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Mon, 06 May 2024
Four juveniles stab man 50 times in Delhi
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23:49 IPL clash at Arun Jaitley stadium: Delhi Police issues traffic advisory
The Delhi police on Monday issued a traffic advisory in view of an Indian Premier League match between the Delhi Capitals and Rajasthan Royals at Arun Jaitley stadium in New Delhi, officials said.
There will be diversion and restriction on Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg and JLN Marg in view of the TATA IPL 2024 match to be played between Delhi Capitals and Rajasthan Royals on May 7 at Arun Jaitley stadium, according to the advisory.
The commuters are requested to avoid the Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg from Delhi Gate to ITO Chowk, and the JLN Marg from Rajghat to Delhi Gate from 5 pm to 11:30 pm on Tuesday, it said.
The shuttle services will be provided for the spectators using the metro at the IT Metro Station and Pragati Maidan Metro Station.
Parking and ride facility is available from Mata Sundari Parking for gate number 1 to 8 and 16 to 18, and Rajghat Power House Road and Velodrome Road for gate number 9 to 15, the advisory said. -- PTI
Shiv Sena-UBT leader Aaditya Thackeray /File image
23:31 BJP will even shift Maharashtra's Mantralaya to Gujarat, jibes Aaditya Thackeray
Shiv Sena-UBT leader Aaditya Thackeray on Monday slammed the BJP for investments shifting from Maharashtra to Gujarat and sarcastically said it would even shift Mantralaya (secretariat) from Mumbai to the neighbouring state after retaining power.
Addressing a rally in Galle Borgaon here for his party's Aurangabad Lok Sabha candidate Chandrakant Khaire, he claimed he had no issue with Gujarat but was raising his voice since things which rightfully belong to Maharashtra were being taken there.
"Our (Maharashtra's) investments are being shifted to Gujarat. If the BJP retains power, they will even shift Mantralaya to Gujarat," he said.
The BJP has changed from earlier times and was now a "feudal" outfit, he said and went to allege that after giving grand slogans like 'abki baar 400 paar' the party was "threatening sarpanchs for votes".
"Earlier the Union government said it will give houses to everyone by 2022. Such promises that we called 'jumlas' (poll rhetoric) are being issued again as 'guarantees'," he claimed. -- PTI
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23:12 Four juveniles stab man 50 times in Delhi
A 35-year-old man was stabbed to death allegedly by four juveniles in northeast Delhi's Jafrabad area, police said on Monday.
All four attackers have been apprehended, they said.
According to the police, the incident took place on Sunday at 6.45 pm.
The victim has been identified as Nazir alias Nanhe.
A video of the incident also surfaced on social media in which the four minors can be seen attacking Nazir as he pleaded with passersby for help.
The locals who witnessed the attack later gathered at the spot and informed the police.
The victim was taken to hospital where doctors declared him dead, police said.
Nazir was stabbed around 50 times, they said.
Deputy commissioner of police (northeast) Joy Tirkey said a team from Jafrabad police station apprehended four juveniles in connection with the case on Monday.
"Nazir was previously involved in multiple cases of robbery and attempt to murder. The attackers have disclosed that they killed Nazir because two days ago, Nazir had threatened one of them," Tirkey said.
Another officer said the juveniles are being questioned further as police suspect them of committing the murder on the direction of someone as Nazir was a witness in his brother's murder case. -- PTI
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23:06 Massive fire in campus of carbide factory in Bhopal
A massive fire broke out on the campus of carbide factory in Bhopal district on Monday.
Visuals show the smoke emanating from the factory engulfing the skies. The reason for the blaze is yet to be ascertained.
No casualties or injuries have been reported from the incident as yet.
Further details on the matter are awaited.
In a similar incident, a massive fire broke out at a plastic factory in Delhi's Narela's Bhorgarh Industrial Area on Monday morning. No casualties were reported in the incident. -- PTI
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22:32 Hamas accepts Egypt-Qatari ceasefire plan
Hamas has accepted an Egyptian-Qatari ceasefire proposal, media reports said on Monday night.
More details awaited.
22:06 Five DIGs made joint directors in CBI
Five IPS officers working as deputy inspector general (DIG) in the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) were on Monday appointed as joint directors, according to a personnel ministry order.
The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved the appointment of S Veeresh Prabhu, a 2005 batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer of the Maharashtra cadre, presently working as the DIG, as joint director in the CBI for a tenure up to October 13, 2027, it said.
His batchmate Rajiv Ranjan (Sikkim cadre) has also been appointed as the joint director in the premier probe agency for a tenure up to May 30, 2026, the order said.
Three other IPS officers of the 2005 batch -- Sumedha Dwevedi (Himachal Pradesh cadre), Vijayendra Bidari (Tamil Nadu cadre) and Sharada Raut (Maharashtra cadre) --- have also been appointed as joint directors in the CBI, according to the order.
21:44 Man held for making 'death threat' calls to Noida businessman
A man was arrested for allegedly threatening to kill a renowned businessman and president of an entrepreneurs association here, the police said on Monday.
Accused Manohar Lal Sharma admitted that he made the prank call identifying himself as a member of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang because he suspected his wife was in touch with the businessman, they said.
According to the police, a complaint was received on May 4 at the Phase 1 police station regarding a threat call made to Vipin Malhan, the president of Noida Entrepreneurs Association.
"Our NEA office landline phone received repeated calls from a number between 2 pm and 2.15 pm from an unknown person who claimed to be a member of Lawrence Bishnoi gang," NEA general secretary VK Seth said in the complaint.
"He (the unidentified caller) used abusive language while threatening to kill NEA president Vipin Kumar Malhan and NEA staff," Seth stated.
An FIR was lodged in the case under sections 504 (intentional insult to provoke breach of peace) and 507 (anonymous criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). -- PTI
Prime Minister Narendra Modi/File image
21:37 Zero tolerance for person like Prajwal but....: Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has asserted that there should be zero tolerance for someone like Prajwal Revanna, and accused the Congress government in Karnataka of allowing the Janata Dal-Secular MP to go out of the country and releasing the incriminating sex videos after the polls were over in the region dominated by Vokkaligas.
Modi told Times Now that the responsibility to take action in the raging matter lay with the state government as it was a law and order issue, according to the transcript of the interview provided by the broadcaster.
He said the presence of thousands of videos implies that it is of the time when the JD-S was in alliance with the Congress.
These videos were gathered when they were in power and they released it during the elections after Vokkaligas exercised their franchise, he added.
The videos were released after he was sent out of the country, the prime minister said, calling the development very suspicious.
If the state government had information, it should have kept a watch and there should have been vigil at the airport, he said. -- PTI
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20:59 5 medical students drown in sea off Kanniyakumari
Five students of a private medical college in Tiruchirappalli drowned in the sea off the coast of Kanniyakumari on Monday, the police said.
Expressing grief, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin conveyed his condolences and sympathies to the kin of the deceased and said necessary assistance would be provided to the bereaved families after getting the Election Commission's permission.
A group of MBBS students doing their house surgeonship in the Tiruchirappalli college went to the Lemur Beach at Rajakkamangalam and a huge wave dragged several of them into the sea.
"Two women and 3 men drowned," Kanniyakumari police superintendent E Sundaravathanam said.
To a question, the police official said the students were told by local people to avoid going to the beach in view of official warnings of sudden 'swell waves.' -- PTI
20:38 Naveen Patnaik's aircraft fails to land at Bhubaneswar airport due to bad weather
An aircraft carrying Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik was diverted to Jharsuguda on Monday, as it could not land at the Biju Patnaik International Airport in Bhubaneswar due to inclement weather, officials said.
Patnaik, along with close aide V K Pandian, were in the aircraft while returning to Bhubaneswar, after an election meeting at Khariar in Nuapada district.
It could not land in Bhubaneswar due to heavy rain and gusty winds, Pandian said in a video message.
He said the aircraft hovered over the capital city for around half-an-hour before it was diverted to Veer Surendra Sai Airport at Jharsuguda.
The flight landed safely at Jharsuguda airport. -- PTI
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20:21 Please be a part of our tourism: Maldives to Indians
With the number of Indian tourists visiting the Maldives dwindling amidst strained bilateral ties, the archipelago nation's tourism minister on Monday urged Indians to contribute to the country's economy which is dependent on tourism.
In an interview with PTI Videos in Dubai, Maldivian Tourism Minister Ibrahim Faisal emphasised on the historical relations between his country and India.
"We have a history. Our newly elected government also wants to work together (with India). We always promote peace and a friendly environment. Our people and the government will give a warm welcome to Indian arrivals. As the Tourism Minister, I want to tell Indians to please be a part of Maldives' tourism. Our economy depends on tourism," he said.
A full-blown backlash was directed at the Maldives following derogatory remarks against India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on social media by three Maldivian officials after Modi posted photos and video of the pristine Lakshadweep Islands on India's west coast on January 6 on his X handle.
Scores of Indians, including multiple celebrities, cancelled their reservations and dropped plans to visit Maldives. -- PTI
Officials making preparations to receive body of IAF jawan in Chindwara/ANI on X
20:16 Last rites of IAF corporal martyred in J-K held with full military honours in MP
A huge crowd on Monday bid final farewell to Indian Air Force corporal Vikky Pahade, who was martyred in a terror attack in Jammu-Kashmir on May 4, in his hometown Chhindwara in Madhya Pradesh.
Pahade, among five personnel who were injured when terrorists attacked an IAF convoy near Shahsitar in Pooch district on Saturday evening, succumbed to his injuries in a military hospital.
His body arrived at Chhindwara airstrip in a helicopter.
The late rites were carried out with full military honours after a ceremonial guard of honour.
His 5-year-old son Hardik lighted the pyre in the presence of the martyr's three sisters as well as senior IAF and district officials.
MP Chief Minister Mohan Yadav changed his poll campaign programme and reached Chhindwara in the morning to pay tribute.
"The country is proud of its defence forces. This loss is irreparable. The state government will take care of the martyr's family. In his honour, a proposal regarding naming of 'Smriti Dwar' and ward will be approved," the CM told reporters.
Since the Lok Sabha model code of conduct is in force, the state government will send for approval a proposal to the Election Commission so that assistance of Rs 1 crore can be given to the martyr's family, he added. -- PTI
The IAF vehicle which came under terrorist attack in Poonch/Umar Ganie for Rediff.com
19:24 No breakthrough in Poonch terror attack, search ops intensified
A breakthrough eluded the security forces in the Poonch terrorist attack on a convoy of Indian Air Force even as a massive search operation in a vast area of the Jammu and Kashmir district entered the third day on Monday, officials said.
More than 20 persons were detained for questioning as the security forces are gathering clues to neutralise the terrorists who fled into nearby dense forests after carrying out the ambush near Shahsitar in Surankote area on Saturday evening.
Five IAF personnel were injured in the attack and one of them later succumbed to injuries at a military hospital.
The officials said a massive joint search operation by army and police is in progress in several areas including Shahsitar, Gursai, Sanai, Lasana and Sheendara top for the third day but there was no trace of the terrorists so far.
The security agencies are collecting clues which will ultimately help flush out the terrorists, they said.
The officials said all schools in the area opened as per routine this morning after a day-long break on account of Sunday.
Meanwhile, the security forces also launched a cordon and search operation at village Kathu in Dalhori area of adjoining Rajouri district following information about the presence of three suspected terrorists. -- PTI
Janata Dal-Secular MLA HD Revanna/File image
19:11 Revanna aide in police custody over woman's kidnap
A Bengaluru court remanded Sathish Babanna, an aide of Janata Dal-Secular MLA HD Revanna, to eight days police custody on Monday in connection with the alleged abduction and illegal confinement of a woman.
The Special Investigation Team produced Babanna before the court, which remanded him to the custody of police for further investigation into the kidnap case linked to the sexual allegations against JDS MP Prajwal Revanna.
Babanna was arrested based on a complaint from the 20-year-old son of the victim.
The man stated that he feared threat to his mother's life after she was abducted.
Sathish Babanna took the woman, mother of three, on a bike saying there was a possibility that she may be arrested if the police visited her to record her statement, her son stated in the complaint.
The victim had figured in one of the videos in which she was tied and raped by Prajwal Revanna, the complainant added. -- PTI
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18:53 5-year-old girl critical after attack by 2 pet Rottweilers in TN
A five-year-old girl was grievously injured when two pet Rottweiler dogs ferociously attacked her in a park in Chennai and three persons including the pet owner have been detained, police said on Monday.
The girl, who is the daughter of a security guard, was playing in the park in Thousand Lights area on Sunday evening when the two Rottweilers pounced on her.
Hearing her screams, the girl's mother and a few passers-by rushed to the kid's rescue and freed her from the clutches of the 'dangerous' breed. Greater Chennai Corporation Commissioner Dr J Radhakrishnan, who visited the girl at the hospital, announced that the civic body would bear the cost of her treatment.
"Three people, including the owner of the two Rottweilers have been detained by the police for inquiry. The GCC would rein in the pet owners who have either not obtained licences from the corporation or sterilised the dogs," Radhakrishnan said.
The kid is presently undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Chennai.
"Currently her condition is stable but she is undergoing great pain. Her scalp was ripped for 11 inches and she was bitten in the legs and other places," Radhakrishnan said. -- PTI
Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal/File image
18:31 Delhi LG orders NIA probe against Kejriwal
Delhi Lt Governor V K Saxena has recommended an NIA probe against Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for allegedly receiving political funding from the banned terrorist organisation 'Sikhs for Justice', Raj Niwas sources said on Monday.
There was no immediate reaction from the Aam Aadmi Party.
In a letter to the Union Home secretary, the lt governor's secretariat said Saxena had received a complaint that the Kejriwal-led AAP allegedly received $16 million funding from extremist Khalistani groups for facilitating the release of Devendra Pal Bhullar.
"The electronic evidences adduced by the complainant requires investigation including forensic examination," Saxena has said.
The complaint is made against a chief minister and relates to political funding received from a banned terrorist organisation, the letter stated.
The move comes a day ahead of the Supreme Court considering granting Kejrwal interim bail in view of the ongoing Lok Sabha elections.
The AAP chief is in Tihar jail. PTI
Coast Guard personnel detain Indian crew members of an Iranian fishing boat/Courtesy ICG on X
18:28 Coast Guard detains Iranian boat with 6 Indian crew
The Indian Coast Guard has detained an Iranian fishing vessel with six Indian crew off the coast of Kerala, the defence ministry said on Monday.
The vessel was detained on Sunday following a swift "sea-air" coordinated operation by the ICG, it said.
The ministry said the crew alleged that the "Iranian sponsor" of the vessel ill-treated and deprived them of basic living conditions and confiscated their passports.
Initial investigation revealed that the owner of the boat was an Iranian national who had contracted the Indian fishermen from Tamil Nadu, it said.
"The Indian Coast Guard detained an Iranian fishing vessel, with six Indian crew, west of Beypore off the coast of Kerala late on May 5. The swift sea-air coordinated operation involved the ships and aircraft of the ICG," the ministry said in a statement.
"After intercepting the boat, an ICG team boarded the vessel and thoroughly investigated it to check the involvement of any anti-national activity," it said. -- PTI
Illustration: Dominic Xavier/Rediff.com
18:10 Zee Media Corporation terminates CEO Abhay Ojha
Zee Media Corporation Ltd on Monday said its CEO Abhay Ojha has been terminated with effect from May 4, 2024.
In a regulatory filing, the company said its board of directors at their meeting held on Monday has approved and confirmed the cessation of employment of Ojha from the organisation and his consequent cessation as the chief executive officer of the company with effect from May 4, 2024.
"On account of termination of employment, Abhay Ojha has ceased to be the Chief Executive Officer of the company," the filing added.
The company, however, did not elaborate the reasons for his termination. Ojha was promoted as CEO of the company last year.
He had joined Zee Media in 2022 as chief business officer and P&L head of linear channels, excluding WION and Zee Business.
Earlier last month, Piyush Choudhary, who was Chief Manager -- Legal, of Zee Media had resigned effective from the close of business hours of April 30, 2024. -- PTI
40 jawans were killed in the Pulwama terror attack
17:42 And Pulwama?: Channi after flak on stunt comment
Under fire over his "poll stunt" remark, Congress leader Charanjit Singh Channi on Monday said he was proud of the country's soldiers but targeted the Centre over the 2019 Pulwama terror strike, saying the government could not ascertain who carried out the attack.
The former Punjab chief minister on Sunday called the Poonch terror attack in which an IAF soldier was killed a "stunt" meant to make the BJP win the Lok Sabha elections.
The remark by the Congress candidate from Jalandhar seat triggered a row with Union minister Anurag Thakur asking the Congress leadership to seek an apology from Channi for insulting soldiers with this deplorable statement.
In a video message on Monday, Channi said, "We are proud of our soldiers who protect our country."
Referring to his statement made on Sunday, Channi said ahead of the last parliamentary polls, 40 jawans were killed but the government could not yet ascertain who carried out the terror attack.
"Who was responsible for that attack," he asked.
Forty Central Reserve Police Force troopers died in a terror attack in Pulwama in Jammu and Kashmir on February 14, 2019.
"Again the elections have come and again our jawans have been attacked," said Channi as he was referring to the terror attack in Poonch.
"I want to ask the government who are those people who get such attacks done. Why don't you bring them forward? Why does intelligence failure take place," he asked. Channi said Sunil Jakhar, who was earlier with the Congress and now with the BJP, had then even demanded the resignation of the prime minister over the death of 40 soldiers.
"Today again a soldier got martyred and I want to ask Jakhar ji what is your stand now," he said.
"Why are our soldiers getting martyred and why is there intelligence failure of the government," he asked.
In Jalandhar on Sunday while replying to a question on the attack on the Indian Air Force's convoy in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch, Channi had said, "'Yeh stuntbaazi ho rahi hai, hamle nahi ho rahe' (These are all stunts, not attacks)." "Whenever elections are near, such stunts are performed to make the BJP win. There is no truth in it," he had said.
"The BJP knows how to play with people's lives and bodies," he had alleged.
One soldier was killed and four were injured as terrorists ambushed an IAF convoy in Poonch district on Saturday, three weeks ahead of polling in Anantnag-Rajouri Lok Sabha constituency. The officials suspect the involvement of the same group of terrorists who ambushed troops in adjoining Bufliaz on December 21 last year, leaving four soldiers dead and three injured. Union minister Thakur strongly condemned Channi's remarks and asked the Congress whether it will insult soldiers to win elections. PTI
PM Modi votes in 2019
17:09 LS polls phase 3: Where is Modi voting tomorrow?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will cast his vote at Nishan Higher Secondary School in Ahmedabad in the third phase of Lok Sabha polls on Tuesday. Preparations for polling arrangements are underway at the school which has been designated as a polling booth.
Earlier, a 'Run for Vote' marathon was organised in Gujarat's Ahmedabad on Sunday morning to create awareness among youth to cast their votes in the third phase of the Lok Sabha Elections 2024.
The marathon was organised as part of the Systematic Voters' Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) drive to promote the importance of 100 per cent voting. Joint CEO, SVEEP, Ashok B Patel said, "Today, 'Run for Vote' marathon was organised to create awareness among youth to cast their votes on May 7 for the Lok Sabha Elections."
The Election Commission is running a voting awareness campaign to encourage people to vote more in this Lok Sabha election. BJP in the 2014 and 2019 Lok Sabha polls swept all 26 seats on offer.
The Congress is in alliance with the AAP in Gujarat where it will contest from 24 seats while the AAP will contest in Bhavnagar and Bharuch constituencies.
Voting for 25 out of 26 seats in Gujarat is set to take place in the third phase of the ongoing general elections on May 7.
The third phase will include constituencies from Kutch, Banaskantha, Patan, Mehsana, Sabarkantha, Gandhinagar, Ahmedabad East, Ahmedabad West, Surendranagar, Rajkot, Porbandar, Jamnagar, Junagadh, Amreli, Bhavnagar, Anand, Kheda, Panchmahal, Dahod, Vadodara, Chhota Udaipur, Bharuch, Bardoli, Navsari, and Valsad.
16:39 Farm loan waiver, MGNREGA pay Rs 400: Cong
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday said loans of farmers will be waived and the daily allowance under the MGNREGA scheme will be raised from Rs 250 to Rs 400 soon after the party government is formed at the Centre post elections.
Addressing a campaign rally at Segaon under Khargone Lok Sabha constituency in Madhya Pradesh, Gandhi alleged Prime Minister Narendra Modi has made up his mind to alter the Constitution and eventually scrap it. "Soon after coming to power at the Centre, the Congress government will waive loans of farmers and raise the MGNREGA allowance from Rs 250 to Rs 400 per day," he said.
Congress has fielded Porlal Kharte and Narendra Patel from Khargone (ST) and Khandwa Lok Sabha constituencies, respectively. "This election is being fought for saving the Constitution, reservations, and also the Jal, Jungle, and Jameen of tribal people, and public sector," Gandhi said.
PM Modi wants to give all these things to 22-25 billionaires including Adani, he alleged. He said the INDI alliance government will deposit Rs 1 lakh into the accounts of poor women to make them lakhpatis. PTI
16:12 Prajwal Revanna can flee as Modi is PM: Cong
Stepping up attack on the BJP over sexual abuse allegations against JD(S) leader Prajwal Revanna in Karnataka, the Congress of Monday alleged that the Modi government has "always protected" those who commit crimes against women.
Former All India Mahila Congress chief Netta D'Souza said the BJP has only given slogans such as 'Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao', but the reality is there before the people of the country.
"Be it the brave women wrestlers or daughters like Ankita Bhandari, the prime minister did not try to provide justice to any daughter. The BJP government has always protected those who commit crimes against women," she alleged at a press conference at the AICC headquarters in New Delhi.
"The women of the country are very angry on the issue of Prajwal Revanna. Women are forced to think that the real character of the person, who was under the protection of Modi ji inside Parliament for the last 5 years, has been revealed to the country," she said.
"If someone else had done the same thing then Modi ji would have been saying all over the country -- 'Look, we have caught the criminal to protect our daughters'," D'Souza said.
"But now when it comes to his favourite person, his attitude is in front of the entire country," she said.
While the Congress has been attacking the BJP over the allegations of sexual abuse against leaders of its ally JD(S), the BJP has blamed the Congress government in Karnataka for the "delayed" action against the accused and said it would push for the full might of law against the accused. D'Souza said PM Modi had shared the stage with Prajwal Revanna, who is seeking re-election from Hassan Lok Sabha seat, and sought votes for him.
"If Modi is there, then it is possible for Prajwal Revanna to flee abroad. If Modi is there, then it was possible for Prajwal Revanna to sit in Parliament. But today Narendra Modi, Amit Shah and Smriti Irani are silent," she said.
"Modi ji was saying that the vote given to Prajwal Revanna would strengthen him. Now the women of the country will give you an answer on '400 paar'," she said, referring to the BJP's election slogan. Prajwal and his father H D Revanna were booked by police on Sunday on charges of sexual harassment and criminal intimidation based on a complaint from a woman who worked in their household.
Prajwal is the grandson of former prime minister H D Deve Gowda and a nephew of Karnataka's former chief minister H D Kumaraswamy. Faced with unrelenting attacks from the Congress and other political parties, the JD(S), an ally of the BJP, has suspended Prajwal. Karnataka JD(S) MLA H D Revanna was arrested by the Special Investigation Team on Saturday in a kidnapping case linked to sexual abuse allegations against his son Prajwal soon after a court rejected his anticipatory bail plea.
15:47 J'khand raid: I'm abused as I stop loot, says PM
After the Directorate of Enforcement's huge cash haul in Jharkhand, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that people are lauding the action taken by the central agency, some are criticising him for stopping corruption and loot.
"Today, mountains of currency notes are being found in the neighbouring state Jharkhand. People are saying "chori ho gaya aur mal pakad raha Modi waha" (theft has taken place and Modi has seized the robbed goods). Now tell me, if I stop their theft, stop their earning, stop their loot, won't they abuse Modi or not? Despite the abuses, shouldn't I be doing this work. Shouldn't I be saving your money," the Prime Minister said while addressing a public rally in Odisha's Nabarangpur today.
ED earlier today uncovered over Rs 20 crore from the residence of a household help employed by Sanjiv Lal, the Personal Secretary to Jharkhand Rural Development Minister Alamgir Alam during raids at multiple locations in Ranchi on Monday morning, PM Modi also hit out at the Biju Janata Dal (BJD)-led government in Odisha and alleged that the latter did not "allow" implementation of central government schemes in the state. He further said that those schemes that were implemented were "stamped by corruption."
"The people of Odisha have strength and passion, but I am saddened to see that the BJD government did not give you the right opportunities. The BJD government did not allow the schemes of Modi to be implemented. The schemes that were implemented were stamped with corruption by the BJD," he said.
The Prime Minister said that the Odisha government does not care about the interests of women, adding that the central government is providing financial help to every pregnant woman.
"Today, the government in Odisha shows no concern for the welfare of women. The central government provides financial aid of 6,000 rupees to every pregnant woman, aiming to ensure essential nutrition for both the mother and child. It's surprising to know that the Odisha government has not implemented this scheme here.
Meanwhile, the BJP government is committed to women's empowerment. The BJP's 'Subhadra Scheme' in Odisha will financially empower women," he said.
"Also, the Van Dhan Kendra Yojana started, reservation benefits for SCs and STs were extended for the next 10 years, and most importantly, India got its first Adivasi Rashtrapati during the same period," he added. He further asserted that the BJD-ruled state government could not spend money sent by the Centre properly.
Representational image
15:29 Did NEET-UG question paper leak? Govt says...
The reports claiming question paper leak in the medical entrance exam NEET-UG are "completely baseless and without any ground", the National Testing Agency (NTA) clarified on Monday.
Stressing that every question paper has been "accounted for", the NTA said that purported images of the question paper circulating on social media have no relation with the actual paper.
"It has been ascertained from NTA's security protocols and Standard Operating Procedures that the social media posts pointing towards any paper leak are completely baseless and without any ground.
"To put rumours to rest, it is also stated that every single question paper has been accounted for," said Sadhana Parashar, Senior Director, NTA. Parashar said that no external person or agency can access the centres once the examination starts. She said that after the gates of the examination centres are closed, no one from outside is permitted access inside the halls, which are under CCTV surveillance.
"All other photographs of question papers circulating in social media have no relation to the actual examination question paper which has been administered," she added.
The entrance exam was conducted on Sunday at 4,750 centres in 571 cities including 14 cities abroad. The NTA had on Sunday claimed that the distribution of wrong question papers at an exam centre in Rajasthan led to some candidates walking out with the papers. The agency had denied any leak of the question paper.
"The integrity of the examination process was not compromised. The exam was later reconducted for the 120 affected candidates at the centre," Parashar had said on Sunday. PTI
15:02 How many seats will BJP win? Rahul says...
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday said the ongoing Lok Sabha election is aimed at saving the country's Constitution, which he claimed the BJP and RSS want to change.
Addressing a public meeting at Jobat town in Alirajpur district under the Ratlam-Jhabua Lok Sabha seat in Madhya Pradesh, Gandhi also said the Congress government will ensure the 50 per cent cap on reservation is removed in the interest of the people.
The former Congress president again batted for a caste census, claiming it will reveal everything about the status of people and change the direction of politics in the country.
"This election is being held to save the country's Constitution. The BJP, RSS want to change it, but the Congress and the (opposition) INDIA alliance are trying to save it," Gandhi said.
He said the BJP gave the slogan of "400 paar" (aiming to win more than 400 Lok Sabha seats) with an intention to change the Constitution. "Leave alone 400 seats, the BJP will not get more than 150 seats this time," the Wayanad MP claimed.
Gandhi also said the Congress government will launch the 'Pehli Naukri Pakki' scheme to ensure the youth get one-year apprenticeship in companies and a job after that. During the training period, the youth will get an allowance of Rs 8,500 per month which amounts to Rs 1 lakh in a year, he said. Gandhi also said that once his party comes to power, it will start transferring Rs 8,500 per month into the accounts of women to make them "lakhpati".
The Congress has fielded former Union minister Kantilal Bhuria against BJP's Anita Nagar Chauhan from the tribal-dominated Ratlam-Jhabua seat where polling will be held on May 13. PTI
The tricolour at Lal Chowk
14:43 In search of Modi in Srinagar
It's a different Srinagar from what Rediff.com's Syed Firdaus Ashraf encountered 24 years ago. Tourists throng the Kashmir Valley post-Article 370, azaadi appears dead, and everyone says one man is responsible for this change, so what if his poster is nowhere to be seen.
Read the report here.
J-K police sketch
14:41 First look: The terrorists who attacked IAF vehicles
Security forces on Monday released sketches of two suspected terrorists, believed to be behind the attack on Indian Air Force (IAF) vehicles, killing a soldier and injuring four others in Poonch district.
The army has also declared a reward of Rs 20 lakh for information on two terrorists.
Five IAF soldiers had sustained injuries in the attack. Later, one of them, identified as Corporal Vikky Pahade, succumbed to injuries in the army hospital in Udhampur.
Officials said, that around 20 individuals have been detained by the police for questioning, while massive Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) continues in Danna Top, Shahstar, Sheindra and Sanai Top areas of Poonch.
Top officers of police and army, including GOC 16 Corps and ADGP Jammu, also visited the site and took stock of the security arrangements yesterday.
A group of around three terrorists carried out the surprise attack on the IAF convoy near Shaistar Sanai in Surankote area on Saturday.
Officials said that anyone who will give any fruitful and reliable information about the whereabouts of these terrorists, leading to their arrest will be rewarded and their identity will be kept a secret.
The TMC has fielded Mahua Moitra from Krishnanagar
14:13 Shah campaigns in Mahua Moitra's constituency
Union Home Minister and senior BJP leader Amit Shah on Monday held a roadshow in the Krishnanagar Lok Sabha constituency in West Bengal's Nadia district.
Shah started the procession around 12:30 PM from Beldanga More in the area. Besides several state BJP leaders, Shah was seen standing atop a decorated vehicle, which was slowly moving while he waved at crowds that gathered on both sides of the road.
"The BJP will end the menace of infiltration in the state. The TMC can never stop it. I would request all of you to ensure the victory of the BJP candidate from this seat. Seeing such a huge crowd and support of the people, I am confident of a victory in Krishnanagar," Shah said at the conclusion of the roadshow.
Locals queued up on both sides of the road and watched the procession. Hundreds of people were seen waving BJP flags and raising slogans such as 'Jai Shri Ram', 'Narendra Modi Zindabad' and 'BJP Zindabad'.
The BJP stood second in the constituency in 2019 and TMC's Mahua Moitra won the seat, who was expelled last year from Lok Sabha in an alleged cash-for-query scam. The TMC has renominated her from the seat.
The BJP fielded Amrita Roy, the Rajmata of the Krishnanagar Royal family, whose candidature has injected a tinge of royalty into the electoral fray. During the roadshow, Roy was seen waving to the crowds. The constituency will go to polls in the fourth phase on May 13. PTI
Former BJP MP Dinu Solanki
13:45 Guj HC acquits ex-BJP MP in RTI activist's murder
The Gujarat High Court on Monday allowed the appeals of former BJP MP Dinu Solanki and six others against their conviction by a CBI court in the case of RTI activist Amit Jethwa's murder in 2010.
Observing that the trial court conducted proceedings with a "predetermined notion of conviction," a division bench of Justices AS Supehia and Vimal K Vyas quashed the CBI court's order sentencing Solanki and the six others to life imprisonment. Jethwa was shot dead outside the high court premises here on July 20, 2010.
Solanki and six others were sentenced to life imprisonment by the CBI court in 2019 and ordered to pay a fine of Rs 15 lakh in the case of murder and criminal conspiracy.
The high court had later suspended the life sentences of Dinu Solanki and his nephew Shiva Solanki, who was also convicted in the case.
"We reiterate that the entire investigation right from the inception of the offence appears to be perfunctory and prejudiced. The prosecution has failed to secure the confidence of the witnesses," the HC bench said in its order.
The trial court on a "preconceived notion of conviction has analysed the evidence divorced from statutes and legal precedence," it said. The HC said the trial court was duty-bound to apply the law as written, "not as per its instinct".
"Resultantly the common judgment on order of conviction dated July 11, 2019 passed by the special judge, CBI court...whereby the accused have been convicted for the offence under section 302 (murder) and section 120 (B) (criminal conspiracy) and 201 (causing disappearance of evidence) of Indian Penal Code (IPC) and are sentenced is quashed and set aside," the HC order said.
The high court further observed that the survival of democracy and the unity and integrity of the nation depends upon the realisation that "constitutional morality is no less essential than constitutional legality."
Jethwa was shot dead outside the Gujarat High Court on July 20, 2010 after he tried to expose illegal mining activities allegedly involving Dinu Solanki by seeking information under the Right to Information (RTI) Act.
An FIR was then lodged against two unidentified assailants and the investigation was transferred to the state police's Criminal Investigation Department (CID), which later filed a chargesheet. In September 2012, the high court handed over the investigation to the Central Bureau of Investigation.
The CBI arrested Dinu Solanki in November 2013. On July 11, 2019, Dinu Solanki and his nephew were convicted in the case of Jethwa's murder.
The high court in September 2021 suspended Dinu Solanki's sentence pending his appeal against conviction by the CBI court. Last year, the HC also suspended the life sentence of his nephew Shiva Solanki and granted him bail pending hearing of his appeal against his conviction by the CBI court. PTI
That's over Rs 20 crore recovered from the raid
13:01 Cong ka hath kale dhan ke sath: BJP on J'khand raid
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spokesperson Pratul Shah Deo accused the Congress on Monday of complicity in black money operations after the Enforcement Directorate (ED) recovered over Rs 20 crore from the household help of Sanjiv Lal, Personal Secretary to Jharkhand Rural Development Minister and Congress leader, Alamgir Alam.
Deo called for immediate action from the Election Commission. He said that the large sum could be linked to attempts to influence the voting process in the ongoing elections.
"The Election Commission should take cognizance. The recovery of over Rs 25 crore during the elections suggests that this black money might have been intended to influence the voting process. Once again, this shows 'Congress Ka Hath Kale Dhan Ke Sath' (Congress's involvement with black money)," Deo said. Deo further called for the swift arrest and interrogation of Alamgir Alam to uncover the source and intent behind the seized funds.
"The endless story of corruption in the Jharkhand government shows no signs of ending. Just a few days ago, Rs 300 crore in cash was recovered from the house and office of a Congress MP (Dheeraj Sahu). More than Rs 10 crore was recovered from the residence of the associates of Pankaj Mishra, a close associate of the Chief Minister. Now, from the house of the Personal Secretary of Minister, Alamgir Alam, more than Rs 25 crore has been recovered. Alamgir Alam should be taken into custody immediately, he should be strictly interrogated and the connection to this money should be investigated by ED," Deo said.
12:55 Delhi court denies bail to BRS Leader K Kavitha
A court in New Delhi on Monday dismissed the bail applications filed by BRS leader K Kavitha in corruption and money laundering cases being probed by the CBI and ED in connection with the alleged excise policy scam.
Special Judge for CBI and ED, Kaveri Baweja, dismissed the applications, saying the stage was not right to grant the relief. Kavitha is in judicial custody in both the cases lodged by the ED and the CBI.
The ED arrested Kavitha (46) from her Banjara Hills residence in Hyderabad on March 15, and she was in judicial custody in the case. The CBI arrested the Bharatiya Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leader from judicial custody. PTI
12:37 Go to eye doctor: PC to BJP on Cong manifesto
Taking a swipe at the BJP for criticising the Congress manifesto, party leader P Chidambaram on Monday said that if the ruling party leaders read the words 'generation of wealth' as 'redistribution of wealth', they should either go back to middle school or consult an eye doctor.
Chidambaram, who headed the committee that drafted the Congress manifesto, said his party is committed to rapid growth and generation of wealth. "Congress' Manifesto makes the following statements and promises on wealth - ? industrial and business policies and regulations will be designed to facilitate the production of goods and services in larger volumes and higher values," the former finance minister said.
All laws and rules that inhibit free and fair trade will be reviewed and changed, he said.
"If the UPA had continued in office, the economy would have doubled again and stood at Rs 200 lakh crore in 2023-24," Chidambaram said.
The Congress is committed to rapid growth and generation of wealth, he said.
"We have set a target of doubling the GDP in the next 10 years," the Congress leader said. "If the BJP leaders read the words 'generation of wealth' as 'redistribution of wealth', they should either go back to middle school or consult an eye doctor," Chidambaram said, taking a dig at the BJP.
Last week, Chidambaram had said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has imagined a Congress manifesto written by one of his ghost speech writers and he should debate the real issues included in the document. Chidambaram's remarks come amid repeated attacks by the prime minister over Congress leader Sam Pitroda's 'inheritance tax' comments amid the row on the issue of 'wealth redistribution'. PTI
12:20 BJD govt will expire on June 4: Modi in Odisha
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday asserted that the expiry date of the BJD government in Odisha is June 4, the day the assembly election results will be announced.
Addressing his first election rally in the state, Modi urged people to give a chance to the BJP to make Odisha the number one state in the country.
In an apparent dig at BJD president and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, the prime minister said, "Odisha needs a CM who understands Odia language and culture."
The BJP will form a double-engine government here after elections. The expiry date of the BJD government is June 4, 2024, Modi said at the Berhampur rally. He also claimed that Odisha has not benefitted from Ayushman Bharat Yojana as the "BJD government did not implement" it in the state. The Centre gave Rs 10,000 crore under the 'Jal Jeevan Mission' scheme to Odisha but the BJD dispensation could not spend the money properly.
"You have given 50 years to Congress and 25 years to BJD. Just give five years to the BJP. We will make Odisha the number one state in the country," Modi said at the rally. Odisha has fertile land, mineral resources, and sea coasts, but people are still poor, he claimed.
"We released a visionary manifesto for Odisha promising jobs for youths and women and health facilities for senior citizens. BJP fulfils what it says: Modi added. The assembly and Lok Sabha elections in Odisha will be held simultaneously. -- PTI
11:58 Terror threat to T20 World Cup: Trinidad PM
The T20 World Cup in the Americas has received a terrorist threat, Trinidad's Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley has revealed, saying the hosts will put in "extra effort in national security preparations and response readiness" to neutralise the danger.
The T20 World Cup -- to be co-hosted by the USA and the West Indies and featuring 20 teams, including India -- is due to start on June 1.
The West Indies, aside from some preliminary stage matches, will be hosting the entire Super 8 stage along with the semifinals and the final on June 29.
"Unfortunately, the threat of terrorism in its many and varied expressions is an ever-present danger in the world of the 21st century," Rowley was quoted as saying by 'Trinidad Daily Express' in Port of Spain. PTI
PM Modi and China President Xi Jinping
11:40 Galwan anniv: Cong slams PM's 'all OK' on China
The Congress on Monday targeted the Modi government on Chinese transgressions, and asked whether it has "surrendered" thousands of square kilometres in Depsang and Demchok to China or is it still trying to return to the status quo ante before May 5, 2020.
On the fourth anniversary of the clashes between Indian and Chinese troops at Pangong Tso in eastern Ladakh that culminated in the fatal engagement in Galwan on June 15, 2020 in which 20 soldiers were killed, the Congress also asked the prime minister when he will take responsibility for the "abysmal failure" of his China policy.
"Has anyone been held accountable for India's biggest strategic and intelligence lapse in several decades," AICC general secretary Jairam Ramesh asked in a post on X. Posing questions to the prime minister, he asked, "Do you still believe your 19 June 2020 statement, made after 20 of our soldiers gave their lives in Galwan, that 'Na koi hamari seema mein ghus aaya hai, na hi koi ghusa hua hai' (No one has entered India nor has anyone occupied any post)".
"Has your government surrendered to Chinese control over thousands of square kilometres in Depsang and Demchok for the foreseeable future or are you still trying to return to the status quo ante before 5 May 2020," he asked. Taking on Modi, he charged that, "The PM's clean chit to China four days later when he said 'Na koi hamari seema mein ghus aaya hai, na hi koi ghusa hua hai' was a profound insult to our fallen soldiers and became the legitimisation of Chinese control over 2,000 square kilometres of land in eastern Ladakh."
Despite 21 rounds of military talks over four years, the situation remains unfavourable. Leh's Superintendent of Police has clearly shown that our troops were unable to reach 26 out of 65 patrolling points that they could access prior to May 5, 2020, Ramesh claimed.
China's aggressive build up and intrusions are not restricted to Ladakh, he said, adding that along Arunachal Pradesh, the Chinese continue to build forces and infrastructure that pose a direct threat to India's Siliguri Corridor, which connects northeast India with the rest of the country. -- PTI
10:57 Has BJP fallen into Congress trap?
On balance, RG contesting from Rae Bareli instead of Amethi isn't the masterstroke the party's adherents are touting it to be, but neither is it the blunder the BJP and its tame media is framing it as, points out Prem Panicker. Read the column here.
Dimple Yadav will be contesting from Mainpuri
10:49 All eyes on Family Yadav for 3rd phase tomorrow
Ten parliamentary constituencies of Uttar Pradesh will go to polls in the third phase of Lok Sabha elections on Tuesday, with all eyes on Samajwadi Party patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav's family members.
While Dimple Yadav is aiming to retain the Mainpuri Lok Sabha seat, which she won in the bypolls following the demise of her father-in-law Mulayam Singh Yadav, Akshaya Yadav, son of Ram Gopal Yadav, the national principal general secretary of SP, will try to reclaim the Firozabad seat, which he had won in 2014.
Aditya Yadav, the son of SP national general secretary Shivpal Yadav, is making his electoral debut from the Budaun Lok Sabha seat, which was represented by his cousin Dharmendra Yadav in 2014. Besides the Yadav family members, polling will be held to seal the fate of Union Minister SP Singh Baghel, Uttar Pradesh's Tourism Minister Jayveer Singh, Minister of State for Revenue Anoop Pradhan Balmiki. Baghel, Jayveer Singh, and Balmiki are contesting from Agra (SC), Mainpuri, and Hathras (SC) Lok Sabha seats respectively.
Rajveer Singh, son of former Uttar Pradesh chief minister and BJP stalwart Kalyan Singh, is looking to score a hat-trick from the Etah parliamentary constituency, which was also represented in 2009 by Kalyan Singh as a candidate of the Jan Kranti Party.
In Bareilly, the main contest has narrowed down to the BJP's Chhatrapal Singh Gangwar and SP's Praveen Singh Aron, after the nomination paper of the BSP candidate Master Chhotey Lal Gangwar was rejected. In the third phase, the BJP has given tickets to five new faces --- Chhatrapal Gangwar from Bareilly, Durvijay Singh Shakya from Budaun, Anoop Pradhan Balmiki from Hathras-SC, Vishwadeep Singh from Firozabad, and Jayveer Singh from Mainpuri Lok Sabha seat.
Over 1.88 crore voters are eligible to decide the fate of 100 candidates in this phase. -- PTI
Amit Shah at a rally in Andhra Pradesh
10:42 First road, then vote, protest Vizag tribals
The tribals of Madrebu village of Anantgiri Mandal in Visakhapatnam district staged a protest by travelling on horses through the forests to demand road facilities to their villages on Sunday.
The protesters warned that they would boycott voting on May 13 unless the government addresses their transportation needs. It is alleged that the figures show that crores of funds have been spent for the Adivasis, but the development works are not seen in reality.
Govind Raju who is the tribal association leader, said, "For us, horses are cargo buses to transport agricultural produce to local markets for sale. Additionally, we use horses as ambulances to take patients or full-term pregnant women to health centres."
Raju also alleged that there is no change in the lives of tribals, no matter how many governments change and added, "They depend on the forest to survive and are facing many problems with lack of minimal infrastructure. There is no road to go to the hospital in an emergency."
The tribal leader also complained about the medical facilities and said, "There is no medical facility nearby. To go to the hospital, one has to cross streams and bends or carry a dolly. In this case, many pregnant women have given birth in the forest... At a time when the general elections are approaching in Andhra Pradesh, the tribals of Alluri district have launched an innovative protest."
Earlier, Former MP Botsa Jhansi Lakshmi, who is contesting the Lok Sabha elections on the YSRCP ticket from Visakhapatnam on May 4 had asserted that Vizag (Visakhapatnam) is a well-developed city with advantageous geographical positioning and robust connectivity, drawing the attention of global investors.
It is rapidly growing, and ranked as the ninth richest city in the country for contributing a significant USD 43.5 billion to the GDP, the former MP said that the city is set to emerge as a vital financial growth engine for the state. She further said that the advancement of North Andhra depends upon the development of Vizag. -- ANI
10:36 ED recovers Rs 20 cr cash from J'khand minister's aide's help
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has conducted raids at multiple locations in Ranchi on Monday morning, uncovering over Rs 20 crore from the residence of a household help employed by Sanjiv Lal, the Personal Secretary to Jharkhand Rural Development Minister Alamgir Alam.
The counting of the recovered cash is still in process.
The raids are part of an ongoing investigation related to the case involving Virendra K. Ram, the chief engineer at the Jharkhand Rural Development Department, who was arrested in February 2023 in connection with alleged irregularities in the implementation of government schemes.
"The Enforcement Directorate is conducting raids at multiple locations in Ranchi, Jharkhand. A huge amount of cash was recovered from the household help of Sanjiv Lal, PS to Alamgir Alam, Rural Development Minister, Jharkhand. More than Rs 20 crores has been counted so far. Counting is still in process," ED officials said.
In 2019, a huge amount of cash was recovered from one of his subordinates. Later, the ED took over the case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.ED arrested Virendra K Ram, the chief engineer at the Jharkhand Rural Development Department, in February 2023 in a money laundering case linked to alleged irregularities in the implementation of some schemes. -- ANI
Ujjwal Nikam
10:21 Was your rule then: Nikam on Cong's 26/11 statement
Ujjwal Nikam, 26/11 prosecutor and BJP candidate from Mumbai North Central Lok Sabha constituency hit out at Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar on Monday for his remarks in connection with the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack.
Wadettiwar, the Leader of Opposition in the Maharashtra Assembly, on Sunday, stirred a controversy by claiming that former Mumbai ATS chief Hemant Karkare was "not killed by terrorists during the 26/11 attack but by a police official close to Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh."
Nikam dismissed the claims by the Congress leader calling them "baseless" and alleged that the latter just wants to do "Goebbels' propaganda" making references to Joseph Goebbels who was Hitler's aide and Nazi Party chief propagandist.
"What allegations are you making? What will Pakistan say? Pakistan has never denied this. because we produced judicial proof. But our man is doing politics. You just want to do propaganda -- that too Goebbels' propaganda. This doesn't defame Nikam. It defames you," Nikam said while speaking to ANI on Monday.
The 26/11 prosecutor also criticised Wadettiwar for making such comments after his candidature was announced. He also accused the Congress leader of "insulting" Hemant Karkare.
"I am not bothered by Vijay Wadettiwar's allegations against me but the fact that Kasab and his colleague Abu Ismail killed Hemant Karkare was never disputed even by Pakistan but the leader of the opposition is questioning the whole case, it is not just an insult to the 166 people died but all our martyrs. I am sad that an Opposition leader who doesn't know the entire thing believes in a book and makes baseless statements. It means that you are insulting Hemant Karkare," Nikam said.
"What is the judicial finding? Kasab confessed that when he and his friend were reaching outside Cama Hospital, they saw a police jeep and those two opened fire - that killed three police officers. They put their bodies at the back of the vehicle and left with the jeep. We examined it and found that it was not police personnel but a driver who was reversing his car. He was an eyewitness. We also have a statement from the man who was with (Hemant) Karkare and (Vijay) Salaskar in the vehicle. It was your rule at that time. You are making this statement after my candidature," he added. -- ANI
Cong leader Vijay Wadettiwar
09:43 'Kasab didn't kill Karkare' remark: BJP seeks action
The Bharatiya Janata Party has written to the Election Commission of India seeking action against the Congress and its leader Vijay Wadettiwar for allegedly peddling lies and defaming the saffron party's Mumbai North Central nominee and lawyer Ujjwal Nikam.
Wadettiwar, the leader of opposition in the Maharashtra legislative assembly, purportedly called Nikam an "anti-national" and accused him of hiding the information that then Maharashtra ATS chief Hemant Karkare was not killed by terrorist Ajmal Kasab's bullet during the 26/11 terror attack, but fell to a bullet of a policeman affiliated to the RSS.
His allegations were based on the book 'Who Killed Karkare' written by retired police officer SM Mushriff.
"As a responsible leader, the opposition leader should desist from making such comments that can help the enemy nation," Nikam said on Sunday.
Terming Wadettiwar's statements as "false and not based on facts", Mumbai BJP president Ashish Shelar claimed they were aimed at defaming Nikam and inciting emotions.
"We have written to the Election Commission of India seeking action against Wadettiwar who is a star campaigner (of Congress) and also against the Congress party for peddling lies," he added.
Shelar said Kasab was sentenced to death for killing innocent people after following the due process of law.
Kasab was the lone terrorist who was captured alive by Mumbai police during the 26/11 terror attack by Pakistani terrorists in which at least 166 people were killed and several others were injured. -- PTI
09:14 Congress nominee for Puri assembly seat attacked, injured
Congress nominee for Puri assembly seat Uma Ballav Rath was seriously injured on Sunday after he was assaulted by unknown miscreants, police said.
Rath, who sustained head and body injuries, filed a complaint at Kumbharpada police station.
He claimed that while canvassing near the bus stand, he was suddenly attacked by unknown people with bricks and glass bottles. Local residents intervened and saved him, prompting a police response led by the City DSP.
"Some unknown miscreants assaulted me while I was canvassing near the bus stand. Suddenly, some people came and attacked me," Rath, a former MLA, told reporters.
It is suspected that Rath candidature as the Congress nominee could have been a reason for the attack. Though the party had initially announced Sujit Mohapatra as its candidate for the seat, it later dropped him and nominated Rath.
However, Rath said he would not blame anyone. "Let the police investigate into the matter," he said.
Meanwhile, angry over the change of candidate by the Congress leadership, supporters of Mohapatra ransacked the party's district office in the town, police said.
Mohapatra alleged that he was dropped by the party after he filed nomination papers. -- PTI
08:46 Won't go back to BJP even if...: Uddhav
Shiv Sena-UBT chief Uddhav Thackeray on Sunday said even if the Bharatiya Janata Party opens the door for him, he will not go back to his former ally, accusing the saffron party of sinking his government in 2022 through "treachery".
Addressing a rally at Alibaug in Maharashtra's Raigad district, Thackeray claimed if the BJP wins the Lok Sabha polls, crackers will be burst in India as well as in China as there will be a "timid" government in New Delhi.
He slammed the BJP over Prime Minister Narendra Modi's remarks that Pakistan was eager to make Congress MP Rahul Gandhi India's next PM. Thackeray said the former ally resorts to fearmongering using Pakistan's name during polls.
Referring to the Poonch terror attack, Thackeray said the PM and Union Home Minister Amit Shah won't go there, but visit Maharashtra to destroy him.
One soldier was killed and four were injured after terrorists ambushed an Indian Air Force (IAF) convoy in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district on Saturday, three weeks ahead of polling in Anantnag-Rajouri Lok Sabha constituency.
"Even if the doors are open, do whatever you want. I will not come to you. And there will be no need to come back to you because you will not be there (in power)," Thackeray said, adding that his government was pulled down through "treachery" in 2022.
The Thackeray-led Maha Vikas Aghadi government in the state collapsed in June 2022 after Eknath Shinde led a rebellion in the undivided Shiv Sena and joined hands with the BJP to become the chief minister.
In an interview to a news channel last week, Modi had said that he would respect Uddhav Thackeray as Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray's son and would be the first person to help him if he is in distress. -- PTI
08:25 Poonch terror attack 'poll stunt': Ex-Punjab CM
Congress leader Charanjit Singh Channi on Sunday called the Poonch terror attack in which an IAF soldier was killed and four were injured, a "stunt" meant to make the BJP win the Lok Sabha elections.
The remark by the former Punjab chief minister and Congress candidate Jalandhar parliamentary constituency triggered a row with Union Minister Anurag Thakur asking the Congress leadership to seek an apology from Channi for insulting soldiers with this deplorable statement.
BJP leader Manjinder Singh Sirsa called Channi's statement appalling and disrespectful towards soldiers.
Replying to a question on the attack on the Indian Air Force's convoy in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch, Channi said, "'Yeh stuntbaazi ho rahi hai, hamle nahi ho rahe' (These are all stunts, not attacks)."
"Whenever elections are near, such stunts are performed to make the BJP win. There is no truth in it," he said while replying to the question in Jalandhar.
Channi is the Congress candidate from the Jalandhar parliamentary constituency.
"The BJP knows how to play with people's lives and bodies," he further alleged.
One soldier was killed and four were injured as terrorists ambushed an Indian Air Force (IAF) convoy in Poonch district on Saturday, three weeks ahead of polling in Anantnag-Rajouri Lok Sabha constituency.
The officials suspect the involvement of the same group of terrorists who ambushed troops in adjoining Bufliaz on December 21 last year, leaving four soldiers dead and three injured.
Union Minister Thakur strongly condemned Channi's remarks and asked the Congress whether it will insult soldiers to win elections.
He asked Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and party president Mallikarjun Kharge to seek an apology from Channi.
"They insult our Army and question the capability of our Army," said Thakur, who was in Jalandhar on Sunday.
"Will the Congress insult our brave soldiers to win elections," he asked.
Punjab BJP chief Sunil Jakhar also condemned Channi's remarks as "shameful".
"Ghastly statement by CWC member Channi belittling the valour of our brave soldiers is no less a crime and an insult to the nation. Channi's shameful statement on the attack on our Air Force personnel in Poonch calling their valour as a stunt shows the bankruptcy and frustration of Channi," he said.
"The nation will not forgive him. He should hang his head in shame. The Congress and its allies should come clean on this issue. They should publicly disassociate from his statement and ask him to apologise to the nation immediately," Jakhar said in a post on X. -- PTI
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