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Sat, 17 February 2024
Delhi court rejects Sharjeel Imam's bail plea
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Sharjeel Imam
23:12 Delhi court rejects Sharjeel Imam's bail plea
A court in Delhi on Saturday dismissed the plea of student activist Sharjeel Imam seeking bail on the grounds that he had been in custody for the last four years, which was more than half of the maximum sentence prescribed for the offence.
The court directed to continue Imam's custody, saying the present case was "different" from other cases because of the nature of allegations against Imam and his "disruptive activities."
Additional sessions judge Sameer Bajpai was hearing Imam's plea seeking bail under 436A of the Code of Criminal Procedure, saying he was in custody since January 28, 2020, while the maximum sentence for the offence under Section 13 (punishment for unlawful activities) of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act is seven years, if convicted.
According to CrPC Section 436-A, a person can be released from custody if he has spent more than half of the maximum sentence prescribed for the offence.
The court, however, underlined that according to the provision, an accused's custody could be extended for a further period in "exceptional circumstances" after hearing the prosecution's case.
"Keeping in view the alleged acts of the applicant (Imam), the court is of the view that the facts in the case in hand are not normal and different than the facts which in any other case could be," the court said.
"Considering the allegations against the applicant and his disruptive activities, the court deems it appropriate not to consider the relief as prayed for and to continue his custody," it added. -- PTI
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22:53 BSF recovers one packet of suspected heroin in Punjab's Amritsar
Border Security Force recovered one packet of suspected heroin of gross weight, approximately 440 g, in Punjab's Amritsar district on Saturday, said officials.
BSF troops immediately launched an extensive search operation after receiving information regarding the presence of a suspected packet in the border area of Amritsar district.
During the search, at about 8:50 am, the vigilant troops of BSF successfully recovered one packet of suspected heroin.
The narcotics were wrapped with yellow adhesive tape.
This recovery took place in a farming field ahead of the border fence adjacent to Bharopal Village in Amritsar District, officials added.
A piece of reliable information combined with the diligent efforts of BSF troops once again resulted in the successful foiling of the nefarious attempt of the narco-syndicate to pump in the contraband substance into India from across the border. -- ANI
22:34 Bail to 3 who 'escaped' to India on boat from Kuwait
A court in Mumbai on Saturday granted bail to three men arrested by the city police earlier this month for allegedly entering India unlawfully on a boat from Kuwait.
As no incriminating "angle" was found in the case except that they allegedly fled with a fishing boat without the permission of its owner, it would not be just to keep them behind bars, said additional chief metropolitan magistrate (Esplanade court) Pravin Modi.
Accused Nitso Ditto (31), Vijay Vinay Anthony (29) and J Sahayatta Anish (29) contended that they were fishermen from Tamil Nadu who had gone to Kuwait for jobs, but had to escape as they were ill-treated by their employer.
They were tortured, assaulted with rods and other weapons, and the employer took away their passports, said their bail applications filed through advocate Sunil Pandey.
Mumbai police arrested them on February 7 for no reason when they reached the city's coast, they claimed.
The police opposed the bail applications, stating that information about their actions while in Kuwait was yet to be received from the embassy of that country.
"If they are enlarged on bail, there is a possibility that they may abscond," the police said in their reply, adding that the accused entered the Indian waters in an unauthorized manner without valid travel documents and passports which could be "dangerous to the sovereignty, integrity and national security of the country." -- PTI
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21:50 Parts of Himachal may receive heavy rain, snow on Feb 18-19; orange alert issued
Parts of Himachal Pradesh are likely to witness heavy rain, snow and thunderstorm accompanied with hail and gusty winds on Sunday and Monday, according to the weather office.
On Saturday, the weather remained dry and day temperatures rose marginally with Una recording a high of 27 degrees Celsius.
The MeT office issued a yellow warning of heavy to very heavy rain/snow and thunderstorm accompanied with hail, gusty winds and lighting at isolated places on February 18 and 19.
It predicted heavy rain/snow and thunderstorm accompanied by gusty wind and lighting at isolated places on February 20 and 21, and heavy rains at most places in lower hills and rains and snow in mid and higher hills as a fresh western disturbance is likely to affect the western Himalayan region from Saturday night.
The maximum temperature stayed four to 10 degrees above normal in most places, and Kalpa and Keylong in tribal Kinnaur and Lahaul and Spiti districts recorded a high of 16 degrees and 4 degrees, 10 and six degrees above normal. -- PTI
Newly appointed TN Congress chief K Selvaperunthagai/Courtesy X
21:17 Congress appoints K Selvaperunthagai as its Tamil Nadu unit president
The Congress on Saturday appointed K Selvaperunthagai as the president of its Tamil Nadu unit, replacing KS Alagiri.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge also appointed Rajesh Kumar as the Congress Legislature Party leader in Tamil Nadu.
The appointments come ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, slated to take place in April-May.
"Congress president has appointed Shri K Selvaperunthagai as the President of Tamil Nadu Pradesh Congress Committee with immediate effect," a party statement said.
The party appreciates the contributions of the outgoing state unit president, K S Alagiri, it said. -- PTI
Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose in Sandeshkhali on February 12, 2024/ANI Photo
20:42 Raj Bhavan will shelter 'tortured' Sandeshkhali women: Guv
West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose on Saturday said the doors of Raj Bhavan are open for the women of trouble-torn Sandeshkhali who feel unsafe in their homes.
Speaking to PTI, Bose, who considers himself the Rakhi brother of the women in Sandeshkhali, vowed to do everything in his power to protect them.
He assured that the "tortured" women from Sandeshkhali in North 24 Parganas district could seek refuge in Raj Bhavan, where they would be provided with shelter, food, and security.
Bose emphasised, "Doors of Raj Bhavan are open for victimised women who can come and stay here. We will provide them shelter, food, and security," he said.
The governor said women feeling threatened could contact the 'Peace Room' at Raj Bhavan by dialing 033-22001641 to lodge complaints.
He assured that prompt action would be taken, asserting, "Our Peace Room is always open, and any victim from Sandeshkhali can call to lodge any complaint." -- PTI
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20:36 About 400 kg of ganja worth Rs 1 cr seized in Andhra; 8 from Haryana held
A total of four quintals (400 kg) of ganja was seized by the police in Bhadradri Kothagudem district of Telangana and eight persons from Haryana, who were allegedly transporting the narcotic substance were arrested, the police said on Saturday.
A police team during vehicle checking at Bhadrachalam of the district on Friday found the ganja concealed in plastic trays and doormats in a private bus and was being transported to Hyderabad from Odisha's Malkangiri district by the eight persons.
The seized ganja worth over Rs 1 crore in the grey market was bought by the accused from Odisha and was being transported to Hyderabad for distribution, Bhadradri Kothagudem district superintendent of police B Rohith Raju said.
A case was registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act and further investigation is on. -- PTI
20:15 CBI moves Mumbai court to stop Netflix broadcast of Indrani Mukerjea docu-series
The Central Bureau of Investigation on Saturday moved an application before a special court in Mumbai seeking a stay on a documentary series on Indrani Mukerjea, the prime accused in the Sheena Bora murder case.
The docu-series, titled The Indrani Mukerjea Story: The Buried Truth delves into the disappearance of 25-year-old Bora and is scheduled to premiere on streaming platform Netflix on February 23.
In its application filed through public prosecutor CJ Nandode, the CBI asked the court "to issue direction to accused and other concerned for staying/stopping the featuring of the accused persons and the persons connected with the case in the documentary by Netflix and its broadcasting on any platform till the conclusion of the ongoing trial".
CBI Special Judge SP Naik-Nimbalkar issued notices to Netflix Entertainment Services India and others for their response on the application.
The hearing on the application has been fixed for February 20. Bora (24) was allegedly strangled to death in a car by Indrani Mukerjea, her then driver Shyamvar Rai and former husband Sanjeev Khanna in April 2012. -- PTI
Andaman and Nicobar Islands MP Kuldeep Rai Sharma/Courtesy Facebook
19:59 Andaman's MP receives Sansad Ratna Award for third time in row
Andaman and Nicobar Islands MP Kuldeep Rai Sharma on Saturday received the Sansad Ratna Award for the third consecutive year.
Five MPs received the award for their outstanding performance, at a function held at New Maharashtra Sadan in New Delhi.
Apart from the Congress' Andamans MP, BJP's Sukanta Majumdar and Sudheer Gupta, Shiv Sena's Shrikant Eknath Shinde and NCP's Amol Ramsing Kolhe also received the award.
A source in the Andamans MP office stated that Sharma had raised many issues for the betterment of the archipelago and its people, and had not only participated in parliamentary debates but also demonstrated a high level of professionalism in discharging his responsibilities as a lawmaker.
Among the issues raised by him in the House were filling up of nearly 10,000 government job vacancies in the islands, AIIMS for the Union territory, sending of specialist doctors to the archipelago on deputation, ultrasound facility in all PHCs, provision of 200 sq metres of land for all landless people in the islands, establishment of a central university and laying of optical fibres from Puri to Diglipur, the source said.
He also raised the issues of the creation of the Andaman and Nicobar Service Commission, the construction of an alternate highway along the coastline, building a bridge from Minnie Bay to Mithakhari and the introduction of the Udaan scheme in the islands, the source said. -- PTI
Filmmaker Rajkumar Santoshi
19:36 Filmmaker Rajkumar Santoshi gets 2-year jail in cheque case
Filmmaker Rajkumar Santoshi, who is set to come out with his next directorial venture Lahore 1947, featuring Sunny Deol and Preity Zinta in lead roles, was sentenced to 2 years imprisonment by a Jamnagar court in a cheque bouncing case.
The complainant, Ashok Lal, a prominent industrialist and shipping magnate from Jamnagar, claimed that he received 10 cheques of Rs 10 lakh each from the filmmaker, totalling Rs 1 crore, which subsequently bounced.
Piyush Bhojani, the advocate for the businessman in the case, confirmed the sentencing to ANI on Saturday.
According to the advocate, Lal contributed Rs 1 crore to Rajkumar Santoshi's film.
Repaying the magnate, Santoshi allegedly sent him 10 cheques of Rs 10 lakh each.
Once the checks were deposited in the bank within the stipulated time frame, they bounced, the businessman alleged, adding that he first tried to establish contact with the filmmaker over this matter.
However, he claimed that all attempts to establish contact with the filmmaker failed after which he filed a lawsuit under the Negotiable Instruments Act.
During a hearing in the case on Saturday, the court ordered a two-year jail sentence for Santoshi while asking him to repay double the amount that he owes to the businessman. -- ANI
Waris Punjab De chief Amritpal Singh being brought to Dibrugarh Central Jail./File image
19:00 Electronic gadgets recovered from NSA cell in Assam jail
Several electronic gadgets were discovered from the cells of National Security Act detenues at Dibrugarh Central Jail in Assam on Saturday.
Among the detenues are ten members of the radical group 'Waris Punjab De', a pro-Khalistani outfit, including its chief Amritpal and one of his uncles.
They have been incarcerated in the jail since March 19 last year, following their arrests under the NSA from various parts of Punjab during a crackdown on the outfit.
Director general of police GP Singh revealed that a search of the premises was conducted by jail staff based on intelligence indicating unauthorised activities.
The search yielded various electronic devices, such as a smartphone with a SIM card, a keypad phone, a TV remote with a keyboard, a spycam pen, pen drives, Bluetooth headphones, and speakers.
The jail staff confiscated these items, and investigations are underway to determine the source of these "unauthorized articles and mode of induction."
DGP Singh posted on 'X' that additional CCTV cameras were installed in the public area of the NSA block following the receipt of information about unauthorized activities taking place there. -- PTI
18:29 Rahul heads to Wayanad after man killed in elephant, to resume Nyay Yatra tomorrow
Rahul Gandhi is leaving for Wayanad from Varanasi as he is urgently required in his Lok Sabha constituency and will resume his Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra from Uttar Pradesh's Prayagraj on Sunday afternoon, the party said.
Gandhi's visit to Wayanad comes a day after a man, who was seriously injured in another wild elephant attack on Friday morning, died at the Kozhikode medical college during the day.
The victim was an eco-tourism guide of the Forest department and was stationed at the Kuruva Island here which is a well known tourist destination, a Forest official said.
In a post on X, Congress general secretarty Jairam Ramesh said, "Rahul Gandhi's presence is required urgently in Wayanad. He is leaving this evening from Varanasi at 5PM. The Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra will resume at 3PM tomorrow, February 18th, at Prayagraj."
In Wayanad, a district-wide hartal was called by the ruling LDF, Opposition UDF and BJP to seek permanent solutions to the man-animal conflicts in the region.
Shops and business establishments remained closed while vehicles kept off the roads across the district.
The Congress yatra entered Uttar Pradesh on Friday and will traverse through the state before entering Rajasthan. -- PTI
The INSAT-3DS satellite onboard a GSLV-F14 lifting off from Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota/ANI on X
18:10 INSAT-3DS satellite placed into intended orbit: ISRO
A Geosynchronous Launch Vehicle-F14 has successfully placed INSAT-3DS satellite into the intended orbit, said ISRO on Saturday.
The GSLV-F14 carrying a third generation meteorological satellite lifted-off from the spaceport in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh on Saturday.
INSAT-3DS satellite aims to augment the study of the Earth's surface and oceanic observations.
The 51.7 metre tall GSLV-F14 soared majestically from the second launch pad at the spaceport in Sriharikota, leaving behind thick fumes on its tail and soared towards the sky.
It saw thunderous applause from spectators who had gathered at the gallery since afternoon.
The satellite weighing 2,274 kg would serve various departments under the ministry of earth sciences including the Indian meteorological department, ISRO said. -- PTI
17:45 Indian-origin man jailed for life over 30-year-old UK murder
An Indian-origin man has been sentenced to life imprisonment by a court here for murdering a woman 30 years ago after he was connected to the brutal killing through his strand of hair found at the crime scene.
Sandip Patel, 51, was found guilty of the murder of Marina Koppel by stabbing her at least 140 times at her flat in the Westminster area of London in 1994 and sentenced at the Old Bailey court in the city on Friday.
The Metropolitan Police said innovative work by its forensics team on his hair found on a ring worn by Koppel finally brought Patel to justice all these years later.
This was a great team effort with the forensic scientists, fingerprint experts, the forensic manager and the investigating team all playing their part in solving Marina's murder, said Dan Chester, operational forensic manager and the Met Police's Forensic Lead for Cold Case Homicide Investigations.
"Forensic techniques and technologies are constantly evolving, and the police will continue to review serious unsolved cases and, where possible, pursue new opportunities to enable both the prosecution of those responsible and to exonerate the innocent. This includes cases specifically related to violence against women," he said.
Marina, who was 39 at the time of her death, lived and worked in her flat during the week and spent time with her husband in Northampton during the weekend.
It was an unconventional relationship as Marina worked as a masseuse and occasional sex worker, but the two were happily married, the court heard. She was described as a loving mother and worked hard to send money home to her family in Columbia, including her two children who were being cared for by her family there. -- PTI
17:35 Veteran actor Anjana Bhowmik dies at 79
Popular actor of yesteryears Anjana Bhowmick died in Kolkata on Saturday, family sources said.
She was 79. Anjana who had been ailing for some time died at a private hospital in Kolkata at around 10:30 am, they said.
She was admitted to the hospital due to respiratory problems on February 16.
She had been bedridden due to geriatric problems in recent months.
She is survived by daughters Nilanjana Sengupta and Chandana Bhowmick.
Condoling Anjana Bhowmick's death, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in a statement in Bengali said, Anjana will forever be remembered for her role in classics like 'Nishibasar', 'Pratham Basanta' and others.
Banerjee said the state government had conferred Bisesh Chalachitra Puraskar (special film award) on her for her contribution to cinema in 2012.
The chief minister said Bhowmick's death leaves a void which can never be filled up.She offered her condolences to her family, friends and countless fans. -- PTI
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17:08 2 Guj SPs among 19 booked for abduction, extortion
Two superintendents of police and three other senior policemen are among 19 persons against whom a case has been registered in connection with the kidnapping and extortion of an employee of a firm in Gujarat's Kutch district, the police said on Saturday.
The Crime Investigation Department on Thursday registered an FIR against two SPs, three DySPs, a sub-inspector, and owners of Electrotherm Limited, among others, nearly a month after the Supreme Court lifted the stay on the Gujarat high court order directing the probe agency to do the same, they said.
According to a release issued by the CID, Parmanad Seerwani, a resident of Gandhidham in Kutch district, lodged a police complaint against two company owners and 11 others for kidnapping and extortion committed in December 2015.
The probe agency, in the release, did not disclose the exact roles of the accused police officers, citing that it would affect the investigation.
Former Kutch (East) SPs GV Barot and Bhavna Patel and DySPs RD Desai, DS Vaghela and VJ Gadhvi, and sub-inspector NK Chauhan have been named in the FIR, the release stated. -- PTI
Gulzar/File image
16:58 Gulzar, Sanskrit scholar Rambhadracharya selected for Jnanpith Award
Renowned Urdu poet Gulzar and Sanskrit scholar Jagadguru Rambhadracharya have been named the recipients of the 58th Jnanpith Award, the Jnanpith selection committee announced on Saturday.
Gulzar is known for his works in Hindi cinema and is considered one of the finest Urdu poets of this era.
He has earlier received Sahitya Akademi Award for Urdu in 2002, Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2013, Padma Bhushan in 2004, and at least five National Film awards for his works.
Rambhadracharya, the founder and head of Tulsi Peeth in Chitrakoot, is a renowned Hindu spiritual leader, educator and writer of more than 100 books.
In a statement, the Jnanpith selection committee said, "It has been decided to give the award (for 2023) to eminent writers from two languages: Sanskrit litterateur Jagadguru Rambhadracharya and well known Urdu litterateur Shri Gulzar." Goan writer Damodar Mauzo had received the prestigious award for 2022. -- PTI
16:46 15 arrested for planning to use unfair means in constable exam in UP
Fifteen people were arrested on Saturday for allegedly planning to use unfair means in the Uttar Pradesh Police Recruitment and Promotion Board exam for recruitment of constables.
Additional superintendent of police of Dhananjay Kushwaha said, "We have arrested these men for planning to use unfair means in the exam. The accused are being questioned. The arrest was made by the surveillance team of the Kotwali police station."
The officer declined to comment on the modus operandi of the arrested accused.
The police and local administration across the state are on alert in the wake of the exam being held on Saturday and Sunday.
District magistrate Prem Ranjan Singh said, "Senior administrative officials along with the local police are taking all measures to successfully conduct the police recruitment exam and ensure that no unfair means are used."
In eastern Uttar Pradesh's Ballia district, police arrested a man for allegedly taking money from candidates on the promise that he will make them clear the exam. -- PTI
Suhani Bhatnagar (left) with Dangal co-actors Sakshi Tanwar and Zaira Wasim/File image
16:34 Dangal actor Suhani Bhatnagar dies at 19
Actor Suhani Bhatnagar, who played Babita Kumari Phogat's childhood role in Aamir Khan's Dangal, died on Saturday in Delhi while undergoing treatment after she fractured her leg.
She was 19.
Aamir Khan's production house confirmed her death.
"We are deeply saddened to hear about our Suhani passing away. Our heartfelt condolences to her mother Poojaji, and the entire family. Such a talented young girl, such a team player, Dangal would have been incomplete without Suhani. Suhani, you will always remain a star in our hearts. May you rest in peace," Aamir Khan Productions posted on X.
Senior Congress leader Kamal Nath
16:06 Kamal Nath in Delhi, next stop BJP?
Senior Congress leader and former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Kamal Nath arrived in the national capital Saturday afternoon amid speculation that he could cross over to the BJP.
Over the past few days, Nath had been on a tour of his bastion Chhindwara, from where he had been an MP for nine terms.
His son Nakul Nath won the seat in the 2019 polls, even as the BJP swept the remaining 28 seats in the state.
Asked about the speculation that Nath could cross over to the BJP, senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh said in Jabalpur earlier in the day, "I spoke to Kamal Nath at 10.30 pm yesterday, he is in Chhindwara."
"A person who started his political journey and stood with the Nehru-Gandhi family when Indira Gandhi was sent to jail by the Janata party, do you think such a person will ever leave Congress and the Gandhi family?" Singh said.
Kamal Nath is said to be disgruntled over not getting a Rajya Sabha berth and also Rahul Gandhi being opposed to him since the party lost the assembly polls late last year. -- PTI
Biju Janata Dal MLA Prafulla Samal/Courtesy X
16:01 ED summons BJD MLA in money laundering case
The Enforcement Directorate has summoned senior Biju Janata Dal MLA and former Odisha Minister Prafulla Samal and his son over an alleged money laundering case, sources said on Saturday.
The probe agency has issued summons to Samal and his son Prayaskanti in connection with Barapada Engineering College land irregularities, they added.
The father-son duo has been asked to report before the ED with all related documents.
The ED's action comes two days after raids were conducted at different places linked to Samal.
"The ED has carried out search operations at 10 locations in Bhadrak and Bhubaneswar cities of Odisha on 15.02.2024 under the provisions of PMLA, 2002 belonging to Prayaskanti Samal (ex-President), Manoj Kumar Goswami (secretary) and others of Barapada School of Engineering and Technology society in the matter of misappropriation of society money by forgery and cheating. During the search operations, various incriminating documents, digital devices, cash of Rs 9 lakhs, undated cheques, land agreements and a Toyota Fortuner car worth Rs 40 lakhs approx were recovered and seized," the ED posted on X on Saturday.
Sources said the vehicle, however, is registered in the name of Trishna Skyscraper Limited, a construction company. -- PTI
15:26 BJP winning 370 seats will be true tribute to Syama Prasad Mookerjee: Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday asked BJP members to build the party's Lok Sabha poll campaign around its pro-poor work and the country's development and enhanced standing globally, asserting that winning 370 seats will be a true tribute to its key ideologue Syama Prasad Mookerjee.
Mookerjee was a strident opponent of Article 370, which granted Jammu and Kashmir special rights.
The Modi government scrapped the article in August 2019.
Addressing a meeting of the BJP's national office-bearers ahead of the start of the party's convention, he said every booth worker should now focus on polling booths and ensure at least 370 more votes for the party at each in the upcoming polls than in 2019.
Briefing reporters on Modi's speech, BJP General Secretary Vinod Tawde said the prime minister told the meeting that the opposition will raise "unnecessary and emotional issues" during the polls but party members should stick to the issues of development, pro-poor policies and the country's rising global standing.
Tawde said the party will launch a campaign to reach out to beneficiaries of various central government schemes from February 25.
Modi noted he has been the head of a government, including more than 12 years as Gujarat chief minister, for nearly 23 years and there has been no allegation of corruption. -- PTI
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14:58 8 killed, 3 hurt in blast at TN fireworks factory
At least 8 people were killed and 3 others injured in an explosion at a fireworks factory in this district on Saturday, the police said.
Citing preliminary investigation, they said the deceased included women and added that the cause of the blast was being ascertained.
The incident occurred under the Vembakottai police station limits. -- PTI
MP Congress ex-chief Kamal Nath/File image
14:49 He won't leave Cong: Digvijaya on speculation of Kamal Nath's BJP switch
Reports of former Madhya Pradesh Congress chief Kamal Nath and his son Lok Sabha MP Nakul Nath flying down to Delhi on Saturday have once again resulted in speculation that the veteran Congress leader could switch sides to the BJP.
However another party veteran and Rajya Sabha MP Digvijaya Singh sought to play down the reports saying that he had spoken to Nath on Friday night and he was in Chhindwara.
"Kamal Nath is in Chhindwara...I had a conversation with Kamal Nath last night. He is in Chhindwara. The person who started his political career with the Nehru-Gandhi family and he stood together when the entire Janata Party and the then central government were sending Indira Gandhi to jail. How can you expect that person (Kamal Nath) to leave Sonia Gandhi and Indira Gandhi's families. You should not expect it," Singh told reporters.
Meanwhile, AICC in-charge of Madhya Pradesh Jitendra Singh also said that he did not think that Nath would leave the Congress party and would be joining any other party.
"The way he (Nath) has worked in the organisation since the time of Sanjay Gandhi (Son of Indira Gandhi) till now and the way he has a long relationship with the Congress, I do not think that he will leave the Congress and join any other party," Jitendra Singh said.
On Friday night, Nath had a close door meeting with senior Congress leaders of Chhindwara which included Govind Rai, Vishwanath Okte, Deepak Saxena and Sunil Jaiswal, Arunoday Choubey and Ramu Tekam at his residence in Chhindwara. -- ANI
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14:39 BSF jawan injured in gun attack in Manipur
A Border Security Force jawan was injured in a gun attack in Manipur's Kakching district on Saturday, an official said.
Injured head constable Som Dutt, 45, is from Himachal Pradesh, the official said.
Dutt suffered injuries on his left shoulder when he was hit by a bullet at Sugnu village. He was admitted to a private hospital, he said.
"There have been consistent attacks by armed men for the last three days at Sugnu. On Friday night, they fired from the hill slopes using medium machine guns," the official added.
On Wednesday, armed men attacked Sugnu village, triggering a gunfight with village volunteers stationed in the area.
Last May, Sugnu witnessed severe violence, resulting in the burning of numerous houses and the loss of more than five lives, which compelled hundreds of villagers to seek refuge in relief camps. -- PTI
A view of the collapsed marriage pandal at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi/ANI on X
14:33 Marriage pandal collapses at Delhi's Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, 25 rescued
At least 25 people trapped under the collapsed marriage 'pandal' (temporary structure or tent) at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi were rescued on Saturday, officials said.
According to the Delhi police, the collapse incident took place near the stadium's Gate No. 2 at around 11:15 am.
Upon receiving information, Delhi Fire Services Department officials, along with fire tenders, reached the spot and started an operation to rescue people trapped under the pandal.
Meanwhile, a team of Delhi police officials also reached the spot.
Speaking to the media, DCP South Ankit Chauhan said that a call was received about the collapse of a pandal/tent and the possibility of a few labourers trapped under it.
"After arriving on the spot, it was found that 25-30 labourers were trapped under the fallen structure. The pandal was erected for a wedding function," he said.
DCP Chauhan further said that the pandal was being erected for a wedding near Gate No. 2 of the stadium when it collapsed, trapping labourers working there under it.
"Locals and sportspeople present at the spot came to help and rescued people. It was a 30x60 sq ft pandal set up, and the booking was done under the name of one Rajesh," he said.
"25-30 people were rescued and shifted to AIIMS Trauma Centre and Safdarjung Hospital. A search and rescue operation is underway," he said.
"We are further looking into the incident," he added. -- ANI
14:27 Kamal Nath's MP son drops Congress from X bio
A day after Madhya Pradesh Bharatiya Janata Party chief VD Sharma claimed that several Congress leaders were upset with the grand old party, former CM Kamal Nath's son Nakul Nath dropped Congress from his bio on social media sparking speculation about his next move.
The move by Nakul Nath, who is the Congress' Lok Sabha member from Chhindwara in MP, has added fuel to rumours of him and father Kamal Nath joining the BJP, according to an NDTV report.
When asked about speculations of Kamal Nath joining the BJP, VD Sharma said, "So today I am telling you the environment, we have kept our doors open because there are people in Congress who feel that Congress boycotts Lord Ram, India has Ram in its heart. When Congress insults him, then there are people who are pained by this, who are upset, and they should get a chance."
"If those whose names you are taking have pain in their hearts, then they are also welcome," Sharma said while addressing a press conference in Bhopal on Friday. -- With ANI inputs
Ten bogies of a goods train derailed near Sarai Rohilla Railway station in Delhi/ANI on X
13:42 Goods train derails near Delhi's Sarai Rohilla railway station
Ten bogies of a goods train derailed near Sarai Rohilla Railway station in Delhi on Saturday, officials said.
Possible casualty of a person on the track cannot be ruled out, they said.
The incident happened when the train was passing under the Zakhira flyover on Saturday morning.
An official of railway police said 10 bogies have derailed in the incident and added that a rescue operation was underway.
Teams of railway police and fire brigade have arrived at the spot for the rescue operation.
"Iron sheet rolls were loaded in the goods train. Possible casualty of a person on the track not ruled out," the official said. -- PTI
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13:32 Two new Covid deaths reported in India, active tally declines
Two new deaths -- one each from Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh -- have been reported in a span of 24 hours, according to the Union health ministry's data on Saturday.
India saw a single-day rise of 144 cases of COVID, while the number of active cases of the infection has declined to 840, the data updated at 8 am stated.
The number of daily cases had dropped to double-digits till December 5, 2023 but cases had begun to increase after emergence of a new variant and cold weather conditions.
After December 5, a maximum of 841 new cases were reported on December 31, 2023 which is 0.2 per cent of the peak cases reported in May 2021, official sources said. India has witnessed three waves of COVID-19 in the past with the peak incidence of daily new cases and deaths being reported during the Delta wave in April-June 2021. -- PTI
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12:56 Now IT dept freezes Cong's Kerala channel account
The management of Congress-backed Jaihind TV in Kerala on Saturday alleged that its bank accounts were frozen by the Centre, a day after the national party's main bank accounts were frozen by the I-T department over an outstanding tax demand.
According to sources in the TV channel, the office of the assistant commissioner, Central GST and Central Excise in Thiruvananthapuram issued notices to two leading private banks, directing them to recover the amount due to the central government from the news channel's parent company, Bharat Broadcasting Company, leading to the freeze of its accounts.
Jaihind TV was recently in the news after the CBI issued a notice seeking details of the investments made in the channel by Karnataka deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar in connection with a disproportionate assets case against the Congress leader.
The channel's managing director BS Shiju said the action of the tax authorities was completely 'unexpected', and that too while the case related to it was pending in the high court.
"This abrupt action is indeed unfortunate and has plunged the channel into a state of crisis," he said.
Shiju said the channel, on December 22 last year, received a notice seeking details of an investment made by Shivakumar and his family members in it. -- PTI
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12:43 Hartal in Kerala's Wayanad seeking solution to wild elephant menace
Shops remained closed and vehicles kept off the roads in Kerala's Wayanad on Saturday where the ruling Left Democratic Front, Opposition United Democratic Front and Bharatiya Janata Party have called for a dawn-to-dusk hartal seeking permanent solutions to the wild elephant menace in the region.
Angry agitators blocked the vehicular traffic along the major routes in the district that connect Karnataka and other parts of the state a day after an eco tourism guide of the forest department died after being attacked by an elephant near Kuruva island.
Paul encountered the elephant while stationed near the Eco Tourism centre to turn away people from the area due to the ongoing operation to capture the jumbo which had trampled to death another man last Saturday.
Last week, Aji (42) was trampled to death by the elephant in the Mananthavady area of the district triggering massive protests in Wayanad.
Locals had gathered in large numbers and demanded that the state government take action and provide compensation to the victim's family. Major towns like Kalpetta, Bathery, Mananthavady, Lakidi and other places saw complete shut down on Saturday. -- PTI
PM Narendra Modi being welcomed at BJP's national convention in New Delhi/ANI on X
12:16 BJP's national convention to discuss election strategy to begin in Delhi today
The two-day national convention of the Bharatiya Janata Party, aimed at deliberating on the strategy for the Lok Sabha elections, will commence on Saturday in Delhi.
The event, set to take place at the Bharat Mandap, will kick off with an address by the party's national president, JP Nadda. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to address the gathering on Sunday.
A meeting of the party's national office bearers will be held, followed by the hoisting of the party flag by National President Jagat Prakash Nadda to inaugurate the national convention.
The meeting of national officials, state presidents, organisation ministers, and the Lok Sabha cluster in charge will start at 11 am.
At around 11.30 am, JP Nadda will address the convention, and PM Modi's address is scheduled for around 12.30 pm.
On his arrival, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will first visit an exhibition before joining the national office bearers' meeting.
During this meeting, two proposals are likely to be presented.
The first proposal will focus on political issues, particularly emphasising Modi's vision of a developed India, while the second proposal is likely to be a gratitude note towards the construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya.
The convention will witness the participation of various dignitaries, including ministers from the central cabinet, national and state-level party officials, members of the national council, current and former MPs, MLAs, members of legislative councils, former state presidents, coordinators of the Lok Sabha clusters, mayors, chairpersons of municipal corporations and municipalities, district panchayat presidents, district presidents, district coordinators, state coordinators of various fronts, media, and social media & IT cell coordinators.
According to sources, PM Modi has set a target for the BJP to win 370 seats in the Lok Sabha elections. -- ANI
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11:56 Curfew in violence-hit Haldwani relaxed temporarily
Authorities have temporarily relaxed curfew in Banbhoolpura of Haldwani City, which was imposed following violence, that broke out on February 8 after an "illegal structure" was demolished as part of an anti-encroachment drive.
"However, night curfew will continue from 8pm to 6am in Gaujajali, FSI, Godown area. The night curfew will continue in the rest of the areas under Banbhoolpura police station from 5pm to 6am," Nanital police posted on X.
The curfew was imposed and the administration issued shoot-at-sight orders after stone-pelting incidents, torching of vehicles and a mob surrounded the local police station following the anti-encroachment drive.
On Friday, additional director general, administration, Amit Sinha, reached the site of the violence in Banbhoolpura and took stock of the newly established police post.
During his visit, the ADG reviewed security arrangements in the area. The ADG discussed in detail the proposal regarding the prescribed standards required for the new police station and gave the officers concerned the necessary directions to improve the security arrangements.
As many as 30 people have been arrested, in connection with the Haldwani violence. -- ANI
RJD chief Lalu Pradad Yadav and Bihar CM Nitish Kumar
11:35 Nitish Kumar turns down Lalu Prasad Yadav's offer
MI Khan reports: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Saturday turned down Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad Yadav's offer.
Lalu on Friday said that doors are always open for Nitish Kumar.Nitish Kumar told the media there is no need for him to of leave the NDA.
11:05 ED case: Kejriwal appears in court virtually
A Delhi court on Saturday granted exemption to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal from personal appearance for the day in connection with a complaint filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) against him over non-compliance with its summonses in a money laundering case linked to the now-scrapped excise policy.
Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Divya Malhotra granted relief to Kejriwal after the AAP leader appeared before the court via videoconferencing and urged for exemption from physical appearance for the day.
Kejriwal told the court that he was unable to appear before it due to the ongoing Budget session of the Delhi Assembly.
Appearing for Kejriwal, senior advocate Ramesh Gupta told the court that the Delhi chief minister will appear before it in person on the next date of hearing.
The court has adjourned the matter to March 16.
In its complaint, the ED has alleged that the Delhi chief minister intentionally did not want to obey the summonses and kept on giving 'lame excuses'.
If a high-ranking public functionary like him disobeyed the law, it would 'set a wrong example for the common man ie the 'Aam Aadmi', the agency said.
From the contents of the complaint and the material placed on record, prima facie offence under Section 174 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) is made out and there are sufficient grounds for proceeding against the accused Arvind Kejriwal, the judge had earlier said.
"Accordingly, issue summons to accused Arvind Kejriwal for the offence under Section 174 of the IPC for February 17, 2024," the judge had added.
Section 174 of the IPC relates to non-attendance in obedience to an order from a public servant.
The ED on February 3 filed a fresh complaint case against Kejriwal for non-compliance of its summonses.
The AAP convenor had earlier written to the ED, describing the summonses issued to him as 'illegal and politically motivated'.
He had alleged that the summonses were aimed at preventing him from campaigning in elections. -- PTI
Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Divya Malhotra granted relief to Kejriwal after the AAP leader appeared before the court via videoconferencing and urged for exemption from physical appearance for the day.
Kejriwal told the court that he was unable to appear before it due to the ongoing Budget session of the Delhi Assembly.
Appearing for Kejriwal, senior advocate Ramesh Gupta told the court that the Delhi chief minister will appear before it in person on the next date of hearing.
The court has adjourned the matter to March 16.
In its complaint, the ED has alleged that the Delhi chief minister intentionally did not want to obey the summonses and kept on giving 'lame excuses'.
If a high-ranking public functionary like him disobeyed the law, it would 'set a wrong example for the common man ie the 'Aam Aadmi', the agency said.
From the contents of the complaint and the material placed on record, prima facie offence under Section 174 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) is made out and there are sufficient grounds for proceeding against the accused Arvind Kejriwal, the judge had earlier said.
"Accordingly, issue summons to accused Arvind Kejriwal for the offence under Section 174 of the IPC for February 17, 2024," the judge had added.
Section 174 of the IPC relates to non-attendance in obedience to an order from a public servant.
The ED on February 3 filed a fresh complaint case against Kejriwal for non-compliance of its summonses.
The AAP convenor had earlier written to the ED, describing the summonses issued to him as 'illegal and politically motivated'.
He had alleged that the summonses were aimed at preventing him from campaigning in elections. -- PTI
10:48 Clashes in Bihar during idol immersion
A clash erupted between two groups after stones were allegedly pelted at a procession en route to immerse the Goddess Saraswati statue in Bhagalpur's Lodipur on Friday, officials said.
Meanwhile, the police and local administration have taken the situation under control.
"Under Lodipur police station, a clash broke out between two communities during idol immersion. The idol immersion has now been carried out peacefully. The police force has been deployed to maintain the situation," Bhagalpur SP Raj told reportersFurther investigations are underway.
More details are awaited.
In a similar incident, a clash broke out between two communities after stones were pelted at a procession en route to immerse the Goddess Saraswati statue in the Bahera market in Darbhanga on Friday, officials said.
Darbhanga District Magistrate, SSP and senior officials reached the spot and took the situation under control.
"Under Bahera Police Station, during idol immersion, a clash broke out between two communities. The officials reached the stop and took the situation under control," Darbhanga DM Rajeev Raushan told reporters.
Darbhanga DM said that the people who are involved are being identified.
"There was stone pelting between two communities. There is no information on any injuries as of now. Some people have been detained," he said.
Earlier on Thursday, clashes broke out between two communities in Bihar's Darbhanga over the issue of idol immersion officials said.
The incident took place in Muria village of Darbhanga district. -- ANI
10:04 Bihar govt to review decisions taken by Tejashwi
The newly formed National Democratic Alliance government in Bihar headed by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has ordered a review of all decisions taken by the departments headed by former Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav and two Rashtriya Janata Dal ministers Lalit Yadav and Ramanand Yadav in the previous 'Mahagathbandhan' government in the state.
In a letter, dated February 16, 2024, issued by the Cabinet Secretariat department, headed by the CM, officials of the Health, Road Construction, Urban Development and Housing and Rural Works departments have been asked to review the decisions taken during the previous grand alliance government in the state.
These departments were headed by Tejashwi Yadav.
Besides, the government has asked top officials of Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) and Mines and Geology Department to review the decisions taken by former RJD Ministers-- Lalit Yadav and Ramanand Yadavin the previous government.
After winning the floor test in the state assembly on February 12, Kumar had alleged that the RJD indulged in 'corrupt practices' in the previous regime and said the new government would initiate a probe into it. "I gave them (RJD leaders) respect, but they indulged in corrupt practices. Will launch a probe against alleged corruption by RJD leaders in the previous government".
Praising the decision taken by the Cabinet Secretariat department, senior Janata Dal-United leader, Neeraj Kumar, said, "It's a good decision taken by the NDA government in Bihar. Our government under the leadership of CM Nitish Kumar has a strict policy of zero tolerance against corruption. All decisions taken by the RJD ministers will now be reviewed and probe will be ordered based on findings. Action will be initiated against those leaders (RJD) who are found guilty."
Commenting on the decision taken by the NDA government, RJD Bihar unit spokesperson Mrityunjay Tiwary said, "The CM and BJP leaders are scared of our leader Tejashwi Yadav. The previous Mahagathbandhan government did a lot of people-friendly work and took major decisions like employment to seven to eight lakh youngsters and providing social security to the economically and socially weaker sections of the society."
"They (NDA) are also scared of welfare initiatives taken by the previous government which benefitted lakhs of people in the state. RJD is not scared of any probe/reviewlet them (NDA government) do whatever they want to," Tiwary added. -- PTI
09:29 Bengal minister, arrested in 'ration scam', removed from post
The West Bengal government removed Jyotirpriya Mallick, behind bars for his alleged involvement in a multi-crore ration distribution scam, as the Forest minister and allocated the department to Birbaha Hansda.
Hansda is the Minister of State for Forests and Self Help -- Self Employment Group (Independent Charge).
The other portfolio of Public Enterprises and Industrial Reconstruction under Mallick was allocated to Partha Bhowmick, a senior official said on Friday.
Bhowmick is the Minister-in-charge of the Irrigation and Waterways Department.
The decision was taken as per the advice of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, the official said.
Governor C V Ananda Bose exercised his powers under Article 166(3) of the Constitution and relieved Mallick of his duties as minister with immediate effect, a source in the Raj Bhavan said.
In October last year, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) had arrested Mallick under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act in connection with the scam. -- PTI
08:33 Ajit Pawar likely to field candidate against Supriya Sule
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Friday sounded the election bugle against Baramati MP Supriya Sule and hinted at fielding a candidate against her cousin in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
The Baramati Lok Sabha segment has traditionally been a bastion of Sharad Pawar and his daughter Supriya Sule, however, Maharashtra deputy CM Ajit Pawar announced his intent to field a candidate against her.
Ajit Pawar also said that only if his candidate wins against Sule, he will contest the Assembly elections from Baramati and urged voters to vote for the development of the constituency.
Pawar said that he would field a candidate who has not contested an election earlier, but that person would have the support of those with ample experience.
"Since the formation of Maharashtra state and the commencement of elections till date, it has never happened in Baramati that the deposit of opposition candidate was not forfeited. And I am proud of it," Pawar said on Friday.
He further urged the people to show their love and said, "People will come to you and ask for your votes on emotional issues but it is up to you to decide whether you will vote on emotional grounds or to continue development work and for the welfare of your future generations."
In a veiled attack on Sule, he said, "Those who work, are bound to face allegations. Those who do not work, are bound to remain clean." -- ANI
01:47 Imran Khan's party to sit in Opposition in National Assembly, Punjab province
Pakistan's jailed former prime minister Imran Khan's PTI party on Friday announced that it will sit in the Opposition in the National Assembly and the Punjab Provincial assembly.
The decision was announced by Barrister Ali Saif of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf, a day after the party had named Umar Ayub Khan as its candidate for the prime minister and Aslam Iqbal as chief minister for Punjab.
Talking to the media after visiting the Qaumi Watan Party in Islamabad, Saif said that the party decided to sit in the opposition in the Centre and Punjab in accordance with instructions of party founder Imran Khan.
"We decided to sit in opposition despite the reality that if we received seats according to our votes and the results were not changed then maybe today we might have been in the Centre with 180 seats. Form 45 is the evidence that our candidates won," he said.
It was not clear if the party would participate in the election of the prime minister and Punjab chief minister after the decision to join the opposition ranks.
Pakistan received a fractured mandate in the February 8 general polls.
The PTI-supported independent candidates secured 92 seats, while Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz and the Pakistan Peoples Party secured 75 and 54 seats respectively. -- PTI
00:54 Indians hit by fire in residential building in New Jersey
The Consulate General of India in New York said it is offering support to Indians impacted by fire in a residential building in New Jersey.
The Consulate said in a post on X that it learnt about the "unfortunate fire incident' in a residential building in Jersey City. The incident happened on Thursday.
"Indian students and professionals residing there are safe and no one was hurt," the Consulate said.
It is understood that 11 Indian students and a couple were among the residents of the building on Nelson Avenue in Jersey City.
"We have been in constant touch with the students and are extending all assistance including with accommodation and important documents, etc. We continue to offer all support," the Consulate said.
Jersey City's Division of Fire said the incident happened Thursday and that a report will be prepared in some days. It did not give any further details of the incident. -- PTI
00:38 ED makes 9th arrest in Mahadev betting app case
The Enforcement Directorate on Friday said it has made a fresh and the ninth arrest in connection with its money-laundering probe into the alleged illegal operations of the Mahadev online gaming and betting application that purportedly involve high-ranking politicians and bureaucrats from Chhattisgarh.
Nitish Diwan was taken into custody under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act in Raipur on Thursday and a special court sent him to the ED's custody till February 24, the federal agency said in a statement.
This is the ninth arrest in the case by the ED.
It earlier arrested Nitin Tibrewal, a resident of Kolkata, Raipur-based Amit Agrawal, alleged cash courier Asim Das, police constable Bheem Singh Yadav, assistant sub-inspector Chandrabhushan Verma, alleged "hawala" operator brothers Anil and Sunil Dammani and a man identified as Satish Chandrakar.
"Nitish Diwan was working at the highest level of Mahadev Online Book in the UAE. He was close to the promoters of the Mahadev app to the extent that he was sent to Zimbabwe by them to look for opportunities for setting up betting operations there," the federal agency claimed.
Diwan, it said, was found to be "holding assets in his name, which were beneficially owned by the promoters of Mahadev Online Book". -- PTI
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00:26 Haryana cop deployed at Shambhu border dies
A 52-year-old Haryana police sub-inspector posted at the Shambhu border has died, an official said on Friday.
Hira Lal, who was attached to the Haryana Railway Police, was deployed at the Shambhu border in view of an ongoing farmers' protest, a police spokesperson said.
The SI experienced a sudden decline in his health conditions while he was on duty, the spokesperson added.
Lal was promptly rushed to the Civil Hospital in Ambala, but despite efforts by medical personnel, he died, the spokesperson said.
Haryana director general of police Shatrujeet Kapur expressed grief over the death of the sub-inspector.
The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha have given a "Delhi Chalo" call to press the BJP-led Centre to accept the farmers' demands.
Farmers from Punjab began their march to the national capital on Tuesday, but were stopped by security personnel at the Shambhu and Khanauri border points between Punjab and Haryana. -- PTI
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