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Gujarat Man, 2 Daughters, Son Die By Suicide After Jumping In Front Of Train

A man, his two daughters and a son allegedly committed suicide on Sunday by jumping in front of a train in Botad district in Gujarat, an official said.

The incident took place at 6:30pm between Ningala and Alampur railway stations, Railway Protection Force sub inspector VS Gole said.

"As part of a suicide pact, the four jumped in front of a passenger train on its way from Bhavnagar to Gandhidham. The bodies of the man, his two daughters and a son were found along the tracks," he said.

The man, identified as Mangabhai Vijuda (42), was out on bail after getting arrested on charges of attempt to murder following a fight with a relative, as per police.

The others who died are his daughters Sonam (17) and Rekha (21) and son Jignesh (19).

They belonged to Nana Sakhpar village in the district's Gadhada taluka, he said.

The bodies have been sent for post mortem and further probe into why they took this extreme step is underway, the official said.

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

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Netanyahu remains dependent on far-right allies, analysts say.


By Isabel Kershner from NYT World https://ift.tt/ne9DxR8
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Man Dies By Suicide, Case Against Wife, Her Sister: Maharashtra Police

An offence has been registered against a 27-year-old woman and her sister for allegedly abetting the suicide of her husband in Maharashtra's Thane district two months ago, police said on Saturday.

Based on a complaint, the police on Friday registered an offence under section 306 (abetment of suicide) of the Indian Penal Code against the two sisters, an official said.

Sachinkumar Mishra, a resident of Davdi village in Dombivili, committed suicide by consuming rat poison in October, he said.

As per the complaint, Mishra's wife Pooja frequently spoke to three men, raising doubts that she was having an extramarital affair, the official said.

The victim's sister-in-law Babita Upadayaya also threatened him saying that he would be beaten up and abducted if he interfered with his wife's friend, he said.

The man was allegedly driven to suicide because of his wife's behaviour and sister-in-law's threats, the official said, adding that no arrests have been made in this regard so far.

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



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"Unaware God Would Come": Welfare Scheme Beneficiary As PM Visits Her Home

Mera Manjhi, the tenth-crore beneficiary of the Centre's flagship Ujjwala Yojana expressed her happiness after Prime Minister Narendra Modi unexpectedly visited her residence on Saturday.

"I was not aware that he would visit us. He came to our home. We are feeling very happy. We were not aware that God would arrive in such a way," Mera said with a big smile on her face.

Amid his packed schedule during a day-long visit to Ayodhya, PM Modi took time to visit Mera's house, engaging in conversations with beneficiaries and inquiring about her well-being over tea.

PM Modi was offered tea at the home of the beneficiary of the flagship scheme that provides clean cooking fuel such as LPG cylinders to rural and deprived households, which otherwise had been using firewood, coal, and cow-dung cakes.

PM asked the beneficiary about everyone's well-being in her family and the benefits she got through the schemes of the government.

After the first sip of the tea, offered to him by Mera, PM, in a humorous way, asked her, "bahut meethi chai peete ho ap log (You people take so much sugar in your tea)."

To this, Mera said that she often makes tea mistakenly with lots of sugar. "Humesha hi ban jati hai," she replied.

Later on, the PM praised her, saying that he is very good at making tea.

"You make good tea. I am chaiwala, so I know how to make tea," he said.

Mera, while speaking to ANI, further expressed her delight over meeting PM Modi.

Later on, the PM took to X to share the video of him meeting Mera Manjhi and her family and said, "The experience of visiting sister Meera Manjhi's house in the city of Lord Shri Ram has become unforgettable!"

A large crowd gathered to greet PM Modi as he walked through the narrow streets of the temple town. He also took selfies with two children in Ayodhya and fulfilled their requests for autographs.

The Prime Minister even signed a painting that a boy showed him.

The Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) was started in May 2016 to provide clean cooking fuel to poor households across the country. Under PMUY, a deposit-free LPG connection is provided to adult women from poor households.

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



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Babri Masjid Slogan Scribbled On Campus, JNU Orders Repainting Of Walls

A day after a slogan demanding Babri Masjid reconstruction surfaced on a wall of Jawaharlal Nehru University's School of Languages, the university on Friday ordered the repainting of all walls on the campus to remove any slogan or graffiti.

In a meeting with a committee tasked with probing repeated incidents of controversial sloganeering and defacement of walls, the administration asked officials to ramp up security arrangements in all schools of the university.

"We have asked the committee members to visit all schools and submit a report in the next one week on requirements for CCTV cameras in each school after discussions with the respective deans," a senior official told PTI.

The JNU administration has ordered to repaint all walls on the campus to remove any kind of slogan or graffiti, the official said, adding CCTV cameras will be installed in identified areas.

According to university students, the administration on Thursday evening white washed the walls on which the slogan was scribbled. They, however, claimed that in the process sketches of freedom fighters and that of two prime ministers were also wiped off.

The slogan demanding that Babri Masjid be rebuilt appeared on a wall on the first floor of the School of Language building with the "NSUI" written below. Photos of the graffiti soon surfaced on social media, sparking a controversy.

The student outfit distanced themselves from the slogan and demanded an investigation by the administration.

"NSUI-JNU firmly condemns this malicious, disruptive act of defacement and maligning our organisation's name. We are absolutely clear that defacing an organization's wall sketches is not a way to give any socio-political message. We also demand the university administration conduct an impartial investigation into the matter," the National Students' Union of India (NSUI) said in a statement.

The university administration initially denied photos of the graffiti circulating on social media were from the university, but later said it was not aware if it was painted on the campus. 

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



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Ram Temple's Consecration Ritual From Jan 16, Preparations In Full Swing

Preparations for the consecration ceremony of Maryada Purushottam Prabhu Shri Ram Temple are going on at a very fast pace. As this moment is coming closer, curiosity among the common people is also increasing.

It is noteworthy that the ritual process will continue on a large scale for seven days in Ayodhya, which will start on January 16. 

The deity of Shri Ram Lalla will be consecrated on 22nd January. On January 22, Shri Ram will be seated in his divinely grand temple with the blessings of Prime Minister Narendra Damodar Das Modi.

In view of this program, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is continuously visiting Ayodhya. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who reached Ayodhya on December 2 and 21, is continuously taking updates on the construction work of Ram temple. A large number of visitors from India and abroad will be present in this program.

Seven-day ritual program

January 16: Atonement by the host appointed by the temple trust, Dashavid bath on the banks of river Saryu, Vishnu worship and Godan.

January 17: The procession will tour Ayodhya with the idol of Ramlala, devotees will reach the temple carrying Saryu water in Mangal Kalash.

January 18: Formal rituals will start with Ganesh Ambika puja, Varun puja, Matrika puja, Brahmin Varan, Vastu puja etc.

January 19: Fire establishment, Navagraha establishment and Havan.

January 20: After washing the sanctum sanctorum of the temple with the holy water of Saryu, there will be Vaastu peace and Annadhivas.

January 21: After a divine bath with 125 urns, Shayadhivas will be done.

January 22: After morning puja, the deity of Ramallah will be consecrated in Mrigashira Nakshatra in the afternoon.

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



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Chess Federation Fines Player Over Her ‘Sports Shoes’


By Claire Moses from NYT World https://ift.tt/378HMSP
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Tamil Nadu Top Cop Gets Threat Mail About 'Bombs Planted At 30 Spots'

The office of the Director General of Police, Tamil Nadu on Wednesday received an e-mail claiming that 'bombs' have been 'planted in 30 spots' in Chennai, an official said.

As soon as the mail was received, which claimed that public places like the Besant Nagar and Elliots beaches formed part of the places under the target, it was brought to the notice of authorities and later forwarded to Chennai city police for appropriate action.

Chennai police have started a probe into the matter and appropriate action is being taken, the official added.

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



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Kerala Governor Gives Nod For Induction Of New Ministers In State Cabinet

Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan has approved the proposal of the state government for the induction of two new ministers in the state cabinet.

In a recent Facebook post, the Raj Bhavan said that Ramachandran Kadannappally and K B Ganesh Kumar would be inducted into the Council of Ministers as per the provisions of Article 164-1 of the Constitution.

Mr Khan has approved the proposal of the CM in this regard, the FB post said.

The swearing-in-ceremony of the ministers designate would be held on December 29 at Raj Bhavan, it added.

Earlier, the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) had announced a cabinet reshuffle and said that new ministers would take oath on December 29.

LDF convener E P Jayarajan had said on Sunday that Transport Minister Antony Raju of the Democratic Kerala Congress and Ports Minister Ahammad Devarkovil of the Indian National League had tendered their resignations.

Ramachandran Kadannappally of Congress (S) and K B Ganesh Kumar of Kerala Congress (B) would take oath as ministers for the rest of the term, he had said.

When the second LDF government came to power in the state in May 2021, partners in the CPI(M)-led alliance had reached an understanding to allocate cabinet berths to four single-MLA parties on a "sharing the term" basis.

The LDF then took the decision to share the term, citing the constitutional clauses that restrict the cabinet to 21 members.

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



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Vinesh Phogat To Return Khel Ratna, Arjuna Awards

Less than a week after Sakshee Malikkh announced her retirement from wrestling and Bajrang Punia returned his Padma Shri, Vinesh Phogat, the third top wrestler who was part of the protests against former Wrestling Federation of India chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, has announced that she will return her Khel Ratna and Arjuna Award.

Brij Bhushan, a BJP MP, had been accused of sexual harassment by many women wrestlers, and Ms Malikkh, Mr Punia and Ms Phogat had been at the forefront of the protests against him.

The wrestlers' decisions have been taken in quick succession in a span of six days since a panel led by Sanjay Singh, a close aide of Brij Bhushan, won the elections to the Wrestling Federation of India by a landslide on Thursday, indicating a continuity of leadership in the body. The panel was suspended by the sports ministry on Sunday.

In an emotional open letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday, Ms Phogat, who has won gold medals at both the Commonwealth and Asian Games, asked whether women wrestlers were made only to grace government advertisements and said she is returning the Khel Ratna - the country's highest sporting honour - and Arjuna Award so that they don't become a "burden on the path of living with dignity".

Ms Phogat has also said that the wrestlers were considered the country's pride when they won medals, but are now being labelled traitors because they spoke out for justice. "Prime Minister, I want to ask you, are we traitors?" she wrote.

'Daughter Of Your House'

In the letter, written in Hindi, Ms Phogat says, "Sakshee Malikkh has quit wrestling and Bajrang Punia has returned his Padma Shri. The whole country knows why the players who won Olympic medals for the country were forced to do all this; and you are the head of the country, so this matter must have reached you too. Prime Minister, I am Vinesh Phogat, a daughter of your house and I am writing this letter to you to tell you about the condition I have been in for the past year."

"I remember the year 2016, when Sakshee Malikkh won a medal in the Olympics, your government named her the brand ambassador of 'Beti Bachao Beti Padhao'. When this was announced, all the women players of the country were happy and were sending congratulatory messages to each other. Today, ever since Sakshi had to leave wrestling, I am remembering that year again and again. Are we women players made only to appear on government advertisements," she asked.

Stating that winning an Olympics medal is her dream, which is now fading, she said that the lives of women wrestlers are nothing like the "fancy advertisements". 

Referring to Brij Bhushan's remark after the wrestling body elections that his dominance would continue, Ms Phogat exhorted the Prime Minister to spare five minutes to listen to the former WFI chief's comments. She alleged that the "exploiter" Brij Bhushan had admitted on television that he had made women wrestlers uncomfortable and had utilised every opportunity to humiliate them.

'Called Traitors'

The Commonwealth Games gold medallist said the wrestlers had been struggling on the streets for a year but were still waiting for justice. 

"When we won medals for the country, the whole country considered us its pride. Now that we raised our voice for justice, we are being called traitors. Prime Minister, I want to ask you, are we traitors," she asked.

The wrestler, who broke out in tears at a press conference after the results of the WFI election on Thursday, said no mother would like to see her daughter in the condition she finds herself in. 

Ms Phogat said she was ecstatic when she received the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna and the Arjuna Award. "But now I want to get rid of the image of Vinesh receiving the award, because that was a dream and what is happening with us now is the reality," she wrote. 

Stating that the awards have no meaning in her life now, the wrestler said, "Every woman wants to live life with respect. Thus, Prime Minister sir, I want to return my Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna and Arjuna Award to you so that these awards do not become a burden on us in the path of living with dignity."



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Man Killed, Face Smashed With Stone Over Love Affair: Delhi Police

A man was killed and his face smashed with stone over a love affair in West Delhi's Vikaspuri area, police said on Monday.

Since his identity could not be ascertained with his face disfigured and no papers on him, police in order to identify the victim put up posters in the area.

On December 20, the man was identified as Sachin Maurya, who had been reported missing by his family, which approached the police after they saw a poster near the Nihal Vihar drain, police said.

Police arrested Pawan Tiwari, 35, and Pawan Singh, 25, in connection with the murder, with Tiwari involved in at least 20 criminal cases including those related to Arms Act and theft, they said.

According to a police officer, Maurya's body was found on December 16, the day he went missing, near the boundary wall of Keshopur Industrial Area DDA Park in Vikaspuri, more than 6 kms away from his home in Ranhola.

His face was smashed with stones so that the body could not be identified.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Vichitra Veer said during the course of investigation, it was revealed that Sachin was in relationship with one girl.

"It also came to notice that Pawan Tiwari who live in Sachin's neighbourhood was also in close friendship with her," Veer said.

Tiwari was miffed at her relationship with Sachin, so he planned to kill him.

"With the help of technical surveillance and local intelligence search of Pawan Tiwari was made. In the meantime, one more suspect, Pawan Singh who is friend of Pawan Tiwari, was also found to be involved in the murder," the DCP said.

Both men were arrested from the local fish market on December 22. The purse of the victim was recovered from their possession, police said.

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



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Cyber Frauds Create Fake Profile Of UP Cop To Ask Money From Acquaintances

Police here are looking for cyber thugs who created a fake Facebook profile in the name of Bareilly Inspector General of Police Dr Rakesh Singh and sent messages to his acquaintances asking for money, an officer said on Monday.

Cyber Police Station on Monday registered a complaint in the matter and began its investigations, Additional Superintendent of Police (City) Rahul Bhati said.

The incident came to light when the IG's acquaintances informed him about the messages they were receiving demands for money.

The officer immediately took note of the matter and informed the cyber police, police said.

The Inspector General of Police also wrote on social media about the fake profile and asked his acquaintances to be careful.

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



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3 Convicted For Kidnapping Newborn From State-Run Hospital Near Mumbai

A court in Maharashtra's Thane district has convicted three people accused of kidnapping a newborn from a government hospital and sentenced them to five years and six months of rigorous imprisonment.

Additional sessions judge GG Bhansali found the accused Gudiya Sonu Rajbhar (43), her husband Sonu (49), and Vilas Kailas Srivastav (57) guilty of charges under Section 363 (kidnapping) and 308 (attempt to commit culpable homicide) of the Indian Penal Code.

Additional public prosecutor Varsha Chandane informed the court that on January 14, 2018, Gudiya kidnapped a baby boy within four hours of his birth from a government hospital and took him home.

The police later traced the accused and found the baby and reunited him with his parents, she said.

The accused couple had planned to give the infant to the third accused, Vikas Srivastav, the court was told.

Eighteen prosecution witnesses, including the police and experts, were examined during the trial.

The judge, in his order, noted that for the newborn baby, the company of his mother and breastmilk are like oxygen.

The court observed that the accused couple were parents to six children and had been in jail since 2018. Hence, it was appropriate to punish them for the period they had been in jail.



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3 Vivo-India Executives Arrested In Money Laundering Case

The Enforcement Directorate has arrested three vivo-India executives in connection with its money laundering probe against the Chinese smartphone maker and some others, official sources said on Saturday.

Interim CEO of vivo-India Hong Xuquan alias Terry -- a Chinese national -- Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Harinder Dahiya and consultant Hemant Munjal have been taken into custody under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), they said.

They were presented before a court which sent them to ED custody for three days, the sources said.

An email sent by PTI to a company spokesperson seeking comments on the development remained unanswered.

The Enforcement Directorate had earlier arrested four people -- mobile company Lava International's MD Hari Om Rai, Chinese national Guangwen alias Andrew Kuang, and chartered accountants Nitin Garg and Rajan Malik -- in the case. They are in judicial custody at present.

The federal agency had filed a charge sheet against these four and vivo-India before a special PMLA court in Delhi. The court recently took cognisance of the charge sheet.

Special Judge Kiran Gupta summoned the accused on February 19.

The ED had claimed in its court papers presented for the earlier four arrestees that their alleged activities enabled vivo-India to make wrongful gains that were detrimental to the economic sovereignty of India.

It had raided vivo-India and its linked persons in July last year and claimed to have busted a major money laundering racket involving Chinese nationals and multiple Indian companies.

The ED had then alleged that Rs 62,476 crore was "illegally" transferred by vivo-India to China to avoid payment of taxes in India.

The company had said that it "firmly adheres to its ethical principles and remains dedicated to legal compliance".

Lava International's Hari Om Rai had recently told a court that though his company and vivo-India were in talks to launch a joint venture in India a decade ago, he had nothing to do with the Chinese firm or its representatives since 2014.

"He has not derived any monetary benefit nor has he engaged in any transaction with vivo-India or any entity allegedly related to vivo, let alone having been associated with any alleged proceeds of crime," Rai's lawyer had told the court.

The probe agency filed an enforcement case information report (ECIR), the ED's equivalent of a police FIR, on February 3 after studying a December 2022 Delhi Police FIR against an associated company of vivo-India, Grand Prospect International Communication Pvt. Ltd. (GPICPL), its directors, shareholders and some other professionals.

The police complaint was filed by the Corporate Affairs Ministry alleging that GPICPL and its shareholders used "forged" identification documents and "falsified" addresses at the time of incorporation of the company in December 2014.

This company had its registered address in Himachal Pradesh's Solan, Gujarat's Gandhinagar and in Jammu.

The crackdown on the leading Chinese company came after the federal probe agency found that three Chinese nationals -- all of whom "left" India between 2018 and 2021 -- and another person from that country incorporated 23 companies in India in which they were also allegedly helped by CA Nitin Garg.

"The allegations (made by the Corporate Affairs ministry) were found to be true as the investigation revealed that the addresses mentioned by the directors of GPICPL did not belong to them. In fact, it was a government building and the house of a senior bureaucrat," the ED said.

It said vivo Mobiles Pvt. Ltd. was incorporated on August 1, 2014, as a subsidiary of Multi Accord Ltd., a Hong Kong-based company.

The 23 companies incorporated in this country are found to have transferred huge amounts of funds to Vivo India. Further, out of the total sale proceeds of Rs 1,25,185 crore, Vivo India remitted Rs 62,476 crore or almost 50 per cent of the turnover out of India, mainly to China, the ED had alleged.

These remittances, it added, were made to "disclose huge losses in Indian incorporated companies to avoid payment of taxes in India".

The action is seen as part of the Union government's effort to tighten checks on Chinese entities that are allegedly indulging in serious financial crimes like money laundering and tax evasion while operating here.

These developments come amid a military stand-off between the two countries along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh that began more than three years ago. 

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



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Renowned Poet And Artist Imroz Dies At 97

Noted poet and artist Inderjeet, known as Imroz, known for his enduring relationship with poet Amrita Pritam, passed away in Mumbai on Friday at the age of 97 due to age-related issues, family sources said.

Alka Kwatra, Pritam's daughter-in-law, told PTI that his last rites were performed at the Dahanukarwadi crematorium at Kandivli in north Mumbai in the presence of family and close friends.

The funeral pyre was lit by Pritam's granddaughter.

Amiya Kunwar, a close acquaintance of Imroz, said he was suffering from health issues for some days and had been hospitalised.

Born on January 26, 1926 in Lyallpur, Punjab, Imroz met Amrita Pritam in the 1950s when she was already a well-established figure in Punjabi literature. They lived together for over 40 years until Pritam died in 2005.

Imroz began writing poems after Pritam started keeping unwell, and even after her death, he wrote several poems dedicated to her.

One of Pritam's most celebrated works, 'Main tainu phir milangi,' is said to have been dedicated to Imroz.

Noted artist Prakash Joshi said the passing away of Imroz is an end of an “era and a poetic dream”.

“The relationship between Imroz and Pritam was a beautiful chapter in the field of Indian art and literature,” Joshi said.



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New Covid Variant Found In 19 Samples In Goa, All Inactive Cases: Official

The JN.1 sub variant of COVID-19 was found in 19 samples that were tested over a period of time, but these are old cases and are no longer active, a top health official said on Thursday.

The first case of this variant was found in Kerala on December 8, after which the Centre urged states and union territories to maintain constant vigil, including monitoring and reporting district-wise cases of Influenza-like Illness (ILI) and Severe Acute Respiratory Illness (SARI) in all health facilities regularly for early detection.

"All the 19 cases of JN.1 sub variant traced in Goa are not active. They are old cases and have crossed the window period. This variant was found during genome sequencing of samples collected from patients," state epidemiologist Dr Prashant Suryavanshi told PTI.

"All those with this variant had mild symptoms. They have recovered now. These samples were collected over a period of time," Suryavanshi added.

As on Thursday, Goa has 16 active COVID-19 cases, including four detected during the day.

A total of 193 samples were tested for the virus on Thursday, as per a bulletin issued by the state's Directorate of Health Services.

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



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Centre Bans Anti-Cold Fixed Drug Combination In Children Below 4 Years

The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has prohibited the use of anti-cold fixed drug combinations in children below four years of age.

Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) Rajeev Raghuvanshi asked the drug regulators of all states and Union territories to instruct the manufacturers of fixed drug combination (FDC) of Chlorpheniramine Maleate IP 2mg Phenylephrine HCL IP 5mg drop/ml to insert warning that "FDC should not be used in children below four years of age" on label and package insert/promotional literature of the drug.

In the letter, the DCGI stated that the FDC was declared as rational by the Professor Kokate Committee, and based on its recommendation, this office had issued NOC for continued manufacturing and marketing of the FDC on July 17, 2015, under the 18-month policy decision.

"Subsequently concerns have been raised regarding the promotion of unapproved anti-cold drug formulation for infants," he said.

The matter was deliberated in the Subject Expert Committee (SEC- Pulmonary) meeting held on June 6.

"The committee recommended that the FDC should not be used in children below four years of age and accordingly the firms should mention warnings in this regard on label and package insert. The recommendation of the SEC has been considered by this office," the letter stated.

"Accordingly, you are requested to direct all the manufacturers of said FDC under your jurisdiction to mention the warning 'FDC should not be used in children below 4 years of age' on the label and package insert/promotional literature of the drug," according to the DCGI's letter dated December 18.

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



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High Court Setback For Mukhtar Ansari's Son In Poll Code Violation Case

The Allahabad High Court has denied the anticipatory bail plea filed by Omar Ansari, the son of gangster Mukhtar Ansari.

Omar Ansari faces accusations related to the violation of the election code of conduct and controversial remarks made against officials.

Justice Samit Gopal issued the order rejecting the anticipatory bail application presented by Omar Ansari.

Senior advocates Gopal Swaroop Chaturvedi and Upendra Upadhyay, along with Additional Advocate General PC Srivastava and AGA Vikas Sahay, presented their arguments on behalf of the applicant.

An FIR was registered by Police Sub Inspector Ganga Ram Kotwali Nagar, Mau, on March 4, 2022.

The complaint detailed an incident on March 3, 2022, at about 8.30 pm, where Abbas Ansari, Omar Ansari, and organiser Mansoor Ahmed Ansari allegedly violated the election code of conduct during a meeting of the Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party near Paharpura. Approximately 150 people were reportedly present during the event.

The first anticipatory bail was denied by the High Court on October 17, 2022.

Subsequently, the petitioner challenged the charge sheet in the case, which was also rejected by the Allahabad High Court. A subsequent petition filed in the Supreme Court met a similar fate, leading to the submission of this second anticipatory bail application which was denied today.

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



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Case Against Air Force Officer For Raping, Threatening 24-Year-Old Woman

The Delhi Police has booked an IAF officer for allegedly raping and intimidating a 24-year-old woman, officials on Monday said.

The Delhi Police has registered an FIR under sections 376 (rape) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and began the investigation into the matter.

"On September 23, last year, I came in contact with a 38-year-old Wing Commander and started talking with her. Last year, On November 12, he forcefully sexually abused her in Delhi after making false promises of marriage," read the FIR, PTI has a copy of the FIR.

The complainant told the Parliament Street police station on December 1 that the accused told her that he liked her a lot and wanted to get married to her.

"Despite repeatedly telling him, he continued to establish a physical relationship with me. I protested as everything was wrong and he must wait until we were married. He paid no heed and took me to his residence as well, where I met his parents," read the FIR.

She also told the police that the accused had lied to her about his marital status and family.

"I got to know about the truth about the accused on November 6 when I saw some photographs of him with another woman and two children on social media. I tried to contact him and his parents, but I was blocked from everywhere and no one responded to my calls. I visited his house in Ambala on November 16 where he raped me again and threatened me with dire consequences," the complainant told the police.

A police officer said that an FIR has been filed and an investigation has been taken up into the matter.

"We are were aware of the allegations. The officer is fully cooperating with the probe," said a PRO (Defence) at Palam.

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



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Biting Cold In Himachal, Lahaul Spiti's Kukumseri Shivers At -7.6 Degrees

Biting cold wave conditions gripped most parts of Himachal Pradesh on Sunday as the mercury dropped marginally even as the dry spell continued.

The minimum temperatures hovered around freezing point at many places and stayed below normal at several places.

Kukumseri in tribal Lahaul Spiti district recorded a low of minus 7.6 degrees Celsius, while Kalpa in tribal Kinnaur district registered a minimum temperature of minus 3.2 degrees Celsius, followed by Reckongpeo (minus 0.3 degree Celsius), Narkanda (minus 0.1 degree Celsius) and Bhuntar (0.8 degree Celsius). The mercury stayed close to the freezing point at Kufri, Sundernagar, Solan, Mandi and Dalhousie.

The maximum day temperatures also stayed three to five degrees Celsius below normal at many places and Dalhousie, Chamba and Solan recorded a high of 8.4, 17.8 and 17.5 degrees Celsius, which were 6.2 degrees C, 4.5 degrees C and 3.5 degrees C below normal, respectively. Shimla recorded a high of 13 degrees Celsius, two notches below normal.

The local Meteorological station has predicted dry weather in the state for four days till December 21 and rainfall at isolated places in mid hills and rains or snow in higher hills on December 22 and 23.

The state received 45 mm post-monsoon rains from October 1 to December 17 against normal rainfall of 51.6 mm, a deficit of 27 per cent while the rain deficit during the month of December was 67 per cent.

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



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Chaos In Telangana Assembly: Congress vs BRS Over Governor's Address

The Telangana Legislative Assembly on Saturday witnessed a stormy debate on the Motion of Thanks to the Governor's address with the ruling Congress and the opposition BRS indulging in a war of words over the track record of the two parties while in power, alleging 'family rule' and others.

BRS Working President K T Rama Rao, who alleged that the Governor's address was full of untruths and that he is "shameful as a member" to listen to such a speech, attacked the Congress that its rule in undivided Andhra Pradesh was marked by parched lands, hunger deaths and suicides.

Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy led the Congress defence, citing the alleged family rule, non-completion of irrigation projects, ignoring the families of those who sacrificed their lives for the cause of Telangana statehood, leak of question papers and other failures during the 10 years of BRS rule.

"... our government broke the iron gates of Pragati Bhavan (former CM KCR's camp office-cum-official residence). It is a government elected by the people. It is the people's government. Ministers did not have an entry to meet the Chief Minister then. Gaddar (folk singer), who gave a push to the Telangana agitation, did not have an entry. But, today, the government is ready to listen if minorities, Dalits, tribals, women, weaker sections say we have a problem," the CM said.

The debate on the Motion of Thanks to the Governor's address on Saturday is the first debate after the formation of the third Telangana Legislative Assembly following the recent elections.

In a sharp attack on the Congress, Rama Rao, son of former Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, alleged that lack of electricity and water supply, dictatorial rule, emergency and attacks on state governments and unfulfilled 'garibi hatao' slogan were the order of the day during the 'Indiramma Rajyam' (the welfare rule of former PM Indira Gandhi promised by the Congress).

He also alleged that Telangana Congress leaders, in an undivided AP, kept quiet for the sake of posts and also when the then CM Kiran Kumar Reddy "refused" to give any funds to Telangana.

State Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar countered Rama Rao by saying a separate Telangana State was achieved with the Congress also fighting for it due to the belief that Telangana was discriminated against in the undivided state.

The debate should be about the government programmes after Telangana formation in 2014, he said.

Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka said people had fought for Telangana and it was Congress which fulfilled the demand of separate. However, Telangana which was a surplus state is burdended with Rs five lakh crore debt during the BRS regime since 2014, he said.

Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, who intervened, referred to Rama Rao talking about the past and said it was Congress which made former CM KCR as a vice-president in the Youth Congress and it was again Congress which made KCR an MP and an Union Minister.

KCR's nephew and MLA T Harish Rao was made a minister in the government of Y S Rajasekhara Reddy in undivided AP when the former was not even a legislator, he said.

It was the late Congress leader P Janardhan Reddy who had fought for Telangana's interests in an undivided AP over the issue of Pothireddypadu head regulator, Revanth Reddy said.

Several incumbent BRS MLAs were in power in undivided AP which is being criticised now, he said.

The government is ready for a debate if the opposition members are keen on a debate about the past, Revanth Reddy said.

The government has presented its vision document and the opposition should make constructive suggestions, he said.

Later, replying to the debate, CM Revanth Reddy hit out at the BRS, saying people of the state gave a verdict against family rule in the recent elections.

In a veiled reference to Rama Rao speaking for the BRS, he said he and people had expected that any experienced members of BRS would get the opportunity to speak but the people were left disappointed as only the "family" got the opportunity.

Referring to the BRS claiming to be a party that ran the Telangana agitation, he asked whether the then Chief Minister (KCR) ever invited any family members of those who sacrificed their lives for the cause of Telangana to his camp office-cum-official residence and extended help.

Without mentioning KCR's name, he said the former CM, however, gave posts to his son, nephew and daughter .

Did the former CM ever review the police cases against the students and others who supported the Telangana cause and tried to remove such cases, he asked.

The BRS claims to have grown on the back of the Telangana agitation but the BRS government disbanded the 'Dharna Chowk' in Hyderabad, a venue for democratic protests, he said. 

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



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India-Made High-Speed Drone Successfully Flight Tested In Karnataka

The Defence Ministry on Friday said a successful flight trial of an indigenous high-speed flying-wing unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) was carried out in Karnataka's Chitradurga that propelled India into an elite club of nations to have the technology to produce such a platform.

The autonomous flying wing technology demonstrator has been developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

"The DRDO has successfully carried out a flight trial of autonomous flying wing technology demonstrator, an indigenous high-speed flying-wing Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) from the aeronautical test range in Chitradurga," the ministry said.

The successful flying demonstration of this autonomous stealth UAV is a testimony to maturity in the technology readiness levels in the country, it said.

"With this flight in the tailless configuration, India has joined the elite club of countries to have mastered the controls for the flying wing technology," the Defence Ministry said.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has complimented the DRDO, the armed forces and the industry for the successful flight trial of the system. He said the successful development of such critical technologies indigenously will further strengthen the armed forces.

This UAV is designed and developed by DRDO's Aeronautical Development Establishment.

The ministry said the maiden flight of this aircraft was demonstrated in July 2022, followed by six flight trials in various developmental configurations using two in-house manufactured prototypes.

"These flight tests led to achievements in the development of robust aerodynamic and control system; integrated real-time and hardware-in-loop simulation, and state-of-the-art ground control stations," it said.

"The team had optimised the avionic systems, integration and flight operations towards the successful seventh flight in the final configuration," the ministry added.

The aircraft prototype, with a complex arrowhead wing platform, is designed and manufactured with lightweight carbon prepreg composite material developed indigenously.

"Also, the composite structure, impregnated with fibre interrogators for health monitoring, is a showcase of 'Aatmanirbharta' in aerospace technology," the ministry said.

"The autonomous landing of this high-speed UAV, without the need for ground radars/infrastructure/pilot, showcased a unique capability demonstration, allowing take-off and landing from any runway with surveyed coordinates," it said.

The ministry said this was possible using onboard sensor data fusion with indigenous satellite-based augmentation using GPS-aided GEO Augmented Navigation (GAGAN) receivers to improve the accuracy and integrity of GPS navigation. PTI MPB NSD NSD

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



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Top Biden adviser meets with Israeli leaders amid differences over the war.


By Aaron Boxerman from NYT World https://ift.tt/04w6fva
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Over 2,000 Children Adopted By Indians, 224 By Foreigners This Year: Centre

More than 2,000 children have been adopted by Indians in the financial year 2023-24 so far while 224 children have been adopted by foreigners, Union Minister for Women and Child Development Smriti Irani informed the Parliament on Wednesday.

In a written reply in the Rajya Sabha, Ms Irani said the Women and Child Development Ministry had notified Adoption Regulations, 2022, which have been framed in line with the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 (as amended in 2021), on September 23 last year.

The Adoption Regulations were framed keeping in mind the issues and challenges faced by the Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA) and other stakeholders, including the Adoption Agencies and Prospective Adoptive Parents (PAPs), she said.

According to the data shared by the minister, 3,142 children were adopted by Indians and 417 by foreigners in 2020-21, 2,991 by Indians and 414 by foreigners in 2021-22, and 3,010 by Indians and 431 by foreigners in 2022-23.

In 2023-24, 2,248 children had been adopted by Indians and 224 by foreigners till December 12, the data showed.

CARA has developed CARINGS, an online adoption platform for building bridges and creating links through a robust web-based management system designed to bring transparency in the adoption system and curtail delays at various levels. The CARINGS portal has been further simplified, Ms Irani said.
 

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



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BBC India Restructures For New Entity To Comply With Foreign Investment Rules

Four BBC staff members on Tuesday announced plans to leave the organisation and form a new entity in India named Collective Newsroom, which will provide services "as commissioned by the BBC" and in compliance with the country's foreign direct investment (FDI) rules.

According to a statement from the UK-based public service broadcaster, Collective Newsroom has been established as an Indian company that is wholly owned by Indian citizens. It replaces BBC World Service India to continue to provide language-based content.

The move follows the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) premises in India facing "surveys" by tax authorities and an ensuing investigation by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) over alleged FDI violations earlier this year.

"The establishment of Collective Newsroom Private Limited ensures the BBC and Collective Newsroom can meet their shared commitment to Indian audiences and cover stories on India that matter to global audiences. It is in compliance with the Indian Foreign Direct Investment law," reads the BBC statement.

"Collective Newsroom has been established as an Indian company, wholly owned by Indian citizens, with four existing staff members leaving the BBC to lead Collective Newsroom. These senior leaders have a wealth of editorial and programme-making experience," it said.

"The BBC will commission Collective Newsroom to produce its six Indian language services as well as Indian digital output and Indian YouTube channel in English for audiences globally," it added.

"Audiences in India can be assured that the BBC's Indian language services and unique range of quality output will inform, educate and entertain audiences across our diverse and highly engaged country under the agreement between the BBC and Collective Newsroom. We launch Collective Newsroom with big ambitions for audiences in India and beyond," said Rupa Jha, Senior News Editor, BBC India, and founding shareholder of Collective Newsroom.

The BBC said it has a long-held and deep-rooted place in India's media landscape, having first launched the Hindi language service in 1940. Since then, it has developed a range of BBC output, expanding the number of Indian language services and growing audience figures from "decade-to-decade with its agenda-setting and high impact journalism".

"The BBC's presence in India is steeped in a rich history that has always put audiences first, so we warmly welcome the formation of Collective Newsroom which continues that progression. The BBC will get first class content from Collective Newsroom that will be rooted in India and in line with the editorial standards audiences expect from the BBC," said Jonathan Munro, Deputy CEO, BBC News.

Liliane Landor, Senior Controller, BBC News International Services, added: "Two of the BBC's critical strengths are its truly global output for audiences and our reputation as a trusted source of news.

"We are deeply committed to excellence in journalism for and from India, and this agreement ensures the continued production of independent, international and impartial journalism that the BBC News brand is renowned for in India and around the world." Under the new arrangement, activity for BBC Monitoring and the BBC's English language newsgathering operation for global output will remain with the BBC.

In India, content is provided in six languages - BBC News Hindi, BBC News Marathi, BBC News Gujarati, BBC News Punjabi, BBC News Tamil, BBC News Telugu, as well as in English, to 82 million people around the country on average each week.

According to official statistics, BBC News Hindi is the BBC's language service with the largest audience and in 2023, across all platforms, its weekly reach figure grew 27 per cent year-on-year.

The BBC World Service claims a reach of 318 million people on average every week globally and operates 42 different language services.

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



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Tamil Nadu Hospital Under Fire For Handing Over Baby's Body In Box

The mortuary at a government hospital here handed over the body of a baby in a cardboard carton much to the shock of the father, who struggled in vain to save his child during the floods last week.

The incident drew spontaneous criticism from several quarters prompting the hospital authorities to suspend a staff at the mortuary for negligence.

A senior official at the Kilpauk Medical College Hospital on Monday said an inquiry has been ordered into the incident.

"I accepted the corpse given to me in a cardboard box on December 10 and took it to be laid to rest at the mosque with the help of volunteers," Masood Basha of Pulianthope said.

As he opened the box to bury the body he was shocked to see the stillborn child without being wrapped in a white shroud. "I had to obtain a white cloth, wrapped the body, and laid her to rest," Basha said.

A traumatised Basha said, "I couldn't save her... I didn't have the money to even bury the child. I cannot blame anyone except my misfortune." 

Recalling his efforts to save his child, he told media that his wife Sowmya developed preterm labour pains on December 6 at 11 am. He couldn't manage to get an ambulance to rush his wife to a hospital due to inundation and poor mobile connectivity, he said.

By the time he could arrange a vehicle to take her to a hospital, his wife delivered a stillborn baby at home. His initial attempt to seek medical assistance from a private hospital did not yield any result due to power failure.

He managed to take the mother and baby to the Kilpauk Medical College hospital with the help of the police. At the GH, the doctors confirmed that a stillborn girl child was delivered, and later sent the body to the mortuary.

Slamming the ruling DMK for the negligence, BJP Tamil Nadu chief K Annamalai said the once sought-after medical infrastructure in the country has today hit rock bottom under the DMK rule.

There were no ambulances to take his wife to the hospital on time and later, the body of his baby were handed over in a carton box by a Government Hospital in Chennai, he said.

"The State Government should realise that brushing this aside by announcing compensation or a namesake suspension is not an answer to the agony faced by people dependent on Government hospitals, and constructive steps to improve medical infra are the need of the hour," Mr Annamalai said in a post on the social media platform X.

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



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"Refrain From Benefiting Certain Communities For Political Gain": Amit Shah

Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that questions have been raised regarding the prioritization of specific communities after the Nitish Kumar-led government in Bihar conducted a caste survey and further urged the Bihar government to address the issues raised in this survey.

"As far as the caste survey is concerned, it was decided when the BJP was a part of the Bihar government. When the resolution came, we were in support of this and we also supported the report that was given after the survey was conducted. The law was also passed in Bihar Vidhan Sabha but there were several questions raised regarding the survey, which included giving priority to Muslims and some other communities. Several other backward caste delegations met the leaders of the BJP, RJD and JDU. I urge the Bihar government to find a solution for all the questions raised in this survey," Mr Shah told ANI on Sunday.

Mr Shah also emphasized that political parties should avoid favoring specific communities for their own political gain.

"The political parties should refrain from benefiting certain communities for their own political benefits. On the other hand, they should also not do injustice with certain communities for their own political gains," said Mr Shah.

The results from Bihar, a politically crucial state in the country, have the capacity to disrupt the political landscape nationwide, leading to calls for a comparable census on a national scale.

According to the data released on October 2, Scheduled Castes make up 19.65 per cent and the Scheduled Tribes 1.68 per cent of the population of the state.

The data also said that the Hindus comprise 81.99 per cent of the population, Muslims 17.7 per cent, Christians 0.05 per cent, Sikhs 0.01 per cent, Buddhists 0.08 per cent and other religions 0.12 per cent.

The data said that Yadavs, the OBC group to which Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav belongs, is the largest and accounts for 14.27 per cent of the state's population.

Kushwaha and Kurmi's communities form 4.27 per cent and 2.87 per cent of the population, the caste survey said.

Bhumihars constitute 2.86 per cent of the population, Brahmins 3.66 per cent, Kurmis 2.87 per cent, and Musahars 3 per cent.

The numbers stand in contrast to the quantum of reservations, which is 27 per cent that the OBC population gets in government jobs and admissions to educational institutions.

The total population of Bihar is more than 13 crore.

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



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KCR Unanimously Elected Leader Of BRS Legislature Party In Telangana

Former Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao (KCR) was on Saturday elected as legislature party leader by the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) MLAs.

The BRS Legislative Party met at Telangana Bhavan and unanimously elected KCR as their leader in the newly-elected assembly.

The meeting, chaired by BRS Parliamentary Party leader K Keshava Rao, saw former Speaker Pocharam Srinivas Reddy proposing Chandrashekhar Rao's name and former ministers T Srinivas Yadav and Kadiyam Srihari supporting it.

The meeting unanimously passed a resolution entrusting the responsibility of selecting the rest of the office-bearers on KCR.

KCR has undergone a successful hip surgery. BRS lost the assembly polls earlier this month with the Congress forming its first government in the southern state, which is also India's youngest.

BRS had been in power for the past 10 years.



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India Biennale Kicks Off At Red Fort, 7 Themes For 7 Days

The maiden India Art, Architecture and Design Biennale celebrating the rich tapestry of the country's artistic and cultural heritage kicked off at the historic Red Fort complex here on Friday evening with Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurating it.

Prior to the inauguration ceremony, the prime minister also visited some of the thematic pavilions set up in three British-era barracks of the Red Fort.

Large biennale banners have been put up at the venue, which has been decked up colourfully.

From ornate doors to magnificent ancient temples and from heritage stepwells to rich textile designs, the art and architectural legacy of India have been showcased at the biennale.

Seven "specially curated" thematic pavilions have been set up in the three barracks - A1, A2 and B4 - that have been refurbished for the event.

The seven-day India Art, Architecture and Design Biennale (IAADB), helmed by the Union Culture Ministry, will open to the public from December 9. And, while the biennale will end on December 15, the exhibitions will continue till March 31 next year.

Each day of the event has a different theme that will be complemented by "exclusively curated exhibitions" for which "seven distinguished curators have been onboarded", a senior official had earlier said.

The seven themes are 'Doors of India', 'Gardens of India', 'Baolis of India', 'Temples of India', 'Architectural Wonders of Independent India', 'Indigenous Design' and 'Women in Architecture and Design' and have been named as 'Pravesh', 'Bagh-e-Bahar', 'Sampravah', 'Sthapaya', 'Vismaya', 'Deshaj' and 'Samatva'.

In his nearly 25-minute address, the Prime Minister underlined the country's rich ancient history in art, culture and architecture, which has drawn people to India from around the world.

India's vibrant culture and ancient heritage sites attract tourists from all over the world, he said.

"Today, with the sentiment of 'taking pride in our heritage' (virasat par gaurav), the country is again taking it forward… In 'Azadi ka Amrit Kaal', India is charting new dimensions in cultural prosperity, and taking concrete steps for it. This biennale being held in India is another great step in that direction," Modi said.

In his opening remarks, Modi said, "This Red Fort itself is very historic. This Red Fort is not just a building, but it is history. It has been steady from before Independence and since. I welcome you all to this World Heritage Site." The biennale is being helmed by the Ministry of Culture which earlier this year had also organised the International Museum Expo and the Festival of Libraries.

Union Culture Minister G Kishan Reddy, Minister of State for Culture Meenakashi Lekhi, Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal and noted architect Diana Kellogg were also present on the dais.

Kellogg, in her address, called the biennale an "unprecedented initiative" by the Indian government, and said that society must work to create a "luminous future" based on holistic ideas of sustainability where everyone is treated equally.



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Online Job Fraud, Sextortion: How Cyber Criminals Dupe People

With the national capital witnessing a sharp increase in cybercrime cases over the years, the Delhi Police has identified top five methods adopted by cyber criminals and cautioned people against them.

According to the Intelligence Fusion & Strategic Operations, or Cyber Crime Unit, of the Delhi Police, these crime methods are "fake TRAI or FedEx courier company callers", "home job or Telegram fraud", "sextortion", "fake family member or friend in distress", and "OTP or link-based cheating".

The latest National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data showed that Delhi registered 685 cybercrime cases in 2022 as against 345 in 2021 and 166 in 2020.

Here are brief details of modus operandi followed by cyber criminals:

1) Fake TRAI (Telecom Regulatory Authority of India) or FedEx (courier) company callers: Under this modus operandi, a person gets a recorded call from an unknown number and is told by the caller that his or her mobile number will be soon discarded. The caller will then ask the person to click '9', that will be linked to a fake call centre which is set up by the fraudsters in a room.

The potential victim is then told that the mobile number has been detected to have terror links and some money has been deposited into the person's account via hawala operators.

When questioned for authenticity, the caller asks the target to come on a Skype call and informs that he or she will be digitally arrested. Soon after, the target receives a fake notice from security agencies such as the CBI and the Income Tax.

Thereafter, the fraudsters show sympathy towards the target and promise help. If the target seeks their help, they take bank details in the garb of verification and ask the person to put some money into a fake government account number shared by them with the promise of returning the amount in two-three days.

According to police, a similar modus operandi is used by fraudsters posing as courier company agents from FedEx. This kind of cases of cheating is being reported for the past six months, an official said.

In these cases, a fake courier company agent usually tells a potential target that the parcel sent to them contains drugs. The agent then offers help to protect the person from any potential action by a security agency and take money.

2) Home job or Telegram fraud: In this, the potential target will get a message on his or her WhatsApp number with a part-time job offer. The target is told to open an account in Telegram and an organiser then adds the number in a group. The organiser then give some tasks, usually to follow certain social media accounts or like videos on social media platforms.

The potential target is promised thousands of rupees for a day's work. Initially, the person gets the promised money, starting from Rs 150 to Rs 300, for just clicks. Once a person starts working on a daily basis, he or she is asked deposit some money for certain tasks. Though initially a person gets some refund, once the prepaid amount is high, the fraudsters dupe the person. In this method, an official said, other members in the group usually encourage the potential target to invest more by stating that they have already done so. According to the officials, the accounts of other members in the group are actually handled by one person.

3) Sextortion: Under this modus operandi, the potential target gets a random video call on mobile phone. When the person attends the video call, he finds a woman engaging in obscene act. By the time the person disconnects the call, the fraudsters either record the video or take a screenshot of the video chat.

The person then receives a phone call from a person posing as a police officer and is informed that the woman on the call has lodged a complain against him. The person posing as a police officer then sends the screenshot of the video chat to the target and extorts money from him under the garb of settling the matter.

4) Fake family member or friend in distress: In this method, a potential target receives a call from an anonymous number and the caller claims to be an old friend or relative. The fraudsters may even use artificial intelligence (AI) to emulate the voice of someone known to the person. The caller will tell the other person that he is in distress and needs money.

The caller will ask the target to send the money to his account but the sender will find out later that the caller was lying. In this category, the fraudsters dupe women by creating profiles on matrimonial websites and once they gain a woman's trust, they ask her to deposit money on some pretext. The fraudsters stop taking calls after getting the money.

5) OTP or link-based cheating: This the most commonly used modus operandi by cyber criminals for years. Under this, a person usually gets a message of offers and links of prizes on mail. The person is asked to open the link and follow the procedure to get the money. People who are less tech savvy still get trapped in such operations. The fraudsters also send message about a courier and asks the potential target to deposit money in the account number shared by them.

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



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AAP vs BJP On Corruption In Delhi Flood Department, Payment To Contractors

The BJP on Wednesday trained its guns at the Arvind Kejriwal government in Delhi, alleging "corruption" in the award of tenders by the flood and irrigation department and payments to contractors without any work being done on the ground.

Flood and Irrigation Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj, however, fired back at BJP, asking it to first answer why files were not sent by the officers to the minister in charge of the department for approval.

"Since March 2023, since I took charge of the department and till date, no file of these works was sent by the officers for the minister's approval," Mr Bharadwaj claimed.

Virendra Sachdeva, the BJP's Delhi unit chief, and Leader of Opposition in Delhi Assembly Ramvir Bidhuri during a joint press conference showed copies of purported documents and also interacted with party workers present on the spots where the work was tendered by the department.

"The flood (and irrigation) department of the Kejriwal government is setting new records of corruption, as is shown that payments of crores of rupees were done even though no work was to be seen on the ground," Mr Sachdeva alleged.

A delegation of BJP leaders will meet Lt Governor VK Saxena and request him for a high-level probe into the "scam", Mr Sachdeva added.

"In four cases of work tendered at Burari, Tikri, Kheda Kalan and Siraspur, there was manipulation in the tender and also, under pressure of the minister concerned of the Kejriwal government, the money was paid without work (being done) by showing running bills," Mr Sachdeva charged.

Mr Bidhuri said the BJP leaders will also lodge a complaint with the Anti Corruption Branch (ACB) on the corruption at the flood and irrigation department.

"Corruption has spread to every department of the Kejriwal government. In the last two weeks, we have exposed tender and other scams of the Delhi Jal Board, after which the Kejriwal government is trying to spread the illusion of a water crisis in Delhi to delay the investigation," Mr Sachdeva claimed.

He charged that drain and road tenders for the extended Lal Dora area work in Kheda Kala were worth Rs 3.28 crore. It was awarded to a construction company that had quoted Rs 1.58 crore and, despite no work being done on the ground, more than half of the amount was paid in the name of running bills.

In case of drain repairs and painting work in Burari ahead of the G20 Summit, the tender amount was for Rs 76.56 lakh and the successful bidder quoted a price of Rs 38.98 lakh. However, they were paid Rs 43 lakh despite no work being done, he claimed.

In Narela's Tikri village, a construction company was paid Rs 50 lakh for a bid of Rs 1.91 crore for a project under the Chief Minister Road Reconstruction Scheme, although no work is visible on the ground, he alleged.

Bidhuri alleged that in the extended Lal Dora area of Siraspur, a work for construction of reinforced concrete road and drain was awarded to a construction company but no work was done.

"I challenge Chief Minister Kejriwal to show even one road or drain constructed in that area. I will quit politics if he shows me even one," Mr Bidhuri asserted.

In his response, Mr Bharadwaj alleged that the BJP-led Centre and the Lt Governor were running Delhi through their "favourite" officers.

He claimed that the flood and irrigation department secretary was instructed by him in writing that all files related to projects costing more than Rs 25 lakh should be sent to the minister for in-principle approval but it was not being followed by the officers.

"This was to ensure that the minister is at least aware of the projects being undertaken by the department," he said.

Bharadwaj further charged that the Centre's law relating to Delhi have increased the powers of the officers and causing a rise in corruption at the departments of the government.

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



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High Court Refuses To Renew Passport Of Man Accused In Murder Case

The Karnataka High Court has upheld the Passport Authority's rejection of a man's application for the renewal of his passport for 10 years as he is facing a trial in a murder case.

The High Court has, however, said that he can approach the related court seeking the issuance of a short-validity passport as per law.

Santhosh Beejadi Srinivasa, 43, from Tumakuru, holds a Schengen area visa (for 27 European countries) but was unable to travel since his passport had just six months' validity left.

His passport will expire on April 10, 2024 and he has sought the renewal of the passport for the next 10 years.

However, his application was declined on account of the pending criminal case.

He then approached the High Court and Justice M Nagaprasanna gave the judgement on December 4 on his petition.

Referring to the criminal case, the court said, "The applicant is under a cloud. If an applicant of the kind in the case at hand, wants to walk over the clouds, the cloud over such applicant must walk away."

The question before the court was, "Whether the pendency of a criminal case would bar the issuance or renewal/re-issuance of a passport to a citizen of this nation?" To answer this question, the court referred to the Passports Act, 1967 and several provisions under it.

The High Court also specifically referred to the Government of India's Ministry of External Affairs notification of August 25, 1993, "GSR 570(E)" which deals with this kind of situation.

"It permits the issuance of a short validity passport, pursuant to the orders that would be passed by the concerned court according to the specified period and if no period is specified, the passport would be issued for a period of one year."

"Therefore, it is for the applicant against whom a criminal case is pending, in any court of law in the country, to approach the concerned court before which the proceeding is pending, and seek permission to travel; "If such permission is granted, it will have to be in tune with the conditions in GSR 570," the court said.

Santhosh Beejadi's mother died under unnatural circumstances and subsequently, he, his wife and his father were arrayed as accused in the case and charged with murder.

The court said that it was a case where he could even be given capital punishment and therefore cannot be given a passport for 10 years.

"Therefore, it is a case where the petitioner is one of the accused in an offence which can even result in capital punishment. The trial is in progress. The petitioner is not absolved of the crime, by any competent court of law even to this date," the HC said.

Santosh Beejadi's counsel had argued that he had been allowed to travel with the permission of the jurisdictional court earlier even while the trial was pending.

The High Couty, however, said, "It is an altogether different circumstance." The court said that the denial of re-issuance of the passport was in consonance with Section 6 of the Passport Act.

Sub-clause (f) of the Section says that "where proceedings in respect of an offence alleged to have been committed by the applicant are pending before a criminal court in India, the passport authority is empowered to deny the issue of travel document," the court said.

Rejecting the contention that other benches of the High Court had earlier ruled that the pendency of criminal cases should not come in the way of re-issuance or renewal of a passport, the court said that it "would be applicable only to the issuance of a fresh passport and not for renewal or re-issuance".

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



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Delhi's Air Quality 'Very Poor', Minimum Temperature At 14.6 Degrees

The air quality in the national capital was in the lower spectrum of the 'very poor' category on Monday while the minimum temperature settled at 14.6 degrees Celsius, five notches above the season's average.

Delhi's air quality was within the lower range of the 'very poor' category on Monday with a 24-hour average air quality index (AQI) reading of 310 at 4 pm.

The forecast suggested that the air quality is expected to persist in the 'very poor' category from Tuesday to Thursday and likely remain in this range for the subsequent six days.

An AQI between zero and 50 is considered 'good' , 51 and 100 'satisfactory', 101 and 200 'moderate', 201 and 300 'poor', 301 and 400 'very poor', and 401 and 500 'severe'.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the city recorded a high of 24.7 degrees Celsius, one notch below the season's average. The humidity levels oscillated between 58 per cent and 98 per cent on Monday.

The weather department has predicted mainly clear sky on Tuesday with moderate fog in the morning. The maximum and minimum temperatures are likely to settle around 25 degrees Celsius and 11 degrees Celsius respectively.

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



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INDIA Bloc Members To Meet Today Ahead Of Winter Session Of Parliament

With the Parliament's Winter Session set to begin on Monday, the leaders of various opposition parties of the INDIA bloc would meet in the chamber of Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge to chalk out their strategy in both Houses.

Sources said that the INDIA alliance partners' parliamentary leaders would meet on Monday morning in Mr Kharge's chamber in the Parliament House.

The opposition leaders have been holding meetings during the Parliament sessions to evolve a joint strategy in both the Houses to take on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government.

The Winter Session of Parliament is likely to start on a stormy note as the expulsion of Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Mahua Moitra is on the cards on the first day itself.

This is the last full session ahead of next year's general elections and the BJP would like to clear all pending legislations during the Winter Session.

Among the bills pending before the Parliament include the new bills to replace the IPC, Criminal Penal Code and the Evidence Act besides the bill on appointment of the chief election commissioner and other election commissioners.

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



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U.S. Navy Destroyer Is Attacked in Red Sea, Pentagon Says


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U.S. Is Pressing Israel and Hamas to Resume Talks, White House Official Says


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Ex-Chilean Army Officer Is Expelled From U.S. to Face Charges in Singer’s Killing


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Depression In Bay Of Bengal To Become Cyclonic Storm By Tomorrow

The depression over the southwest Bay of Bengal will intensify into a cyclonic storm on December 3 resulting in heavy to very heavy rains in the northern coastal districts of Tamil Nadu and interior parts, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Saturday.

The city and its neighbourhoods in the adjoining districts saw sharp spells of rain late on Saturday.

Chief Minister M K Stalin said that following a forecast of heavy rains for the next two days, ministers, MPs, MLAs and local body members among others should help the people in the respective localities with their essential needs.

Chief Secretary Shiv Das Meena reviewed the precautionary measures to be taken, with senior officials here.

South Central Railway announced the cancellation of 118 long-distance trains from December 3 to 7 due to cyclone Michaung.

Thereafter, it would move nearly northwards, almost parallel and close to the south Andhra Pradesh coast, and cross the south Andhra Pradesh coast between Nellore and Machilipatnam during the forenoon of Tuesday, the IMD said in a bulletin.

The cyclonic activity would lead the winds to blow at a speed of 80-90 kmph gusting to 100 kmph.

According to S Balachandran, deputy director general of the Regional Meteorological Centre, here, heavy to very heavy rains are likely to occur over Pudukkottai, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam, Tiruvallur, Chennai, Kancheepuram, Ranipet, Chengalpattu, Villupuram and Cuddalore districts in Tamil Nadu.

Squally wind prevailing over the southwest Bay of Bengal is likely to become gales reaching 60-70 kmph gusting to 80 kmph from December 2 night to December 4. Thereafter, it would gradually decrease.

From October 1 till date, the region recorded 34 cm rainfall against the normal 36 cm during the north east Monsoon period, so far, Balachandran said. Chennai recorded 62 cm against the normal rainfall of 67 cm during this period.

Cancelled trains include about 40 between Chennai and other destinations and those passing through the metro, a release said on Saturday.

Officials at the Chennai International Airport also reviewed the preparedness vis-a-vis Cyclone Michaung.

A meeting was chaired by Airport Director C V Deepak with concerned departments on Saturday to evaluate the preparedness for handling the situation, an official release said.

A number of measures have been initiated as a precautionary measure in view of the weather forecast. This includes the setting up of a core team consisting of members from various departments for close monitoring of the situation and to take necessary action as would be the requirement.

The updates regarding the system were being obtained regularly from IMD and shared with all stakeholders for better preparation, while the water level in Adyar river was also being monitored.

Airports Authority of India engineering departments have been instructed to carry out regular checks and actions as per standard operating procedures in place like clearing of drains, gratings, stocking/arranging sufficient men and materials for meeting the contingency, among others, it said.

"A Special Task Force of senior AAI officials is inspecting the airfield and terminal building regularly to ensure smooth operations in adverse conditions. The meeting followed up with operational area inspection. Airport Director advised all stake holders to be alert due wet runway conditions and changing visibility parameters," it added.

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



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PM Modi Meets Israeli President, Emphasizes On Support For 2-State Solution

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday met Israeli President Isaac Herzog and underscored India's support for an early and durable resolution of the Israel-Palestine issue through dialogue and diplomacy.

Prime Minister Modi met Israeli President Herzog on the sidelines of the COP28 World Climate Action Summit here in the UAE.

The Prime Minister expressed his condolences on the loss of lives in the October 7 terror attacks and welcomed the release of hostages, External Affairs Ministry spokesman Arindam Bagchi said on X.

On October 7, Israel was attacked by Hamas operatives in a deadly assault that launched the war.

Prime Minister Modi and Israeli President Herzog exchanged views on the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict in the region.

"The Prime Minister reiterated the need for continued and safe delivery of humanitarian aid for the affected population," Mr Bagchi said.

Prime Minister Modi emphasised India's support for a two-state solution and early and durable resolution of the Israel-Palestine issue through dialogue and diplomacy.

"..at the COP28 conference, I met dozens of leaders from around the world. I spoke with them about how Hamas blatantly violates the ceasefire agreements and repeated again and again the demand to place the release of the hostages at the very top of the international community's agenda, alongside respect for the right of the State of Israel to defend itself," Israeli President Herzog said.

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



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Mumbai Civic Body Plans Cloud Seeding To Curb Air Pollution, Invites Bids

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Friday invited Global Expression of Interest (GEOI) for initiating a cloud seeding program for artificial rain to combat air pollution in Mumbai.

The deputy chief engineer (civil) of the BMC's environment department invited GEOI for running a cloud seeding program.

Reputed firms which have experience of undertaking cloud seeding in the last three years can submit their bids before December 14, the BMC said in a newspaper advertisement.

Cloud seeding is a technique aimed at enhancing the probability of rain.

A civic official told PTI that the selected firm will be appointed for three years. It will undertake cloud seeding whenever air pollution spikes in the city and the situation is favourable for such an attempt.

After receiving expressions of interest, the BMC will call for financial offers from the interested firms.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde had recently directed the civic body to give the artificial rain technique a shot as a way of mitigating air pollution in the country's financial capital. The air quality in the city deteriorated sharply in the last two months.

Eknath Shinde had then said that the civic body had already approached a Dubai-based company.

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



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"Excellent Move", Says PM Modi After Defence Panel Clears Massive Deal

Applauding the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC)'s approval for capital acquisition proposals worth Rs 2.23 lakh crore to enhance the operational capabilities of the armed forces, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said this marks a crucial stride in the pursuit of self-sufficiency in the defence sector.

"Excellent move towards bolstering our Armed Forces' operational prowess. The commitment to 'Make in India' in this decision marks a crucial stride in our pursuit of self-sufficiency in the Defence sector," the Prime Minister posted from his official handle on X.

Earlier, on Thursday, the DAC, under the chairmanship of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, gave approval to Acceptance of Necessity (AoNs) for various capital acquisition proposals amounting to Rs 2.23 lakh crore.

Of the total, acquisition worth Rs 2.20 lakh crore (98 per cent) will be sourced from domestic industries.

"This will give a substantial boost to the Indian Defence Industry towards the aim of achieving the goal of 'Aatmanirbharta'," a defence ministry statement said.

The council accorded the AoN for procurement of two types of Anti-tank Munitions namely, Area Denial Munition (ADM) Type-2 and Type-3, which are capable of neutralising Tanks and Armoured personnel carriers and enemy personnel.

To replace the Indian Field Gun (IFG), which has completed its service life, AoN for procurement of a state-of-the-art Towed Gun System (TGS) has been granted which will become a mainstay of Artillery forces of the Indian Army.

The AoN was also accorded for 155 mm Nubless projectile for use in 155 mm Artillery guns which will enhance lethality and safety of the projectiles. All this equipment of the Indian Army will be procured under the Buy (Indian-IDDM) category.

The AoN for procurement and integration of Automatic Target Tracker (ATT) and Digital Basaltic Computer (DBC) for T-90 Tanks under the Buy (India) category have also been accorded which will help in maintaining a combative edge of T-90 tanks over adversary platforms.

The AoN for procurement of Medium Range Anti-Ship Missiles (MRAShM) for surface platform of Indian Navy under Buy (Indian-IDDM) category has also been accorded. The MRAShM is envisaged as a lightweight Surface-to-Surface Missile which will be a primary offensive weapon onboard Indian Naval Ships.

In addition, the DAC accorded AoNs for procurement of Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) for Indian Air Force (IAF) and Indian Army and Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mk 1A for IAF from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) under Buy (Indian-IDDM) category. The AoNs have also been accorded by the DAC for upgradation of Su-30 MKI Aircraft indigenously from HAL.

While procurement of these equipment will provide enormous strength to the IAF, acquisition from domestic defence industries will take the indigenous capability to a new height. It will also reduce dependability on foreign Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) substantiall

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



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Henry Kissinger’s Life and Work in Photos


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Fraud Cases In Supreme Court Tend To Increase As Polls Near: Chief Justice

The number of "fraud cases" in the Supreme Court tends to increase as elections draw closer and the court becomes a site for political engagement, Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud said on Thursday.

Speaking at the Constitution Day function organised by the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) in the Supreme Court, Chief Justice Chandrachud said we all exist together and the Indian Constitution tells us that "we either survive or we perish together".

"But above all, I think it is important that on a day where we celebrate the Constitution, we learn to discharge our duties to the cause of justice. Our duty to the cause of justice ranks much higher than the success or failure in individual cases," he said.

"Just yesterday, I had to deal with a fraud case. The Supreme Court deals with fraud cases every day. Some courts have more than their share of fraud cases and there are some times as elections come, the number of fraud cases tends to increase in the court and we as judges realise it," the CJI said.

Constitution Day is celebrated across the country on November 26 every year.

Chief Justice Chandrachud said after elections get over, things settle down and "as the polls come closer and closer, the court becomes a site for political engagement. That is a truth of our society. I am not looking at it with any value judgement".

Chief Justice Chandrachud, who also addressed the gathering in Hindi for a few minutes, said freedom and the Constitution have an unbreakable relationship.

Speaking about the legal profession, the CJI said it is a profession of diversity, including diversity in terms of gender. He said be it the judges or lawyers, all have come from different parts of the country in search of a better livelihood.

"But in the process of giving each one of us a better livelihood, we are also engaged in providing a better existence to our fellow citizens. That is the big power which all of you command as lawyers," he said.

Referring to the attire of judges and lawyers, the CJI said it reminds us that the "similarity of our attire is a symbol of the common existence which we share". It was for the members of the Bar to make the legal profession broad-based and inclusive, Chief Justice Chandrachud said while highlighting the need to encourage young lawyers.

"And remember, ultimately, it is if you support the institution of justice, which is to ensure that you support the independence of your own judiciary, that the judiciary can truly be able to discharge its duties," he said.

"If you are not giving to the judiciary its own sense of due, how will you expect them to discharge their own obligations towards society. Because your judges come from you and they return to you. They are not distinct from you," he said.

He said members of the Bar are also here for the betterment of the profession, to serve the cause of justice and to ensure that the other side of the profession, the judges, who are duty bound to act in aid of justice, continue to do so.

"You have to not merely protect your judges, but you have to hold them to account as well," he said.

Sharing a story, Chief Justice Chandrachud said sometime back, one of his colleagues had an attack of dengue and there was a need for blood transfusion.

"But we drew on the credit of the blood which was given by our employees during the last blood donation camp…my colleague came back to normalcy very quickly by the blood transfusion," he said, adding this was again a reminder that all of us are bound together in this cycle of existence.

"None of us in that sense is different from the other. None of us stands alone," Chief Justice Chandrachud said.

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



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Mehul Choksi To Not Object Petition Seeking Release Of Properties: Court

A special court in Mumbai on Wednesday rejected absconding diamond merchant Mehul Choksi's application seeking to intervene in an application filed by the ICICI Bank for the release of certain mortgaged properties worth Rs 636 crore.

Mehul Choksi, an accused in the Rs 13,500 crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) scam, is currently living in Antigua in Barbados.

The ICICI Bank has sought release of certain properties mortgaged with it.

His intervention application took objection to the release of his flats in south Mumbai and a bungalow in Alibaug, attached by the Enforcement Directorate during its probe, in the bank's favour.

But special judge for the Prevention of Money Laundering Act cases SM Menjoge said the bank had not sought these properties. The properties which the ICICI Bank was seeking were not owned by Choksi personally but by different companies, hence, he had no right to intervene, the court said.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Enforcement Directorate are investigating diamond businessman Nirav Modi, his uncle Choksi and others in the PNB scam. Nirav Modi, Choksi and the companies owned by them borrowed more than Rs 13,000 crore from PNB through fraudulent Letters of Undertaking and Letters of Credit between 2011 and 2017 in connivance with some bank officials, the central agencies have alleged.

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



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Gujarat High Court Dismisses Petition Seeking Ban On Loudspeakers At Mosques

The Gujarat High Court on Tuesday dismissed a public interest Litigation seeking a ban on the use of loudspeakers for 'azaan' or the Islamic call to prayer at mosques, terming the plea as "wholly misconceived." A division bench of Chief Justice Sunita Agarwal and Justice Aniruddha P Mayee also asked, during the hearing, if it was the petitioner's case that the noise of bells and gongs during 'aarti' at a temple is not heard outside.

The petition, filed by Bajrang Dal leader Shaktisinh Zala, claimed that "noise pollution" caused by 'azaan' when played through loudspeakers affects people's, especially children's health and causes inconvenience otherwise. However, the High Court noted that the claims in the petition had no scientific foundation.

Azaan is conducted for a maximum of ten minutes at a time at different hours of the day, the court pointed out. "We fail to understand how the human voice making azan through loudspeaker in the morning could achieve the decibel (level) to the extent of creating noise pollution, causing health hazards for the public at large," it further said.

"We are not entertaining this kind of PIL. It is a faith and practice going for years, and it is for 5-10 minutes. In your temple, the morning aarti with drums and music also starts early at 3 am. So it does not cause any kind of noise to anyone? Can you say the noise of ghanta (bell) and ghadiyal (gong) remains in temple premises only, does not percolate outside the temple?" the court asked the petitioner's lawyer.

There is a scientific method for measuring noise pollution, but the petition does not provide any data to show that a ten-minute 'azaan' causes noise pollution, the court noted. 

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



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Zoo Keeper Dies After Being Attacked By Black Bear At Vizag Zoo

A 23-year-old animal keeper was mauled to death by a Himalayan black bear in the Indira Gandhi Zoological Park (Vizag Zoo) on Monday.

B Nagesh Babu was attacked by Jihwan, the bear, estimated to be around 15 years old, an official said.

"Nagesh had left all the doors open in the animal night house and gone inside to clean, following which the animal came into the night house and attacked the keeper," said Vizag Zoo curator Nandani Salaria in a release.

According to the Zoo, Mr Babu was found lying in an unconscious state with serious injuries on his head, left arm, and chest by the animal night house.

Following the attack, the zoo officials managed to lure the beast back into its enclosure using honey.

The Forest Department declared a compensation of Rs 10 lakh to Babu's family. 

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



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"Will Definitely Reach Out To Independents If...": Rajasthan Minister

Every party tries to get in touch with Independent candidates with a high probability of winning elections, Rajasthan Minister Pratap Singh Khachariyawas said, adding that communications will be established with them in case of a neck-to-neck fight in the upcoming elections.

Speaking to news agency ANI, Pratap Singh Khachariyawas said, "Every party will try to get in touch with Independent MLAs who have a high probability of winning seats. BJP will also try this. Those who want to transform their shops into a showroom and then into a government will definitely try to establish contacts. Ashok Gehlot, BJP everyone will try it. If there is a neck-to-neck situation, definitely contact will be established."

"If any Independent candidate has done good work, he will definitely win. I have no problem with Independent candidates," he added.

Mr Khachariyawas exuded confidence that Congress will sweep victory from the Civil Lines Assembly constituency and form the government in the state.

"We will win Civil Lines with a huge margin, more than the number of votes we got last time. I think the silent voter also voted for me. The Congress will form the government in Rajasthan. We gave the slogan for winning 156 seats. Time will tell how many seats we will get," the Congress leader said.

In Rajasthan, 199 out of 200 seats went to the polls as, due to the death of a Congress candidate in Sriganganagar's Karanpur seat, Gurmeet Singh Koonar the election in this constituency was adjourned.

Approximately 74.13 per cent voter turnout was recorded in Rajasthan on Saturday in the mainly direct contest between the Congress and the BJP to form a new government in the state, according to the latest data from Election Commission.

In 2018, the Congress won 99 seats, while the BJP won 73. Ashok Gehlot assumed the Chief Minister position with the support of BSP MLAs and independents.



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More aid flows into Gaza during cease-fire, but still falls far short of needs.


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"Companies Waiting": What S Somnath Said About Retired ISRO Scientists

ISRO Chairman S Somanath on Saturday emphasised the necessity of deregulating unnecessary controls in the space sector to foster improved growth.

He also attributed India's significant progress in the space industry to the opening up of the sector.

Speaking to media here during the celebration of 60 years since India's first sounded rocket launch, Somanath highlighted that the involvement of the private sector in space science development has led to remarkable expansion in India's satellite-building capabilities.

"Earlier, it was only ISRO for the development and production of satellites, launch vehicles, and related technologies. ISRO has only 17,000 people and a budget of Rs 13,000 crore. It remained so for all these years," S Somanath said.

He said that India now has more than 130 startups in the space sector, with some companies boasting a workforce of 400 to 500 employees and a turnover ranging from Rs 500 to 1000 crores.

"Some of them are paying better salaries than ISRO, and the scientists retired from ISRO are in great demand. In fact, these companies are waiting for people who are retiring from ISRO," Mr Somanath said.

The ISRO chief further said that India has the potential to become an excellent hub for satellite manufacturing and could significantly expand its presence in the business.

"Technology development and progress in space science are all fine, but business is important. It has to bring money," he noted.

Currently, there are five Indian companies with the capability to manufacture satellites, and three of them have successfully manufactured and launched their satellites from foreign countries, he pointed out.

"We don't want them to launch their satellites from outside, and we want them to use our facilities. We want them to build satellites here; they can bring in the technologies from wherever they want, but build them here and launch them from here." He clarified that the expansion of the private sector in space science does not imply a reduction in ISRO's role.

"ISRO will continue to do what it does at present. We are now talking about sending men into space. ISRO will continue to strategise and grow. This is not scaling down, but scaling up," Mr Somanath said.

He said that the GSLV rocket has undergone regular upgrades, demonstrating its capability to carry a higher payload than its original design specifications.

"GSLV was designed to carry 4 tonnes of payload, but we have already successfully launched a 7.5-tonne payload. Its cryogenic stage is also being upgraded. In the semi-cryogenic stage, the new SE 120 is being developed," Mr Somanath said.

He mentioned that the PSLV, which initially had a payload capacity of 850 kg, now boasts a payload capacity of two tonnes.

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



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