LIVE! Bopanna-Ebden in US Open men's doubles final

LIVE

Thu, 07 September 2023

Bopanna-Ebden in US Open men's doubles final

Timeline Refresh

23:44 Bopanna-Ebden in US Open men's doubles final

Just In: India's Rohan Bopanna and his Australian partner Matthew Ebden enter men's doubles final of US Open in New York.

The legal head of a multinational company was arrested after being caught red handed while offering a bribe of Rs 1 lakh to a policeman, officials said on Thursday.

The sub-inspector in-charge of a forgery case against officials of the company informed the Anti-Corruption Bureau about the bribe offered to him, police said.

The company's legal head allegedly bribed the sub-inspector in lieu of helping a senior official of the MNC who is an accused in the forgery case, they said.

The ACB laid a trap on Wednesday and arrested the accused, they added.

The arrested accused is identified as Atul Sood, legal head of Perfetti Van Melle, a Dutch-Italian multinational company that manufactures and distributes confectionery and gum.

An FIR was registered against Sood at the ACB Police Station and later he was sent to judicial custody after being produced in a city court on Thursday, police said.

According to the FIR filed by the sub-inspector, a female HR head of the company had filed a sexual harassment complaint against two admin officials of the company at DLF Phase 1 Police Station in 2021.

After the woman failed to report to the office, the company terminated her, and sent her salary and other dues to her bank account, the FIR said. -- PTI

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and Sachin Pilot (left)

23:11 Gehlot, Rajasthan Cong leaders greet Pilot on birthday

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and other state Congress leaders congratulated Sachin Pilot on his birthday on Thursday.

"Hearty congratulations to Congress family member Sachin Pilot ji on his birthday. May God grant you a happy, healthy and long life," Gehlot said on 'X'.

The Congress' state unit president Govind Singh Dotasra also wished the former deputy chief minister.

"Happy birthday to Congress Working Committee member and Tonk MLA Sachin Pilot ji. I pray to God for your healthy and long life," Dotasra tweeted.

According to sources in the Congress, Pilot is currently abroad. -- PTI

Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar

22:55 Will send you on Chandrayaan-4: Khattar to woman

Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar has mocked a woman at a public event when she asked him for a factory in her neighbouring village saying that she would be sent on the Chandrayaan-4 mission.

In an unverified video which went viral, the woman is heard asking for setting up a factory in her neighbouring village of Bhatol Jattan so that it can generate employment opportunities for women.

In response to this, in the video clip, Khattar is heard purportedly saying, "Agli baar chaand ke upar ek aur jo jayega na Chandrayaan-4, usme bhejenge. Baith jao. (next time you will be sent to the moon on Chandrayaan-4. Sit down)".

Opposition Congress and AAP on Thursday attacked Khattar over his "Chandrayaan" remarks.

The venue of the public gathering is not clear in the video clip.

Khattar is currently in Hisar district as part of his Jan Samvad programme.

The short video clip was shared online by some Congress and AAP leaders from the state.

Senior Congress leaders Randeep Singh Surjewala and Deepender Singh Hooda and Aam Aadmi Party leader Anurag Dhanda slammed Khattar.

"The sense of contempt and disrespect towards women is in the DNA of BJP/RSS only! The BJP CM of Haryana, in the arrogance of power, is shamelessly displaying the same anti-women thinking!" -- PTI

On the eve of the G20 summit hosted by India, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar spoke to distinguished journalist Sheela Bhatt about the significance of India's presidency, and why it is coming at a crucial time.

"North-South divides have widened, aggravated by the impact of Covid, conflict, climate events and inflation. East-West polarisation has also been a major factor in global decision making'', thus "India's G20 presidency takes place at a particularly crucial time," Jaishankar says, adding that "it is the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi that the Indian presidency plays a bridging role in this regard."

About what the G20 is all about, Jaishankar tells Sheela Bhatt, "India is a country with big thinking and a large heart. We want to promote global good through collective action. That is what the G20 is all about."

Furthermore, he adds, "The pressing requirements of the Global South should be the core agenda. That is why PM Modi convened the Voice of the Global South Summit and took the initiative to propose membership of the African Union," the external affairs minister says, here.

22:06 Macron to meet Modi for lunch on Sunday

French President Emmanuel Macron is likely to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi over lunch on Sunday after the conclusion of the G20 summit in New Delhi, officials said.

Macron is scheduled to arrive in Delhi on Saturday to participate in the G20 Leaders summit at the Bharat Mandapam and have a bilateral meeting with Modi on Sunday.

During his two-day stay in India, Macron is also scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with Brazil President Luiz Incio Lula da Silva, Indonesia President Joko Widodo and the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia Mohammad bin Salman.

Macron will leave for Bangladesh on Sunday afternoon.

Udhayanidhi Stalin

21:27 TN BJP meets guv, asks him to sack Udhayanidhi

A delegation of Tamil Nadu Bharatiya Janata Party leaders on Thursday met Governor RN Ravi and submitted a memorandum for his intervention in filing cases, in line with the Supreme Court's guidelines, against Udhayanidhi Stalin for his alleged hate speech at the 'Sanatana Eradication' conference.

The delegation also demanded the dismissal of minister PK Sekar Babu for being a part of the 'Sanatana eradication' conference, which is a violation of his oath to office.

Speaking to reporters BJP leader Karu Nagarajan said, "If Udhayanidhi Stalin says he is to eradicate Sanatanam it means that he is calling for eradicating Hinduism. We gave the petition to the Governor requesting to sack Udhayanidhi Stalin from the cabinet for his remarks on Sanatanam. We also requested Governor RN Ravi to sack HR & CE minister Sekar Babu as he also participated in the same programme."

This came amid the nationwide controversy, that erupted after Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin's son gave remarks on Sanatana Dharma.

Speaking at the Chennai conference last week, Udhayanidhi said 'Sanatana' (Sanatan Dharma) is like malaria and dengue, which should not be merely opposed but eradicated.

"A few things cannot be opposed but should only be abolished. We can't merely oppose dengue, mosquitoes, malaria, or corona. They have to be eradicated. Rather than opposing Sanatana, it should be eradicated," Stalin junior had said. -- PTI

Award-winning lyricist, poet, scriptwriter and activist Javed Akhtar on Thursday received his Doctor of Literature honorary degree at a ceremony at the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London.

The 78-year-old has been conferred the honorary degree for his creative endeavours as a distinguished writer and his dedication to social justice as an activist.

Dr Akhtar was accompanied at the ceremony by his actor wife, Shabana Azmi, and filmmaker son, Farhan Akhtar.

"A luminary in Indian cinema and literature, Javed Akhtar's impact spans across writing, activism, and leadership," the SOAS citation reads.

"As an award-winning scriptwriter, lyricist, poet, and activist, Akhtar's work has touched the hearts and minds of millions. His dedication to social justice, as reflected in his instrumental role in copyright reform, and his outspoken stance against religious fundamentalism highlight his commitment to a better society," it notes.

The university highlighted Akhtar's many accolades, including numerous awards for his cinematic contributions, such as National Awards and Filmfare Awards, and recognition as the first Indian to be conferred the Richard Dawkins Award for critical thinking, which "underscores his influence as a thought leader'.

Among the 2023 cohort of SOAS honorary doctorates, British Indian chef and bestselling cookbook author Asma Khan was conferred a Doctor of Science (Social Sciences) degree for reshaping the culinary landscape with her innovative approach to food and her commitment to social change.

"As the first British chef profiled in Netflix's Emmy-nominated 'Chef's Table' series and a Vogue 25 Most Influential Women awardee, Khan's impact transcends borders. Her all-female kitchen team and dedication to inclusivity have earned her recognition as a trailblazer," reads her citation. -- PTI

Accused Manoj Sane

20:55 Chargesheet filed in murder of woman by live-in partner in Mira Road

The police have filed the chargesheet in the murder of a woman whose body parts were boiled in a pressure cooker and roasted by her live-in partner in their rented apartment on the outskirts of Mumbai, sources have said.

The Mira-Bhayandar, Vasai-Virar police submitted the chargesheet in a magistrate's court in Thane on September 5, said advocate Atul Saroj, counsel for accused Manoj Sane (56).

Explaining the next process, he said the court will frame charges against the accused in due course after which the hearing in the case will commence.

The contents of the chargesheet were immediately not known.

The case came to light in the first week of June after neighbours alerted the police about a foul odour coming from a flat where Sane and his live-in partner Saraswati Vaidya (34) lived in Naya Nagar area of Mira Road township in Thane district.

After breaking the door open, the police were stunned to discover Vaidya's body parts, some cooked in a pressure cooker and even roasted, inside the flat.

As per the FIR, Sane killed the woman on June 4, chopped her body with a chainsaw and pressure-cooked and roasted a few pieces in his attempt to get rid of them.

Representational image

20:18 Pak Hindus cane-charged at stir against abductions

Several members of Pakistan's Hindu community and other faiths were injured on Thursday after the police in Sindh province baton charged them as they held a sit-in against the increasing cases of kidnappings of Hindu traders and others from minority communities for ransom.

The members of the minority communities have been staging the protest since September 1 over the abduction of some members of the minority community by bandits in riverine areas in southern Sindh province's Kashmore.

On Thursday, while the protesters continued with their agitation, the police baton charged and injured some of them after they refused to end the protest despite the intervention of an influential leader of the Pakistan Peoples Party that has governed the Sindh province for over a decade.

"Ahsan Mazari, a former minister and influential leader of the PPP joined the protesters initially to express solidarity with them and even got two kidnapped Hindu traders released from the grip of these riverine dacoits," Shiva Kacchi said on the telephone.

He said that after the release of the two abductees, Mazari had asked the protesters to disperse and assured them the authorities would now handle the matter and get others released.

"But when those part of the protest flatly refused, insisting they had no confidence in the local police officials Mazari left and after a while the police baton charged the protesters. But despite the injuries they are still there in small numbers at the sit-in," Kacchi said. -- PTI

An 81-year-old woman, whose son-in-law is a vice admiral-rank officer in the Indian Navy in Mumbai, lost nearly Rs 2 lakh in an online fraud as she was lured into redeeming the reward points offered in the name of a prominent bank, the police said on Thursday.

The woman lodged a complaint in this connection with the Cuffe Parade police station in south Mumbai on Tuesday evening, an official said.

The victim stays at the Naval Officers' Residential Area at Colaba with her daughter and son-in-law, who is a vice admiral-rank officer in the navy, he said.

In her complaint, the woman said she received a message on her mobile phone on September 3 evening, in which she was asked to immediately redeem reward points worth Rs 5,899, saying it was the last day to do so.

A link was provided in the message, which she was directed to open, he added.

The next day, the woman clicked the link, which took her to the official page of the bank.

As per the instructions given on the home page, she was asked to tick the one-time password option.

After doing so, she received a six-digit OTP on her mobile phone, which she entered on the portal. But she received the same instruction two more times.

This way, she entered the OTP thrice, he said. When the woman checked the mobile app of the bank, she found that Rs 89,798, Rs 89,813 and Rs 19,858, were debited from her bank account in three transactions, he said. -- PTI

A man was arrested from a running train in a joint operation of the Mumbai police and government railway police for allegedly kidnapping a five-and-half-year-old girl after a dispute with her mother, an official said on Thursday.

The 35-year-old accused, identified as Rotin Ghosh, and the child's mother, a resident of Kamathipura in central Mumbai, were in a relationship but then had a fallout, the official said.

"The child's mother filed a kidnapping case at Nagpada police station on Tuesday. Six teams were formed to nab Ghosh as we realised he would try to flee the city with the child," the official said.

Technical surveillance revealed Ghosh was near Igatpuri in Nashik and police assumed he was on some train on its way to Kolkata, the official added.

"We asked the GRP to check Amritsar Express and Howrah Express but they could not find Ghosh or the child. We found the accused's location, near Bodhwad in Buldhana, and that of the Shalimar Express that leaves from Kurla LTT in Mumbai were matching," he said.

A GRP team boarded Shalimar Express and nabbed Ghosh when the train was near Shegaon, and he has been brought to Mumbai in connection with the kidnapping case registered at Nagpada police station, the official informed. -- PTI

IIT Mandi Director Laxmidhar Behera has stirred a controversy after he asked students to take a pledge not to eat meat while claiming that landslides and cloudbursts in Himachal Pradesh are happening because of cruelty on animals.

"Himachal Pradesh will have a significant downfall...if we do. Not stop butchering animals. You are butchering animals there... the innocent animals. It has a symbiotic relationship with the degradation of the environment as well... which you cannot see right now but is there...

"It is having landslides, cloudbursts and many other things again and again, these are all effects of cruelty on animals...people eat meat," Behra said while addressing the students, a video of which is doing the rounds on social media.

"To become good human beings, what you have to do? No to meat eating," he further said and then went on to ask the students to vow not to eat meat.

There was no response from Behera on the controversy. His comments attracted criticism from netizens.

"The collapse is complete. These superstitious fools will destroy whatever little was built in 70 years," Sandeep Manudhane, an entrepreneur and IIT Delhi alumni, said on X.

Gautam Menon, a professor of biophysics, said, "In the current dispensation, having views like those of the director of IIT Mandi featured here is a feature, not a bug. It's simply sad."

This is not the first time Behera has stir a row with his controversial comments. Last year, he hit the headlines for claiming that he was involved in an act of exorcism to rid his friend's apartment and family of "evil spirits" by chanting "holy mantras". -- PTI

At least 35 'Govindas' involved in the formation of human pyramids as part of the Dahi Handi celebrations were injured in parts of Mumbai on Thursday, an official said.

The Dahi Handi festival is being celebrated with traditional fervour to mark Krishna Janmashtami, the birth anniversary of Lord Krishna. As part of the celebrations, Govindas or Dahi Handi participants form multi-tiered human pyramids to break 'dahi handis' (earthen pots filled with curd) suspended in the air.

The celebrations, which began in the morning, will continue till night. Competitions are organised at various locations across the city, offering cash prizes for the Govinda groups that succeed in breaking dahi handis. During the formation of human pyramids, there are chances of participants falling down and injuring themselves, sometimes critically.

"At least 35 Govindas have suffered injuries during the Dahi Handi celebrations in Mumbai so far. Of them, four have been admitted to hospitals - two each in civic-run KEM Hospital at Parel in central Mumbai and Rajawadi Hospital in Ghatkopar," the official said.

Twenty-two of them are being getting treatment at the out-patient departments (OPDs) in state-run and municipal hospitals, he said.

As part of its proactive measures, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has kept 125 beds ready at civic-run hospitals to treat injured Govindas, civic officials said. -- PTI

18:29 Will prove that Marathas are backward: Shinde

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Thursday expressed commitment to provide reservation to Marathas as the state government renewed its appeal to quota activist Manoj Jarange to end his 10-day-old fast launched over the issue in Jalna district.

Sumant Bhange, secretary (services), General Administration Department (GAD), sent a copy of a Government Resolution, dated September 7, on reservation to Jarange, who is on an indefinite fast since August 29 in a village in Jalna seeking quota benefits in education and jobs for Marathas. On behalf of the government, the senior bureaucrat, in a letter, appealed to him to call off his fast.

The GR is on the state cabinet's decision to issue Kunbi caste certificates to Marathas from the Marathwada region who possess revenue or education documents from the Nizam era that recognise them as Kunbis, a move that will allow them to avail quota benefits under the OBC category.

Speaking to reporters in adjoining Thane, Chief Minister Shinde said his government will make efforts to prove the Maratha community is backward and its members need reservation in public jobs and education for their socio-economic upliftment.

The government is firm on giving reservation to the Maratha community and while doing that it will not do injustice to any other community, Shinde asserted.

In reply to a question, the CM said whatever good work was done on the Maratha quota front during the Devendra Fadnavis dispensation (2014-19) was undone by the erstwhile Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government (November 2019-June 2022), but things will be set right now.

"But now we will examine the lapses and set things right and ensure reservation to Marathas without affecting reservation to other classes," he said.

The state cabinet on Wednesday decided that Kunbi caste certificates will be issued to Marathas hailing from Marathwada who possess revenue or education documents from the Nizam era that recognise them as Kunbis.

Kunbis, a community associated with agriculture, are grouped under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category in Maharashtra and enjoy reservation benefits in education and government jobs. After the cabinet decision,

Maratha community members from Marathwada recognised as Kunbis can avail of OBC quota.

The GR said a five-member panel headed by Judge Sandeep Shinde (retired) will determine the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), including legal and administrative framework, for giving caste certificates to Maratha community members referred to as Kunbis in Nizam-era documents.

The panel will submit its report in a month.

18:07 Those opposing Sanatan Dharma...: MP CM

The political end of those who oppose Sanatan Dharma is certain, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said here on the occasion of Janmashtami on Thursday.

His comment comes against the backdrop of DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin, also the son of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, seeking the eradication of Sanatan Dharma.

The southern state's minister for Youth Welfare and Sports Development, while speaking at a gathering of the Tamil Nadu Progressive Writers and Artists Association recently, had equated the ideology of Sanatan Dharma with dengue, malaria and coronavirus.

Reciting 'yada yada hi dharmasya' shloka from the Mahabharata, Chouhan said, "Those opposing Sanatan Dharma their political end is certain. There is no beginning or end of Sanatan Dharma." -- PTI

Joe Biden and Rishi Sunak

17:16 G20: Who will receive Biden, Sunak? See full list

As the national capital has been decked up royally to welcome foreign delegates for the G20 summit, the Centre has assigned responsibilities to different Union ministers of state to welcome the dignitaries, according to sources.

A presentation regarding the same was given to the council of ministers and MOS by the foreign secretary, sources told ANI.

US President Joe Biden will be received by Minister of State VK Singh on September 8 at 6.55 pm (tentative time).

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak will be received by MOS Ashwini Choubey at 1.40 pm.

Bangaladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will be received by MOS Darshan Jardosh at 12:30 pm.

MoS Choubey will also receive Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at 2.15 pm.

The Prime Minister of Italy Giorgia Meloni will be received by MOS Shobha Karadlaje at 6:20 am.

China's Premier Li Qiang will be received by MOS Gen (retd.) VK Singh at 7.45 pm.

UAE President HH Shaikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan will be received by Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai as he arrives in the national capital at 8 pm.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will arrive at 6.15 pm and he will be received by Union Minister of State Rajeev Chandrasekhar.

The heads of state of Germany and France will arrive on September 9. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz will be arriving at 8 am and he will be received by MOS Bhanu Pratap Singh Verma.

French President Emmanuel Macron will arrive at 12:35 pm and he will be received by MOS Anupriya Patel.

The countries taking part in the G20 Summit include Nigeria, Argentina, Italy, the AU (represented by Comros), and South Africa. Bangladesh, the United Kingdom, Japan Saudi Arabia, the Republic of Korea, Egypt, Australia, the United States, Canada, China, the U.A.E, Brazil, Indonesia, Turkey Spain, Germany, France, Mauritius, the European Union, and Singapore.

Udhayanidhi Stalin

16:59 Don't agree with Sanatana Dharma comments: Cong

The Congress on Thursday said it did not agree with the remarks of DMK leaders Udhayanidhi Stalin and A Raja on Sanatan Dharma and asserted the party believed in "sarvadharma sambhav" (equal respect to all religions).

The opposition party also asserted that every single member of the INDIA alliance has immense respect for all faiths, communities and beliefs.

The assertion came amid a political row after DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin blamed Sanatan Dharma for promoting division and discrimination among people and said it should be eradicated.

Also, DMK leader A Raja reportedly said Sanatan Dharma should be compared to diseases such as AIDS and leprosy that have a social stigma attached to them.

Asked about comments by leaders of ally DMK, Congress' media and publicity department head Pawan Khera said, "The Congress has always believed in 'sarvadharma sambhav' wherein every religion, every faith has its space. No one can treat any particular faith as less than another faith."

"Neither the Constitution allows this nor the Indian National Congress believes in any of these comments," Khera said during a press conference at the AICC headquarters.

"If you know the history of the Indian National Congress you would know that we have always maintained (this stand) and you will find the same principles in the Constituent Assembly debates and the Constitution of India. There can never be a rethink on the Constitution as far as the Congress is concerned," he said.

Pressed further as to why the Congress had not condemned the remarks, Khera said, "I just said we do not agree with such comments." Asked if the Congress would raise this with its ally DMK, Khera said there is no need to raise these issues because "we know for a fact that each one of our constituents also respects every religion".

"Now if you want to twist anybody's remarks, they are free to do so. If it suits the PM let him twist those remarks but every single member of the INDIA alliance has immense respect for all faiths, communities, beliefs and religions," he said. PTI

The venue of the G20 meet: Bharat Mandapam

16:36 3-hr fusion music concert at Prez G20 dinner

Leaders of the G20 summit will be treated with first-of-its-kind instrumental music performances showcasing the cultural depth of Bharat on the occasion hosted by the President of India on September 9.

Bharat-Vadya-Darshanam (musical journey of India), a fusion of different musical styles prevailing within Bharat, will be organised by the Sangeet Natak Akademi under the Ministry of Culture.

78 instrumentalists from all over the country will perform together for three hours before foreign dignitaries during the dinner programme hosted by the President in honour of G20 leaders at 'Bharat Mandapan'.

What sets this ensemble apart is the inclusion of 34 Hindustani instruments, 18 Carnatic instruments, and 40 folk instruments from across Indian states featuring 78 artists including 11 children, 13 women, 7 differently abled (Divyang) artists, 26 young men and 21 seniors.

Dr Sandhya Purecha, Chairman of Sangeet Natak Akademi, said that the musical programme with compositions in Vilambit Laya (slow tempo) followed by Madhya Laya (medium fast tempo) ending with few scores in Druta Laya (Fast tempo). The performance will go on for three hours from 6-9 pm, the chairman said.

As Delhi is all set to host the G20 Summit over this weekend, traders in Chandni Chowk have engaged nearly 100 women entrepreneurs who will double up as translators fluent in English, French, Spanish and other languages to provide foreign visitors a seamless experience.

The Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI) has partnered with these women entrepreneurs, fashion designers, influencers, bloggers, salon and boutique owners who are fluent in languages such as English, French, Spanish and German to work as translators, its chairman Brijesh Goyal said.

These women will assist the traders of Chandani Chowk market in communicating with foreign visitors on September 8-10, he said. They will be engaged on voluntary basis, he said.

Goyal said that CTI has also sent a list of volunteers to the Ministry of External Affairs so that it can contact them to help traders of other markets as well as foreign delegates. While many prominent markets of the city lying in the controlled zone of New Delhi will be closed during the G20 Summit, Chandni Chowk famed for its food and shopping experience as well proximity with historic monuments will serve as a big draw for the visitors. According to shop owners, these measures will facilitate seamless communication with foreign visitors.

"Our aim is to make Chandni Chowk, which is well known all over the country, famous in other countries also," Goyal said.

Shop owners expressed their enthusiasm regarding the summit and said such a programme had never happened before.

"We are proud that the event will draw so many foreign visitors here and we welcome all of them to the Walled City, said a local trader. A large number of prominent roads and other areas in the city have been cleaned and beautified in the run-up to the G20 Leaders' Summit, which is slated to be held on September 9-10 at the newly built international convention centre at Pragati Maidan. -- PTI

The Yamuna flowed above the danger mark in July

15:43 Delhi won't flood even if it rains for 3 days: AAP

Delhi Urban Development Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj on Thursday stressed that the city police should safeguard assets created and upgraded for the G20 Summit and ensure these are not stolen or damaged after the key meeting.

In a telephonic interview to PTI, the senior AAP leader said that for such events, proper planning has to be done so that people are not inconvenienced.

"It is good that such events are being held in Delhi. But there is a caveat. For the last 10 days, people are facing traffic jams. If you want the support of people for such events, it has to be ensured that they are not inconvenienced. There should be proper planning by Delhi Police and its traffic unit for it," he said.

Bharadwaj said that Delhi Police has to ensure strict action against those who steal or tamper with the assets that have been created in Delhi for the summit.

In the run-up to the summit, there has been a controversy over allocation of funds for the beautification of Delhi. Union minister Meenakashi Lekhi on Monday claimed that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government did nothing for Delhi's development in its nine-year rule and it was the Centre that bore almost all the expenses for G20 Summit preparations in the city.

Responding to the charge, Bharadwaj claimed, "I can say with responsibility that the Centre did not provide any fund. I have a file in which the chief secretary himself wrote that all departments have to spend their own money. Manish Sisodia (former deputy chief minister) had written to Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for funds for the summit. There was no response from the Centre."

The senior leader also accused the Centre of "step-motherly" treatment and stressed that it was Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal who directed that the work should not be stopped.

Talking about the preparations in case there is heavy rains, Bharadwaj, who also holds the flood and irrigation portfolio, said, "Even if it rains in Delhi for three days, there will be no flooding."

This monsoon, several parts of the national capital witnessed flooding. Bharadwaj, who also holds the health portfolio, stressed that they are fully prepared for any kind of medical emergency during the G20 Summit.

"There are doctors who will be deployed 24X7 at hotels. Advanced life support ambulances will accompany carcades. Ambulances have also been deployed at strategic locations," he said.

Representational image

15:15 Pak flag tied to balloons found in J-K's Udhampur

A Pakistan flag attached to a dozen white and green coloured balloons was on Thursday found in Payala Village of Jammu and Kashmir's Udhampur, officials said.

According to the Udhampur police, locals spotted the flag and balloons and informed police.

Police have confiscated the flag and balloons, Anwar-Ul-Haq, Additional Superintendent of Police, Udhampur said. The incident took place in Payala Village of Ramnagar tehsil.

"Payala Village is very near the Samba District and the International Border. It is suspected that Pakistan's flag attached to the balloons filled with gas must have been flown by someone from Pakistan and could have drifted towards Indian territory and landed in the fields of village Payala. Police are investigating the matter as a precautionary measure, ASP Udhampur said.

"A case has been registered in the matter and further investigation is underway," he added.

Till recently it has always been the BJP that celebrates the use of India over Bharat. LK Advani lost an election by telling us that India was shining, Modi launched Make in India. Read Vir Sanghvi's column here.

The session will be held in the new Parliament as well

14:36 Cong: Oppn won't boycott Sp Parl session but...

"If the opposition parties boycott the special session of Parliament, the BJP will take a one-sided decision," said Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Thursday, adding that "there should be a discussion in Parliament about important issues, and we will put them forward".

Ramesh's statement comes as leaders from the opposition parties are demanding to know the motive behind calling a Special Session in Parliament.

On Wednesday, Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi demanding to discuss and debate several issues, including the Manipur violence, the economic situation of the country, the MSP, and other demands of farmers, among other issues.

In the letter, the former Congress chief also mentioned that the session is being held without any consultation with other political parties, and none of them had any idea of the agenda for the session.

"You have convened a special five-day session of the Parliament beginning September 18, 2023. I must point out that this special session has been convened without any consultation with other political parties. None of us have any idea of its agenda," she said in her letter.

"All we have communicated is that all five days have been allocated for government business. We most certainly want to participate in the special session because it will give us an opportunity to raise matters of public concern and importance," Sonia Gandhi said. -- ANI

"The Reserve Bank (RBI) resisted a "raid" planned by some in the government to extract Rs 2-3 lakh crore from its balance sheet in 2018 to meet populist spending in run-up to general elections," Viral Acharya, who was deputy governor at RBI at that time, has written.

This apparently had led to differences between RBI and the government, which even contemplated invoking never-used Section 7 of the Reserve Bank of India Act to issue directions to the central bank.

Acharya who had first flagged the issue while delivering AD Shroff Memorial Lecture on October 26, 2018, in a fresh prelude to his book 'Quest for Restoring Financial Stability in India', called the exercise a "backdoor monetisation of the fiscal deficit by the central bank".

"Creative minds in the bureaucracy and the government" devised a plan to transfer substantial sums accumulated by RBI during the tenure of previous governments to the current government's account," he said in the prelude in the updated edition of his book first published in 2020.

RBI every year sets aside a part of its profit instead of giving it all to the government.

"In three years leading up to the 2016 demonetisation, the central bank made record profit transfers to the government," Acharya said.

"During the demonetisation year, the expense for currency printing reduced the transfers made to the Centre, resulting in "intensifying" the government's demand ahead of the 2019 elections," he said.

Extracting more dividends from the RBI was in a way "back-door monetisation" of fiscal deficit -- the difference between the revenue government generates and its expenditure. The deficit widened after disinvestment missed targets.

"Why cut populist expenditures in an election year... when the central bank balance sheet can be raided and surging fiscal deficits essentially monetised?" he wrote.

Acharya quit in June 2019, six months before his three-year term as the deputy governor in-charge of the monetary policy, financial markets, financial stability and research.

Image only for representation

13:53 False tsunami alert triggers panic at Porvorim

A siren giving a warning about tsunami erroneously started playing from the Early Warning Dissemination System at Porvorim near Panaji, triggering panic among the local residents, an official said on Thursday.

The siren started sounding the alert after 9 pm on Wednesday and it continued for more than 20 minutes, local residents said.

Whether the siren went off due to any technical error or any other reason is being probed, with a state minister saying that he has sought a report into it.

The Early Warning Dissemination System (EWDS) is installed on a hillock at Porvorim in North Goa on the outskirts of state capital Panaji.

Talking to reporters on Thursday, North Goa District Collector Mamu Hage said, "It was a false warning as there was no such intimation of tsunami from any of the authorities."

"There was no mock drill or anything. I have personally checked and found out that there was no warning either from Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) or the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS)," she said.

The collector said she has directed the state Water Resources Department (WRD) to find out why the siren started playing from the EWDS.

People living in the nearby areas said the siren created panic among the locals.

Talking about it, local resident Avinash R said, "We were on a walk after dinner when we heard the siren. Initially we panicked, but we soon realised that it could be a mock drill."

When contacted, state WRD Minister Subhash Shirodkar said he has sought a report from his office, which will be received by this evening.

North Goa District Disaster Authority said in a social media post, 'There are certain reports of Siren alerting Early Warning Dissemination System at Porvorim of a Tsunami alert.'

It is clarified that no such Alert of Tsunami is issued by the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS).

'The citizens are requested not to panic,' it added. -- PTI

13:21 Unfair for PM to target Udhayanidhi: Stalin

Amid a raging row across the country over cabinet colleague Udhayanidhi Stalin's alleged anti-Sanatan Dharma remarks, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Thursday said his son had expressed certain comments about the "inhuman principles" preached in it.

Pro-BJP forces, unable to tolerate his stance against oppressive principles, have spread a false narrative, alleging Udhayanidhi called for the genocide of people with Sanatan thoughts, Stalin said in a statement and wondered why Prime Minister Narendra Modi would also join those targeting the TN minister.

"Udhayanidhi Stalin expressed certain comments about inhuman principles preached by Sanatan. He expressed his views on Sanatan principles that discriminate against Scheduled Castes, tribals and women, with no intention to offend any religion or religious beliefs," he said.

"The Social Media mob nurtured by the BJP has widely circulated... falsehood in northern states. However, Minister Udhayanidhi never used the word 'genocide' in either Tamil or English. Still, lies were spread claiming so," Stalin added.

Union ministers Amit Shah and Rajnath Singh "shared the same lie and condemned Udhayanidhi. Even after Udhayanidhi's denial, these Union Ministers did not retract their statements."

"It is disheartening to hear from the national media that the Prime Minister mentioned that Udhayanidhi's remarks need a proper response during a meeting of his council of ministers. The Prime Minister has access to all the resources to verify any claim or report. So, is the Prime Minister speaking unaware of the lies spread about Udhayanidhi, or does he do so knowingly?" Stalin, president of the ruling DMK, asked. PTI

13:09 Modi leaves for home after ASEAN

Prime Minister Narendra Modi left for home on Thursday after wrapping up a short but fruitful and productive visit to Indonesia to attend the ASEAN-India and East Asia summits during which he reaffirmed India's strong ties with the countries in the strategically key region.

The prime minister arrived in the Indonesian capital, Jakarta, in the morning. "PM @narendramodi concludes his visit to Indonesia, forging stronger partnerships with ASEAN and EAS partners," the Ministry of External Affairs posted on X.

"Had a very short but fruitful Indonesia visit, where I met ASEAN and other leaders. I thank President @jokowi, the Indonesian Government and the people for their welcome," Prime Minister Modi posted on X.

"The prime minister has just completed a very short but very productive visit to Jakarta to participate in the ASEAN-India Summit and the East Asia Summit," Secy (East) Saurabh Kumar said. The prime minister's participation in the summit will give India-ASEAN relations a strategic direction.

The prime minister has comprehensive discussions, including in areas such as connectivity, maritime cooperation, digital transformation, trade and the economy, environment, health and traditional medicine, he said. In each of these, the prime minister made specific proposals which have already been put out in the form of a 12-point proposal.

Two joint statements were issued between India and ASEAN. These relate to maritime cooperation and food security, Kumar said. In maritime cooperation, areas such as safety and security of maritime areas, maritime domain awareness, disaster management etc. have been covered.

In the food security minute, millets find a prominent place. It provides food security as well as the environment, he said. The prime minister announced the formation of an ASEAN-India fund for the digital future. This will provide financial connectivity between ASEAN and India. --

12:19 Aditya-L1 sends stunning pics of Earth, Moon

India's Aditya-L1 mission headed to the Sun-Earth L1 point takes images of the Earth and the Moon. The mission is carrying scientific instruments to observe the sun's outermost layers in a four-month journey.

If successful, this latest mission from ISRO will be the first by any Asian nation to be placed in orbit around the sun.

12:02 BJP denied rice to poor in Karnataka: CM

Accusing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) led central government of being anti-poor and inhumane, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday urged the people of the state to not vote for the BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

The statement was made by the Karnataka CM at an event that was held at Madhugiri in Tumakuru district to celebrate the completion of 10 years of the 'Ksheera Bhagya' scheme, which offers milk to government schoolchildren every day.

Calling the BJP despicable, Siddaramaiah said the ruling party denied rice to the people of Karnataka. He said that when he became the chief minister of the state, he had written to the Food Corporation of India (FCI) to supply rice for the Anna Bhagya scheme.

"The FCI had assured that it would provide rice, but the centre denied it," he said. "We trusted them, but the centre denied us rice. Is the BJP pro-poor? They are not. We did not ask for rice for free. We were ready to pay for it. We were ready to pay 36 rupees (per kg) for the rice. When we asked for rice, they agreed and then backtracked. All of you must decide how despicable they are. They are anti-poor. They are inhumane," he said.

"Before the election, when I was the CM in my previous government, I was giving you more than 5 kg of rice, but the BJP had reduced free rice to just 5 kg. We wrote to the Food Corporation of India to purchase rice from them. They replied to us, saying they had plenty of rice to sell. They assured us that they were ready to provide the rice. But the BJP denied it," he added.

On July 10, the Karnataka government launched the Anna Bhagya scheme for only those belonging to Below Poverty Line (BPL). Under this scheme, the state government distributes money instead of rice. Under this scheme, an amount of Rs 170 is given to beneficiaries through Direct Benefit Transfer in return for an additional 5 kg of rice. The Anna Bhagya scheme was among the five poll promises that the Congress had made to the people ahead of the elections

11:38 Jawan Review: Shah Rukh Is Simply Amazing!

"This is just the kind of movie that I was waiting to catch Shah Rukh Khan in and if the cheers of the audiences of the 6 am show are any indication, this will be unstoppable at the box office."

Read the review here.

Olympian Neeraj Chopra with a javelin. A javelin is pointed at one end

11:35 Teen killed by javelin in freak accident at school

A 15-year-old boy died after a javelin thrown by another student during a practice session pierced his head at a school in Maharashtra's Raigad district, the police said on Thursday.

Hujefa Daware had bent down to tie his shoelace and didn't realise the pointed object was moving towards him, an official said.

The freak incident took place at INT English School at Purar, Goregaon, in the Mangaon taluka of the district on Wednesday afternoon when students were practising javelin throwing at the school's ground, he said.

Daware was also a part of the javelin team that was preparing for a taluka level meet, the official said. As the practice session was underway, a fellow student hurled a javelin, the official said.

However, Daware apparently failed to notice that the javelin was hurtling towards him. The teen was hit in the head when he bent down to tie his shoelace, the official said. Daware collapsed on the spot after the javelin pierced his head. The profusely bleeding student died before he could be taken to the hospital, the official said.

The Goregaon police in the district have registered a case of accidental death for now and are examining if there was any negligence on the part of the student who threw the javelin, he said. The police have also sought the footage of the CCTV cameras installed in the school and the ones covering the playground. A probe into the matter is going on, he added. PTI

Ahead of the G20 Summit in New Delhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that India's presidency strives to bridge divides, break barriers, and sow seeds of collaboration in a world where unity prevails over discord.

In an editorial that has been published across newspapers, Modi said that the Summit under Indian presidency will reach the last mile and would leave no one behind.

"Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam -- these two words capture a deep philosophy. The phrase means "the world is one family'. This is an all-embracing outlook that encourages us to progress as one universal family, transcending borders, languages, and ideologies. During India's G20 Presidency, this has translated into a call for human-centric progress," Modi said.

"As One Earth, we are coming together to nurture our planet. As One Family, we support each other in the pursuit of growth. And we move together towards a shared future - One Future - which is an undeniable truth in these interconnected times," he said.

"The post-pandemic world order is very different from the world before it. There are three important changes, among others. First, there is a growing realisation that a shift away from a GDP-centric view of the world to a human-centric view is needed. Second, the world is recognising the importance of resilience and reliability in global supply chains. Third, there is a collective call for boosting multilateralism through the reform of global institutions," Modi said.

"In December 2022, when we took over the Presidency from Indonesia, I had written that a mindset shift must be catalysed by the G20. This was especially needed in the context of mainstreaming the marginalized aspirations of developing countries, the Global South and Africa," he said.

The Voice of Global South Summit, which witnessed participation from 125 countries, was one of the foremost initiatives under our Presidency. It was an important exercise to gather inputs and ideas from the Global South. Further, our Presidency has not only seen the largest-ever participation from African countries but has also pushed for the inclusion of the African Union as a permanent member of the G20. -- ANI

11:01 Udhayanidhi attacks 'Thiru Modi' on FIRs

Under intense attack from the BJP over his alleged anti-Sanatan Dharma remarks, DMK leader and Tamil Nadu Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin on Thursday accused the saffron party leaders of "twisting" his statements and vowed to face all cases in this connection legally.

He also launched a strident attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying he was "globe-trotting", afraid of facing questions over the Manipur violence.

"For the last 9 years, all your (BJP) promises are empty promises. What have you exactly done for our welfare is a question currently being raised in unison by the entire country against an unarmed, fascist BJP government. It is in this background that the BJP leaders have twisted my speech at the TNPWAA conference as 'inciting genocide'. They consider it a weapon to protect themselves," he said.

What is surprising is that those like Union Minister Amit Shah and Chief Ministers of BJP-ruled states were demanding action against him based on "fake news," Udhayanidhi said.

"In all fairness, I should be the one filing criminal cases and other court cases against them for spreading slander while holding respectable positions. But I am aware that this is their mode of survival. They don't know how else to survive, so I decided not to do that," he said.

He was one of the political heirs of Dravidian stalwart, the late CN Annadurai, the founder of the DMK. "Everyone knows that we are not enemies of any religion."

"I would like to quote Anna's comment on religions which remains relevant even today. If a religion leads people towards equality and teaches them fraternity, then I too am a spiritualist. If a religion divides people in the name of castes, if it teaches them untouchability and slavery, I would be the first person to oppose religion," he said quoting Annadurai.

He said DMK respects all religions that teach all lives are born equal. "But without an iota of understanding about any of these, Thiru Modi and Co are solely dependent on such slanders to face the Parliamentary elections. On the one hand, I can only feel sorry for them. For the last 9 years, Modi has been doing nothing. Occasionally he demonetises money, builds wall to hide huts, builds new Parliamentary building, erects a Sengol (scepter) there, plays around by changing the name of the country, standing at border and making the white flag work," he lashed out.

Has there been any progressive scheme from the Union government in the last nine years like the DMK's "Pudhumai Penn" or the Chief Minister's breakfast scheme or the Kalaignar's women's rights scheme, he asked.

"Have they built the AIIMS in Madurai? Did they take forward any knowledge movement like the Kalaignar centenary library."

"Afraid of having to face questions about Manipur in India, he is globe-trotting along with his friend Adani. The fact is, the ignorance of the people is the capital of their theatrical politics."

"Thiru Modi and co are using the Sanatana ploy to divert the attention from the facts including the killing of more than 250 people in the riots incited in Manipur and the Rs 7.5 lakh crore corruption," he charged.

The Supreme Court lit up for G20

10:48 US committed to India hosting successful G20

The US is committed to ensuring that India hosts a successful G20 Summit, the White House has said ahead of President Joe Biden's departure for New Delhi to attend the global summit and a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

India is hosting the annual G20 Summit in New Delhi on September 9 and 10. Biden, 80, will travel to New Delhi on Thursday to attend the G20 Leaders' Summit.

On Friday, the president will participate in a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Modi and on Saturday and Sunday, he will participate in the official sessions of the G20 Summit. "We commend Prime Minister Modi for his leadership of the G20 this year and we are committed to helping ensure that India has a successful G20 host as they host (the summit) this year," White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters at her daily news conference on Wednesday. -- PTI

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut says on Udhayanidhi Stalin's statement on Sanatan Dharma. "...I have heard that statement... Udhayanidhi Stalin is a minister and no one will support his statement and one should refrain from making such statements. This could be DMK's view or his personal view. Around 90 crore Hindus live in this country and people of other religions also live in this country. Their religious sentiments can't be hurt."

The Uttar Pradesh Police have booked Tamil Nadu minister Udhayanidhi Stalin and Karnataka minister Priyank Kharge for allegedly outraging religious feelings in the wake of the Sanatan Dharma remark row.

The First Information Report (FIR) against the DMK and Congress leaders was registered at the Civil Lines police station in Rampur .

10:15 No one can challenge our Dharma: Smriti

Coming down heavily on DMK leader and Tamil Nadu minister Udhayanidhi Stalin for his remark equating 'Sanatan Dharma' with "mosquitoes, dengue, malaria, fever and corona", Union Minister Smriti Irani on Wednesday said that the chants for Lord Krishna should be so loud that they reach those who challenge Sanatan Dharma.

The Union Minister took a dig at Udhayanidhi Stalin and those who supported his "Sanatan Dharma" remark at the Janmashtami celebration in Delhi's Dwarka.

"Our voices must reach those people who challenged 'Sanatan Dharma'. Till devotees are alive, no one can challenge our 'dharma' and faith...", she said.

Earlier on Wednesday PM Narendra Modi in his meeting with Cabinet ministers raised the issue.

According to sources the Prime Minister said that ministers should give a befitting reply to the Sanatan Dharma debate and use facts to counter the opposition.

On Wednesday, the the Tamil Nadu Sports Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin and Congress leader Priyank Kharge were booked for allegedly "hurting religious sentiments".

An FIR was filed on a complaint by two advocates at Rampur in Uttar Pradesh. Udhayanidhi's remarks had triggered a backlash from the BJP, which accused the DMK and the Congress, its partner in Tamil Nadu, of advocating the abolition of Sanatan Dharma.

10:02 Mauritius PM arrives in Delhi

Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth arrives in Delhi for the G20 Summit that will be held on September 9-10.

Indian tennis player Rohan Bopanna and his Australian partner Matthew Ebden advanced to the men's doubles semi-finals of the US Open 2023 tennis tournament in New York on Wednesday.

The Indo-Australian pair, seeded sixth in the competition, defeated the American duo of Jackson Withrow and Nathaniel Lammons 7-6 (12-10), 6-1 in a quarter-final match that lasted one hour and 30 minutes at the Flushing Meadows, as per Olympics.com.

The first set was a closely-fought affair with both Bopanna-Ebden and Jackson Withrow-Nathaniel Lammons not conceding an inch. After gruelling 12 games, Rohan Bopanna and Matthew Ebden held their nerves and clinched the tie-breaker 12-10 and along with it, the opening set.

"Even though it was a little cloudy, the conditions here drain you. The first set was very crucial for us," Rohan Bopanna said as quoted by Olympics.com.

The second set was much easier for the Indo-Australian duo. Bopanna and Ebden dominated their American opponents to ensure a place in the final four. Bopanna and Ebden will face the French pair of Nicolas Mahut and Pierre-Hugues Herbert for a place in the final. -- ANI

09:49 Modi, Biden bilateral meet tomorrow

US President Joe Biden will arrive in New Delhi on Friday and is scheduled to hold a Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the White House informed.

Beginning Friday, Biden has a packed schedule for three days. After he departs from the US, he will arrive in Ramstein, Germany on Friday for a brief stopover and will arrive in New Delhi the same day.

The US President is scheduled to participate in a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday, according to a White House press release.

On Saturday, Biden will participate in an official arrival and handshake with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The US President will then participate in the G20 Leaders' Summit Session 1: "One Earth'. Later in the day, he is slated to take part in the G20 Leaders' Summit Session 2: "One Family' of the G20.

Biden will also participate in a Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment event. His day will wrap with a dinner and cultural program with G20 Leaders. On Sunday, the US President will visit Raj Ghat Memorial along with other G20 Leaders.

Biden is then scheduled to travel from New Delhi to Hanoi, Vietnam. US President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Narendra Modi are expected to hold a discussion on the agenda of G20, particularly the economic cooperation and multilateral investment opportunities, that stand before it and can be on the American leader's strong desire to see multilateral development bank reform and reshaping, a White House official said.

John Kirby, National Security Council (NSC) coordinator for strategic communications, also pointed out that there is very little possibility that PM Modi and President Biden will discuss on climate and the ongoing Ukraine war.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday called for building a rules-based post-COVID world order and strengthening the voice of the Global South.

In an address at the annual ASEAN-India summit in Jakarta, the prime minister also underlined the need for ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is considered one of the most influential groupings in the region, and India and several other countries including the US, China, Japan and Australia are its dialogue partners.

India supports the ASEAN outlook on Indo-Pacific, Modi told the leaders of the grouping.

The prime minister described ASEAN as the epicentre of growth, saying it plays a crucial role in global development.

"The 21st century is Asia's century. It is a century of all of us," he said.

"It will be mutually beneficial for all of us to develop a rules-based post-Covid world order as well as efforts by all (Sabka Prayas) for human welfare," Modi said.

Modi said there has been consistent progress in 'our mutual cooperation' in spite of the atmosphere of global uncertainty.

ASEAN is the central pillar of India's Act East policy, he added.

The prime minister also noted that the ASEAN-India partnership has entered its fourth decade. ASEAN occupies a prominent place in India's Indo-Pacific initiative, he said. -- PTI

The United Nations considers requests from countries to change their names as and when the world body receives them, a top United Nations official has said, amid a row over President Droupadi Murmu's G20 dinner invites referring to her as 'President of Bharat' instead of 'President of India'.

Deputy Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres Farhan Haq on Wednesday cited the example of Turkey changing its name to Turkiye last year.

"Well, in the case of Turkiye, we responded to a formal request delivered to us by the government. Obviously, if we get requests like that, we consider them as they come," he said in response to a question on reports that India's name could be changed to Bharat.

A row erupted in India on Tuesday after invitations for a G20 dinner were sent out by President Murmu, describing her position as 'President of Bharat' instead of the customary 'President of India', with the opposition accusing the Narendra Modi government of planning to drop India and stay with just Bharat as the country's name.

Prime Minister Modi on Wednesday told his ministerial colleagues to avoid the political row around the Bharat issue, noting that it has been the country's ancient name.

Modi spoke on the issues during his interaction with the Union Council of Ministers in which he laid down the dos and don'ts to be observed by them during the upcoming G20 summit.

He asked them to remain in the national capital during the mega exercise and discharge any duty assigned to them to ensure that visiting dignitaries are not put to any inconvenience.

The G20 Summit is being held in New Delhi on September 9 and 10 under India's presidency and several heads of state from across the world, including US President Joe Biden, are attending the event. -- PTI

A 26-year-old undertrial prisoner escaped from a Mumbai hospital where he was taken by the police for treatment on Wednesday, but was traced to a crematorium four hours later and arrested, an official said.

Deputy commissioner of police (Zone I) Jayant Bajbale said the man, Vivek Vishwanath Torde, an autorickshaw driver from Bhayandar in Thane district, was arrested in a criminal case and lodged at the Taloja central prison in Navi Mumbai as an undertrial.

On Wednesday, he was taken to Maharashtra government-run JJ Hospital in central Mumbai for treatment of an ailment by the Navi Mumbai police when he escaped from the medical facility, he said.

The JJ Marg police alerted their counterparts in Mira-Bhayandar Vasai-Virar about the escapee and a search was launched for him, he said.

Torde was a resident of Indira Nagar slums under Navghar police station limits.

After four hours of search, he was found hiding in a crematorium in Indira Nagar slums from where he was arrested and handed over to the JJ Marg police, said the officer. -- PTI

Alleging that the Election Commission did not take steps to prevent large-scale rigging in the Tripura by-elections, the CPI-M-led Left Front on Wednesday night announced that it will boycott the counting of votes.

The polling for the by-elections to the Dhanpur and Boxanagar assembly seats in Sepahijala district was held on Tuesday.

An average turnout of 86.50 per cent was recorded in the two seats.

The Left Front alleged that large-scale rigging happened during the polling.

"We drew the attention of the Election Commission right from the beginning of the polling. But, the sorry state of affairs was that no steps were taken to prevent the large-scale rigging," Left Front convenor Narayan Kar alleged.

The Left Front demanded cancellation of the election, and announcement of fresh polling, but the EC refused to take any steps in this regard, he said.

"The motive of the EC is amply clear. In this situation, what is the point of joining the counting of votes, scheduled for September 8? Therefore, we have decided to boycott the counting," he added.

The by-election to the Boxanagar constituency was necessitated by the death of CPI-M MLA Samsul Haque.

Union Minister Pratima Bhoumik's resignation as the MLA of Dhanpur necessitated the by-election in that seat.

BJP's Tafajjal Hussain is contesting against CPI-M's Mizan Hussain from in the Boxanagar seat.

It has 66 per cent minority voters of a total of 43,087 electors. -- PTI

The Enforcement Directorate on Wednesday summoned Bengali actress Ruplekha Mitra for questioning next week in a case linked to alleged duping of senior citizens by promising them flats in New Town on the outskirts of Kolkata, an official said.

The ED had on Tuesday issued a summons to TMC MP and actor Nussrat Jahan for questioning on September 12 in the same case, he said.

It is alleged that both Jahan and Mitra were among the three directors of the real estate company that duped people, he added.

The ED probe pertains to a group of senior citizens recently lodging a complaint accusing a real estate company of cheating by promising them flats in the New Town area.

Jahan, 33, had held a press conference and denied allegations of being involved in any fraudulent practice, saying she had resigned from the directorship of the company in March 2017.

The TMC MP from Basirhat had said that she had taken a loan from the company and repaid it with interest in May 2017. -- PTI

A court in Mumbai on Wednesday rejected the anticipatory bail application of a woman lawyer, accused of abetting the suicide of Shiv Sena-UBT leader and former corporator Sudhir Sayaji More.

The plea filed by the accused, advocate Nilima Chavan, was rejected by additional sessions judge Raja Sasne, but detailed order is not available yet.

The body of the 62-year-old Shiv Sena-UBT leader was found on the tracks in the early hours of September 1 near suburban Ghatkopar station.

He was seen jumping in front of a local train heading for the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus.

Based on the complaint filed by More's son, an offence under section 306 of the Indian Penal Code (abetment of suicide) was registered against lawyer Nilima Chavan at the Kurla Railway Police Station.

In her pre-arrest bail filed through advocate Subir Sarkar, the accused claimed that she has been falsely implicated in the case.

The allegation in the first information report is "extremely vague" and there was no specific incident or reason mentioned to justify the any abetment of suicide on part of Chavan, it added.

The police opposed the plea, saying the accused had threatened to end her life if More didn't have a relationship with her or stopped talking to her, and was blackmailing him. -- PTI

00:19 Giving Bible not ploy to convert in UP law: SC

Distributing the Holy Bible and imparting good teachings cannot be termed as an "allurement for religious conversion" under the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, the Allahabad high court said on Wednesday.

The high court's Lucknow bench also said a stranger cannot lodge FIRs under the act and granted bail to two accused booked for allegedly luring people from the Scheduled Caste and the Scheduled Tribe communities for conversion to Christianity.

A bench of Justice Shamim Ahmad passed the order allowing an appeal against the rejection of bail pleas of Jose Papachen and Sheeja.

The appellants were sent to jail after the police registered an FIR on the basis of a complaint filed by a Bharatiya Janata Party functionary in Ambedkar Nagar district on January 24.

The BJP leader had alleged that the two accused were luring people from the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe communities for converting to Christianity.

Justice Ahmad observed, "Providing teaching, distributing Holy Bible, encouraging children for getting education, organising assembly of villagers and performing bhandara, instructing the villagers not to enter into altercation and not to take liquor do not amount to allurement under the 2021 act."

The bench further said the act provided that only an aggrieved person or his family can lodge FIRs in the matter.

It was argued on behalf of the appellants that they were innocent and implicated due to political rivalry. -- PTI

Timeline Refresh

TOP STORIES