak on Monday indicated that the Prime Minister would attend a conference of party workers ahead of the May 10 Assembly elections in Karnataka.
A huge function will be arranged in the city or some other suitable place for the visit. National leaders have conveyed the matter to the district party, sources said. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is also expected to accompany Modi, the sources said. -- PTI
Police grab one of the assailants who killed Atiq, Ashraf
13:53 Atiq killing: Shooters moved to high-security cell
Three shooters who gunned down Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf Ahmed on the night of April 15, have been shifted from the barracks to the high-security cell of Naini (Prayagraj) Central Jail on Monday.
"All three shooters, Arun Maurya, Sunny Singh and Lovelesh Tiwari, are under threat of attack behind bars, owing to which they have been shifted to a high-security cell," official sources said.
"The slain gangster Atiq Ahmed allegedly had a good network in the jail, and this prompted authorities to shift the trio to a high-security cell rather as they believed that keeping them with other prisoners could have been risky," sources pointed out.
Atiq Ahmad and his brother Ashraf Ahmad were shot dead by men posing as press persons on Saturday night while being taken for a medical examination in Prayagraj. Both the gangsters collapsed on the spot after they were shot at nearly point-blank range.
The three shooters, Arun Maurya, Sunny Singh and Lovelesh Tiwari were sent to 14-day judicial custody by the district court on Sunday.
On Sunday, the last rites of gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf took place at a family graveyard in Kasari Masari area of Prayagraj. The minor sons of Atiq Ahmed were brought to the burial ground from a juvenile home. -- ANI
13:33 BJP falling like house of cards in K'taka: Cong
The Congress on Monday took a swipe at the BJP over former Karnataka Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar crossing over to it ahead of the May 10 Assembly elections, claiming the ruling party is "falling like a house of cards".
Shettar joined the Congress in Bengaluru in the presence of AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge, general secretaries K C Venugopal and Randeep Singh Surjewala (Karnataka in-charge), KPCC president D K Shivakumar and Legislature Party leader and former chief minister Siddaramaiah, among others.
In a tweet on his joining, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said, "A massive shift in Karnataka politics! Former CM and a widely respected leader across the state, Jagadish Shettar, has joined the Congress party today."
"@INCKarnataka is on track to form the government with a full majority. BJP is falling like a house of cards," Ramesh said.
Shettar on Sunday had resigned as the Hubli-Dharwad (Central) MLA after the BJP denied him the ticket to contest the Assembly polls.
The 67-year old six-time MLA, Shettar was asked by the BJP top brass to make way for others, but he on his part had asserted that he wanted to contest one last time.
After joining the Congress, Shettar alleged that he had been humiliated by the BJP by denying him a ticket and that the party is today in the control of "very few people." -- PTI
Police at the site of the double murders
13:07 UP police forms SIT to probe Atiq, brother killings
The Uttar Pradesh Police has formed a three-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the killing of gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmad and his brother Ashraf in Prayagraj, a senior official said on Monday.
Citing a statement issued by Uttar Pradesh Director General of Police R K Vishwakarma, Special Director General of Police (Law and Order) Prashant Kumar said the SIT was formed on the instructions of the Commissioner of Police of Prayagraj.
In order to ensure qualitative investigation and time-bound action, a three-member team of supervisors has also been formed. This team is headed by the additional director general of police of Prayagraj.
The other two members are the commissioner of police of Prayagraj and the director of the Forensic Science Laboratory, Lucknow, the statement said.
Atiq and Ashraf, who were arrested in connection with the killing of Umesh Pal in February this year, were gunned down in Prayagraj late Saturday night by three men posing as journalists while the siblings were being taken to a hospital under police escort. PTI
Atiq Ahmed had over a 100 FIRs against him
12:58 2nd Muslim ex-MP murdered with impunity: Owaisi
After gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmed was killed in Prayagraj, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi said that Atiq was the second former MP from the Muslim community to be "murdered without impunity".
"Atiq is the second Muslim ex-MP who was murdered with impunity. Ehsan Jaffry was ruthlessly hacked to death by a mob in Gujarat in 2002 and today it's Atiq. Shot and killed in police custody," tweeted Owaisi.
Atiq Ahmed represented the Phulpur Lok Sabha constituency between 2004-2009. Ehsan Jaffry was a member of the 6th Lok Sabha.
He was killed by a mob in the Gulbarg Society massacre on February 28, 2002, following the Godhra incident. After Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf Ahmed were shot dead in Prayagraj, AIMIM chief Owaisi called the incident a "cold-blooded murder" while adding that people who are celebrating this killing are "vultures".
Addressing the mediapersons on Sunday, Owaisi said, "Uttar Pradesh's BJP government has a role in this. Supreme Court-monitored investigation should be done and a committee should be formed. No officer from Uttar Pradesh should be included in the committee. This was a 'cold-blooded' murder."
He further said, "How did they (killers) get those weapons?... Why were they raising religious slogans after killing them? What will you call them if not terrorists? Will you call them Patriots? People celebrating this incident are vultures..."
He said the incident raises a big question about the law and order situation. The AIMIM chief questioned whether the public will have any faith in the constitution and Law and order of the country after this incident. "I have always been saying that BJP in Uttar Pradesh is not running the government by the rule of law but by the rule of gun," he said. Owaisi further demanded Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's resignation.
An Indian peacekeeping force for Sudan
12:44 Indian shot in Sudan was set to come home in May
The Indian national who died of bullet injuries in the violence-hit Sudanese capital city of Khartoum two days ago was all set to come here for a few days in May when the tragedy struck.
Albert Augestine, a retired soldier, had called his wife and daughter to Sudan a couple of weeks ago to celebrate Easter with them and had booked tickets to travel back with them on May 3.
However, on Saturday, April 15, a stray bullet hit him while he was standing near the window of his flat talking to his son in the UK, the victim's father told the media here.
Albert's wife and daughter, who were with him at the time, escaped unhurt and moved into a bunker under the flat. They were later shifted to a safe place and provided food, according to information received from the Indian Embassy in Sudan and the company Albert worked for, his father said.
The body could be shifted to a local hospital in the Sudanese capital city of Khartoum only after more than 24 hours due to the ongoing military conflict in the region.
On Sunday, Union Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan had said that Albert's family will be provided all necessary help and added that steps are on to bring his body back to the country. Albert, hailing from Alakode in Kannur district, was working in a Dal Group company in Sudan. -- PTI
Atiq Ahmed and his brother were shot at point blank range
12:19 Atiq was shot 9 times, once in head: Autopsy
Gangster Atiq Ahmed was shot at least nine times in his shocking murder on camera outside a hospital in Uttar Pradesh Saturday night, reports NDTV quoting the autopsy report.
At least nine bullet injuries were found on the gangster's body during the postmortem examination. Five bullets were reportedly recovered from the body of his brother Ashraf Ahmed, also shot dead outside the hospital in Prayagraj.
Police had taken them to the hospital for a medical check-up. Atiq Ahmed was shot once on the head and eight times on the chest and back, the autopsy has found. The headshot was captured on live TV as three shooters, all arrested now, rained bullets at the gangster-turned-politician and his brother, killing them on the spot.
According to sources, the autopsy found five bullet injuries in Ashraf's body -- one on the face and four on his back.
12:11 Tiger terror: Curfew in some Uttarakhand villages
The Pauri Garhwal district administration on Sunday night imposed a curfew in dozens of villages of Rikhanikhal and Dhumakot tehsils in view of tiger terror.
On April 13 and 15, two people were killed by a tiger in Rikhanikhal and Dhumakot areas causing fear among the people.
"The curfew has been imposed from 7 pm to 6 am and the schools and Anganwadi centres of Rikhanikhal and Dhumakot tehsils will remain closed on 17 and 18 April," the order stated.
Taking cognizance of the report of Lansdowne SDM Akash Joshi, District Magistrate (DM) Ashish Chauhan issued the order late on Sunday night. "Dhumakot and Rikhanikhal tehsildars were asked to camp in tiger-affected areas. Along with this, instructions have been given to mark the sensitive houses and families affected by the tiger," the order reads.
Meanwhile, BJ) MLA from Lansdowne, Dalip Rawat has urged Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami to ensure the security of the residents of the area. -- ANI
Amit Shah at the award function in Kharghar
11:41 Politics prevailed not people: Raut on Maha deaths
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Monday blamed the Maharashtra government for the death of 11 people due to sunstroke after attending an award function and claimed politics prevailed over the convenience of people.
The 'Maharashtra Bhushan' award event in Navi Mumbai on Sunday turned deadly with the death of at least 11 people due to sunstroke as the function, attended by lakhs, was held in an open ground in Kharghar area of Raigad district neighbouring Mumbai.
The function was attended by Union Home Minister Amit Shah who conferred the award on spiritual leader and social reformer Appasaheb Dharmadhikari.
Speaking to reporters, Raut said, "The Maharashtra Bhushan award function could have been held in the evening, but Union minister Amit Shah had no free time. Thus, the programme was held during the day time and people got exposed to the scorching heat and sunlight.
"Politics behind the award prevailed over people's convenience," the Rajya Sabha member said.
He said every state government has its own experts and advisers who could have informed the officials about not holding such a large gathering during the day time.
There should have been some wisdom applied on how long the programme should be stretched, he said.
"The programme got stretched too long and people fell sick. A few of them even died because of it. The people who attended the event had come for Appasaheb Dharmadhikari and not for any other politician present on the stage," Raut said.
The Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson further said there have been similar incidents in the past and the state should have learnt some lessons from them before organising such events. The Maharashtra Bhushan is the state's highest civilian award given to people from different walks of life to recognise their contribution towards the welfare of society.
11:21 Same-sex marriage is 'urban-elitist' view: Centre
Terming the petitions seeking legal validation of same-sex marriage as one which reflect an "urban elitist" view, the Centre has told the Supreme Court that recognition of marriage is essentially a legislative function which the courts should refrain from deciding.
Questioning the maintainability of the petitions, the Centre said what is presented before this court is a mere urban elitist view for the purpose of social acceptance.
"The competent legislature will have to take into account broader views and voice of all rural, semi-rural and urban population, views of religious denominations keeping in mind personal laws as well as and customs governing the field of marriage together with its inevitable cascading effects on several other statutes," the Centre said.
The submissions were made in an affidavit filed in response to a batch of pleas seeking legal validation of same-sex marriage. The affidavit stated that marriage is a socio-legal institution which can be created, recognised, conferred with legal sanctity and regulated only by the competent legislature by way of an Act under Article 246 of the Constitution of India.
"It is submitted that therefore, it is the humble request of the applicant the issues raised in the present petition be left to the wisdom of the elected representatives of the people who alone shall be the democratically viable and legitimate source through which any change in the understanding and/or the creation/recognition of the any new social institution can take place," the Centre said.
A five-judge Supreme Court constitution bench is scheduled to hear from Tuesday a batch of petitions seeking legal validation of same-sex marriage in the country.
A bench of Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and justices S K Kaul, S Ravindra Bhat, P S Narasimha and Hima Kohli will commence the hearing on April 18 on the petitions which were referred to a larger bench for an authoritative pronouncement on March 13 by the CJI-led bench, saying it is very seminal issue .
The hearing and the consequential outcome will have significant ramifications for the country where common people and political parties hold divergent views on the subject. -- PTI
The function was held at noon amidst crippling heat
11:11 Sunstroke@awards: 20 people still hospitalised
At least 20 people were still undergoing treatment after suffering from sunstroke at the 'Maharashtra Bhushan' award function in Navi Mumbai, an official said on Monday.
On Sunday, at least 11 people died due to sunstroke as the function, attended by lakhs, was held in an open ground in Kharghar area of Raigad district. Forty-four people were admitted to five hospitals in and around Kharghar. Out of them, 20 are still undergoing treatment while the others have been discharged, according to the Raigad district information officer.
The Kharghar police have registered accidental death reports (ADR) in connection with the 11 fatalities, an official said. The deceased included eight women. Ten bodies were handed over to their relatives, according to officials.
Lakhs of people had come for the event held on a 306-acre ground in Kharghar.
The nearest weather station to the spot had recorded a maximum temperature of 38 degrees Celsius. Leader of Opposition in the Maharashtra Assembly Ajit Pawar visited the MGM Hospital at Kamothe in Navi Mumbai late Sunday night and enquired about the health of the people undergoing treatment there after suffering from sunstroke.
Talking to reporters, he termed the incident as "most unfortunate" and said the priority was to ensure the patients get well soon. The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader claimed it was a function of the Maharashtra government. "It is a well known fact that during April-May, the temperature is very high. During these days, the temperature is around 40 degrees Celsius," he said.
"Hence, it needs to be probed as to who had fixed the noon timing for the award function," the NCP leader said.
Pawar said the function could have been held in the evening and Union Home Minister Amit Shah could have taken a chopper to reach the venue. Shah on Sunday conferred the Maharashtra Bhushan Award on spiritual leader and social reformer Appasaheb Dharmadhikari at the event.
The Chief Minister's Office (CMO) in a release on Sunday night said, "At least 11 deaths apparently due to sunstroke have been confirmed." Panvel Municipal Commissioner Ganesh Deshmukh said there was no report of any new fatality so far. "Twenty four people were discharged from hospitals after treatment on Sunday," he said.
A police official said the highest number of 15 sunstroke patients were admitted to the MGM hospital. The patients in other hospitals in Navi Mumbai were also recuperating and they were stated to be in stable condition, he added.
Shinde had on Sunday told reporters outside a hospital in Navi Mumbai that at least 50 people were admitted there out of which 24 are still hospitalised while the rest have been discharged after primary treatment. He termed the deaths "very unfortunate". The CM said the kin of the deceased will be given a compensation of Rs 5 lakh.
Many of the followers of Shree Parivar (Dharmadhikari's organisation) had reached the venue on Friday and stayed there till the function concluded at around 1.30 pm on Sunday. Some people complained of dizziness and other complications on Sunday. Some also fainted at the function ground. They were initially treated at make shift medical facilities and later rushed to hospitals. -- PTI
Azam Khan. File pic
10:58 Azam Khan's health deteriorates, hospitalised
Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan was on Monday admitted to Sir Gangaram Hospital in Delhi after a sudden deterioration of his health. The SP leader's condition is said to be stable and is under observation.
"Due to the sudden deterioration of SP leader Muhammad Azam Khan's health, he has been admitted to Sir Gangaram Hospital in Delhi at around 3 am on Monday," hospital authorities said. More details are awaited.
He was elected MLA from the Rampur Sadar constituency. The state Assembly Secretariat, earlier in October, announced Khan's disqualification from the House after a court sentenced him to three years in jail in a hate speech case.
The case was registered against Khan in April 2019 for levelling serious allegations against administrative officials posted in Rampur, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath during an election meeting.
During the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Khan was booked for making inflammatory speeches while addressing a public meeting in Khatanagaria village of the Milak Kotwali area. Earlier Allahabad High Court in May 2022 had granted interim bail to Azam Khan in a matter which was related to a wrongful possession of Waqf board property land. -- ANI
10:49 BJP leader shot at, critically injured in Amritsar
BJP leader Balwinder Gill, a general secretary of the party's SC wing, was shot at and injured at Jandiala Guru, around 25 kilometers from here, police said on Monday.
An unidentified assailant, who had his face covered, entered Gill's residence on Sunday night and fired at the BJP leader at point-blank range, Superintendent of Police Jugraj Singh said. Gill suffered a gunshot to his jaw and was immediately taken to a nearby hospital.
As his condition worsened, Gill was later shifted to a private hospital in Amritsar, Singh added. The SP said the assailant also had an accomplice who was waiting outside the BJP leader's residence. He said several police teams were working on the case and have collected vital clues from the spot. PTI
Jagadish Shettar with DK Shivakumar
10:46 Joining Congress wholeheartedly: Shettar
Prominent Lingayat leader and former Karnataka chief minister Jagadish Shettar on Monday joined the Congress party a day after he quit the Bharatiya Janata Party ahead of the May 10 Assembly elections in the State.
Shettar who arrived at the Congress office in Bengaluru this morning was inducted into the party by Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge, the Karnataka state Congress president DK Shivakumar and the Leader of Opposition in the state assembly Siddaramaiah.
Senior BJP leader Amar Singh Patil also joined Congress along with Shettar.
Speaking at the occasion, Shettar said, "Yesterday I left BJP and today I joined the Congress party. Many are surprised as an opposition leader, former chief minister and party president is joining Congress. BJP has given me every position and being a party worker I always worked for the party's growth."
" I was among those who organised and worked for the growth of the (BJP) party. Yes BJP gave me respect and position. I won as an MLA six times and I I thought I would be naturally fielded for the seventh time," he said.
"I thought being a senior leader, I will get the ticket, but when I came to know that I am not getting it, I was shocked. No one spoke to me nor tried to convince me, not even gave assurance about what position will I get," he stated.
"On April 11the party incharge said I had not been given a ticket. He spoke to me like speaking to a child. What should I do? I got a call in the morning and I was spoken to like I am a first time MLA or aspirant. I'm hurt. I was treated badly, " Shettar said.
Shettar further said, "I was contacted by DK Shivakumar, Siddaramaiah, Surjewala and MB Patil. When they invited me I came without any other option. I am joining Congress wholeheartedly."
The brothers Ahmed
10:34 Bihar has better law and order than UP: Manjhi
After gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf Ahmed were shot dead in Uttar Pradesh's Prayagraj, former Chief Minister of Bihar Jitan Ram Manjhi said that Bihar has better law and order than the BJP-ruled state.
"Right now Bihar has better law and order than Uttar Pradesh. Someone is going to the hospital and is shot near....it has been executed under planning, the probe should be done," former CM said on Sunday. Atiq Ahmad and his brother Ashraf Ahmed were shot dead by men posing as press persons on Saturday while being taken for a medical examination in Prayagraj.
Both the gangsters collapsed on the spot after they were shot at nearly point-blank range. -- ANI
10:13 US warship sails through Taiwan Strait after...
The United States Navy, on Sunday (local time), said that its guided-missile destroyer, USS Milius, has conducted a "routine" Taiwan Strait transit through waters but it came days after China concluded its military drills around the island, according to the official statement.
In a statement, US Navy 7th Fleet said, "The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Milius (DDG 69) conducted a routine Taiwan Strait transit April 16 (local time) through waters where high-seas freedoms of navigation and overflight apply in accordance with international law."
"The ship transited through a corridor in the Strait that is beyond the territorial sea of any coastal State. Milius' transit through the Taiwan Strait demonstrates the United States' commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific. The United States military flies, sails, and operates anywhere international law allows," it added.
China, which claims Taiwan as its own territory, officially ended its three days of exercises around Taiwan last Monday. This drill came in the response to Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen's meeting with US House of Representatives Speaker Kevin McCarthy.
Last week, Monday, China's Eastern Command said in a statement that the exercise "completely tested the integrated joint combat ability of multiple military branches under actual combat conditions", Al Jazeera reported.
-- ANI
-- ANI
Get tested if you have symptoms, don't be a super spreader
09:54 9,111 Covid cases in India in 24 hours
India recorded 9,111 new coronavirus infections, while the active cases increased to 60,313, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Monday.
The death toll increased to 5,31,141 with 27 deaths.
While six deaths were reported from Gujarat, four were from Uttar Pradesh, three each from Delhi and Rajasthan, two from Maharashtra, one each from Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Kerala and Tamil Nadu and three reconciled by Kerala, the data updated at 8 am stated.
The Covid case tally was recorded at 4.47 crore (4,48,27,226). The daily positivity was recorded at 8.40 per cent and the weekly positivity rate was pegged at 4.94 per cent. The active cases now comprise 0.13 per cent of the total infections and the national COVID-19 recovery rate has been recorded at 98.68 per cent, the ministry said.
The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 4,42,35,772 and the case fatality rate was recorded at 1.19 per cent. According to the ministry's website, 220.66 crore doses of Covid vaccine have been administered in the country so far under the nationwide vaccination drive. -- PTI
09:31 Soldier detained in Bathinda army camp shooting
Days after four Army personnel were killed in firing at Bathinda Military Station in Punjab, the police detained a jawan in connection with the incident, officials said on Monday.
Four Army jawans were killed in their sleep in the firing incident which took place on April 12.
According to Punjab Police, four jawans were interrogated in connection to the incident on Sunday.
Punjab Police had registered a case against two unknown persons in connection with the firing at the Bathinda Military Station.
The FIR was registered on the basis of the statement of Major Ashutosh Shukla, a witness in the firing incident.
The FIR said the four slain jawans have been identified as Sagar, Kamlesh, Santosh and Yogesh.
They were asleep in their rooms post the end of duty when two masked men, in white kurta pyjamas, attacked them with rifles and sharp-edged weapons. The four jawans were found in a pool of blood in their rooms.
The police informed that one of the weapons used in the crime was seized.
09:29 K'taka polls: Rahul to address rallies in Bhalki and Humnabad today
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi will address party rallies in Bhalki and Humnabad in Bidar district on Monday, ahead of the May 10 Assembly polls in Karnataka.
Several senior Congress leaders, including AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge, General Secretary in-charge of Karnataka Randeep Singh Surjewala, former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and KPCC President D K Shivakumar, are expected to participate in the rally.
Former Minister and KPCC Working President Eshwar Khandre and former Minister Rajashekar B Patil are sitting MLAs and the party's candidates from Bhalki and Humnabad Assembly segments respectively.
Gandhi on Sunday had addressed the 'Jai Bharat' rally in Kolar, the same place from where he made a remark on the Modi surname for which he was convicted of criminal defamation and also stripped of his Parliament membership. -- PTI
Uddhav visits hospital to take stock of the situation
09:20 Who will investigate?: Uddhav on heatstroke deaths
Former Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Monday said that the Maharashtra Bhushan Award ceremony held in Navi Mumbai's Khargar was not properly planned after 11 people died to due heatstroke during the event.
After meeting the patients who suffered from heatstroke in the event, Uddhav Thackeray spoke to the media and said, "We have met the people who are undergoing treatment. I interacted with four to five patients. Two of them were in critical condition. The event was not planned properly. Who will investigate this incident?"
Uddhav Thackeray, his son Aditya Thackeray and NCP leader Ajit Pawar visited the MGM Kamothe Hospital to take stock of the situation after eleven patients died due to heatstroke in Maharashtra Bhushan Award ceremony Khargar.
The 'Maharashtra Bhushan' award event in Navi Mumbai on Sunday turned tragic with the death of at least 11 people apparently due to sunstroke as the function, attended by lakhs, was held in an open ground.
The function held in Kharghar area in Raigad district neighbouring Mumbai was attended by Union home minister Amit Shah who conferred the award on spiritual leader and social reformer Appasaheb Dharmadhikari.
Chief Minister Eknath Shinde declared 5 lakh rupees for the deceased and further mentioned that the entire medical expenses will be borne by the state government for others undergoing treatment.
08:59 TMC MLA Jiban Krishna Saha detained by CBI
Trinamool Congress MLA Jiban Krishna Saha was on Monday morning taken from his residence at Burwan in Murshidabad district by slueths from the Central Bureau of Investigation in connection with investigation into the school- jobs-for-graft scam case, an official said.
Saha, an MLA from Burwan constituency, was being questioned by CBI officers since April 14 in connection with the case involving alleged illegal recruitments in West Bengal government aided schools.
Saha was detained on Monday morning and taken away in a convoy of vehicles with CRPF security by CBI officials, the official said. It was not clear whether a formal arrest has been made.
He will be taken to the investigative agency's offices in Kolkata, other officials said.
One of two mobile mobile phones belonging to the MLA was fished out of a pond adjacent to his house on Sunday evening in the course of the CBI raid. -- PTI
08:23 Plea in SC for independent panel probe into killings of Atiq
A day after gangster-politician Atiq Ahmad and his brother Ashraf were shot dead under police escort, a plea was filed in the Supreme Court on Sunday seeking the constitution of an independent expert committee headed by a former apex court judge to probe the killings.
The plea, filed by advocate Vishal Tiwari, also sought an inquiry into the 183 encounters that have taken place in Uttar Pradesh since 2017.
Ahmad (60) and Ashraf, who were in handcuffs, were shot dead by three men posing as journalists when they were answering reporters' queries while being escorted by police personnel to a medical college in Uttar Pradesh's Prayagraj for a checkup on Saturday night.
Just hours before the shooting, the last rites of Ahmad's son Asad, who along with one of his associates was gunned down in a police encounter in Jhansi on April 13, were held.
Uttar Pradesh Police had said on Friday that it has gunned down 183 alleged criminals in encounters in the six years of the Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath-led government and this included Asad and his accomplice.
The plea sought the creation of an independent expert committee to probe the killings of Atiq and Ashraf.
"Issue guidelines/directions to safeguard the rule of law by constituting an Independent Expert Committee under the Chairmanship of former Supreme Court justice to inquire into the 183 encounters which had occurred since 2017 as stated by Uttar Pradesh Special Director General of Police (Law and Order) and also to inquire into the police custody murder of Atiq and Ashraf," it said.
Referring to Atiq's killing, the plea said "such actions by police are a severe threat to democracy and rule of law and lead to police state".
"In a democratic society the police cannot be allowed to become a mode of delivering final justice or to become a punishing authority. The power of punishment is only vested in the judiciary," the plea stated.
The plea said extra judicial killings or fake police encounters have no place under the law.
When the police turn "Dare Devils then the entire rule of law collapses and generates fear in the mind of people against police which is very dangerous for democracy and this also results into further crime," it stated. -- PTI
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