LIVE
Fri, 02 February 2024
BJP MP Rita Bahuguna gets 6-yr jail for code breach
Timeline Refresh
23:57 BJP MP Rita Bahuguna gets 6-yr jail for code breach
A Lucknow court on Friday sentenced Bharatiya Janata Party MP Rita Bahuguna Joshi to six months' imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs 1,100 for violating the code of conduct during the 2012 UP assembly elections.
Joshi, the current BJP MP from Prayagraj, was convicted of holding a meeting in violation of the code of conduct on behalf of Congress party by special additional chief judicial magistrate of MP-MLA Court (MP-MLA Court) Ambrish Kumar Srivastava.
The prosecution told the court that on February 17, 2012, at around 6.50 pm, Joshi, in her capacity as a Congress candidate for Lucknow Legislative Assembly Cantt constituency, was campaigning in the Bajrang Nagar area of Krishna Nagar in violation of the code of conduct.
The prosecution alleged Joshi addressed a public meeting even after the time for the campaign was over. -- PTI
File image
23:55 NIA searches multiple locations targetting LTTE-inspired group in Tamil Nadu
The NIA conducted searches at multiple locations in Tamil Nadu targetting LTTE-inspired group of people allegedly trying to raise an organisation in India mirroring the Sri Lankan terrorist organisation, officials said on Friday.
The case, initially registered by the Tamil Nadu Police, centres around the arrest of Naveen Chakravorty and Sanjay Prakash on May 19, 2022, after they were found in possession of pistols, ammunition, and gunpowder during a routine vehicle check in Puliyampatti division, Salem.
The sleuths of NIA swooped down at multiple locations in Chennai, Trichy, Coimbatore, Sivaganga, and Tenkasi, which led to the recovery of crucial evidence.
The agency said it has confiscated a laptop, seven mobile phones, eight SIM/memory cards, and four pen drives.
Incriminating documents and books related to the LTTE and its self-styled slain supremo, Prabhakaran, were also recovered during the searches, the NIA spokesperson said in a statement.
According to the NIA, the suspects took inspiration from the LTTE, with aspirations to establish an organisation mirroring the banned terrorist group and initiate armed struggle in Tamil Nadu.
The NIA had taken over the case on July 25, 2022 following the arrest of Kabilar alias Kabilan. -- PTI
UPI formally launched at the iconic Eiffel Tower at the Republic Day reception/Courtesy Indian embassy on X
23:27 India's UPI has global launch at Eiffel Tower
India on Friday formally launched UPI at the iconic Eiffel Tower here, terming it as taking Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of taking Unified Payments Interface global.
Unified Payments Interface is an Indian instant payment system developed by the National Payments Corporation of India in 2016.
"UPI formally launched at the iconic Eiffel Tower at the huge Republic Day Reception. Implementing PM @narendramodi's announcement & the vision of taking UPI global," the official X handle of India's Embassy in France posted along with the photos of the event.
Replying to this, Modi said, "Great to see this- it marks a significant step towards taking UPI global. This is a wonderful example of encouraging digital payments and fostering stronger ties."
UPI is a system that powers multiple bank accounts into a single mobile application (of any participating bank), merging several banking features, seamless fund routing and merchant payments into one hood, according to NPCI.
Incidentally, at the invitation of Prime Minister Modi, Emmanuel Macron, President of France, was the Chief Guest for the 75th Republic Day celebrations in New Delhi on January 26. -- PTI
File image
23:01 BJP national council meeting likely on Feb 16-18
The Bharatiya Janata Party is likely to hold a meeting of its national council here on February 16-18, as it seeks to galvanise its cadre and lay down the agenda ahead of the Lok Sabha elections expected in April-May.
The council is the BJP's largest national body and sources said more than 8,000 party members from across the country may attend the meeting, likely to be held at Bharat Mandapam, a world-class convention centre which had hosted the G20 Summit last year.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, party president J P Nadda, most Union ministers and state organisation leaders are among the members of the council.
A similar council meeting was held before the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. -- PTI
Rahul Gandhi during the Bharat Jodo Yatra in Panipat, January 7, 2023/ANI Photo
22:33 This is how much Cong spent on Bharat Jodo Yatra
he Congress spent Rs 71.8 crore on its Kanyakumari to Kashmir Bharat Jodo Yatra which amounts to an average of more than Rs 49 lakh per day for the 145-day journey that culminated in Srinagar on January 30 last year.
The party spent Rs 40,10,15,572 on pre-poll surveys in 2022-23, up from Rs 23,00,000 that it had spent in the previous fiscal, as per the party's latest annual audit report filed with the Election Commission for FY 2022-23.
The party's election expenditure was more than Rs 192.5 crore in 2022-23, down from more than 279.5 crore in the previous fiscal.
During the period of the audit, the party fought elections in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh in 2022 and Tripura, Nagaland and Meghalaya in early 2023.
The party won in Himachal Pradesh.
The Congress' receipts for the 2022-23 fiscal stood at Rs 452.3 crore, down from the previous fiscal's 541.2 crore.
The opposition party's 2022-23 expenditure stood at Rs 467.13 crore.
An amount of Rs 268.6 crore was collected in donations, down from 347.9 crore in the previous year.
In 2022-23, the party also spent Rs 58.8 lakh on its plenary session in Raipur. -- PTI
Illustration: Dominic Xavier/Rediff.com
22:08 GoI bodies sign pact with Google, Meta, IBM
Government bodies have signed memoranda of understanding with Google, Facebook-owner Meta and IBM to foster innovation and investment in the country, Parliament was informed on Friday.
Minister of State for Electronics and IT Rajeev Chandrasekhar in a written reply to Rajya Sabha said that the government recognizes the potential of emerging technologies and is actively working with the private sector to foster innovation and promote their utilization.
"To foster innovation and investment, ministry has signed memorandum of understanding (MoUs) with various global Indian technology and research names. These agreements aim to enhance India's standing and talent in the emerging technology domain," he said.
The minister mentioned that MoUs (memorandum of understandings) were signed between IBM India and three entities engaged with the ministry of electronics and information technology (MeitY) in October 2023 to advance and accelerate innovation in AI, semiconductor, and quantum technology for India.
He said that a MoU was signed between Google India and Digital India Bhashini Division (DIBD) which outlines a strategic partnership to advance artificial intelligence (AI) technology and promote language inclusivity in India in September 2023.
In July 2023, India AI and Meta signed an MoU to establish a framework in AI and emerging Technologies and in September 2022, MeitY Startup Hub (MSH) and Meta collaborated to accelerate XR technology startups in India, he said.
21:44 I want leaders who are like Himanta and Milind Deora to leave Cong: Rahul
Amid a series of departures from the Congress, Rahul Gandhi has said that leaders who are like Himanta Biswa Sarma and Milind Deora should part ways with the party, as they do not align with its ideology.
Sarma who had defected to the Bharatiya Janata Party in 2014 is now the chief minister of Assam, while Deora joined the Shiv Sena headed by Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde last month.
Addressing the party's 'digital media warriors' in West Bengal on Thursday night, Gandhi emphasised his commitment to defending the principles upheld by the Congress.
"I want people like Himanta (Biswa Sarma) and Millind (Deora) to leave. I am perfectly ok with it. Himanta represents a particular kind of politics, that's not the politics of the Congress party," he said.
The Congress' 'Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra' led by Gandhi entered West Bengal from Assam on January 25. It is scheduled to reach Jharkhand on Friday.
"Have you heard some of the statements that Himanta had made about Muslims? I don't want to have anything to do with them, as there are certain values I would like to defend," he said. -- PTI
Madhya Pradesh CM Mohan Yadav
21:15 Civic bodies to get more powers to become financially self-reliant: MP CM
Municipal corporations will be given more powers to make them financially self-reliant, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said here on Friday.
Speaking after inaugurating the council hall of the Indore Municipal Corporation, Yadav said additional powers would include those needed to develop new colonies and markets.
"We have decided to give more powers to municipal corporations to ensure they become financially self reliant. Why should only urban development authorities be responsible for developing new colonies and markets? Municipal corporations can also do this work. For this, we are going to give them more powers," he said.
The CM underlined the importance of the local bodies as they execute the decisions of the Union and state governments.
On the occasion, Yadav also announced assistance of Rs 50 crore to complete the construction of an IMC building.
Meanwhile, officials said several civic bodies, including IMC, are under tremendous pressure to pay salaries to staff, bills of contractors and for development works, for which more financial resources are needed. -- PTI
File image
21:09 Nepal SC notice to govt over power deal with India
Nepal's Supreme Court has issued a show-cause notice to the government about the recently signed long-term power deal with India, questioning whether the agreement requires endorsement by a majority of parliament members.
Nepal signed the Power Trade Agreement to facilitate the export of 10,000 MW of electricity to India in the next ten years.
The deal was signed during External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar's visit to the Himalayan country in January.
A single bench of Supreme Court Justice Nahakul Subedi on Tuesday issued a notice to the government in response to a writ petition filed by former secretary of the Government of Nepal, Surya Nath Upadhyay, according to Ved Prasad Upreti, spokesperson at the Supreme Court.
Upadhyay, also a member of the Nepal-India Eminent Persons' Group, underscored the need to endorse the bilateral agreement through Parliament.
In the show-cause notice, the top court has asked the government to clarify whether the agreement is related to the distribution of natural resources and their utilisation and if it requires endorsement by a majority of parliament members.
The Supreme Court has also called for hearings from both sides to decide whether to issue interim orders. -- PTI
20:34 Maha CM Shinde undergoes cataract surgery
Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Friday underwent cataract surgery at a hospital in Thane.
He underwent operation for cataract in the right eye at a private hospital in the morning and was discharged after two hours, said an official in the Chief Minister's Office.
"The surgery was successful," the official added. Shinde, 59, became chief minister in June 2022. -- PTI
20:07 Doubt Cong will get 'even 40 seats' in LS polls: Mamata
In a scathing attack, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday challenged the Congress to take on the Bharatiya Janata Party in the Hindi heartland states and said she has doubts whether the grand old party will secure "even 40 seats" in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
Banerjee also criticised the Congress's Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, which traversed through the state's six districts, comparing it to a "mere photo opportunity" for "migratory birds" who have descended upon the state.
"I proposed that Congress contest 300 seats (across the country where BJP is the main opposition), but they refused to heed. Now, they've arrived in the state to stir up Muslim voters. I doubt whether they will secure even 40 seats if they contested 300," Banerjee asserted.
Speaking during a dharna in Kolkata to demand the clearance of the state's dues by the Centre, Banerjee reiterated that her party was willing to form an alliance with the Congress for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in West Bengal, but highlighted that it was the grand old party which declined her offer. -- PTI
India's security personnel the fishing vessel off Somalia coast/Courtesy Indian Navy on X
19:44 Navy foils piracy bid on vessel off Somalia coast
The Indian Navy foiled a piracy attempt on an Iranian-flagged, fishing vessel along the East coast of Somalia, officials said on Friday.
Indian warship INS Sharda came to the rescue of the vessel FV Omaril with 11 Iranian and eight Pakistani crew members after it came under attack from pirates, they said.
"FV Omaril, an Iranian-fagged vessel, had been boarded by seven pirates who had taken the crew as hostages," Indian Navy spokesperson commander Vivek Madhwal said.
INS Sharda intercepted the vessel in early hours of Friday and used her integral helo and boats to coerce the pirates for safe release of crew along with the vessel, he said.
The ship has ensured successful release of the 11 Iranian and eight Pakistani crew members, he said.
"The ship also undertook confirmatory boarding on FV Omari to sanitise and check on the well-being of the crew who had been held captive by the Somali pirates," Madhwal said. -- PTI
Congress leader DK Suresh
19:34 BJP says DK Suresh has no right to remain MP, questions Cong 'silence'
The Bharatiya Janata Party said on Friday Congress leader DK Suresh has no right to remain an MP even for a minute, as it accused him of openly talking of breaking India, thus violating his oath of protecting the country's unity and sovereignty.
"Will the country's unity and sovereignty be torn into shreds for political benefits," BJP leader and former law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad told a press conference in New Delhi, as he hit out at Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, party leaders Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and their INDIA bloc allies for maintaining a "conspicuous silence" over his "shameful" and "unconstitutional" comments.
Suresh, the Lok Sabha MP from Bangalore Rural and the brother of Karnataka deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, has stoked a row with his claims that injustice was being meted out to southern states in allocation of share in tax collection.
"Our tax money is being distributed to north India, if we don't condemn it there might arise a situation where we will have to demand for a separate nation," Suresh said on Thursday, commenting on the Interim Budget presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.
Prasad said that before contesting an election and after winning it, anyone takes oath of allegiance to the Constitution and the country's unity and sovereignty. Karnataka is a proud part of India, he said.
"He (D K Suresh) has committed a gross impropriety as an MP by openly talking breaking up India. It is a clear violation of the constitution's main point of unity and integrity," he said. -- PTI
File image
19:09 Women personnel being appointed as onboard warships: Govt in Lok Sabha
Women personnel are being appointed onboard warships and also as special naval air operation officers in the Indian Navy, the government said in Lok Sabha on Friday.
Minister of State for Defence Ajay Bhatt said permanent commission is being granted to women officers in 12 arms and services of the Army in addition to the medical and dental corps as well as military nursing service.
He was replying to a question on the strength of women in the armed forces.
Bhatt said the experimental scheme to induct women officers in all combat roles initiated by the Indian Air Force in 2015 was regularised in 2022 into a permanent one.
"Women officers are being appointed onboard warships in afloat billets and also as Special Naval Air Operation officers in the Indian Navy," he said without elaborating.
On various measures to boost India's defence manufacturing, he said a 'green channel policy' for procurement of military stores and spares has been launched for awarding 'green channel' status to firms having predefined financial and quality credentials.
Bhatt was highlighting various action plans that the government has rolled out to strengthen the country's defence ecosystem.
"A green channel policy for procurement of defence stores and spares has been launched for awarding green channel status to firms having predefined financial and quality credentials," he said. -- PTI
18:52 CBDT notifies tax returns for Assessment Year '25
The Income Tax department on Friday said it has notified I-T return forms 2, 3 and 5 for filing tax returns for assessment year 2024-25.
The ITR-1, which is filed by individuals having a total income of up to Rs 50 lakh, and ITR-6 for companies were notified earlier in December 2023, and January 2024, respectively.
"The Central Board of Direct Taxes dated January 31, 2024, has notified Income-tax Return Forms- 2, 3 and 5 for the Assessment Year 2024-25," the Central Board of Direct Taxes said in a statement.
All ITR Forms 1 to 6 have since been notified and will come into effect from April 1, 2024, it added.
Individuals and HUFs not having income from business or profession [and not eligible for filing ITR Form-1 (Sahaj)] can file ITR-2, while those having income from business or profession can file ITR Form-3.
ITR-4 (Sugam) is for resident individuals, HUFs and firms (other than LLP) having a total income of up to Rs 50 lakh and having income from business and profession.
Partnership firms and LLPs can file ITR Form-5 and companies other than those claiming exemption under section 11 can file ITR Form-6. -- PTI
A view of Gujarat assembly building./File image
17:57 Gujarat govt presents Rs 3.32 lakh crore budget; no new taxes proposed
No new taxes were proposed in Gujarat's Rs 3.32 lakh crore budget for the next fiscal presented in the assembly on Friday as finance minister Kanubhai Desai announced a host of projects and schemes targeted at girls' education, women, the poor, youth and farmers.
Desai presented the budget for 2024-25 in the assembly in Gandhinagar on the second day of the Budget Session and did not propose any new taxes.
He informed the House that the budget outlay of Rs 3,32,465 crore indicates an increase of Rs 31,444 crore, or 10.44 per cent, over the previous fiscal.
Of the total outlay, nearly 2.14 lakh crore or 64.43 per cent has been allocated for "developmental expenditure', while Rs 83,000 crore or 25.1 per cent would go towards non-developmental expenditure, he said.
Without giving an absolute number, additional chief secretary in the finance department, JP Gupta, told reporters later that Gujarat's public debt stands at 15 percent of the state's GDP (gross domestic product) of Rs 24 lakh crore, which comes to Rs 3.6 lakh crore.
The state government presented a budget with an estimated surplus of 146.72 crore and proposed no new taxes. -- PTI
17:39 Criminal defamation as an offence be retained: Law panel
The Law Commission has recommended that criminal defamation should be retained within the scheme of criminal laws in India.
In its report on the law on criminal defamation, the panel asserted that it is important to keep in mind that the right to reputation flows from Article 21 of the Constitution, and being a facet of right to life and personal liberty, it needs to be "adequately protected" against defamatory speech and imputations.
"Reputation is something which can't be seen and can only be earned. It's an asset which is built in a lifetime and destroyed in seconds. The whole jurisprudence around the law on criminal defamation has the essence of protecting one's reputation and its facets," it said. -- PTI
File image
17:26 Govt to sell Bharat Rice at Rs 29/kg from next week
The Centre on Friday said it will sell 'Bharat Rice' in the retail market at Rs 29 per kg from next week to give relief to the common man and has also directed traders to disclose rice/paddy stock, as part of its efforts to control prices that have risen by around 15 per cent in the last one year.
In a press conference, Union food secretary Sanjeev Chopra exuded confidence that these two measures along with the various restrictions of exports will help in cooling down the prices.
Seeking to dispel market rumours, he categorically said the government has no plans to lift restrictions on rice exports any time soon.
The restrictions will continue until prices fall to a reasonable level.
"The first priority for the government as of now is to ensure that rice prices are brought down," Chopra said, while asserting that prices of all essential food items are under control except rice.
Prices of rice have risen by 14.5 per cent in retail and 15.5 per cent in the wholesale markets in the last one year, he added. -- PTI
16:52 PM symbol of divine power, gushes Congress leader
On his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress leader Acharya Pramod Krishnam says, "I met PM Modi for the first time. I have no hesitation in saying that the PM definitely has the blessings of a divine power. With what I felt after meeting him, I can say that he is the symbol of divine power. I can't express those feelings in words. It can't be described in words.
"I had gone to extend an invitation to the PM for the foundation stone laying ceremony of Shri Kalki Dham. I am happy and I express my gratitude that PM Modi accepted my invitation..."
16:41 Court ruled in haste: Muslim body on Gyanvapi
The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) on Friday claimed that the Varanasi district court decision allowing Hindu prayers in a cellar of the Gyanvapi mosque was taken in "haste" and said it would pursue the matter right up to the Supreme Court to get justice.
Muslim organisations under the umbrella of AIMPLB also said the Places of Worship Act, 1991 should be implemented in letter and spirit to prevent disputes arising in the country.
The reaction by the AIMPLB came soon after the Allahabad High Court on Friday adjourned till February 6 hearing on an appeal filed by the Anzuman Intezamia Masjid Committee challenging the Varanasi court order.
The committee, which looks after the affairs of the mosque, had moved the high court within hours of the Supreme Court refusing to hear its plea against the Varanasi district court's order and asking it to approach the high court.
All India Muslim Personal Law Board president Maulana Khalid Saifullah Rahmani said the incident of allowing puja at the mosque has pained not only Muslims but people of other religions as well who believe in secularism.
"The notion that a mandir (temple) was demolished to build a mosque is wrong. Islam does not allow taking away someone's land to build a mosque," he said.
"The court ruled on it in haste and the other (Muslim) side was not even given a chance to put forward its arguments in detail. This has hurt the confidence of minorities in the judiciary," Rahmani said at a press conference.
"In the Babri Masjid decision, it was accepted that the temple was not brought down to build a mosque but the decision was made in the favour of the other side on the basis of 'aastha (faith)'. Courts should rule on the basis of facts and not 'aastha'," he said. -- PTI
16:04 PLA soldiers vs shepherds: Cong seeks answers
The Congress on Friday hit out at the government after a video clip purportedly showed Indian shepherds confronting Chinese soldiers after being stopped from grazing their animals in an area in eastern Ladakh, and asked the home minister if there has been any effort to protect them from Chinese "harassment".
In a statement, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh asked how many such incidents have happened since May 2020 and if Indian graziers suffered any injuries in such encounters.
The shepherds were reportedly stopped by Chinese soldiers in an area south of Chushul in eastern Ladakh last month and a purported video of the incident was circulated on social media.
Reacting to the development, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Thursday that the two sides are aware of the traditional grazing areas and any incident of friction is dealt with under existing mechanisms.
Ramesh said the Ministry of External Affairs' weak response to the incident is par for the course for the Narendra Modi government. "...we have seen how the Modi government has failed to prevent the Chinese from denying our troops and graziers access to 2,000 square kilometres of territory in eastern Ladakh for the past four years, despite 18 rounds of military talks.
"But the MEA and the Ministry of Defence are not the only authorities involved here. Border management comes under the Ministry of Home Affairs. It is the responsibility of the Home Ministry to ensure that Indian graziers are able to exercise their rights as citizens inside Indian territory," the Congress leader said in the statement.
15:48 UP guv calls Ayodhya temple 'Rashtra Mandir'
Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel on Friday said the establishment of "Rashtra Mandir" in form of the magnificent Shri Ram Janmabhoomi temple stands as profound realisation of the unwavering resolve and deep-seated faith of the Indian people.
Addressing the joint sitting of the Uttar Pradesh legislature on the first day of the Budget session, Patel said, "As you all are well aware, the year 2024 has etched an indelible mark in the history of India. After a wait spanning almost five centuries, our ideal Prabhu Shri Ram Lalla has been enshrined in his new (navya), grand (bhavya) and divine (divya) temple in his birth place, Ayodhya. This divine event was witnessed by the entire world."
"The establishment of 'Rashtra Mandir', in the form of the magnificent Shri Ram Janmabhoomi temple, stands as profound realisation of the unwavering resolve and deep-seated faith of the Indian people. It represents a momentous re-establishment of India's cultural pride. We all have entered into the 'Azaadi ka Amrit Kaal'. In this extraordinary period, the divine representation of our cultural heritage will serve as a perennial source of inspiration for us and future generations to embrace and uphold the noble ideals of Prabhu Shri Ram," Patel said.
15:20 HC upholds Javed Akhtar's defamation case against Kangana
Bombay High Court dismisses the writ petition filed by actor Kangana Ranaut seeking a stay on the defamation case filed by veteran lyricist Javed Akhtar against her Details awaited.
15:14 Jharkhand govt trust vote on February 5
The Champai Soren-led coalition government in Jharkhand will seek trust vote on February 5, minister Alamgir Alam said on Friday after a Cabinet meeting.
JMM legislature party leader Champai Soren took oath as the chief minister earlier in the day.
"The floor test to prove majority by the JMM-led alliance in the state will be held on February 5 on the first day of a two-day assembly session," Alam told PTI.
The decision was taken in the first cabinet meeting of the government, chaired by Chief Minister Champai Soren. Soren was administered the oath of office by Governor C P Radhakrishnan at the Raj Bhavan here. Along with him, senior Congress leader Alamgir Alam and RJD leader Satyanand Bhokta took oath as ministers. -- PTI
14:51 9.1 lakh Indians died of cancer in a single year
In 2022, India had more than 14.1 lakh new cancer cases and over 9.1 lakh deaths due to the disease, and breast cancer was the most common, according to the latest estimates of the disease's global burden by the World Health Organization (WHO).
Cancers of lip, oral cavity and lung were the most common ones in men, accounting for 15.6 and 8.5 per cent of the new cases, respectively, whereas, cancers of breast and cervix were the most frequent ones in women, making up close to 27 and 18 per cent of the new cases, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), WHO's cancer agency has estimated.
It also calculated that the number of people alive within 5 years following a cancer diagnosis was nearly 32.6 lakhs in India. Globally, the agency estimated 2 crore new cancer cases and 97 lakh deaths, and about 5.3 crore people were alive within 5 years following a cancer diagnosis.
About 1 in 5 people develop cancer in their lifetime, and roughly 1 in 9 men and 1 in 12 women die from the disease, it said. In India, the risk of developing cancer before turning 75 was calculated to be 10.6 per cent, while the risk of dying from cancer by the same age was found to be 7.2 per cent. Globally, these risks were 20 per cent and 9.6 per cent, respectively.
A majority of countries do not adequately finance priority cancer and palliative (pain-related) care services, as part of universal health coverage (UHC), the WHO said publishing survey results from 115 countries. -- PTI
14:35 Kejriwal: If BJP can rig mayoral polls, imagine...
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday attacked the BJP, saying if it can "rig" the Chandigarh mayoral polls, it could go to any extent in assembly and Lok Sabha elections.
He was addressing Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders and workers at a protest at the party's office in Delhi.
The demonstration was planned in front of the BJP headquarters, a few hundred metres away on the DDU Marg, but AAP members could not reach there because of heavy police deployment and barricading. The world's biggest party was caught on camera "stealing" votes in the Chandigarh mayoral polls, Kejriwal said.
The elections to the posts of mayor, senior deputy mayor and deputy mayor were held on Tuesday and the BJP won all defeating the Congress-AAP alliance. "In the last few years, we had heard that BJP rigs polls. They tamper with EVMs, get names of voters deleted from voter lists, but never was any evidence found. They were caught red-handed in Chandigarh stealing votes," he alleged.
"If they can indulge in such irregularities in the Chandigarh mayoral polls, what would they be doing in Lok Sabha and assembly elections. They can sell the country for power but we will not allow them to do it. We have to save democracy and country," he said. -- PTI
14:21 HC adjourns hearing on plea against Hindu prayers in mosque cellar
The Allahabad High Court on Friday adjourned till February 6 hearing on an appeal filed by the Anzuman Intezamia Masjid Committee challenging an order of the Varanasi court allowing Hindu devotees to offer prayers in the cellar of Gyanvapi mosque.
Justice Rohit Ranjan Agrawal passed the order while hearing an appeal filed by the committee, which looks after the affairs of the mosque. The committee had moved the high court within hours of the Supreme Court refusing to hear their plea against the Varanasi district court's order and asking them to approach the high court.
The Varanasi court had ruled on Wednesday that a priest can perform prayers before the idols in the southern cellar of the Gyanvapi mosque. PTI
14:18 Top Tamil actor Vijay to contest 2026 Assembly polls
Top Tamil actor Vijay on Friday announced launching a political party, "Tamizhaga Vetri Kazhagam," and said he will contest the 2026 Assembly polls in the state. Politics was not yet another vocation but "holy public service," he said in a statement. "Tamizhaga Vetri Kazhagam" would loosely translate to "Tamil Nadu Victory Party."
The announcement prompted spontaneous celebrations from his fans, even as speculations were rife for some time about the actor taking the political plunge in a state known for stars graduating from cinema to politics, including the late veterans M G Ramachandran and J Jayalalithaa.
Vijay said his party will not contest the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, nor would it support anyone, as decided in its recently held General Council and Executive Council meetings.
"I have decided to complete the film I have already committed to, without affecting the party work and completely involve myself in the politics of public service."
14:05 Hemant Soren sent to 5-day ED remand
Former Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren was on Friday remanded to five days' Enforcement Directorate custody by a special PMLA court in Ranchi in connection with a money laundering case linked to an alleged land fraud, lawyers said.
Soren was arrested on Wednesday night after a seven-hour grilling by the ED in the money laundering case.
He resigned as the chief minister before that.
The special PMLA court had on Thursday sent the JMM leader to judicial custody for a day. -- PTI
Social activist Harsh Mander
14:03 CBI books Harsh Mander for FCRA violation
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has registered a case of alleged violation of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act against human rights activist Harsh Mander and his NGO and searched his premises on Friday, officials said.
The home ministry had stated that Section 3 of the FCRA prohibits acceptance of foreign contribution by correspondents, columnists, cartoonists, editor, owner, printer, publisher of a registered newspaper but Mander has been writing columns and articles in newspapers and web portals.
The CBI has registered the FIR against Mander and the Centre for Equity Studies (CES) for violation of various provisions of the FCRA.
Mander, former member of the Sonia Gandhi-led National Advisory Council during the erstwhile UPA government, is the founder of NGO Aman Biradari.
According to the Home Ministry, Aman Biradari is non-FCRA organisation.
The CES has acted as conduit for the transfer of foreign contribution to non-FCRA associations, it alleged.
"A report by the Centre for Equity Studies in collaboration with Delhi Research Group and 'Karwan-E-Mohabbat' was published by CES in June 2020. Karwan-e Mohabbat is a campaign run under the non-FCRA association Aman Biradari Trust (ABT), which is closely associated with Centre of Equity Studies and Harsh Mander," the Home Ministry alleged. -- PTI
Hardeep Singh Nijjar
13:42 Canada cops probe shooting at Nijjar aide's house
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) has launched an investigation into an overnight shooting incident at the South Surrey residence of Simranjeet Singh, a friend of India-designated Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, Canada-based CBC news has reported.
In a statement, Surry RCMP said that they responded to reports of gunshots just after 1:20 am Thursday at a residence located near the 2800 block of 154 Street. CBC News reported that Corporal.
Sarbjit Sangha said officers stayed in the area and spoke to neighbours and witnesses, and are currently reviewing CCTV footage to find out more about the shooting. No one was injured.
A CBC News reporter who went to the house on Thursday afternoon found a car that had been heavily damaged by gunfire, along with multiple bullet holes in the house itself.
Dimple Yadav will contest from Mainpuri
13:16 SP, Cong to share seats in UP, BSP will...
Samajwadi Party leader Ram Gopal Yadav on Friday said the Congress and the Akhilesh Yadav-led party have finalised their seat-sharing agreement in Uttar Pradesh. SP will declare more candidates soon for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
Asked whether the Congress can go with the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) in UP, Yadav said the two parties have already reached an agreement. "We have declared 16 seats. We will declare more seats in a couple of days. So on and so forth. The Congress and the SP have reached a final agreement in Uttar Pradesh," Yadav said.
SP leader Dimple Yadav, meanwhile, said there should not be any further delay in deciding candidates for the Lok Sabha polls, and stressed that the upcoming polls will be about "saving the Constitution". "This is an important election. It is an election to save the Constitution. There should not be any further delay," she said.
"Election is fought at the grassroots level. If candidates are decided in time they will get time to put up a strong fight against the BJP," she said.
Asked about the possibility of the BSP joining the alliance in Uttar Pradesh, she said, "Top leadership will decide that."
The SP on Tuesday announced its first list of 16 candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Sitting MP Dimple Yadav has been fielded from Mainpuri, while party MP Shafiqur Rahman Barq will contest from Sambhal.
12:37 Champai Soren sworn in as Jharkhand CM
JMM legislature party leader Champai Soren sworn in as chief minister of Jharkhand. Soren was appointed to the chief minister's post on Thursday after he urged the governor to accept his claim to form the government at the earliest as there was "confusion" in the state which was without a chief minister since the resignation of Hemant Soren on Wednesday, deepening a political crisis.
Champai Soren has been given 10 days to prove his government's majority, said state Congress chief Rajesh Thakur whose party is a constituent of the JMM-led alliance.
12:35 Sensex nears life-time peak, Nifty all-time high
Nifty hits all-time high level; Sensex nears life-time peak of 73,427.59.
12:20 Starlet Poonam Pandey dies of cancer
Actor and model Poonam Pandey passed away on Friday at the age of 32 due to cervical cancer, according to her media manager.
A post on Pandey's official Instagram account read, "This morning is a tough one for us. Deeply saddened to inform you that we have lost our beloved Poonam to cervical cancer. Every living form that ever came in contact with her was met with pure love and kindness. In this time of grief, we would request for privacy while we remember her fondly for all that we shared." Pandey's media manager Parul Chawla has confirmed the news of the actor's demise.
12:17 'Nitish-BJP Friendship Will Last Till 2024 Election'
"So far, Nitish Kumar was the BJP's barrier in Bihar, now that he is accommodated, the BJP can fill the Nitish vacuum with its own face.
"It will be a two-party fight in Bihar -- the BJP vs RJD," Dr Rajiv Kumar, who has just retired as head of the department of politics, Mahatma Gandhi Central University in Motihari, Bihar tells Rediff.com's Archana Masih.
Read the interview here.
12:12 India's Navy Has Arrived
"True to its tradition of nonalignment, India has declined to join the U.S.-led effort to keep open shipping lanes in the Red Sea, where Houthi rebels have pummeled merchant traffic indiscriminately with drones and antiship missiles. At the same time, though, New Delhi has dispatched ships of war to the Arabian Sea and Gulf of Aden to protect Indian-flagged merchantmen while succoring ships of any flag that suffer damage from Houthi strikes. Ten Indian Navy warships now patrol waters to the subcontinent's west."
Read the column here.
11:52 Urgent hearing in SC on Chandigarh mayoral poll
The Supreme Court on Friday agreed to consider an AAP councillor's request seeking urgent hearing of his plea challenging a Punjab and Haryana High Court order that refused to grant any interim relief to the party seeking fresh mayoral polls in Chandigarh.
The matter was mentioned before a bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud by senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi, appearing for councillor Kuldeep Kumar, a candidate for the mayor's post. Singhvi submitted that the returning officer was caught on video smudging the ballots.
"We will list it... we will look at it," the bench, also comprising Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, said. The BJP swept the Chandigarh mayoral polls, retaining all three posts, a setback to the Congress-AAP alliance that alleged tampering with ballot papers by the presiding officer. On Wednesday, a division bench of Justices Sudhir Singh and Harsh Bunger of the high court denied interim relief the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which alleged that ballot papers had been tampered with and sought fresh polls under the supervision of a retired judge of the court.
The high court issued notices to the Chandigarh administration, the municipal corporation, presiding officer Anil Masih and newly-elected mayor Manoj Sonkar, among others, asking then to file their replies within three weeks.
AAP councillor Kumar filed the appeal in the top court against the denial of interim relief and listing of the plea after three weeks.
File pic
11:47 Jammu-Srinagar national highway remains closed, 400 vehicles stranded
The arterial Jammu-Srinagar national highway remained closed for the second day on Friday due to landslip at various places, officials said. Authorities were trying to clear the landslip debris and restore the traffic on the road connecting Kashmir to rest of the country.
More than 400 vehicles are stranded at various places along the highway, the officials said. The 270-km road was closed for traffic on Thursday following landslip at several places, including Sherbibi, Magerkote, Mehad Cafeteria and Dalwas, along the highway, the officials said. -- PTI
11:17 Go to high court, SC on Soren's plea against arrest
The Supreme Court on Friday refused to interfere with a plea of former Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren challenging his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate in money laundering case.
A bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna, MM Sundresh and Bela M Trivedi asked senior advocates Kapil Sibal and Abhishek Singhvi, appearing for Soren, to approach the high court for relief. JMM leader Hemant Soren, who had to step down as Jharkhand chief minister in the face of his imminent arrest, in his plea before the top court had accused the Enforcement Directorate (ED) of arresting him as part of a "well-orchestrated conspiracy" by the Centre ahead of the Lok Sabha elections due months from now.
In his plea before the apex court, Soren has urged it to declare his arrest as unwarranted, arbitrary, and in violation of his fundamental rights. Soren was arrested on January 31, in a money laundering case linked to "illegal" possession of huge parcels of land and alleged association with the "land mafia". He was sent to one-day judicial custody on Thursday by a special PMLA court in Ranchi. PTI
11:04 'Bombs planted' across Mumbai, cops on alert
The Mumbai police are on alert and have launched a probe after a message claimed that bombs have been planted in the city and they would be set off, an official said on Friday.
The traffic control room at Worli received a message around 12.30 am on Friday, claiming that there would be blasts in Mumbai as bombs had been placed at six locations in the country's financial capital.
The crime branch of Mumbai police and Maharashtra ATS (anti-terrorism squad) were alerted about the threat message and a probe is underway to track down the sender, he said.
A case has been registered under Indian Penal Code section 505 (2), which pertains to statements creating or promoting enmity, hatred or ill-will between classes, the official added. PTI
10:57 Oppn to raise issue of arrest of JMM leader Hemant Soren
Opposition INDIA bloc on Friday decided to raise the issue of arrest of JMM leader Hemant Soren in both houses of Parliament. Sources said the decision was taken at a meeting of INDIA bloc leaders, who met this morning in the chamber of Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge in Parliament House.
This is the first time that opposition leaders have met to discuss their strategy in the Budget Session of Parliament that began on January 31.
The opposition leaders have criticised the arrest of Soren by the Enforcement Directorate and delay in the formation of the new government in the state.
Top Opposition leaders, including Sonia Gandhi, Sharad Pawar and TR Baalu, had earlier met at the residence of Kharge on the day Soren was arrested by the ED. They are alleging that Soren was forced to quit as chief minister and the new government formation was delayed.
Soren was arrested on Wednesday night after resigning as the Jharkhand chief minister. PTI
10:52 Kejriwal skips ED summons for fifth time
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will not appear before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday for questioning in an alleged money laundering case linked to the now-scrapped Delhi excise policy, according to the AAP.
The ED on Wednesday had issued a fresh and the fifth summons to Kejriwal after he skipped four earlier summonses over the last four months. Kejriwal will not appear before the agency for questioning, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) said.
Terming the summons "illegal", the party said the ED is repeatedly sending notices to Kejriwal to arrest him. The AAP also alleged that the BJP wants to topple its government in Delhi by getting Kejriwal arrested. The AAP will not let this happen, it said.
The Delhi chief minister is, however, scheduled to take part in a protest of the AAP outside the BJP headquarters here at 11 am.
Kejriwal skipped ED summonses for November 2 and December 21 in 2023 and January 3 and January 18 this year. He had called these notices "illegal".
It is alleged that the Delhi government's excise policy for 2021-22 to grant licences to liquor traders allowed cartelisation and favoured certain dealers who had allegedly paid bribes for it, a charge repeatedly refuted by the AAP.
Police stop AAP MLAs, councilors from protests
10:48 AAP MLAs protesting at BJP HQ detained: Kejriwal
AAP MLAs and volunteers coming to participate in the party's protest outside the BJP headquarters in Delhi against the "cheating" in the Chandigarh mayoral polls are being stopped or detained, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal alleged on Friday.
Security has been stepped-up in Central Delhi with police barricading several roads leading to the Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Marg and deploying additional personnel in view of the Aam Aadmi Party's demonstration as well as a protest by the BJP against "corruption" in the Kejriwal government. The BJP will stage its protest near the AAP head office. The offices of both the parties are on the same road, a few hundred metres from each other.
"First votes were stolen in the Chandigarh mayoral elections. Now, people coming to protest peacefully against this are being stopped at various places across Delhi," Kejriwal said in a post on X, ahead of the demonstration scheduled to begin at 11 am.
In another post, he said that "across Delhi, they are detaining elected MLAs, councillors and volunteers, who were coming to the party office". "What is this going on?" he asked.
Officials said roads leading to the Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Marg have been closed since morning and barricades have been set up near the headquarters of the BJP and the AAP.
In a post on X, Delhi Minister and AAP leader Atishi said, "Heavy barricading all across Delhi. Buses full of AAP volunteers being detained. Hundreds of para-military forces outside the AAP office."
"Why is the BJP so scared of a protest on the Chandigarh mayor elections?" she asked.
The BJP on Tuesday swept the Chandigarh mayoral polls, retaining all three posts of mayor, senior deputy mayor and deputy mayor, in a setback to the Congress-AAP alliance which has alleged tampering with ballot papers by the presiding officer. PTI
Harsh Mander interacting with people during his Karwan-e-Mohabbat yatra in 2017
10:19 CBI raids Harsh Mander's house
The CBI has registered a case of alleged violation of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act against an NGO established by writer and human rights activist Harsh Mander and conducted searches at its premises on Friday, officials said.
Mander, a former member of the Sonia Gandhi-led National Advisory Council during the erstwhile UPA government, is the founder of the NGO Aman Biradari.
The FIR has been registered against Aman Biradari for alleged violation of various provisions of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act following a complaint by the Union Home Ministry.
Prashant Bhushan tweets: "CBI is raiding Harsh Mander's house and office. He has been one of the most gentle, humane & generous activists who has worked tirelessly for the weak & poor. He is being targeted only because he has been critical of this govt. All agencies are being blatantly used to target critics."
Read the Rediff.com interviews with Harsh Mander here.
10:11 Paytm will be working after Feb 29 too: Founder
Paytm founder Vijay Shekhar Sharma tweets his reaction to RBI's mandate to the company. "To every Paytmer, Your favourite app is working, will keep working beyond 29 February as usual. I with every Paytm team member salute you for your relentless support. For every challenge, there is a solution and we are sincerely committed to serve our nation in full compliance. India will keep winning global accolades in payment innovation and inclusion in financial services - with PaytmKaro as the biggest champion of it."
The RBI this week asked Paytm Payments Bank to stop opening new accounts amid "material supervisory concerns" observed in the bank.
The restrictions will affect fresh deposits and credit transactions on the platforms. The new rule may also not allow new users from creating an account on the platform. From what RBI's press release on the matter suggests, Paytm wallets of all users will be affected, and so will be Paytm Fastags and mobility cards.
09:59 ED reveals Hemant Soren's 'criminal proceeds'
Sharing details of the grounds for arresting former chief minister Hemant Soren, the ED on Friday said it recovered cash worth in excess of Rs 36 lakh from the possession of the JMM chief along with documents linked to the ongoing investigation into the alleged acquisition of land by 'fraudulent means'.
The central probe agency added that land parcels spanning 8.5 acres were part of the criminal proceeds that the former CM allegedly acquired.
Sharing further details of the arrest, which was made under Section 19 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002, the ED stated through an official statement that in a raid conducted on April 13, 2023, they unearthed several property-related records and registers that were in the possession of Revenue Sub-Inspector Bhanu Pratap Prasad.
"On April 13, 2023, searches were conducted at several premises including, the premises of Bhanu Pratap Prasad, Revenue Sub Inspector, Bargain, Ranchi and 11 trunks of voluminous property documents along with seventeen original registers (daft 11) were seized from his possession, Bhanu Pratap Prasad was custodian of many original registers in which the land records (ownership details) are maintained. Bhanu Pratap Prasad was involved in corrupt practices which included falsification of original records and had been a party with several other persons in their activities linked to the acquisition of landed properties in fraudulent manners," the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) stated in its official release.
"On the basis of this information, shared with Jharkhand Government under section 66(2) of PMLA, an FIR was registered against one Bhanu Pratap Prasad. Further, on the basis of the FIR, ECIR was recorded by the Directorate of Enforcement, Ranchi Zonal office on June 26, 2023. The information shared under section 66(2) by ED is an integral part of the FIR lodged by the Ranchi Police under sections 465/ 467/ 468/ 469/ 471/ 466/ 420/ 379/ 474 of IPC out of which sections 420, 467 and 471 are scheduled offences," the central agency added.
09:56 Mamata to stage dharna in Kolkata from Friday over Bengal's dues
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will stage a dharna here from Friday to protest against alleged withholding of the state's dues by the Centre.
The issue of the Centre withholding the dues, particularly under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), has snowballed into a significant political controversy in the state.
"The dharna will start at 1 pm in Red Road area in Maidan. Our party supremo Mamata Banerjee will lead the agitation. Other senior leaders of the party will also be present," a senior TMC leader said.
Akla chalo re...
09:34 Left burned people alive: Mamata rules out alliance
With the Opposition alliance threatening to fall apart amid rising differences over seat-sharing, West Bengal Chief Minister and ruling TMC supremo, Mamata Banerjee, on Thursday asserted that her party would form the government at the Centre along with like-minded regional partners after the Lok Sabha elections.
Speaking at a public event in West Bengal, CM Mamata, however, ruled out an alliance with the CPI(M), claiming that it perpetrated killings of Opposition activists during their rule in the state.
"I can assure you all that we will form the government in Delhi. As to how or in what manner we form the government at the Centre is something we will decide after the (Lok Sabha) elections through talks with like-minded regional parties," the TMC Supremo said.
Ruling out trucking with the Left, which is a partner in the INDIA bloc, for the Lok Sabha polls in Bengal, she added, "The CPI(M) killed scores of people when they were in power here. They took lives and wrecked many households. They burned (anti-land acquisition activist) Tapasi Malik alive in Singur. People were set ablaze and their bodies were dumped in the Haldi River of Nandigram. We will never go into an alliance with the CPI(M). They perpetrated similar horrific crimes in Shantipur as well," the TMC chief added.
The West Bengal CM had earlier ruled out allying with the Congress, saying her party was quite capable of going it alone in the state and defeating the BJP-led NDA. Her nephew and top TMC leader, Abhishek Banerjee, blamed the Congress for the breakdown in seat-sharing talks, saying the grand old party dragged their feet in the matter. -- ANI
09:03 Dalit girl gang-raped in UP village, 2 arrested
A 15-year-old Dalit girl was allegedly raped by two men from her village in Fatehpur, police said on Thursday.
The two accused, Dayashankar and Shami, were arrested on Thursday, they said.
The girl had gone to her sister's house in a village in Kanpur a few days ago.
Dayashankar and Shami went to the village on Tuesday and left with the girl on Wednesday, said Anirudh Dubey, Station House Officer, Chandpur.
On their way, the accused stopped their motorcycle near ITI College in Fatehpur's Jehanabad area, dragged the girl to a field and raped her.
Later, they dropped her home, Dubey said.
Based on a complaint lodged by the girl's father, a case was registered in the matter on Thursday and the accused were arrested, he said.
The girl has been sent for medical examination, the SHO said. -- PTI
08:33 Another Indian student found dead in US, 3rd in a week
Another Indian student in the United States named Shreyas Reddy has been found dead in Cincinnati, Ohio, making it the third such case within a week.
The cause of his death, however, remains unknown as of now.
According to reports, Reddy was a student at the Linder School of Business.
The Indian Consulate in New York has expressed regret about the incident and said that it is in touch with his family and is extending all possible assistance to them.
'Deeply saddened by the unfortunate demise of Mr Shreyas Reddy Benigeri, a student of Indian origin in Ohio. Police investigation is underway. At this stage, foul play is not suspected. The Consulate continues to remain in touch with the family and is extending all possible assistance to them,' the Indian Consulate in New York stated in a post.
More details are awaited in the case.
This is the third death of an Indian student within a span of a week, after Vivek Saini and Neel Acharya. -- ANI
01:11 Death to 15 PFI men: 4 held for threatening judge
Four persons have been arrested so far in connection with the alleged threats made against the Mavelikkara additional sessions judge on various social media platforms after the verdict was pronounced in the murder of BJP OBC wing leader Ranjith Sreenivasan, the police said on Thursday.
Security was heightened for Mavelikkara additional sessions judge-I VG Sreedevi, after taking serious note of the online threats made against her.
In a release, Alappuzha district police chief said a total of five cases have been registered and the accused in four cases were arrested.
"Four cases were registered at Alappuzha South police station and one at Punnapra police station and a special team was appointed to probe the matter," it said.
The police said Mannacherry resident, Naseermon (47), Mangalapuram resident, Rafi (38), Alappuzha resident Navas Naina (42) and Ambalappuzha resident Shajahan (36) were arrested.
The court had on Tuesday sentenced 15 people associated with the now-banned outfit Popular Front of India to death in connection with the 2021 murder of the BJP OBC wing leader that took place in Alappuzha district. -- PTI
00:19 Lawyers to skip work at Mumbai court on Friday to protest murder of advocate couple
Lawyers will remain absent from work at the sessions court in Mumbai on Friday to protest the recent murder of an advocate couple in Maharashtra's Ahmednagar district, their association has said.
The Bombay City Civil and Sessions Court Bar Association on Thursday held an extraordinary general body meeting where all its members condemned the double murder, the lawyers' body said in a release.
The association members unanimously resolved that they would remain absent from work on Friday (February 2) at the city sessions court in demand of the Advocates Protection Act in Maharashtra, the release added.
Last week, the advocate couple from Rahuri in Ahmednagar district were tortured and killed by five men, who had apparently demanded Rs 5 lakh from the victims.
The bodies were later dumped in a well. -- PTI
Champai Soren
00:05 J'khand guv invites Champai Soren to take oath
Jharkhand Governor CP Radhakrishnan on Thursday nominated Jharkhand Mukti Morcha legislative party leader Champai Soren as chief minister and invited him to take oath.
The governor's principal secretary Nitin Madan Kulkarni told PTI: "We have invited him to take oath. Now they will decide when to take it."
Earlier in the day, Champai Soren, heading a delegation of JMM-led coalition, called on the governor and urged him to accept his claim to form the government at the earliest as there was "confusion" in the state. -- PTI
TOP STORIES
© 2024 Rediff.com - Investor Information - Advertise with us - Disclaimer - Privacy Policy - Feedback - About us - Terms of use - Grievances