The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has moved the Interpol for issuance of a Red Corner Notice against diamond traders Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi in connection with the over Rs 12,000 crore PNB scam. Officials said the agency had sought issuance of the Interpol warrant against the two, based on court-issued non-bailable warrants obtained by it in a money laundering case. The agency is understood to have sent the request to the CBI for taking it up with the Interpol headquarters in Lyon, France. A Red Corner Notice (RCN) is issued Once an RCN is issued, the Interpol (international police) seeks to arrest the person concerned in any part of the world and notifies that country to take his or her custody for further action at their end. A special court in Mumbai had issued non-bailable warrants early this month on the request of the Enforcement Directorate. The ED had earlier issued summonses to Modi and Choksi – the key accused in the scam – asking them to appear before it in Mumbai. However, both of them expressed their inability to depose citing business engagements. Both are accused on charges of money laundering (under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act) in…
Month: September 2021
Chhota Bheem roller coaster ride coming to Mumbai this May, first of its kind in India
Theme park Imagica has partnered with Green Gold Animation, the creator of popular cartoon character Chhota Bheem, to launch a character inspired roller coaster ride from May. This collaboration is first of its kind in India where a theme park is associating with an animated content creator to bring Indias favourite character alive. It is an integrated deal with Green Gold, Imagica director Pooja Shetty Deora told PTI adding that it would also boost the retail sales. The company is also exploring opportunities to tie-up with large experienced-based films for theme park rides. This association with the Green Gold Animation would take the total rides at its amusement park situated near the city of Khopoli on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway to 25. It is expected to increase the footfalls at Imagica by 4 lakh annually and have a 17 per cent incremental growth in revenues across the businesses, Imagica joint chief executive officer Dhimant Bakshi said. Last year, the company had clocked a turnover of Rs 240 crore. It currently has a total footfall of 1.7 million across its theme, water and snow parks. Bakshi added that the firm would be looking at showcasing the Chhota Bheem movies in the future…
400 MPs of ruling BJP-led NDA to give up Rs 3.66 cr as salary, confirms Modi’s minister; here is why they are doing so
Union minister Ananth Kumar today said 400 MPs of the ruling NDA would give up Rs 3.66 crore – their salary for 23 days of the ongoing budget session that has been a virtual washout due to protests by the opposition. Kumar blamed the Congress for the near washout of the second half of the budget session that will end tomorrow, denouncing it for engaging in negative and anti-democratic politics. The parliamentary affairs minister said the kind of politics the Congress was playing would affect them badly in Karnataka, where the Assembly polls will be held in May. We have not been able to debate and pass important bills in Parliament for the last 21 days. The Congress disrupted the proceedings in both the Houses. Since no business has been transacted, we have decided to forego our salary and allowances for 23 days, Kumar told reporters. It is for the first time that all MPs of a ruling party or coalition are giving up their pay, he said, adding that this would have a long-term impact. Each MP draws about Rs 1.6 lakh per month as salary and allowances. Of this, Rs 91,699 would be given up, he added. Kumar…
Himachal Pradesh school bus accident: 27 children killed as vehicle plunges into gorge on Nurpur-Chamba highway
Twenty-seven children were among 30 killed when a school bus ferrying them back home plunged into a deep gorge near village Gurchal on the Nurpur-Chamba highway, about 100 km from the district headquarters at Dharamsala. The deceased children were students of Ram Singh Pathania Memorial School, police said. Thirty persons, including 27 children, have lost their life, Himachal Pradesh Transport Minister Govind Singh Thakur said. School bus driver, 67-year-old Madan Lal, and two women teachers also died in the accident, Kangra SP Santosh Patial said. Local BJP MLA, Rakesh Pathania, who was on the spot, said 27 bodies were recovered while two more had been spotted. At least 13 seriously injured persons were rushed to a hospital in Pathankot where one of them succumbed to injuries, an official said. The condition of other injured persons was also critical, he said. The bus was carrying 40-45 people and most of those killed were students of elementary classes, aged below ten. Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur announced an immediate relief of Rs 5 lakh to the next of kin of each deceased. A magisterial probe was ordered and preliminary inquiries suggested the accident occurred as the driver lost control over the bus…
Ahead of Narendra Modi-Xi Jinping meet, China hails moves to appoint Aamir Khan as brand Ambassador to promote trade
Ahead of tomorrows informal summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping, China today hailed reports that India plans to appoint Bollywood star Aamir Khan as brand ambassador to boost trade between the two countries. I saw relevant reports. We all know that Amir Khan is a famous Indian actor. Many Chinese people, including myself, have watched his starring movie Wrestling!, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying told a media briefing in Beijing today. Some reports said that the Commerce Ministry is planning to appoint the Bollywood star as brand ambassador to promote trade ties between the two countries. Khan has become famous with his Dangal movie in China which was watched by President Xi. His other movie Secret Super Star has also become very famous in China raking up record box office earnings. The story of the fathers struggle to make his daughters top wrestlers is very inspiring, Hua said. On tomorrows Modi-Xi informal summit being held here, she said the two leaders will have in-depth exchange of views on the overall, long-term, and strategic issues of the future development of China-India relations. We are willing to work together with India to take this important meeting…
SC Collegium defers decision on Justice K M Joseph’s elevation
The Supreme Court Collegium today deferred a decision on the issue of reconsidering its recommendation to elevate Uttarakhand Chief Justice K M Joseph as the judge of the apex court, after it was sent back by the government last week. The five member Collegium comprising Chief Justice Dipak Misra and justices J Chelameswar, Ranjan Gogoi, Madan B Lokur and Kurian Joseph met after the top courts working hours, but no decision was taken. Besides Justice Jospeph, the agenda of the Collegium was to deliberate on the names of some judges from Calcutta, Rajasthan and Telangana Andhra Pradesh High Courts for elevation as apex court judges. The resolution of the meeting uploaded on the apex court website said the Collegium had met to consider the following agenda: To reconsider the case of Mr Justice K.M. Joseph, Chief Justice, Uttarakhand High Court [Parent High Court:Kerala], pursuant to letters dated April 26 and 30, 2018 received from Ministry of Law Justice, Government of India and also to consider the names of Judges from Calcutta, Rajasthan, and Telangana Andhra Pradesh High Courts for elevation as Judges of the Supreme Court, in view of the concept of fair representation. Deferred, the resolution said. Justice Chelameswar,…
Decide school safety guidelines in 3 months, Supreme Court tells Centre
The Supreme Court today asked the Centre to decide in three months on demands for framing of safety guidelines for all schools, as sought by the father of a seven-year-old boy who was killed in a Gurgaon school, and some lawyers. The top court said the decision taken by the government should cover both public and private schools. A bench of Justices Adarsh Kumar Goel and R F Nariman said the court was not an expert on framing of policy or guidelines for schools and it would be appropriate if the government looks into the cause raised in various writ petitions. We direct Ministry of Human Resource Development (HRD) to look into the prayers in the PILs and consider taking a decision in three months. The decision taken shall be for both government as well as private schools, the bench said. Earlier, the apex court had sought compilation of norms formulated by the Centre and states for its consideration. It had asked all the states and union territories to file their responses on the PILs filed by father of the deceased child, some lawyers and organisations. Three states – Haryana, Karnataka and Himachal Pradesh – have filed their responses in…
Kathua incident: Two accused case move Supreme Court for CBI probe
Two prime accused in the sensational Kathua gangrape and murder case of an eight-year-old girl today moved the Supreme Court opposing the plea of the victims father seeking transfer of trial outside the state, preferably to Chandigarh. Sanji Ram and Vishal Jangotra, who have been chargesheeted by the crime branch of Jammu and Kashmir Police in the case, have also sought transfer of probe to the Central Bureau of Investigation besides seeking to be impleaded as parties in the petition filed by the father of the victim. Recently, a bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra had ordered the state police to grant security to the family of the victim, their friend and their lawyer Deepika Singh Rajawat. The top court had also said it would later decide on the prayer for transfer of case out of Kathua in Jammu after the state government filed its reply.
Mumbai cop missing since 2016 was allegedly chopped to pieces, thrown into creek
In a shocking revelation, the husband of missing woman police inspector Ashwini Bidre, Raju Gore said that he was updated by the police that his wifes body was allegedly chopped using an axe. Ashwini Bidre has been missing for 22 months now and according to the latest development, her body was allegedly chopped by suspended police inspector Abhay Kurundkar who was arrested in the case and its parts were thrown into the Bhayandar creek one day and the torso the next day in April 2016. Gore said that his wifes torso was kept in the fridge of Kurundkar before being disposed off and iron boxes were used to dump the body parts in the Bhayandar creek to ensure they did not reach the surface. While talking to The Indian Express, Gore said that his wifes body was chopped into three parts on April, 2016. On that day, he disposed off the head and limbs in iron boxes so that they donThe next day he took the help of Mahesh Phalnikar (48), the fourth arrested accused earlier this week, to dispose off the torso. This time too, they dumped the body parts in an iron box, he said. The police is…
KPCC general secretary Babu Prasad RS nominee of UDF, TRS announces names of 3 candidates
Congress in Kerala today named Babu Prasad as the UDF opposition candidate for the March 23 Rajya Sabha polls from the state. The name of Babu Prasad, KPCC General Secretary and a former legislator, has been cleared by Congress President Rahul Gandhi, party state chief M M Hassan said here today. Babu would file nominations tomorrow, the last date for filing the nominations. M P Veerendra Kumar, State President of Janata Dal (United), Sharad Yadav faction, is the candidate of the ruling CPI-M led LDF. Polls are being held for the Rajya Sabha seat that has fallen vacant after Veerendra Kumar resigned from the Upper House as a mark of protest following JD (U) leader and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar joining hands with BJP-led NDA. The LDF committee meeting held on March 9 had extended support and offered the Rajya Sabha seat to the While the ruling Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) Telangana Chief Minister and The Chief Minister announced their names and they will file their nominations tomorrow, TRS Parliamentary Party leader and partys Secretary-General K Keshava Rao told PTI. AIMIM president and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi had yesterday said his party would support the TRS party in the…
Proud moment, Salute! This heartwarming video of Bengaluru Police and schoolboy has gone viral; here’s why
Bengaluru City Police has posted a video on its Facebook account, showing a heartwarming exchange between top police official in the state and a schoolboy. As soon as the video was uploaded on the social media platform, it started doing the rounds on the internet. The video shows the Commissioner of Police, T Suneel Kumar, IPS saluting a schoolboy. The video was posted on Friday and since then it has garnered over 1,700 shares and over one lakh views. The caption reads: A respect given by a uniform to a uniform shows the value of discipline. This candid proud moment that was caught on camera shows the schoolboy giving high regards to the man in uniform and in return he gets the same respect from the Bengalurus top cop. Watch this proud moment of respect and discipline here: The police officers show of respect to the young child has won praise online. This particular Facebook post has attracted a flood of comments, appreciating the heartwarming gesture between a police official and an ordinary citizen of the country. A user wrote, This is a strange phenomena have seen throughout Bangalore I have seen school kids wishing and saluting Police officers personally…
Vistara airline shocker! FIR against Pune flier for misbehaving with air hostess on Lucknow-Delhi flight
A 62-year-old Pune man has been arrested after an air-hostess working with Vistara airline filed an FIR against the passenger for allegedly sexually harassing her on a Lucknow-Delhi flight recently. According to the cabin crew member, the incident took place while the passengers were preparing for deplaning at Terminal 3 of Delhis IGI airport. After the complaint, the passenger was handed over to the CISF. An FIR has been filed under Section 354 A of the IPC (unwelcome assault or criminal force on a woman with the intent to outrage her modesty). The airline issued a statement and confiremed the incident. A member of our cabin crew operating Flight No. UK997 from Lucknow to Delhi on March 24 2018, reported an incident of sexual harassment by a passenger. Vistara does not tolerate abusive or unruly behaviour by passengers that puts the safety of its staff and other customers at risk, or compromises their dignity. We have reported the matter to the Police and other relevant authorities. An FIR is registered and the investigation is on. We are fully committed to providing our cooperation to all the authorities. The air hostess who reported the incident hails from Meghalaya and has alleged…
Non-subsidised LPG cylinder rates cut by Rs 35, subsidised cylinder cheaper by Rs 1.74
In a relief to the households, the oil marketing companies have slashed the prices of non-subsidised and subsidised LPG cylinder by Rs 35.50 and Rs 1.74, respectively. According to the information available on the IOCL (Indian Oil Corporation Limited) website, the revised rates are effective 1 April, 2018. A 14.2 kg non-subsidised cooking gas cylinder is now available for Rs 653.50 in Delhi as against Rs 689 earlier. A subsidised cooking gas cylinder will now cost Rs 491.35 in Delhi as against Rs 493.09 earlier. A 14.2 kg non-subsidised cooking gas cylinder will now be available for Rs 676 in Kolkata, Rs 625 in Mumbai and Rs 663.50 in Chennai. A subsidised cooking gas cylinder will now be cost Rs 494.33 04 in Mumbai and Rs 479.44 in Chennai. he prices of 5 kg LPG cylinder have also become cheaper by Rs 15. A 19 kg commercial cylinder is now cheaper by Rs 54. Petrol, diesel price hike Meanwhile, the prices of petrol and diesel were hiked today as oil marketing companies raise prices as a result of rising global crude oil prices globally. The prices of petrol will now cost Rs 10-12 paise more in major metros such as…
In another shameful act, BR Ambedkar statue vandalised in Allahabad
A statue of Dalit icon Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar was vandalised in Allahabad on Saturday, police said. The statue with its head chopped off was found by residents at a park in the citys Trivenipuram locality. We are aware of the matter and are trying to locate the suspects, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Allahabad Aakash Kulhari told IANS. He said a case has been registered and ruled out any tension in the area following the incident. A similar incident took place in Meerut on March 7.
SC asks UP waqf board to show signed documents of Shah Jahan to prove it owns the iconic Taj Mahal
The Uttar Pradesh Sunni Waqf Board has been asked by the Supreme Court to show documents signed by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan to prove its claim that it owns the iconic Taj Mahal. A bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra asked the counsel of the board to show it documents to substantiate that Shah Jahan, who had built the Taj Mahal in the memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal in 1631, had executed a waqfnama in favour of the board. Waqfnama is a deed or a document through which a person expresses intention to donate a property or land for charitable purposes or waqf. Who in India will believe that it (Taj) belongs to the waqf board, asked the bench, which also comprised Justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud, and added that such issues must not waste the time of the apex court. When the waqf board counsel told the court that Shah Jahan had himself declared it a Waqf property, the bench asked the board to show it the original deed executed by the Mughal emperor. Show us the signature, the CJI told the counsel, who then sought more time to produce relevant documents. The court…
Raj Thackeray targets PM Narendra Modi’s flagship bullet train project, here’s what he said
MNS chief Raj Thackeray today appealed the farmers in Maharashtra not to give up their land for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project. Addressing a public rally at Vasai in neighbouring Palghar district, Thackeray said, People here should not sell their land for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train, as well as for the Mumbai-Vadodara expressway. It is a ploy to purchase land in the name of bullet train and evict Marathi people from Mumbai (and surrounding area), which was separated from Gujarat in 1960, Thackeray said, referring to the creation of the separate states of Maharashtra and Gujarat on May 1, 1960. It is high time we Marathi people forgot our differences over caste and creed and fought against such projects which are being imposed on us, the MNS chief said. Thackeray also targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the claim of achieving 100 per cent rural electrification. The prime minister claims that all villages in the country have been connected with the electricity network now. Were we living in the dark before 2014? Thackeray asked. On Chief Minister Devendra Fadnaviss claim of digging 1,20,000 wells in the state, Thackeray said, Fadnavis must have counted potholes in the streets as wells. He…
Irreconcilable guns need to be silenced in Afghanistan: India tell UNSC
India has supported the recent move of the unity government in Afghanistan for peace talks with the Taliban, saying the irreconcilable guns in the war-torn country need to be silenced. At the 2nd Kabul Process Conference on February 28, Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani called on the Taliban to participate in peace talks to save the country while offering security and incentives like passports to insurgents who take part in the negotiations. Ghani had said a ceasefire must be agreed on and the Taliban should be declared a political group. The Afghan Governments willingness for peace is despite the fact that armed groups have identified themselves and demonstrated to all of us that they are the irreconcilables, These efforts of the Afghan government calling on the armed groups to cease violence and join the national peace and reconciliation process that would protect the rights of all the citizens, including women, children and the minorities, deserves the full support, he said yesterday. Akbaruddin, however, said it should be clear to the armed opposition that there would be no tolerance for those who continue violence. Any violence needs a robust response. The irreconcilable guns need to be silenced, he said. He said India…
Firebrand police officer D Roopa Moudgil releases music video to inspire women
Firebrand police officer D Roopa Moudgil, who shot into the limelight with her report on alleged preferential treatment to sidelined AIADMK leader Sasikala in jail, has shown another side to her personality by releasing a music video to inspire women. Proud to release my music video. This should be the best The video features her singing Tora Man Darpan Kehlaye, a popular song from the 1965-Meena Kumari and Dharmendra starrer Kaajal. The video is a collage of still photos, news videos and The audio recording was done in half an This was done for a cause and free of cost, Moudgil said. Asked why she chose this song, the officer said it continues to Moudgil first came into the limelight when as Dharwad SP she arrested the then Bharti was arrested in connection with a 10-year-old non-bailable criminal case in which she was accused of hoisting the national flag at Dharwads communally sensitive Idgah Maidan on Independence Day. In recent months, Moudgils report as DIG(Prisons) laying bare alleged irregularities in the Parapana Agrahara Central Jail here, including preferential treatment to Sasikala, had stirred a hornets nest. Sasikala is in jail serving her four-year-term in a disproportionate assets case. The officer…
Narendra Modi’s Mann Ki Baat: Know about the common citizens PM talked about and why
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today talked about how many people of the country have done wonder through sheer hard work and determination to achieve their dreams that led to the development of the society as a whole. Modi also mentioned names of some extraordinary individuals. During his 42nd Mann Ki Baat speech, the prime minister also appreciated those who in their letter on MyGov website or Narendra Modi App shared how they were working hard to develop Sanskrit as a language and how one should keep aside water for birds and animals during upcoming summer. Here are some of the people PM Narendra Modi mentioned in his address: Ghanshyam Kumar: PM praised him for his concerns for depleting water levels. Shriman Ghanshyam Kumar ji of Village Baraakar, District Nalanda, Bihar The concerns you have raised on the depleting ground water levels is indeed of great importance, he said Sakal Shastri: Taking his name during the speech, the prime minister praised his views on Ayushman Bharat and his suggestion to keep aside water for birds and animals during summer time. Shriman Sakal Shastriji, you mentioned You have urged one and all to retain and keep aside some water for birds animals,…
Fund embezzlement case: Temporary relief to Teesta Setalvad from Supreme Court
Activist Teesta Setalvad today got temporary relief in a case of fund embezzlement with the Supreme Court extending their interim protection from arrest and transit anticipatory bail from May 2 to May 31, granted to her and her husband by the Bombay High Court. The apex court, which granted them relief on the condition that they would have to move the competent court in Gujarat for anticipatory bail, was clear that the Bombay High Court had no jurisdiction to entertain their plea as the FIR was registered by the Gujarat police. Since the FIR is in Gujarat, the competent court will be in Gujarat, a bench comprising Justices Kurian Joseph, M M Shantanagoudar and Navin Sinha said. The bench said Setalvad and her husband Javed Anand will not be arrested till May 31 but before that they would have to approach for the competent court in Gujarat which will decide the matter on merits. We direct the respondents (Setalvad and Javed Anand) to seek appropriate remedy from the competent court in Gujarat before May 31. The interim bail granted by Bombay High Court shall extend till May 31, the bench said. The bench made it clear that it was confining…
Diplomatic discourtesy! Pakistan denies consular access to Indian Sikh pilgrims; India lodges protest
In what has been termed as an inexplicable diplomatic discourtesy by India, Pakistan on Saturday blocked Sikh pilgrims from meeting Indian diplomats in the country. Islamabad even compelled the Indian envoy to return while on way to a prominent gurudwara there. As per Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), a group of around 1800 Sikh pilgrims was on a visit to Pakistan from April 12 under a bilateral agreement on facilitating visits to religious shrines. The MEA slammed Pakistan, saying the Indian High Commissioner, who was to greet Indian pilgrims on the occasion of Baisakhi, was compelled to return when he was en route to Gurdwara Panja Sahib yesterday. The MEA called it an inexplicable diplomatic discourtesy by Pakistan. Lodging a protest with Pakistan, India said these incidents constitute a clear violation of the Vienna Convention on diplomatic relations. India has lodged a strong protest with Pakistan over a block of access for visiting pilgrims to Indian diplomats and consular teams, it said in a statement. The incident comes in the backdrop of envoys of the two countries making claims and counter-claims about harassment. Further, MEA said that Indian envoy was suddenly asked to return while en route the shrine yesterday,…
Internet like thing existed in Mahabharata era, claims Tripura Governor Tathagata Roy
Three days after supporting Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Debs claims that the Internet existed in the days of Mahabharata, the states Governor Tathagata Roy today said what he had meant was there was a possibility of something of that sort. See, I have not said that there was Internet at that time, Roy told reporters here. I had merely stated this is a thing what we are trying to find out. Unless there was a prototype of something of that sort at that time it was not possible, to conceive such a thing, he said. In his April 17 tweet, Roy said, Tripura Chief Ministers observations about the happenings of the puranic period are topical. It is virtually impossible to conceive of devices like Divya Drishti, puspaka Ratha, etc without some kind of prototype and study there on. The Tripura chief minister had claimed that the Internet and sophisticated satellite communication system existed in the days of Mahabharata, drawing ridicule from his opponents, academicians and social media users who termed his contention as unscientific, illogical and retrogressive. Roy said people did not imagine mobile phones in the 1960s as there was no prototype of cellphones at that time. So,…
Big decision by Home Ministry: Now, foreigners can travel to Nagaland, Mizoram, Manipur unrestricted
Foreign tourists, except those from Pakistan, China and Afghanistan, would now be allowed to visit some of the most pristine locations of the country which, so far, were out of bounds for them without a special permit, officials said today. The Home Ministry has decided to relax the six-decade-old Protected Under the Foreigners (Protected Areas) Order, 1958, all areas falling between the Inner line and the International Border of some states were declared as protected areas. The protected areas currently include whole of Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland and Sikkim, besides parts of Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand and Jammu and Kashmir. Some parts of Sikkim fall under the protected area regime while others under the restricted area. A review is underway to lift the PAP from other areas too, another official said. Citizens from Pakistan, China and Afghanistan, however, continue to be banned from all PAP areas, including Nagaland, Mizoram and Manipur. As per a December 30, 2010 circular of the ministry, Manipur, Mizoram and Nagaland were excluded from the protected area regime initially for a period of one year from January 1, 2011, subject to some conditions. As per the guidelines, a foreign national is not normally allowed to…
PM Narendra Modi undermining Delhi education system, says Manish Sisodia
Prime Minister Narendra Modi wants to undermine Delhis education system, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said today after the Union Home Ministry cancelled the appointment of nine advisors. The BJP-led government, Sisodia said, targeted his advisor Atisi Marlena through the order as she played a vital role in improving the education system. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has decided to undermine Delhis education system, that is why this order has been issued today, Sisodia said at a press conference. Of the nine advisors, only four are currently working with the Delhi government. The Delhi government today cancelled the appointment of nine advisors after the Union Home Ministry said the posts were not sanctioned. According to an order issued by General Administration Department of the Delhi government, the ministry wrote in its letter that the posts are not in the list of posts approved for ministers and the chief minister. No prior approval of the central government has been taken for creation of said posts on which these persons have been appointed on co-terminus basis, the order stated. Among the nine advisors whose appointment has been cancelled are Amardeep Tiwari (media advisor to law minister), Arunodya Prakash (media advisor to deputy chief…
What is passive euthanasia and Living Will?
In a landmark judgment, the Supreme Court on Friday recognised living will made by terminally-ill patients for passive euthanasia. Upholding an individuals right to die with dignity, the five-judge bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Dipak Misra ruled that euthanasia and advance living will be permissible from now on. However, it also laid down guidelines on who can execute the will and how the approval for the same will be granted. The bench also included justices A K Sikri, A M Khanwilkar, D Y Chandrachud and Ashok Bhushan. Dipak Misra, while reading out the judgement, said that even though there were four separate opinions of the bench, all the judges agreed that a living will should be permitted. The bench agreed that a person cannot be allowed to suffer even when he or she doesnt wish to live. What is Passive Euthanasia? It is a situation where a person who is terminally-ill wishes to withdraw from the medical treatment deliberately. Article 21 provides that no person shall be deprived of his life or personal liberty except according to procedure established by law. Notably, this isnt the first time when the top court has given a nod to passive…
Meena’s rejoining BJP will help make Rajasthan Congress-free, says Vasundhara Raje
Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje today said she was confident that tribal leader and MLA Kirori Lal Meenas coming back to the BJP will be a step towards making the state Congress-free. The chief minister said this outside the Rajasthan Assembly after Meena filed his nomination for the biennial Rajya Sabha elections. Meena, who had separated from the BJP in 2008, rejoined the party yesterday along with his two National Peoples Party (NPP) MLAs. He, as the state president of the NPP, which he had joined in 2013, also merged his party with the BJP. Meena will walk shoulder-to-shoulder in making the state Congress-free, Raje said, adding that the BJP will form government in the Centre and in Rajasthan. The chief minister was accompanied by state BJP president Ashok Parnami. Meena, after filing his nomination, said I will also try to convince other BJP dissidents to join main stream and raise the issues of people of the state in Rajya Sabha, Sitting Rajya Sabha MP Bhupendra Yadav, Meena and veteran party leader Madan Lal Saini today filed three sets of nominations each as the BJP candidates for the biennial Rajya Sabha elections from Rajasthan. Returning officer Akhil Arora administered oath…
Rahul Gandhi sounds 2019 poll bugle: Watch his most scathing attack against Narendra Modi; full speech
Congress President Rahul Gandhi came down heavily on Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his concluding speech at the Congress 84th plenary session today. Rahul was all guns blazing against PM Modi when he said the name Modi actually symbolised the collusion between Indias biggest crony capitalists and the Prime Minister of India. Gandhi accused PM Modi of diverting the attention of the public from real issues. The PM diverts our attention and jumps from one event to another from Gabbar Singh tax to yoga in Parliament but never talks about the issues. But, the Congress cannot be stopped from seeking the truth and justice, he said. The Congress president also compared the BJP to the Kauravas, who are drunk on power; whereas he said the Congress was like humble Pandavas and the voice of the nation. However, Gandhi also admitted of disappointing the masses when the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) was in power. He said that the last government formed by Congress did not stand up to the expectations of people, and they were let down by the Congress. ALSO READ: You can steal Rs. 33,000 crore from the banks and the BJP government will protect you. Finance Minister will…
Lingayat community minority status: BJP, Congress spar ahead of Karnataka polls; top highlights
Lingayat community minority status: Months ahead of Karnataka Assembly Elections, the Congress government in Karnataka has pitched for granting minority status for Lingayat and Veerashaiva Lingayat community. The Siddaramaiah cabinet has sent the proposal to the central government for final approval. Meanwhile, a political slugfest has erupted over the move between Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The ruling party in the state has asked BJP President Amit Shah and BS Yeddyurappa to clarify their stand on the issue. BJP on the other hand, has accused Congress government of playing with fire for vote bank politics. It has alleged that Congress was carrying on the British Divide and Rule legacy. The move will be debated and may become one of the pivotal issues in the upcoming state assembly elections. Take a look at key details of Lingayat community status row. 1. Lingayat and Veerashaiva Lingayat community form 17 per cent of Karnatakas population and considered to be crucial vote bank in the elections. 2. Lingayat and Veerashaiva Lingayat community are considered as the strong and traditional voter base of BJP in the southern state. 3. It has been learnt that Karnataka State Minority Commission (KSMC) has recommended this to the…
No end to Nirav Modi like cases? Another bank fraud is here, this time from Hyderabad
Yet another bank fraud has come to light, with the CBI filing a case against Hyderabad-based Totem Infrastructure Ltd for allegedly defrauding a consortium of eight banks led by Union Bank of India (UBI) to the tune of Rs 1,394 crore. A Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) team also carried out raids at several places here after filing the FIR against the firm and its Promoters and Directors Tottempudi Salalith and his wife Tottempudi Kavita. The CBI filed the case on the basis of a complaint filed by UBI which was cheated of Rs 303.84 crore by the firm. Loan was taken from a consortium of eight banks including UBI which was the lead bank. Total dues outstanding for the consortium is Rs 1,394.43 crore. This account became NPA on June 30, 2012 after loan and interest payment default, a CBI official said. Totem Infrastructure was in the business of road projects, water works and building construction. It is alleged that funds were diverted and expenditure was inflated, the official said. On Wednesday, the CBI filed a case against a Chennai-based jeweller, Kanishk Gold Pvt Ltd, for defrauding a consortium of 14 banks led by the State Bank of India…
Pilot of Air India flight hijacked to Pakistan in 1971 passes away
Capt M K Kachru, pilot of the Indian Airlines plane hijacked to Pakistan in January 1971, died here today after prolonged illness, his family said. He was 93, they said. Capt Kachru was flying an Indian Airlines plane, carrying 26 passengers and a crew of four, from Srinagar to Jammu when two Kashmiris hijacked it and forced him to fly to Lahore. Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, then foreign minister of Pakistan, turned up at the airport and hailed the hijackers, who had demanded the release of some prisoners from Indian jails. The demand was refused by India. Though the passengers and the crew were transported back to India by land route via Amritsar, the plane was set on fire. India had hit back by banning overflights of Pakistani aircraft in Indian airspace.