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Mon, 19 February 2024
10 more held for Haldwani violence, total 68
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23:54 No Aadhaar number has been cancelled, says UIDAI
Unique Identification Authority of India on Monday said to keep the Aadhaar database updated, intimations are issued to Aadhaar number holders from time to time, but no number has been cancelled.
Aadhaar, as the most commonly used digital identity, is used to avail of numerous subsidies, benefits and services, UIDAI said on its website adding that to maintain the accuracy of the Aadhaar database, the authority had initiated an exercise for update of documents and Aadhaar information.
"In the course of activities undertaken to keep the Aadhaar database updated, intimations are issued from time to time to Aadhaar number holders. In this connection, it is clarified that no Aadhaar number has been cancelled," UIDAI said.
In case any Aadhaar number holder has any grievance they can submit their feedback to UIDAI, it said, promising that grievance will be duly addressed.
"In case any Aadhaar number holder has any grievance in this regard, they may submit their feedback to UIDAI at this link https://uidai.gov.in/en/ contact-support/feedback.html. Any such grievance will be duly addressed," it said. -- PTI
23:37 10 more held for Haldwani violence, total 68
Ten people were arrested on Monday in connection with the violence in Uttarakhand's Haldwani over the demolition of an illegally built madrassa, police said. With these arrests, the total number of people held so far in the February 8 incident reached 68, Nainital senior superintendent of police Prahlad Narayan Meena told reporters.
Those held on Monday include Arbaz who had allegedly supplied materials for making petrol bombs that the rioters had hurled at police personnel and municipal corporation workers.
Nine litres of petrol has been seized from him, the SSP said.
The police officer said 12 out of 16 accused named in the three FIRs lodged after the clashes have been arrested and a search was on to nab the rest.
Violence broke out on February 8 over the demolition of an illegally built madrassa in the Banbhoolpura area of Haldwani, with locals hurling stones and petrol bombs at municipal workers and police, forcing many police personnel to seek refuge at a police station, which the mob then set on fire. -- PTI
23:30 Ahead of Modi's visit, Jammu administration bans sale, use of firecrackers
Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Jammu on Tuesday, the district administration banned the sale, purchase, and use of firecrackers, citing security reasons.
Prime Minister Modi will inaugurate the campus of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in Jammu on Tuesday.
"Whereas, it has been made to appear to me by the inputs received from police authorities and also otherwise, that the use of firecrackers may create confusion among the security forces and public while at the same time causing serious breaches of peace and order and disturbance of public tranquilly during the upcoming VVIP visit in District Jammu. It is desirable that any breach that might cause danger to human lives and properties be immediately prevented," an order from Sachin Kumar Vaishya district magistrate of Jammu, said.
I, IAS district Magistrate, Jammu by exercise of powers vested upon me under section 144 of Criminal Procedure Code, 1973 hereby prohibit the sale/purchase and use of firecrackers in District Jammu. This order shall come into force with immediate effect and shall remain operative till 5 pm on February 20," the order added.
The institute, whose foundational stone was also laid by the Prime Minister in February 2019, is being established under the Central sector scheme Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana. -- ANI
23:01 Earthquake of magnitude 5.2 jolts Ladakh's Kargil
An earthquake of 5.2 magnitude struck the Ladakh region near Kargil on Monday evening, according to the National Center for Seismology.
As per the National Center for Seismology, the earthquake occured at 9: 35 pm.
"Earthquake of Magnitude:5.2, Occurred on 19-02-2024, 21:35:17 IST, Lat: 35.45 & Long: 74.93, Depth: 10 Km ,Location: 148km NW of Kargil, Laddakh," NCS said in a post on X.
More details are awaited. -- ANI
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22:38 Missing toddler of nomadic couple traced after 20-hour search in Kerala capital
Nearly 20 hours after she went missing from a wayside tent, a two-year-old girl, daughter of a nomadic couple from Bihar, was found in a deep drainage canal near a railway track in Thiruvananthapuram on Monday evening.
A police team, which was carrying out a search in the area, came across the child who was found lying in the drainage, the police said.
They later shifted the girl to the nearby general hospital.
Television channels showed visuals of the police personnel running with the child in their hands and shifting her to their vehicle to take her to the hospital. She was also given water by the police personnel in the vehicle.
The isolated area, where the girl was found, is not far away from the place from where she had gone missing while sleeping with her parents and siblings.
Confirming the successful tracing of the toddler, DCP Nidhinraj later told reporters that the first priority of the police is to give medical care to the child.
"We could find her alive...that is most important. The child seems to be ok. The rest of things we can tell after a detailed medical check up," he told the media. -- PTI
MNS president Raj Thackeray/File image
22:27 Tie-up? Mumbai BJP chief meets Raj Thackeray
Mumbai Bharatiya Janata Party chief Ashish Shelar's meeting with MNS president Raj Thackeray on Monday gave a fresh boost to the speculation about a possible poll tie-up between the two parties.
On the face of it, Shelar said meetings keep taking place between old friends. He, however, added that "details will be shared at an appropriate time".
"Raj Thackeray and I have been friends for a long time. We also meet and discuss some other topics. We will reveal certain details at the right time," Shelar told reporters after calling upon Thackeray at his residence in Dadar.
Political circles in Maharashtra are abuzz with speculation that BJP may join hands with MNS to divide Marathi votes in a bid to cut Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena to size in the city.
A delegation of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) leaders recently met state deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis.
"Both parties (BJP and MNS) are friendly but no discussion on an alliance had taken place. The (political) picture will become clear in the coming days and well ahead of the Lok Sabha elections," Fadnavis had said. -- PTI
22:15 Lt Gen Upendra Dwivedi assumes charge as Vice Chief of Army Staff
Lieutenant General Upendra Dwivedi, who has vast operational experience along the frontiers with China and Pakistan, on Monday assumed charge as Vice Chief of the Army Staff, succeeding Lieutenant General MV Suchindra Kumar.
Lt Gen Dwivedi is the front-runner to become the Army Chief when incumbent General Manoj Pande retires on May 31.
Prior to taking over as Vice Chief of the Army Staff, Lt Gen Dwivedi was serving as the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Northern Command from 2022-2024 in an "extremely challenging operational environment", the Army said in a statement.
An alumnus of Sainik School, Rewa, Lt Gen Dwivedi was commissioned into 18 Jammu and Kashmir Rifles in 1984, a unit he later commanded.
"The General officer has had a unique distinction of balanced exposure of both Northern and Western Theatres," the Army said.
In his illustrious career spanning 39 years, he has held command appointments in challenging operational environments, spanning the length and breadth of the country.
He commanded his unit in Kashmir Valley as well as in Rajasthan.
Lt Gen Dwivedi was the Sector Commander and the Inspector General of Assam Rifles in an intense counter terrorism environment in the north east. -- PTI
22:09 Farmers reject govt's 5-year MSP proposal
Farmers leaders on Monday rejected the Centre's proposal of buying pulses, maize and cotton at MSP by government agencies for five years, saying it was not in the farmers' interest.
A panel of three Union ministers -- Piyush Goyal, Arjun Munda and Nityanand Rai -- on Sunday gave the proposal to the farmers during the fourth round of talks in Chandigarh.
On Monday, farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal said, "After holding discussion (on the Centre's proposal) in our two forums, it has been decided that the Centre's proposal is not in the interest of farmers and we reject this proposal."
22:07 BTech student suffering from depression hangs self in Kota
A BTech student who was receiving treatment for depression for the last three years allegedly hanged himself in his house in Ambedkar Nagar in Kota, the police said.
According to the police, the youth called his father an engineer posted in Alwar about his intention to commit suicide on Sunday, following which the latter asked neighbours to check on his son.
The police said the matter came to light in the evening after the father reached their house.
The 23-year-old was receiving treatment for depression for last three years and had attempted suicide in the past, said Rajaram, sub inspector at Kunhari police station.
The police handed over the body to family members after the post-mortem on Monday morning and lodged a case under Section 174 of CrPC for further investigation.
AIMIM leader Waris Pathan/File image
21:39 Mumbai police detain AIMIM's Waris Pathan, stop him from visiting Mira Road
All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen leader Waris Pathan was detained and later released by the Mumbai police on Monday when he tried to visit Mira Road in neighbouring Thane district, where communal violence occurred last month ahead of the consecration of the Ram temple in Ayodhya, an official said.
The AIMIM leader was stopped at the Dahisar Check Naka when he was on his way to Mira Road, the official from Dahisar police said.
"Pathan was brought to Dahisar police station and released after some time. The police escorted him to his residence in south Mumbai," he said.
AIMIM workers also gathered outside the police station but were asked to leave, the official said.
A few days ago, Pathan announced that he would visit Mira Road and meet the police commissioner of Mira Bhayander Vasai Virar (MBVV).
The Mumbai and MBVV police had issued notices to him, the official said. Members of two communities clashed during a vehicle rally organised in Naya Nagar of Mira Road a day before the Ram temple consecration on January 21, while the next day, miscreants pelted stones at a procession taken out to celebrate the temple event in the area.
Following this, the civic authorities in Mira Road demolished "illegal" stalls in the Naya Nagar area.
Pathan later released a video on social media in which he said he had informed eight days ago he would visit Mira Road and meet the police commissioner. -- PTI
Mehul Choksi
21:15 NCLT orders liquidation of Choksi's Gitanjali Gems
The National Company Law Tribunal has ordered liquidation of jewellery retailer Gitanjali Gems, promoted by absconding diamantaire Mehul Choksi, under Section 33 of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016.
The bench also appointed Santanu T Ray as the liquidator, who will complete the liquidation process as per the provisions of the IBC, 2016, according to an NCLT order, filed on BSE.
The resolution professional of the jewellery retailer, Vijay Kumar Garg, filed the application for liquidation in NCLT.
Garg informed the tribunal that on account of the alleged fraud perpetrated by Gitanjali Gems and its officers, the affairs were under investigation by multiple law enforcement agencies like the Enforcement Directorate and the Central Bureau of Investigation.
He said that the ED had issued orders attaching the properties of Choksi.
In his application, Garg informed the tribunal that immediately after the appointment he wrote to various investigation authorities (including the Directorate of Enforcement and the CBI) requesting for details and access to such properties, assets, stocks and records of Gitanjali Gems to proceed further with the CIRP. -- PTI
20:58 UP police recruitment exam: Candidate, his dummy arrested in Noida
A candidate for the Uttar Pradesh police recruitment examination and his dummy were arrested for alleged cheating, forgery and using unfair means during the test, officials in Noida said on Monday.
The deal under which the dummy candidate appeared for the examination instead of the actual aspirant was fixed at Rs 5 lakh, of which Rs 1 lakh was paid in advance, the police said.
The constable recruitment examination organised by the UP Police Recruitment and Promotion Board was held across the state in two shifts on Sunday.
The two accused, both from adjoining Bulandshahr district, were held during the examination's second shift from a test centre in Noida Sector 71, according to an official.
"Accused Badal Chaudhary (19) was found taking the test in place of actual candidate Harishpal Atri (25) using forged Aadhar and admit cards. Chaudhary was held from the exam room while Atri was held (while he was) waiting outside the exam centre," a police spokesperson said.
"During the inquiry, Chaudhary told the police that he knew Atri's brother Akash, who had contacted him with the offer to sit in the exam as a dummy candidate. The deal was fixed at Rs 5 lakh and Chaudhary agreed to be a 'solver' for Atri. Rs 1 lakh was paid in advance to Chaudhary and the rest would have been paid after the exam," the spokesperson said.
An FIR has been lodged at Phase 1 police station under sections of the Indian Penal Code and provisions of the UP Public Examination Act, the police said.
A local court has remanded the accused in judicial custody, they added. -- PTI
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20:40 Snowfall in parts of Lahaul-Spiti, Kinnaur, Kullu in Himachal
Parts of Lahaul and Spiti, Kinnaur and higher reaches of Kullu and Chamba districts received moderate to heavy snowfall, the MeT office in Shimla said on Monday.
The weather office had issued a "red' alert for "heavy' to "very heavy' rain/snowfall and thunderstorms accompanied by hail, gusty winds and lightning in seven out of 12 districts of Himachal Pradesh on Monday.
Kusumseri, Udaipur, Gondla, Keylong and Hansa in Lahaul and Spiti district received 50.6 cm, 39 cm, 27 cm, 21 cm and 11 cm of snowfall respectively while Kalpa and Pook in Kinnaur district received 2.6 cm and 1 cm snow besides Bharmour in Chamba which received 12 cm of snow, it said.
The higher reaches of Kullu, including the south portal of the Atal Tunnel, are receiving intermittent snowfall and traffic beyond Manali has been stopped.
The higher areas of Dalhousie also received snow, according to reports. "Light' to "moderate' rains occurred in mid and lower hills and Tissa in Chamba received the highest rainfall of 41 mm followed by Sangla, Bharmour and Manali 11 mm each, Dalhousie and Chamba 5 mm each.
Cold wave conditions have revived in the state. The sky remained heavily overcast and strong winds lashed the region, signalling more snow and rain in the state.
A western disturbance has affected western Himalayan region since Saturday night.
The MeT office has cautioned that essential services like electricity, water and communication could be affected.
The minimum temperatures rose by a few notches and stayed two to eight degrees above normal, it said. -- PTI
Bhojshala in Dhar, MP/File image/ANI
20:34 Hindu group seeks scientific survey of MP monument
A Hindu organisation on Monday approached the Madhya Pradesh high court in Jabalpur seeking a direction to the Archaeological Survey of India to conduct a time-bound "scientific investigation" of the disputed monument of Bhojshala in the adjoining Dhar district which it claimed to be a temple of Goddess Vagdevi.
The ASI, a central government agency, told an Indore bench of the HC that it had no objection to the plea for a scientific investigation/survey of the premises, while the Muslim side opposed the petition.
Bhojshala is an ASI-protected monument, which Hindus believe is a temple of Goddess Vagdevi (Saraswati), while the Muslim community treats it as Kamal Maula Mosque.
According to an ASI order issued on April 7, 2003, Hindus are allowed to worship inside the Bhojshala complex every Tuesday, while Muslims are allowed to offer namaaz at the site every Friday.
The bench of Justices Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari and Devnarayan Mishra, after hearing the arguments of all parties concerned, reserved its order on the plea filed by a social organisation, 'Hindu Front for Justice', and sought synopsis of a separate case pending in the HC's principal bench at Jabalpur. -- PTI
19:44 Man held for sending threat emails to Hyderabad airport
A 34-year-old man who allegedly sent bomb threat e-mails to the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad allegedly was caught in Bengaluru, the police said on Monday.
The accused, hailing from Bihar state, and now settled in Bengaluru, worked in the IT sector from 2012 to 2020, they said.
During COVID pandemic, he fell ill and subsequently lost his job.
He then went into depression and sent threat mails to RGIA and also other vital installations, they added.
The accused sent two threat emails to the airport over the past few days from his mail id and created the panic among the staff.
After verification it was found that they were hoax mails following which cases were registered.
Basing on the technical evidence, RGIA police apprehended the accused at Bengaluru on February 18 and brought him to Hyderabad.
During interrogation, he confessed to having committed the offence, police said.
A cell phone and a laptop were seized from his possession. -- PTI
19:26 Woman set ablaze by estranged husband dies Kerala's Alappuzha
A 32-year-old woman died on Monday after her estranged husband allegedly doused her with petrol and set her on fire, the police said in Alappuzha.
The victim Arathi, a Pattanakkad resident, was allegedly set ablaze by the accused Syam Chandran, the police added.
The police said the accused stopped her scooter in the morning while she was on her way to her workplace and poured petrol over her before setting her on fire.
"She was being treated at the hospital here but passed away in the evening," the police said.
They said Chandran, who also suffered severe burn injuries was undergoing treatment at the government medical college here.
Local sources said she had filed a domestic abuse complaint against him and that he had been arrested earlier. -- PTI
Suvendu Adhikari (right)/File image
19:04 HC nod for BJP's Suvendu to visit Sandeshkhali
The Calcutta high court on Monday granted permission to Leader of Opposition in West Bengal assembly Suvendu Adhikari to visit trouble-torn Sandeshkhali in North 24 Parganas district.
The court directed Adhikari to provide a route map of his visit to the state government by this evening.
Justice Kausik Chanda directed the Bharatiya Janata Party leader not to give any provocative speech or create any law and order situation in the restive area.
The court directed the state to provide adequate security to Adhikari, who is the BJP MLA from Nandigram, during his visit to Sandeshkhali, which has been witnessing protests over allegations of sexual atrocities and land grab by some local Trinamool Congress leaders.
Two Trinamool Congress leaders, North 24 Parganas zilla parishad member Shiba Prasad Hazra and local party functionary Uttam Sardar, were arrested by police and have been booked on charges of alleged gangrape and attempt to murder.
Adhikari had moved the high court seeking permission to visit Sandeshkhali and meet people affected by the alleged atrocities. -- PTI
SP chief Akhilesh Yadav
18:34 SP declares 11 candidates from UP for LS Polls
The Samajwadi Party on Monday declared 11 candidates from Uttar Pradesh for the upcoming general elections with the list also including the name of Lok Sabha MP Afzal Ansari.
The party's announcement comes amid the offer of 17 Lok Sabha seats to the Congress, an alliance partner in the INDIA bloc.
Afzal Ansari, who is the sitting BSP MP from Ghazipur parliamentary constituency, has been fielded from the same seat by the SP.
The Supreme Court had in December 2023 conditionally suspended Ansari's conviction in a 2007 Gangsters Act case, saying his constituency will be deprived of its legitimate representation in the legislature since a by-election may not be held given the remaining tenure of the current Lok Sabha.
The other candidates announced by the party are Harendra Malik (Muzaffarnagar), Neeraj Maurya (Aonla), Rajesh Kashyap (Shahjahanpur-SC), Usha Verma (Hardoi-SC), RK Chaudhary (Mohanlalganj-SC), SP Singh Patel (Pratapgarh), Ramesh Gautam (Bahraich-SC), Shreya Verma (Gonda), Virendra Singh (Chandauli) and Rampal Rajvanshi (Misrikh-SC).
Of the 11, four hail from the backward community, five from the Scheduled Caste category, Virendra Singh is a Thakur, while Afzal Ansari is a Muslim.
The Samajwadi Party has been facing flak from party leaders and alliance partners over not giving tickets to the PDA (Pichhda, Dalit, Alpsankhyak) candidates for the ongoing Rajya Sabha elections. -- PTI
NCW chairperson Rekha Sharma (second from left)/File image
18:15 After visiting Sandeshkhali, NCW chief demands President's Rule in Bengal
Accusing the West Bengal government of stifling the voices of numerous women in Sandeshkhali during protests against alleged TMC-led atrocities, National Commission for Women chairperson Rekha Sharma on Monday demanded imposition of President's Rule in the state.
During the day, Sharma led a delegation of the commission to the restive area and said her visit was to instil confidence in women there so that many of them could come out and start speaking their minds.
The NCW chairperson alleged that the Mamata Banerjee government was trying to "suppress the voice of women so that the truth would not come out".
"After speaking to women in the area, I found out the situation here in Sandeshkhali is horrible. Several women narrated their ordeals. One of them said that she was raped inside the TMC party office here. We demand that President's Rule be imposed in Bengal. We would also mention it in our report," Sharma told PTI over the phone.
Asked to react to the TMC's allegations that the NCW is working under the influence of the BJP, Sharma declined to comment.
"Let them say whatever they want to, I don't want to comment on it," she said. -- PTI
18:01 Shubman Gill made 'icon' for Lok Sabha elections
The Punjab Chief Electoral Officer's office has designated Indian cricketer Shubman Gill as a "state icon" for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.
In a statement, Chief Electoral Officer Sibin C said on Monday that Gill will engage in various campaigns aimed at voter awareness to ensure a voting percentage of 70 percent.
The poll panel has set the target of "Is Vaar 70 Paar".
Punjab had recorded a voter turnout of 65.96 in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls for the 13 seats.
The CEO said Punjab-resident Gill, popular among sports enthusiasts, especially the youth, has been appointed as a "state icon" for the polls.
Sibin C said that in a meeting with all deputy commissioners of Punjab on Friday, they were asked to identify such areas where the voting percentage was low during the last elections.
He said that awareness campaigns and appeals made by Shubman Gill in such areas would motivate the voters and help increase the turnout.
Earlier, popular Punjabi singer Tarsem Jassar had been selected as a 'state icon' and he too would conduct similar campaigns, he said. -- PTI
17:49 Priyanka Gandhi discharged from hospital after treatment
Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi who was admitted to Sir Gangaram Hospital in New Delhi after a complaint of dehydration and stomach infection has been discharged after the treatment, sources said on Monday.
The Congress General secretary had earlier expressed her disappointment in not being able to participate in the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra on February 16 due to her illness.
"I was really looking forward to receiving the BJNY in UP today but unfortunately, have ended up admitted to hospital. I will be there as soon as I am better! Meanwhile wishing all the yatris, my colleagues in UP who have worked hard towards making arrangements for the yatra and my sweet brother, all success as they reach Chandauli today," Priyanka Gandhi posted on X.
Earlier on Monday, Congress general secretary (communications), Jairam Ramesh said that the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra will be paused on Tuesday morning as Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has been issued a summon to appear before the district civil court in Sultanpur in connection with a defamation case.
The Congress general secretary informed that the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra which has entered its 37th day today, will be paused on Tuesday morning and will resume from Fursatganj in Amethi at 2 pm. -- ANI
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17:33 Gurugram traffic cops to slap Rs 10K fine for blocking ambulance, fire truck
Traffic police will impose a fine of Rs 10,000 starting this week for not allowing ambulances and fire trucks to pass through, a senior official said.
DCP (traffic) Virender Vij said zonal officer of Gurugram traffic police will also make video recordings of the incident.
Offenders who do not give way to vehicles of emergency services such as ambulances and the fire brigade will get online challans without any delay, the DCP said.
The challans will be issued with the video recording of the incident, he said.
"Challaning amount for the offence is Rs 10, 000 under Section 194E of the Motor Vehicle Act. This will help in saving those on the way to different hospitals in ambulances in serious condition," DCP Vij said.
"Gurugram traffic police is already providing green corridors for ambulances carrying organs meant for transplant to different hospitals and helping to save the lives of serious patients," the DCP said. -- PTI
17:11 SC: Sharad Pawar's faction can use this name...
The Supreme Court on Monday directed that Election Commission's order of February 7 granting name of 'Nationalist Congress Party-Sharadchandra Pawar' for the group led by Sharad Pawar will continue till further orders.
A bench of Justices Surya Kant and K V Viswanathan sought response of Ajit Pawar-led faction on a plea of Sharad Pawar against the February 7 order of Election Commission recognising the Maharashtra deputy chief minister-led group as the real Nationalist Congress Party (NCP).
The bench gave liberty to Sharad Pawar to move the poll panel for allocation of the party symbol and directed the poll panel to allot it in one week of the application.
Senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi, appearing for Sharad Pawar, said that order passed by the Election Commission on February 7 is an interim arrangement made by the poll panel for Rajya Sabha elections till February 27.
"The Maharashtra assembly session is scheduled to start from February 26 and our group will be without any name or symbol," he submitted.
Sharad Pawar had sought an urgent hearing of his plea in the top court in the wake of twin blows suffered by the group led by him and the consequential fear of facing action for possible violations of whip by his MLAs.
He had sought urgent hearing in view of the February 15 order of Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar.
Narwekar held that the NCP faction led by Ajit Pawar was the real NCP and that the anti-defection provisions in the Constitution cannot be used to stifle internal dissent.
Prior to this, the poll panel announced on February 7 that the Ajit Pawar faction is the real NCP and also allotted the party's 'clock' symbol to the group. The one day special Maharashtra assembly session on Maratha quota is beginning on February 20. PTI
AAP leaders protest the mayoral polls
16:46 Chandigarh poll officer must be prosecuted: SC
Update: Observing that "horse-trading is taking place", the Supreme Court has said it would peruse on Tuesday the ballot papers of the Chandigarh mayoral polls and the entire video-recording of the counting day, and directed the registrar general of the Punjab and Haryana High Court to depute a judicial officer to bring the records safely to Delhi.
The top court, on February 5, rapped Returning Officer Anil Masih, who conducted the mayoral polls, observing that it was obvious that he had defaced the ballot papers and that he should be prosecuted, adding that his action amounted to "murder" and a "mockery" of democracy.
A bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud directed the Chandigarh administration on Monday to provide security to the judicial officer, to be appointed by the high court, to ensure the safety of the officer and the records.
"We ourselves will look at the records at 2 pm," the bench, also comprising justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, said. "Horse-trading taking place," the CJI said while declining a plea that the case on the mayoral polls be heard on some other day instead of Tuesday.
Masih appeared before the bench in pursuance of the apex court's direction and was quizzed by the judges over the alleged tampering of certain ballot papers.
Replying to the judges' questions, Masih said he did put the "X" mark on eight already "defaced" ballot papers and accused Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) councillors of creating a ruckus and trying to snatch away the ballot papers. He said that due to this, he was looking at the CCTV camera at the counting centre.
Earlier, the top court had come down heavily on the returning officer, observing that it was obvious that he had defaced the ballot papers and that he should be prosecuted.
One of the AAP councillors, Kuldeep Kumar, has moved the top court challenging a Punjab and Haryana High Court order that has refused to grant any interim relief to the party, which is seeking fresh mayoral polls in Chandigarh. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) swept the Chandigarh mayoral polls against the Congress-AAP alliance on January 30.
16:31 Aadhaar cards of SC, STs, minorities getting deactivated: Mamata
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday claimed that Aadhaar cards of SC, ST and minority people of the state are being deactivated ahead of the Lok Sabha polls.
Attacking the BJP government at the Centre, she alleged that the Aadhaar cards are being deactivated as a precursor to bring in NRC.
Speaking to reporters at the state secretariat, Banerjee said she will write to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in this connection.
"Why have so many Aadhaar cards been deactivated before the Lok Sabha? Aadhaar cards of people mostly of the Matua community have been deactivated. Cards of the STs and minorities are also being deactivated," Banerjee said. -- PTI
AAP protests against the Chandigarh mayoral polls
16:19 Chandigarh mayor polls: RO says he put X marks
Chandigarh mayoral polls: Returning Officer Anil Masih appears in the Supreme Court. He says he put 'X' marks on eight 'defaced' ballot papers. Taking a strict view of the alleged defacement of ballot papers during the Chandigarh mayoral election, the Supreme Court has said that the returning officer, Anil Masih, should be prosecuted.
SC says it will peruse ballot papers, entire video recording of counting of votes at 2 pm on Tuesday. "Horse-trading taking place," says the court and refuses to accept submission that plea on Chandigarh mayoral polls be heard on some other day.
The SC quizzes Anil Masih, returning officer for Chandigarh mayoral polls, asks why he put 'X' marks on ballot papers.
SC directs administration to provide security to judicial officer to ensure safety of officer and records.
16:02 UP moved from red-tapism to red-carpet culture: PM
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said that the BJP government has laid emphasis on both ease of living and ease of doing business in Uttar Pradesh and has worked towards saturation of welfare schemes which is "true justice and true secularism".
Addressing the groundbreaking ceremony for investment proposals received during the UP Global Investors Summit 2023 (UPGIS 2023) held in February last year, the Prime Minister said the state has transitioned from red-tapism to red-carpet culture in the past seven years of double-engine government.
He said the state is taking rapid strides in development and has seen a significant drop in crime.
"In the past seven years since Uttar Pradesh got the 'double-engine government', the state has transitioned from red-tapism to 'red-carpet' culture. During this period, Uttar Pradesh has not only experienced a significant decrease in crime rates but also a substantial increase in trading and business opportunities," he said.
"We have given equal importance to ease of living and ease of doing business in Uttar Pradesh. The purpose of double engine government is that no beneficiary is not left out of any government scheme," he added. -- PTI
16:02 UP moved from red-tapism to red-carpet culture: PM
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said that the BJP government has laid emphasis on both ease of living and ease of doing business in Uttar Pradesh and has worked towards saturation of welfare schemes which is "true justice and true secularism".
Addressing the groundbreaking ceremony for investment proposals received during the UP Global Investors Summit 2023 (UPGIS 2023) held in February last year, the Prime Minister said the state has transitioned from red-tapism to red-carpet culture in the past seven years of double-engine government.
He said the state is taking rapid strides in development and has seen a significant drop in crime.
"In the past seven years since Uttar Pradesh got the 'double-engine government', the state has transitioned from red-tapism to 'red-carpet' culture. During this period, Uttar Pradesh has not only experienced a significant decrease in crime rates but also a substantial increase in trading and business opportunities," he said.
"We have given equal importance to ease of living and ease of doing business in Uttar Pradesh. The purpose of double engine government is that no beneficiary is not left out of any government scheme," he added. -- PTI
15:54 SC refuses to entertain PIL seeking court-monitored probe into Sandeshkhali
The Supreme Court on Friday refused to entertain a PIL seeking a court-monitored CBI or SIT probe into the violence in West Bengal's Sandeshkhali village.
A bench of Justices B V Nagarathna and Augustine George Masih said the Calcutta High Court is already seized of the matter and taken cognisance.
"Let there be no dual forums," the bench said while granting liberty to the PIL petitioner to approach the high court. As the bench was disinclined to entertain the matter, petitioner-lawyer Alakh Alok Srivastava withdrew the PIL.
The matter was dismissed as withdrawn. Sandeshkhali, a village in North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal, has been witnessing violent protests over allegations of sexual abuse of women by a local TMC leader and his supporters.
Several women have accused local Trinamool Congress strongman Shajahan Sheikh and his supporters of land grab and sexual assault. Sheikh is absconding ever since a mob, allegedly linked to him, attacked Enforcement Directorate officials who had gone to search his premises in connection with a corruption case. PTI
SP chief Akhilesh Yadav
15:34 SP's 5-time MP quits party over RS nominations
Not happy with the party's Rajya Sabha nominations, Samajwadi Party leader and former MP Saleem Shervani has resigned from the post of party's national general secretary.
A five-time MP and an ex-Union minister, Shervani in a letter to SP president Akhilesh Yadav on Sunday alleged neglect of the Muslims by the party.
"I have frequently discussed the situation of Muslim community with you and tried to convey that the community is feeling neglected along with losing their faith in the party," Shervani wrote.
"I have repeatedly requested a Rajya Sabha seat for the Muslim community, according to the party's tradition. Although my name was not considered, there was not a single Muslim among the candidates declared by the party," he said.
The former minister accused the party of being hypocritical about its support for the backward classes. "In the manner you distributed tickets for the Rajya Sabha polls shows that you yourself do not give importance to the PDA (Pichda, Dalit and Alpsankhyak). This raises the question of how you are different from the BJP," Shervani said.
"There is a growing distance between them and the party, and they are in search of a 'true' leader. The party should not take their support for granted. Sentiment among Muslims is increasing that no one in the secular alliance is willing to address their legitimate concerns," he added.
The SP has fielded Ramji Lal Suman, Jaya Bachchan, and ex-UP chief secretary Alok Ranjan for the Rajya Sabha election from UP. Shervani also hit out at the party for not doing enough for the Opposition alliance, saying it's more of a fractious grouping than a consolidated front against the BJP.
14:54 Congress has no vision: MLA from Raj joins BJP
Four-time Congress MLA and former Rajasthan minister Mahendrajeet Singh Malviya on Monday joined the BJP, in a setback to the grand old party in the state.
Malviya was welcomed to the BJP by the party's Rajasthan in-charge Arun Singh, state unit chief CP Joshi and other leaders.
After joining the BJP, former Congress leader Mahendrajeet Malviya says, "The only reason for joining the BJP is the development of Vagad region. Only the BJP can do the development. Congress has no vision... If I became an MLA from Congress and then joined the BJP, then how would I still remain an MLA from Congress..."
14:24 Mohua Moitra skips ED summons in FEMA case
Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Mahua Moitra on Monday skipped the Directorate of Enforcement (ED)'s summons issued against her last week in connection with irregularities in a foreign exchange contravention case.
The ED had issued summons to Moitra on February 15, asking her to appear before it on February 19 in the case. She was asked to appear before the agency's headquarters in Delhi with some documents related to some foreign investments.
The agency wants to question Moitra in the case under the provisions of Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA), 1999. ED investigators want to record her statement linked to the case.
The 49-year-old politician is being probed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) too and it is conducting a preliminary inquiry into the allegations against her on the reference from the Lokpal. It is learned that the ED case is based on the reference to the CBI case. -- ANI
14:11 Throw out Mamata Banerjee govt: BJP on Sandeshkhali violence
The BJP on Monday slammed West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for questioning the version of some of the complainant women in Sandeshkhali, saying she has made "very cheap" remarks and that it was time to throw out her government.
BJP MP Locket Chatterjee said women's protests in Sandeshkhali were spontaneous and there was no politics in it as her party has only tried to protect them and raise their voice.
She also claimed that what happened to women in Sandeshkhali was a reminder of atrocities against women in countries like Iraq and Pakistan. The local TMC strongman Shajahan Sheikh, who is seen as a key accused in the complaints of sexual atrocities and land grab, is being protected by Banerjee, the Lok Sabha member alleged. "That is why police have not able to arrest him," she said, noting that some of his aides have been nabbed.
"He should be hanged. He deserves nothing less than capital punishment," she said, alleging that Hindu women in the area were targeted and the accused sheltered by the administration as the TMC cares for "30 per cent votes", an apparent reference to Muslim voters.
"What she is saying is very cheap. These are spontaneous protests. It is time to save West Bengal and throw out the Mamata Banerjee government," Chatterjee said when asked of the chief minister's claim questioning the accounts of some of the women.
Banerjee on Sunday said that "an incident was made to happen" in Sandeshkhali and blamed it on the BJP for having it scripted along with the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the media.
Banerjee, also the Trinamool Congress supremo, also said that not a single woman in Sandeshkhali has lodged any FIR and it was she who had directed the police to initiate a suo motu case in this connection. -- PTI
14:04 Rahul in Amethi, but his arch rival is also there...
Even as former Congress president Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Yatra enters the erstwhile bastion of Amethi a political face off was seen. Union Minister and BJP MP from Amethi, Smriti Irani held a Jan Samwad in Amethi on Monday as part of a four-day visit to her parliamentary constituency.
Amethi used to be a Congress stronghold in Uttar Pradesh, where Rahul Gandhi lost to Smriti Irani by a margin of around 55,000 votes in the 2019 elections.
The Congress is still undecided on whether Rahul Gandhi will make an attempt at regaining the Congress stronghold specially since Sonia Gandhi has also left Rae Bareili for the Rajya Sabha.
"CEC will decide on who will contest from Amethi. Rahul Gandhi has been an MP from Amethi thrice. His father Rajiv Gandhi also used to contest from Amethi. It is a very important constituency for the Congress party..." said Congress leader Jairam Ramesh.
Ahead of Rahul Gandhi's scheduled visit to Pratapgarh, Congress MP Imran Pratapgarhi said, "Amethi is the home of Rahul Gandhi. He has been a member of parliament from here. He is the son of Amethi. Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra is going to have a huge impact on Uttar Pradesh and the country..."
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday resumed the Yatra from Pratapgarh, Uttar Pradesh attacking the BJP for not doing enough for the backward classes."Tell me how many Dalits, Adivasis, and backward people are there in high courts? You don't have courage, you all are sleeping. There are 650 high court judges. You have 73% of the population...Tell me how many people do you have among the bureaucrats?..." said Rahul Gandhi at Pratapgarh.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi will address a public rally in Babuganj on Monday.
13:09 SP offers 11 seats to Cong, will join Yatra if...
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav has made his participation in the Congress' Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra conditional to a decision on seat sharing, saying that he will be joining it the moment the seats for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections are distributed between the two parties.
"Right now talks are going on, lists have come from their side and from ours as well, the moment the seats are distributed and decided, the Samajwadi Party will join Congress's Nyaya Yatra," Yadav said speaking to reporters on Monday.
The Samajwadi Party has offered 11 seats to the grand old party while the Congress' state unit has demanded a higher allocation. Ajay Rai, the Congress' Uttar Pradesh unit chief, had earlier said the party should get around two dozen seats it had won in the 2009 general elections.
The Samajwadi Party and the Congress are partners in the INDIA bloc. The success of the seat sharing talks between the two are crucial, especially after the failure of such talks with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who has decided to contest in her state alone.
The Samajwadi Party president had come to pay his obeisance to Acharya Narendra Deva on his death anniversary.
"Acharya Narender had strengthened and given a new direction to the socialist movement. Socialists have a lot to learn from his life. So we come back here every time," Yadav said speaking on the contributions of the freedom fighter.
Speaking about the significance of the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, Yadav said, "The 2024 elections are significant. It is an election to save the Constitution and save the future of the country, save Ganga-Jamuni Tehzeeb, to save fraternity."
Yadav stressed the importance of ousting the Bharatiya Janata Party government out of power in the Centre, saying, "If this government comes back to power, then Babasaheb Ahmedkar's and the socialist's struggle for reservations will come to an end."
12:52 ED all set to issue 7th summons to Kejriwal
The Enforcement Directorate is expected to issue fresh summons to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for questioning in the excise policy case, official sources said.
The ED sources claimed that a local court recently held Kejriwal guilty of "disobeying" the earlier notices issued to him, warranting the seventh summons. Kejriwal, 55, refused to depose before the federal agency for the sixth time on Monday with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) saying the ED should wait for the court's decision instead of repeatedly sending summonses to the CM, also the party's national convenor.
A Delhi court on February 17 had granted exemption to Kejriwal from personal appearance for the day in connection with the complaint filed by the central agency for disobeying its summons in the excise policy-linked money laundering case. The court posted the matter for March 16 and Kejriwal's counsel assured the court of his physical appearance that day.
12:35 CBI abused power arresting Chanda Kochhar: HC
The arrest of ICICI Bank's former Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Chanda Kochhar and her husband Deepak Kochhar by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in a loan fraud case was "without application of mind and due regard to the law", amounting to an "abuse of power", the Bombay High Court has said.
A division bench of Justices Anuja Prabhudessai and N R Borkar had on February 6 held the Kochhars' arrest as illegal and confirmed a January 2023 interim order passed by another bench granting them bail.
In the order made available on Monday, the court said the CBI has been unable to demonstrate the existence of circumstances or supportive material based on which the decision to arrest was taken. The absence of such circumstances renders the arrest illegal, it said.
"Such routine arrest without application of mind and due regard to the law amounts to an abuse of power," the court said.
The court also refused to accept the probe agency's contention that the arrest was made as the Kochhars were not cooperating with the probe and said the accused had a right to remain silent during interrogation.
"The right to silence emanates from Article 20(3) of the Indian Constitution, which gives an accused the right against self-incrimination. Suffice it to say that exercise of the right to remain silent cannot be equated with non-cooperation," it said in the order. The CBI arrested the couple on December 23, 2022, in the Videocon-ICICI Bank loan case. -- PTI
12:11 SC stays proceedings against Siddaramaiah
The Supreme Court on Monday stayed proceedings against Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and others in connection with a protest march held in the state in 2022.
A bench of Justices Hrishikesh Roy and P K Mishra issued notice to the Karnataka government and the complainant in the case. The top court also stayed the high court order, which had imposed a fine of Rs 10,000 on him as well as Congress general secretary and Karnataka in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala, state ministers M B Patil and Ramalinga Reddy, and directed him to appear before a special court on March 6.
The case was registered against the Congress leaders after they took out a march to lay siege to the then chief minister Basavaraj Bommai's residence in Bengaluru, demanding the resignation of K S Eshwarappa, who was then the rural development and panchayat raj minister in the southern state.
The agitation was staged after a contractor, Santosh Patil, died by suicide accusing Eshwarappa of demanding 40 per cent commission for a public work in his village. According to police, the case pertained to blocking roads and causing trouble to commuters. PTI
11:51 Sandeshkhali: Parliament panel probe on hold
The Supreme Court on Monday stayed the notices issued by the privileges committee of the Lok Sabha Secretariat to the West Bengal chief secretary, DGP and others over a complaint of "misconduct" filed against them by BJP MP Sukanta Majumdar. Majumdar sustained injuries last week as BJP workers clashed with police personnel after being stopped from going to violence-hit Sandeshkhali in West Bengal.
A bench comprising Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and justices JB Pardiwla and Manoj Misra took note of the submissions of senior advocates Kapil Sibal and Abhishek Singhvi, appearing for the state officials, and stayed the notices issued seeking their presence at 10.30 am on Monday.
The counsel for the Lok Sabha secretariat opposed the grant of stay by the top court, saying this is the first sitting of the privileges committee. "They are not being accused of anything. This is a regular process. Once an MP sends a notice and the speaker thinks there is something to look into then notices are issued," the counsel said.
West Bengal Chief Secretary Bhagwati Prasad Gopalika and Director General of Police (DGP) Rajeev Kumar were summoned by the Lok Sabha Secretariat to appear on Monday. The bench issued notices to the Lok Sabha Secretariat and others and sought their responses in four weeks and in the meanwhile stayed the proceedings before the panel of the lower House.
The MP and others were stopped from entering Sandeshkhali, where women have been agitating over alleged atrocities committed against them by Trinamool Congress leader Shajahan Sheikh and his aides.
11:28 Kalki Dham will be centre of Indian faith: PM
Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of Shri Kalki Dham in Uttar Pradesh's Sambhal district on Monday.
PM Modi was seen taking part in the puja rituals part of the foundation stone laying ceremony. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Acharya Pramod Krishnam, chairman of Shri Kalki Dham Nirman Trust were also present at the present at the occasion.
Speaking before the foundation stone was laid Acharya Pramod Krishnam said "Lakhs of devotees will be present here. The world is waiting to hear PM Modi from Kalki Dham. This is a proud moment for our country and 'Sanatana Dharma'... PM Modi is coming here today to lay the foundation stone of Shri Kalki Dham..."
PM Modi says "...Today, with the devotion of saints and the spirit of the public, the foundation stone of another holy place is being laid. I have had the privilege of laying the foundation stone of the grand Kalki Dham in the presence of acharyas and saints. I am confident that Kalki Dham will emerge as another great centre of the Indian faith..."
Sandeshkhali women meet Governor CV Ananda Bose
11:03 NCW chief heads to Sandeshkali, TMC says...
A delegation of the National Commission for Women (NCW) led by its chairperson Rekha Sharma is scheduled to visit unrest-hit Sandeshkhali on Monday. Last week two members of NCW had visited the area and submitted a report revealing a "troubling pattern of negligence and complicity" by the Bengal government and law enforcement officials.
"We want to talk to the victims. We will then meet the West Bengal Governor and then President in New Delhi tomorrow. Even if one incident takes place then it is shameful," Sharma said.
She alleged that the TMC government is "not allowing the state administration to cooperate" with central agencies.
As the situation in Sandeshkhali in North 24 Parganas, gradually returns to normal following a week of protests alleging TMC-led atrocities on villagers and sexual harassment of women, the police have been maintaining a strong vigil in the area.
The TMC, however, dubbed the visit by NCW as politically motivated. "The NCW is quick to visit West Bengal. But has never shown similar promptness in visiting BJP-ruled states," TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh said.
A large number of women in Sandeshkhali accused Trinamool Congress strongman Shajahan Sheikh and his supporters of "land-grab and sexually assaulting" them under coercion. Shajahan has been absconding after a mob, allegedly affiliated with him, attacked Enforcement Directorate officials who had gone to search his premises in connection with a ration scam on January 5
10:33 Toddler from Bihar abducted in Kerala, probe on
A two-year-old girl, daughter of a nomadic couple from Bihar was allegedly kidnapped while she was sleeping in a wayside tent near Pettah in Thiruvananthapuram in the early hours today, police said.
The incident happened after midnight and the missing girl was sleeping along with her siblings and parents in an isolated place near the main road adjacent to All Saints College in Thiruvananthapuram, they said.
Soon after the incident, the parents and the girl's siblings rushed to the nearby police station seeking help.
Police sources said according to information provided by one of the girl's brothers, a person was moving around in a two-wheeler in a suspicious manner in the area during the time.
As television channels began airing the news, police teams rushed to the spot and carried out searches. Thiruvananthapuram MLA Antony Raju said an alert had been sent to all police stations and an ADGP level officer was coordinating the investigation.
"The incident happened around midnight and the police are carrying out a comprehensive probe. Police stations in Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam districts and Kanyakumari in neighbouring Tamil Nadu have been alerted," he told the media.
The incident happened months after a five-year-old girl, daughter of a migrant couple, was abducted from her house and killed after being sexually assaulted in Aluva in Ernakulam district. A migrant worker, convicted in the case, was given a death sentence by a special court in November.
According to police, the convict Ashwaq Alam from Bihar, had on July 28 lured the girl by promising sweets and subsequently brutally raped and killed her, before dumping the body in a garbage strewn marshy area behind a local market in nearby Aluva. PTI
10:17 In memoriam
The Swedish ambassador to Russia, Karin Olofsdotter, lays down flowers in honor of Alexei Navalny by the Solovetsky stone in Moscow, a memorial for the victims of political repression.
10:04 Kejriwal skipped 6th ED summons because...
Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal will not appear before ED, its summons is illegal, says AAP. "ED should wait for court's decision instead of repeatedly sending summons to the Delhi CM," AAP said.
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 against him over non-compliance with its summonses in a money laundering case linked to the now-scrapped excise policy.
"ED itself has gone to court. Instead of sending summons again and again, ED should wait for the court's decision," a party source said.
On February 2, Kejriwal skipped the ED's summons for the fifth time in connection with the money laundering probe related to irregularities in the Delhi excise policy 2021-22 case.
Kejriwal, on February 17, appeared before the Rouse Avenue Court via video conferencing following a complaint by the ED over his alleged non-compliance with its summons.
Kejriwal, while appearing virtually, informed the court that he wanted to join the court proceedings physically, but due to the confidence motion and budget sessions, he was unable to attend physically.
09:27 'I love you', Navalny's wife on Instagram
Yulia Navalnaya, the wife of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny, who died mysteriously in prison, posted for the first time on Sunday after her husband's death.
Taking to Instagram, Navalnaya posted a picture of herself enjoying a moment with Navalny, two days after his death.
The caption of the poignant post read, "I Love You." Kira Yarmysh, the spokesperson for the late Russian opposition leader, confirmed Navalny's death and demanded that his body be handed over to his family "immediately." Yarmysh also accused Russian officials of lying to delay the process, CNN reported.
Yarmysh's statement comes after the Russian prison service said that Russian President Vladimir Putin's critic, Navalny, died on Friday after he felt 'unwell' during a walk in his prison and fell unconscious.
The cause of his death is not clear. Navalny had returned to Russia in 2021 from Germany, where he was undergoing treatment after being poisoned with Novichok.
Upon arrival, Navalny was arrested on charges he dismissed as politically motivated.
Reports of Navalny's death sparked outrage, with some Western leaders blaming Putin. US President Joe Biden said that he is "outraged" by the reported death of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny and blamed Russian President Vladimir Putin for Navalny's death.
08:55 Farmers' 'Delhi chalo' march on hold after meeting with govt
As the government proposed the buying of pulses, maize and cotton crops by government agencies at minimum support prices for five years after, farmer leaders said they will discuss the government's proposal in their forums on Monday and Tuesday, and thereafter, decide the next course of action.
On the Centre's proposal, farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher said, "We will discuss in our forums on February 19-20 and take the opinion of experts regarding it and accordingly take a decision."
A discussion on loan waivers and other demands is pending and we hope that these will be resolved in the next two days, Pandher said, adding that the 'Delhi Chalo' march is currently on hold, but will resume at 11 am on February 21 if all the issues are not resolved.
The Union ministers and farmer leaders had met earlier on February 8, 12 and 15 but the talks remained inconclusive.
Protesting farmers from Punjab have been camping at Shambhu and Khanauri points on the state's border with Haryana since February 13 when their 'Delhi Chalo' march was halted by police.
The call for the march was given by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha to press their demands.
08:29 Shivraj, Raje may form own parties if ED...: Kejriwal
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal Sunday claimed that if the ED was stopped and section 45 of the PMLA abolished, no one would cross over to the BJP and its leaders like Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Vasundhara Raje may form their own political outfits.
Chouhan and Raje were overlooked by the BJP for the chief minister posts in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan respectively despite ensuring the party's return to power in the assembly polls held recently.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge by his side, Kejriwal responded to a question on opposition leaders joining the BJP, saying, "Today, if the ED (Enforcement Directorate) is stopped and section 45 of the PMLA (The Prevention of Money-Laundering Act) is abolished, half of the BJP leaders will quit the party."
"There is only one agency (ED) which is responsible for leaders joining the BJP. No one will join the BJP if PMLA section 45 is removed. Leaders like Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Vasundhara Raje may form their own parties by the evening if section 45 of the PMLA is abolished," the AAP convenor told reporters at a lunch hosted by Congress MP Abhishek Singhvi at his residence.
Meanwhile, sources quoted Kejriwal as saying at the lunch that AAP and the Congress had mutually agreed to contest the polls separately in Punjab.
They added that the Delhi chief minister made the remark before Kharge arrived at the lunch.
Kejriwal was quoted as saying that talks were on between AAP and the Congress for an alliance in Delhi for the Lok Sabha polls and a decision would be made soon. -- PTI
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