Cops Not At Fault In Gangster Atiq Ahmad's Killing: UP To Supreme Court

The Uttar Pradesh government has told the Supreme Court that "no fault" has been found on the part of the police in an ongoing probe into the killing of gangster and former Lok Sabha member Atiq Ahmad and his brother Ashraf in Prayagraj on April 15.

In a status report filed in the court, the state of Uttar Pradesh has said it has left no stone unturned to ensure a fair and impartial investigation into the incident and other cases, including the killing of gangster Vikas Dubey and various police encounters since 2017, raised by the petitioner.

Ahmad (60) and Ashraf were shot dead at point-blank range by three men posing as journalists while police personnel were escorting them to a medical college for examination on April 15. The entire shooting was captured live on national television.

In its report, the state has given details of the status of cases mentioned in the plea filed by advocate Vishal Tiwari, who sought an independent probe into the killing of Ahmad and Ashraf, and about compliance with various past recommendations of the court and various commissions.

Giving details of the probe conducted in the killing of Ahmad and Ashraf, the status report said "investigation is partially ongoing to collect evidence on some other points".

On details about some encounters, including that of gangster Vikas Dubey in July 2020, the state has said these incidents were thoroughly investigated in accordance with the guidelines and directions issued by the court in its verdicts.

The status report said that "each of the seven incidents (including the murder of Ahmad and Ashraf) highlighted by the petitioner in his pleadings, have been thoroughly investigated by the state in accordance with the directions/guidelines issued by this court in various decisions, and where the investigations are complete, no fault has been found on the part of the police".

The report was filed before the top court which is seized of two separate petitions - one filed by Tiwari and the other by Aisha Noori, sister of gangster- politician Ahmad, seeking a direction for a comprehensive probe into the killing of her brothers.

It said Tiwari has mostly "re-agitated" issues that have already been decided and closed by the Supreme Court in earlier proceedings.

"A perusal of the present writ petition demonstrates that the petitioner (Tiwari) purports to be concerned with deaths of criminals in alleged police encounters in UP and to that end, mentions the deaths of dreaded gangster Vikas Dubey and some of his gang members in police encounters in the state of UP," it said.

The report said the petitioner has also specifically raised grievances against the report of Justice BS Chauhan Commission.

Former court judge Chauhan headed the commission that probed the encounter killing of Vikas Dubey in 2020.

Dubey and his men had ambushed and killed eight policemen at his native Bikru village in Kanpur district in July 2020.

He was arrested in Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh and was being brought back to Uttar Pradesh police's custody when he allegedly tried to escape and was shot dead. Doubts were raised about the genuineness of the police encounter.

The Justice Chauhan Commission had concluded that the police version of the deaths of Dubey and his associates in retaliatory firing incidents in the days following his encounter killing could not be doubted.

The status report said apart from the Justice BS Chauhan Commission's report finding no fault with the actions of the State, "even the criminal inquiries, magisterial inquiries, Human Rights Commission, have not found fault with the state".

"At the outset, it is reiterated that Atiq Ahmad… was a notorious and dreaded gangster and leader of registered gang IS 227, who had been involved in more than 100 criminal cases including cases of murder, dacoity, kidnapping, extortion, forgery, vandalism of public property...," it said.

It said there is regular monitoring of police self-defence actions in which accused persons have died.

"In all the police encounter incidents that have taken place since 2017, details related to the killed criminals and the results of the investigation/enquiry are collected and scrutinised every month at the police headquarters level," the report said.

It said the state continuously monitors all police action and takes immediate remedial or corrective steps, if necessary.

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Other Backward Classes Won't Lose Out: Chief Minister On Maratha Quota

The reservation of Other Backward Classes (OBC) will not be touched while giving quota to the Maratha community, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said on Friday.

During the day, Eknath Shinde held a meeting with representatives of the OBC and Nomadic Tribes at Sahyadri Guest House. It was attended by Deputy Chief Ministers Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar as well as senior ministers and officials. Representatives from these segments put forth their demands in the meeting.

"The government's stand is that the quota of no community will not be diluted. While giving reservation to the Maratha community, the quota of other communities will remain unaffected," Mr Shinde said.

The government stands firmly behind the Nomadic Tribes, he said, adding that officials have been directed to start 72 hostels for OBC students.

Devendra Fadnavis said the implementation of schemes of Rs 4,000 crore is being done.

Sharad Pawar, who handles the finance department in the Shinde government, said the NT community will be allocated a huge amount of funds in the budget.

Meanwhile, Sachin Rajurkar, general secretary of the Rashtriya OBC Mahasangh, who took part in the meeting, said Mr Fadnavis will go to Chandrapur to persuade Ravindra Tonge to call off his 19-day hunger strike.

Mr Tonge, the head of the students' wing of the Rashtriya OBC Mahasangh, is on hunger strike for various demands and has opposed the inclusion of the Maratha community in the OBC segment for reservation purposes.

Mr Rajurkar claimed Ravindra Tonge will call off his hunger strike on Saturday on the back of assurances from the state government, adding that a 'bandh' call for Chandrapur has been withdrawn.

However, sources from Mr Fadnavis' office just said he is likely to go to Chandrapur on Saturday.

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Manipur Panel To Probe Use Of "Excess Force" Against Student Protesters

The Manipur government on Thursday constituted a committee to verify complaints of alleged use of excessive force on protesters, mainly students, by security forces here over the last two days, an official order said.

The order issued by the DGP said, "There have been various reports/allegations of use of excess force by the security forces to maintain law and order over the last few days in Imphal area." The committee will be headed by IGP (Administration) K Jayanta, the order said, adding that it will "submit the report at the earliest." Violent protests rocked Manipur's capital for two days on Tuesday and Wednesday as thousands of students protested the kidnapping and killing of two youths, pictures of whose bodies had gone viral.

On Tuesday night, a clash occurred between RAF personnel and locals over the murder of the duo, prompting the law enforcers to lob tear gas shells and fire rubber bullets at the agitators and baton-charge them, leaving 45 of the protesters, mostly students, injured.

Due to excess use of force by the Armed Forces in the last few days, State Government has initiated a Committee which will be led by IGP Adm Manipur to take action against any personnel involved for any excess committed. Strict action should be taken against any of these... pic.twitter.com/0fVDdAMqmE

— Rajkumar Imo Singh (@imosingh) September 28, 2023

On Wednesday, around 20 protesters were injured in similar clashes with security forces.

Meanwhile, the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) has condemned the "brutal act of RAF and security forces" against student protesters on Wednesday and termed it as a "violation of human rights." Two school students were badly injured after being hit by "multiple pellet bullets" fired by security forces during the students' protest rally against the killing of the two youths.

One student had more than thirty pellets lodged on the back of his head while another had his shoulder torn open after being hit by a lethal weapon, hospital officials told reporters.

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80 kgs Of Drugs Worth 800 Crores Seized In Gujarat's Kutch District: Cops

Nearly 80 kilograms of drugs, valued at approximately Rs 800 crore in the international market, was seized from the state's Kutch district, the police said.

As soon as information was received, the police swung into action, officials said. The accused left the consignment and fled, they added.

According to the Superintendent of Police, Kutch East, Sagar Bagmar, "Gujarat Police seized 80 kg of drug from the coast, whose value in the international market is Rs 800 crore. As soon as the information was received, the police swung into action, the accused left the drug and ran away from the spot".

"The case is being further investigated," he added.

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"Bharat Product Of Sanatana Dharma": Tamil Nadu Governor Jabs Stalin Junior

Even as the fury over DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin's rant against Sanatan Dharma is yet to die down, Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi on Wednesday said that the successful hosting of the G20 Summit by India, under the theme "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam" (One Earth, One Family, One Future), has got the world to acknowledge and celebrate Sanatana Dharma like never before.

In a veiled jibe at the DMK minister, the Governor said Sanatana dharma is "indestructible".

Addressing a conference in Chennai earlier, Udhayanidhi Stalin equated Sanatana dharma with "mosquitoes, dengue, malaria, fever, and Corona" and called for it to be eradicated as opposed to being merely opposed.

"On the 9th and 10th of this month, the world celebrated the 'Sanatana Utsava' in New Delhi as we hosted the G20 Summit. This is because the G20 Summit under Bharat's presidency was done with full commitment to Sanatana values, Sanatana Dharma, Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam... Today, the world has begun celebrating Sanatana Dharma," Mr Ravi said.

The Governor said, "Some people are distorting the ideas and beliefs around Satanana by making all sorts of negative remarks. They are doing so out of their selfish interests. They disregard the value of Sanatan. However, Sanatana is indestructible."

"We have to be awake and alert to our responsibilities. If anyone speaks about eradicating it (Sanatana) or causing it any harm, we must realise that they are peddling an agenda to break the country," Governor Ravi said.

Stressing that the "core strength" of Bharat lies in Sanatana, he claimed that "anti-national elements were attempting to strike at the very core of the country".

"That is what the Britishers did, or tried to do. They succeeded in breaking Bharat as Partition saw the country being splintered into two," the Tamil Nadu Governor said, adding, "Bharat cannot afford another partition".

Invoking Ambedkar, he said, "Our Constitution says, 'India that is Bharat'. Bharat is a product of Sanatana Dharma. Unfortunately, after the Britishers left, we didn't do much to make the citizens understand what Bharat is."

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Give Chandigarh To Punjab, No Spare Water To Share: Bhagwant Mann

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann Tuesday sought handing over of Chandigarh to Punjab and strongly opposed the construction of the Sutlej-Yamuna Link canal - a contentious issue between Punjab and Haryana -- saying it can lead to serious law and order issues.

Speaking during the 31st Northern Zonal Council meeting here, Mr Mann opposed the proposal of affiliation of Haryana colleges with Panjab University, levying of water cess by the Himachal Pradesh government on hydropower projects, and Rajasthan's demand of becoming the member of the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB).

The CM called for prosecution of illegal travel agents, demanding formation of a centre of excellence to counter the threat of drones, expediting the setting up of a regional centre of National Security Guards in Pathankot, and revision of flood relief norms.

The 31st NZC meeting was presided over by Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

The NZC comprises Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan and Himachal Pradesh and the Union Territories of Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, and Chandigarh.

Presenting his case for handing over Chandigarh to the state of Punjab, the CM said the capital city of Punjab was officially shifted from Shimla to Chandigarh on September 21, 1953.

However, at the time of bifurcation of the state in 1966, the city of Chandigarh was made a Union Territory under the provisions of the Punjab Reorganization Act, 1966 with effect from November 1, 1966, he added That has been the status quo since and it is a grave injustice with the people of the state, Mann said.

"Chandigarh was formed as a new Capital of Punjab over the land acquired in the state of Punjab," he asserted.

Mann said although the issue has remained under deliberation at various forums, the demand for Chandigarh's restoration to Punjab has not been addressed yet. Chandigarh is the joint capital of Punjab and Haryana.

On the SYL issue, Mann reiterated that the state has no spare water to share with any other state, so instead of the SYL canal, the project should be now be conceived as Yamuna-Sutlej Link.

The Sutlej River has already dried up and there is no question of sharing "even a single drop of water from it." Rather, water from Ganga and Yamuna should be supplied to Punjab through Sutlej river, he said.

He said the SYL canal is a highly emotive issue for Punjab and its construction will lead to serious law and order issue with potential to affect the entire country, in addition to Haryana and Rajasthan.

Mann said Punjab has no surplus water to share with Haryana and reassessment of availability of water is needed to be done as per international norms, and demanded setting up of a new tribunal.

He said the state has been requesting for its association in negotiations for allocation of Yamuna waters, but its request has not been considered on the ground that no geographical area of Punjab falls in Yamuna basin.

Mr Mann said that Haryana is not the basin state of Ravi and Beas rivers, yet Punjab is forced to share waters of these rivers with Haryana.

If Haryana gets Ravi-Beas water being a successor state of Punjab, the same example should be followed for Yamuna and its water should be shared with Punjab, he argued.

Opposing the water cess levied by Himachal Pradesh on hydro-power projects, Mann cited the section 7 of the Inter State River Water Disputes Act, 1956, which says no state government shall impose a fee on other state or its inhabitants, if the basis of the levy is that works for conservation, regulation or utilization of water of the inter-state river has been constructed within the limits of the state.

Mann strongly opposed Rajasthan's demand for membership of the BBMB, saying it is a body constituted under the provisions of the Punjab Reorganization Act 1966, which primarily deals with the successor states of Punjab and Haryana.

Mann also flagged the issue of the Shanan Power House in Jogindernagar, accusing HP of unnecessarily raising the issue of its transfer on the ground that the 99-year lease of land is expiring in 2024.

He also made a case for using the water from Ujh and Ravi rivers going to Pakistan. He said that the state had proposed long back to stop this water by constructing a barrage across Ravi just downstream to the confluence point with Ujh at Makaura Pattan, which is within 4 km from Indo-Pak border.

On the Panjab University issue, Mann argued that Haryana and Himachal Pradesh cannot lay a claim on the varsity having unilaterally withdrawn their colleges from it in 1973 and 1975 and set up their own universities and stopped funding the Panjab University altogether.

It is Punjab which nurtured this university for 50 years, he said.

Mann also underscored the need for revision of clause of paid military for Punjab.

Being a border state, the state is fighting the nation's war to combat terrorism and drugs but unfortunately whenever the state needs central para military forces to maintain law and order on behalf of the country we are asked to pay a hefty fee for it, Mann claimed.

On Rajasthan' demand to maintain full level of Pong and Bhakra dams, Mann said no flood water from Sutlej or Beas flows to Haryana or Rajasthan or to any other state due to which Punjab had to face all the damage caused by the floods in 1988, 2019, and most recently a month ago.

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Odisha Family Told Baby Boy Born, Doctor Hands Them Girl, Probe Ordered

A man in Odisha's Kendrapara district on Tuesday alleged that his newborn son was swapped with a girl child in a government hospital, prompting the authorities to order an investigation into the complaint.

The man and his family refused to accept the girl child and demanded a DNA test to ascertain her biological parents.

The hospital authorities said that the attendant concerned probably had given the information wrong to the family by mistake.

Pranakrushna Parija from Rajkanika area alleged that his family was informed by the hospital staff that his wife gave birth to a male child at about 10.30 pm on Monday night, but a girl child was handed over to her.

Parija also claimed that several others including security guards posted at the hospital had also heard it when a labour room staff informed the family about his wife delivering a male child.

However, he also said that a doctor later clarified that the attendant had given that information by mistake.

Admitting that the allegation was serious, Director of Capital Hospital Dr Laxmidhar Sahoo said preliminary investigation revealed that the complainant's wife had delivered a girl child.

It could be a slip of the tongue on the part of the attendant, who said it was a boy while informing the family members waiting outside the labour room, he said.

The director, however, said that he has formed a committee, led by the Medical Superintendent, to conduct a probe.

"Efforts are made to convince the couple. If the complainant is not convinced, the matter will be referred to the police and if necessary, steps will be taken to conduct a DNA test to ascertain the biological parents of the child," the director said.

Pranakrushna Parija also lodged a complaint to the police in this connection.

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Amit Khare Gets Extension As Advisor To PM Modi

 Former bureaucrat Amit Khare was on Monday given extension as advisor to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a Personnel Ministry order said.

He was appointed to the post for two years in October 2021.

Mr Khare, a 1985-batch (retired) Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the Jharkhand cadre, had superannuated on September 30, 2021. He last served as the higher education secretary.

The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved the extension in Mr Khare's tenure, on contract basis on the usual terms and conditions as are applicable in the case of re-employed officers of secretary-level in the government of India, beyond October 12, 2023 for a period "co-terminus with the term of Prime Minister", the order said.

In another order, the ACC has approved the extension in tenure of Rajesh S Gokhale as secretary, Department of Biotechnology, for a period of two years -- with effect from November 1, 2023.

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Supreme Court's 7-Judge Bench To Reconsider Its 1998 Verdict Involving MPs

A seven-judge bench of the Supreme Court, headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud, will reconsider the apex court's 1998 verdict granting MPs and MLAs immunity from prosecution for taking bribe to make a speech or vote in Parliament and state legislatures.

A notice, uploaded on the apex court website, said the bench will hear the matter on October 4.

"Constitution Bench comprising the Chief Justice of India, Justice A S Bopanna, Justice M M Sundresh, Justice Pamidighantam Sri Narasimha, Justice J B Pardiwala, Justice Sanjay Kumar and Justice Manoj Misra is constituted to hear criminal appeal no. 451/2019 titled Sita Soren vs Union of India on October 4 (Wednesday)," the notice said.

Nearly 25 years after the JMM bribery scandal rocked the country, the apex court had on September 20 agreed to reconsider its 1998 judgment, saying it was an important issue having a significant bearing on "morality of polity".

A five-judge bench of the apex court had decided to refer the issue to a larger seven-judge bench.

The top court had in its 1998 five-judge constitution bench verdict delivered in the PV Narasimha Rao versus CBI case held that parliamentarians have immunity under the Constitution against criminal prosecution for any speech made and vote cast inside the House as per Article 105(2) and Article 194(2) of the Constitution.

Article 105(2) of the Constitution stipulates that no member of Parliament shall be liable to any proceedings in court in respect of anything said or any vote cast in Parliament or any committee thereof. A similar provision exists for MLAs under Article 194(2).

In 2019, a bench headed by then chief justice Ranjan Gogoi, which was hearing an appeal filed by Sita Soren, JMM MLA from Jama and daughter-in-law of party chief Shibu Soren, who was an accused in the JMM bribery scandal, had referred to a five-judge bench the crucial question, noting it had "wide ramification" and was of "substantial public importance".

Sita Soren was accused of taking bribe to vote for a particular candidate in the Rajya Sabha election in 2012. She had contended that the constitutional provision granting lawmakers immunity from prosecution, which saw her father-in-law being let off the hook in the JMM bribery scandal, be applied to her.

The three-judge bench had then said it will revisit its verdict in the sensational JMM bribery case involving Shibu Soren, a former Jharkhand chief minister and ex-union minister, and four other party MPs who had allegedly accepted bribes to vote against the no-confidence motion challenging the survival of the P V Narasimha Rao government in 1993.

The Narasimha Rao government, which was in a minority, survived the no-confidence vote with their support.

The CBI registered a case against Soren and four other JMM Lok Sabha MPs but the Supreme Court quashed it citing the immunity from prosecution they enjoyed under Article 105(2) of the Constitution.

Sita Soren had appealed against the Jharkhand High Court order of February 17, 2014 refusing to quash a criminal case lodged against her for allegedly taking bribe to vote for a particular candidate in the 2012 Rajya Sabha elections. The CBI had accused her of accepting bribe from one candidate and voting for another. 

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177 Ayushman Bharat Cards Are Made Every Minute: Health Ministry

As many as 177 Ayushman Bharat cards are made and 30 hospital admissions undertaken per minute under the Centre's flagship scheme for providing health insurance, the Union Health Ministry said on Monday.

Highlighting the benefits accruing to the most vulnerable and poorest communities of the country, Minister of State for Health SP Singh Baghel urged Delhi, Odisha and West Bengal to join the AB-PMJAY scheme.

He was speaking at the inaugural session of Arogya Manthan, being held to celebrate five years of Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) and two years of Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM).

Ayushman Bharat is the most important government welfare scheme underway in India today, as it helps the poor access the best treatment, same as the rich which was not possible earlier, Mr Baghel said.

Union Health Secretary Sudhansh Pant said that 44 per cent of hospitalisations are of women beneficiaries, whereas eight hospitals are being empanelled per day, on average.

Mr Pant said that around 60 per cent of the amount has been used for tertiary care hospitalisation, which had been one of the aims of PM-JAY when it was launched.

He said that 177 Ayushman PMJAY cards are being made, along with 30 hospital admissions, per minute.

The two-day event (25th and 26th September 2023) at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi will see discussions and deliberations on challenges, trends and best practices related to the two schemes.

Awards were given out to states for effective implementation of PM-JAY and ABDM under various categories like gender equity service delivery, efficient grievance redressal and the highest number of treatments In terms of the highest number of treatments, the awards were won by Kerala, Meghalaya, and Puducherry in the categories of large state, small state, and Union Territories respectively.

In gender equity in service delivery, the awards were won by Karnataka, Meghalaya and Jammu and Kashmir in the category of large state, small state, and Union Territories respectively.

The award for the facility that generated the most number of ABHA Scan and Share tokens went to AIIMS, Delhi.

In a video message, Union Minister of State for Health Bharati Pravin Pawar said that both these schemes have been essential to build the foundation for a strong nation.

The PMJAY provides assurance of Rs 5 lakh per year per family, ensuring that quality healthcare is made accessible to all, without creating any financial burden on anyone.

Pravin Pawar said that under PM-JAY around 5.59 crore hospital admissions have been undertaken. "Today, around 27,343 hospitals have been empanelled under Ayushman Bharat, providing both cashless and portable treatment facilities."

On ABDM, the minister said it has been functioning on a mission mode to help build a digital health ecosystem that supports universal health coverage, with all stakeholders together on a digital platform.

Today more than 45 crore ABHA IDs have been created, 2,19,546 health facilities have been registered, and around 2,28,794 healthcare professionals have been onboarded under ABDM, which shows that health services are being saturated, including by use of digital tools, Mr Pawar said.

She concluded her address by saying, "Our goal is to ensure that all beneficiaries have access to accessible affordable and quality healthcare with the use of Ayushman Cards, and we must continue to work together to create a healthier nation for our citizens."

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2 Dead In Bihar After Consuming Suspected Toxic Liquor: Police

In a suspected hooch tragedy in Bihar, two persons have died and as many have lost their eyesight after consuming spurious liquor in Muzaffarpur district, a police officer said on Sunday.

According to Additional SP Awadhesh Dixit, the incident was reported from Qazi Mohammadpur police station area and the wife and daughter of the alleged supplier, who is on the run, have been taken into custody.

"We received information that in the Pokharia Pir Mohalla, Umesh Sah, 55, and Pappu Ram have died. Their family members said they returned home drunk three days ago, took ill and their condition continued to worsen despite medical treatment," Mr Dixit told PTI over phone.

"Two others, Dharmendra Ram and Raju Ram, both residents of the same locality, reported loss of eyesight. Dharmendra Ram told the police that they had purchased liquor from Shivchandra Paswan, whose family is involved in the illegal business," said the ASP.

According to a statement issued by the district police headquarters, bodies of the victims have been sent for post-mortem examination while a team of forensic experts is scanning the area for clues.

The two survivors, who lost their eyesight, told reporters that they used to frequently visit the hideout of Paswan, situated close to a local ice factory, for their quota of toddy.

On the fateful day, they were told by Paswan that toddy was not available and offered a concoction promising it would give them a high.

Notably, the Nitish Kumar government imposed a complete ban on the sale and consumption of liquor in Bihar in 2016.

The ban extends to toddy, mahua and other forms of locally made intoxicants.

Meanwhile, the ASP said a search was on for Paswan, who has been jailed in the past for flouting the prohibition law.

Paswan's wife and daughter are being interrogated by police.

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Court's Explanation For Hiking Maintenance Payable To Woman

Enhancing the maintenance amount payable by a husband to his wife, the Karnataka High Court observed that when he could maintain a fleet of cars and repay a business loan of Rs 7.72 lakh per month, he could surely support his partner and son.

Directing the apellant to pay maintenance of Rs 1.5 lakh per month to his wife as against Rs 75,000 awarded by the Family court, Justice M Nagaprasanna said, “When the husband is or has been in the realm of luxury lifestyle, the wife and the son, in the considered view of the Court, cannot be left in the lurch."

"If the husband has been leading a good life, the wife cannot be asked to lead a life which is lower than that of the husband that too taking care of the needs of herself and education of her son," he said, allowing the wife's plea for increasing the maintenance amount and dismissing the man's petition challenging the lower court order.

The couple got hitched in 2001 and has a 21-year-old son. Both started a business together and later the wife transferred all her shares to the husband.

She also set up her own companies.

In 2021, the wife filed a criminal case against the husband and another petition for annulment of the marriage.

Her application seeking maintenance was allowed by the Family Court, which then reached the HC.

The husband's counsel claimed that the wife had her own companies and was in a position to maintain herself.

The man claimed to have a business loan which required him to pay Rs 7.72 lakh per month and, therefore, the maintenance amount of Rs 75,000 was on the higher side, which he cannot pay.

The wife's counsel argued that “every month the husband spends Rs 12 lakh for himself and has a fleet of cars that he is maintaining. He is willing to maintain cars and not wife and his son.” In its recent judgment, the HC said the social status of the wife and child has to be maintained by the husband.

“Due regard should be given to certain relevant factors like social status of the parties and the kind of life that the wife and son were living while they were all staying together. It is not a luxury lifestyle that can be demanded by the wife,” the single judge bench said.

“The wife in turn has also filed her assets and liabilities statement and the bank statement. Up to March 2022, the earning of the wife per month is Rs 47,736 while the expenditure of the husband per month even according to his indication is Rs 11 lakh,” it pointed out.

Apart from the monthly maintenance of Rs 1.5 lakh, the HC also directed the husband to “pay litigation expenses incurred by the wife and educational expenses of the child.” 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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"Watershed Moment In Indian Legal Landscape Is...": Supreme Court Judge

Supreme Court judge Justice Hima Kohli Saturday said 'The Mediation Act, 2023' was a watershed moment in the Indian legal history and the legislation is a testament to the collective yearning for a more efficient, harmonious and less adversarial method of dispute resolution.

Justice Kohli said while no single approach can be a panacea for all legal challenges, the 2023 Act is indeed a promising addition to "our toolkit, encouraging dialogue over discord".

She was speaking at a technical session on "Alternate Dispute Resolution in International Transactions" at the 'International Lawyers' Conference 2023', organised by the Bar Council of India (BCI).

"A watershed moment in the Indian legal landscape is the Mediation Act, 2023," Justice Kohli said, adding, "It offers autonomy to the parties to resolve their differences creatively, thereby preserving relationships and saving both, time and resources".

She said in recent years, India has made significant strides in establishing itself as a reliable and trustworthy partner in arbitration and mediation services.

"No doubt there have been some hiccups on the way, but the judiciary's unwavering commitment to providing finality to arbitral awards and fostering a pro-enforcement regime will give a fillip to India's transformation into a hub of international arbitration," she said.

Justice Kohli said the Indian judiciary's approach towards preserving the integrity of arbitral awards and respecting party autonomy is reflected in numerous landmark judgements of the Supreme Court.

She said the increasing approach of courts in the country is to refrain from acting as appellate bodies delving into the merits of the award unless and until there are compelling circumstances as prescribed by law.

"By limiting judicial intervention, respecting party autonomy and the finality of arbitral awards, courts in India have contributed in bolstering India's reputation as a favourable venue for dispute resolution. This judicial philosophy complements legislative reforms and is a step in aid for India to become a global hub for arbitration," the judge said.

She said in today's world, everything is moving at a fast pace due to globalisation and this has led to an increase in commercial transactions, with businesses crossing cultural and geographical boundaries.

"It has also thrown up a variety of legal challenges. International trade and investments have grown phenomenally, making dispute resolution more complex. These disputes not only affect the parties involved, but also the global community," Justice Kohli said.

To address these challenges, Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) has emerged as a powerful tool for businesses, she said, adding that another essential tool of ADR is mediation.

"Through my journey on the judicial side, I have seen first-hand how mediation can be a powerful tool in helping parties find mutually beneficial solutions that can help avoid costly and protracted litigation," she said.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Poll Body To Decide On J&K Assembly Elections, BJP Ready: Jitendra Singh

The BJP is always ready for elections and it is up to the Election Commission (EC) to decide when the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly polls will be held, Union minister Jitendra Singh said here on Saturday.

The Lok Sabha MP from Udhampur also said the situation in Jammu and Kashmir has improved a lot over the last few years.

"It is up to the EC to decide when the election will be conducted. As far as the BJP is concerned, it is always ready for every election -- whether it is the panchayat, Assembly or Parliament," Mr Singh told reporters on the sidelines of a function here.

The Union minister of state in the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) also said "there have been no incidents of stone-pelting (in Jammu and Kashmir) for so many years now. Encounters do not take place while walking on the roads. The status of tourism is such that houseboats and hotels are full of tourists".

Jitendra Singh said Jammu and Kashmir has an important role to play in India's growth story as it emerges as a powerful country in the next 25 years, as envisaged by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"The prime minister says India will emerge as a powerful nation in the world in the next 25 years and in that journey of development, Jammu and Kashmir has an important role to play," he said.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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A "Young Child" Being Targeted: Kamal Haasan On 'Sanatana' Remark Row

Makkal Needhi Maiam chief Kamal Haasan on Friday said DMK leader and Tamil Nadu Youth Welfare Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin is being "hounded" for his remark on Sanatana Dharma.

Addressing a party meet in Coimbatore, Mr Haasan, without naming Udhayanidhi, the BJP or any other outfit, said a "young child" is being targeted today as he had spoken about Sanatana Dharma.

Indicating that there is nothing new about the minister's remark on Sanatana Dharma, the actor implied that several leaders of the Dravidian movement such as Udhayanidhi's grandfather and late DMK patriarch M Karunanidhi have also spoken about it in the past.

Mr Haasan said the extent of reformist leader Periyar  V Ramasamy's anger against social ills can be understood from the leader's life. He said people like himself understood the word 'Sanatana' only due to Periyar.

Though Periyar had been the administrator of a temple and had even performed puja while in Kashi, he gave up all that and dedicated his entire life in the service of people, Mr Haasan said.

Neither the ruling DMK nor any other party can claim that Periyar belongs only to them; the entire state of Tamil Nadu should celebrate him as their leader, he said, adding that he himself has been one among those who honour Periyar.

Speaking about the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, he said the BJP regime may attempt to even advance it according to their convenience.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Chandrayaan-3: Indian space agency Isro says no signal yet from Moon lander

Chandrayaan-3 was dormant during lunar night, but the extreme cold could have harmed its batteries.

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PM Modi To Host Gala Dinner On Friday With Officials Involved In G20

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will have dinner with around 2,500 officials and other staff members of Delhi Police, Ministry of various departments including External Affairs (MEA), Culture Ministry, ITPO, and MHA to thank them for performing their duties meticulously to ensure the smooth conduct of the G20 event.

At least 2,500 officials and other staff from 22 departments of the government of India will attend the dinner. The list includes 700 staff from MEA, 300 from Delhi Police, SPG, Rajghat, CISF, IAF and other departments.

A group photo will also be taken during the event. Special CPs and other senior officials of Delhi Police will also be present, Delhi Police official said.

The summit, hosted under India's presidency of the G20, was attended by over 40 heads of state and delegates from across the world.

The event, for which the city was decked up, was held at the state-of-the-art Bharat Mandapam at Delhi's Pragati Maidan. India took over the G20 presidency on December 1 last year at the summit in Bali and will continue to hold it till the end of November.

The New Delhi Declaration was adopted by G20 leaders on September 9, the first day of the summit.
Notably, throughout India's presidency, raising the voice of Global South and the developing nations was at the forefront of New Delhi's agenda.

India's theme for the G20 Presidency was ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam', which translates to ‘One Earth One Family One Future'.

PM Modi stated that India's G20 Presidency has become a symbol of inclusion both inside and outside the country, adding that it became “People's G20” and crores of Indians were connected with it.
A major and historic takeaway of India's presidency of the G20 Summit was the inclusion of the African Union as a permanent member of the grouping.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Sophie Turner sues Joe Jonas for children's return to England

The British actress says her former partner is refusing to send their two daughters back to the UK.

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PM Face For INDIA Bloc To Be Decided After Coming To Power: Sitaram Yechury

CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury on Thursday said that the prime ministerial face for the opposition bloc INDIA would be decided after the alliance comes to power in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

Talking to reporters in Bihar's Rajgir in Nalanda district, Mr Yechury said it is not an appropriate question to ask now who will be the PM face for the INDIA alliance.

The alliance INDIA, of which the CPI(M) is a constituent, was formed with a view to preventing the division of anti-BJP votes in the parliamentary elections in 2024.

"All alliance partners of the INDIA will decide on the prime minister after winning the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Elected MPs from the coalition will elect the prime minister," he said.

The question about the prime ministerial face was raised before the 2004 parliamentary polls.

"What happened in the 2004 Lok Sabha polls? The UPA came to power and Manmohan Singh became the PM and he remained PM for 10 years", said Mr Yechury.

Later, Mr Yechury attended the valedictory session of the CPI(M)'s state-level training camp.

"In the midst of heavy rain, urging the people of Rajgir, Nalanda (Bihar) in the CPI(M) organised public meeting to join the battle to save India today in order to change it for the better by emphatically defeating the BJP & ensuring INDIA wins all 40 seats in the state," he posted on X, formerly Twitter.

In the midst of heavy rain urging the people of Rajgir, Nalanda Bihar in the CPI(M) organised public meeting to join the battle to save India today in order to change it for the better by emphatically defeating the BJP & ensuring INDIA wins all 40 seats in the state.#JUDEGA… pic.twitter.com/go9PxJxmd2

— Sitaram Yechury (@SitaramYechury) September 21, 2023

He also shared a photo of the programme.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Where Ukraine’s army of amputees go to repair their lives

Orla Guerin visits a hospital and clinic in Ukraine, where 15,000 lost limbs in the first half of 2023.

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Railways Increases Relief Payments For Train Accident Victims By 10 Times

The Railway Board has increased by 10 times the relief payments made in case of death or injury to anyone in train accidents. The relief payments were last revised in 2012 and 2013.

The revised relief amounts are as follows:

Death: Rs 5 lakh (up from Rs 50,000)
Grievous injury: Rs 2.5 lakh (up from Rs 25,000)
Simple injury: Rs 50,000 (up from Rs 5,000)

The revised relief amounts will also be applicable to road users who meet with an accident due to the railway's prima facie liability for a manned-level crossing gate accident.

For grievously injured passengers in train accidents who require hospitalisation beyond 30 days, an additional payment of Rs 3,000 per day will be released at the end of every 10-day period or date of discharge, whichever is earlier. For grievously injured passengers in untoward incidents who require hospitalisation beyond 30 days, an additional relief payment of Rs 1,500 per day will be released at the end of every 10-day period or date of discharge, whichever is earlier, up to a further six months of hospitalization. Thereafter, Rs 750 per day will be released at the end of every 10-day period or date of discharge, whichever is earlier, up to a further five months of hospitalisation.

No relief payment will be admissible to road users in case of accidents at unmanned level crossings, trespassers, or persons electrocuted by OHE (overhead equipment).

The Railways Act of 1989 has laid down a compensation liability for the death or injury of passengers in train accidents and untoward incidents. The revised relief payments are an additional measure to provide financial assistance to victims and their families.

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EU demands answers about Poland visa scandal

The Polish government is embroiled in allegations that migrants were illegally sold visas.

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Delhi High Court Orders 24 To Clean Police Stations For Quashing FIRs

The Delhi High Court has directed 24 people to do "basic cleaning work" for three days at four police stations here while agreeing to quash a criminal case against them.

Justice Saurabh Banerjee asked the 24 individuals to divide themselves into four groups of six people each to clean Mehrauli, Fatehpur Beri, Maidan Garhi, and Neb Sarai police stations.

Two FIRs were registered at Mehrauli police station under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including for voluntarily causing hurt, culpable homicide not amounting to murder, and rioting following a scuffle between neighbours.

The high court agreed to quash the FIRs after noting that the parties have voluntarily settled their disputes and do not wish to pursue the criminal proceedings further.

"In view of the fact that a settlement has been reached between the parties and as the respondents do not wish to continue with the criminal proceedings, in order to bring a quietus to the present disputes, this court is of the opinion that continuation of the aforesaid FIR will be an exercise in futility," the judge said.

The high court quashed the FIRs with "directions to all the named 24 parties involved herein, consisting of... that all of them would divide themselves into 4 groups of 6 persons each who would undertake basic cleaning work for 3 days, that is, on Monday, Thursday, and Sunday of the week commencing from September 18 at the below-mentioned 4 police stations, namely Mehrauli, Fatehpur Beri, Maidan Garhi, and Neb Sarai, to the satisfaction of the investigating officer concerned".

These 24 people shall be at liberty to decide amongst themselves as to the composition of each group of 6 persons and also the police station where each group shall undertake the basic cleaning duty, it said.

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5% Medical Seats For Students Of State-Run Schools: Shivraj Chouhan

Madhya Pradesh will keep 5 per cent seats in medical studies for students of government schools starting this year, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said on Monday.

Ever since admissions to medical colleges started through the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), students of government schools were not able to become doctors, he said.

"For the first time in the country, the Madhya Pradesh government has taken a decision to be implemented from this year under which five per cent reservation will be given to students from government schools in medical studies. Only government school students will be admitted on these seats," he said.

"Students of private schools used to clear NEET till now. But two lists will be prepared from now - one for government school students and the other for those from private schools," he added.

Children from poor backgrounds must also get a chance to move ahead, Mr Chouhan asserted.

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Drew Barrymore apology: Star halts talk show until writers strike ends

She issued a tearful apology for continuing her talk show while her unionised writers were on strike.

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UP Teen Killed By Friends After Fight Over Food Bill Of Rs 115: Cops

A 15-year-old boy was allegedly killed by his three friends in Uttar Pradesh's Maharajganj district following an argument over paying a bill of Rs 115 after having eggs from a vendor, the police said on Sunday.

The incident took place in Ghughuli village on Thursday evening, they said.

Victim Chandan, along with his three friends, had eggs from a vendor following which an argument broke out between them over the payment of the bill, they said.

The three took Chandan to Ahirauli village where they killed him with a sharp-edged weapon in a field. They hid his body near the banks of the Chhoti Gandak River and fled, the police said.

When Chandan did not return home that night, his family began searching for him and also informed police on Saturday afternoon, they said.

The next morning, the Ghughuli police discovered Chandan's body and arrested the accused , police said.

The victim's father lodged an FIR in the matter, they said.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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UP Doctor Couple Arrested After Woman, Her Child Die During Delivery: Cops

A doctor couple running a private clinic in in Uttar Pradesh's Ballia were on Sunday arrested for alleged medical negligence leading to the death of a pregnant woman and her child during delivery, the police said.

An employee of the clinic has also been arrested in connection with the case, they added.

In his complaint, the woman's husband Chandan Prasad said he admitted his wife Poonam Devi to the clinic for delivery on Saturday evening, Deputy Superintendent of Police Mohammad Faheem Qureshi said.

However, due to the negligence of the doctor couple and their employee, his wife and newborn child died during labour, ,Mr Prasad alleged in his complaint.

Based on the complaint, a case was registered against doctor Vinay Kumar Singh, his wife, who is also a doctor and a male employee of the clinic, the DSP said.

An investigation has been launched into the matter, he added.

Prasad resided with his wife in Sonapali village of Nagara police station area, the police said.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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BrahMos Manufacturing In Lucknow Likely To Begin From March: Rajnath Singh

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday said the work on the BrahMos missile manufacturing site in Lucknow is likely to be completed by March next year.

Mr Singh was speaking in Gomti Nagar here on the second day of the tour of his parliamentary constituency.

"The work on BrahMos missile project is also going on at a fast pace and after next February-March, the missile manufacturing will begin on the soil of Lucknow," the BJP leader said.

Developed by an India-Russia joint venture, the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile can be launched from submarines, ships, aircraft or land platforms.

The work on the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) lab will also be completed soon, Mr Singh said.

He said there were 11 other projects in Lucknow that have been undertaken.

"Though they will take some time to complete, I can say that people will see a completely different Lucknow in the next few years," the minister said.

During his visit in June, Singh had said that "everything from nuts and bolts to BrahMos missiles would be manufactured in the Uttar Pradesh Defence Industrial Corridor (UPDIC)".

"We have created a conducive environment for defence manufacturing through the defence corridors in Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. UPDIC has told me that there is a plan to acquire about 1,700 hectares of land for this corridor, of which more than 95 per cent of the land has already been acquired," he had said.

On the 'Sanatana Dharma' row, Mr Singh said, "Sanatana Dharma gives the message of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam. It neither has a beginning nor an end. No power in the world can end it. If there is a threat to Sanatan Dharma then it will be a very big threat." 

Recently, DMK leaders Udhayanidhi Stalin and A Raja claimed Sanatan Dharma had sown divisions in society and must be eradicated on the lines of diseases like dengue, malaria and coronavirus.

The Defence Minister inspected the ongoing work of the Munshi Pulia Over Bridge being built at Khurram Nagar and Polytechnic intersection in Indira Nagar Sector 25 on the second day of his visit to his Lok Sabha constituency Lucknow, BJP said in a statement. 

He also inspected the ongoing work at Gomti Nagar railway station.

Mr Singh said, "I am satisfied with the way the work is going on at Gomti Nagar Railway Station. It will be completed by December."

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Libya floods: A barren wasteland with a lingering smell of death

With lives in Libya washed away, anger mounts as people ask why they were told to stay at home.

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"Congress Not Willing To Be Drawn Into Sanatana Dharma Row": P Chidambaram

Congress leader P Chidambaram on Saturday said that his party is unwilling to be drawn into any controversy surrounding Sanatana Dharma and further informed that there was no discussion on it during the Congress Working Committee meeting which is underway in Hyderabad.

Addressing the press conference in Hyderabad, P Chidambaram said, "There has been no discussion on Sanatana Dharma (during CWC meeting). The Congress president has made it absolutely clear that the Congress party is not willing to be drawn into any controversy on Sanatana Dharma. We believe in 'Sarva Dharma Sama Bhava' ("All religions are the same) and we stand by that position. That has been the consistent position of Congress party for many decades and we are not getting drawn into any controversy over that issue."

The controversy related to the issue of Sanatana Dharma erupted after Tamil Nadu minister and DMK leader Udhaynidhi Stalin had said that the Sanatana religion should be eradicated. The DMK leader also drew a parallel between diseases like dengue, and malaria and the 'Sanatana Dharma'.

Reacting to these remarks, the DMK and INDIA bloc received sharp criticism from the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Launching a scathing attack on the INDIA bloc, Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Chhattisgarh's Raigarh appealed to the people of the poll-bound states, stating that the Opposition has a "hidden agenda to end Sanatana Dharma".

"This INDI alliance adopted a resolution to end our 'Sanatana' culture. They are bent on destroying the ideologies, cultures and traditions that have kept the country and our people together for centuries," PM Modi said.

Earlier on Friday Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president JP Nadda hit out at opposition bloc INDIA and alleged that the agenda of Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi is to "abuse and disrespect" Sanatan Dharma.

"Nowadays, there have been many talks on Sanatana Dharma. On 1st September this INDI alliance held a meeting in Mumbai. On 3rd September their strong ally DMK's Chief's son Udhayanidhi Stalin insulted Sanatan Dharma. The next day on September 4, Mallikarjun Kharge's son Priyank Kharge who is also Minister in the Karnataka government disrespects Sanatan Dharma," Mr Nadda said.

"Till now Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi have been silent on this. I allege that both mother and son have formulated the agenda to abuse and disrespect Sanatan Dharma in the Mumbai meeting which is handed over to DMK and other parties. This is the agenda of Mata Sonia and Beta Rahul," he added.

Meanwhile, P Chidambaram also informed that there have been requests by members of the Congress Working Committee (CWC) that a Bharat Jodo Yatra 2 should be organized from the eastern parts of the countries to the west. "That matter is under consideration," he said.

This is the first meeting of the reconstituted Congress Working Committee, the party's top decision-making body under Mallikarjun Kharge's presidency. The party is strategizing for the upcoming assembly elections in the five states.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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The Rubiales World Cup kiss row... in 87 seconds

Spain's Women's World Cup success has been overshadowed by the actions of Luis Rubiales during celebrations.

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Judge Asks For CBI Inquiry After Letter Claims She Showed Favour To Accused

A judge of the Bombay High Court has asked the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to conduct an inquiry into a letter which claimed that she showed undue favour to an accused.

Justice Bharati Dangre on Thursday recused herself from the case before her, but said such "disgruntled elements" which make an accusation against a judge and "walk away" without waiting for the consequences of their "intimidating action".

An application made by Suresh Khemani, an accused in a CBI case, had been listed before her after the earlier judge had recused or withdrawn from the case.

Justice Dangare said that a person named Hiten Takkar sent her a letter last week suggesting that "some favour or benevolence was either done or attempted to be done in favour of the applicant (Khemani) on some monetary terms" and the interim relief granted to him was continued illegally.

She should dismiss the plea and make the accused face a trial, the letter demanded.

She was recusing herself from the matter, Justice Dangare announced, but also directed the high court's registrar to provide a copy of the letter to the CBI for conducting necessary inquiry, and posted the issue for hearing on September 29.

Such tactics (forcing a judge to recuse) cannot be used for "bench hunting or forum shopping", she said.

She could have recused herself without giving any reasons, but "it is high time that some accountability is attributed to the disgruntled elements, who continue to haunt the system by their unscrupulous acts and walk away, without waiting for consequences of their intimidating action, once the Judge recuses from the matter," Justice Dangare said.

"A judge may be impartial, but if a perception is carried by one party that he is not, then the recusal is the only option," the high court added.

She should have a clear conscience that she was still independent and capable of discharging her duty without being influenced by the letter, the judge said.

"I deem it appropriate to recuse myself not because I have been asked to decide one way, but because I feel it necessary to do so, to avoid further accusations of favour being shown or if I have to dispel the accusations, necessarily I may be compelled to decide the other way, which may even mean injustice to one of the party," she added.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Trevor Noah jumps into fan's car to beat traffic in Johannesburg

The ex-Daily Show host's ordeal played out live on air as he ran late for an interview in Johannesburg.

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3 Ex-Punjab Cops Get Life In Jail In 31-Year-Old Fake Encounter Case

A special Central Bureau of Investigation) court on Thursday awarded life imprisonment to three former Punjab police officers convicted for conspiracy, murder, and fabrication of record in a 1992 police encounter case.

The court also imposed a fine of Rs 2 lakh on each one of the convicts in the case in which three youths were shown as 'killed'.

According to Victims' lawyer, adv Jaspal Singh, "The three convicts identified as Surinder Singh, Gurdev Singh and Dharm Singh, have been sentenced to life imprisonment along with a fine of Rs 2 lakh each by the Special CBI Court."

The special CBI court on September 8, had convicted these three Punjab Police personnel in a 31-year-old fake encounter case in which three youths identified as Harjeet Singh, Lakhvinder Singh and Jaspinder Singh were killed, Singh said.

He further said that the quantum of punishment was pronounced on Thursday.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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On Hindi Diwas, British Envoy Lists His Top 5 Words In The Language

British High Commissioner to India Alex Ellis wished Indians on the occasion of Hindi Diwas and shared his five favourite words in the language.

"From my very patient Hindi teachers to everyone else on X who has been so supportive, thank you! Mere paanch pasandida Hindi shabd (My five favourite Hindi words)," Ellis posted on X.

The words on Mr Ellis's list are adrak (ginger), lena-dena (give and take), jugaad (makeshifter), khushboo (fragrance), and gapshap (gossip).

From my very patient Hindi teachers to everyone else on X who has been so supportive, thank you!

मेरे पाँच पसंदीदा हिन्दी शब्द#हिंदी_दिवस pic.twitter.com/PuXnbY8Hiz

— Alex Ellis (@AlexWEllis) September 14, 2023

Earlier in the day, PM Modi also wished Indians on the occasion and said that Hindi will continue to "strengthen the thread of national unity and goodwill".

"Best wishes to all my family members on Hindi Diwas. I wish that the Hindi language will continue to strengthen the thread of national unity and goodwill," he wrote on X.

Hindi Diwas is observed annually on September 14 to commemorate the decision to adopt Hindi as one of the nation's official languages.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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France's Carrefour puts up 'shrinkflation' warning signs

Carrefour is telling its customers which products are smaller than they used to be.

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Minimal Data On Classified Info: Centre To Court In e-Surveillance Case

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) told the Delhi High Court that lawful interception-related records are categorised as highly classified documents and minimal data is maintained for them.

Responding to a petition about the disclosure of information on state-sponsored electronic surveillance under the Right To Information (RTI) Act, the union ministry said the Cyber and Information Security (CIS) Division does not maintain any statistical data related to lawful interception and monitoring as such records are not required for any functional purpose.

Seeking dismissal of the petition, it said the relevant acts and rules are in the public domain and petitioner Apar Gupta must be aware that all records pertaining to lawful interception are destroyed every six months by the MHA after reviewing directions by a committee and if not required for any functional requirement.

"It is submitted that the lawful interception and monitoring is carried out by the authorised law enforcement agencies with due permission of the competent authority if required in the interest of sovereignty and integrity of the country, security of the state, public order or incitement of an offence, under the legal provisions...," the MHA said in its affidavit filed in response to the petition.

It further said, "Therefore, it is unreasonable for the petitioner to expect the record for a period of two years and thereafter, level allegation that the respondent had been allowed for purported destruction of records and to belatedly change their stance to a new claim that data could not be disclosed since the records had been destroyed." The matter came up before Justice Subramonium Prasad who listed it for hearing on October 16.

Petitioner Apar Gupta, co-founder and executive director of Internet Freedom Foundation (IFF) and also a lawyer, had in December 2018 filed six applications under the RTI Act seeking details of the number of orders passed under Section 69 of the Information Technology Act granting permission for electronic surveillance during a certain period.

The Centre was represented through standing counsel Anurag Ahluwalia.

The ministry, in its affidavit, said monthly reports are submitted to the office of the competent authority by the authorised security and law enforcement agencies containing information of a secret nature regarding the outcome of ongoing investigations and other operations, for which authorisation is sought under the law.

In July last year, the High Court had given six weeks to the Centre to file its reply to the petition which challenges a Central Information Commission (CIC) order refusing to direct disclosure of certain data on state-sponsored electronic surveillance.

The petitioner said while deciding his second appeal under the RTI regime, the CIC proceeded upon an erroneous understanding of the law and failed to sufficiently examine the "belated" averment of the MHA that the data sought had been destroyed and was no longer available.

The counsel appearing for the petitioner had earlier submitted that he was only seeking the statistical data on "how many times" interception was resorted to and nothing else.

In the petition, filed through lawyer Vrinda Bhandari, the petitioner has informed that according to the Centre Public Information Officer's (CPIO) stand before the CIC, the home ministry did not maintain any statistical information related to lawful interception and monitoring, but did not cite any statutory provision or even an internal policy that supports its stand.

"No personally identifiable information was sought in the RTI queries. The petitioner did not ask for details of specific interception orders or the identity or profile of the targeted individuals but instead sought anonymous and aggregate figures to understand the extent of state surveillance. Further, the queries relate to data that the respondents ought to have in their possession since only the MHA is empowered to issue such orders," the petition has said.

It said that in 2019, the CPIO had disposed of the petitioner's requests for information, stating that the disclosure of information related to lawful interception/phone tapping/monitoring or decrypting, is exempted under section 8(1)(a), 8(1)(g) and 8(1)(h) of the RTI Act and the same was subsequently not interfered with by the First Appellate Authority.

The petition also seeks guidelines and directions to prevent the destruction of information sought in RTI proceedings on account of the absence of rules or practices on weeding out of documents during the pendency of RTI proceedings.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Libya floods: 5,300 dead amid calls for humanitarian support

As victims in Derna are buried in mass graves, rescuers say they are desperate for more help.

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India Says It Continues To Monitor Human Rights Development in Afghan

India on Tuesday said that it continues to monitor developments related to human rights, including those of women and girls, in Afghanistan and has "abiding stakes" in return for peace and stability in the country.

Speaking during the Interactive Dialogue on the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) report on the human rights situation in Afghanistan at the 54th Session of the Human Rights Council, India's Permanent Representative to the United Nations and Other International Organisations in Geneva Ambassador Indra Mani Pandey said that India is a contiguous neighbour and long-standing developmental partner of Afghanistan.

"We share close historical and civilisational linkages with the people of Afghanistan. We have, therefore, abiding stakes in return for peace and stability in Afghanistan and we continue to monitor the developments related to human rights there," Mr Pandey said.

Mr Pandey said that India's historical relationship with the Afghan people and the stipulations outlined in UNSC Resolution 2593, adopted under India's UN Security Council Presidency in August 2021, has continued to guide Delhi's approach to Afghanistan.

"We reaffirm the importance of upholding all human rights, including those of women and girls, and call for their full, equal and meaningful participation in sustaining and building on Afghanistan's gains over the last twenty years," he said.

The UNSC resolution demands that Afghan territory not be used to threaten or attack any country or to shelter or train terrorists, reaffirms the importance of upholding human rights including those of women, children and minorities and calls for strengthened efforts to provide humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan.

Mr Pandey said in view of the deteriorating humanitarian situation and urgent appeals by UN agencies, India has delivered 50,000 metric tonnes (MTs) of wheat, 28 tonnes of disaster relief, and 200 tonnes of medicines, vaccines and other medical items.

India has partnered with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in its humanitarian efforts and has supplied 1,100 units of female hygiene kits and blankets for UNODC female rehabilitation centres across Afghanistan, he said.

United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk told the 54th Session of the Human Rights Council that the report notes that over the past two years since the Taliban takeover of Kabul, the de facto authorities have steadily dismantled institutional protections for human rights and eroded the rule of law, despite the international human rights obligations that continue to bind Afghanistan as a State.

In addition, the humanitarian and economic crisis facing Afghanistan continues to seriously impact the enjoyment of the full spectrum of human rights.

The report states that Afghan women and girls have been restricted from participation in most areas of public and daily life by the introduction of progressively more severe and discriminatory edicts, policies and other pronouncements.

These measures deny the rights of women and girls to access education, work and their freedom of movement and impact access to health and other essential services.

Turk said the international community cannot turn its back on the people of Afghanistan. "This is a human rights crisis of the first order." He exhorted the de facto authorities fundamentally to change course and bring Afghanistan back to the international order with full respect for its international human rights obligations.

He urged States with influence over the de facto authorities to help them reverse the trajectory, which is fatal not only for human rights but for the future development and security of the country.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Three reasons Kim Jong Un and Vladimir Putin might want to be friends

From shared enemies to a reliance on China, Russia and North Korea have a few things in common.

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"Jagan Reddy's Conspiracy": Chandrababu Naidu's Party On His Arrest

Senior TDP leaders on Monday condemned the arrest of party chief N Chandrababu Naidu and submitted a memorandum to Governor S Abdul Nazeer in Visakhapatnam stating that the former Chief Minister was being framed in the alleged multi-crore scam.

Party leaders Yanamula Ramakrishnudu, MA Shareef, Kavali Pratibha Bharati, Dhulipalla Narendra, Kanna Lakshminarayana, Pattabhi Ram Kommareddy, and others assembled at the party office and deliberated on the recent developments.

In a statement, they said that the ruling YSRCP government foisted the corruption cases against Mr Naidu.

TDP spokesperson Kommareddy Pattabhiram claimed that the CID report had failed to point out Chandrababu Naidu's crime in the alleged multi-crore Skill Development Corporation scam and did not contain evidence or testimonies.

"The issues mentioned in the CID remand report reveal that YS Jagan Mohan Reddy plotted a political conspiracy to send Chandrababu Naidu to jail," Mr Kommareddy told PTI.

TDP legislator Payyavula Keshav charged that the CID wing of Andhra Pradesh Police has been acting as a private army to take revenge on opposition parties.

Senior party leaders Ganta Srinivasa Rao and MLCs Duvvarapu Ramarao and Chiranjeevi, led by TDP state president Kinjarapu Atchannaidu met Governor S Abdul Nazeer in Visakhapatnam and submitted a memorandum, he said.

"The present YSRCP-led government ever since assuming power in 2019 has been consistently pursuing a political vendetta against dissenting voices in general and opposition TDP in particular," they said in the memorandum.

They told the Governor that a fabricated case was created in the name of the Skill Development Scam to arbitrarily and illegally arrest Mr Naidu.

The TDP delegation appealed for S Adbul Nazeer's intervention to release the TDP chief unconditionally and take action against the authorities concerned for their alleged abuse of power.

A local court in Vijayawada on Sunday remanded Chandrababu Naidu in judicial custody for 14 days. The former Chief Minister is lodged in the Rajamahendravaram Central prison in the East Godavari district.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Paul Pogba: Juventus midfielder provisionally suspended for anti-doping offence

Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba is provisionally suspended from playing because of an anti-doping offence.

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Ein el-Hilweh: Deadly clashes resume in Palestinian camp in Lebanon

At least 10 people have reportedly killed in intense fighting between rival groups at Ein el-Hilweh.

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Hansi Flick sacked by Germany as Euro 2024 hosts lose patience

Hansi Flick is dismissed as manager of Euro 2024 hosts Germany following a poor run of results.

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Class 12 Students To Get Laptops If They Score 60% In Exam: Shivraj Chouhan

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Sunday said Class XII students of government schools will get laptops if they score 60 per cent or above in exams instead of the earlier criteria of 75 per cent.

He made the announcement while addressing a 'Ladli Behna Yojana' event in Gwalior.

"Three top ranking students of schools in urban and rural areas will get scooters," he said.

On July 20, the Madhya Pradesh government had transferred Rs 196.6 crore into the bank accounts of 78,641 students who secured 75 per cent or above in the state board Class XII exams for purchase of laptops.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Morocco earthquake: Race against time to save survivors buried in rubble

Villagers dig by hand to find those still trapped, with few signs of an official response in some areas.

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Chandrababu Naidu "Kingpin Of Scams", Arrested After Probe: YSR Congress

Former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu is the kingpin of scams, YSRCP General Secretary Sajjala Ramakrishna Reddy said today, adding that he was arrested after a thorough probe.

"The arrest of Chandrababu Naidu was not an overnight affair but was the result of a thorough investigation into the skill development scam. There is no need for political victimisation when it comes to Chandrababu Naidu. Law is taking a due course as the scam is an economic offence of the highest order."

"The CID registered an FIR in the skill development scam on December 9, 2021, thoroughly probed the case and based on the evidence, Chandrababu Naidu was arrested for questioning following due procedure," he said, adding that the government would never resort to politics of victimisation.

The Andhra Pradesh CID has arrested Mr Naidu in connection with an alleged skill development corporation scam.

According to CID, the case revolves around the establishment of clusters of Centers of Excellence (CoEs) in Andhra Pradesh, with a total estimated project value of Rs 3,300 crores.

The agency also claimed that the alleged fraud caused a huge loss to the government of Andhra Pradesh in excess of Rs 300 crores.

As per the CID, the investigation revealed serious irregularities such as the then state government providing an advance of Rs 371 crores before any expenditure by private entities, which represented the entire 10 percent commitment by the government.

Most of the money advanced by the government was diverted to shell companies through fake invoices, with no actual delivery or sale of the items mentioned in the invoices, the CID said.

In its remand report, the CID has said that according to the investigation so far, the total amount spent by private entities on six skill development clusters is sourced exclusively from funds advanced by the government of Andhra Pradesh and its skill development centre, totalling Rs 371 crores.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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"BJP-JD(S) May Come Together In Karnataka But...": Mallikarjun Kharge

Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge on Saturday said BJP and JD(S) may come together to fight 2024 Lok Sabha polls in Karnataka, but they will not be able to suppress Congress' prospects in the state.

"I have read in papers that they have joined hands. I also saw pictures of Deve Gowda (JDS supremo) and Narendra Modi (PM) holding hands. Maybe they are trying to come together, but how their alliance will come together, how many seats will be shared between the both is still not clear. But there are enough indications that both of them may come together," Mr Kharge said.

Speaking to reporters, in response to a question, whether this was the plan to suppress the Congress, he said, "No one can suppress us. We have been trying since the beginning to stand on our own feet and face the election in Karnataka."

"In the entire country as well, about 26-28 parties (INDIA bloc) have come together to face the election, because 60 per cent of votes are with the opposition parties. If 60 per cent votes come together, 40 per cent of votes are with the NDA. So, we are hopeful that in a democratic set up, we will get success," he added.

Mr Yediyurappa on Friday said the BJP will have an understanding with former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda-led JD(S) for the Lok Sabha elections, an announcement that shot up political temperature in the State.

The veteran leader, who is also the BJP parliamentary board member, had said that as part of the poll understanding, the JD(S) will contest in four LS seats in Karnataka, which has a total of 28 constituencies. However, earlier today, JD(S) leader HD Kumaraswamy said discussions regarding BJP and his party contesting the Lok Sabha polls together are still at initial phase.

The BJP had swept the 2019 LS polls in Karnataka by winning 25 seats, while an independent (Sumalatha Ambareesh from Mandya) backed by it won in one seat. The Congress and JD(S) won one seat each.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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AAP Releases First List Of 10 Candidates For Madhya Pradesh Election

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Friday announced the first list of 10 candidates, including nominees for two seats in Bhopal district currently held by the ruling BJP, for the upcoming Madhya Pradesh assembly polls.

With this, the AAP has become the third political party, after the BJP and the Mayawati-led Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), to release its first list of candidates for the year-end polls whose schedule is yet to be announced.

The Arvind Kejriwal-led outfit had earlier announced it will field candidates in all the 230 assembly seats in the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-ruled state.

The list includes candidates from Bhopal district's Govindpura seat, Sajjan Singh Parmar, and Dr Ravikant Dwivedi from Huzur in the state capital, a party release said here.

Both Govindpura and Huzur segments are currently represented by BJP MLAs Krishna Gaur and Rameshwar Sharma, respectively.

The list also includes the names of candidates from Sewda (Sanjay Dubey), Dimani (Surendra Singh) Tomar, Morena (Ramesh Upadhyay), Petlawad-ST (Komal Damor), Sirmour (Sarita Pandey), Sironj (IS Morya), Churhat (Anendra Govind Mishra "Rajan") and Maharajpur (Ram Ji Patel).

Last month, the BJP had named its candidates for 39 assembly seats in Madhya Pradesh, while the BSP's first list contained seven nominees.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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G Marimuthu: Indian film industry mourns popular actor

G Marimuthu, who died of a heart attack, acted in more than 50 Tamil films and starred in a TV drama.

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Job Denied To Unmarried Woman, Court Says "New Front Of Discrimination"

The Rajasthan High Court recently termed illegal and arbitrary the denial of employment as an Anganwadi worker to a woman on grounds that she is not married, saying the case has revealed a new front of discrimination.

Taking severe objection to the condition listed by the department of women and child development that applicants for the post of Anganwadi workers must be married women, a single bench of Justice Dinesh Mehta on September 4 directed the respondents to process the petitioner's application form within four weeks.

The court called the condition mentioned in an employment advertisement ex facie illegal, arbitrary and against the very scheme of the Constitution.

Petitioner Madhu Charan moved the high court after being verbally told during her application form submission at the Anganwadi Center in Barmer district's Gudi that she was ineligible for the post since she was unmarried.

Counsel for petitioner Yashpal Khileree argued that Charan was refused employment as she was unmarried and that the condition was absolutely irrational, discriminatory and violative of her fundamental rights.

Defending the decision of the department, the defence counsel said that after being inducted as an Anganwadi worker or helper, if a candidate gets married and shifts to her marital home, the centre where he was appointed gets affected.

Rejecting the defence's arguments, the court observed that an entirely new front of discrimination has now been opened by the respondents by including the contentious condition.

“The ostensible reason given to support the impugned condition that an unmarried woman after marriage would migrate to her matrimonial house does not pass the test of reasonableness and prudence and thus, the mere fact that a candidate is unmarried cannot be a reason to disqualify her,” the court said in its order.

“Depriving a woman of public employment on the grounds of her being unmarried, apart from being violative of fundamental rights guaranteed to a woman under Articles 14 and 16 of the Constitution of India, impinges upon a woman's dignity,” it stated.

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G20 summit: What do the people of Delhi think about the event?

India's capital Delhi has undergone a makeover as it prepares to host world leaders.

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Transgenders In Jharkhand To Get Pension, Backward Class Category Benefits

With an aim to provide social security and bring them into the mainstream of society, the Jharkhand government has decided to add the transgender community under its universal pension scheme, an official said on Wednesday.

The decision was taken during a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Hemant Soren. The government also decided to include them under backward class category and provide them the benefits.

"The council of ministers has approved the proposal of Mukhyamantri Rajya Samajik Suraksha Pension Yojana for transgender people under the social assistance scheme. The eligible beneficiary will get Rs 1,000 per month as financial aid," Cabinet secretary Vandana Dadel said.

According to the department of women, child development and social security (WCDSS), the transgender population was around 11,900 in Jharkhand in 2011, which currently would be nearly 14,000.

"To avail the benefit of the pension scheme, transgenders need to get a certificate from the deputy commissioner's office. Those who are 18 years of age or above and have voter ID cards will be eligible for the scheme," WCDSS secretary Kripanand Jha told news agency PTI.

In a bid to provide more facilities to transgenders, the department has also proposed to build separate toilets for them in hospitals, he said.

"People are also being sensitised so that transgenders do not face any discrimination," Mr Jha said.

"Transgenders who are not covered by any caste reservation will be provided the benefits of backward cagetory-2," Mr Dadel said. 

The Chief Minister said the move will go a long way as every citizen of the state will get respect and honour.

"The government is working as per the hopes and aspirations of people and is taking decisions as per their wishes," he said.

As many as 35 agendas were approved by the cabinet including doubling the compensation amount for security personnel who get injured during duty.

Earlier, a maximum of Rs 3.5 lakh was given in such cases, which will now be Rs 7.5 lakh. In case of Maoist violence, the amount will be double, the cabinet decided.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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TCS Expands Partnership With UK's Jaguar Land Rover In $1 Billion Deal

Largest software services firm Tata Consultancy Services or TCS and Britain's Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) have expanded their partnership, valued at more than 800 million pounds ($1 billion) over five years, the two Tata Group companies said on Wednesday.

As part of the partnership, the top IT services exporter would deliver a range of services for the vehicle manufacturer spanning application development and maintenance to cloud migration, cybersecurity and data services.

JLR and TCS are longstanding partners, collaborating on various fronts since 2012.

Over the last few months, top IT services companies in the country have secured a handful of multi-million and billion-dollar deals and contract renewals amid worries of client spending cuts in the key United States and European markets.

TCS in June signed a $1.1 billion contract with British pension scheme Nest.

Rivals Infosys signed three deals between June and August, while HCL Technologies secured a $2.1 billion deal with US telecom major Verizon last month.

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

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Bureaucrat Gifted Jewellery Worth Rs 1.75 Lakh To South Actor: Probe Agency

IRS officer Sachin Sawant, an accused in a money laundering case, allegedly gifted jewellery worth Rs 1.75 lakh to a south Indian actor, and layered his “ill-gotten money” through bank accounts of family members and friends, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has said in its chargesheet.

The probe agency alleged that Mr Sawant, who was the joint commissioner of customs, IRS (Customs & Central Excise) from January 2011 to August 2020, amassed huge assets in his and his family members' name and incurred a huge expenditure to the tune of Rs 2.45 core disproportionate to their legal sources of income.

Investigations conducted so far have revealed that the accused generated Rs 4.11 crore from illegal sources of income, the ED stated in the chargesheet.

Mr Sawant, who was arrested in June in connection with the case, is currently in judicial custody.

The ED filed its charges against MR Sawant and other accused in the case before a special PMLA court recently.

In his statement to the ED, Mr Sawant's driver claimed that an actor from Malayalam cinema was Mr Sawant's “girlfriend” and lived in the same building as the IRS officer in Mumbai.

When the woman shifted to Kochi, Mr Sawant went to meet her 15 to 20 times and gifted her a gold anklet worth Rs 1.75 lakh, the driver alleged in the statement, which is part of the chargesheet.

However, Sawant in his statement to the probe agency said, the actor “is his close friend, but he had never given her anything”.

Further, the accused stated that he had travelled to Kochi multiple times to visit Guruvayur and Mannarasala temples, the chargesheet mentioned.

Reacting to the chargesheet, Sawant's lawyer Vikram Sutaria, said, “The matter is sub-judice. My clients have given accounts for each and every penny. My client has been falsely implicated in the present case. He does not have any relations with south Indian actors as alleged.” The chargesheet revealed that the money generated from the illegal sources of income was deposited in the bank accounts of the IRS officer's father, mother, brother, and other family members.

Some of this money was used to repay loans and to purchase movable and immovable properties in the name of family members and other related entities and individuals, the ED said.

The entire amount of Rs 4.11 crore illegally earned by the accused is the proceeds of crime under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

Mr Sawant allegedly layered his ill-gotten money into the bank accounts of companies, owned/controlled by his close friends/relatives, the chargesheet stated.

This amount was later integrated into the bank accounts of his family members in the guise of salaries given to them every month, it said.

By using the said modus operandi, Sawant had projected his tainted money as untainted money, it added.

The investigation is underway to trace the proceeds of the crime, it added.

The ED's case against Mr Sawant is based on a case filed against him by the Central Bureau of Investigation.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Mitch McConnell: Doctor says no evidence of stroke or seizures in freezing spell

The 81-year-old Republican has frozen twice in as many months, prompting concerns about his health.

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"Comprehensive Assessment Done": Delhi Police On G20 Security Arrangements

The Delhi Police on Tuesday said it has done a comprehensive assessment of protests held by various international and local groups in other nations during previous G20 summits as part of security arrangements for the prestigious event to be held later this week.

The G20 Leaders Summit will be held from September 9-10 at a newly built international convention and exhibition centre -- Bharat Mandapam -- at Pragati Maidan here.

Talking to PTI video, Special Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Deependra Pathak said adequate arrangements have been made to ensure that Delhiites do not face any kind of inconvenience during the G20 summit.

There is real-time coordination between police, central agencies and the Special Branch, he said.

"Whenever we get any kind of information or assessment, we arrange things accordingly. Our main focus is to ensure that citizens do not face any kind of inconvenience, but we also request citizens to cooperate with the police personnel," he said.

Underlining that there are national and international aspects related to the security for the G20 summit, Pathak said a law and order situation arose in several other countries where previous summits were held due to protests by international pressure groups and local organisations.

"A comprehensive assessment has been done of that," he said.

"G20 is a very prestigious summit for India as well as for Delhi and it is a very proud moment for us. The Delhi Police has the responsibility of safety, security and law and order, and we are taking it as a challenge. We are planning it with professional excellence and executing it on the ground.

"We have different segments of the Delhi Police that have focused roles for the summit area. Apart from this, we have the responsibility of maintaining the law and order situation in other parts of the city. We have made plans for that and are doing rehearsals for the same," he added.

The Delhi Police is also taking the help of paramilitary forces, Pathak said.

"Today, we conducted rehearsals which involved multi-layered checking with strategic planning. We are confident and we will leave no stone unturned. We will see to it that the law and order arrangements are flawless and failproof. We will work with a polite and firm attitude," he said.

With personnel from different police stations deployed in the summit area, community policing elements, including 'police mitra', RWA members, home guards and civil defence, are being used as a force multiplier, he said.

In a post on X, DCP, Central, Sanjay Kumar Sain said rehearsals, briefings and de-briefings for security, and law and order arrangements with regard to the G20 summit are going on regularly in the central district.

DCP Pathak and Joint CP (Central Range) Parmaditya reviewed and appreciated the arrangements and motivated the staff to make this event a grand success, Sain said.

DCP Rohini also wrote on X that ahead of the G20 summit, Pathak and Joint CP (northern range) Vivek Kishore reviewed the security arrangements in the Rohini district and motivated the staff to serve people better. 

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

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In Pics: Delhi In Final Stages Of Makeover Ahead Of G20 Summit

The 18th G20 Summit, to be held over the weekend, will welcome more than 25 heads of state and global institution leaders to the national capital.

Civic agencies are in the final stages of readying the city to host the heads of state and foreign delegates for the summit from September 8 to 11.

As a part of the makeover, the civic agencies have decked up 66 arterial roads and stretches across the city ahead of the big event. Roadsides and roundabouts near the summit venues, hotels and other areas with a high footfall of G20-related visitors, have been adorned with street art and wall paintings.

The beautification drives also include the installation of designer fountains, sculptures and flower pots along the roads. Fountains have been installed on important roads including the Janpath and Sansad Marg.

Here's a glimpse of the project to prepare the national capital for the big event:

Indian classical dance postures depicted in wall paintings below the Mayur Vihar flyover in East Delhi.

The new and the old Parliament House are depicted in wall paintings below the Mayur Vihar flyover in East Delhi.

Paintings depicting freedom fighters (L-R) Lokmanya Tilak; Subhash Chandra Bose; Mahatma Gandhi; Sardar Patel and Bhagat Singh under a flyover on Outer Ring Road.

Fresh street art around Ring Road.

National tri-color greets commuters under a flyover in Delhi.  

National flags of some of the G20 countries installed along with a fountain near the airport. 

People get photographed at the newly installed water falls on the route to the airport.

Colourful panels cover the under construction area of a flyover near the airport.

Beautifully landscaping the roadside from the T3 terminal of Delhi Airport.

Theme-based fountains and statues of deities and dancing figures dot key stretches of the city.

Lion statues near the Delhi airport.

NDMC workers clean the fountains on Sardar Patel Marg in New Delhi.

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