15:25 Maharashtra: 37 Naxals gunned down in two encounters : At least 37 Naxals have been killed in Gadchiroli district in two encounters that have taken place in as many days. After Sunday’s encounter, where 31 Naxals died, six more were killed by security forces at Gadchiroli’s Jimalgatta forest area on Monday. Said to be the biggest encounter in Maharashtra yet, all the bodies have been recovered from different locations in the district during the past 36 hours. The encounter first broke out in Etapalli’s Boriya forest area on Sunday morning after a team of C-60 commandos, following specific inputs, was dispatched to the area. The exchange of fire took place after the police team was fired upon and they retaliated. — ANI
Representational image.
15:15 Congress’ hand stained with Muslims blood: Salman Khurshid: Raking up a controversy, senior Congress leader Salman Khurshid said that his party’s hand is stained with the blood of Muslims. Responding to a question at an event organized in Aligarh Muslim University on Monday, Khurshid said, “I am a part of Congress so let me accept that we have the blood of Muslims on our hands. I am telling you this; we are ready to show the blood on our hands so that you understand that you too must not get blood on your hands.”
“If you attack them, you are the ones who would get stains on your hands. Learn something from our history and don’t create such situation for yourself where if you come back to AMU after 10 years you will find one like you to ask the question,” he added.
Khurshid was replying to a question asked by former AMU student. “The first amendment was in 1948. Then, there was Presidential order in 1950. After that Hasanpura, Maliana, Muzaffarnagar and there is a long list of riots under the Congress regime. Then there was the opening of the gates of Babri Masjid, placing idols inside and then the demolition of Babri Masjid while Congress was in power at the centre. Congress has Muslims’ blood on its hands. What do you have to say about it?” the former student asked.
Later, talking to media post his remark, Khurshid said that he was defending the Congress party.
He said, “I am not a representative of the Congress party, I am the Congress party. I was defending Congress party. What I said I will continue to say, I made the statement as a human being.” — ANI
14:55 Death by hanging safer and quicker, Centres tells SC: The Centre in its counter affidavit over a plea seeking an alternative method of execution other than hanging on Tuesday submitted to the Supreme Court that hanging is far safer and quicker than lethal injections or firing squads.
The Supreme Court lawyer, Rishi Malhotra had filed the petition before the apex court seeking a direction from it to provide an alternate method of execution other than hanging.
The Public Interest Litigation sought to declare that the right to die by a dignified procedure of death as a fundamental right as defined under Article 21 of the Constitution.
The Central Government, in its counter affidavit, had stated that hanging as a mode of execution is easy to assemble.
Quick and simple and free from anything that would unnecessarily sharpen the poignancy of the prisoner’s apprehension.Recently, the Centre on April 21 cleared the amendment in the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act to award death sentence to the rapists of children below the age of 12. — ANI
14:27 J&K amends Child Rape Act: Death for raping children below 12 years. Life term for raping children between 13-16 years.
14:14 Kathua case: Crime Branch to approach court against defence lawyer : The Jammu and Kashmir Crime Branch will soon approach a local court in Kathua against a defence lawyer who is allegedly circulating “twisted facts’ in the case of the gangrape and murder of an eight-year-old girl to vitiate the atmosphere, officials said today.
The police has taken cognisance of a CD in which a witness is seen as saying that he had been coerced by the Crime Branch to give a statement against Vishal Sharma, one of those alleged to have raped the child, officials said.
Sharma is the son of Sanji Ram, alleged to be the main conspirator in the case that has outraged the nation. The CD, which has gone viral on social media, was passed off by the lawyer as a statement that the witness had given in front of the magistrate, the officials said.
However, initial investigations showed that it was prepared outside the court premises by the lawyer to mislead the public and create disaffection towards the government, they said.
“This is definitely an attempt to browbeat the witnesses in the case and we have to immediately step in keeping in mind the sensitivities attached with the case,” an official said.
According to investigations, the girl from a minority nomadic community was allegedly kidnapped at the behest of Sanji Ram, who wanted to scare away the Gujjar and Bakherwals communities which would migrate to the village, about 90 km from Kathua in winter.
She was allegedly held in captivity in a small village temple in Kathua district for a week in January this year during which she was kept sedated and sexually assaulted before being bludgeoned to death.
On January 23, the government handed over the case to the Crime Branch of the state police, which formed a Special Investigation Team and arrested eight persons.
Ram was allegedly joined by special police officers Deepak Khajuria and Surender Verma, friend Parvesh Kumar alias Mannu, Ram’s nephew, a juvenile, and his son.
The chargesheet also named investigating officers, Head Constable Tilak Raj and Sub-Inspector Anand Dutta, who allegedly took Rs 4 lakh from Ram and destroyed crucial evidence.
The Crime Branch filed two separate chargesheets — a separate chargesheet was filed for the juvenile — before the chief judicial magistrate in Kathua on April 9 and 10 despite protests by local lawyers, who demanded that the case be handed over to the CBI for a “fair probe’.
The accused pleaded not guilty on the opening day of the trial in the principal district and sessions court on April 16. The court posted the next hearing in the case for April 28. PTI
14:06 PM launches Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today launched a scheme that seeks to strengthen the country’s Panchayati Raj system and address critical gaps that hinder its success. He launched the Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan at Ramnagar in the tribal-dominated district of Madhya Pradesh on the occasion of National Panchayati Raj Day.
The Central government scheme aims at making rural local bodies self-sustainable, financially stable and more efficient. The programme seeks to address critical gaps that hinder the success of Panchayats by enhancing their capacities and effectiveness, and promote devolution of powers and responsibilities.
On the occasion, Modi unveiled a roadmap for development of tribal areas of Madhya Pradesh over the next five years. Under the plan, Rs 2 lakh crore will be spent for development of areas under tribal panchayats. The prime minister also laid the foundation stone for a liquefied petroleum gas bottling plant at Maneri in the district.
Modi also honoured panchayats for their achievements in implementing the government’s e-governance scheme, making villages under their jurisdiction open defecation-free and also smokeless by switching from conventional fuel to LPG. — PTI
13:46 First look at Hirani’s Sanju: First look at Rajkumar Hirani’s Sanju starring Ranbir Kapoor in the lead role. The Sanjay Dutt biopic is set to release on June 29 this year. This is the first poster of the film and chronicles the various stages in the actor’s life.
Security forces launched an anti-militancy operation in Laam forest of Tral area in Pulwama district following information about presence of militants there, a police official said.
He said a gunbattle broke out between militants and security forces when the ultras opened fire. In the fierce exchange of fire, an Army soldier and a policeman sustained injuries.
They were evacuated to hospitals in Srinagar but succumbed to injuries, the official said. The slain security force personnel have been identified as Sepoy Ajay and Constable Lateed Gujri. A militant was also killed in the gunbattle, the official said adding search operation was still going on in the forest area. PTI
13:15 Least bothered who will contest against me, says confident Siddharamaiah : Expressing faith on the voters, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddharamaiah on Tuesday said that he is least bothered as to who will contest against him in the upcoming state assembly election.
Speaking at Hubli airport, Siddharamaiah said, ” I am least bothered who will contest against me there. I have faith in voters. North Karnataka people wanted me to contest from here so I am contesting.”
“The Centre is misusing the power they are trying to disturb our leaders. Why there are no raids on Senior BJP leader and former chief minister of Karnataka Jagadish Shettar and Chief Ministerial candidate BS Yeddyurappa’s places?” he asked.
Siddaramaiah is set to contest from Chamundeshwari constituency in the assembly elections. He will file nomination papers for the Badami seat later in the day. Karnataka will go to polls on May 12 to elect its representatives for the 225-member assembly. The results will be out on May 15. — ANI
12:57 Trump admin plans to end work permits for H-1B visa spouses: The Trump administration is planning to end allowing spouses of H1-B visa holders to work legally in the US, a top federal agency official has told lawmakers, a move that could have a devastating impact on tens of thousands of Indians. The move to end the Obama-era rule could have an impact on more than 70,000 H-4 visas holders, who have work permits.
H-4 is issued to the spouse of H-1B visa holders, a significantly large number of whom are high-skilled professionals from India. They had obtained work permits under a special order issued by the previous Obama administration. Indian-Americans were a major beneficiary of this provision.
More than 100,000 H-4 visa holders have been beneficiary of this rule. A 2015 rule issued by the Obama administration allows work permits for spouses who otherwise could not be employed while H-1B visa holders seek permanent resident status — a process that can take a decade or longer. — PTI
12:27 Choreographer Saroj Khan defends casting couch: Defending the practice of casting couch in the film industry, veteran choreographer Saroj Khan has said it’s done with consent and at least provides livelihood.
The 69-year-old, who has choreographed more than 2000 songs in her career, further said the ‘tradition’ has been going on since centuries and blaming just Bollywood is unfair.
“This is going on from ‘Baba Adam’s times’, it is not new. Someone or the other always tries to take an advantage of a girl. The government officials do it too, then why are we only after the film industry? It provides livelihood at least,” she said.
She said why would anyone want to sell herself if she is confident about her talent.
“It is up to the girl, what she wants to do. If you don’t want to fall into wrong hands, you won’t. If you are talented, why would you sell yourself? Don’t blame the film industry’s name, it is everything to us,” she said.
— ANI
12:19 I fear for my life: Indrani Mukerjea tells CBI court : One of the prime accused in the Sheena Bora murder case, Indrani Mukerjea on Monday told the special Central Bureau of Investigation court that she fears for her life.
“I fear for my life, I have not given my statement to IG Prisons. I confirm that I have not spoken to anyone,” Mukerjea told the court.
This statement from Indrani comes two weeks after she was hospitalised in JJ Hospital for an alleged drug overdose.
Mukerjea has been lodged in Mumbai’s Byculla jail for killing her daughter, Sheena Bora.
Sheena (24) was abducted and killed on April 24, 2012, allegedly over a financial dispute, and her body was disposed of in a forest in adjoining Raigad district.
Indrani and her former husband Sanjeev Khanna were arrested in August 2015 along with her former driver Shyamvar Rai, while Indrani’s present husband Peter Mukerjea was nabbed in November the same year.
Read our in-depth coverage of the Indrani Mukerjea trial here.
12:06 Tight security in Jodhpur ahead of verdict in Asaram case: Security has been stepped up and prohibitory orders issued in the city ahead of the trial court verdict in the rape case against self-styled godman Asaram tomorrow. As per the directions of the Rajasthan High Court, the trial court will deliver its verdict in the case in Jodhpur Central Jail premises.
Apprehending a threat to law and order from followers of Asaram, the police have imposed prohibitory orders.
“We have made all arrangements for the judgement day. Magistrate along with court staff, Asaram and co-accused along with the defence and prosecution counsels will remain present in the courtroom in jail premises, DIG, Jail,” Vikram Singh said.
Final arguments in the case had been completed by the special court for SC/ST cases on April 7 and the court had kept the order reserved to be pronounced on April 25.
Asaram was arrested on the complaint filed by a teenage girl from Shahajahanpur of Uttar Pradesh, who was studying at the godman’s ashram at Chhindwara in Madhya Pradesh.
The victim had alleged that Asaram had called her to his ashram in Manai area near Jodhpur and raped her on the night of August 15, 2013. Asaram was arrested from Indore and brought to Jodhpur on 1 September, 2013. He is under judicial custody since September 2, 2013.
Asaram has unsuccessfuly moved 12 bail applications, of which 6 were rejected by trial court, 3 by the Rajasthan high court and 3 by the Supreme Court. PTI
11:22 ‘The uniform should be above religion’: Dr Meeran C Borwankar was Maharashtra’s first woman commissioner of police and the officer in charge of the hangings of Ajmal Kasab and Yakub Memon.
Dr Borwankar was one of the 49 retired civil servants who wrote to Prime Minister Narendra D Modi, telling him that ‘In post-independent India, this is our darkest hour and we find the response of our government, the leaders of our political parties inadequate and feeble.’
“It is most important for society, for the uniform, to be above religion. Otherwise, whom will we look up to if we feel this police station is aligned to Hindutva and this police station to a minority?” Dr Borwankar, tells Rediff.com’s Archana Masih. Read the interview here.
11:13 UP, MP, Raj, Chhattishgarh pulling down India’s social development: NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant on Tuesday said that the states in India’s eastern region like Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan are keeping India backward especially on social indicators.
Speaking at the first Khan Abdul Gaffar Khan Memorial Lecture at Jamia Millia Islamia University, Kant said, “Eastern part of India particularly states like Bihar, UP, Chattisgarh, MP, and Rajasthan are keeping India backward especially on social indicators. While we have improved on ease of doing business, we have remained backward on human development index.”
Kant further said that India is still 131 out of 188 countries in the Human Development Index (HDI).
Reacting to ‘Challenges of Transforming India’ he said that the part of southern and western India was doing well and growing speedily.
“And when the country’s HDI has to improve and we have to focus on these social indicators. We are working on these things through Aspirational Districts Programme,” he added.
Stressing upon the significance of sustainable growth, the NITI Aayog CEO said, “Education and health are vital and in these two areas India is lagging behind. Our learning outcomes are poor – a class 5 student is not able to do class 2 subtractions. Class 5 student is not able to read his mother tongue. Infant mortality rates are very high. Unless we improve on these aspects, it will be difficult to grow in a consistent way.”
He also encouraged women to participate in decision-making process. He said, “There must be a conscious effort to frame policies to give women opportunities.”Vice Chancellor of Jamia University Talat Ahmad was also present at the event. — ANI
“We think the reason for rising number of child rape and molestation cases are porn. We are contemplating banning porn in Madhya Pradesh, will approach Centre in the matter,” Singh told ANI.
According to media reports, the BJP government in Madhya Pradesh has blocked 25 porn sites.Singh’s statement comes after the horrific rape and murder of an infant baby girl in Indore on April 19. The infant was recovered from the basement of a building.
Reportedly, the police have identified the accused as Sunil Bheel, 21, claiming that he was seen in CCTV footage, around 4.45 am on Friday, carrying the infant on his shoulder. — ANI
10:46 Army jawan killed in Pulwama, encounter underway: One army jawan succumbs to his injuries in an encounter with terrorists in Lam village of Tral in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pulwama district on Tuesday. Several gunshots were heard earlier in the day in Lam village.
Following the gunshots security forces have been deployed at the spot.
The encounter comes a day after Pakistan Army violated ceasefire along the Line of Control at Krishna Ghati sector of Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district. — ANI
Representational image.
Addressing the media at the Press Club of India on Monday, Justice Shah urged everyone to reject the ordinance and focus on reforming the criminal justice system.
“Not only is the enhancement of punishment to include death penalty futile, but it will also have disastrous consequences for children. I urge everyone to reject the ordinance and focus on reforming the criminal justice system,” Justice Shah said.
“Mostly there are pressures of settling the matter within the family. The death penalty diverts attention from other problems in the criminal justice system such as poor investigation, crime prevention,” he added.
The issues were raised by a six-member bench headed by Justice AP Shah, advocate Vrinda Grover, Anuja Gupta from RAHI Foundation, Bharti Ali of HAQ and including child rights activists.
The Centre on April 21 cleared the amendment in the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act to award death sentence to the rapists of children below the age of 12. — ANI
At least 18 people died in a fire that broke out at a karaoke lounge in southern China on Tuesday, local media reported.
The blaze took place in a three-storey building in Qingyuan City, Guangdong province, China’s state-run news agency Xinhua reported, quoting the local police.
A preliminary investigation found that the fire was caused by arson, the Qingyuan public security department said on its Weibo social media account.
“The public security authorities are stepping up their investigation,” it said.
Taking strong exception to a few umpiring howlers in the ongoing Indian Premier League, the league’s chairman Rajiv Shukla is learnt to have told match referees to speak to umpires about staying more vigilant during matches.
“These things do happen sometimes but still the IPL chairman has spoken to match referees and asked them to speak to the umpires,” a source close to Shukla said on the sidelines of the match between Kings XI Punjab and Delhi Daredevils on Monday.
The match between Rajasthan Royals and Sunrisers Hyderabad saw a seven-ball over two weeks ago.
There was a clear no ball bowled during the game between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Chennai Super Kings on Sunday, but it escaped the umpire’s attention.
To minimise errors, the umpires have apparently been advised to take the help of technology, if needed.
Another official involved with the Indian Premier League said nobody is “infallible”. — PTI
09:38 Opinion polls predict hung assembly in Karnataka :
Two opinion polls have indicated a hung assembly in the May 12 assembly elections in Karnataka, with the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Congress neck-and-neck.
According to a survey conducted by the Times Now-VMR, in the 224 member House, the Congress is likely to get 91 seats, and the BJP just two seats fewer.
The Janata Dal-Secular could emerge as the kingmaker with 40 seats, the survey, conducted between April 4 and April 16, stated.
“If polls were held now neither Chief Minister Siddaramaiah nor B S Yeddyurappa (of the BJP) is in a position to form the government as they are both well short of the 112 mark,” it said.
As far as the choice for the chief ministerial post is concerned, Siddaramaiah leads the race with more than 46 per cent respondents voting for him. Yeddyurappa was the choice for the top post in the state for 32 per cent respondents, the survey stated.
The survey conducted by VMR for Times Now channel was had more than 4,000 respondents surveyed through stratified random sampling spread across all regions of the state.
The Karnataka assembly election will be held on May 12 and the counting of votes will be done on May 15.
According to the ABP-CSDS survey, the Congress will improve its vote share to 37% but still finish second with 85-91 seats.
The BJP will also improve its vote share to 35% and become the largest party in the assembly with a projected tally of 89-95 seats, the survey said.
According to this survey, the JD-S is projected to get 32-38 seats.
09:24 Key US panel narrowly recommends Pompeo as secretary of state:
United States President Donald Trump’s nominee for secretary of state Mike Pompeo has narrowly won approval from a key Congressional panel after a leading Republican supported him at the last minute, paving the way for the CIA director to become America’s top diplomat.
The nomination of 54-year-old Pompeo now heads to the Senate for a vote on his confirmation.
Pompeo, if confirmed by the Senate, would replace Rex Tillerson as the Secretary of State.
Tillerson was fired by Trump last month.
During a tense Senate Foreign Relations Committee meeting, Pompeo was voted 11-9. In addition to all the Republican Senators, Senator Chris Coons was the only Democratic Senator to have voted in support of Pompeo.
Coons displayed a “statesmanship that I’m not accustomed to seeing in the Senate,” said Senator Bob Corker, Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
Earlier in the day, Republican Senator Rand Paul, who had earlier announced to oppose Pompeo, said that he has now changed his mind and would support the nomination.
“Having received assurances from President Trump and Director Pompeo that he agrees with the President on these important issues, I have decided to support his nomination to be our next Secretary of State,” Paul said.
Florida Senator Marco Rubio welcomed the development.
“CIA Director Mike Pompeo has the full confidence of the President, an outstanding record of service to our country, and is more than qualified to serve as Secretary of State. As Director Pompeo’s nomination now moves to the Senate Floor, I strongly urge my colleagues to put country over party and confirm him without further delay,” he said.
Senator Johnny Isakson, a member of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, who voted by proxy said that Pompeo is prepared to lead the State Department. — PTI
The Coimbatore Police on Monday arrested a 1998 serial blast convict after a recorded telephonic conversation went viral on social media in which he is purportedly heard saying he is planning to kill Prime Minister Narendra Modi, police said.
They said the eight-minute long conversation, which is being circulated on social media, was between a man, who has completed a jail term in the blast case and lives in Kuniyamuthur in the city, and a transport contractor.
“The conversation was mainly related to finances about vehicles. But suddenly the blast convict was heard saying ‘we have decided to eliminate (Prime Minister) Modi, as we were the ones who had planted bombs when (former deputy prime minster L K) Advani visited the city in 1998,” the police said.
The city was rocked by a series of bomb blasts in February 1998 in which 58 people were killed and property worth crores was destroyed.
“I have many cases against me and have damaged more than 100 vehicles,” the man can be heard telling the contractor during the conversation, the police said.
The city police formed special teams to investigate the recorded conversation and verify the genuineness of the persons in it, the police said in a press release.
The man has been arrested based on the conversation, it said. — PTI
Former United States president George HW Bush has been hospitalised in Houston after contracting an infection, a day after his wife’s funeral, a family spokesperson said.
Bush, 93, was admitted to Houston Methodist Hospital yesterday after contracting an infection that spread to his blood, the day after funeral was held for his wife, Barbara Bush, according to a statement from his office.
The statement from family spokesman Jim McGrath read, “He is responding to treatments and appears to be recovering. We will issue additional updates as events warrant.”
Barbara, the only woman to see both her husband and her son sworn in as US president, died last Tuesday and was laid to rest on Saturday.
The couple were married for 73 years.
Former presidents Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, George W Bush and their spouses attended the ceremony along with current First Lady Melania Trump.
Bush, 41st US president, was born June 12, 1924, in Milton, Massachusetts. He served as command in chief from 1989 to 1993, served as a congressman, CIA director and Ronald Reagan’s vice president.
Bush attended his wife’s funeral wearing socks decorated in blue, read and yellow books — a tribute to her legacy of promoting literacy.
During Friday’s public viewing of Barbara’s casket, he greeted and shook hands with several people who walked through the church to pay their respects.
On Saturday morning, former president Bush also hosted a reception for the visiting dignitaries before the private service. — PTI
09:04 External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation ministerial meeting.
Offering condolences to the victims, Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called the attack “tragic and senseless”.
“It was with great sadness that I heard about the tragic and senseless attack that took place in Toronto this afternoon. On behalf of all Canadians, I offer my heartfelt condolences to the loved ones of those who were killed, and my thoughts for a fast and full recovery to those injured,” he said in a statement.
“I thank the first responders at the scene who managed this extremely difficult situation with courage and professionalism. They faced danger without hesitation, and their efforts no doubt saved lives and prevented further injuries,” the statement said.
“We should all feel safe walking in our cities and communities. We are monitoring this situation closely, and will continue working with our law enforcement partners around the country to ensure the safety and security of all Canadians,” Trudeau said.
08:30 10 killed as van ploughs into pedestrians in Toronto, suspect arrested:
Ten people were killed and 15 others injured after a man plowed a white van into a crowd of pedestrians in Canada’s biggest city Toronto on Monday.
The incident took place on Yonge Street at the corner with Finch Avenue in broad daylight around 16 kilometers from a conference center hosting a meeting of G7 ministers, but officials said they had no evidence of a link to the event.
“The actions definitely looked deliberate,” Toronto Police Chief Mark Saunders said.
Police arrested a suspect at the scene — who police identified later as 25-year-old Alex Minassian from a northern Toronto suburb — of the attack.
“Were working collaboratively not just on a local level but on a federal and provincial level,” Saunders said
“We are looking strongly at the exact motive,” he added.
00:06 Van runs over pedestrians in Toronto, local media says 4 dead: A van ran over pedestrians in central Toronto on Monday, injuring as many as 10 people, police said.
‘Update: unknown of extent of injuries, possible 8 – 10 pedestrians struck,’ Toronto police wrote on Twitter.
Another tweet said it was ‘too early to confirm the number of pedestrians struck or their injuries’.
Police did not specify whether or not the incident was deliberate.
According to local media, at least four people were killed in the incident and the river had fled the scene. — Agencies
Source: Rediff