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Wed, 27 November 2024
LIVE: Man kills live-in partner, chops body into 40 pieces
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23:48 Russian national found carrying e-cigarette at Goa airport; case filed
A Russian national was found carrying an electronic cigarette, which is banned in India, at the Manohar International Airport in North Goa when he was preparing to leave for his home country on Wednesday, the police said.
The police booked the Russian, Eroshkin Aleksei, who was hiding the electronic cigarette in his socks, after an offence was filed at the Mopa airport police station, an official said.
The accused was about to board an Aeroflot flight to Russia from the airport when he was found in possession of the banned product, a police spokesman said.
A complaint against the foreign national was filed with the airport police by Rajesh Kumar Manjhee, a CISF staffer, and he was booked under the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarette (Production, Manufacture, Import, Export, Transport, Sale, Distribution, Storage, Advertisement) ordinance, 2019, the spokesman said. A notice was issued to the accused under section 35 of the Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita , asking him to appear before the police, he added. -- PTI
23:34 J'khand man kills live-in partner, chops body into 40 pieces
A 25-year-old man, who works as a butcher, allegedly strangled to death his live-in partner and chopped her body into 40 to 50 pieces in a forested area in Jharkhand's Khunti district, the police said on Wednesday.
The accused, identified as Naresh Bhengra, was arrested.
The matter came to light after around a fortnight after the killing when a stray dog was found with human body parts near Jordag village in Jariagarh police station on November 24.
Bhengra was in a live-in relationship with the deceased, a 24-year-old woman also from Khunti district, in Tamil Nadu for the past couple of years.
Sometime back, he returned to Jharkhand, got married to another woman without telling his partner anything and went back to the southern state without his wife to join her.
"The brutal incident occurred on November 8 when they reached Khunti as the accused who had married another woman did not wish to take her home. Instead, he took her to a forest near his house at Jordag village in Jariagarh police station and chopped the body into pieces. The man has been arrested," Khunti superintendent of police Aman Kumar said. PTI
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23:21 10 arrested in major crackdown on terror networks in J-K's Kathua
Ten over ground workers of terror groups were arrested on Wednesday during a massive crackdown aimed at dismantling the terror ecosystem in Kathua district of Jammu and Kashmir, the police said.
The sweeping operation at 17 locations was jointly conducted by police and CRPF in general area of Malhar, Bani and upper reaches of Billawar besides border areas of Kana chack, Haria chack, Spral Pain and Chack Wajir Lahbju to uncover networks providing logistic and financial aid to terrorist groups, a police spokesperson said.
He said meticulously planned raids in connection with three FIRs related to terror incidents registered at police stations Malhar, Billawar and Bani led to the identification and arrest of 10 OGWs and terrorist suspects.
A number of electronic devices were also seized during the searches, the spokesperson said.
Recently, three foreign terrorists affiliated with Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) outfit were killed in two different encounters with security forces in the upper reaches of Kathua district and its fringe area with Basantgarh in Udhampur district, causing serious setback to terror groups who have stepped up their activities in the district this year.
Over the past few days, police in Jammu region had intensified its crackdown on terror networks linked to JeM and Lashkar-e-Tayiba by conducting over 56 raids in various other districts including Rajouri, Poonch, Udhampur and Reasi. -- PTI
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22:39 Rains continue in Tamil Nadu, standing crops hit in Cauvery delta areas
Intermittent rains continued on Wednesday in the state's Cauvery delta areas affecting standing paddy crops, and the India Meteorological Department said cyclonic storm will form soon and later weaken and reach the Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coasts as a deep depression by November 30 morning.
Crops were submerged partially and completely at several places, including those in and around Tiruvarur, Thiruthuraipoondi, Muthupettai, Mayiladuthurai, and Vedaranyam, and according to farmers' rough estimates, crops on at least 2,000 acres were affected.
Also, huge acreage of salt pans in the districts of Nagapattinam (Vedaranyam) and Villupuram (Marakkanman) came under water.
AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami expressed shock over reports that 1,500 acres of paddy crop have been affected in Thiruthuraipoondi (Tiruvarur district) and demanded that officials inspect rain-hit areas and urged the DMK regime to provide appropriate relief to farmers.
Farmers leader P R Pandian alleged that canals and rivers were not properly desilted in the delta areas.
The IMD said the deep depression over Southwest Bay of Bengal moved slowly north-northwestwards with a speed of 3 kmph.
It is 320 km southeast of Nagappattinam, 420 km southeast of Puducherry and 500 km south-southeast of Chennai.
Further, the update posted on 'X' at 9.29 pm on Wednesday said: "It is very likely to continue to move north-northwestwards skirting Sri Lanka coast and intensify into a cyclonic storm during next 12 hours. Thereafter, it will continue to move north-northwestwards and reach near north Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coasts as a deep depression around morning of 30th November." -- PTI
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22:24 Google ropes in former Apple exec Mitul Shah to lead Pixel biz
Google has roped in the former head of consumer sales at Apple India Mitul Shah to lead its Pixel smartphone devices and services business in the country, according to a social media post.
Google has appointed Shah as managing director for Google Devices and Services in India.
"I am happy to share that I've started an exciting new journey with Google as Managing Director for Devices & Services Business - leading Pixel's sales and expansion efforts in India," Shah said in a post on LinkedIn.
Google has partnered with Foxconn and Dixon to manufacture Pixel smartphones in India.
"It's an honour to be part of a company that's at the forefront of innovation, and I'm particularly thrilled to be working on a product that has the potential to put the magic and power of AI in the pockets of millions of people across my beloved country," Shah said.
People have been asking him for the reason for switching from Apple, he added.
"This is not a switch. This is a continuation of the mission of putting the world's best technology in the hands of fellow countrymen and women. I couldn't be more fortunate to have an opportunity to deliver the transformative power of AI and meaningful experiences to Indian consumers, with an immensely committed and talented team," Shah said. -- PTI
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21:45 Won't contest elections with EVM, says Cong leader
Congress will not contest upcoming elections until the ballot paper mechanism is reintroduced, senior party leader and former Chhattisgarh minister Kawasi Lakhma said on Wednesday.
Lakhma said meetings will be held with INDIA bloc allies over AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge's demand for bringing in the ballot paper mechanism, Congress party will not contest upcoming elections until ballot papers are reintroduced.
Congress will speak to all alliance partners (of INDIA bloc) and launch protests, Lakhma said.
"Mallikarjun Kharge ji gave a statement yesterday. Now meetings will take place (with alliance partners). Currently, the Lok Sabha session is underway. After meeting with INDIA bloc partners further course of action will be chalked out," he added.
A day earlier, Kharge had criticised the electronic voting system and demanded a return to the ballot paper mechanism earlier in use for elections.
Notably, the Supreme Court Tuesday dismissed a plea seeking to revert to paper ballot voting in elections in the country, saying allegations of tampering with electronic voting machines (EVM) raked up only when people lose polls.
The Congress' ballot paper demand came against the backdrop of the crushing defeat the opposition MVA suffered in the Maharashtra assembly elections which saw the BJP-led Mahayuti clinching a landslide victory by winning 230 out of 288 seats. -- PTI
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21:10 Mobile internet suspension extended for two days in Manipur
The Manipur government on Wednesday extended the suspension of mobile internet services for two more days in nine districts until November 29, an order by the home department said.
"The state government, after reviewing the prevailing law and order situation, has decided to continue the suspension of mobile internet and mobile data services, including VSATs and VPN, in the territorial jurisdiction of Imphal West, Imphal East, Kakching, Bishnupur, Thoubal, Churachandpur, Kangpokpi, Pherzawl, and Jiribam of Manipur for another two days, in public interest," the order said.
After violence escalated in the northeastern state on November 16, the administration suspended internet services initially for two days to prevent anti-social elements from spreading content that might create law and order problems.
It has been extended several times since then.
The state government had conditionally lifted the suspension on broadband services (ILL and FTTH) on Tuesday, considering the hardships faced by common people, healthcare facilities, educational institutions, and other offices. -- PTI
Dhanush and Aishwarya Rajinikanth/File image/Courtesy Aishwaryaa R Dhanush/Instagram
20:53 Family court grants divorce to actor Dhanush and Aishwarya Rajinikanth
A family court on Wednesday granted divorce to actor Dhanush and Aishwarya Rajinikanth. Dhanush, son of film director Kasthuriraja and Aishwarya, daughter of superstar Rajinikanth got married on November 18, 2004 with the blessings of both their families.
Out of wedlock, they have two sons.
Nearly after 18 years of marriage, they announced their separation officially in November 2022.
Then, they approached the family court to get separated legally and filed a petition for divorce on mutual consent.
On November 21 this year, they appeared before the family court judge Subhadevi, who held an in-camera proceedings.
However, they were firm on getting separated. Accordingly, the judge granted divorce to them on Wednesday. -- PTI
NCP chief Ajit Pawar/File image
20:15 Decision on Maha CM after tomorrow's meeting: Ajit
Amid suspense over the choice of the next Maharashtra chief minister, NCP chief Ajit Pawar said on Wednesday that discussions over government formation will take place in the national capital tomorrow and a final decision will be taken.
Ajit Pawar said he, BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis and Chief Minister-designate Eknath Shinde will reach Delhi tomorrow and further discussions will be held.
He said discussions will be held for the post of chief minister and two deputy chief ministers.
"All three of us (Devendra Fadnavis, Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar) are coming to Delhi tomorrow (Thursday). Further discussions will be held there. Discussions on the formation of the government with a CM and two deputy CMs will be held," Pawar, a former deputy chief minister told reporters.
"All discussions will take place there...The final decision will be made after the discussion tomorrow (Thursday)," he added.
Eknath Shinde, who is caretaker Chief Minister, said on Wednesday that whatever decision Prime Minister Narendra Modi takes, he will abide by that. -- ANI
Kannada actor Darshan Thoogudeepa (centre)
20:05 Renukaswamy 'menace to society', actor Darshan tells HC
Kannada actor Darshan Thoogudeepa, who is an accused in the Renukaswamy murder case, argued before the Karnataka high court that the deceased was a "menace to society."
Senior advocate CV Nagesh, representing Darshan, made the statement during a hearing seeking bail for the jailed actor on Tuesday.
According to Nagesh, Renukaswamy had a history of sharing obscene images of women and had no regard for societal norms or respect for women.
Nagesh stated that his behavior was reprehensible.
"A man with no respect for women, a lawless individual, has now been portrayed as a national hero, while my client, who is a hero in reel life, is being vilified as a villain," Nagesh said.
The lawyer also highlighted alleged procedural lapses in the investigation, including delays in conducting an inquest and a postmortem examination of the body, which was discovered by a security guard on June 9.
Furthermore, Nagesh refuted claims that Renukaswamy had been abducted on Darshan's orders, asserting that the victim had voluntarily travelled from Chitradurga to Bengaluru.
Justice S Vishwajith Shetty is set to hear further arguments on Darshan's regular bail plea on November 28.
According to police, 33-year-old Renukaswamy, a fan of the actor, had sent obscene messages to his friend Pavithra Gowda, which enraged Darshan, allegedly leading to his murder.
His body was found near a stormwater drain next to an apartment in Sumanahalli here on June 9.
Raghavendra, one of the accused who is part of Darshan's fan club in Chitradurga, had brought Renukaswamy to a shed in RR Nagar in Bengaluru, on the pretext that the actor wanted to meet him.
It was in this shed that he was allegedly tortured and murdered. -- PTI
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19:32 Will lead to peace in wider region: India welcomes Israel-Lebanon ceasefire
India on Wednesday welcomed the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon and said it hoped that these developments will lead to "peace and stability" in the wider region.
The ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon-based Hezbollah began early Wednesday morning, according to reports.
"We welcome the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon that has been announced. We have always called for de-escalation, restraint and return to the path of dialogue and diplomacy. We hope these developments will lead to peace and stability in the wider region," the ministry of external affair said in a statement.
In early October, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had termed the conflict in West Asia as a cause of "great concern" and "deep worry", even as he had said that in a globalised world, a conflict anywhere actually creates problems everywhere.
Honestly today, whether it is the conflict in Ukraine or the conflict in the Middle East (West Asia), these are "big factors of instability, big factors of concern", Jaishankar had said during an event in New Delhi.
Long-displaced residents of south Lebanon have begun to return to their homes amid celebrations hours after the ceasefire, the reports in international media said. -- PTI
19:18 IIT Delhi student killed in soil collapse at Lothal
An IIT Delhi student died and three others were injured after soil collapsed on them when they entered a pit near the archaeological site of Lothal in Gujarat for research on Wednesday morning, police said.
Surabhi Verma (23), a PhD scholar at IIT Delhi, and the other victims were at the ancient Indus Valley civilisation site, some 80 km from Ahmedabad, to do research work when the cave-in occurred, he said.
A team of four researchers, two from IIT Delhi and as many from IIT Gandhinagar, were near the archaeological remains of the Harappan port town of Lothal to collect soil samples for study, said superintendent of police (rural) Om Prakash Jat.
All four went inside a 10-foot-deep pit dug up for the purpose when its wall collapsed, burying them under a mound of soil, the police officer said.
"A researcher from IIT Delhi, identified as Surabhi Verma, died on the spot. Three others were rescued and rushed to the hospital where their condition was stable," he said. -- PTI
19:09 Four Maoists held, explosives seized in Chhattisgarh
The police on Wednesday arrested four Maoists and seized explosives from them in Bijapur district of Chhattisgarh, an official said.
They were apprehended near a forest of Pondum village under the Bhairamgarh police station limits, he said.
The police team was out on anti-Maoist operation when it nabbed Sukku Hapka alias Pulal alias Patel, Mannu Hapka, Lachchhu Madvi and Kosal Madvi alias Gulab, he said.
According to the police, Patel was the head of the 'Jantana Sarkar' (people's government of the Maoists) under the Puladi Revolutionary People's Committee, while Kosal was its member. Mannu was militia deputy commander and Lachchu was a militia member of the Puladi RPC.
The police seized a tiffin bomb, a cordex wire, a switch and excavation material from them, the official said, adding that a local court sent the arrested Maoists to prison. -- PTI
18:41 Female firefighter among two injured in blaze in south Mumbai high-rise
Two persons, including a female firefighter, were injured in a blaze that broke out in a 22-storey building in south Mumbai on Wednesday afternoon, civic officials said.
Residents stranded on upper floors of the high-rise structure were moved to the terrace as a precautionary measure, they said.
The fire started on the 14th floor of "Ansari Heights" building in the Dongri area at around 1.10 pm, apparently after a cooking gas cylinder explosion in a flat, and spread up to the 19th level of the residential building, said the officials.
A civic official said firewoman Anjali Amol Jamdade (35), attached with the Mumbai Fire Brigade's Mandavi station, sustained injury on her right shoulder while dousing the flames.
Another person, identified as Nasir Muni Ansari (49), suffered 15 per cent burn injuries.
Both were admitted to Maharashtra government-run JJ Hospital in Byculla, where their condition was listed as stable, he said.
He said the fire in the 22-storey building engulfed multiple upper floors. Initially, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation said the building had 15 floors and the blaze started in a flat on the 14th level.
"People stranded on upper floors were moved to the terrace as a precautionary measure as the staircase was smoke logged," the civic official said.
At least 12 fire engines, other vehicles and equipment along with personnel were sent to the spot and flames were put out by around 5 pm, he added.
Earlier in the morning, a fire broke out in a seven-storey residential building in Mumbai's suburb of Andheri (West), officials said. -- PTI
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah/File image
18:13 PM, Shah decision on CM in 2-3 days: NCP leader
Nationalist Congress Party leader Sunil Tatkare on Wednesday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah will take the final decision on who would be Maharashtra's next chief minister.
Suspense over who would get the top post continues after the ruling Mahayuti coalition's spectacular success in the assembly elections, results of which were declared on November 23.
"The decision on the chief minister's post will be taken by PM Narendra Modi and Amit Shah....It will be taken in two-three days. After that the process of government formation will start," said Tatkare, speaking to the media in Delhi.
The Mahayuti coalition, comprising the BJP, Shiv Sena and Nationalist Congress Party, had not decided any formula for the CM post, he said.
The MP from Raigad also slammed the Opposition for blaming Electronic Voting Machines.
"It takes courage and large-heartedness to accept a defeat. The Opposition can not digest the fact that people have rejected them," he said.
The Mahayuti won a landslide victory in the elections, bagging 230 of 288 assembly seats. -- PTI
17:43 One dead, two critical after inhaling toxic fumes in Andhra pharma factory
One person died and two more are in critical condition after inhaling toxic fumes in a pharma company here, said a police official on Wednesday.
The incident occurred at the private company located at Parawada Pharma City in Anakapalli district around 4.30 pm on Tuesday and the affected workers started displaying symptoms around midnight, said the official.
"Without taking any precautions, the workers cleaned fumes emanating from a reactor which underwent heavy pressure build up while mixing Hydrochloric Acid and chloroform. In that process, they inhaled those fumes," the official said.
Anakapalli district Collector Vijaya Krishnan noted that up to 400 litres of HCL leaked from the reactor-cum-receiver tank (GLR-325) in liquid form and fell on the floor.
However, the affected workers did not display symptoms immediately but started exhibiting them from around midnight in the form of cough and breathing issues, police said. Nine workers have been hospitalised.
Superintendent of police Tuhin Sinha observed that no worker was injured during the industrial incident.
Initially, the pharma company management admitted the nine workers at a private hospital in Gajuwaka and later shifted three of the critical ones to a corporate hospital in Vizag.
Besides the single death and two critical cases on ventilator support, the remaining six are normal, said the collector.
Krishnan identified the deceased person as Amit, a 23-year-old helper in the factory from Odisha. He died at 12.30 pm on Wednesday.
According to the police, the company management did not alert the workers over the dangers of inhaling the toxic fumes. -- PTI
Maharashtra BJP chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule
17:30 Maharashtra BJP chief lauds Shinde for clearing stand on CM post
Maharashtra BJP chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule on Wednesday thanked ally Eknath Shinde for stating that the decision of the top BJP leadership on the next chief minister of the state will be acceptable to him.
Speaking to reporters in Nagpur soon after Shinde, at present a caretaker chief minister, made clear his stand, Bawankule slammed the opposition for trying to spread rumours and cast aspersions on Shinde's character.
"I want to thank Shinde. He today made clear his stand on the chief minister's post. He has taken an important stand. I am proud of him," the BJP leader said.
Bawankule also praised Shinde for his commitment to Maharashtra's progress, highlighting his role in the completion of the Nagpur-Mumbai Samruddhi Expressway.
"He took a lot of efforts for the betterment of Maharashtra. He did a good job as chief minister," Bawankule added.
Shinde, as a Shiv Sena leader, must have felt a lot of pain when Uddhav Thackeray, then head of the united Shiv Sena, severed his alliance with the BJP in 2019, he said.
As CM, Shinde demonstrated the true power of a "double-engine" government, Bawankule added. He also lauded Shinde's willingness to collaborate and prioritise the state's development over personal ambitions.
"Whatever we asked as an ally, he accepted our demands and respected our expectations," the BJP leader said. Congress, which is part of the Opposition's Maha Vikas Aghadi, had eight candidates for the CM post before the elections, he said.
"MVA constituents were contesting elections to become CM, and we were fighting for the betterment of 14 crore people of Maharashtra," he said. -- PTI
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17:20 Opposition members storm out of Waqf panel meeting, return later
Opposition members on Wednesday stormed out of the meeting of the joint parliamentary committee examining the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, alleging that its proceedings had become a mockery.
They, however, returned to attend the meeting after an hour amid indications that the committee chairperson would seek an extension in its term. Sources said the panel's tenure might be extended till the first week of the Budget Session, adding that a final decision would have to be taken by the Lok Sabha.
17:12 Note the time for the change of guard ceremony...
The Change of Guard Ceremony on the Forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan will shift to the winter timing -- between 9 am and 10 am with effect from November 30.
17:08 Markets climb on sharp rally in Adani group firms
Equity benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty rebounded on Wednesday, driven by a sharp rally in Adani group stocks and fresh foreign fund inflows.
The BSE benchmark Sensex climbed 230.02 points or 0.29 per cent to settle at 80,234.08. During the day, it surged 507.09 points or 0.63 per cent to 80,511.15. The NSE Nifty rose 80.40 points or 0.33 per cent to 24,274.90.
From the 30-share Sensex pack, Adani Ports surged 6 per cent. NTPC, HDFC Bank, Bajaj Finance, Maruti and Axis Bank were among the other gainers. In contrast, Titan, State Bank of India, Asian Paints, Tata Consultancy Services, HCL Tech, Sun Pharma, IndusInd Bank and ICICI Bank were among the laggards.
Shares of Adani Group firms, including Adani Power, Adani Total Gas, Adani Enterprises, Adani Energy Solutions and Adani Green Energy, surged after an Adani Group entity said on Wednesday that Gautam Adani and his aides have not been charged under the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, adding that they faced three other charges, including securities and wire fraud that are punishable with monetary fines.
16:59 Shinde heads to Delhi after 'not upset' message to BJP
As the uncertainty over the Maharashtra Chief Minister post continues, the caretaker Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said on Wednesday that whatever decision Prime Minister Narendra Modi takes, he will abide by that.
He added that whoever is elected as the Chief Minister by Mahayuti, Shiv Sainiks will lend their support to that person. "I have told the Prime Minister that if there is any problem in forming the government in Maharashtra because of me, then do not bring any doubt in your mind and whatever decision you take, that decision is acceptable to me," Eknath Shinde said in a press conference in Mumbai.
Shinde is expected to leave for Delhi later on Wednesday and a meeting of all Yuti allies with PM Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah is also on the cards.
"You (PM Modi) are the head of our family. The way people of BJP accept your decision, we will also accept your decision in the same way. I made a phone call to PM Modi and HM Amit Shah yesterday and told them that there will be no problem in forming the government because of me," Eknath Shinde added.
The Sena leader, said that he never considered himself a Chief Minister but as a common man whose job was to work for the citizens of the state. "I have always worked as a worker. I never considered myself a Chief Minister. CM means Common Man, I worked by considering this... We should work for people. I have seen the pain of citizens, how they ran their households," he said.
Dr Prannoy Roy
16:23 Detailed CBI clean chit to NDTV founders raises doubt
The CBI's investigation has found that there was no wrongdoing in the ICICI bank sanctioning a loan of Rs 375 crores to the Roys' firm. Read more here.
16:23 Won't obstruct BJP's decision on Maha CM: Shinde
So, the gist of Eknath Shinde's presser is that the Shiv Sena will not obstruct or stand in the way of any decision that the senior leadership of the BJP takes to decide on who will be the next chief minister of Maharashtra. Shinde rubbished reports that he was disappointed for not getting a second term as CM despite the ruling Mahayuti alliance winning a thumping victory under his leadership. "Nobody is annoyed. We have worked as Mahayuti," he said.
16:12 Shinde: I called Mr Modi, Mr Shah and said...
Eknath Shinde presser: "I am a people's chief minister. If you ask anyone who is a people's person, my name crops up. I am not a person who is greedy for any position. I called the home minister, the prime minister yesterday, and told him that there shouldn't be any difficult to form the government because of me. I told him you should make a decision as the leader of NDA and the Mahayuti and just like your decision is final for the BJP, it is final for us. We want to work even more as part of the Mahayuti. We have been given a huge mandate and we have to take quick decisions. We have lots of work to do. We have to take this state ahead. Whatever decision the senior leadership of the BJP takes, the Shiv Sena will completely support that decision. Eknath Shinde and Shiv Sena agrees, there is no speed-breaker from our part. We support their decision wholeheartedly.
16:05 Ladki bahin knew who was their brother: Shinde
Eknath Shinde presser: "We have kept alive the legacy of Anand Dighe and Bal Thackeray. When we formed the government PM Modi assured as he will support us and over the last 2.5 years he has supported us. The decisions that we have taken are historic and unprecedented and I am proud of it. We have taken Maharashtra to the top most position. When MVA came Maharashtra slipped to the #3 position, when we came, the state moved to the top position again. The huge amount of votes is because of the work we did. The ladki bahin knew who was their real brother and they kept it in mind when then voted.
"There are lot of questions being asked if we are sad or upset. But we only know work. We are not upset. Our victory was historic. Till the very end of my life I will work for the people of Maharashtra. What I got is not important, what the people got is."
15:59 I'm a common man, I gave back to people: Shinde
Former Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde addresses a presser. "I thank the people and voters of Maharashtra for the huge mandate. It was a landslide victory. I have travelled a lot during the election. I have worked and am still working as the worker of the party. For me, the CM was always a common man. The mandate is the result of the policies and programmes of the Mahayuti government in Maharashtra. I come from an ordinary family and I wanted to give back to the people if I was ever in a position of power."
15:48 EVM hai toh mumkin hai: Sena-UBT on results
Shiv Sena (UBT) on Wednesday said the ruling Mahayuti in Maharashtra won a "bumper lucky draw" in the assembly elections, but a cloud of suspicion hangs over the use of the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). "EVM hai to mumkin hai," (anything is possible with EVMs), said the editorial in the party mouthpiece `Saamana'.
US-based billionaire Elon Musk recently praised the speed at which votes were counted in Indian elections and contrasted it with the pace of counting in the presidential polls in his country, but even ordinary Indians are "dumbstruck" by the functioning of the EVMs, Saamana said.
Further, Musk himself had said a few months ago that EVMs can be hacked, it pointed out. "How did the ruling Mahayuti win this "bumper lucky draw" of 230 out of 288 seats? While seeking answers, the thinking stops at the EVMs," it said. -- PTI
15:46 Who will be Maharashtra CM? Fadnavis says...
Maharashtra Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday headed to the national capital, New Delhi. He is expected to meet the BJP top brass in an effort to resolve the impasse over the decision of who will be Chief Minister of the state.
On being asked about the new Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Fadnavis said that the answer would be given soon and a decision was being taken on the same.
"The answer to this will be given soon. All senior members of the three parties of Mahayuti are taking a decision on this together..," Fadnavis said while speaking to the media.
Speaking on the decision for the posts of the other ministers, Fadnavis said that the decisions for the Chief Minister would be taken first after which the rest of the decisions would be taken. -- ANI
15:43 Arrest of Hindu leader in Bangladesh: Minister seeks intervention of UN
Union minister Giriraj Singh on Wednesday said the attack on Hindus in Bangladesh reflects that the interim government of that country is in the "clutches of fundamentalists" and sought the intervention of the United Nations in the matter.
Condemning the arrest of a Hindu leader in Bangladesh, he said such attacks are against humanity. "The caretaker 'prime minister' of Bangladesh is in the clutches of fundamentalists. The way Hindus are being attacked is against humanity. United Nations should intervene in this matter," Singh told reporters in Parliament complex.
The Bangladesh interim government is headed by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus. Singh said the targeting of Hindus and arrest of religious leaders shows that fundamentalists are dominating the Bangladesh interim government like in the case of Pakistan.
The minister was asked about the arrest of Hindu leader Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari in Bangladesh and the prevailing situation there.
No takers for Congress
14:58 'Cong has no future, all its MLAs should join BJP'
Bharatiya Janata Party leader Ashish Deshmukh on Wednesday said all the 16 newly-elected assembly members of the Congress in Maharashtra should join the BJP, claiming their party has no future in the state.
The BJP-led Mahayuti alliance in the state bagged 230 of the 288 assembly seats, while the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) could win only 46 seats in the recently-concluded state polls. The Congress, which is a constituent of the MVA, secured only 16 seats.
"The Bharatiya Janata Party and the Mahayuti alliance won by a large margin and we saw the downfall of Congress in Maharashtra. This decline of Congress is happening everywhere," Deshmukh, who won the election from Savner seat in Nagpur district, claimed in a statement. The continuous decline in the number of seats in every state and voter base has left no option for the Congress, he said, adding the result is a new low for the opposition party.
"There is no future for the Congress and its MLAs" and its MLAs in Maharashtra should join the BJP, he said. The Congress has won only 16 seats in Maharashtra, which sends the second highest number of 48 members to the Lok Sabha, he noted. Maharashtra is the 17th state in India where Congress has less than 10 per cent representation in the assembly, the BJP leader said.
"With just 16 MLAs in the 288-member Maharashtra assembly, the Congress now has only 5.55 per cent seats in the House. This is Congress party's lowest seat share in the state assembly since 1962," said Deshmukh.
14:42 Parl adjourned as govt won't discuss Adani: Cong
The Congress on Wednesday alleged that both Houses of Parliament got adjourned because of the government's "stubborn unwillingness" to agree to an immediate discussion on the latest revelations regarding the Adani Group.
Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said the Opposition continues to demand a joint parliamentary committee investigation into the entire "Modani scam". Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha proceedings were adjourned for the day amid opposition protests on various issues, including bribery charges related to the Adani Group.
"Today also both Houses of Parliament got adjourned because of the Govt's stubborn unwillingness to agree to an immediate discussion on the latest revelations regarding the Adani Group," Ramesh said in a post on X.
"The Opposition continues to demand a JPC investigation into the entire Modani scam - which has global ramifications and has been born out of the cozy relationship between the PM and Mr. Gautam Adani," he said.
Gautam Adani, founder chairman of the ports-to-energy conglomerate, his nephew Sagar, and another key executive have been charged by the US Department of Justice of being part of an alleged scheme to pay USD 265 million bribes to Indian officials to win contracts for the supply of solar electricity that would yield USD 2 billion profit over a 20-year period.
-- PTI
14:27 How long can Partha Chatterjee be kept in jail, asks SC
The Supreme Court on Wednesday questioned the ED over the low rate of convictions in money laundering cases, wondering for how long former West Bengal minister Partha Chatterjee, arrested over alleged irregularities in academic staff recruitment in the state, could be kept in jail.
A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan said Chatterjee has been incarcerated for over two years and the trial in the case was yet to commence.
"What will happen if we don't grant bail? Trial is yet to commence, there are 183 witnesses in the cases. Trial will take time...How long can we keep him? That is the question. Here is a case where more than two years have gone. How to strike balance in such case?" the bench asked.
Additional Solicitor General S V Raju, representing ED. The top court remarked it also couldn't ignore that the allegations against the former minister were serious in nature and asked, "Mr Raju, if ultimately he is not convicted, what will happen? Waiting for 2.5-3 years is not a small period. What is your conviction rate? Even if the rate is 60-70 per cent, we can understand. But it is very poor." -- PTI
14:16 Fire erupts in 15-storey residential building in south Mumbai
A fire broke out in a 15-storey residential building in south Mumbai on Wednesday afternoon, officials said. The fire started on the 14th floor of the Ansari Heights building in the Dongri area around 1.10 pm, a civic official said. There is no report of any injury to anyone, the official said.
At least four fire engines and other firefighting vehicles have been rushed to the spot on Nishan Pada Road, he said. The firefighting operation is underway, he said, adding that the cause of the blaze was yet to be ascertained. -- PTI
Basic healthcare facilities for the poor remain dismal
13:55 Pregnant woman dies while travelling in ambulance with oxygen
A 26-year-old pregnant woman from Maharashtra's Palghar district died while being taken to hospital in an ambulance which was not equipped with oxygen and other necessary facilities, authorities said on Wednesday.
Palghar's Civil Surgeon Dr Ramdas Marad said the health department has repeatedly raised concerns with authorities about the lack of specialised ambulances in the region. The woman, who was in labour pain, was brought to a rural hospital here in a critical state on Tuesday evening.
"If she had come earlier, we could have saved her," the health official said. Palghar Lok Sabha member Dr Hemant Savara said the health department should take necessary action into the matter and ambulance services should have adequate facilities.
Pinki Dongarkar, resident of Sarni village, went into labour on Tuesday evening. Her family immediately rushed her to Kasa rural hospital, but due to the critical nature of her condition, the staff there referred her to neighbouring Silvassa city (in the Union territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu) for further medical attention.
However, despite frantic attempts by her family to secure an ambulance equipped with oxygen and necessary medical facilities through the '108' emergency service, their requests went unanswered, a health official said. -- PTI
13:53 Maha CM decision after consulting NCP, Sena: BJP
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Ashok Chavan on Wednesday said that the government in Maharashtra would be formed after taking everyone into confidence.
Speaking to ANI, he said, "There is an alliance of three parties. Therefore, a decision will be taken only after taking everyone into confidence. There is no delay because it has been only 4 days since the results were announced. Whatever Ramdas Athawale has said is his personal opinion. A stable government will be formed."
Earlier on November 26, Union Minister Ramdas Athawle had said that Devendra Fadnavis should lead the Mahayuti government, as "people of Maharashtra want him" to be the next Chief Minister, and Eknath Shinde can be the Deputy CM or join the Modi government.
Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde resigned as Maharashtra Chief Minister and was appointed as the caretaker CM until the formation of the new government.
However, the Mahayuti alliance is yet to decide on who will lead the Maharashtra government. Republican Party of India (Athawale) president also said that Shinde is a bit "unhappy" after he came to know that the BJP high command has "finalised" Devendra Fadnavis as the next CM. Deadlock is there...when Eknath Shinde came to know that the BJP high command has finalised Devendra Fadnavis as the CM (of Maharashtra), he is a bit unhaapy, which I can understand. But, BJP has got 132 seats and hence I think there have to make a way ...Devendra Fadnavis should be made the CM. Shinde can be made Union Minister," Athawale said.
He also suggested that Eknath Shinde can be made the Deputy Chief Minister or Union Minister in the BJP-led Centre. "Eknath Shinde can assume the charge of deputy CM. If he is not willing to be the deputy CM, he can be made Union Minister in PM Modi's cabinet... The people of Maharashtra want Devendra Fadnavis to be the CM...," Athawale told ANI. He said the BJP high command should take the decision soon after talking with all three leaders, Devendra Fadnavis, Eknath Shinde, and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) Chief Ajit Pawar.
The BJP emerged as the biggest winner with 132 seats out of 280 member Maharashtra assembly, while its allies--the Shiv Sena led by Eknath Shinde and the NCP led by Ajit Pawar--won 57 and 41 seats, respectively. The Maharashtra assembly elections were held on November 20, and the results were declared on November 23. -- ANI
13:44 Govt to launch 1st round of auction of minerals in offshore areas on Thursday
The government will on Thursday launch the first round of sale of mineral blocks in offshore areas with 13 mines across the Arabian Sea and Andaman Sea set to be auctioned. These mineral blocks consist of a mix of construction sand, lime mud, and polymetallic nodules.
These minerals are critical for infrastructure development, high-tech manufacturing and green energy transition.
"The Ministry of Mines will be launching the first-ever tranche of auction of mineral blocks in offshore areas of India on 28th November 2024," an official statement said.
The move assumes significance as it will lead to foray into the exploration and development of undersea mineral resources within its offshore area. Offshore areas include territorial waters, continental shelf, exclusive economic zone, and other maritime zones of the country. -- PTI
12:52 Mukul Rohatgi finds flaws in Adani indictment
Former Attorney General of India and Senior Counsel Mukul Rohatgi on Wednesday said that industrialist Gautam Adani, along with his nephew Sagar Adani, have not been named in key bribery or obstruction of justice charges in the indictment filed by United States prosecutors in a bribery case.
Earlier today, the Adani Group Energy Limited (AGEL) refuted bribery allegations made by the US Department of Justice and the US Securities and Exchange Commission against the Group's founder and Chairman Gautam Adani, his nephew Sagar Adani and MD CEO Adani Green Energy Vineet Jaain, in a filing with the stock exchanges.
In its filing, AGEL has cited media reports on the alleged bribery and corruption charges against Adani officials as "Incorrect"."I have gone through this indictment by the US court. My assessment is that there are five charges or five counts. It is important to note that counts one and five are more important than the others, but neither in Count 1 nor in Count 5 is Mr Adani or his nephew charged," Rohtgi said.
The senior counsel clarified that these were his personal legal views. "I am not a spokesman for the Adani Group. I am a lawyer and have been appearing for the Adani Group in several cases," he said.
"Count number 1 of the indictment is against certain other persons minus the two Adanis. It includes some of their officers and one foreign person...The first allegation is that there is a conspiracy to violate the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act framed by the US Parliament. In that, the Adanis are not named, their officers may be named," the Former Attorney General of India said.
He detailed further, "There are two or three other counts relating to securities and bonds. In those three counts, the Adanis and others are named. This is a charge sheet alleging that these people, including Adanis have bribed Indian officials in Indian entities relating to the supply and purchase of power, but I do not find a single name or a single detail in the chargesheet as to who has been bribed, in what manner has he been bribed and the official belongs to such and such department.
"This charge sheet is completely silent, so I don't know how one can respond to this kind of chargesheets." he said.
In a legal indictment, count refers to individual charges against a defendant.
12:43 When a Nobel Laureate cooks
'Chhaunk' contains recipes, but it isn't a recipe book. It is a bit about food, a bit about the stories behind food, and it gives the reader plenty of food for thought too. Read the review of Abhijit Banerjee's latest cookbook here.
12:29 Digital arrest for 55hrs: Fauji duped of Rs 5 lakh
A retired Air Force official from Faridabad was duped of Rs 5 lakh by fraudsters posing as TRAI and CBI officials, who placed him under digital arrest for 55 hours, the police said on Wednesday.
The victim, Aditya Kumar Jha (55), a retired sergeant from the Air Force, is currently employed as a clerk at Punjab National Bank.
On October 6, a day after returning from Haryana election duty, Jha received a video call at around 9:50 am from an unknown number while his wife and son were at the Jhandewalan temple in Delhi. One of the callers, posing as a Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) official, told Jha that his mobile number would be deactivated in two hours because someone had obtained a SIM card using his Aadhar details in Delhi, and gambling messages were being sent from that number, police said.
Meanwhile, the second fraudster, introducing himself as Vijay Kumar, a DCP from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), claimed that arrest warrants had been issued against Jha, further alarming him, they said.
"The caller instructed me to reach the CBI's Delhi office within two hours. When I refused, he told me that a money laundering case involving Rs 6.68 crore had been filed against me, accusing me of being involved in the case along with Nawab Malik," Jha stated in his complaint.
The scammers then demanded Jha's bank account details and placed him under digital arrest, warning him not to disconnect the video call, or they would take action against his family, police said. Digital arrest is a type of cyber fraud where scammers impersonate law enforcement or government officials, intimidating victims through audio or video calls and coercing them into making payments.
The fraudsters instructed Jha to transfer a sum of money into a specified bank account under the pretense of an investigation into money laundering. When the transaction failed, they ordered him to visit his bank's home branch in Madhubani, Bihar, police added.
Jha, not disconnecting the call, travelled by train to Bihar where he transferred Rs 5.03 lakh to the account as instructed. Suspicion arose when a relative of Jha called the same number from which he had received the initial call on October 8, causing the phone to disconnect.
The relative then informed Jha's son in Delhi, who travelled to Bihar, took his father back to Faridabad. The victim then registered an FIR at the Cyber Crime Central Police Station here. A senior police officer stated that preliminary investigations revealed the money had been transferred into several different bank accounts. We are on job and trying to find out the accused, he added. -- PTI
Ashish Mishra. File pic
12:07 Lakhimpur Kheri violence: SC directs Ashish Mishra to respond to allegations
The Supreme Court on Wednesday directed former Union minister Ajay Mishra's son Ashish Mishra to respond to allegation that witnesses were being threatened in the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri violence case that claimed eight lives.
A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan asked senior advocate Siddharth Dave, appearing for Mishra, to file an affidavit clarifying his stand after he refuted the allegations. At the outset, a counsel appearing for one of the complainants in the case told the court that he has filed a plea in which he has said that witnesses were threatened by Mishra. Dave denied the allegations and said this is an "endless process".
"It's not me in the photographs. This is not for this court, this is for outside," Dave said. The top court then asked Mishra to file an affidavit denying the allegations within four weeks.
On July 22, the top court had granted bail to Ashish Mishra and restricted his movement to Delhi or Lucknow. On January 25 last year, the top court had given Ashish Mishra interim bail in the "unfortunate ghastly incident".
11:51 BJP: Did MVA question EVMs during LS polls?
Maharashtra Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Chandrashekhar Bawankule on Wednesday lashed out at the opposition and said that the party should introspect the situation instead of blaming the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).
"31 MPS of the Maha Vikas Aghadi were elected during the Lok Sabha elections five months ago in Maharashtra; why didn't they raise questions on EVMs at that time? Now their candidate has won Nanded Lok Sabha by-elections, were there no problem with the EVMs there? They are just creating a mess and instead of blaming the EVMs, they should introspect on why they lost.
"They will lose the elections in the future also if they keep doing this. There is no delay in the government formation. Every worker wants his leader to become the CM. It's being formed for the people. Soon a good government will be formed," Bawankule said while speaking to ANI.
11:38 Parliament proceedings disrupted till noon
Lok Sabha proceedings were adjourned till 12 noon on Wednesday amid protests by Opposition members over the Adani controversy, recent violence in Sambhal in Uttar Pradesh and other issues.
As soon as the House met for the day, many Opposition members, including from Congress, were on their feet as they sought to raise various issues. Some members from the Congress and Samajwadi Party were in the Well while other Opposition members stood in the aisle and shouted slogans.
Speaker Om Birla asked the Opposition members to allow the Question Hour and said they can take up their issues later. Amid the din, one question was taken up. However, the protests continued and the proceedings, which went on for about six minutes, were adjourned till noon.
Rajya Sabha proceedings were briefly adjourned on Wednesday amid opposition protests over various issues, including the Adani controversy and increasing incidents of crime in the national capital.
The proceedings were adjourned till 11.30 am. Soon after listed papers were tabled in the House, Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar said he has received 18 notices under Rule 267 for suspension of the scheduled business and to take up issues related to the Adani Group, violence in Uttar Pradesh's Sambhal and rising incidents of crime in Delhi. He, however did not accept the notices. -- PTI
11:18 Sambhal: Posters of stone pelters to be put up
The Uttar Pradesh government will make protesters involved in the Sambhal violence pay for damage to public property while posters of "stone pelters" will be displayed at public places, an official said on Wednesday.
Four people died and scores, including police personnel, were injured in Sambhal on Sunday after a confrontation erupted over a court-ordered survey of the city's Shahi Jama Masjid in Kot Garvi area, following a petition claiming that a Harihar temple once stood at the site.
"The UP government is adopting a firm stance against the individuals involved in the Sambhal violence. Posters of the stone pelters and miscreants will be displayed publicly, and recovery of damages will be sought. A reward may also be announced for information leading to their arrest," an official spokesperson said. In a similar initiative, the government had previously put up posters of individuals linked to vandalism during the anti-CAA protests in 2020.
These posters were displayed across several locations, including the state capital, but were later removed following a court order. The violence in Sambhal erupted on Sunday when a large crowd gathered near a mosque and began chanting slogans as a survey team resumed its work. The situation escalated when the protesters clashed with security personnel, set vehicles on fire, and pelted stones.
So far, police have arrested 25 individuals and registered seven FIRs, which include charges against Zia-ur-Rehman Barq, the Samajwadi Party MP from Sambhal, Sohail Iqbal, son of the party's local MLA Iqbal Mehmood, and over 2,750 unidentified suspects. -- PTI
11:08 Domestic stock markets open near flatline
Domestic stock markets on Wednesday opened near the flatline on a cautious note, tracking the subdued sentiment in Asian markets. At the opening of the trade, Nifty at National Stock Exchange (NSE) started at 24,204.80, up 10.30 points and Sensex at 80,121.03, up by about 122 points.
In the opening trade, the stocks of Coal India, Adani Enterprises, Mahindra and Mahindra, Adani Ports, and Kotak Banks were the top gainers. On the other hand, IndusInd Bank, Cipla, Tata Consumer Products, Bharti Airtel, and UltraTech Cement were the major losers on the NSE.
Among the sectoral indices, Auto and IT opened in green territory. The sectoral indices of banks, financial services, FMCG, media, pharma, PSU, and private banks, realty, healthcare, and consumer durables opened in red. As per the market analysts, IT stocks and the Adani Group will remain in focus. -- ANI
RS MP Mahesh Jethmalani
10:40 'Cong must produce facts before attacking Adani'
On the allegations against Adani Group in a US Court, Rajya Sabha MP & Senior Advocate Mahesh Jethmalani says, "President Trump has said that the Department of Justice (DOJ) is a farce. This tweet, the Congress never looks at. He is a President-elect and he is making a very responsible statement. The DOJ is acting in unseemly haste. Look at the timing. They are now almost out of power. It is what is called a scorched earth policy. Perhaps they noticed that Gautam Adani complimented President Trump on his success in the presidential elections and maybe this is why. This has been going on for some time, but the haste in which it is done, the sketchiness of the indictment, the total absence of any evidence provided for the indictment shows that this is what I call a hatchet job."
On the opposition parties reacting to the allegations against Adani Group in a US Court, Jethmalani says, "This is clearly a political tool. They have just had a rout in the Maharashtra elections. They've been successful winners in coalition on the coattails of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha but Maharashtra was a prize which they were very confident of winning. This is a completely divergent tactic. They have no other issues.
"You will see that constantly the Congress Party in particular and the INDI alliance sometimes harp on only two issues in which there is foreign meddling. One is Adani and the other is Manipur. These are both issues which they should stay away from. I regret to say that it is not in the country's interest to keep promoting these and playing with fire.
"As far as the indictment is concerned, it is very sketchy, the timing is very suspicious, it has come just before the eve of the parliamentary session...No offence is alleged in the indictment against any of the Adanis or Adani Greens.
"There is not a single piece of evidence in this indictment, nor has the Congress party who today has again asked on an adjournment motion for discussion given any evidence as to why any infractions of Indian law were concerned. Even the indictment of the US court does not talk about any bribery in India. It only says there was a conspiracy to bribe. There is no violation of the Foreign Corruption Prevention Act in India.
"The case is only one that there was some intention, a conspiracy, a scheme to bribe Indian officials, but there is no evidence that it was carried out. It is not even suggested that it was carried out in India.
"This adjournment motion and all this noise which the Congress party has made is completely misconceived...What is the evidence which proves that there was any conspiracy to bribe Indian officials to get these solar energy contracts? There is nothing in the indictment. The Congress party is relying blindly on an indictment against an Indian conglomerate which has undertaken useful businesses for India abroad and it is trying to undermine them.I repeat, there is no case of any bribery in India in that indictment. Congress is reading too much into this indictment and they are doing it for purely political purposes."
10:32 Parl Day 3: Cong demands discussion on Adani
Congress demanded discussion on the Adani indictment in the Parliament as both houses will meet for the third day of the winter session on Wednesday.
Congress MPs Manickam Tagore, Randeep Singh Surjewala and Manish Tewari moved adjournment notices in this regard before the commencement of the session today.
In a notice addressed to the Secretary-General Lok Sabha today, Congress MP Manickam Tagore said, "I hereby give notice of my intention to ask for leave to move a motion for the adjournment of the business of the house to discuss a definite matter of urgent importance."
"The recent US indictment of Gautam Adani, involving over $265 million in bribes for solar power deals and securities fraud, casts a dark shadow over the Adani Group. The silence of the Modi government on this matter raises concerns about India's integrity and global standing. PM Modi must answer questions regarding his friendship with Adani," said the notice. -- ANI
Representational image
10:10 Handicapped man on bail commits five murders
The Valsad Police arrested an alleged serial killer for the rape and murder of a girl on November 14.
The accused, identified as Rahul Singh Jat (29), a resident from Rohtak and a handicapped person, had committed the rape and murder of a 19-year-old girl in Motiwada, as per police officials.
A forensic postmortem of the victim's body confirmed rape and murder as the causes of the death. Taking advantage of his illness, the accused used to travel openly in trains.
Upon receiving information about the incident, the Valsad Police immediately filed an FIR. A team of four Deputy Superintendent Police (DYSP) and 10 Police Inspectors (PI) was formed and all nearby railway stations were checked with the help of railway security personnel.
Within 11 days, the police with the help of CCTV footage, backtracking and forward tracking had tracked a record to the accused and had been arrested by the Jodhpur Police for committing thefts and other crimes.
However, he had been released from there on November 15 and had committed a total of five murders after his release.
The accused was later found travelling in a train to Vapi, from where he was arrested by the police, said Valsad Superintendent (SP) Karanraj Vaghela.
"The police had arrested the accused on 24 November for committing the murder of the 19-year-old girl on November 14. Upon receiving the information, the police had filed an FIR and had immediately formed a team of four DYSP and 10 PIS to check the nearby railway stations with the help of the railway security personnel. Upon checking the CCTV footages, we had found a person with a similar face and with the help of backtracking and forward tracking, he was found earlier arrested in the Jodhpur jail. However, when he was arrested by the officials, he was found travelling on a train to Vapi," said Valsad Superintendent (SP) Karanraj Vaghela while speaking to ANI.
Upon further investigation, the accused had revealed that he had committed a total of five murders in West Bengal, Karnataka, Telangana and Gujarat, as per officials.
"When we arrested the accused and interrogated him, he revealed that he had committed a total of five murders after being released from the Jodhpur jail. The latest murder was committed in the Pune-Kanyakumari express. The victim in this case is still unknown and the police is carrying on investigation," the SP added.
The accused has been taken on remand for a total of 10 days, the police further added. -- ANI
Heavy to very heavy rainfall activity is predicted in TN today
09:56 Rains continue in Tamil Nadu, standing crops hit
Rains continued overnight in Tamil Nadu's Cauvery delta areas affecting standing paddy crops and the India Meteorological Department on Wednesday said heavy to very heavy and extremely heavy rainfall is likely in a few places in Cuddalore and Mayiladuthurai districts, also part of the delta region.
Rains submerged crops, partially and completely, at several places including those in and around Tiruvarur, Thiruthuraipoondi, Muthupettai, Mayilduthurai, Vedaranyam and according to farmers' rough estimates, crops over at least 2,000 acres were affected. -- PTI
09:54 Trump's picked his person for National Institutes of Health
US President-elect Donald Trump has picked Indian-American scientist Jay Bhattacharya as the director of the National Institutes of Health, the country's top health research and funding institutions.
With this, Bhattacharya becomes the first Indian-American to be nominated by Trump for a top administrative position.
Earlier, Trump picked Indian-American Vivek Ramaswamy to lead the newly created Department of Government Efficiency along with Tesla owner Elon Musk. However, that is a voluntary position and does not need confirmation from the US Senate. "I am thrilled to nominate Jay Bhattacharya, MD, PhD, to serve as Director of the National Institutes of Health. Dr. Bhattacharya will work in cooperation with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to direct the Nation's Medical Research and to make important discoveries that will improve Health, and save lives," Trump announced.
Sree Sreenivasan, CEO Digimentors tweets on X: "As you can see, I've been writing about @DrJBhattacharya being a deplorable member of the #DesiHallofShame since 2021. His being in charge of NIH is scary. Elon has ruined Twitter search, so I can't even find all the times I've pointed out, in detail, Dr. Bhattacharya's issues."See one of Sreenivasan's warning's on what Dr Bhattacharya said in 2022. Also read Archana Masih/Rediff.com's interview with Dr Bhattacharya in peak Covid, April 2020. COVID-19: 'There will be significant discoveries'
09:53 Waiting to inhale
Yes, Delhi AQI continues to be in the poor category, but Mumbai is also facing smog. That's a visual from Marine Drive this morning.
Manipur MLAs homes were set on fire
09:43 Woman held for vandalism at Manipur MLAs' homes
A 46-year-old woman was arrested for her alleged involvement in the vandalism at residences of MLAs and ministers in Imphal Valley on November 16, police said on Wednesday.
Mobs set fire to the residences of three BJP legislators, one of whom is a senior minister, and a Congress MLA in various districts of Imphal Valley following the violence in Jiribam.
The violence had escalated after three women and three children belonging to the Meitei community had gone missing from a relief camp in Jiribam after a gunfight between security forces and suspected Kuki-Zo militants resulted in the deaths of 10 insurgents on November 11.
Later, the bodies of these six persons were found. Over 30 people have been arrested so far in connection with the mob attacks on the residences of the lawmakers.
The woman, Thingbaijam Sushila Devi, was arrested on Tuesday, police said. Meanwhile, an active cadre of the proscribed Kangleipak Communist Party (People's War Group) was arrested on charges of extortion in the Nambol area in the Bishnipur district, officials said.
Wairokpam Naoba Meitei was accused of extorting shop owners and local businesses. A two-wheeler was seized from him, police said. PTI
09:09 No bribery charges against Gautam Adani, nephew: Adani Group
Billionaire Gautam Adani and his nephew Sagar Adani have not been charged with any violations of the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) in the indictment filed by US authorities in a court in a bribery case, the Adani Group said on Wednesday.
Gautam Adani, founder chairman of the ports-to-energy conglomerate, Sagar Adani and another key executive, Vneet Jaain, have been charged by the US Department of Justice with being part of an alleged scheme to pay USD 265 million in bribes to Indian officials to win contracts for supply of solar electricity that would yield USD 2 billion profit over a 20-year period.
In a stock exchange filing, Adani Green Energy Ltd, which is at the centre of the bribery allegations, said reports claiming that the three have been charged with FCPA violations "are incorrect".
They have been charged with offences that are punishable with a monetary fine or penalty.
"Gautam Adani, Sagar Adani and Vneet Jaain have not been charged with any violation of the FCPA in the counts set forth in the indictment of the US DOJ or civil complaint of the US SEC.
"These directors have been charged on three counts in the criminal indictment, namely (i) alleged securities fraud conspiracy, (ii) alleged wire fraud conspiracy, and (iii) alleged securities fraud," the filing said.
The Adani Group has denied all allegations and said it will take all possible legal recourse to defend itself.
A criminal indictment has been filed before the United States District Court Eastern District of New York by the Department of Justice in the case of USA against Gautam Adani, Sagar Adani and Vneet Jaain.
"The indictment does not specify any quantum of any fine/penalty," the company said.
The civil complaint alleges that the executives violated certain sections of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Act of 1934, and aided and abetted Adani Green Energy Limited's violation of the Acts, it said.
"Although the complaint prays for an order directing the defendants to pay civil monetary penalties, it does not quantify the amount of penalty," it said. -- PTI
08:51 Israel, Hezbollah reach ceasefire deal for Lebanon
After months of skirmishes and thousands of casualties, Israel and Hezbollah agreed to the ceasefire deal.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, however, also stressed that the "length" of this ceasefire will depend on "what happens in Lebanon."
"With the United States' full understanding, we maintain full freedom of military action. If Hezbollah violates the agreement and tries to arm itself, we will attack. If it tries to rebuild terrorist infrastructure near the border, we will attack. If it launches a rocket, if it digs a tunnel, if it brings in a truck carrying rockets, we will attack", Netanyahu said.
He gave three reasons for having a ceasefire at this point.
"The first reason is to focus on the Iranian threat, and I won't expand on that. The second reason is to give our forces a breather and replenish stocks. And I say it openly, it is no secret that there have been big delays in weapons and munitions deliveries. These delays will be resolved soon. We will receive supplies of advanced weaponry that will keep our soldiers safe and give us more strike force to complete our mission. And the third reason for having a ceasefire is to separate the fronts and isolate Hamas. From day two of the war, Hamas was counting on Hezbollah to fight by its side. With Hezbollah out of the picture, Hamas is left on its own. We will increase our pressure on Hamas and that will help us in our sacred mission of releasing our hostages".
Israel and Lebanon have been engaged in a prolonged conflict that began on October 8 last year, when Hezbollah attacked Israeli-controlled territory in solidarity with Hamas and Palestinians in Gaza, as reported by CNN.
This incident sparked a series of tit-for-tat border attacks, which eventually escalated into a major military offensive launched by Israel in mid-September.
Image only for representation
00:19 Heavy rains lash Tamil Nadu, cyclonic storm brewing
Rains lashed several parts of Tamil Nadu on Tuesday, and the India Meteorological Department has forecast heavy rainfall for three more days in the state, starting November 27, when the deep depression is likely to become a cyclonic storm.
Chief Minister M K Stalin chaired a high-level meeting here at the Secretariat to review the precautionary measures and directed deployment of NDRF and State teams in areas likely to receive heavy rainfall.
In total, 17 teams have been deployed and it includes Chennai, Tiruvarur, Mayiladuthurai, Nagappatinam and Cuddalore and Thanjavur districts.
Chennai and nearby districts of Chengelpet, Kanchipuram and Tiruvallur, the northern coastal city of Cuddalore and Cauvery delta areas, including Nagapattinam were among the places that received rainfall, which was mild to moderate in many areas and heavy in some places.
Due to the rains, heavy traffic congestion was witnessed here in many areas including the arterial OMR Road and traffic flow was affected in several areas as roads came under sheets of water. Also, in Chennai, there was delay in the landing of seven flights.
On an average, areas under Chennai corporation limits received 5.35 cm rainfall and the highest was seen in Manali New Town (13.31 cm). Nagapattinam (11 cm), Mayiladuthurai (8.9 cm), Chengelpet (8.4 cm) and Tiruvarur (7.9 cm) were among the regions that witnessed heavy showers, the government said.
As many as 1,634 relief centres are ready for use if needed and a situation has not arisen so far warranting its utilisaiton anywhere in the state.
Generators, motor pums, boats and other equipment and machinery are on standby for use wherever needed. First-responders and volunteers are also ready for deployment.
State-run Aavin said it has taken all steps to ensure unhindered milk supply to the people.
According to the IMD, the depression over Bay of Bengal formed into a deep depression on Tuesday and it is likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm.
The deep depression was about 720 km south-southeast of Chennai and 520 km southeast of Nagapattinam and warned of squally/gale wind and rough to very rough sea condition.
In its bulletin, it said: "It is very likely to continue to move north-northwestwards and intensify further into a cyclonic storm on 27th November. Thereafter, it will continue to move north-northwestwards towards Tamil Nadu coast skirting Sri Lanka coast during subsequent 2 days."
For Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely at a few places and extremely heavy rainfall at isolated places on November 26 and 27. Heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places is likely on November 28 and heavy rainfall at isolated places on November 29.
On November 27, heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely in some places in the districts of Mayiladuthurai, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam, Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kanchipuram, Chengelpet, and Cuddalore and authorities declared holiday for schools in regions including Chennai, Chengelpet, Cuddalore and Mayiladuthurai.
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