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"Like Bullet Train": Congress On Events Leading To Rahul Gandhi Setback
The Congress on Friday said the sequence of events connected with Rahul Gandhi's disqualification from Lok Sabha unfolded with the speed of a "bullet train" and alleged that the BJP expects him to "apologise" to "people who have run away" after taking people's money from India.
Addressing a press conference at the Rajiv Bhawan, Congress media and publicity department chairperson Pawan Khera said in the last few days, a "tsunami of support" has come up on Twitter, with many people offering their homes to Mr Gandhi as "he lives in our hearts" and the government does not need to worry about his home.
A notice to Mr Gandhi to vacate the 12, Tughlaq Lane bungalow was served by the Housing Committee of Lok Sabha following his disqualification last week after a Surat court convicted and sentenced him to two years imprisonment in a 2019 criminal defamation case over his "Modi surname" remark. Mr Khera said the party's campaign seeking answers in the Adani issue will continue with vigour, and "our party leader will not apologise to anyone, whatever may be the consequences".
The Congress on Thursday had used embattled IPL founder Lalit Modi's tweets threatening to take Mr Gandhi to court to attack the BJP and said "global scamsters" were now coming to the defence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Launching a fresh salvo at the BJP, Mr Khera said, "first big extracts from his (Gandhi's) speech in Parliament were expunged, and then he was not allowed to come into Parliament, and conditions were kept that if he will come, he would have to apologise first".
He asked, "Apology for what? For a comment that he didn't make, and they alleged that he insulted the country." "The challenges facing democracy in India, to discuss that with Indian students studying abroad, what is wrong with that? Democracy get strengthened through dialogue," Mr Khera said.
He said when an award is given by a foreign country, then they carry that "certification from abroad" and go about it, then they (BJP) don't say as to why a foreign certification is needed. But, if it has been said abroad that there are challenges to democracy then they get offended, the Congress leader said.
Without naming any leader, Mr Khera said when he said how people earlier used to feel ashamed to have been born in India, then was it not an insult to the country in foreign land. Mr Khera said on February 7, Gandhi gave a speech in Parliament on the Adani issue, and put forth his view and asked questions.
"Within nine days, comes a defamation case, on which the petitioner himself had sought a stay earlier. He runs to the court to get his stay vacated. And, hearing begins again in a Surat court, and seven hearings take place in 20 days. Bullet train! And, then punishment is pronounced. Within 24-hour of the sentence, he (Gandhi) is disqualified from Lok Sabha," Mr Khera said. "And, even 24 hours had not elapsed after the disqualification, a letter comes on cancellation of allotment of his government bungalow. This is called bullet train," he alleged.
The Congress has been accusing the BJP and Prime Minister Modi of assisting the business group in getting projects in its favour, a charge denied by the ruling party.
"And, it is being expected from us that we apologise to Nirav Modi, we apologise to Mehul Choksi. Rahul Gandhi had taken name of 3-4 such people, during his speech in Karnataka -- Nirav Modi, Mehul Choksi, Lalit Modi and Vijay Mallya," he claimed.
"My leader will not apologise to these friends of yours, who have absconded after taking money of this country," Mr Khera alleged.
"My leader didn't apologise... One of them have even threatened to file a case in London. This has come to our democracy. See, who are coming in defence of the PM," he asked.
Mr Khera claimed that the BJP is "anxious" after the "success of the Bharat Jodo Yatra", and the way Mr Gandhi is raising questions.
"We will not apologise to your friends who have run away after taking people's money, whatever may be the consequences," the Congress leader said.
The Opposition party has been relentlessly attacking the BJP for allegedly allowing economic offenders such as Nirav Modi, Lalit Modi and Mehul Choksi get away and flee abroad with people's money.
In a series of tweets on Thursday, Lalit Modi said, "I see just about every Tom, Dick and Gandhi associates again and again saying I am a fugitive of justice. why? How? and when was I...convicted of same." "Unlike #Papu aka @RahulGandhi now an ordinary citizen saying it and it seems one and all opposition leaders have nothing else to do so they too are either ill-informed or just vendetta prone. I have decided to take the @RahulGandhi...to court in UK right away. I am sure he will have to come up with some solid evidence. I look forward to seeing him make a complete fool of himself," he had tweeted.
Asked about their campaign, Mr Khera said that "we will seek answers, we will reiterate our demand for a JPC (joint parliamentary committee probe into the Adani issue)... raise voices from streets if not allowed to speak in Parliament".
"Rallies will continue and even Rahul ji has an event in Karnataka at the place where he had made the speech in 2019," he said.
The Lok Sabha Secretariat disqualified Mr Gandhi as MP from Wayanad in Kerala after his conviction in the case for his remark.
Asked about the OBC issue attached with Gandhi's comments, Mr Khera said people who are "equating these 'thieves as OBC' are dishonouring the OBC community".
Asked about the reactions on his tweet on Lord Ram on Ram Navami, the senior Congress leader said, "Did I mention Rahul Gandhi in my tweet? And, if some people are 'equating' Lord Ram's mention in my tweet with Rahul Gandhi, can they tell who are the 'Rakhsash' (the evil)".
On the violence in parts of West Bengal on Ram Navami day, he alleged, "It is a toolkit of those in power at the Centre to ensure that there is a slow burner communalism constantly activated in the country".
"We condemn the violence and and request the state government and expect from the central government to ensure peace is restored and such divisive politics is stopped," Mr Khera said.
Asked about Prime Minister Modi's visit to the new Parliament building on Thursday, he dubbed the infrastructure project a "vanity project".
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
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"For Nurturing Its Politics...": Trinamool Attacks BJP Over Howrah Clashes
A day after clash erupted between two groups amid Ram Navami celebrations in Howrah, Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee on Friday, launched a fresh round of attacks on the Bharatiya Janata Party for "spoiling" the atmosphere in the state and creating "enmity" among the people.
Addressing a press conference, here on Friday, Abhishek Banerjee, said, "For the past few days, there have been attempts to disrupt the peace and harmony in Bengal. We have appealed to everyone to maintain peace and order".
"Despite that, a political party, for nurturing its politics, despite having no police permission, vehemently took out the procession on a route where issues happened last year as well," he added.
During the press conference, the TMC MP also showed several videos, where some people with 'saffron' flags and chanting "Jai Shri Ram" slogans were purportedly seen torching and ransacking properties.
Banerjee said, "People were carrying guns and swords in the Ram Navami procession. Shops and materials of small vendors were vandalised. What form of a procession is this? Insanely playing DJ and worshipping Ram is which ritual? We have lived in Bengal for so long, never seen anything like this. I might be lying, but these videos won't lie".
He accused BJP of creating enmity among people and forcefully imposing their "culture" on Bengal.
"Such incidents didn't happen in the 2011-2016 period. It started after they (BJP) came in power at the centre and won three seats in the Bengal Assembly. They started treating the whole state as their personal property. Creating enmity among people of different communities, forcefully imposing their culture on the people of Bengal and shamelessly reaping political fruits out of it," Banerjee said.
The TMC leader said further 'challenged' BJP to call out for the arrest of those being seen doing violence in the said videos.
"I am clearly saying here that those who have done violence, whether they are from any religion, or political party, strict action will be taken against them. But I would like to challenge BJP if any of their leaders come and says on record, that they want those people under arrest who are seen setting properties of poor people on fire and dancing with weapons. I challenge them. Our Chief Minister has appealed to people to keep harmony, but has the BJP leader given any statement even after 24 hours?" Banerjee added.
He alleged that the incidents of violence were "pre-planned" in nature.
"This was pre-planned. From Shyambazar, a BJP leader was saying to keep eye on TV tomorrow. Why? Just a day before, that leader met with the Home Minister and came to Shyambazar," he said.
He further added, "There was no reply to Howrah Police Commissionerate regarding details of permission copy, the exact number of participants and exact beginning and end of the rally. They did not submit any documents but started taking out a procession on the route which was not permitted".
The TMC leader added that if there is any lapse on the police side, they will be booked and action will be taken against them, as the Chief Minister said.
Earlier in the day, the situation turned violent in the Shibpur area of Howrah, after fresh violence broke out here on Friday a day after arson on 'Ram Navami'.
This came after two groups clashed on Thursday in Howrah amid Ram Navami celebrations. During the procession, the rioters vandalized public and private properties and set vehicles on fire.
After the disruptions, West Bengal Police on Thursday conducted a flag march in Howrah where violence broke out during a Ram Navami procession.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Tamil Nadu Woman Forced To Remove Hijab, 6 Arrested: Cops
Six persons who forced a woman to remove her hijab and videographed it when she was visiting the historic Vellore Fort here earlier this week were arrested by the North Police here on Thursday, a senior police official said.
A 17-year old among the gang that coerced the unwilling woman to remove her hijab was sent to the government home, while the police arrested and remanded the others, Imran Basha, 22, Ashraf Basha, 20, Mohammed Faizal, 23, Santhosh, 23, Ibrahim Basha, 24, and Prasanth, 20.
"The youths were mostly autorickshaw drivers and they had targeted at least three hijab-wearing women who were visiting the fort," the official said.
Refusing to reveal further details, Vellore District Superintendent of Police S Rajesh Kannan said the motive behind the offence that took place on March 27 was being investigated. "The public are requested not to share the videos posted on social media," he said.
In the video that went viral, the perpetrators are heard asking the woman's friend whether it was fair on his part to take a hijab-clad woman on an outing.
Following the incident, police presence at the 16th century fort has been strengthened and the Superintendent of Police has set up an assistance booth for visitors to the monument.
"This police assistance booth will be made permanent. Phone numbers of police officials will be prominently displayed at the booth for the benefit of the public, to contact in case of any emergency," Mr Kannan said, speaking to reporters.
Additional police personnel have been deployed at the fort to prevent any untoward incidents and to ensure the safety of tourists, he added.
Asked about the motive behind the incident, Mr Kannan said, "It will be known during investigation and will be mentioned in the charge sheet."
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
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Haryana Cop Arrested For Raping Woman Who Sought Help In Fraud Case
Police on Thursday arrested the Station House Officer (SHO) of City Police Station in Nuh for allegedly raping a 45-year-old woman several times over the last one month.
The woman alleged that SHO Bijender Rathee raped her several times in his home and even at the police station. The matter was booked at Women Police Station, Nuh.
SHO Rathee has been suspended pending a departmental inquiry, police said.
According to the victim's complaint, she had gone to the City Police Station about a month and a half ago to report a matter of fraud.
She said SHO Rathee, who took the complaint, started calling her on her mobile afterwards and called her to the station several times on the pretext of recording her statement. He also visited her house many times on similar excuses, she said, according to police.
"The SHO started molesting me on different pretexts first, and later raped me several times not only at his residence in police lines but also in police station. When I resisted he threatened to kill me," the woman said.
Following her complaint, an FIR was registered against SHO Inspector Bijender Rathee under sections 376 (rape), 506 (criminal intimidation) of the IPC at Women Police Station, Nuh, on Wednesday.
The victim was produced in a city court for her statement and also medically examined.
"After getting sufficient evidence, we have arrested the accused inspector on Thursday and are questioning him. We have suspended the accused inspector and the further probe is underway," said Varun Singla, Superintendent of Police, Nuh.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
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Nothing Wrong In Caring For Endangered Species: Minister Amid Crane Row
There is nothing wrong in caring for an endangered species but one should inform the authorities about it, Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav said on Thursday, responding to a question on Uttar Pradesh forest department filing a case against a man for allegedly "illegally" keeping and nursing an injured Sarus crane.
Arif Khan Gurjar, 35, a resident of Mandkha village of Amethi district, rescued the Sarus crane and took care of it for a year, according to officials.
The crane lived with Arif and accompanied him to his fields. However, forest department officials took it away on March 21.
While the man has been booked under various sections of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, the Sarus crane has been placed in a zoo, after it struggled to survive in the wild.
"Even if we are caring for an endangered species, we need to inform authorities. There is nothing wrong in caring for endangered species. It's our responsibility," the minister said at 'News 18 Rising India' programme here.
A day after the bird was taken away, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav held a press conference during which he condemned the forest department action and asked indirectly if any official had the courage to take away the peacocks at the prime minister's residence.
The minister added that action in the matter has been taken in accordance with the local law.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
"Sanatan Doesn't Need Any Certificate": RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh Chief Mohan Bhagwat on Thursday said that the 'Sanatan' dharma doesn't need any "certificate" as it has been proven true to the test of time.
"Today you are taking the resolve to enhance the prestige of the saffron colour by donning it. The one that is 'Sanatan' doesn't need any certificate. In English, they say, "time proven". It has proven to stand true to the test of time," RSS Chief said while addressing an event of 'Sanyas Diksha' in Uttarkhand's Haridwar.
He further said that the Sanatan dharma, which started earlier, exists today and will also be there tomorrow.
"Everything else changes. It started earlier, exists today and will be there tomorrow as well. We will have to explain 'Sanatan' to people through our conduct," Mr Bhagwat said.
Mohan Bhagwat reached Rishigram and performed the Chaturveda Parayan Yagya on the eighth day of the Sannyas festival in Patanjali Sannyas.
Swami Ramdev who was also present at the event said that after 75 years of independence, Patanjali is fulfilling the dream of Maharishi Dayanand, Swami Vivekananda, Mahatma Gandhi and all the revolutionaries of the Swadeshi education system.
"The country became independent but the education and medical system is not its own. The rituals and symbols of slavery have to be eradicated. Only sannyasins can do this work," he said.
On Thursday on the occasion of Ramnavami, Swami Ramdev will perform 'Pratishthan sanyas' by giving Diksha to 150 youths. Union Home Minister Amit Shah will also inaugurate the newly constructed building of Patanjali University.
The aim is to train future leaders with the vision of the ancient sages, a key element for India to lead a world that lives in service for the good of all creation.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Man Killed Over Suspicion Of Theft In Gurugram, 2 Arrested: Police
The Gurugram police have arrested a plot owner and his servant on the charge of murder after one of the two people they suspected to be thieves died after being thrashed and locked in a room.
The incident took place on Tuesday night and one of the suspects was found dead on Wednesday morning, police said.
According to the police the arrested accused were identified as Ankit, resident of village Ghata and his servant, a native of Sagar in Madhya Pradesh.
Ankit told police that goods were frequently being stolen from his plot for the past several days due to which he and his servant started guarding in the night.
It was late Tuesday night when two people whom they suspected to be thieves reached the plot. They caught them and locked them in a room after thrashing them.
One of them was found dead on Wednesday morning. A police team reached the plot in Ghata village where they found a man dead and another injured.
According to police, the deceased was identified as Rafigul (40), who hailed from West Bengal, and the injured was identified as Isruddin.
A case of murder was registered on Wednesday night and police have arrested both the accused, said Virender Vij, DCP (East).
After this police registered an FIR of murder and arrested both the accused on Wednesday night.
"We have arrested the accused and are questioning them. Both will be produced in a city court on Thursday," the DCP 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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Congress MPs Skip Breakfast Meeting With President Droupadi Murmu
The Congress on Wednesday skipped a breakfast meeting hosted by President Droupadi Murmu for MPs from various states where Prime Minister Narendra Modi was also present.
President Murmu hosted MPs from Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and some northeastern states.
Sources told PTI the President had invited MPs from states of Uttar Pradesh (only Lok Sabha), Rajasthan (both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha), Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura and Sikkim, but Congress MPs, including Sonia Gandhi, from Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan were not present.
Senior party leaders KC Venugopal and Pramod Tiwari skipped the breakfast meeting and attended the meeting of opposition leaders instead. While Sonia Gandhi is the lone Lok Sabha MP from the Congress from Uttar Pradesh, the opposition party has six Rajya Sabha MPs but none were present this morning at Rashtrapati Bhawan, the sources said.
"President Droupadi Murmu hosted Members of Parliament from Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura and Sikkim for breakfast at Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi was also present on the occasion," the Rashtrapati Bhawan tweeted along with pictures of the MPs with the President and the prime minister.
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla who is from Rajasthan was also present at the meeting.
The President has been meeting MPs from different states since March 15 and the last such breakfast meeting is on March 31 which will be attended by MPs from states of Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur and Meghalaya.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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Protests At Jamia Millia Islamia In 2019 Was An Unlawful Assembly: Court
The Delhi High Court on Tuesday held that the December 2019 protests organised at Delhi's Jamia Millia Islamia was an unlawful assembly and the mob gathered at the spot with the intention to violate the law.
"The common object of the assembly was to march to the Parliament for registration of their protest against the Government policies of NRC and CAB where a curfew was imposed by the authorities," the Delhi High Court on Tuesday said, adding that making efforts to reach that area and carry out protest there was an "unlawful" object itself.
The Delhi High Court held the view while setting aside the order of the trial court discharging Sharjeel Imam and 10 others.
Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma said that as per the prosecution, section 144 Cr.P.C. was already imposed in the area near Parliament.
"Therefore, making efforts to reach to a curfew imposed area and carry out protest therein was an unlawful object itself," justice Sharma held in the judgement.
The High Court while deciding the revision petition considered the video clips placed on record by the police as significant evidence.
The court said that the same was also brought to the notice of the crowd repeatedly by the concerned police officers by way of repeated announcements which can be clearly seen and heard in video clip number 2.
The high court also noted that the assembly was large and turned violent and pushed the barricades.
The court said, " Even otherwise, the mob was stopped by the police by creating a line of barricades, but the assembly had become so large and was pelting stones, was armed with tyres and dandas, and were shouting, standing on the barricades and violently pushing the same, and if at all they were trying to exercise the fundamental right of freedom of expression, by their unlawful acts of violence as discussed above their assembly had turned unlawful."
"Thus, the very means of achieving the object of reaching the Parliament, where prohibitory orders under section 144 Cr.P.C. was in place, were not lawful also," the court observed.
Thus, as contended on behalf of the state and visible from the video clips, the common unlawful object which was created at the spot was reaching the curfew-bound area and using force and violence against the police officers to achieve the said object, the court further observed.
The bench said that the main aim of their initial protest against the government policy was lost in the violence and in their persistence to break the law to reach a curfew-bound area by use of violence and force against people and objects.
The bench also held that the use of force and violence by the mob is sufficient, at prima facie stage of framing of charge, for constituting the offence of unlawful assembly and rioting.
The bench also noted from the video clips that the police were telling the assembly to protest peacefully.
The court said that nowhere in the video clips, the police officers are seen announcing that the protesters cannot protest, rather they were told to protest peacefully which was their right.
"However, the police were duty bound to stop them from proceeding to a place where section 144 Cr.P.C was imposed and also considering their violent behaviour, the apprehension and the fear that such violent mob while marching to the Parliament could be a threat to law and order situation in Delhi, cannot be found at fault at this stage as the behaviour of the crowd even in the video clips will show that such apprehension was not purely unfounded," the bench held.
On the basis of the video clips, the court held that the mob was trying to stop police from performing their duty of maintaining law and order.
The court said that it is also clear from the video clips that the mob was trying to stop the police officers from discharging their duty of maintaining law and order and were breaking the barricades and crossing over them, on which human chain of police was trying to hold on to so that the mob could not proceed to a curfew bound area.
"Therefore, they were doing their duty and they were stopped from doing so by pelting stones and by pushing the barricades against all of them," the court said.
The court pointed out, "Had the crowd of thousands of protesters been able to push the barricades against the police officers, in which they partly succeeded to, they would have caused grievous injuries to them considering how heavy the barricades are."
Justice Sharma held, " Prima facie, in the situation which is visible in the video clips including video clip number 3, the respondents in question are clearly visible being in the first line of the mob, pushing the barricades against the police officers and raising slogans.
"It is difficult to explain in words; the entire action being unfolded as it is clearly visible in the said video clip, the force used by Delhi Police is only of trying to hold on to the barricades against the violent mob which is also raising slogans of "Delhi Police Murdabad" and"Delhi Police Doob Maro" and are very violently pushing the barricades against the handful of policemen who were holding off the barricades," justice Sharma held.
The high court rejected the submissions that the accused persons were mere bystanders in the protest.
The court said that they were consciously part of the assembly which had turned violent and consciously did not leave the place of such violence and chose to remain part of it by insisting on going to a curfew-imposed area.
"They would have also known that while they were pushing the barricades against those few policemen, in case they would have succeeded, grievous injuries would have been caused to the police officers," the court added.
"They were, therefore, with the violent mob of protesters and it cannot be distinguished that they did not have the object collectively as that of the entire mob. Even otherwise to reiterate, the law of rioting envisages vicarious liability of each participant of an unlawful assembly, " Justice Sharma said.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Toddler, Alone At Home In Gurugram, Dies In Fire
A one-and-a-half-year-old child was burnt alive in a fire that broke out in a house in Ghata village on Tuesday afternoon, police said.
The incident happened in Harijan Colony at around 2 pm, they said, the child was identified as Manoj.
A fire broke out at the rented accommodation of Satish Kumar, a native of Rajasthan's Bharatpur.
Mr Kumar's wife locked the house from outside and went to pick up her other son from school, leaving Manoj alone inside, they said.
According to police, a lamp lit in a temple inside the house suddenly fell on the bed where Manoj was playing and it caught fire.
After getting information, fire and police teams reached the spot and the child was rushed to a hospital in critical condition, where he was declared dead, they said.
SHO (Sector 56) Sanjeev Kumar said the body has been sent for post-mortem and further probe is underway,
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
The I.O.C. defers discussion on whether Russian and Belarusian athletes will compete in the 2024 Olympics.
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After Indian-Origin Doctor's Suicide, UK To Review Hospital's Support Culture
An independent review into the culture at one of the UK's major National Health Service (NHS) hospital trusts on Tuesday recommended greater support for doctors in training who are concerned about their mental health, in the wake of the suicide of an Indian-origin doctor.
Dr Vaishnavi Kumar, who worked at Birmingham Queen Elizabeth Hospital, died aged 35 in June 2022.
Her inquest last year heard how she felt “belittled” at work and would come home and cry.
The University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Trust (UHB), which runs the hospital among several others in the region, was under an independent review following the death and amid wider performance-related concerns.
“In light of the tragic death by suicide of Dr Kumar – together with HEE [Health Education England], a review of the processes to support doctors in training who are concerned about their mental health, ability to speak up freely about concerns with colleagues and a clear message that they will be listened to,” reads one of the recommendations of the review.
The report notes that Kumar was a respected senior doctor in training, approximately one year from qualifying as a consultant diabetologist.
Her father, Ravi Kumar, also a doctor, told the Birmingham Coroner's Court that his daughter felt the Queen Elizabeth Hospital was a “hypercritical environment to work in”.
“We were told of considerable unrest and indeed anger at the Trust's response to this tragic event, from both Dr Kumar's family and the staff who worked with her and the wider junior doctor community… Our review also heard from several employees at the Trust who expressed their disappointment and anger at the lack of senior representation at Dr Kumar's funeral,” the report said.
It warns that "any continuance of a culture that is corrosively affecting morale and in particular threatens long-term staff recruitment and retention will put at risk the care of patients".
The report chaired by Professor Mike Bewick, a former deputy medical director at NHS England and now an independent consultant, was commissioned last year after a number of complaints were raised about the trust, which employs over 22,000 people across several sites and operates four major hospitals in the West Midlands region.
“We have been disturbed by the consistent reporting of a bullying culture at the Trust and look forward to the next phase of the review where staff and patients will have the opportunity to speak freely and confidentially about their concerns,” said Bewick.
A Cross Party Reference Group, chaired by British Sikh MP from Birmingham Preet Kaur Gill, will continue to work closely with Bewick throughout the rest of the process.
“Patients can continue to be confident that the care and treatment provided at our hospitals is safe. We are pleased that Prof Bewick's overall view ‘is that the Trust is a safe place to receive care',” said Jonathan Brotherton, Chief Executive of UHB.
“There are a number of significant concerns that we need to, and have started to, address; we will continue to learn from the past, as we move forward,” he said.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
| Helplines | |
|---|---|
| Vandrevala Foundation for Mental Health | 9999666555 or help@vandrevalafoundation.com |
| TISS iCall | 022-25521111 (Monday-Saturday: 8 am to 10 pm) |
| (If you need support or know someone who does, please reach out to your nearest mental health specialist.) | |
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"We're Watching Rahul Gandhi's Case In Indian Courts": US
The United States is watching Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's case in Indian courts, US Department of State Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel said on Monday (local time), adding that the US engages with the Indian government on a shared commitment to democratic values, including freedom of expression.
"Respect for the rule of law and judicial independence is a cornerstone of any democracy, and we're watching Mr Gandhi's (Rahul Gandhi) case in Indian courts," he said in a press briefing while responding to a question regarding Rahul Gandhi's expulsion from the Indian Parliament.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was disqualified on Friday as a Member of Lok Sabha (MP) from the date of his conviction in the criminal defamation case over his 'Modi surname' remark. Rahul Gandhi was an MP from the seat of Wayanad in Kerala.
"The US engages with the government of India on our shared commitment to democratic values, including of course freedom of expression in our engagements with our Indian partners," he added.
"We continue to highlight the importance of democratic principles and the protection of human rights including freedom of expression as a key to strengthening both our democracies," Vedant Patel said.
When asked whether the US is engaging with India or Rahul Gandhi, he said, "I don't have any specific engagements to read out... but as I am sure you know some of these covered this department for some time it is normal and standard for us to engage with members of opposition parties in any country where we have bilateral relationships but I don't have any specific engagement to read out."
The development comes after the Surat court on Thursday, sentenced Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to two years imprisonment in a defamation case over his 'Modi surname' remark made in 2019 during an election rally in Karnataka.
Rahul Gandhi made the "how come all the thieves have Modi as the common surname" remark in April 2019, at a Lok Sabha election rally at Kolar in Karnataka. The criminal defamation case against Rahul Gandhi was filed by BJP MLA from Surat West Purnesh Modi.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Paul Rusesabagina, ‘Hotel Rwanda’ Dissident, Departs Rwanda for Qatar
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Scotland’s Top Party, Reeling From Divisions, Picks a New Leader
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Madhya Pradesh Man, Son Jump Into River To Save Pet Dog, Drown: Cops
A man and his son drowned in Narmada river in Khargone in Madhya Pradesh while trying to save the former's wife and their pet dog, a police official said on Monday.
The dog entered the river at Sahastradhara and its owner Sapna Singh jumped in to rescue the animal, he said.
"Soon Sapna's husband Aman Singh Kanwar and their son Rudraksh also went into the water body as part of the rescue attempt. However, Sapna and the dog managed to swim to safety, while Kanwar and Rudraksh drowned. The incident took place on Sunday," he said.
"The bodies have been fished out, Further probe into the incident is underway," Maheshwar police station in charge Pankaj Tiwari said.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Hours After Atiq Ahmed Moved To UP Jail, Gangster's Brother Joins Him
Gangster-politician Khalid Azim alias Ashraf was brought to the Naini Central Jail in Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh Monday evening amid tight security arrangements, hours after his brother Atiq Ahmed was escorted to the prison from Gujarat.
Ashraf and Atiq will be produced before a court on Tuesday, when it is likely to pass an order in a 17-year-old kidnapping case against them.
Ashraf, lodged in the Bareilly District Jail since July 2020, was brought to the Naini Central Jail Monday evening amid tight security arrangements, officials said. A police team accompanying him left Bareilly for Prayagraj Monday morning.
Atiq Ahmed was brought to the jail in Prayagraj from a prison in Gujarat. The police cavalcade bringing him reached the Naini Jail at 5.30 pm on Monday.
The brothers are named in several criminal cases, including the recent Umesh Pal murder case, police said.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Protests Erupt in Israel After Netanyahu Fires Defense Minister
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Man Who Sheltered Amritpal Singh's Close Aide Arrested: Punjab Police
Punjab Police on Sunday arrested Balwant Singh, from Khanna city in Ludhiana district of Punjab, the man who had harboured Khalistan sympathiser Amritpal Singh's close aide Tejinder Singh Gill.
Khanna Police said that they have arrested Balwant Singh, the one who harboured Amritpal Singh's close aide Tejinder Singh Gill.
"His questioning is underway," police said, adding that no connection between Amritpal Singh and Balwant Singh has been found yet.
Tejinder Singh Gill alias Gorkha Baba, the core team member of Khalistan sympathiser Amritpal Singh, the Khanna Police on Friday released incriminating videos recovered from the mobile phone of Gorkha.
The chief of Waris Punjab De is still escaping the State police's dragnet. Amritpal Singh was declared a fugitive on the day, Punjab Police launched a crackdown against him and his pro-Khalistan outfit.
Punjab Police on Saturday appealed to people not to believe in rumours and fake news of the arrest of radical preacher Amritpal Singh, which is being circulated on social media.
Speaking at a press briefing on Saturday, Bathinda SSP Gulneet Khurana said, "We urge people not to believe the fake reports of the arrest of Amritpal Singh that are being widely circulated on social media."
He blamed the fake reports on "rumour mongers" based in the United Kingdom, United States and Canada.
"A few people sitting in the UK, US, and Canada are spreading false news on social media that Amritpal is being tortured (in custody)," the SSP added.
He added, "BSF companies along with police personnel and 140 security personnel from Bahadurgarh are currently deployed in Bathinda to ensure peace."
An alert was sounded in Uttarakhand over the possibility of radical preacher Amritpal Singh entering the state, informed Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) V Murugesan on Saturday morning.
Murugesan added that he had received inputs from the Punjab Police that the pro-Khalistan leader, who fled Punjab in the wake of the crackdown on Waris Punjab De, may enter Uttarakhand from Haryana.
He told ANI that checks and searches are underway and a security alert has gone out in places through which he can enter the state.
The officer added that the district police have also been alerted and vigilance stepped up at the borders.
Tejinder Singh aka Gorkha Baba, a resident of Punjab's Mangewal village was arrested on Friday.
"Tejinder often lived with Amritpal and is involved in the Ajnala case as well. Gorkha Baba used to be Amritpal's gunman for a long time. He was also active on social media, and his pictures along with weapons used to surface on social media. After which a separate case was registered against Tejinder in Malaud police station", DSP Payal Harsimrat Singh told ANI.
The police informed that action has been taken against him under sections 107/151 of the Indian Penal Code (IPS).
"Two other people accompanying Tejinder have also been detained. They are being interrogated", added the DSP.
The DSP said that Tejinder had a history of criminal cases, ranging from fight to liquor smuggling, registered against him and he had also served a sentence in jail.
On Friday, an alert was issued in the Dehradun, Haridwar and Udham Singh Nagar districts of Uttarakhand, amid reports of Amritpal trying to enter the state.
A team of Delhi Police and Punjab Police on Friday launched a search operation for Amritpal in Delhi and its border in view of the possibility of him entering the national capital.
However, Delhi Police later said Waris Punjab De chief may have left the national capital.
On March 18, Punjab Police launched an operation against Amritpal and his aides. The crackdown came almost over three weeks after Amritpal's supporters clashed with uniformed personnel at the Ajnala police station on February 23, on the outskirts of Amritsar, demanding the release of one of his close aides, Lovepreet Toofan.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
1,385 Kg Marijuana Seized In West Tripura By Border Force, 3 Arrested
The Border Security Force (BSF) has arrested three suspects from West Tripura and seized 1,385 kg of marijuana (ganja) from their possession in a joint operation with the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), the official said on Sunday.
The official said that a joint operation was carried out in the house of a suspected person of Urabari village in West Tripura following a specific intelligence input which was received in the early hours of Sunday indicating the stocking of a huge consignment of ganja.
During the operation, one person was apprehended, the official said.
"During preliminary cross-examination, he revealed the name of the main king-pin, a resident of West Tripura and other associates," the BSF official statement said.
It further said that the ganja was recovered acting on the tip and the BSF arrested three people.
"A total worth Rs 2,07,75,000 weighing 1385 kg of Ganja was recovered clandestinely hidden underground in their houses where all three Indian nationals (including the kingpin) were apprehended," it added.
"Border Security Force is fully committed to eradicating the menace of drugs from Tripura and making "Tripura - A Drug-Free State". Resultantly, BSF has been conducting a special drive against trans-border smugglers, particularly of narcotics and drugs and succeeded in neutralizing them at regular intervals independently as well as in close association with other sister agencies," the BSF said.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
"We Will Keep Fighting": Ashok Gehlot On Rahul Gandhi Disqualification
Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot Sunday slammed the BJP over its allegation that Rahul Gandhi insulted OBCs with his "Modi surname" remark in 2019 and said his party has done a lot for the backward classes, including making an OBC leader like him Chief Minister thrice.
He also pointed out that his Chhattisgarh counterpart Bhupesh Baghel was also an OBC.
Rahul Gandhi was on Thursday sentenced to two years in jail by a Surat court in a 2019 criminal defamation case over his "why all thieves have Modi surname" remark. He was later disqualified from the Lok Sabha from the date of his conviction in the case.
Several BJP leaders, including party chief J P Nadda, have accused Rahul Gandhi of insulting Other Backward Classes (OBCs) with his remark.
Addressing a gathering at the Congress' day-long "Sankalp Satyagraha" at Rajghat, Mr Gehlot said Prime Minister Narendra Modi conducted an "experiment" during the Gujarat polls in 2017 by saying that a Congress leader abused him and highlighted his OBC status.
In a repeat of that experiment, the BJP is claiming again before elections that Rahul Gandhi insulted OBCs, Mr Gehlot said.
"In 2017, when the BJP was losing the Gujarat elections, Modi ji played the OBC card against the Congress there. The BJP today again wants to run a campaign to mislead the OBCs," he alleged.
"Are fugitives like Nirav Modi and Lalit Modi OBCs?" he asked. "You are protecting fugitives such as Nirav Modi and Lalit Modi, and then saying Rahul Gandhi insulted OBCs. Can anyone forget what the Congress has done for OBCs, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes," Mr Gehlot posed.
"I have been made Chief Minister for the third time by Sonia ji and Rahul ji. I am an OBC. There is only one member of the OBC Mali community (in the assembly) and that is me," Mr Gehlot said what "bigger message" could be there for the OBCs than him being made chief minister again and again.
Elections are near and that is why they are raising this bogey of OBC insult, he alleged. "It is baseless." Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh also tweeted a video of Gehlot's remarks on the BJP's OBC charge.
In a tweet in Hindi, Jairam Ramesh also said, "Difference between words and actions! In 1992, the Congress government implemented the Mandal Commission. In 2006, the Congress government made a provision for reservation for OBCs in higher education. During 2011-12, the caste census of about 25 crore families was done by the Congress government."
"Whereas BJP has stopped the caste census," he added.
In his remarks, Mr Gehlot said the sacrifices of the Gandhi family are before everyone and Rahul Gandhi is constantly raising the issue of unemployment and high prices.
"They could not answer allegations raised by Rahul Gandhi in Parliament. I have never seen before that allegations are raised but instead of answering the prime minister has taken a vow of silence," Mr Gehlot said.
The BJP made allegations against Gandhi for his remarks abroad when he said what he had been saying in the country. It is the prime minister who should answer and apologise, he said.
"Rahul Gandhi has emerged as the voice of the country. We will keep fighting to ensure that democracy is kept alive in the country," the Rajasthan chief minister said.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Bansuri Swaraj Appointed Co-Convener Of Delhi BJP's Legal Cell
Bansuri Swaraj, the daughter of late Sushma Swaraj, has been appointed as co-convener of the legal cell of Delhi BJP, paving her entry into active politics.
Ms Swaraj practices law in the Supreme Court.
Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva, in his first appointment in the state unit, after taking over as full-time state president of the party, appointed Ms Swaraj as co-convener of the legal cell.
In a letter issued on Friday, Mr Sachdeva said that Ms Swaraj's appointment would come into force with immediate effect and hoped that she would strengthen the BJP.
Ms Swaraj said she was a qualified lawyer and had been helping the party in legal matters earlier as well.
"It is just that I have been formally given an opportunity to serve the party more actively in the capacity as a legal department co-convener of the Delhi BJP," she told
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
"Mamata Banerjee Is Like A God We Worship: West Bengal Minister
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee can do no wrong as she is like a god, West Bengal minister Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay said on Sunday, asserting that even priests sometimes turn out to be thieves, but not gods.
Mr Chattopadhyay's comments, which triggered a controversy, came as the TMC battles allegations of irregularities in school recruitments with several of its top-rung leaders, including former education minister Partha Chatterjee, arrested.
"Mamata Banerjee is like a god who we worship. Even the priests worshipping the god can at times be a thief but not the god, the idol he worships," he said, addressing a public meeting at Khardah in North 24 Parganas district.
"Even I can be a thief, but not Mamata Banerjee," he added.
Mr Chattopadhyay, the agriculture minister, alleged that several irregularities happened in educational institutes during the CPI(M)'s rule but those were never investigated.
A person was appointed registrar of a university during the Left Front government, even though he did not have 50 per cent marks in graduation and post-graduation, he alleged, claiming that undeserving candidates were also appointed professors in various state-run varsities.
But these things were overlooked, the minister said.
CPI(M) MP Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya said the court has already dismissed the allegations being made by Mr Chattopadhyay.
"Now, people will punish them for their sins. They have lost ground among the people, so they are making such statements," he told PTI.
Reacting to Mr Chattopadhyay's comment about the chief minister, the BJP said that TMC leaders were making such statements in desperation.
"TMC will bite the dust in both panchayat and Lok Sabha elections if the polling is free and fair," BJP leader Rahul Sinha 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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Amit Shah To Attend These Events In Poll-Bound Karnataka On Sunday
Union Home Minister Amit Shah would hoist a 103 ft high national flag and inaugurate the 'Gorata Shaheed Smarak' and memorial of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel at Gorata ground in Bidar district on Sunday.
The senior BJP leader will then fly to Gabbur in Raichur district where he will address a public meeting and participate in an inauguration and foundation laying programme in the afternoon.
Amit Shah will attend an event organised by the 'Non-Resident Gujarati Samaj' here in the evening.
Later, in an apparent move to woo the two dominant communities, Lingayatas and Vokkaligas, in the poll-bound Karnataka, where elections are due by May, the BJP leader will unveil the statues of 12th century social reformer Basaveshwara and the founder of Bengaluru city 'Nadaprabhu' Kempegowda on the 'Vidhana Soudha' premises.
Amit Shah will also attend the BJP's core committee meeting here.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Israel’s Defense Minister Says Government Should Halt Contentious Judicial Plan
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Pics: Delhi Saves 279 Megawatts Of Electricity During Earth Hour
Delhi saved 279 MW of electricity during 'Earth Hour' as electric appliances were switched off across the city from 8.30 pm to 9.30 pm on Saturday, discom officials said. They said last year, 171 MW of power was saved as Delhi observed Earth Hour.
In the areas covered by BSES discoms BRPL and BYPL, 178 MW of power was saved, said a company spokesperson.
Tata Power Delhi Distribution Limited (TPDDL) consumers successfully managed to save 15 MW during the Earth Hour 2023, said a spokesperson of the discom.
Figures of power saved in Delhi Cantt and New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) area were not available.
Earth Hour is one of the largest global grassroots campaigns for raising awareness on climate change issues supported by the World Wildlife Fund.
The event creates awareness about conservation of natural resources and draws attention to the fragile condition of planet Earth.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
"Give Driver's Seat To Strong Regional Parties": Tejashwi Yadav To Congress
Bihar deputy chief minister and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav on Saturday said the Congress is the biggest party in the Opposition but wherever regional parties are strong, they should be allowed to sit in the "driver's seat" to take on the BJP in the 2024 general elections.
Yadav also said that former Bihar chief minister Lalu Prasad and current CM Nitish Kumar along with him were making efforts to bring together regional parties and the Congress.
"The Congress is part of the Mahagathbandhan in Bihar. In Bihar, we are the bigger party but the Congress is the biggest Opposition party in the country. Lalu ji, Nitish ji and all of us are making efforts that Congress and regional parties come together and to decide as to what is the way forward," Yadav told reporters in response to a question while leaving the CBI headquarters where he was quizzed for more than eight hours.
"One thing is clear, we have said it earlier also, wherever regional parties are strong they have to be in the driver's seat, the Congress people should understand this," Yadav said.
Wherever there is a direct fight with the BJP, the Congress should take on them, he said, adding, there are approximately 200 such seats.
Yadav was quizzed by the CBI for more than eight hours in connection with a railways land-for-jobs scam case here.
Asked about his questioning, the RJD leader said his family has always cooperated with the probe and answered all questions that were asked of them.
"The truth is that there was no scam, this is clear ... Everyone knows why all this is happening," he said.
His remarks came on a day when Congress leader Rahul Gandhi stressed on opposition unity and called on all opposition parties to work together.
Gandhi also noted that the ruling dispensation has given them a "big weapon" by disqualifying him from Lok Sabha.
Gandhi also thanked several opposition parties for extending their support to him in the wake of his conviction in a defamation case and disqualification from the Lok Sabha.
The Congress on Friday welcomed the statements of opposition leaders condemning Rahul Gandhi's disqualification from Lok Sabha and said it was now time for the party to take on the job of building the opposition unity in a "systematic way."
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Bihar Court Acquits BJP Leader, 22 Others In 9-Year-Old Rail Blockade Case
A Bihar court on Saturday acquitted Union minister Giriraj Singh and 22 other people in connection with a nine-year-old case that was lodged after they staged a rail blockade.
Giriraj Singh, along with LJP MP Veena Devi and BJP leaders Ram Surat Rai and Suresh Sharma, was among those who appeared before the MP/MLA court at Muzaffarpur in connection with the Railway Act case lodged in 2014.
The 'rail roko' was staged in March 2014, across the state in protest against denial of special category status to Bihar by the Congress-led UPA which was then in power.
"The case was lodged at Railway Court in Sonepur and transferred here upon the establishment of MP/MLA court. Altogether 27 persons were named as accused and charge-sheet was filed against 23 of them. All of them were acquitted as no evidence was found against them," lawyer Ashok Kumar told reporters.
Notably, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar continues to raise the demand for special status, and, has vowed to take steps to accord the same to "all backward states" if his efforts to defeat the BJP by uniting the opposition bore fruit.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Army Missile Misfires In Rajasthan's Pokhran, Probe Ordered
A case of missile misfire was reported when an Army unit was carrying out field firing practice at Pokharan ranges in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan.
According to Indian Army officials, the missile detonated in flight but the debris fell into the adjoining fields.
Army said there was no loss of life or property. An investigation into the matter was initiated.
"No damage rendered to any personnel and property. The issue is being investigated," said Indian Army officials.
Further details are awaited.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
The U.N. says at least 40 prisoners of war have been executed after capture in Ukraine.
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Punjab Police Releases 44 Who Had "Minimum Role" In Amritpal Singh Case
Punjab Police on Friday said they have released 44 people taken into preventive custody during a crackdown on radical preacher Amritpal Singh and handed them over to their family.
"In the larger interest of the public and keeping in view that youngsters should not suffer, Punjab Police have decided to release those persons who have a minimum role or were just following Amritpal Singh on religious sentiments only," said Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) Arpit Shukla.
Mr Shukla said in a statement that 44 people, who were under preventive custody, were released and handed over to their family members on Friday following a promise of good conduct in future.
On Thursday, Inspector General of Police (Headquarters) Sukhchain Singh Gill said that Punjab Police might release 177 people from preventive custody.
A total of 207 people were taken into custody for allegedly disturbing peace and harmony. Of them, 30 have been found involved in major criminal activities and remaining were under preventive custody, police said.
Chief Minister Punjab Bhagwant Mann has given clear instructions to police to not harass innocent people during the crackdown on Amritpal Singh and his outfit 'Waris Punjab De', according to an official statement.
Last month, Amritpal Singh and his supporters, some of them brandishing swords and guns, broke through barricades and barged into the Ajnala police station on the outskirts of Amritsar and clashed with police for the release of one of his aides.
Last week, the Punjab Police launched a crackdown against them and Amritpal Singh has been on the run since. Punjab Police said efforts were on to catch the fugitive.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Senators Urge Biden to Send Evidence of Russian War Crimes to the I.C.C.
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Supreme Court To Hear Request Against Alleged Misuse Of Central Agencies
The Supreme Court on Friday agreed to list for hearing on April 5 a plea by 14 opposition parties, led by the Congress, alleging arbitrary use of central probe agencies against political opponents.
A bench headed by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud took note of the submissions of senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi, appearing for the opposition parties, and said the plea would be taken up for hearing on April 5.
"I am asking for the guidelines for the future. This is a remarkable convergence of 14 parties against the misuse of the agencies, both CBI and ED," Singhvi said, and claimed that 95 per cent cases of the Central Bureau of Investigation(CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate(ED) are against the leaders of opposition.
The senior lawyer referred to the rise in the number of cases filed by the CBI and ED after the NDA government came to power in 2014.
"Second statistics, pre-2014 and post-2014. There is a humongous jump in cases. The rate of conviction is four to five per cent. We are asking for pre-arrest guidelines and post-arrest bail guidelines," Singhvi said.
Sources close to the deliberations which led to the filing of the common plea by 14 political parties said Delhi Chief Minister and AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal played an important role in persuading other opposition leaders for moving the top court jointly.
The plea alleged there is an alarming rise in the use of coercive criminal processes against opposition political leaders and other citizens exercising their fundamental right to dissent.
"Investigating agencies such as CBI and ED are being increasingly deployed in a selective and targeted manner with a view to completely crush political dissent and upend the fundamental premises of a representative democracy," a statement issued on behalf of a petitioner alleged.
The plea filed through lawyer Shadan Farasat cited some statistics and said they demonstrated a "shocking and unconstitutional state of affairs".
Besides the Congress, other parties who are part of the joint move are the DMK, RJD, BRS, Trinamool Congress, AAP, NCP, Shiv Sena (UBT), JMM, JD(U), CPI(M), CPI, Samajwadi Party and the J&K National Conference, the statement said.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
"Ram Is Not God Of Hindus Only, But Of Everyone": Farooq Abdullah
Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister and NC chief Dr Farooq Abdullah on Thursday hit out at the BJP saying that the party only uses Ram's name to stay in power, but Ram is not Hindus' god alone.
"Bhagwan Ram is not the god of Hindus only. Please remove this notion from your mind. Bhagwan Ram is god of everyone - be it a Muslim or Christian or American or Russian, who has faith in him," he told a rally organised by the Panthers party here.
"Those who come to you saying we are only disciples of Ram - they are fools. They want to sell in the name of Ram. They do not have a love for Ram but for power," he said.
"I think when elections are announced in J&K they will inaugurate Ram temple to divert the attention of the common man," he said.
On unity among non-BJP parties, he said, "There will be no hurdle in our unity. Whether it is Congress, NC, or Panthers. We will fight and die for people. But we all will remain united." He raised questions about electronic voting machines and asked people to remain cautious about its use.
He also warned people against religious polarisation ahead of the election in the Union Territory. "They will use 'Hindus are in danger' a lot during the elections... but I request you to not fall prey to it."
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
American Hopes for Canadian Military Leadership in Haiti Likely to Be Dashed
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Spain’s prime minister plans to visit Beijing for talks with Xi Jinping on China’s peace framework.
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PM Modi To Visit Varanasi Today, Unveil Projects Of Over Rs 1780 Crore
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Varanasi on Friday to dedicate and lay foundation stone of various projects worth more than Rs 1780 crores.
At around 10:30 am, Prime Minister will address One World TB Summit at Rudrakash Convention Centre.
At around 12 noon, he will dedicate and lay the foundation stone of various projects worth more than Rs. 1780 crores at Sampurnanand Sanskrit University ground.
The Prime Minister will address One World TB Summit on the occasion of World Tuberculosis Day. This summit is being organised by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) and Stop TB Partnership.
Founded in 2001, the Stop TB Partnership is a United Nations hosted organisation that amplifies the voices of the people, communities, and countries affected by TB.
During the event, Prime Minister will launch various initiatives including the TB-Mukt Panchayat initiative; official pan-India rollout of a shorter TB Preventive Treatment (TPT) and family-centric care model for TB.
Prime Minister will also award select States/UTs and Districts for their progress towards ending TB.
In March 2018, during the End TB summit held in New Delhi, Prime Minister had called on India to achieve TB-related SDG targets by 2025, five years ahead of stipulated time.
One World TB Summit will provide an opportunity to further deliberate upon the targets as the country moves forward to meet its TB elimination objectives.
It will also be an opportunity to showcase learnings from National TB Elimination Programmes. International delegates from over 30 countries are scheduled to be present at the summit.
An official release said that in the last nine years, Prime Minister has put special focus on transforming the landscape of Varanasi and enhancing ease of living for the people living in the city and adjoining areas.
Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone of the Passenger Ropeway from Varanasi Cantt station to Godowlia. The cost of the project is estimated to be around Rs. 645 crore. The ropeway system will be 3.75 km in length with five stations. This will facilitate ease of movement for the tourists, pilgrims and residents of Varanasi.
The Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone of 55 MLD sewage treatment plant at Bhagwanpur under Namami Ganga Scheme, to be built at cost of more than Rs 300 crore.
Under the Khelo India Scheme, the foundation stone of Phase 2 and 3 of redevelopment work of Sigra Stadium will be laid by the Prime Minister.
Prime Minister will also lay the foundation stone of LPG bottling plant at Isarwar village, Sewapuri to be built by Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd.
He will also lay the foundation stone of various other projects including primary health centre in Bharthara village and floating jetty with changing rooms.
Under the Jal Jeevan Mission, the Prime Minister will dedicate 19 drinking water schemes, which will benefit more than 3 lakh people of 63 gram panchayats.
To further strengthen the rural drinking water system, PM Modi will also lay the foundation stone of 59 drinking water schemes under the Mission.
For farmers, exporters and traders in and around Varanasi, the grading, sorting, processing of fruits and vegetables will be possible at an integrated pack house which has been constructed at Karkhiyaon..
The Prime Minister will dedicate this project to the nation during the event. It will help in boosting agricultural exports of Varanasi and surrounding region.
He will dedicate various projects under the Varanasi Smart City Mission including redevelopment work of Rajghat and Mahmoorganj government schools, beautification of internal city roads and redevelopment of six parks and ponds of the city among others.
Prime Minister will also dedicate various other infrastructure projects including ATC tower at Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport; 2 MW solar power plant at water works premises, Bhelupur; 800 KW solar power plant at Konia Pumping Station; new Community Health Centre at Sarnath; infrastructure improvement of Industrial estate at Chandpur and rejuvenation of temples of Kedareshwar, Vishweshwar and Omkareshwar Khand Parikrama.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Will Challenge "Erroneous" Judgment: Congress On Rahul Gandhi Conviction
The conviction of Rahul Gandhi by a Surat court in a defamation case was "erroneous and unsustainable" and will be challenged in a higher court, the Congress said on Thursday while expressing hope that the judgment will be stayed and quashed.
Mr Gandhi was sentenced to two years in jail by the court in the 2019 criminal defamation case over his "Modi surname" remark, in a setback to the Lok Sabha MP who faces the risk of disqualification. The case was filed against him on a complaint by BJP MLA Purnesh Modi for his alleged remark, "How come all the thieves have Modi as the common surname?" Congress spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi said the trial court has given a 170-page judgment that is still subject to translation and the party is working towards filing an appeal against it in a higher court.
"We believe that this is full of errors and legally unsustainable in conclusion. But make no mistake generally...all your (government's) efforts to create a chilling effect, a throttling effect, strangulating effect on open, fearless speech relating to public interest will not stop either Rahul Gandhi or the Congress party," he told reporters at a press conference here.
Mr Singhvi said the Congress has faith in the judiciary and will seek legal recourse to the Surat court's verdict and get relief.
Though this judgment is "erroneous", in-built corrective measures exist within the judicial system and "we will certainly invoke them", he said and added, "We are confident that the conviction will be stayed." Gandhi after appearing before the Surat court returned to Delhi and was accorded a welcome at the domestic airport on his arrival. Some Congress MPs and leaders who were present at the airport, later held a meeting with him at his residence, sources said.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge later convened a meeting of top party leaders at his residence and discussed the situation arising out of Gandhi's conviction and whether he should attend Parliament.
Sources said the discussion took place as Mr Gandhi faces disqualification from Lok Sabha in the wake of his conviction and two years sentence.
The Supreme Court in a 2013 verdict had said that any MP or MLA stands disqualified from the time of his conviction if a sentence of two or more years is pronounced.
Mr Kharge also alleged that the BJP-led government wants to get Mr Gandhi removed from Lok Sabha through disqualification as he speaks the truth.
Speaking at a book launch function, he said now "attempts are being made by taking refuge under laws to silence everyone".
"They (government) want to get him ousted (from Lok Sabha. The person who speaks the truth and exposes you, you want to remove him through such means. Nobody gets two years jail for defamation, someone is given one year, six months, or apology is sought, but the provision for (disqualification) is two years and that is why they have applied it in complete," Mr Kharge said.
The BJP, however, asserted that the law has to take its course if Rahul Gandhi abuses people and slammed the Congress over its criticism of his conviction in a defamation case, asking whether the opposition party wants "complete freedom" for him to "abuse" others.
BJP leader and former law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad cautioned Mr Gandhi, saying he will find himself facing "more troubles" if he doesn't refrain from making defamatory remarks, while Union Minister Piyush Goyal asked the Congress leader to apologise for his series of "defamatory" comments.
Both leaders also hit out at Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge for questioning the court's order and accused him of contempt of court.
Mr Gandhi after attending court quoted Mahatma Gandhi on truth and non-violence.
"My religion is based on truth and non-violence. Truth is my God, non-violence the means to get to it -- Mahatma Gandhi," Rahul Gandhi said in a tweet in Hindi soon after the court's verdict.
In another tweet, he paid tributes to freedom fighters Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Rajguru on their martyrdom day and said he has learnt fighting fearlessly for the country from these brave sons of Mother India.
"Coward, dictatorial BJP government is incensed at Rahul Gandhi and Opposition because we are exposing their misdeeds and demanding a JPC," Mr Kharge tweeted. "Under its political bankruptcy, the Modi government sends police, ED and imposes cases on political speeches. We will appeal in the higher court," he added.
"We knew such a thing could happen... they kept changing judges. But we have faith in the judiciary and will fight as per the law," the Congress president said.
Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also took to Twitter to back her brother and attack the BJP.
In a tweet in Hindi, she said that "a scared machinery of power is trying to suppress the voice of Rahul Gandhi through 'saam, daam, dand, bhed' (using every trick in the book)".
"My brother has never been afraid, nor will he ever be. He has lived his life speaking the truth, will continue to speak the truth, will continue to raise the voice of the people of the country," she said.
Congress general secretary communications Jairam Ramesh said, "This is new India, if you raise your voice against injustice, then ED-CBI, police, FIR will be imposed. Rahul Gandhi is also being punished for speaking the truth, for raising his voice against a dictator." He said this is not just a legal issue but also a political one and termed it yet another example of the politics of vendetta, fear and intimidation.
In Parliament, this government is relying on one set of techniques to throttle voices and if outside Parliament, a second set of tactics is being used which in recent times has had an effect inside Parliament too, Singhvi alleged and added that the third strategy of the government is to "file false, frivolous and vexatious" cases.
"No doubt there is a conviction, but this is an infirm, an erroneous and an unsustainable judgment. It will be challenged and we are hopeful it will be stayed and ultimately quashed," the Congress leader said.
He said he has no doubts that when it comes to Rahul Gandhi, this government will do everything which is "unethical and is devoid of principles".
Mr Singhvi said any reasonable, fair, non-oppressive, non-bias system would give sufficient time to a person to take some legal steps to stay the conviction. "But, I doubt very much if this government will act in any of those four objectives, non-biased, fair, transparent or balanced," he said.
Asked about the issue of Gandhi be disqualified, he said as far as the government is concerned, Gandhi has sought to be de-facto excluded from Parliament already for last several days and weeks.
"What is the point of him going to Parliament and speaking where he is not allowed to speak before a prior apology. What is the point of supposedly talking in Parliament when the government of the day itself is disrupting it," he asked.
"So, de-facto there is no difference between him not speaking in Parliament and not formally entering Parliament. However, these are legal issues and the judgment has come today and some time needs to be given to a person to challenge it," Mr Singhvi said.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Attempt To "Suppress" Opposition: Sharad Pawar On Rahul Gandhi's Jail Term
NCP supremo Sharad Pawar came out in support of Rahul Gandhi on Thursday, saying his conviction in a criminal defamation case was an attempt to "suppress the voice" of opposition leaders.
Mr Pawar also drew parallels between the conviction of Gandhi and NCP leader and former Lok Sabha member from Lakshadweep PP Mohammed Faizal, who was disqualified from the lower house after his conviction in an attempt-to-murder case.
"I express my serious concerns at the attempts to curtail fundamental rights, freedom of speech and democratic expression in the country. The repeated attempts to suppress the voice of political parties, leaders and citizens of India is a matter of grave concern," Mr Pawar said.
"Today's judgment of Rahul Gandhi underscores the point. NCP MP PP Mohammed Faizal's case is also a similar case in point. I deplore this new trend in our political landscape, which should concern everyone in today's scenario," the Rajya Sabha member said.
Mr Faizal was disqualified as member of the Lok Sabha within two days of his conviction on January 11.
The disqualification was not revoked even after Mr Faizal appealed to the Kerala High Court for a stay on his conviction and sentence, which the high court suspended on January 25.
On Thursday, a trial court in Gujarat sentenced Mr Gandhi to two years in jail in a 2019 criminal defamation case over his "why all thieves have Modi surname" remark. The Lok Sabha member too faces the risk of disqualification.
The Surat court has granted Gandhi bail and suspended the sentence for 30 days to allow him to appeal in a higher court. The Congress said Gandhi will file an appeal against the verdict.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
UP Doctor Found Dead Under Mysterious Condition, Case Filed Against Wife
A case has been registered against four persons for allegedly killing an Unani doctor in Lucknow, said police officials on Wednesday.
The doctor was found dead under mysterious circumstances on January 27 at his home in Lucknow's Ghazipur police station area.
Shamsuddin, the brother of the doctor, filed a complaint against the deceased's wife, her brother, her sister and her brother-in-law alleging them of killing his brother Fayaz Ahmed.
As per Shamsuddin, on January 26, Fayaz's wife had called her brother, sister and sister's husband from her maternal home in Aligarh. Later, all of them thrashed Fayaz mercilessly. Following this, he was found lying unconscious at his home by the neighbours and was rushed to the hospital but died during treatment.
DCP North Kasim Abdi said, "A case of culpable homicide has been registered against Dr Fayaz Ahmed's wife and her relatives as the basis of a complaint filed by Ahmed's brother. On the night of the incident, there was a scuffle between Ahmed and his wife's relative who were called on by her only. Later, when Shamsuddin reached home Ahmed was found lying unconscious and died during treatment at Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital and died while undergoing treatment at Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital."
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UP Man Accused Of Raping Two-And-Half-Year-Old Girl Arrested: Cops
A man accused of raping a minor girl was arrested following an encounter with the police on Wednesday.
Superintendent of Police Ashok Kumar Shukla said the incident of rape of a two-and-a-half-year-old girl was reported at the Azim Nagar police station Tuesday night.
"The police team rushed the girl to the hospital in a critical condition from where she was shifted to a hospital in Moradabad. A case regarding the incident was also lodged and teams were formed to arrest the accused," he said.
The accused Khemkaran Saini was later arrested.
"Saini opened fire at the police and the team retaliated following which the accused received a bullet injury in his leg. He was arrested and taken to hospital," the officer added.
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Assam Man, 42, Dies After Elephant Attack, Minor Son Hospitalised
A 42-year-old man was trampled to death by a wild elephant in Nagaon district of Assam, a senior official said on Wednesday. His minor son sustained critical injuries in the attack, he said.
According to the senior district administration official, the incident took place at Rekapahar Reserve Forest area in Kaliabar sub-division of the district on Tuesday when the father-son duo was returning home on a bicycle.
"They were suddenly attacked by the wild elephant, which came out of a nearby jungle," the official said.
After getting information, forest and police officials reached the spot, and rushed them to Nagaon Civil Hospital, where doctors declared the 42-year-old man dead, he said.
The minor son is undergoing treatment at a local hospital, the official added.
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19-Year-Old Woman Dies After Illegal Abortion Attempt: Haryana Police
A 19-year-old woman died after an illegal attempt at abortion went wrong in Hisar district of Haryana, police said on Tuesday.
The woman died during treatment at the Maharaja Agrasen Medical College in Agroha in Hisar district on Monday night. The police have started an investigation.
According to a press release issued by Maharaja Agrasen Medical College Director Alka Chhabra, a 19-year-old victim of "illegal abortion was referred to the college in critical condition" at 6 pm on March 16.
The woman was in septic shock and her intestines were coming out, she said, adding there were also wounds in her uterus.
She said that her intestine and uterus were operated upon in the medical college.
The woman's kidneys had also failed, she said.
The woman was kept on a ventilator and died due to multi-organ failure.
The woman was unmarried and she was four-month pregnant. On March 14, her relatives got her admitted to a private hospital here for abortion.
An attempt was made for abortion, which worsened her condition.
Seeing her deteriorating condition, she was taken to the civil hospital from where she was referred to the medical college.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Army Budget Should Have Deterrent Capacity For 2 Hostile Neighbours: Panel
The capital budget of the Indian Army should be increased to facilitate enhancing its deterrent capacity to ward off challenges from the two "hostile" neighbours, a parliamentary panel said on Tuesday in an apparent reference to Pakistan and China.
The committee appreciated the efforts made by the defence ministry towards indigenisation of military platforms and hoped that the country would see "100 per cent contract value" going to Indian vendors in the years ahead.
Referring to the challenges before the Army, the parliamentary standing committee cited proxy wars, in an apparent reference to Pakistan-backed cross-border terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir.
The committee was of the view that funds slated for modernisation of the armed forces should always be incremental.
"The committee also desired that there should be a separate allocation for committed liabilities and new schemes, under the modernisation/capital budget," it said.
The report of the panel was tabled in Lok Sabha on Tuesday.
"Our expenditure should be in proportion to the increase in defence spending of our neighbours. Therefore, the committee recommended that the capital budget of the Army should be increased to have a deterrent capacity to ward off at least two hostile neighbours," it said, in an indirect reference to Pakistan and China.
The committee noted that the capital outlay for the Navy for 2023-24 was projected at Rs 52,804.75 crore.
"Against this projection, the committee found that this year's allocation is pragmatic and supportive for the Navy as the ministry actually allocated the same amount as projected, although, this projection is Rs 14,818.21 crore less than the projection it made in the year 2022-23," it said.
"This also indicates that the requirements of the Navy for the new scheme have decreased, and gone down which may affect its modernisation drive. The committee recommended to be apprised of the reasons for the lower projection in comparison to last year," the panel said.
The committee recommended that from next year onwards a separate statement of the net budget be provided after taking into account the inflation, noting that it is a recurring and unavoidable phenomenon in all aspects of economic theory which applies to the Navy also.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Aadhaar Body Suspends 1.2% Of Total Operators Over Fraudulent Activities
The Unique Identification Authority of India has suspended 1.2 per cent of Aadhaar operators in the last year for attempting fraudulent activities, an official statement said on Tuesday.
The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) is estimated to have 99,000-1 lakh operators who enrol individuals as well as provide other Aadhaar services like name correction, address change etc.
"About 1.2 per cent of total operators have been suspended in the last one year, due to attempted fraudulent activities. Necessary penal action is taken in such cases," UIDAI said in a statement.
In a security update of the Aadhaar system, the UIDAI said that it has restricted the number of enrolments per day per machine.
"To discourage mischievous operators from misusing the system, GPS fencing has been embedded in the Enrolment machines. An operator is required to verify the credentials of the Enrolment machine regularly with the UIDAI data centre and only a limited number of enrolments are allowed per day per machine," the statement said.
The Aadhaar custodian said that it has roped in state governments for quality check of all new adult enrolments.
"The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) is constantly adding credibility to the Aadhaar ecosystem through up-gradation of technology, adding new security features and by strengthening the Aadhaar ecosystem," the statement said.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
"Nothing Discussed": Odisha Chief Minister On Forming Opposition Front
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday said nothing has been discussed as yet on forming an opposition front ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
Mr Patnaik's statement came ahead of his scheduled “courtesy meeting” with Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee on Thursday.
Asked whether any discussion on forming a ‘third front' is on the cards with the West Bengal chief minister, the BJD president told reporters: “Nothing has been discussed as yet.” The TMC has decided to maintain distance from both the BJP and the Congress and Ms Banerjee last week held a meeting with Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav in Kolkata.
The SP is also following a policy of maintaining equidistance from the two major political camps.
The TMC supremo reached Odisha on Tuesday evening on a three-day visit during which she will also offer puja at the Jagannath temple in Puri.
Before leaving for Bhubaneswar, Ms Banerjee told reporters at the Kolkata airport that she will hold a "courtesy meeting" with Mr Patnaik.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
BJP "Stoking Fear In Minds Of Hindus For Political Gains": Tejashwi Yadav
Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav on Tuesday launched a fresh attack on the BJP inside the state assembly where he charged the opposition party with stoking "fear in the minds of Hindus" for political gains.
Tejashwi Yadav was replying to the debate on budgetary allocation for the health department, a portfolio that he holds, amid a walkout by the BJP on the second consecutive day.
"I had said a lot yesterday and I had hoped that the opposition leaders will be around today to take the debate forward. But they chose to run away. They have not even moved a cut motion. I will say something about them towards the end of my statement," Mr Yadav told the Chair before launching into a speech that ran for over 20 minutes.
Outside the assembly, Leader of the Opposition Vijay Kumar Sinha insisted that the walkout followed "the government's refusal to entertain a host of issues raised by us, including alleged involvement of a minister in a murder case and corruption cases against the Deputy CM himself".
"Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has surrendered before his new ally (RJD) and the state is reverting to the era of lawlessness from which we had pulled it out with so much of effort," alleged the BJP leader, whose party was stripped of power when Nitish Kumar snapped ties in August last year.
He also alleged that Speaker Awadh Bihari Chaudhary, who belongs to the RJD, had been running the House in a partisan manner.
When pointed out that Mr Yadav has sought an apology for having been proven wrong on allegations of attacks on migrants in Tamil Nadu, Sinha stood his ground saying "the report of the team of officials that toured that state should be tabled inside the House for discussion".
Inside the House, Mr Yadav ended his speech, after which the budgetary demand for the health department was passed by a voice vote, tearing into the opposition party.
"The BJP likes to thrive in a paradox wherein people shall remain happy as Hindus despite being unemployed and having to survive on five kilograms of free ration. Hindus comprise 85 per cent of the population and the BJP instils in them fear of the remaining 15 per cent so that they remain beholden to the party", said Mr Yadav.
Lalu Yadav, who had promised 10 lakh jobs to the state's youth, which helped him catch the public imagination in the 2020 assembly polls and propelled the RJD to the position of the single largest party, also told the House that the government was planning to provide employment to 1.6 lakh people in the health department itself.
"I am grateful to the Honourable Chief Minister who is present here and has fully supported me in fulfilling the promise of 10 lakh jobs. He has personally presided over a function where appointment letters were given to more than 10,000 recruits in the health department", the Deputy Chief Minister added.
He, however, made it clear that the government will not tolerate laxity on part of employees and pointed out that "action has been initiated against 700 doctors who have been absent from duty for long. In one cabinet meeting, termination orders were passed for 70 of such erratic officials".
He also disclosed that plans were afoot for an "emergency cadre" to ensure that patients do not suffer during unforeseen circumstances like strikes. In addition, a new "referral policy" was shaping up to put a check on the practice of doctors in other districts referring patients to Patna at the drop of a hat.
"We are also trying to put in place conditions wherein more and more medical facilities become available in various districts. This would further de-congest the hospitals in the state capital," said Lalu Yadav.
He also said that the government was sensitive to the fact that a large number of employees in the health department were women for the benefit of whom sanitary pad vending machines were being installed at hospitals.
"We are also considering a proposal to make these vending machines available to women admitted to the health centres," said the young leader.
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2nd Anti-Submarine Warfare Craft Launched In Kolkata
The second anti-submarine warfare shallow water craft (ASW SWC) named INS Androth was launched at Garden Reach Ship Builders in Kolkata
It is used to protect the coastal low draft region wherever they are deployed. The first one Arnala was launched last year.
The primary role of the ASW SWC is to conduct anti-submarine operations in coastal waters, Low Intensity Maritime Operations (LIMO) and mine laying operations. These ships are also capable of full-scale sub surface surveillance of coastal waters and various surface platforms and coordinated ASW operations with aircraft.
The INS Androth highlighted the strategic importance of the chain of 36 islands in the Arabian Sea that are integral part of Indian territory.
These ships are 77.6 meters long and 10.5 meters wide and require a draught of only 2.7 metres. Propelled by three diesel-driven water jets, these ships can attain a maximum speed of 25 knots.
These ships may be smaller in size but will pack a lethal punch. They will carry lightweight torpedoes, ASW rockets and mines, close-in weapon system (30 mm gun) and 16.7 mm stabilised remote-controlled guns. The ASW SWC will be fitted with hull mounted sonar and a low frequency variable depth sonar.
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Video: Madhya Pradesh Man Charged For Performing Car Stunts On Busy Road
An offence has been registered against a 23-year-old man for allegedly endangering lives by performing a drifting stunt in an expensive car on a busy road in Madhya Pradesh's Indore, police said on Monday. The video of the stunt, which was performed recently, has gone viral on social media.
लापरवाहीपूर्वक एवं खतरनाक तरीके से कार ड्रिफ्टिंग कर, आम जनमानस का जीवन संकट में डालने वाले का वीडियो एक जिम्मेदार नागरिक ने एडिशनल, सीपी यातायात प्रबंधन को भेजा था। उसके बाद आपराधिक प्रकरण पंजीबद्ध। @CMMadhyaPradesh @mohdept@DGP_MP @MPPoliceDeptt @CP_INDORE @IPSMaheshCJain pic.twitter.com/fd9HmRaean
— DCP Traffic Indore (@DcptrafficInd) March 20, 2023
In the video, the car driver is seen performing a dangerous "drifting" stunt at night on a busy road in the Lasudia area.
The stunt involves driving a car at a high speed in a circular manner at a particular spot.
A case has been registered against the car driver under section 279 (rash driving on a public way) of the Indian Penal Code and relevant provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act, sub-inspector of traffic police Kazim Hussain Rizvi said.
The expensive car used in the stunt has been seized, he said.
A video of the stunt was sent to the traffic police on Sunday, following which a probe was initiated, the official said.
Acting on the traffic police's letter, the transport department has suspended the accused man's license for three months, he said.
"The manner in which the accused was performing a car-drifting stunt on a busy road could have resulted in a fatal accident. It could have not only put the driver's life in danger, but also endangered the lives of other people," 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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UP Woman's Rape Planned By Her Father, Stepmother; 2 Arrested: Cops
A woman was allegedly raped by her father's friend and the crime was orchestrated by her father and stepmother in Uttar Pradesh, police said on Monday. The accused father and his friend Rashid have been arrested while the stepmother is missing, they said.
The woman, in her complaint, alleged that her father called his friend to their home on March 13 and her stepmother locked her and Rashid inside a room and he raped her, SP (Rural) Sagar Jain told PTI.
The victim, who is married, said her father and stepmother threatened to kill her if she told anyone about the incident, he said.
The woman alleged that even before her marriage, Rashid had raped her several times in the knowledge of her parents, Jain said.
An FIR has been registered and efforts are on to arrest the missing stepmother, the SP said.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
