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Tue, 15 October 2024
Flight bomb threats: Cops summon 3 from Chh'garh
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23:58 Underworld don PP expelled from Haridwar seers' body
Underworld don Prakash Pandey serving life sentence in Almora jail was on Tuesday expelled from the seers' body Juna Akhara more than a month after being initiated into monkhood.
The action against the don, popularly known as PP, is based on the report of a committee constituted by the Akhara to look into the incident of monkhood administered to him inside the jail by two seers who claimed they were from Haridwar, Juna Akhara's international patron Mahant Harigiri said.
The Akhara took seriously the initiation of PP in jail and formed an investigation committee of five saints under the chairmanship of Mahant Prem Giri, he said.
The committee submitted the investigation report to the Akhara on Monday after which senior saints of the Akhara discussed the matter. On Tuesday, PP was expelled from the Akhara, Mahant Harigiri said.
He said the saints who initiated Prakash Pandey in jail were fake saints. -- PTI
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23:43 Flight bomb threats: Cops summon 3 from Chh'garh
The Mumbai police served a notice to a teenage boy, his father, and another person from Rajnandgaon in Chhattisgarh asking them to join questioning in connection with bomb threats posted on social media targeting three flights, officials said on Tuesday.
Three international flights originating from Mumbai received bomb threats on Monday.
While a New York-bound Air India flight was diverted to New Delhi and rescheduled, the other two, both operated by IndiGo, were delayed by several hours.
Nothing suspicious was found on any of the planes, police officials had said.
The bomb threat was received through a post on the micro-blogging platform X and the handle is being verified, the officer said.
Two IndiGo flights, one headed to Muscat and the other to Jeddah, also received bomb threats before they took off and the planes were moved to isolation bays for security checks. -- PTI
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23:33 FIR against man for 'offering' to enroll one lakh BJP members for money
A First Information Report was registered against a man in Indore on Tuesday for allegedly offering to enroll one lakh members for the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party for money, the police said.
The BJP is carrying out a membership drive across the country.
The FIR was registered for cheating and defamation, said an official. Nimesh Pathak, convener of the legal cell of the party's city unit, said in his complaint he received a call from a person who posed as a BJP worker and claimed that he could enroll up to one lakh members for a fee of Rs 5 per member.
He had details of beneficiaries of government schemes and local residents, the man allegedly told Pathak.
This was an attempt to commit a fraud in order to cause a major damage to the party's image, the complaint said.
Additional deputy commissioner of police Rajesh Dandotia told PTI that police were trying to ascertain the identity of the person who spoke to Pathak over phone. -- PTI
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23:00 Coaching drowning: Sufficient evidence to prosecute accused, CBI tells court
The Central Bureau of Investigation on Tuesday informed a Delhi court that there was enough evidence to prosecute the accused persons in the death case connected to the flooding in an Old Rajinder Nagar coaching institute.
The civil services aspirants had lost their lives following a torrential downpour in the national capital leading to the flooding at the coaching institute.
Principal District and Sessions Judge Anju Bajaj Chandna heard the submissions of the CBI, which urged the court to take cognisance of a chargesheet filed in the case.
Among others, the CBI has chargesheeted the CEO of Rau's IAS Study Circle Abhishek Gupta and its coordinator Deshpal Singh.
The defence counsel, however, opposed the CBI submissions, claiming the chargesheet was incomplete.
Following the submissions, the court posted the hearing on October 29 to decide on cognisance.
Shreya Yadav (25) from Uttar Pradesh, Tanya Soni (25) from Telangana and Nevin Delvin (24) from Kerala had drowned in the flooded basement of the building on July 27. -- PTI
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22:35 Singapore scrambles fighter jets to escort AI plane
Singapore Armed Forces on Tuesday scrambled two fighter jets to escort an Air India Express plane away from populated areas following a bomb threat before the aircraft landed safely at Singapore's Changi airport.
The Air India Express plane operating flight IX 684 from Madurai to Singapore had received a bomb threat.
Singapore's Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen said Air India Express received an email that there was a bomb on board flight AXB684 that was bound for Singapore.
"Two of our RSAF F-15SGs scrambled and escorted the plane away from populated areas, to finally land safely at Singapore Changi Airport at around 10:04 pm tonight," he said in a series of posts on X.
The Ground Based Air Defence (GBAD) systems and Explosive Ordnance Disposal were also activated.
Once on the ground, the plane was handed to the airport police, he said and added that investigations are going on.
"Many thanks to the dedication and professionalism of our SAF and Home Team that keep us safe in our homes, even when threats exist around us," he said. SAF refers to Singapore Armed Forces. -- PTI
The Ram temple in Ayodhya. Pic: Shrikant Singh/ANI Photo
22:13 Ayodhya Ram temple chief priest admitted to hospital
The chief priest of Ayodhya Ram Temple Acharya Satyendra Das was admitted to a hospital in Lucknow on Tuesday with some neurological problems, officials said.
They said that the condition of the 84-year-old priest is stable.
"Acharya Satyendra Das, the head priest of Ayodhya's Shri Ram temple, has been admitted in a private room in the neurology ward of SGPGI under the supervision of Dr Prakash Chandra Pandey," Sanjay Gandhi Post Gradute Institute of Medical Sciences (SGPGI) Director RK Dhiman said.
Dhiman said that Acharya Das has been admitted on the suspicion of some neurological problem. Necessary tests will be conducted on Wednesday.
21:58 Congress formally names Priyanka as Wayanad candidate
The Congress on Tuesday announced that its general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra would contest the Wayanad Lok Sabha bypoll next month, making her electoral debut from the seat in Kerala.
She had campaigned for her brother Rahul Gandhi who contested the seat during the general elections, apart from the Rae Bareli Lok Sabha constituency. Rahul Gandhi won both the seats but vacated Wayanad.
"Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has approved the proposal to nominate Priyanka Gandhi Vadra as party candidate for the Lok Sabha bye-election from Kerala," the party said in an official release.
This will be the electoral debut for Priyanka Gandhi who has been keen to contest elections for some time.
The Congress also announced Rahul Mamkootathil from Palakkad and Ramya Haridas from Chelakkara assembly constituency for the upcoming bypolls in Kerala.
Former MP from Maharashtra Navneet Rana/File image
21:46 Ex-MP Navneet Rana gets Rs 10 cr extortion threat
Bharatiya Janata Party leader and former MP from Maharashtra, Navneet Rana, has received a threat through a letter demanding Rs 10 crore, prompting the police to register a case and launch an investigation, an official said on Tuesday.
The letter addressed to the former MP from Amravati was sent via speed post by a man, who identified himself as Amir.
Rana's personal secretary Vinod Guhe lodged a formal complaint with Rajapeth police station in Amravati alleging that the letter was received by a staffer at Rana's residence on October 11.
The sender of the letter stated that he had taken a supari for Rana and threatened to sexually assault her, the complainant stated.
The police have registered an FIR and investigating the matter, a police official said. -- PTI
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21:28 Tension during religious procession in UP's Barabanki, three arrested
Three people, including a 'DJ operator', have been arrested and around four dozen others booked after a communal flare-up during a religious procession, officials said on Tuesday.
Tension escalated in the Icholi town on Monday during a Durga idol immersion procession in which derogatory music was allegedly played out loud, according to the police.
It is alleged that the participants in the procession played loud DJ music in front of a religious site of another community and threw coloured powder, causing a heated dispute, the police said.
Superintendent of police Dinesh Kumar Singh said, "We have arrested Alok, who threw the powder, along with DJ operator Ravi and another youth named Abhishek. The situation is under control, and we are reviewing the video footage for further investigation."
"A case has been registered against two named individuals and around four dozen unidentified persons. We are investigating the matter, and PAC (Provincial Armed Constabulary) has been deployed to maintain peace," circle officer (Ram Sanehi Ghat) Jatashankar Mishra said. -- PTI
EAM S Jaishankar and Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif shake hands in Islamabad/ANI on X
21:02 Jaishankar, Pak PM Sharif interact at SCO dinner
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday exchanged pleasantries with Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, hours after landing in the Pakistani capital to attend a conclave of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.
The brief exchange took place at a dinner reception hosted by Sharif at his residence in honour of the delegates of the SCO member countries. Jaishankar and Sharif warmly shook hands and held a very brief interaction.
The Pakistan prime minister greeted all the leaders of the delegations of the SCO member nations.
It is the first time in nearly nine years that India's foreign minister travelled to Pakistan even as the ties between the two neighbours remained tense over the Kashmir issue and cross-border terrorism emanating from Pakistan.
The external affairs minister will lead the Indian delegation at the SCO Council of Heads of Government summit on Wednesday. -- PTI
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20:38 Polling for gram panchayats concludes in Punjab; 2 firing incidents reported
Polling to elect gram panchayat members concluded amid tight security arrangements in Punjab on Tuesday, officials said.
Two incidents of firing were reported, they added.
Voting for the posts of "sarpanch" and "panch" through ballots started at 8 am and concluded at 4 pm, the officials said, adding that a voter turnout of more than 45 per cent was recorded.
The polling percentage is likely to go up once the data is compiled, they said.
After the polling, the votes will be counted at the polling stations, the officials said.
A firing incident was reported outside a polling booth in Sohan Sain Bhagat village in Tarn Taran district, leaving a man injured. Mandeep Singh was rushed to a hospital where his condition was stated to be out of danger. -- PTI
20:05 BJP ex-MP's nephew jumps to death from Mumbai building: Police
The 21-year-old nephew of a former Bharatiya Janata Party MP allegedly died by suicide by jumping off the sixth floor of his residential building in Mumbai on Tuesday, the police said.
The deceased, identified as Sagar Ramkumar Gupta, was the nephew of ex-BJP MP Sangam Lal Gupta from Uttar Pradesh, an Andheri police station officer said.
Sagar, an engineering student, was a resident of the seventh floor of the Hari Darshan building situated in Ambujwadi area of Andheri (East).
"Sagar returned home after attending the college in the afternoon. He didn't speak to any of his family members and straightway went to the sixth floor and jumped from the duct area. His body was spotted by some passersby who alerted the police. Sagar was rushed to a nearby hospital where he was declared dead before admission," a police official said.
No suicide note was found on Sagar, he said, adding that police have registered an accidental death report.
"The deceased was a nephew of former BJP MP Sangam Lal Gupta from Uttar Pradesh. Police will enquire with Sagar Gupta's friends in the college to understand if he was depressed and the possible trigger behind the extreme step," said Andheri police station senior inspector Umesh Machindar. -- PTI
19:43 Samsung workers to call off strike, return to work
Over a month-long indefinite strike by the employees of Samsung India Electronics Ltd at its plant near in Chennai was called off on Tuesday and the workers have decided to resume work, the Tamil Nadu government said.
The state government in a statement said the strike at the factory of the Korean electronics giant in Sriperumbudur has come to an end and all the workers would get back to work.
Pressing for various demands, about 1,100 workers of the total 1,750 employees of Samsung India have been on strike since September 9, which includes wage revision, better work conditions, registration of the newly formed Samsung India Workers Union backed by CITU by the labour department.
The decision to call off the strike was taken at the conciliatory meeting which was held at the office of the department of labour welfare in Chennai on Tuesday in which representatives from the Samsung India and the striking workers took part.
"All the striking workers will call off the agitation and return to work immediately. On returning to work the management will not victimise the workers for having participated in the protest," an official release said. -- PTI
Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar/ Jitender Gupta/ANI Photo
19:19 Kuch to log kahenge: CEC on allegations of poll irregularities
Kuch to log kahenge, logon ka kam hai kehna (people will say things, it is their job to say such things) -- was the response of Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar on Tuesday when told about critics alleging irregularities in the poll process in the recently-concluded Haryana assembly election.
"Election by election, the participation in the process is increasing, violence is reducing and there are record seizures. Voters are giving a clear indication that they have belief in the electoral process and they are very participative.... Other than that I can only say kuch to log kahenge, logon ka kam hai kehna," Kumar told a press conference in New Delhi.
The Election Commission on Tuesday announced the schedule of the Maharashtra and Jharkhand assembly polls, besides bypolls to 47 assembly seats and the Wayanad Lok Sabha seat.
Talking about the recently-held Jammu and Kashmir election, Kumar repeated a verse that he had used earlier -- jamuriyat ke jashn me apki shirkat, duniya dekhegi napak iradon ke shikast ki kahani.
Couplets and verses have been a regular feature at Kumar's press conferences. -- PTI
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19:01 Holiday declared for Bengaluru schools tomorrow due to heavy rain forecast
Schools in Bengaluru Urban district will remain shut on Wednesday following heavy rain forecast, officials said.
Due to continuous rains in Bengaluru, the Meteorological Department has issued an orange alert for the next two days.
As a precautionary measure in the interest of students, all taluk Anganwadi centres, private/aided primary and high schools of Bengaluru City will be closed on Wednesday," a government order stated.
Government schools in the city are already closed for Dussehra holidays.
Incessant rains since early Tuesday threw normal life out of gear in central and southern parts of Karnataka, including the state capital Bengaluru where several localities witnessed water-logging and traffic congestion.
Students and office-goers in Bengaluru in particular had a tough time following road congestion due to the rains. -- PTI
EAM S Jaishankar being welcomed by children on his arrival for the SCO meet, in Islamabad/ANI Photo
18:44 Jaishankar lands in Islamabad for SCO meet
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday landed in Islamabad to attend a conclave of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, in the first visit to Pakistan by a high-ranking Indian minister in nearly a decade that came amid frosty ties between the two neighbours.
Jaishankar's aircraft landed at the Nur Khan airbase on the outskirts of the Pakistani capital city at around 3:30 pm (local time) and he was greeted by senior Pakistani officials.
It is the first time in nearly nine years that India's foreign minister travelled to Pakistan even as the ties between the two neighbours remained tense over the Kashmir issue and cross-border terrorism emanating from Pakistan.
The external affairs minister will lead the Indian delegation at the SCO Council of Heads of Government summit on Wednesday.
"Landed in Islamabad to take part in SCO Council of Heads of Government Meeting," Jaishankar posted on 'X' along with photographs of children and officials welcoming him with flowers at the airport.
The last Indian Foreign Minister to visit Pakistan was Sushma Swaraj. She had travelled to Islamabad to attend the 'Heart of Asia' conference on Afghanistan held from December 8-9, 2015.
Maharashtra ex-minister Baba Siddique/File image
18:22 Baba Siddique murder: Fourth accused sent to police custody till Oct 21
A court in Mumbai on Tuesday remanded the fourth accused arrested in connection with the murder of Nationalist Congress Party leader and former Maharashtra minister Baba Siddique in police custody till October 21.
The accused, Harishkumar Nisad (23), was apprehended from Bahraich, Uttar Pradesh, earlier in the day.
The police informed the court that Nisad, who is a scrap dealer in Pune, was also part of the conspiracy to kill Siddique and had provided financial help for the operation.
The police said they needed to find details of the financial transactions and who sponsored them.
The police had earlier arrested Haryana resident Gurmail Baljit Singh (23), Uttar Pradesh native Dharmaraj Rajesh Kashyap (19), both alleged shooters, and "co-conspirator" Pravin Lonkar from Pune.
They have been remanded in police custody till October 21.
Another suspected shooter, Shivkumar Gautam, who also hails from Bahraich, is still on the run. -- PTI
18:02 Four labourers mowed down by truck in Jaipur
Four labourers standing on the roadside were mowed down by a truck in Murlipura area in Jaipur, the police said on Tuesday.
All four died on the spot, they said.
The accident took place late on Monday night when all four victims were standing on the 200-foot bypass in the Murlipura area.
They were waiting to return home when a truck hit them, accident police station SHO Jaidev Singh said.
He said that three of the deceased were identified as Lalchand Bunkar (55), Jagdish Prasad Gurjar (45) and Shankar Lal Gurjar (48), all residents of the Chandwaji area.
The fourth deceased is yet to be identified.
The deceased used to load and unload goods in trucks.
He said that a case had been registered against the truck driver who fled after the accident. Further investigation is underway. -- PTI
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17:52 Bomb threat: Delhi-US AI flight diverted to Canada
An Air India aircraft from Delhi to Chicago was diverted to an airport in Canada following a bomb threat, according to an airline official.
"Flight AI127 operating from Delhi to Chicago on October 15, 2024, was the subject of a security threat posted online and, as a precautionary measure, has landed at Iqaluit Airport in Canada.
"The aircraft and passengers are being re-screened as per the laid down security protocol. Air India has activated agencies at the airport to assist the passengers until such time that their journey can resume," the airline said in a statement.
The official said the flight received a bomb threat.
On Monday, an Air India flight from Mumbai to New York was diverted to Delhi following a bomb threat.
Following standard security protocols, a thorough inspection was conducted and no suspicious item was found inside the aircraft. -- PTI
17:25 Another accused held in MNS worker's murder case in Mumbai; 10 arrests so far
The Mumbai police on Tuesday arrested one more person in connection with the murder of a Maharashtra Navnirman Sena worker who was beaten to death in the western suburb of Malad in Mumbai, an official said.
With this, the police have arrested ten persons for their involvement in the incident that occurred on October 12, the official said.
Akash Maeen (27), an MNS worker, was assaulted by a group of persons who gathered in support of an autorickshaw driver with whom he had an altercation at Shivaji Chowk, the police said.
Maeen was riding his motorcycle when an autorickshaw driver nearby abruptly turned his vehicle.
The argument between the duo quickly escalated, and the rickshaw driver's friends and some local vendors gathered at the spot.
Later, a group of about 10 to 15 people attacked the victim, and he was severely punched and kicked.
Maeen was rushed to a nearby trauma care hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries around midnight. -- PTI
16:58 Sensex, Nifty close lower on selling in Reliance
Benchmark stock indices closed lower on Tuesday following losses in bellwether Reliance Industries and retail inflation hitting a nine-month high in September. Paring early gains, the BSE Sensex declined 152.93 points or 0.19 per cent to settle at 81,820.12.
During the day, it fell by 337.48 points or 0.41 per cent to a low of 81,635.57. The NSE Nifty settled lower by 70.60 points or 0.28 per cent to 25,057.35.
From the 30 Sensex firms, Bajaj Finance, Reliance Industries, Tata Steel, JSW Steel, Tech Mahindra, Tata Motors, Kotak Mahindra Bank and Maruti were the biggest laggards. Reliance Industries Ltd, India's most valuable company, on Monday reported a 5 per cent fall in the July-September quarter net profit as weak oil refining and petrochemical business hurt operational performance.
ICICI Bank, Bharti Airtel, Asian Paints, Adani Ports, UltraTech Cement and HCL Technologies were among the gainers.
16:56 On point, Ranbir!
Ranbir Kapoor has got a new haircut and fans can't stop swooning.
Celebrity hairstylist Aalim Hakim posted this image alongside on Instagram with several more poses of unadulterated Ranbir swag in a black shirt and sunglasses. His beard was also well-groomed. "Hotness Alert !!! RANBIR KAPOOR," Aalim captioned the post.
16:49 Will Ladki-Bahin Yojana win Maha for Mahayuti?
With half a dozen key players post splits in the Shiv Sena and NCP, a fragmented polity, Maratha quota stir and a spirited opposition, Maharashtra will see a riveting contest in the assembly polls amid dramatic changes since the last elections.
Elections to the 288-member assembly, the second largest after Uttar Pradesh (403), will be held on November 20 in a single phase and counting of votes will be on November 23, the Election Commission announced on Tuesday. The Nanded Lok Sabha bypoll, necessitated due to the death of Congress MP Vasant Chavan, will also be held on November 20.
The Mahayuti government led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde is banking on its flagship scheme, Ladki Bahin Yojana, under which poor women get a monthly stipend of Rs 1,500, to sway voters after the ruling bloc's poor show in the Lok Sabha polls.
The Rs 46,000-crore a year welfare scheme is being widely seen as a "game changer" for the ruling bloc which comprises the BJP, Shinde's Shiv Sena and the NCP led by Deputy CM Ajit Pawar, who joined the government just over a year ago after parting ways with his uncle Sharad Pawar.
The government's target is to cover 2.5 crore beneficiaries under the scheme. There are about 4.5 crore women voters in Maharashtra. The Mahayuti (grand alliance) is in a direct fight with the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) in a state where splits within major parties and realignments in the last five years have led to tectonic shift in political dynamics.
The MVA consists of the Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT) and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) faction led by veteran politician Sharad Pawar. Both the MVA and the Mahayuti are yet to announce their seat-sharing deals. The ensuing assembly polls, the first since the splits in the Shiv Sena in 2022 and the NCP a year later, will be a test of strength for the two major alliances and will also indicate the ability of their individual constituents to transfer votes to each other.
Even though the Lok Sabha elections saw the ruling alliance (which won 17 of 48 seats) suffering a jolt and the opposition MVA (30 seats) performing well, the assembly polls are going to be a different political ball game as state and local-level issues will dominate campaigning.
Maharashtra's political climate has never been more fragmented, with six main parties vying for influence: BJP, Shiv Sena, NCP, Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and NCP (SP). This fragmentation is a product of recent political upheavals, including the collapse of the MVA government and the emergence of new political factions. The last five years have been unprecedented in Maharashtra politics -- collapse of a pre-poll alliance, three regimes, including a three-day government, splits in two major parties with the Election Commission recognizing the breakaway groups as real.
The murder of former state minister and NCP leader Baba Siddique on Dussehra (October 12) raised concerns about law and order and came as an embarrassment for the Mahayuti government ahead of the polls.
The opposition was quick to target the government, especially Home Minister Devendra Fadnavis, over the killing and highlight issues of public safety and governance. In the last fortnight, the Shinde government has taken a staggering 1,500 decisions, including around 160 in state cabinet meetings.
These include the toll waiver for light motor vehicles at all five entry points into Mumbai. Despite reports that Ajit Pawar may walk out of the ruling alliance, he has stayed put. Maharashtra saw a change in government mid-way in June 2022 when the MVA government led by Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray collapsed following a rebellion in his party Shiv Sena. Shinde then succeeded Thackeray as CM with BJP support.
16:31 Flight delay after 'bomb threat' at Ayodhya airport
An Air India Express flight from Ayodhya to Bengaluru was delayed after a bomb threat, officials said on Tuesday. The plane came from Jaipur, Vinod Kumar, director of the Maharishi Valmiki International Airport, Ayodhya Dham, told PTI, confirming the emergency situation at the airport.
The situation arose following a threat from an unverified social media account, according to Air India Express officials. "Air India Express, along with a few other operators, received a specific security threat from an unverified social media handle.
"In response, security protocols were promptly activated as directed by the government-appointed Bomb Threat Assessment Committee. The flight landed safely, and the aircraft will be released for operations following all mandated security procedures," an Air India Express spokesperson told PTI in a statement.
The Boeing 737-Max 8 aircraft, with tail sign VT-BWF, had 132 passengers on board. The plane was coming from Jaipur and was scheduled to go to Bengaluru after a brief halt in Ayodhya, according to an airline official.
The plane was scheduled to land at the Ayodhya airport at 2 pm but landed at 2:06 pm. It was scheduled to take off at 2:55 pm for Bengaluru but was rescheduled for 5 pm, the official told PTI around 4 pm.
16:13 Delhi court extends J&K MP Engineer Rashid's interim bail
A Delhi court on Tuesday extended the interim bail of Jammu and Kashmir MP Sheikh Abdul Rashid, also known as Engineer Rashid, in a terror-funding case till October 28.
Additional Sessions Judge Chander Jit Singh passed the order on the ground of the health condition of Rashid's father, after the National Investigation Agency (NIA) said it had verified the documents and was not opposing the application.
The judge also deferred the order on Rashid's regular bail plea in the case till October 28. The counsel for the accused told the court that this was the last time that his client was seeking an extension. No violation of any of the conditions by his client was alleged by the NIA, the lawyer said. PTI
16:07 Polls: J'khand Nov 13, 20; Maha Nov 20; result: 23
Update: Jharkhand: The elections for the Assembly elections in Jharkhand will be held in two phases on 13 November and 20 November (same as Maharashtra). The results for the elections will be announced on November 23.
Maharashtra: The elections for the Assembly elections in Maharashtra will be held in one phase on November 20. Counting will also be on November 23.
The term of Maharashtra Assembly's will end on November 26, while the term of Jharkhand Assembly's will end on January 5, 2025.
The EC also announced the bypolls to 47 assembly seats and the Wayanad Lok Sabha seat (vacated by Rahul Gandhi in favour of Rae Bareli) to be held on November 13.
15:57 Jharkhand votes on Nov 13, 20, results on Nov 23
The elections for the Assembly elections in Jharkhand will be held in two phases on 13 November and 20 November. The results for the elections will be announced on November 23. The term of Maharashtra Assembly's will end on November 26, while the term of Jharkhand Assembly's will end on January 5, 2025.
15:53 Maharashtra votes on Nov 20, results on Nov 23
The elections for the Assembly elections in Maharashtra will be held in one phase on November 20. Counting will be on November 23. The term of Maharashtra Assembly's will end on November 26.
15:41 CEC begins press briefing on upcoming Maha, Jharkhand elections
Election Commission of India begins its press conference in Delhi. Dates for Assembly elections in Jharkhand and Maharashtra to be announced shortly. The CEC congratulates voters for the successful and violence-free elections in Jammu and Kashmir and Haryana. People made a historic decision, the CEC says.
15:30 Probe in RG Kar rape-murder ongoing seriously: CBI to SC
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) informed the Supreme Court on Tuesday that the investigation in the rape and murder case of a doctor working at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata was going on with "utmost seriousness".
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the CBI, submitted the fifth status report of the agency before a bench of Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra.
"Investigation was going on in the matter with utmost seriousness. The chargesheet in the matter was filed on October 7 against accused Sanjay Roy and a Sealdah court has taken cognisance," he told the bench.
The top court observed that the CBI report indicated that the agency was probing the role of other persons as a part of its ongoing investigation and sought a further status report within three weeks. On the issue of the National Task Force (NTF), constituted to make recommendations over the safety and security of medical professionals, the apex court noted that it had held no meeting since the first week of September.
The apex court, therefore, directed the Centre to take proactive steps to ensure that the work was completed within a reasonable period of time.
"The meetings of the NTF should happen periodically and all sub groups should hold regular meetings," the bench said while directing it to formulate recommendations on safety of Kolkata doctors within three weeks. The hearing is currently underway.
15:23 India reacts to Canada: Simply not true!
Update: Top sources have rejected claims made by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and other officials about presenting "credible evidence" to India regarding the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
Sources said that Canada's approach, since the beginning, has been to make "vague accusations" and put the burden of denial on India.
Sources further said that Trudeau, during the press conference was saying, "the same old things for the same old reasons."
While addressing the press conference on Monday, Trudeau accused agents of the Indian government on Monday of engaging in "clandestine information-gathering techniques, coercive behaviour targeting Canadians, and involvement in threatening and violent acts."
Sources said, "The central assertion from all Canadian officials is that credible evidence has been presented to India. This was also repeated by their Cd'A to the press. This is simply not true. From the very beginning, the Canadian approach has been to make vague accusations and put the burden of denial on India."
According to Indian sources, no specifics regarding the connection of certain individuals to India were provided.
Sources said, "At the RCMP press briefing, assertions were made about connections of certain individuals to India. In no case were any specifics provided. There was also talk about holding people accountable. But it was never made clear who and for what."
Sources termed it absurd that the Canadian government after intensively engaging the High Commissioner over the last year has now chosen to target him.
15:03 Same old Trudeau saying same old things: India
India reacts to Canada:
"Canadian PM Trudeau's press conference yesterday was the same old Trudeau saying the same old things for the same old reasons. The central assertion from all Canadian officials is that credible evidence has been presented to India. This was also repeated by their charge de affairs to the press. This is simply not true.
"From the very beginning, the Canadian approach has been to make vague accusations and put the burden of denial on India. At the RCMP press briefing, assertions were made about connections of certain individuals to India. In no case were any specifics provided.
"There was also talk about holding people accountable. But it was never made clear who and for what. It is absurd that after intensively engaging the High Commissioner over the last year, the Canadian government now chooses to target him.
"It is absurd that after engaging Indian High Commissioner to Canada over last year, Canadian govt now chooses to target him."
A wide variety of entities in Canada and abroad was used by Indian agents to collect information and then used the details to target members of the South Asian community, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) alleged on Monday. The RCMP's comments came on a day India expelled six Canadian diplomats and announced withdrawing its High Commissioner from Canada after strongly dismissing Ottawa's allegations linking the envoy to a probe into the killing of Sikh extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
India has been strongly rejecting Canada's charge of involvement of Indian agents in Nijjar's killing last year.
Two accused were arrested on Sunday
14:25 Baba Siddique murder: Pune scrap shop owner held
Baba Siddiqui murder case: The Mumbai Police has detained two people from Bahraich in Uttar Pradesh. One of the two people detained is Harish, who had a scrap shop in Pune where accused Dharmaraj and Shivprasad Gautam used to work.
Harish had bought new mobile phones for Shivprasad and Dharmaraj a few days before committing the crime and Harish was also fully aware of the crime, says the Mumbai Crime Branch.
"Harishkumar Balakram (23), a resident of Bahraich, has been apprehended. He was part of the conspiracy, he supplied money and other logistics," the crime branch said.
The NCP leader was waylaid by three persons at Kher Nagar in Bandra just outside his MLA-son Zeeshan Siddique's office and shot at on Saturday night. He was rushed to Lilavati Hospital where he was declared dead.
The Maha election dates will be announced today
14:13 Mahayuti spent its last days gifting Adani: Cong
The Congress on Tuesday claimed that the Mahayuti government in Maharashtra knows it is not coming back to power and has spent its last few days allegedly bestowing "gifts" on the Adani group at the expense of the people of Mumbai and the state.
Ahead of the announcement of the Maharashtra Assembly polls schedule, Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said the instructions from the top are clear -- "the Mahayuti's electoral future is bleak, but before it loses power, it must safeguard Modani's financial future".
"The ECI is expected to announce the Maharashtra Assembly Elections today at 3:30 PM. A desperate Mahayuti knowing it is not coming back to power has spent its last few days bestowing gifts to Modani at the expense of the people of Mumbai and Maharashtra," Ramesh said in a post on X.
Listing the alleged favours to the conglomerate, Ramesh said, "September 15 2024: Modani wins energy contract to supply 6,600 MW power to Maharashtra at inflated consumer prices. September 30 2024: 255 acres of ecologically fragile salt pan land handed over to Modani.
"October 10 2024: 140 acres in Madh handed over to Modani. October 14 2024: 124 acres from the Deonar landfill in Mumbai handed over to Modani," Ramesh alleged.
The ruling Mahyuti alliance comprises Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena, BJP and Ajit Pawar-led NCP while the opposition MVA comprises the Congress, the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) and the Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP). The Election Commission (EC) will announce the schedule for the Maharashtra and Jharkhand assembly polls on Tuesday. While the term of the Maharashtra assembly ends on November 26, that of Jharkhand ends on January 5 next year.
14:10 A moral weapon
I have no answers to how one stays non-violent in the face of the grotesque violence of a Hitler, a Menachem Begin, an Ariel Sharon, a Netanyahu, a Yahya Sinwar or an Ali Khameini, writes Ruchir Joshi. Read the column here.
Representational image
13:46 India to get 31 Predator drones for $4bn from US
India on Tuesday inked a mega deal with the US to procure 31 Predator long-endurance drones from American defence major General Atomics under the foreign military sales route at a cost of nearly USD 4 billion to boost Indian military's combat prowess along the contested borders with China.
The deal, signed in presence of top defence and strategic brass of India in the national capital, marks a significant upswing in military ties between the two countries, officials told PTI.
The procurement of the drones was finalised just weeks ahead of the US presidential elections. Last week, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi cleared the procurement of the MQ-9B 'hunter killer' drones. Vivek Lall, the Chief Executive of General Atomics Global Corporation who played a key role in the negotiations on the deal, was present at the signing ceremony.
The drones are being procured at an estimated cost of around USD 4 billion, officials said. India is acquiring the drones primarily to crank up the surveillance apparatus of the armed forces, especially along the contested frontier with China.
In June last year, the Defence Ministry approved the procurement of the MQ-9B Predator armed drones from the US under a government-to-government framework.
The MQ-9B drone is a variant of the MQ-9 "Reaper" which was used to launch a modified version of the Hellfire missile that eliminated al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri in the heart of Kabul in July 2022.
While the Navy will get 15 Sea Guardian drones, the Indian Air Force and the Army will each get eight Sky Guardian drones. The high-altitude long-endurance drones are capable of remaining airborne for over 35 hours and can carry four Hellfire missiles and around 450 kgs of bombs.
The Sea Guardian drones are being procured as they can carry out a variety of roles, including maritime surveillance, anti-submarine warfare and over-the-horizon targeting among others. PTI
13:40 9.5% salary hike in India Inc in 2025: Survey
Corporate India is expected to offer a salary hike of 9.5 per cent in 2025, similar to the 2024 actual salary increase, as companies are balancing optimism with caution, a report said on Tuesday.
According to WTW's latest Salary Budget Planning Report, the median salary increase in India is forecasted to rise by 9.5 per cent in 2025, similar to the 2024 actual salary increase of 9.5 per cent.
Salary increases in India continue to be the highest across the region. Markets such as Vietnam (7.6 per cent), Indonesia (6.5 per cent), the Philippines (5.6 per cent), China (5 per cent) and Thailand (5 per cent) are also projected to maintain a strong salary increase for next year. The Salary Budget Planning Report is compiled by WTW's Rewards Data Intelligence practice.
The survey was conducted in April and June 2024. Approximately 32,000 responses were received from companies across 168 countries worldwide. The survey had 709 participants from India.
13:00 Ahead of Maha poll dates, EC says this on EVMS
As opposition parties once again raised the bogey of EVM manipulation ahead of the Election Commission announcement on poll dates for Maharashtra and Jharkhand, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar on Tuesday said that the public has answered the questions by participating in voting.
Speaking to ANI, Kumar said, "The public answers questions by participating in the voting. As far as the EVMs are concerned, they are 100 per cent foolproof. If they raise questions today again, we will tell them again."
Earlier, Congress leader Rashid Alvi claimed that EVM's could be manipulated citing the example of Israel hacking pagers of militant outfit Hezbollah.
"In Maharashtra, the opposition should put pressure to insist on voting by paper ballot and not EVMs. Otherwise, in Maharashtra, BJP govt and EC can do anything. If Israel can kill people by use of pagers and walkie-talkies, then where does EVM stand? The PM has very good relations with Israel. Israel is an expert in such things. EVM ka bada khel kahin bhi ho sakta hai aur uske liye BJP chunav se pehle yeh sab khel kar leti hai," Rashid Alvi said.
Protests near Governor House in Kolkata
12:45 Prohibitory orders imposed near Kolkata's Red Road
Road, where state-organised 'Puja Carnival' will be held on Tuesday, amid calls for 'Droha' (protest) Carnival on nearby Rani Rashmoni Avenue in central Kolkata by junior doctors agitating over the RG Kar incident.
The West Bengal government has been holding the Durga Puja Carnival since 2016 showcasing several award-winning Durga idols. Prohibitory orders under Section 163 of BNSS were imposed on some roads and areas near Red Road where the carnival is scheduled to be held.
The order was promulgated on Mayo Road, Outram Road, Academy of Fine Arts area, Rani Rasmoni Avenue, Y Channel and the stretch from Dorina Crossing to Press Club, preventing the assembly of more than five persons with the "apprehension about breach in law and order, disruption in the carnival."
The junior doctors have called for a 'human chain' along Rani Rasmoni Avenue expressing solidarity with the junior doctors who have been on hunger strike for the last 11 days demanding justice for the woman medic who was raped and murdered at R G Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9. A spokesperson of the West Bengal Junior Doctors' Forum said the state wants to muzzle the peaceful, democratic protest of junior doctors but it will not succeed. PTI
12:35 SC issues notice to Centre, ECI on plea to declare freebies as bribe
The Supreme Court has issued notice to the Centre and Election Commission of India on a plea seeking direction that promise of freebies, made by political parties during the run-up to elections, be declared as bribes.
A bench headed by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud issued notice to the Centre and poll panel and also tagged the petition along with pending cases.
The petition filed by Shashank J Shreedhara, a Karnataka resident, also sought direction to poll panel to take immediate and effective steps to prohibit political parties from making promises of freebies during the pre-election period.
The petition filed through advocates Vishwaditya Sharma and Balaji Srinivasan stated that unregulated promise of freebies imposes a significant and unaccounted financial burden on the public exchequer.
12:32 Trudeau speaks with UK PM on Indo-Canada relations
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spoke with his United Kingdom counterpart Keir Starmer, amidst escalating tensions between Canada and India over Hardeep Singh Nijjar case.
"Today, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Keir Starmer, discussed recent developments related to a targeted campaign against Canadian citizens by agents linked to the government of India," a statement released by Canadian PM's office on October 14 said . It said that the leaders discussed the importance of ensuring citizens' safety and security, as well as upholding the rule of law. Trudeau emphasised Canada's commitment to cooperation with India to address this critical issue.
"Prime Minister Trudeau and Prime Minister Starmer agreed to remain in close and regular contact," the statement read.
Trudeau has claimed that he has "credible allegations" of India's hand in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. India has denied all the allegations, calling them "absurd" and "motivated" and has accused Canada of giving space to extremist and anti-India elements in their country.
Amidst the diplomatic row between the two nations, Canada's Minister of Foreign Affairs Melanie Joly has said that the decision to expel Indian diplomats was based on evidence gathered by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) in India-designated terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar killing case and urged the Indian government to support the ongoing probe for the benefit of two nations.
The six expelled Canadian diplomats include Stewart Ross Wheeler, Acting High Commissioner, Patrick Hebert, Deputy High Commissioner, Marie Catherine Joly, First Secretary, lan Ross David Trites, First Secretary, Adam James Chuipka, First Secretary, Paula Orjuela, First Secretary.
Akash with his sister Isha
11:58 Akash Ambani votes: 'Modi hai to mumkin hai'
At the International Telecommunication Union - World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly (ITU WTSA), Akash Ambani, Chairman of Reliance Jio Infocomm, highlighted the potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to transform India into a global manufacturing and service hub.
He said, "With Artificial Intelligence, India has the potential to completely transform the manufacturing centres, including SMEs, so that India becomes a new-age factory and new-age service centre for the world. AI is critical for realising our dream of a Viksit Bharat by 2047. Therefore, India, under your leadership, should urgently embrace AI with a holistic strategy driven by maximum Atma Nirbhar efforts."
Addressing the conference, Ambani expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his visionary leadership.
"Prime Minister Narendra Modi, it is under your visionary guidance that the India Mobile Congress has grown in stature and achieved global standing, making it a significant platform for digital innovation and collaboration," Akashi Ambani said.
During his address, Ambani highlighted the rapid digital transformation in India. The Reliance Jio Chairman stated, "In Modi's India, there's no more business as usual. Rather, there's unusual synergy between government and industry to deliver world-class services to satisfy the needs and expectations of 1.45 billion Indians. As a representative of young India, I thank you for your incredible connection with the youth and for inspiring us to pursue impossible-looking goals. As we say in Hindi, 'Modi hai toh mumkin hai.'"
11:39 SC refuses to stay ongoing Punjab panchayat polls
The Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to stay the ongoing panchayat elections in Punjab, saying there will be "chaos" if courts start staying elections on polling day. The polling for panchayat elections began at 8 am on Tuesday in the state and the petitions, seeking a stay on them, were mentioned before a bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud.
"If polling has started today, how can we intervene at this stage? Probably the high court realised the gravity of it and vacated the stay on the elections," the bench, which also comprised justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, said.
"There will be chaos if we stay the polling that too on the polling day," the CJI said. The top court, however, agreed to hear the pleas challenging the Punjab and Haryana High Court decision allowing panchayat polls in Punjab.
In a significant development, the Punjab and Haryana High Court recently dismissed around 1,000 petitions seeking cancellation of panchayat elections. Earlier, the high court had stayed the poll process. PTI
The chill is showing
11:22 'Canada encourages Khalistanis, India must probe'
After New Delhi expelled six Canadian Diplomats from India, Foreign policy expert and Senior fellow at the Observor Research foundation, Sushant Sareen called for an investigation into Canada's interference in India's internal affairs.
He emphasised the need to probe Canadian NGOs and embassies that support Khalistani elements.
"The calling back of our officials, about whom Canadians have said that investigations can be done against them, if you say this about any official that they will be investigated, then it becomes completely dishonest for them to stay in the country. The official can't function there," Sareen said.
Sareen asserted that India has given a strong reaction but along with it, there should also be some action.
"The reaction is quite strong but along with the reaction, there should be some action also. Canada's interference in India, be it their NGOs, their embassies, should also be investigated so that they can be exposed as to how they encourage Khalistanis."
He added, "India can keep open embassies but can close their consulates if relations deteriorate further."Sareen also spoke about the deteriorating relations between the two nations and asserted that even if Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is not there in power, the relations will not get better soon.
He said, "The relations have become so bad that even if Trudeau is not there in power, I don't think the relations will get normalised any sooner. The poison that Trudeau has put into this relationship will take a lot of time to heal, and it won't happen overnight."
He added, "There is an angle of domestic politics in the foreign policy of every country but every country tries that beyond a point, the political angle doesn't affect your diplomacy but Canada doesn't care about it; maybe because they think that India can't do anything, or even if we make India upset, we don't need to worry. We can't upset China because we take money from them but we can do that with India and then the United States is there to handle India and this is the costless option for us. Now we have to see what the Modi government will do."
10:54 'India-Canada relationship going India-Pak way'
Michael Kugelman, a US-based foreign policy expert and the Director of the South Asia Institute at the Wilson Center, on Monday drawn a bleak comparison between India's deteriorating ties with Canada and its long-standing strained relations with Pakistan.
As tensions between India and Canada continue to escalate, Kugelman said, "One could not have imagined that things in this relationship could get worse, but they have."
Kugelman highlighted the seriousness of the situation, noting that the diplomatic fallout between the two countries bears striking similarities to the Indo-Pakistan relationship.
"This is a relationship that's now hit rock bottom and indeed, looking at recent developments, certainly is reminiscent of India's relations with Pakistan in terms of these extremely serious allegations being made, in terms of senior diplomats being expelled, as well as the use of blistering language in government statements, it's all there and of course, the core allegation that we're hearing from India that Canada is sheltering and sponsoring anti-India terrorists. This is what we're used to hearing India say about Pakistan," he pointed out.
Kugelman also spoke the internal political dynamics in Canada that have contributed to the diplomatic rift, saying, "There are a lot of factors at play here. Certainly, one could acknowledge the relevance of the domestic political realities in Canada."
He further noted that Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's comments on India's internal matters, particularly his support for the farmers' protests against agricultural laws, had sparked tensions."It is notable that PM Justin Trudeau has made some comments on internal developments in India that one would not expect a Canadian PM to make, such as commenting and expressing support for farmers protesting against Indian agricultural laws," Kugelman added.
While Canada denies harbouring extremists or terrorists, Kugelman pointed out that India remains firm in its disagreement. "Canada does not consider that it is harbouring extremists and terrorists, and certainly this is something that India very rigorously disagrees about," he said. -- ANI
File pic
10:46 Heavy rains lash Tamil Nadu, several flights cancelled
Amid heavy rainfall that lashed parts of Tamil Nadu, eight flights scheduled to operate to and from Chenni from Bengaluru, Andaman, New Delhi and Muscat have been cancelled, as per an official statement.
"Due to heavy rain in Chennai, eight flights scheduled to operate between Bengaluru, Andaman, Delhi, and Muscat have been cancelled at Chennai airport today," it said.
The cancelled flights include an Akasa Air flight from Bengaluru to Chennai scheduled at 7:05 am, an Akasa Air flight from Andaman to Chennai scheduled at 1 pm, IndiGo flight from Delhi to Chennai scheduled at 3:20 pm and an Oman Air flight from Muscat to Chennai scheduled for early morning.
10:33 Doggone it!
Congress MP Manish Tewari shares this image on X with his breakfast mate: "My perennial breakfast companion Mr. Zeus is rather disinterested in his boiled eggs today morning," he writes.
10:29 RG Kar: Junior docs hunger strike enters 11th day
The indefinite hunger strike of junior doctors of West Bengal to press for their demands in the wake of the RG Kar Hospital incident entered the 11th day on Tuesday, as a meeting between medics and the state government failed to resolve the deadlock.
Two more doctors participating in the 'fast-unto-death' in Esplanade area of Kolkata fell ill, further fueling the ongoing unrest sparked by the rape and murder of their colleague at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.
A crucial meeting between representatives from 12 doctors' associations and Chief Secretary Manoj Pant held at Swasthya Bhavan on Monday concluded without any resolution.
The doctors' hunger strike began on October 5, following nearly 50 days of 'cease work' in two phases, after the rape and murder of a postgraduate trainee at state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9.
As of Tuesday, seven junior doctors continued their hunger strike, with several requiring immediate medical attention. Pulastha Acharya, a junior doctor from NRS Medical College and Hospital, was admitted to the facility's Critical Care Unit (CCU) on Sunday night after complaining of severe stomach pain.
The health condition of Tanaya Panja, another junior doctor from Kolkata Medical College and Hospital, worsened significantly as she lost consciousness, prompting her urgent transfer to the medical establishment for treatment.
Upon arrival, she was admitted to the CCU, where a team of doctors began immediate treatment.
The latest junior doctor to join the fast was from the ENT department of North Bengal Medical College and Hospital, who began the hunger strike on Monday afternoon.
Melanie Joly with Justin Trudeau
10:04 Expelling Indian diplomats evidential: Canada
Canada's Minister of Foreign Affairs Melanie Joly has said that the decision to expel Indian diplomats was based on evidence gathered by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) in India-designated terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar killing case and urged the Indian government to support the ongoing probe for the benefit of two nations.
In a post on X, Joly stated, "Keeping Canadians safe is our government's top priority. The decision to expel individuals was based on clear evidence gathered by the RCMP in the Nijjar case. We urge the Indian government to support our ongoing investigation for the benefit of both countries."
She made the statement in response to a post shared by Canada's Foreign Policy page on X. In the post on X, Canada's Foreign Policy stated, "Minister Joly announces expulsion of Indian diplomats related to ongoing investigation on violent criminal activity linked to the Government of India."
Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has said that Canada will never tolerate the involvement of foreign governments in threatening and killing Canadian citizens on Canadian soil, terming it an "unacceptable violation of Canada's sovereignty.
In a statement, Trudeau urged the Indian government to cooperate with the Canadian government and recognise the credibility and severity of the evidence that has been shared so far.
The Ministry of External Affairs said on Monday that Trudeau made certain allegations in September 2023. However, the Canadian government has not shared a single piece of evidence with the Indian government despite many requests from them.
09:51 Consensual adulterous relationship from inception is not rape: HC
The Allahabad High Court has observed that a long-standing consensual adulterous physical relationship without any element of deception from its inception would not amount to rape within the meaning of section 375 of the IPC, which defines rape as sexual intercourse with a woman against her consent.
The court quashed the criminal proceedings against a man from Moradabad who was accused of raping a woman on the pretext of a promise to marry her. The court also held that a promise of marriage does not automatically render consensual intercourse rape unless it is proven that such a promise was false from the outset.
"Each and every promise of marriage would not be considered as a fact of misconception for the purpose of consensual sexual intercourse unless it is established that such promise of marriage was a false promise of marriage on the part of the accused since the beginning of such relationship. Unless it is alleged that from the very beginning of such relationship there was some element of cheating on the part of the accused while making such promise, it would not be treated as a false promise of marriage," the court observed.
Allowing a petition filed by one Shrey Gupta, Justice Anish Kumar Gupta quashed the criminal proceedings against the petitioner pending before the court at Moradabad. The petitioner was booked for rape on a complaint by a woman.
Jagmeet Singh is a former ally of Justin Trudeau
09:43 'Fear stalking Canadian Sikhs'
Amidst tensions between India and Canada over the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, New Democratic Party (NDP) leader Jagmeet Singh, a former alliance partner of Prime Minister Trudeau, on Monday claimed that Canadian Sikhs were stalked by fear and urged the Canadian government to take action against India, specifically calling for diplomat sanctions.
In a statement, he said, "We support today's decision to expel India's diplomats and we're calling on the Government of Canada yet again to put diplomat sanctions against India in place, ban the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh Network (RSS) in Canada, and commit to pursuing the most severe consequences for anyone found to have participated in organized criminal activity on Canadian soil."
Singh also said that his party was extremely worried about the information released by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and said, "New Democrats are extremely worried about the information released by the RCMP commissioner today. Canadians, particularly the Sikh community in Canada, have been stalked by fear, threats, harassment and violence-including extortion, violence and electoral interference all allegedly at the hands of Indian officials.
"The Canadian Police (RCMP) on October 14 released a statement on "violent criminal activity occurring in Canada with connections to agents of the Government of India" and addressed four major issues -- "Violent extremism impacting both countries (India and Canada); links tying agents of the Government of India (GOI) to homicides and violent acts; the use of organized crime to create a perception of an unsafe environment targeting the South Asian Community in Canada; and interference into democratic processes."Singh further alleged that Canada has credible evidence linking Indian officials to the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
09:23 Pannun murder plot: Indian team heads for US
Amid the diplomatic row between India and Canada, the US State Department has announced that an Indian investigation team would travel to Washington DC on October 15 to investigate a plot to kill a US citizen in New York. An Indian enquiry committee is set to visit the United States on Tuesday to investigate the involvement of an Indian government official in a foiled plot to assassinate a US national, the US Department of State said. According to the State Department statement, an Indian enquiry committee "is actively investigating the individual" and that India had informed the US it was looking in to "other linkages of the former government employee."
Notably, Indian national Nikhil Gupta is accused of being involved in the alleged failed murder plot of India-designated pro-Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun.
Earlier in June, Gupta was extradited from the Czech Republic to the US to stand trial, where he pleaded "not guilty."
The US Justice Department alleged that Gupta (52) is an associate of the Indian government and that together they and others helped plot the assassination of Pannun in New York City.
"An Indian Enquiry Committee that was established to investigate activities of certain organised criminals is actively investigating the individual who was identified last year in the Department of Justice's indictment as an Indian government employee who directed a foiled plot to assassinate a US citizen in New York City," the US Department of State said in a press release.
"The Enquiry Committee will be travelling to Washington, DC on October 15th, as part of their ongoing investigations to discuss the case, including information they have obtained, and to receive an update from US authorities regarding the US case that is proceeding," the State Department said.
"Additionally, India has informed the United States they are continuing their efforts to investigate other linkages of the former government employee and will determine follow-up steps, as necessary."
Pannun is an India-designated terrorist who holds American and Canadian citizenship. Earlier in November, the US Justice Department unsealed an indictment against an Indian national for his alleged involvement in a foiled plot to assassinate a US-based leader of the Sikh Separatist Movement and a citizen in New York.
Baba Siddique was shot twice in the chest
09:16 Baba Siddique's 3rd shooter flaunted gangster status
Police have scoured places of worship in Madhya Pradesh's Ujjain and Khandwa in their hunt for the third shooter wanted in connection with the killing of NCP leader Baba Siddique.
Six rounds were fired on Baba Siddique, two of which hit the former Maharashtra minister on the chest, outside his MLA son Zeeshan Siddique's office in Mumbai's Nirmal Nagar between 9.15 pm and 9.30 pm on Saturday.
Police have so far arrested three persons - Haryana resident Gurmail Baljit Singh (23), Uttar Pradesh native Dharmaraj Rajesh Kashyap (19), both alleged shooters, and "co-conspirator" Pravin Lonkar from Pune. Another suspected shooter Shivkumar Gautam, who hails from Bahraich in UP and is on the run, took to posting online content in recent months, flaunting his "gangster" status.
"Yaar tera gangster hai jaani (your friend is a gangster)", Gautam captioned his photo post on his Instagram account on July 24. The photo showed him on a motorcycle as a Haryanvi song played in the background.
Suspected "handler" Mohammad Yasin Akhtar is also wanted in the case. The Mumbai police's search for Gautam continued for the second day on Monday in Madhya Pradesh with joint teams focusing on places of worship in Ujjain and Khandwa districts, officials said.
A senior police official in MP's Khandwa district on Monday said the shooters arrested by Mumbai police have told their interrogators that they had visited some places of worship.
08:58 EC to announce Maha, J'khand poll dates today
The Election Commission of India to announce the schedule for assembly election in Maharashtra and Jharkhand today.
The EC to hold a press conference at 3:30 PM today.
08:40 India has made a monumental mistake by...: Trudeau
Canadaian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said that Canada has shared with its Five Eyes partners, the United Stated in particular, all information they have related to the allegations of the involvement of Indian officials in the killing of a Canadian national last year.
The hurriedly convened press conference by Trudeau came after India on Monday expelled six Canadian diplomats and announced withdrawing its high commissioner and other "targeted" officials from Canada after strongly dismissing Ottawa's allegations linking the envoy to a probe into the killing of Sikh extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, in a major downturn in already frosty ties between the two nations.
"From the beginning, as of last summer, we've worked closely with our Five Eyes partners, particularly with the United States, where they have gone through a similar pattern of behaviour from India in regards to an attempted extrajudicial killing," Trudeau told reporters at a news conference in Ottawa.
We will continue to work with our allies as we stand up together for the rule of law, he said.
The US State Department has so far not made any statements on the diplomatic crisis between its two close allies and partners.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), in a statement, said that India reserves the right to take further steps in response to the Trudeau government's support for extremism, violence and separatism against India.
PM Trudeau's hostility to India has long been in evidence, the ministry said.
"In 2018, his visit to India, which was aimed at currying favour with a vote bank, rebounded to his discomfort. His cabinet has included individuals who have openly associated with an extremist and separatist agenda regarding India. His interference in Indian internal politics in December 2020 showed how far he was willing to go in this regard," the MEA said.
The situation is extremely undesirable, Trudeau said during the press conference.
"Not only do we not want Canadians to be subjected to violence in their communities, in their homes, but we also do not want to have these tensions in relations with India," he said.
"That is why last week, we approached the Government of India through our security agencies, diplomats and police agencies, to look for a way to resolve this deep difference. to protect Canadians but not to come and destroy the good relations or the relations between India and Canada," Trudeau said.
Unfortunately, India has "not chosen to work with us. They have chosen to deny, repel and to make personal attacks against this government and question the integrity of our agencies and our institutions, and we have had to respond to protect Canadians," he said.
"I believe that India has made a monumental mistake by choosing to use their diplomats and organised crime to attack Canadians, to make them feel unsafe here at (their) home, and even more, to create acts of violence and even murder. It's unacceptable," Trudeau alleged.
Trudeau said he met and spoke with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in this regard last week.
"As the RCMP Commissioner stated earlier, they have clear and compelling evidence that agents of the Government of India have engaged in and continue to engage in activities that pose a significant threat to public safety, including clandestine information gathering techniques, coercive behaviour targeting South Asian Canadians, and involvement in over a dozen threatening and violent acts, including murder," he said.
While attempts have been made by the RCMP and national security officials to work with India and their law enforcement counterparts on this matter, they have been repeatedly refused, Trudeau claimed.
"This is why, this weekend, Canadian officials took an extraordinary step. They met with Indian officials to share RCMP evidence which concluded six agents of the Government of India are persons of interest in criminal activities," he alleged.
"Despite repeated requests to India, It has decided not to cooperate," he claimed. -- PTI
00:27 Prof Saibaba's body donated to Hyderabad govt hospital
The body of former Delhi University professor G N Saibaba was donated to the state-run Gandhi hospital in Hyderabad on Monday after several political leaders, activists and friends paid their tributes to him.
Saibaba, 58, died due to post-operative complications at the state-run Nizam's Institute of Medical Sciences (NIMS) in Hyderabad on Saturday.
Saibaba's daughter Manjeera said it was her father's wish to donate the mortal remains.
Her father used to say that only the thoughts and ideas of the person would remain after his death and nothing else, she said.
A red cloth was draped on the casket in which the former professor's body was kept.
Saibaba's body was taken in a procession from his brother's residence at Moula-Ali to the Gandhi hospital.
The former professor's friends and activists raised slogans hailing him, 'lal salam' and that the anti-Maoist 'Operation Kagar' should be stopped.
Some held placards saying voices should be raised on behalf of the Adivasis, Dalits and the oppressed.
Senior Congress leader K Keshav Rao, Bharat Rashtra Samiti president K T Rama Rao and other leaders and activists paid tributes to the departed soul at his brother's residence where it was kept for friends and others to pay their homage.
'Paid my respects to Prof G N Saibaba Garu at his residence in Hyderabad today. He was arrested under UAPA, denied bail on health grounds for years even though he had 90 per cent disability and did not even get parole to attend his mother's last rites,' Rama Rao said on 'X'.
Saibaba was acquitted of UAPA charges after spending nearly a decade in jail, he said.
Communist Party of India national secretary K Narayana wrote a letter to the Chief Justice of India in which he alleged that Saibaba's demise was 'not a natural death but definitely institutional murder'.
Referring to Saibaba's acquittal, Narayana found fault with the government for instituting criminal charges under UAPA against him and 'jail authorities and personnel who tortured and ill-treated him'.
The CPI leader said the apex court should find out who was at fault when Saibaba was found to be not guilty.
Earlier, the body of Saibaba was taken to the martyr's memorial at Gun Park in front of the Telangana legislature. The mortal remains were not allowed to be taken out of the ambulance as any activity at the place requires permission from competent authorities as it was a VIP zone, police said.
However, Saibaba's friends and others held banners at the Gun Park, hailing him and raised slogans like 'Saibaba amar rahe'.
Saibaba's family said on Sunday that his eyes had already been donated to LV Prasad Eye Hospital in Hyderabad.
In March this year, Saibaba was released from the Nagpur Central Jail after 10 years of incarceration.
The Bombay High Court set aside the life sentence handed to him by a trial court in an alleged Maoist links case in which the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) was invoked.
The former professor who taught English at Ram Lal Anand College of Delhi University (DU) died on Saturday due to postoperative complications, seven months after he was acquitted.
Saibaba was suffering from gall bladder infection and was operated on two weeks ago in the state-run NIMS, but developed complications subsequently. -- PTI
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