LIVE! Time to choose new PM to correct politics: Priyanka

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Sat, 04 May 2024

Time to choose new PM to correct politics: Priyanka

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20:46 Time to choose new PM to correct politics: Priyanka

Accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi of bringing down the dignity of the office he holds through his speeches during the election campaign, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Friday said that it is time to choose a new PM to "correct" the politics of the country.

At an election rally here, she also targeted Modi for campaigning in favour of NDA's candidate from Hassan and suspended JD(S) leader Prajwal Revanna, who is facing changes of sexual abuse.

"There has been a good tradition of electing the Prime Minister in this country and several legends have been the Prime Ministers of the country like Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and Lal Bahadur Shastri. Two other Prime Ministers sacrificed their life for the country. When you elect a PM, you will have complete respect for him and you expect him to keep up the dignity of the position he holds," Priyanka Gandhi said.

Referring to the Prajwal Revanna case while addressing a public meeting here, she said, "But today, our Prime Minister comes on the stage with such a leader who has sexually abused several women, and seeks votes in his name."

"When things (facts) come out, the person (accused) escapes from the country, and the Prime Minister and the Home Minister don't even get to know. They speak before people as though they didn't know anything. They know everything as to who is where, where he is going, but this leader escaped and they didn't know," she added.

Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar and AICC General Secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala were among those present at the rally held in favour of Congress candidate from Davangere Lok Sabha segment which goes to polls on May 7.

Accusing the Prime Minister of bringing down the dignity of the post he holds through his speeches during the election, Priyanka Gandhi said, on one hand he speaks about making women self-reliant, but on the other hand stands on the side of offenders against women.

"From which mouth he says that they will protect women? ... on the election stage he speaks about Pakistan, when the elections are in India....did you expect this from your Prime Minister after ten years rule," she asked. -- PTI

Two persons were lynched in Meghalaya's Eastern West Khasi Hills district for allegedly trying to rape an 18-year-old woman, police said on Saturday.

The incident happened on Friday afternoon at Nongthliew village near district headquarters Mairang, they said.

The woman alleged that she was in her home when the duo attacked her with a knife and tried to rape her. On hearing her screams, neighbours gathered at the spot and caught hold of the two, police said.

The mob then took them to a nearby community hall and assaulted them there. The police tried to rescue them but could not.

"The duo could only be brought out of the hall after the mob was done with them," a police officer said.

While one of the two died at the Tirot Sing Memorial Civil Hospital, the other succumbed to his injuries at the Shillong Civil Hospital, he said. -- PTI

Five security personnel were injured after terrorists opened fire on two vehicles, including one belonging to the Indian Air Force (IAF), in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district on Saturday, officials said.

The attack took place near Shashidhar in the evening when the vehicles were moving towards Sanai Top in the district's Surankote area, they said.

Five soldiers were injured and the condition of two is critical. They were taken to a hospital, the officials said.

Reinforcements from the army and police have been rushed to the area and a massive search and cordon operation has been launched to track down and neutralise the terrorists, they said. -- PTI

19:57 JD-S MLA Revanna taken into custody by SIT

Janata Dal-Secular MLA H D Revanna, whose son Prajwal is facing sexual abuse allegations was taken into custody on Saturday, police said.

He was picked up by a Special Investigation Team after a court rejected his anticipatory bail plea. -- PTI

A man was arrested in Surat in Gujarat on Saturday for allegedly planning to murder the leader of a Hindu organisation and threatening the chief editor of Sudarshan television channel as well BJP's Telangana MLA Raja

Singh and the party's former spokesperson Nupur Sharma in connivance with his handlers from Pakistan and Nepal, a senior police official said.

Surat police commissioner Anupam Singh Gehlot identified the arrested accused as Maulvi Sohel Abubakr Timol (27), who worked at a thread factory as a manager and offered private tuition on Islam to Muslim children.

He was found to be conspiring with people from Pakistan and Nepal to offer Rs 1 crore 'supari' (contract for killing) and procure weapons from Pakistan to kill the national president of Hindu Sanatan Sangh Upadesh Rana, said Gehlot.

"After his detention, we found several objectionable contents in his mobile phones, including the one regarding offering Rs 1 crore for the murder of Updesh Rana. For this, he was in continuous touch with persons/numbers from Pakistan and Nepal," Gehlot told PTI.

"Timol was also found to be involved in issuing threats to Rana in March this year. The accused used a virtual number from Laos to issue threats to the target by connecting numbers from Pakistan and Nepal in his group call," he said.

"Photos and other details found on his phone number show they (accused and associates) were discussing on a secure app about targeting and threatening editor-in-chief of Sudarshan TV Suresh Chavhanke, political leader Nupur Sharma, and Hyderabad MLA Raja Singh. For this purpose, they were planning to collect funds and procure weapons," Gehlot said.

Delhi Congress' interim chief Devender Yadav on Saturday described former party unit president Arvinder Singh Lovely, who joined the BJP, as an "opportunist".

The Congress does not care about such people. It was strong before and will remain strong in the future, he said.

A week after he resigned as the Delhi Congress president protesting the party's alliance with the AAP, Lovely joined the BJP on Saturday along with a few other leaders, including former city government minister Raj Kumar Chauhan and former MLAs Neeraj Basoya and Naseeb Singh.

It is believed that he and some other leaders were also upset with the Congress' choice of candidates, including Kanhaiya Kumar and Udit Raj, in the national capital for the Lok Sabha elections.

Reacting to Lovely joining the BJP, Yadav said, "I put Arvinder Singh Lovely in the category of an opportunist person. This is not the first time that he has tried to sabotage the Congress."

"The party does not care much about such people. The Congress was strong before and will remain strong in the future as well. This is their habit. Whenever there is a chance, he (Lovely) has tried to cheat and there is no place for cheaters in the party," he added.

This will be Lovely's second innings in the BJP after he left it to rejoin the Congress in 2018 following a brief stint in the saffron party. -- PTI

Loss-making Air India has reduced the free cabin baggage allowance to 15 kilogram from 20 kilogram for the lowest economy fare segment on domestic flights.

The changes have been made in the menu-based pricing model fare families that were introduced by the Tata Group-owned Air India last August, with the airline saying that a one-size-fits-all approach is no longer ideal.

There are three fare families -- Comfort, Comfort Plus and Flex -- that offer different levels of benefits and fare restrictions at various price points, an airline spokesperson said on Saturday.

With effect from May 2, the free cabin baggage allowance for the 'Comfort' and 'Comfort Plus' categories has been reduced to 15 kg from 20 kg and 25 kg, respectively.

Prior to the introduction of the fare families concept, passengers on Air India's domestic flights were allowed to carry 25 kilograms of cabin baggage free of any additional charge.

"On domestic routes in Economy Class, both 'Comfort' and 'Comfort Plus' fare families now provide 15 kg baggage allowance, while 'Flex' provides 25 kg allowance.

"The Business Class baggage allowance on domestic routes ranges from 25 kg to 35 kg. The free baggage allowance on international flights varies from market to market," the spokesperson said.

In other domestic airlines also, passengers are allowed to carry 15 kg of cabin baggage without additional charge. -- PTI

18:35 After 2 phases, Modi is unable to sleep: Cong

Congress leader Pawan Khera on Saturday claimed the 2024 Lok Sabha polls were giving sleepless nights to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Addressing a press conference in Bhopal, Khera said this was because the Union government had nothing worthwhile to show after being in power for 10 years.

"After two phases we can say these elections have taken away Modi's sleep. After two rounds, he is unable to sleep. Earlier, he used to be awake for 18 hours, now he is awake for 23 hours. After the third phase, he will stay awake all 24 hours," Khera said in a swipe at the PM's famed workaholism.

"The reason is clear. The Union government has not come out with its performance report card of 10 years. They won't bring it before the country because the government has not done any worthwhile work," Khera claimed.

On the low turnout in the first two phases, Khera claimed it was the BJP voter who was keeping away "either due to deep frustration or because of a feeling that BJP will surely get 400 seats".

"Our voters, the people who want change, are stepping out to exercise their franchise." he said.

Accusing the BJP-led Union government of not answering questions about the nation, not addressing press conferences, diverting people's attention by raking up controversies and instead taunting the opposition, Khera said "this disease brought in by the BJP will cost the country dear". -- PTI

A cheetah strayed out of the Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh and was spotted in a village in Rajasthan's Karauli on Saturday, a forest department official said.

Karauli Wildlife Deputy Conservator of Forest Piyush Sharma said, "Information was received about a wild animal in Simara village. The animal was identified as a male cheetah."

The cheetah, from the Kuno National Park, reached the Simara village (around 50 kilometres) via Sheopur and Sabalgarh of Madhya Pradesh. Both these cities are adjacent to the Chambal river and Simara village of Karauli is also situated on the banks of Chambal, Sharma said.

Upon receiving the information about the cheetah, a team of forest department officials of Rajasthan and an MP reached the spot and caught the animal, he said.

However, this is not an isolated incident. Four months ago, a cheetah went missing from Kuno National Park in Sheopur and was found in the forest of Baran district adjacent to MP and Rajasthan. Acting on it, the Kuno's team reached Baran and tranquillised the cheetah to rescue it. -- PTI

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday accused the BJP of scripting the Sandeshkhali incident and questioned why Prime Minister Narendra Modi was silent on the issue of a woman alleging sexual molestation by Governor C V Ananda Bose.

"The entire Sandeshkhali incident was preplanned. The BJP had scripted it well. The truth has been exposed. I have been saying this for a long time," Banerjee said at an election rally in Chakdah in Nadia district.

"I have not seen the entire video. I will definitely see it," she added.

On Saturday, TMC released a video on social media, claiming that the Sandeshkhali episode was a "conspiracy" by the BJP to defame West Bengal ahead of the Lok Sabha polls.

"PM Modi gave sandesh (messages) regarding Sandeshkhali, but remained silent on the representative of the Centre, the Governor's sexual molestation issue," she said. -- PTI

Former Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan has expressed surprise over the last-minute exit of the Congress' Indore Lok Sabha candidate, calling it unfair and stressing that voters have the right to decide in a democratic set-up.

In a major setback to the Congress in Indore, its candidate Akshay Kanti Bam pulled back from the contest on April 29, the last date for withdrawal of nominations, and joined the BJP.

In an interview with PTI, Mahajan said, "I was surprised to know about the withdrawal of the nomination of the main opposition party (Congress) candidate in Indore... This should not have happened. There was no need for this development as it was written on the wall that nobody can defeat the BJP in Indore."

The commercial capital of Madhya Pradesh has been a stronghold of the BJP. Mahajan had represented the constituency eight consecutive times since 1989.

She said, "The Congress candidate (Bam) should not have done this in the elections. In a way, he also betrayed his party (Congress). But why should I use such words?"

Mahajan claimed she was unaware of the circumstances that led to such a situation.

The 81-year-old BJP leader, popular as 'Tai', said, "I don't know what actually happened. If all this has been done by our people, then it is wrong. There was no need to do it. If the Congress candidate has done it on his own, I will also tell him that he should not have done it."

She said candidates should contest polls if they have filed nominations.

"Democracy is all about going to the people and obtaining their decision about what they want. That's why elections are held," she said.

Mahajan said that after the first electoral change of its kind in the history of Indore Lok Sabha seat, some educated people from the city called her up to say that they would press NOTA (none of the above) option as "they did not like what BJP did".

Onion prices at the Lasalgaon market in Maharashtra's Nashik district went up by average Rs 200 per quintal after the Union Government on Saturday lifted the ban on exports.

The Agriculture Produce Market Committee (APMC) at Lasalgaon is said to be the biggest wholesale onion market in India.

The government earlier in the day lifted the ban on onion exports but imposed a minimum export price (MEP) of USD 550 per tonne, amid ongoing Lok Sabha elections. On Friday night, the government imposed a 40 per cent duty on export of onions.

"There is some hike in the market. Average prices have increased by around Rs 200 per quintal. Farmers will benefit from the decision, but the real impact will be known on Monday when the market reopens," said Balasaheb Kshirsagar, APMC chairman.

Some 200 quintals of the bulb arrived at the APMC during the day, sources said.

The prices were in the range of Rs 801, Rs 2,551 and Rs 2,100 per quintal, depending on the quality, they added.

A farmer at the market told a news channel that lifting of exports ban was a good decision, but it should remain in force for at least one year.

The export duty will eat into onion growers' profits, another person said.

"Who will pay for the losses we suffered due to the ban," a farmer asked. -- PTI

17:06 Parties need Muslim votes, but...: AIMIM MP

All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) MP Imtiaz Jaleel has said all political parties need votes from the Muslim community but do not want their leadership.

Addressing an election rally in Sajapur in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Jaleel claimed that no one from the Muslim community was fielded in the Lok Sabha elections in 11 states in the country.

Jaleel is contesting the election from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (earlier Aurangabad), the seat he won in 2019.

The constituency will go to polls on May 13 in the fourth phase of the general election.

"All political parties in the country need your votes, but they do not want Muslim leadership. Major political parties have not fielded Muslim candidates in Maharashtra, and there are 11 states where candidature was not given to Muslims," the AIMIM leader said.

Jaleel further pointed out that there were no Muslim MPs in Gujarat, Rajasthan, Goa and Delhi.

"If we don't contest, then how will we win? When I contested the Lok Sabha elections in 2019, leaders in the city said I can't win. But people stood with us," he said.

Jaleel defeated undivided Shiv Sena's candidate Chandrakant Khaire by a margin of 4,492 votes in the 2019 elections. Independent candidate Harshawardhan Jadhav had secured 2.83 lakh votes and contributed to Khaire's defeat. -- PTI

Congress leader Arvinder Singh Lovely today joined the Bharatiya Janata Party at the party headquarters in Delhi in the presence of Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri.

Arvinder Singh Lovely resigned from the position of Delhi Congress president on April 28.

After joining BJP, Lovely said, "We have been given an opportunity to fight for the people of Delhi under the banner of the BJP and under the leadership of Prime Minister. I have full hope and there is no doubt about it that the BJP government is being formed in the country with an overwhelming majority. In the coming days, the flag of the BJP will fly in Delhi too."

15:47 Jaishankar reacts to Biden 'xenophobic' remark

Reacting to United States president Joe Biden's 'xenophobia' remark against India, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said that India's society has always been "open" to people from other societies.

He said the Central government's Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) opens doors "for people who are in trouble".

"That's why we have the CAA (Citizenship Amendment Act), which is to open up doors for people who are in trouble... I think we should be open to people who have the need to come to India, who have a claim to come to India," he said in an interview with the Economic Times.

On May 2, President Biden had said "You know, one of the reasons why our economy is growing is because of you and many others. Why? Because we welcome immigrants. We look to the reason (behind this)...think about it. Why is China stalling so badly economically? Why is Japan having trouble? Why is Russia? Why is India? Because they're xenophobic. They don't want immigrants."

The US President said this while campaigning for his re-election for the US Presidency at a fundraising event in Washington.

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday was informed by officials of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the alleged sex scandal involving Prajwal Revanna that there is a possibility of the CBI issuing a "Blue Corner Notice", against the Hasssan MP.

Siddaramaiah held an "important meeting" with SIT officials, during which he instructed that immediate action be taken to arrest Prajwal Revanna.

"We will proceed for arrest with appropriate measures. There is a possibility of CBI issuing a Blue Corner Notice, which will speed up the investigation," the officials told the CM, according to a release from his office.

"They (SIT officials) have assured that they will arrest and get the accused back, as soon as they get the information from the airports," it said.

A Blue Corner Notice is issued by the international police cooperation body to collect additional information from its member countries about a person's identity, location or activities in relation to a crime.

The SIT is said to have sent a request to the CBI, the nodal body for Interpol matters in India, seeking a Blue Corner Notice against Prajwal Revanna, official sources said.

"Once CBI issues this notice, SIT hopes to get information about the whereabouts of Prajwal Revanna," they said.

The 33-year-old Prajwal Revanna, who is the grandson of former PM H D Deve Gowda, was the BJP-JDS alliance's candidate from Hassan, which went to the polls on April 26.

Explicit video clips allegedly involving Prajwal Revanna had started making the rounds in Hassan in recent days, following which the state government constituted the SIT to probe the scandal. -- PTI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday asserted his government's surgical and air strikes had shaken Pakistan, and the neighbouring country's leaders are now praying that the Congress "shehzada" becomes India's PM.

Modi, addressing a poll rally in Palamu, took a dig at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi without taking his name, and said the neighbouring country might want him as prime minister, but India wants "a strong country with a strong PM."

"Maa Bharati's disrespect won't be tolerated anymore. New India's surgical and air strikes shook Pakistan, which was known for supporting terror attacks on India during the Congress regime.

"The new India knows how to enter enemy territory and strike... Now shaken by the surgical and air strikes, leaders in Pakistan are praying that the Congress 'shehzada' becomes PM of India," Modi said.

He urged the electorate to recognise the importance of one vote, "which contributed in building the Ram Temple after generations struggled for 500 years, as well as the scrapping of Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir."

Modi also asserted that he will not allow "any design of the Congress" to succeed in "changing the constitution for providing reservations to Muslims."

"There is no blot of corruption on me in the past 25 years as chief minister and prime minister. I don't own a home or even a bicycle... but corrupt JMM and Congress leaders amassed huge wealth for their children," he added. -- PTI

Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara on Saturday said a lookout notice has been issued by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) against Holenarasipur Janata Dal-Secular MLA H D Revanna, who is facing sexual abuse allegations along with son and MP Prajwal Revanna, with two FIRs registered against him.

He also said, Revanna, a former minister, who has been served a second notice (summons), has time till this evening to appear for questioning before the SIT probing the case.

"It (lookout notice) has been issued against him (Revanna) already. It was issued against both -- Revanna and Prajwal. Anticipating that Revanna may also plan to go abroad, it has been done," Parameshwara said.

While speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, he said, "Revanna has time till this evening to appear before SIT for inquiry. Second notice was given to him. In the meantime, in the Mysuru kidnap case he is said to have applied for a bail."

Responding to a question on an arrest being made in the Mysuru kidnap case, the minister said, "Such things keep happening...arrests will be happening, lookout notices have been issued, several other developments will be happening, many things may not come to the public domain."

A first case was registered against the father and son duo for alleged sexual harassment at the Holenarsipura police station in Hassan district on last Sunday, based on a complaint by a woman who worked in Revanna's house.

The second FIR was registered against Revanna and his confidant Sathish Babanna in Mysuru on Thursday night for allegedly abducting a woman, who is also reportedly a victim of sexual abuse. -- PTI

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has written to Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, urging him to extend all possible help to the victims of Janata Dal-Secular leader Prajwal Revanna's exploits.

In a letter to Siddaramaiah, Gandhi condemned the actions of Revanna, an MP from the southern state, and accused him of enjoying immunity with the blessings of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

In a veiled attack on Modi, the Congress leader said he has never come across a senior public representative who has constantly chosen silence in the face of untold violence against women.

"I request you to kindly extend all possible support to the victims," Gandhi said in his letter to the Karnataka chief minister.

"They deserve our compassion and solidarity as they fight their battle for justice. We have a collective duty to ensure that all parties responsible for these heinous crimes are brought to book," he added.

Describing the incidents as "horrific sexual violence" unleashed by the incumbent member of Parliament from Hassan, Gandhi alleged that Revanna sexually assaulted and filmed hundreds of women over several years.

"Many who looked up to him as a brother and son were brutalised in the most violent manner and robbed of their dignity. The rape of our mothers and sisters warrants the strictest possible punishment.

"I am deeply shocked to learn that as far back as December 2023, our Home Minister Shri Amit Shah was informed by Shri G Devaraje Gowda about Prajwal Revanna's antecedents, especially his history of sexual violence and the presence of videos filmed by the perpetrator," the former Congress chief said.

He said what is even more shocking is that despite these gruesome allegations being brought to the notice of the seniormost leadership of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at the Centre, Modi campaigned and canvassed for a "mass rapist".

"Furthermore, the Union government wilfully allowed him to flee India to derail any meaningful investigation. The deeply perverse nature of these crimes and the absolute immunity enjoyed by Prajwal Revanna with the blessings of the Prime Minister and Home Minister deserves the strongest condemnation," Gandhi said. -- PTI

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Saturday issued an advisory cautioning people against entering the Arabian Sea amid warnings about high tide till Sunday night.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and Indian National Centre for Ocean Information (INCOIS), the sea will witness a "swell of surge waves" from 11.30 am on Saturday to 11.30 pm on Sunday, the civic body said.

During this time, the height of the waves will rise by 0.5 to 1.5 metres, it said.

The BMC has also asked fishermen to exercise caution.

BMC commissioner Bhushan Gagarin has asked civic personnel to coordinate with the police, and security guards at beaches in the city have been directed to stop people from entering the waters. -- PTI

Congress Puri LS candidate Sucharita Mohanty

12:27 No funding from Cong, Puri nominee returns ticket

Congress candidate for the Puri Lok Sabha constituency Sucharita Mohanty has declined to contest the elections and returned the party ticket alleging lack of funding from the party.

Mohanty, daughter of former Congress MP Brajamohan Mohanty in a mail to AICC general secretary (organization) K C Venugopal on Friday claimed that her campaign in the Puri Lok Sabha constituency has been hit hard because the party has denied funding.

She alleged that AICC Odisha in-charge Ajoy Kumar "categorically" asked her to fight from her own resources.

"I was a salaried professional journalist who entered electoral politics 10 years ago. I have given all I have into my campaign in Puri. I tried a public donation drive to support my campaign for progressive politics without much success so far. I also tried to cut down the projected campaign spending to the minimum," she mentioned.

As she was not able to raise funds on her own, the Congress leader had approached all senior leaders including the party's central leadership for funds for an impactful campaign in the Puri Lok Sabha constituency.

"It is clear that only fund crunch is holding us back from a winning campaign in Puri. I regret that without party funding, it won't be possible to carry out the campaign in Puri. I, therefore, return the party ticket for the Puri Lok Sabha constituency herewith," she said in her mail to the AICC.

However, Mohanty said she will remain a loyal Congress worker and her leader is Rahul Gandhi.

Sucharita has been fielded for the Puri LS seat against BJP national spokesperson Sambit Patra and BJD candidate Arup Patnaik, a former Mumbai Police Commissioner. -- PTI

The government on Saturday lifted the ban on onion exports but imposed a minimum export price (MEP) of USD 550 per tonne.

The decision assumes significance as the commodity is politically sensitive and general elections are going on in the country.

"The export policy of onions is amended from prohibited to free subject to MEP of USD 550 per metric ton with immediate effect and until further orders," the directorate general of foreign trade (DGFT) said in a notification.

Last night, the government imposed a 40 per cent duty on the export of onions.

In August last year, India had imposed a 40 per cent export duty on onions up to December 31, 2023. -- PTI

Underlining that there can be no distinction between "good terrorism and bad terrorism", India has said online radicalisation continues to pose a significant challenge to global security.

Heading the Indian delegation at the recently-concluded 19th Interpol Conference of Heads of National Central Bureaux at France's Lyon, Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Director Praveen Sood highlighted the challenges posed by the nexus between organised crime, terrorism and extremist ideologies.

Sood said online radicalisation poses a significant challenge to global security.

He unequivocally condemned all forms of terrorism and conveyed that there can be no distinction between "good terrorism, bad terrorism".

The event was attended by the national central bureaux of 136 countries, represented by senior police officials, according to a statement issued by the CBI.

The National Central Bureau (NCB) in each country is the nodal organisation responsible for coordination with Interpol. In India, the CBI is the designated NCB.

The aim of the event was to strengthen the operational cooperation among the NCBs of Interpol to combat transnational crimes.

"During the event, the Indian delegation held discussions with law-enforcement agencies from multiple countries for enhanced coordination on Interpol channels for a concerted action to combat organised crime, terrorism, drug trafficking, money laundering, online radicalisation, cyber-enabled financial crimes and to prevent these crimes on a real-time basis," the statement said.

The three-member Indian delegation, during its discussions with a number of countries including the United States, the United Kingdom and Saudi Arabia, emphasised the need for swift sharing of information through Interpol, expediting mutual legal-assistance referrals and extradition requests.

"Addressing the regional roundtable of the Asia Pacific region, India reiterated to contribute in regional capacity building and sharing India's policing best practices," the agency said. -- PTI

After Congress leader Rahul Gandhi filed his nomination from Uttar Pradesh's Raebareli, his opponent in Kerala's Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency, CPI candidate, Annie Raja, said that it is an "injustice to voters" of Wayanad.

Annie Raja said that it is about political morality and by not informing the Wayanad voters of his intention, Gandhi was being "unjust" to them.

"In a parliamentary democracy, an individual can contest from more than one seat so he is using that democratic right. Now his filing nomination from Raebareli is an injustice to the voters of Wayanad. It is unjust to the voters because he never mentioned even once that he intends to contest another seat simultaneously. It is about political morality," the CPI leader told ANI on Friday.

"It is important that you speak truth to the voters and then they will decide whom to vote for," she added.

She further said that Gandhi contesting from Raebareli and not from Amethi is not any "political issue" nor does it "make any difference in a democratic setup".

"This is a democratic setup and no constituency is permanent for any candidate. We are in this for five years and then the next election will be announced. So you can fight from anywhere," Annie Raja said.

"Also about him not fighting from Amethi and contesting from Raebareli, all this depends on the party and the individual. That's not any political issue. It does not make any difference in a democratic setup. Here he has done injustice to the voters of Wayanad by not telling them," she added.

The voting in Wayanad was held on April 26 in the second phase of the Lok Sabha elections.

Congress leader Arun Reddy/Courtesy X

11:09 Amit Shah fake video: Cong leader in 3-day police custody

Congress leader Arun Reddy, who handles the 'Spirit of Congress' X account and is the national coordinator for social media of the party, has been sent to three-day police custody in connection with Union Home Minister Amit Shah's doctored video case.

After the IFSO unit of the Delhi police arrested him late on Friday night, he was produced before the judge who sent him to three-day custody.

In the doctored video, the Union home minister is purportedly heard saying that the BJP stands against the reservations in the country.

However, during his address at a public meeting in Congress-ruled Telangana, Shah said, "If the BJP forms the government here, we will withdraw the unconstitutional reservations to Muslims. We will ensure that the SCs, STs and OBCs get quotas as guaranteed under the Constitution." -- ANI

BJP leader Amit Malviya/File image

10:59 Will Rahul apologise to Dalits: Malviya after police report on Vemula's death

Invoking the closure report filed by the Telangana police in the Rohith Vemula death case, absolving Union Minister Smriti Irani and three others; BJP leader Amit Malviya on Saturday said Congress leader Rahul Gandhi politicised the incident for political gains.

He also questioned if the Wayanad MP would apologise to Dalits after the closure report in the death of the research scholar at the University of Hyderabad.

Taking to his official X handle, the BJP's IT Cell head shared a clip of Rahul purportedly speaking on the Rohit Vemula death case in the Lok Sabha.

In the clip, Rahul is heard questioning Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'silence' in the matter.

"Rahul Gandhi used the floor of the House to politicise Rohith Vemula's death for his ugly politics. Now that Telangana Police, under a Congress government, has filed a closure report, stating that Vemula did not belong to the SC community and died by suicide, will Rahul Gandhi apologise to the Dalits? The Congress and so-called 'secular' parties have often used Dalits for their politics but have always failed to provide them justice. This is yet another instance," Malviya posted on X.

Weighing in on the closure report, BJP spokesperson Ajay Alok alleged that the Congress created a false narrative around the death of Vemula. -- ANI

The Enforcement Directorate has filed a money laundering case against YouTuber Siddharth Yadav alias Elvish Yadav and some others under the charge of suspected use of snake venom as a recreational drug in parties he hosted, official sources said Saturday.

The central agency has pressed charges under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act after taking cognisance of a FIR and charge sheet filed by the Gautam Buddh Nagar (Noida) district police in Uttar Pradesh last month against him and other linked to him.

The alleged generation of proceeds of crime and use of illicit funds for organising rave or recreational parties is under the scanner of the ED.

Yadav and some others linked to the case will be questioned as part of the investigation, the sources said.

Yadav was arrested on March 17 by the Noida Police in connection with its probe into suspected use of snake venom as a recreational drug in parties that were allegedly hosted by him. -- PTI

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10:25 AAP campaign song gets poll body approval

The Delhi chief electoral officer's office has approved Aam Aadmi Party's Lok Sabha elections campaign song after the party made modifications to it, officials said on Friday.

AAP MLA Dilip Pandey, who penned and voiced the song, confirmed that the song has been approved.

The party had claimed on April 28 that the Election Commission "banned" its campaign song Jail ka jawab vote se denge.

Delhi poll body officials, however, had said AAP was asked to modify the contents of the song since it violated the Election Commission's guidelines and advertising codes.

An official said the party resubmitted its proposal to the CEO office after making the modifications, following which the song was approved.

The song was released last month.

In a post in Hindi on X, Pandey said, "Truth can be troubled, not defeated! 'Jail ka Jawab Vote se' is not just a campaign song of AAP but it is the essence of the sentiment going on in the minds of the common people of the country. That is why, in the end, truth prevailed and the Election Commission approved the use of the campaign song in the elections. Satyamev Jayate!" -- PTI

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10:02 Child killed, 5 injured as fire breaks out in Maha house

A 3-year-old child was killed and five were injured after a fire broke out in a house in Maharashtra's Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, an official said on Saturday.

The incident took place around 8.30 pm on Friday at Sharif Colony in the Kiradpura area of the city.

Forensic teams deployed by the police are investigating the case, he said.

There were seven adults and two to three children in the house.

Prima facie, it looks like the fire started due to a cylinder blast, the official said.

While Sadaf Irfan Shaikh (3) died in the accident, Rizwan Khan (40), Rehan Shaikh (17), Adil Khan (10), Faizan Pathan (13) and Dishan Khan (9) sustained injuries, he said, adding that the injured have been admitted to the Government Medical College and Hospital in the city. -- PTI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president JP Nadda are scheduled to visit Odisha over the next few days to campaign for the simultaneous Lok Sabha and assembly elections.

Modi is slated to address two political rallies in Berhampur and Nabarangpur Lok Sabha constituencies on Monday, a party leader said.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar is also scheduled to embark on a two-day visit to the state from Saturday, during which he will meet intellectuals and journalists. Nadda, who had addressed a rally in Berhampur on April 28, will again visit Odisha on Sunday to chalk out election strategies, BJP state unit vice-president Golak Mohapatra told reporters in Bhubaneswar.

"The BJP chief will attend party programmes in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack. The EAM will be on a two-day visit to Odisha during which he will attend several events in Bhubaneswar, Cuttack and Sambalpur," Mohapatra said. -- PTI

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09:19 Canadian politician alleges India hand in Nijjar killing

Canada's New Democratic Party leader Jagmeet Singh has again alleged an Indian government hand in the killing of India-designated terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar despite police personnel not giving any evidence of any link to India's involvement in the killing of Nijjar.

Jagmeet Singh's NDP has supported the Liberal minority government led by Justin Trudeau in exchange for support on some key bills.

After the Canadian Police announced the arrest of three accused in the killing of Hardep Nijjar, Jagmeet Singh claimed that there was an Indian hand in the same.

In a post on X, Jagmeet Singh wrote, "The Indian government hired assassins to murder a Canadian citizen on Canadian soil - at a place of worship. Today 3 arrests were made. Let me be clear - any Indian agent or state actor that ordered, planned or carried out this murder must be exposed and met with the full force of Canadian law. For Canada, democracy and free speech - there must be Justice for Hardeep Singh Nijjar."

Last year Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau had also alleged an Indian hand in the killing, a claim that was vehemently denied by India which called it 'absurd and motivated'. -- ANI

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08:51 98 polling booths of Daman to be videographed, livestreamed

To ensure free, fair and transparent elections, all 98 polling booths in Daman will be videograped, and livestreaming will be broadcast to the Election Commission of India and collector office in the district, Daman's deputy collector Priyanshu Singh said on Friday.

Daman's deputy collector Priyanshu Singh, and assistant returning officer shared details about the election preparation going on in the Union Territory.

"This time, just to ensure free, fair, transparent and safe elections, we have taken several steps. All the 98 polling stations in Daman district will have livestreaming facilities, and the livestream will be broadcasted in the Election Commission of India, in the collector office and to all the other relevant stakeholders," Priyanshu Singh said.

The senior officer said that the local administration has ensured that there are sufficient and well-prepared facilities in the polling stations, which include toilet light, basic table chairs, furniture, water arrangements, etcetera.

"The local administration is also deploying sufficient teams to manage everything and also keeping sufficient teams in reserve, keeping in view if, at the last moment, there is any additional requirement, some teams fail to perform or because of any other requirement," he added. -- ANI

The Directorate of Enforcement conducted search operations at several locations in Pune, Nashik, and Kolhapur on Thursday in connection with the Ponzi schemes and illegal forex trading platforms operated by businessman Vinod Tukaram Khute, his family members, and associates from Dubai, according to a press release from ED.

The ED, during the search operation, seized cash, bank funds, fixed deposits, and jewellery to the tune of Rs 5 crore and froze them along with various incriminating documents and digital devices.

As per a release by the ED, it initiated an investigation on the basis of an FIR registered by Bharti Vidhyapeeth Station, Pune, against Vinod Khute, Santosh Khute, Mangesh Khute, Kiran Pitamber Anarase, Ajinkya Badadhe, and others for duping and cheating common people in the name of Ponzi or multi-marketing schemes and forex trading platforms that promised exorbitant returns and collected more than Rs 100 crore.

The ED investigation, it added, revealed that Vinod Khute, who is absconding and suspected to be presently residing in Dubai, is the mastermind of various illicit multi-level marketing and Ponzi schemes, illegal trading, crypto exchange, and wallet services through the VIPS Group of companies, Global Affiliate Business, Kana Capital, Real Gold Capital and Phoenix FX.

"The search operations unveiled a network of distributors enticing and luring the common public into investing in bogus, illicit schemes, illegal trading, and the activities of Vinod Khute. Funds are being collected through various bogus and shell entities that were layered into a complex web of transactions, ultimately resulting in the withdrawal of proceeds into cash and then siphoning off to Dubai by conversion to crypto and virtual assets or through Hawala channels," the ED added. -- ANI

Former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson was turned away from a polling station during the United Kingdom's local elections due to his forgetfulness regarding ID, a requirement he himself had introduced while in office, CNN reported.

Polling station officials had to refuse Johnson's attempt to vote in South Oxfordshire on Thursday when he arrived without the necessary photo ID, CNN reported, citing PA media.

Johnson made a subsequent trip back with the required identification and successfully cast his vote.

The mandate for photo ID in voting was established under Johnson's Conservative government through the Elections Act 2022, a move that garnered significant criticism upon its inception.

The UK's Electoral Commission cautioned in 2023 that the requirement could disenfranchise hundreds of thousands of individuals, particularly affecting the unemployed and ethnic minorities. -- ANI

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08:05 Vemula suicide: Family to challenge police's closure report

The family of University of Hyderabad student Rohith Vemula on Friday said it will legally contest the Telangana police's closure report in his 2016 suicide case.

His brother Raja Vemula claimed the district collector has to decide on the family's SC status, prompting the police to say that they will conduct a further investigation.

In its closure report on Rohith Vemula's death, the Telangana police claimed he was not a Dalit and died by suicide in 2016 as he feared that his "real caste" would be discovered.

Citing the doubts expressed by Rohith Vemula's family, Telangana director general of police Ravi Gupta said in a statement late on Friday that a petition will be filed in the court concerned, requesting the magistrate to permit further investigations.

Raja Vemula told news channels that Telangana high court gave an option to file a 'protest petition' in the lower court. -- PTI

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01:02 Air India to restart Delhi-Tel Aviv flights on May 16

Air India on Friday said it will resume flight services between Delhi and Tel Aviv on May 16.

The airline has temporarily suspended flights to and from Tel Aviv amid tensions in the Middle East.

In a post on X, Air India said it will resume "services between Delhi and Tel Aviv with five weekly flights from 16 May, 2024".

On April 19, the airline said Tel Aviv flights will remain suspended till April 30. The suspension was later extended till May 15.

After nearly five months, the Tata group-owned carrier had recommenced services to the Israeli city on March 3.

Tensions remain high in the Middle East due to the conflict between Israel and Hamas. -- PTI

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00:49 Angered by Raj woman's love marriage, her family cut off husband's nose

Family members of a woman, angered by her love marriage to a man, allegedly thrashed her husband and "cut off his nose" on Pali-Jodhpur highway in Rajasthan, the police said on Friday.

The woman's family allegedly took the couple in their car, thrashed the man near Jhanwar village and abandoned him there, the police said.

The man informed his family members about the incident following which he was admitted to a hospital, they said.

A case was registered for kidnapping and assault against five persons, including two brothers of the woman, Sunil and Dinesh, said Anita Rani, SHO, Transport Nagar, Pali. Chelram Tak (23) and her wife live in a rented accommodation in Pali's Indira Nagar.

The couple, both of whom were from Jhanwar village in Jodhpur, were in a relationship and got married in March this year, police said.

On Thursday night, the woman's family members reached their house in Pali, according to the police.

Saying they did not have any objection over their marriage anymore, the woman's kin took the duo in a car and while on the way to Jodhpur, they started beating Chelram in the moving car, they said. -- PTI

Shiv Sena-UBT chief Uddhav Thackeray/File image

00:31 Rebel Uddhav Sena candidate files nomination in Nashik

In a setback for Shiv Sena-UBT, its district chief Vijay Karanjkar on Friday filed nomination as an independent candidate for the Nashik Lok Sabha constituency in north Maharashtra.

Friday was the last day of filing nominations. Karanjkar was disgruntled after the Uddhav Thackeray-led party fielded Parag Waje from the seat.

Thackeray had reportedly called him for sorting out the issue, but Karanjkar did not meet him.

The Shiv Sena led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has renominated sitting MP Hemant Godse. Nominations can be withdrawn till May 6. Nashik will go to polls on May 20. -- PTI

esla Motors CEO Elon Musk/Stephen Lam/Reuters

00:22 Tesla sues Indian firm for trademark breach; HC issues notice

Elon Musk's carmaker Tesla Inc. has filed a suit against an Indian battery maker for alleged infringement of trademark and unfair trade competition by using the brand name "Tesla Power" to promote its products.

The suit seeks an injunction and damages against the company.

Elon Musk's Tesla Inc suit stated that it is a multinational company that has been operating and recognized by the name 'TESLA', registered under the laws of Delaware, United States of America.

The suit further claimed that the plaintiff Tesla Inc. has obtained registrations for its trademarks in various jurisdictions around the world.

Plaintiff also claims to be in the business of innovative advanced battery technologies.

The total revenue for the year 2023 by the company is claimed to be USD 98.6 billion.

The presence of the plaintiff on the internet is through its website 'www.tesla.com' and various social media handles.

According to Tesla Inc, a cease-and-desist notice was sent on 18th April 2022 to defendants nos. 1, 2, and 3, to which a holding response was issued by counsel for defendant no.1 on 2nd May 2022, and a detailed response was received through counsel of defendant nos. 1 and 3 on 9th May 2022. Communications were thereafter exchanged in the months of August, September, November, and December 2022, and from January to March in the year of 2023.

Since the defendants continued to advertise and market their goods, the the present suit was filed. -- ANI

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