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Lawyer Practising at Supreme Court of India. Court Experience: Criminal, Civil & PIL (related to Property, Tax, Custom & Duties, MVAC, insurance, I.P.R., Copyrights & Trademarks, Partnerships, Labour Disputes, etc.) Socio-Legal: Child Rights, Mid Day Meal Programme, Sarva Shiksha Abhiyaan, Women Rights, Against Female Foeticide, P.R.Is, Bonded Labour, Child labour, Child marriage, Domestic violence, Legal Literacy, HIV/AIDS, etc. Worked for Legal Aid/Advise/Awareness/Training/Empowerment/Interventions/Training & Sensitisation.

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Thursday, December 18, 2008

LEGAL NEWS 18.12.2008

RAILWAY PANTRY SERVICES CHARGING EXORBITANT RATES
http://arvindadvocatesupremecourt.blogspot.com/2008/12/railway-pantry-services-charging.html
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
The contractors charge more than prescribed rates. Please be alert. Ask for bill and immediately complain to the concerned authorities. I have noticed that this corruption is very pertinent in almost all trains. Even passengers are to be blamed partly as they do not ask for menu card and the cash memo.
The highest cheating goes on in vegetarian meal in Thali that costs Rs. 22 and is charged around Rs. 40 from passengers. The vegetarian meal in casserole costs Rs.30 (with 300ml mineral water) but it is charged Rs. 45 from innocent passengers. The full list of items with costs is given below

(The rates are subject to change from time to time. They may be verified through the Train Conductor/Catering Manager)
Sl.No Item Static (Rs.) Mobile (Rs.)
Sl.No
Item
Static (Rs.)
Mobile (Rs.)
1
Chicken curry 260gms per plate (100gms chicken pieces and 160gms gravy)
32.00
34.00
2
Mutton curry 225gms per plate (85gms mutton and 140gms gravy)
24.00
26.00
3
Mutton Roganjosh 275gms per plate (125gms mutton and 150gms gravy)
32.00
34.00
4
Mutton cutlets (2 pieces) 160gms. per plate
23.00
25.00
5
Fried Fish with Chips 135gms per plate (100 gms fish and 35gms fried chips)
22.00
23.00
6
Egg curry 240gms per plate(2 eggs and 150gms gravy)
14.00
15.00
7
Omelette (2 eggs) per plate
10.00
12.00
8
Fried Egg (2 eggs) per plate
10.00
10.00
9
Poached Egg with one slice (2 eggs per plate
12.00
13.00
10
Matter Paneer 200gms per plate
20.00
20.00
11
Boiled Rice (Basmati) 450gms per plate
10.00
11.00
12
Allo Matar/Chole 225gms per plate
12.00
13.00
13
Veg. Pulao/Biryani 450gms per plate
18.00
20.00
14
Cornflakes with Milk 235gms per plate
10.00
11.00
15
Fruit Salad with cream 110gms per plate (Fruit Salad 100gms and 10gms Cream)
13.00
14.00
16
Jam/Marmalade 25gms per portion
3.00
3.00
17
Butter chiplet (10gms)
3.00
3.00
18
Bread Slice (large pieces)
2.00
2.00
19
Sharbat 250ml per glass
5.00
6.00
20
Squash 250ml per glass
6.00
6.00
21
Kheer (Rice/Semeye) 140gms per plate
10.00
11.00
22
Green salad 150gms per plate
10.00
10.00
23
Boiled Egg (2 No)
8.00
8.00
24
Custard Plain 140 gms per plate
8.00
8.00
25
Vegetable Cutlet 2 pcs 150gms per plate
10.00
12.00
26
Idli with Sambhar (220gms) (100gms idli & 120gms sambar)
8.00
8.00
27
Sada Vada with Sambhar (150gms) (50gms Vada & 100gms sambar)
8.00
8.00
28
Masala vada with Sambhar (180gms) (60gms vada & 120gms sambar)
8.00
8.00
29
Masala dosa with Sambhar (250gms) (70gms dosa, 80gms masala with 100gms sambar)
12.00
12.00
30
Plain dosa with Sambhar (70gms dosa & 100gms sambar)
10.00
10.00
31
Soup with bread slice (1 piece) 150ml.
10.00
10.00
32
Roast chicken with boiled vegetable 350gms per plate (100gms chicken and 250gms boiled veg)
45.00
45.00
33
Roast mutton with boiled vegetable 350gms per plate (100gms mutton and 250gms boiled veg)
45.00
45.00
34
Shami kabab (2 pcs) 50gms each
20.00
20.00
35
Dry veg 165gms per plate
14.00
14.00
36
Expresso Coffee
6.00
6.00
37
Boiled veg 200gms per plate
10.00
10.00
38
Chapati 25gms each
1.00
1.00
39
Dal 165gms per plate
7.00
7.00
40
Finger Chips 100gms
10.00
10.00
41
Jodhpur Kachori 100gms
7.00
7.00
42
Parantha 50gms each
2.00
2.00
43
Rajma Curry 200gms per plate
8.00
8.00
44
Curd plain 100gms per plate
4.00
4.00
45
Shikanjivi 250ml per glass
5.00
5.00
46
Roomali Roti 50gms each
2.00
2.00
47
Veg. Burger (50gms veg.Tikka)
10.00
10.00
48
Non Veg. Burger (65gms non veg.Tikka)
15.00
15.00
49
Paneer Pakora 120gms (4 pcs per plate)
15.00
15.00
50
Bread slice(small)
1.00
1.00
51
Vegetable S/wich (2 pcs)
10.00
10.00
52
Palak Paneer
15.00
15.00
53
Stuffed Parantha
5.00
5.00
54
Frooti (Tetra pack)
As per MRP
As per MRP
55
Tea in disposable cup 150 ml with tea bag in 170 ml cup
4.00
4.00
56
Roasted Papad
2.00
2.00
57
Cold Drink
As per MRP
As per MRP
58
Dal kachori 30gms (1 pc)
4.00
6.00
59
Ice cream of short listed brands
As per MRP
As per MRP
60
Kulche Chole (2 pcs)/100gms
8.00
10.00
61
Biscuit
As per MRP
As per MRP
62
Potato Chips (pkt)
As per MRP
As per MRP
63
Namkeens (pkt)
As per MRP
As per MRP
64
Glass of milk (200ml)
5.00
6.00
65
Milk Badam (200ml)
8.00
10.00
66
Aloo Bonda (2 no.) / 40gms each
6.00
6.00
67
Gulab Jamun (40gms each)
4.50
5.00
68
Maggi Noodles (100gms)
10.00
10.00
69
Lassi Salt /Sweet (200ml.)
6.00
8.00
70
Bread pakora 2 slice (100gms)
9.00
10.00
71
Dahi Vada (2 no. 150gms)
10.00
12.00
72
Mineral water of short listed brand
10.00
10.00

Revised Tariff for standard meals, breakfast, tea/coffee etc. at stations effective from 1-06-2003
Revised Tariff for standard meals, breakfast, tea/coffee etc. on trains effective from 1-06-2003
1.
Standard Tea 150 ml Readymade 170 ml cup (disposable cup.)
3.00
1.
Standard Tea 150 ml Readymade in 170 ml cup (disposable cup.)
3.00
2.
Tea with tea bag- 150ml in disposable cup (170 ml) including tea dispensed through AVM (Automatic Vending Machine)
4.00
2.
Tea with tea bag- 150ml in disposable cup (170 ml) including tea dispensed through AVM (Automatic Vending Machine)
4.00
3.
Coffee (using instant coffee powder) 150 ml in disposable cup 170 ml capacity including dispensed through AVM
5.00
3.
Coffee (using instant coffee powder) 150 ml in disposable cup 170 ml including dispensed through AVM
5.00
4.
Tea in pots (285ml) + 2 tea bags +2 sugar pouch with 2 disposable cups of 170 ml capacity
5.00
4.
Tea in pots (285ml) + 2 tea bags +2 sugar pouch with 2 disposable cups of 170 ml capacity
5.00
5.
Coffee in pots (285ml) +2 Coffee sachet +2 sugar pouch with 2 disposable cups of 170 ml capacity
7.00
5.
Coffee in pots (285ml)+ 2 Coffee sachet +2 sugar pouch with 2 disposable cups of 170 ml capacity
7.00
6.
Mineral water 1 liter bottle (chilled)
10.00
6.
Mineral water 1 liter bottle (chilled)
10.00
7.
JANTA MEAL (In quality disposable card board boxes)
10.00
Standard Breakfast
Standard Breakfast
7.
Vegetarian
17.00
8.
Vegetarian
17.00
8.
Non-vegetarian
20.00
9.
Non-vegetarian
20.00
Casserole Meals
10.
Meals in Thalis (veg.)
22.00
9.
Standard Vegetarian with packaged drinking water in sealed glass of 300 ml.
30.00
11.
Meals in Thalis (Non-veg.)
27.00
10.
Standard Non-vegetarian with packaged drinking water in sealed glass of 300 ml.
35.00
No separate catering charges are payable by passengers on Shatabdi and Rajdhani Express trains.
Posted by Arvind Gupta Advocate SC at 10:54:00 PM




Allahabad HC allows construction of RCF in Rae Bareli http://www.zeenews.com/states/2008-12-17/491865news.html
Lucknow, Dec 17: The Allahabad High Court on Wednesday permitted the Centre to start construction of Rail Coach Factory (RCF) in RaeBareli, the Lok Sabha constituency of Congress president Sonia Gandhi, a project which had sparked a stand off betweeen the UPA government and Mayawati government in Uttar Pradesh. A division bench comprising justice Pradeepkant and Justice Sabeehul Hashain in Lucknow passed the order on a wirt petion filed by the central government through the Ministry of Railways relating to 189.253 hectare land dispute. The court said "this order has been passed without prejudice, the right of the parties, with respect to their claim in the writ petition as well as with respect to the lease deed, which is being executed under the present order". The court also said in its order that "we are of the view that in view of the arguments between both the governments for establishing of RCF, the petitioners be allowed to raise construction, subject to the exicution of the lease deed as suggested by the chief standing counsel D. K. Upadhyay". The lease deed may be executed by the petitioners subject to further orders which might be passed by the court on the writ petition, the court said. The court observed that if in the case, after execution of lease deed, it is found that some clauses of the lease deed need to be considered or modified, that may also be considered by the court and parties counsel says that whatever directions be issued that may be also complied with as may be possible under law. In October this year, the UP government had cancelled the allotment of the land to the central government which challenged this decision. On October 13, the court passed an interim order to maintain status-quo on the land. Bureau Report




CJI for tough anti-terror laws, legal aid for Qasab
http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/mumbaiterrorstrike/Story.aspx?ID=NEWEN20080076872&type=News
A Vaidyanathan
Wednesday, December 17, 2008 7:45 PM (New Delhi)
On the day the Lok Sabha passed a bill to create a new National Investigation Agency to fight terror, the Chief Justice of India K G Balakrishnan has said that India needs tough anti terror laws like those in America and the UK.Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan did have words of caution though, saying human rights should not be compromised in the process. Justice Balakrishnan also said that he believes every accused including the lone surviving terrorist accused in the Mumbai terror attack, Mohammad Qasab is entitled to legal aid. Otherwise the legal process will be a one-way traffic, the CJI said. In an interview to NDTV, the Chief Justice said, "We should have strong laws. But it should take care of human values providing basic human values to the accused. Strict law is good. I am in favour of it. But how the law should be it is for the Parliament to discuss and deliberate. People of the country should feel safe to live in the country."The Chief Justice said Qasab, the terrorist under custody, should get a lawyer to defend himself.He added, "I don't think he will go undefended. Even for helping the court for a proper trial assistance of a lawyer is required. What is the role he has played will come to light if there is a fair trial. Somebody will have to defend. It shall not be one way traffic."Justice Balakrishnan also said that the police should be better educated, better trained, intelectually vibrant and active. He added that it required training and spending our resources for that.




CJI says Ajmal should get lawyer for ‘fair trial’
http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/CJI-says-Ajmal-should-get-lawyer-for--fair-trial-/399693/
Agencies
Posted: Dec 17, 2008 at 2212 hrs IST
New Delhi Chief Justice of India K G Balakrishnan on Wednesday said Ajmal Amir Kasab, the lone terrorist arrested in the Mumbai attacks, should get a lawyer to defend himself so that ‘there is a fair trial’.
"I don't think he will go undefended. But even for helping the court for a proper trial assistance of a lawyer is required. What is the role he has played will come to light if there is a fair trial. Somebody will have to defend. It shall not be one way traffic," he told a television news channel.
Several lawyer bodies have refused to take up Ajmal's case. The opposition Shiv Sena in Maharashtra too has threatened lawyers against defending him in court.
Balakrishnan also favoured a strong anti-terror law but added that it must also safeguard human rights.
Asked whether he favoured a strong anti-terror law in the country in the wake of the November 26, he said, "Of course we should have strong laws.
""But it should take care of human values providing basic human values to the accused. Strict law is good. I am in favour of it. But how the law should be it is for Parliament to discuss and deliberate. People of the country should feel safe to live in the country," the Chief Justice said.




CJI administers oath of Office to three new judges of SC
http://www.indlawnews.com/newsdisplay.aspx?295d5c06-d6c8-41a8-903b-df6000c79133
12/17/2008
Chief Justice of India K G Balakrishnan administered oath of office to three new judges of the Supreme Court. The new judges are Justices Ashok Kumar Ganguly, Chief Justice of Madras High Court, R M Lodha, Chief Justice of Patna High Court and H L Dattu, Chief Justice of Kerala High Court.With today’s appointment the total strength of the apex court judges has gone up to 25.The Union government had returned the recommendations of CJI for reconsideration, since three senior-most judges have been ignored by the Supreme Court collegium. The CJI, however, reiterated his earlier recommendations and sent the files back to the government for necessary action. Three judges, who have been bypassed are Justices A P Shah of Delhi High Court, A K Patnayak and V K Gupta.UNI





Cuncolim custodial death: HC declines bail to convicts
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Goa/Cuncolim_custodial_death__HC_declines_bail_to_convicts/articleshow/3854040.cms
18 Dec 2008, 0340 hrs IST, TNN
PANAJI: The high court of Bombay at Goa on Wednesday declined to grant bail and suspend the sentence of life imprisonment imposed by a trial court last month against assistant sub-inspector Shripati Dessai and head constable Madhu Dessai in connection with the custodial death of Dattu Dessai at Cuncolim. The division bench comprising justice A P Deshpande and justice N A Britto observed that that there must be exceptional circumstances and reasons must be given for suspending the sentence. Considering the gravity of offence, the severity of punishment and the evidence produced, there are no exceptional circumstances in this case for suspending the sentence and granting bail to the two accused, the court held while rejecting the applications. Senior advocate Surendra Dessai, appearing for Madhu Dessai, argued that the case is based on circumstantial evidence and even the injuries on the deceased show that they were on the lower part of the body and were not grievous and there was no intention to murder. There is no specific finding given against the accused and so the sentence could be kept on hold as an appeal is pending, he stated. Shripati's counsel, senior advocate Saresh Lotlikar, submitted that the case in hand is not of custodial death as the deceased was not arrested. The accused did not misuse his liberty while on bail and presently he has retired, therefore he may be released on bail with conditions as deemed fit, he stated. Public prosecutor Winnie Coutinho pointed out that since the accused were on bail during trial, they are not entitled for suspension of sentence and release on bail. "There has to be careful consideration of the relevant aspects. The order directing suspension of sentence and grant of bail should not be passed as a matter of routine," she pointed out. It may be recalled that the body of the deceased, who was handicapped, was found hanging on a tree near the Cuncolim police station on June 29, 2001. The police had claimed that Dattu had escaped from the police lock-up and later committed suicide. However, the prosecution alleged that police had assaulted him in the lock-up leading to his death.





Vizhinjam: SC disagrees to stay HC verdict
http://keralaonline.com/news/vizhinjam-sc-disagrees-stay-hc-verdict_13245.html
Thiruvananthapuram, Wednesday 17 December 2008: The Supreme Court today disagreed to impose a stay on the Kerala High Court verdict stopping temporarily the work on the Vizhinjam Container Transhipment Terminal.
The state government approached the Supreme Court pointing out that stopping the work would badly affect the developmental works of the state.




Vizhinjam: Govt. to move SC says, Minister
http://keralaonline.com/news/vizhinjam-govt-move-sc-minister_12322.html
Thiruvananthapuram, Thursday, December 11, 2008: Kerala Ports Minister M Vijayakumar said the Government will move appeal before Supreme Court against the High Court decision to stall the development of the proposed Rs.53.48 billion port at Vizhinjam
The bench headed by Chief Justice H L Dattu had asked a committee to look into the tender quotation given by Mumbai-based Zoom Developers, whose bid was not considered by the government citing technical objections.
The firm had petitioned a single member bench of the court a few months ago. After looking into the petition and the reply given by the state government, the judge then quashed the petition.
Following this, the firm approached the division bench and has now got a favourable verdict.
The court has directed the committee to look into the proposal of the firm within 15 days. Till then, no work will be undertaken at the port, which is being developed by a consortium headed by Hyderabad-based Lanco Kondapalli Power Private Ltd, Malaysia-based Pembinaan Redzai Sdn. Bhd. and Lanco Infrastructure Limited.
This is the second time that an attempt to build the Vizhinjam port is being undertaken. During the previous Oommen Chandy government (2004-06), after selecting a consortium of two Chinese and a Mumbai firm through a global tender, the central government had at the last moment decided not to give its sanction citing security reasons.
At that time, the contract was won by a consortium led by Zoom Developers.
A major advantage of Vizhinjam port is that it needs no dredging. The natural depth is 24 meters, one of the deepest in the world.
Another advantage is that the proposed port lies very close to a busy international shipping route. It is to be built on an area of 150 acres and there will be no displacement of local fishermen. The port will be able to handle 4.10 million containers annually.
The port, once ready, would create 5,000 direct jobs and 150,000 indirect jobs.




HC stays verdict in Asna case
http://keralaonline.com/news/hc-stays-verdict-asna-case_9922.html
Kochi, Thursday 20 November 2008: The Kerala High Court suspended the sentence awarded to 13 BJP-RSS workers in the Ashna murder attempt case.
Justice R. Basant, while suspending the sentence, ordered that they be released on bail on their executing a bond for Rs.1 lakh each with two solvent sureties for the like sum. The court passed the order on an appeal filed against the verdict of the Thalassery Additional District and Sessions Court convicting them and awarding them varying years of imprisonments.
The fifth accused, Naroth Ramachandran, was sentenced to 10 years’ rigorous imprisonment while the other accused were awarded five-year jail terms. The appeal said prosecution evidence was not sufficient to connect the accused with the offence alleged against them. The prosecution had not placed the real facts before the sessions court.




HC relief for offenders in chapter cases
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Mumbai/HC_relief_for_offenders_in_chapter_cases/articleshow/3853907.cms
18 Dec 2008, 0428 hrs IST, TNN
MUMBAI: Coming to the aid of offenders in chapter proceedings cases languishing in jails, the Bombay high court ordered the jail authorities to produce such persons before courts. A division bench of Justices F I Rebello and R S Mohite passed the orders after being informed that such offenders are left to languish in jail after they fail to come up with a bond. Under chapter proceedings, a person is asked to give a bond, if they are found guilty of breach of peace or related minor offences. The court was told that in Pune's Yerawada jail, out of 68 inmates booked for bailable offences, 42 are lodged under chapter proceedings. As per the Criminal procedure Code, chapter proceedings have to be terminated after six months. The court has asked the state to produce all such offenders before the magistrate's court for appropriate orders within seven days. A magistrate has the power to discharge offenders who cannot come up with the bond. The state has also told the court that henceforth all parole and furlough applications will be decided within a specified time frame.




Rights panel can probe cop's role, says HC
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Kolkata_/Rights_panel_can_probe_cops_role_says_HC/articleshow/3854109.cms
18 Dec 2008, 0207 hrs IST, TNN
KOLKATA: Calcutta High Court on Wednesday allowed the West Bengal Human Rights Commission (WBHRC) to proceed with its probe on whether IPS officer Gyanwant Singh tried to break up the marriage between Rizwanur Rahman and Priyanka Todi, while he was the deputy commissioner (detective department) of Kolkata Police. But the commission may not pass an order in the matter till HC takes a final decision on Singh's appeal. WBHRC initiated a suo motu inquiry into the matter after allegations that Priyanka and Rizwanur were summoned to the police headquarters at Lalbazar thrice. It was also alleged that Singh had intimidated Rizwanur into sending Priyanka to her father's house. The senior police officer was summoned by the Commission and was to appear before it on December 11. Singh preferred an appeal before the high court, however. On December 12, during an ex-parte hearing, the high court did away with Singh's personal appearance before the WBHRC. He can be represented by a lawyer. When the matter came up for hearing before Justice Dipankar Datta on Wednesday, Singh's counsel Partha Sarathi Sengupta submitted that the matter was sub judice and thereby beyond the purview of the WBHRC. Only in extraordinary cases, can the Commission summon someone even when the matter is sub judice. Singh had challenged Justice Datta's August 14 order in which the state government was allowed to initiate departmental proceedings against him. "The extraordinary circumstance has to be determined purely on legal terms on not on how much media glare a case attracts. The WBHRC has not made it clear how this case is extraordinary," Sengupta submitted. Barrister Jayanta Mitra appeared on behalf of WBHRC and submitted that an insinuation had been made against Singh. "He will only have to explain whether as a police officer, he has the right to intervene in a marriage between two consenting adults," Mitra said. After hearing both sides, Justice Datta directed that proceedings may continue before the Commission but no order may be passed. Both the WBHRC and Singh were directed to file affidavits. The matter will come up for hearing before the high court again four weeks after vacation.




Justice Prasad acting CJ of Patna HC
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/Patna/Justice_Prasad_acting_CJ_of_Patna_HC/articleshow/3853635.cms
18 Dec 2008, 0234 hrs IST, TNN
PATNA: Justice Chandramauli Kumar Prasad has been appointed the acting Chief Justice of Patna High Court for the second time. A notification to this effect issued by the President reached the high court on Wednesday. On Tuesday, the Chief Justice of Patna High Court R M Lodha had left for Delhi for his elevation as a Supreme Court judge. Earlier this year too, Justice Prasad had been made the acting Chief Justice of Patna High Court on March 5 following retirement of then Chief Justice Rajesh Balia. Justice Prasad remained the acting CJ till May 13 after which Justice R M Lodha assumed charge as the Patna HC CJ.




HC throws out plea by 2 Delhi blasts accused
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Delhi/HC_throws_out_plea_by_2_Delhi_blasts_accused/articleshow/3853546.cms
17 Dec 2008, 2314 hrs IST, TNN
NEW DELHI: Expressing its anguish at the government's inability to ensure security of its citizens, as was highlighted during the Mumbai attacks, Delhi High Court on Wednesday said that more leverage should be given to the police when such cases are being probed. Justice Kailash Gambhir invoked the latest terror strikes at Mumbai to slam the Central government for its lack of preparedness to face terror and secure its citizens. The judge expressed his views while tossing out a petition filed by two accused in recent Delhi blasts who had challenged their custodial interrogation by police beyond 15 days. "More leverage should be given to the police, especially looking into the sensitivity of a case of this nature involving heinous crimes of such a vast magnitude and enormity...any interference at this stage by court would result in creating bottlenecks in the way of the investigation which ultimately obliterates the probe,'' HC noted, refusing to grant any relief to Mohammed Shakeel and Zeeshan Ahmed, alleged terrorists arrested in connection with the Delhi blasts. The court reflected the public concern over security after Mumbai attacks and said that citizens have a fundamental right to enjoy terror-free life. "Right to Life would include right to live with human dignity and the said right will be negatory if the citizens of the country live under the constant fear of violence and terrorism,''the court observed. It further said: "There has been utter failure on the part of governments right from the first terrorist attack in Mumbai in the year 1993 to protect its citizens from the ruthless and barbaric attacks at the hands of mindless terrorists.'' "Our country did not woke-up even after these militants attempted an outrageous attack in the year 2001 on our Parliament....it is the obligation and foremost duty of a government not only to preserve the rights of the citizens but also to ensure that the people live without any fear,'' the judge added. The court hoped: "There would be no further mistakes and the country will act tough and completely gear-up to have mechanisms in place to effectively combat the menace of terrorism.'' "Every citizen of the country recently felt disgusted, distresses and concern when finding totally unmatched and ill-equipped police officers in their khaki uniform fighting with the well-equipped and well-laced terrorist in the recent Mumbai attacks,'' the judge remarked, saying the cops must be immediately equipped with the most modern weaponry.




HC seeks status of riot relief disbursement
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Ahmedabad/HC_seeks_status_of_riot_relief_disbursement/articleshow/3853779.cms
18 Dec 2008, 0042 hrs IST, TNN
Ahmedabad : While a couple of litigations seeking compensation for riot victims are pending before Gujarat High Court, one more PIL was moved by a member of the special monitoring committee set up by NHRC on Wednesday. The member, Gagan Sethi of Centre for Social Justice (CSJ), has claimed that the Centre on September 11, 2007 announced a revised relief package for victims of 2002 communal violence and wrote a letter to the state government on September 20, intimating it of providing ex-gratia towards relief and rehabilitation of the riot affected people. On September 24, the state government last made a resolution for disbursement of the amount among the affected, a list of whom is with the state. But, Sethi and his team conducted a survey to find that many victims, who suffered loss of life and properties worth crore of rupees, losing their residential, commercial and industrial properties, had not received this compensation. Acting on the PIL filed through advocate Amit Panchal, a division Bench of Chief Justice KS Radhakrishnan and Justice Akil Kureshi directed the government pleader to apprise the court on present status of disbursement of revised package. The court has also asked the petitioner to serve a copy of the petition to the Union government. Further hearing in the case is on December 30. Sethi, along with Antarik Visthapit Hakk-Rakshak Samiti, conducted extensive studies and collected data regarding riot victims. They submitted a list of riot victims who have not received any relief to the government, requesting to release the amount, but when nothing happened, Sethi filed the PIL. In all, 1,169 lost their lives and 2,548 people were injured in the rioting that continued for over three months. What petitioner seeks - Children/family members of those who died will be given preference in recruitment in para-military forces, IR battalions, state police forces, public sector undertakings and other state and central government departments by giving necessary age relaxations. - Central government/ state government may launch a special recruitment drive to accommodate eligible members from riot affected families. - Those who had lost their jobs will be allowed to rejoin by treating the period of absence as "dies-non". - Those who had to leave their jobs due to riots and have already crossed the age of superannuation may be given necessary pensionary benefits by relaxing the normal rules to the extent possible.



Explain underutilisation of workers' fund: HC to govt
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Ahmedabad/Explain_underutilisation_of_workers_fund_HC_to_govt_/articleshow/3853750.cms
18 Dec 2008, 0008 hrs IST, TNN
Ahmedabad : Gujarat High Court has issued notices to state government, labour commissioner and social justice and empowerment department along with officials concerned asking them to explain why funds raised to educate kids of construction workers and ensure social security to workers in unorganised sectors, have not been utilised. Acting in response to a PIL filed by Bruhad Ahmedabad Adivasi Bhil Shikshit Yuvak Mitra Mandal through advocate Vanraj Parghi, a division bench of Chief Justice KS Radhakrishnan and Justice Akil Kureshi has asked for reasons why Construction Workers' (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 1996, has still not been implemented in Gujarat even after 12 years of enactment. The petitioner said the Act has provisions to levy 1 per cent cess on land developers and to spend the money on education of workers' children, their family's health and shelter as well as safety. However, 12 lakh workers labour without getting basic benefits they are entitled to. Parghi argued that Gujarat had constituted a board as per provisions of the Act in 2004. "More than Rs 100 crore have been raised, and more than this amount is still outstanding against big industrial houses. We have sought court's direction to use this amount for the welfare of workers and their families, who are mainly tribals," the lawyer said. Further hearing on this matter is scheduled on December 29.




No live coverage of terror attacks
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/No_live_coverage_of_terror_attacks/articleshow/3858219.cms
18 Dec 2008, 1910 hrs IST, IANS
NEW DELHI: No live reporting of hostage crises, avoiding live contact with victims, withholding sensitive information on rescue operations - these were some of the guidelines unveiled by India's News Broadcasters Association on Thursday in the wake of the Mumbai terror attack. ( Watch ) The self-regulation guidelines for telecast of sensitive events come after media coverage of the 60-hour terror strike in Mumbai saw scathing criticism from the public and the government, which even threatened to impose an emergency protocol. Although the broadcasters' body had started formulating such guidelines much before the 26/11 attack, leading broadcasters were forced to quicken the process after the event. The guidelines include a self-imposed restraint by broadcasters not to disclose details of hostages and withholding sensitive information on rescue operations. The broadcasters have also been asked to avoid live contact with victims and with security personnel engaged in security operations. The guidelines also urge broadcasters to exercise their judgment by not airing details of identity and number of hostages and refrain from reporting or commentary that gives the impression of sympathizing with terrorists. Unveiling the guidelines at a news conference, former Chief Justice J S Verma asked the powerful to exercise restraint. "The judiciary and the media have become powerful organs. Once you become powerful, you must know your limits," Verma, who heads the News Broadcasting Standards Disputes Redressal Authority, said. "Self-regulation is a requirement which everyone who has considerable power must exercise. Nobody likes to be told what to do," Verma told reporters while explaining the rationale for self-regulation guidelines. The guidelines were finalised Wednesday and are aimed at ensuring that the reporting of sensitive situations like the Mumbai attacks does not jeopardise the security of the nation and is not offensive to public taste. The guidelines, also referred to as "emergency protocol" in media circles, are similar to the advisories issued to TV channels by the information and broadcasting ministry during and after the Mumbai terror attacks.





CBI takes up investigations of Assam serial blasts
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/CBI_takes_up_investigations_of_Assam_serial_blasts_/articleshow/3858180.cms
18 Dec 2008, 1855 hrs IST, PTI
NEW DELHI: The CBI on Thursday took over probe into the October 30 serial blasts in Assam after the state government-constituted Special Investigation Team failed to bring any clues. CBI sources said a notification was issued by the Centre after the state government requested for a probe by the agency to go into the details of the case. Chief minister Tarun Gogoi agreed to suggestions made by various political parties for a CBI probe into the blasts that left 84 people dead and over 400 injured. The suggestions were made during an all-party meeting held under the chairmanship of Gogoi to discuss the situation arising out of the blasts. The SIT, which was constituted immediately after the blasts, had arrested 11 people but could not make any headway in its probe to unravel the conspiracy behind the attack. The Assam government decided for the CBI probe as the investigations were likely to spread to some neighbouring countries including Bangladesh. Central security agencies believe that ULFA with the help of banned Harkat-ul-Jehadi Islamia were responsible behind the audacious attack.




Govt to introduce biometric passport system by 2010
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/Govt_to_introduce_biometric_passport_system_by_2010/articleshow/3856365.cms
18 Dec 2008, 1254 hrs IST, PTI
NEW DELHI: With a view to checking human trafficking, the Government plans to introduce biometric passport system that will include finger-printing, by 2010, external affairs minister Pranab Mukherjee said. "We have decided to introduce biometric passport system. We intend to complete the entire process by 2010," he said replying to supplementaries during the Question Hour in Rajya Sabha. Stating that there was a nexus of recruiting agencies and employers in human trafficking, Mukherjee added that Indian workers fall for the lure of more money and resort to illegal migration and end up being harassed and exploited. "Our policy is whenever the nationality (of the worker detained by a foreign country for illegal migration) is identified, we bring them back," he said. Many illegal migrants destroy their passport and other identity proof on landing on the foreign soil, making it difficult to ascertain their nationality and stay on using liberal immigration rules. He, however, categorically stated that India was not sending any "terrorist" to foreign countries using the human trafficking network. "These (people going illegally from India to foreign land) are civilians, job seekers... we are not sending any terrorist or infiltrators into any country." Government, he said, adopts a multi-pronged approach to combat trafficking, which encompasses prevention through stronger law enforcement, rescue and rehabilitation of victims including through repatriation of those confirmed to be Indian nationals.




Single judges to hear writs on revenue, service matters
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/Single_judges_to_hear_writs_on_revenue_service_matters/articleshow/3854547.cms
18 Dec 2008, 0336 hrs IST, Vishal Sharma, TNN
CHANDIGARH: Come January and the Punjab and Haryana high court will "discontinue" the practice of division benches hearing writ petitions except in matters of utmost importance. The decision, taken in a `full court' meeting of judges on Tuesday evening, aims at reducing the backlog of around 2.5 lakh cases pending in the court. "The division benches would only hear petitions touching upon serious Constitutional, public interest, tender, letters patent appeal, CAT and some kinds of election matters. All other types of writs, including revenue and service matters, would be heard by single judges," a top high court source revealed. The amended high court rules, as decided by the `full court', will go a long way in fast tracking a huge chunk of pending cases relating to service and revenue matters. Given the peculiar context of Punjab and Haryana, land acquisition and compensation issues form a majority of cases coming to the court. A few days ago, chief justice Tirath Singh Thakur had told TOI: "Despite being only 48 in number, the judges are giving their best and have not slackened a bit in pursuit of speedy litigation. Many novel and innovative steps have been taken and more are in the pipeline." The court has only 48 judges against the sanctioned strength of 68. The six recommendations made by the previous chief justice were returned by the Supreme Court for "fresh consideration".




Jallianwala massacre included in national movement
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/Jallianwala_massacre_included_in_national_movement/articleshow/3854536.cms
18 Dec 2008, 0332 hrs IST, Neel Kamal, TNN
MALERKOTLA: Yielding to a long standing demand of granting freedom fighter status to martyrs of the Kuka movement and Jallianwala Bagh massacre, the Centre has now formally made them part of the national freedom movement. The Union ministry of home affairs' communique to the principal secretary, Punjab, sent on December 13, states: "Respecting the sentiments of Punjab government ... (ministry) is pleased to accord freedom fighter status to the martyrs of Kuka movement of 1872 and that of Jallianwala Bagh in 1919." It goes on to add that "these massacres have been formally included in (the national) freedom movement" and the martyrs covered under Swatantra Sainik Samman Pension Scheme. Their kin would now be entitled to benefits. The British had killed 66 Kukas, who marked the first major reaction of the people in Punjab to the new political order initiated after 1849, at Malerkotla. Amongst those who queued up to face the canons was a young kid too small in size to be tied to the machine's mouth and blown off. Asked to fall back, the minor had perched himself on a fellow freedom fighter's shoulders and faced the fire. Likewise, at Jallianwala Bagh, many innocent lives had been lost when Gen Dyer had ordered his troops to open fire on an unarmed and peaceful gathering. Welcoming the move, eminent historian and author Malwinderjit Singh Waraich claimed, "Justice has finally been done to the long forgotten martyrs." Terming it as "a moment of great pride for the sect," Kuka martyrs memorial trust vice-chairman Surinder Singh Namdhari added: "We are eternally grateful to both the governments. In fact, it would be a moment of double delight when the prime minister unveils the portrait of Satguru Ram Singh, the Namdhari leader who started the freedom movement in 1857."






Kasab to be tried in special court to ensure speedy trial
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/Kasab_to_be_tried_in_special_court_to_ensure_speedy_trial/articleshow/3853539.cms
17 Dec 2008, 2237 hrs IST, IANS
NAGPUR: Mohammed Ajmal Amir alias Kasab, the lone terrorist captured during the Mumbai mayhem, will be tried in a special court to ensure a speedy trial, the Maharashtra government said on Wednesday. It appointed Ujjwal Nikam - who fought the 1993 Mumbai bombings case - as special public prosecutor for this case. State Home Minister Jayant Patil told the legislature meeting in winter session in this second capital of the state that Mumbai Police would file a charge sheet against Amir within the stipulated 60-day period. Amir was caught alive and has been in police custody, while nine of his associates were killed during the 60-hour terror attacks that left at least 170 other people dead. Nikam attained fame for successfully leading and guiding for over 13 years the state case in the March 12, 1993, Mumbai serial bomb explosions. The trial ended in 2007 with several important convictions, including that of Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt. Patil also announced that the state police would soon acquire a helicopter and 36 high-speed boats to beef up security on the state's 760-km long coastline. The terrorists involved in the 26/11 attacks came from Karachi and reached south Mumbai undetected from the Arabian Sea. The home minister said the defunct state Intelligence Bureau (IB) will be revived and 25 vacant posts in it will be filled soon. Patil's announcements came during his reply to a house debate of on Tuesday on the Mumbai terror attacks. Unveiling an action plan to strengthen Mumbai's security in the wake of the latest terror strike, Patil said the best of weapons, technology and know-how available anywhere in the world will be brought in to guard against any future attack with hundred percent success. "I have already talked to the Chicago police in this respect and expert teams have already been sent to some other countries to study their security set-up," he said. A State Security Guard will soon be constituted on the lines of the National Security Guard (NSG) - the central force that led the operation against the terrorists - and 25 new posts of officers in the intelligence apparatus will be filled within two months, followed by 65 more in the shortest possible time after that, Patil added. "In order to save time, the recruitment process will be kept out of the purview of the Maharashtra Public Service Commission," he said. While speed boats with aluminium cladding and MP-5 guns are some of the new items in the shopping list of weapons and other things in the security apparatus, creation of 23 check-posts along the coastline is a part of the security beef-up plan. The 26/11 terrorists had taken a sea route from Karachi to Mumbai, crossing the coastline from near the Gateway of India, baring its porosity. The state government's defence against the criticism on this score was that a distance of only four nautical miles is within its sole jurisdiction and another eight nautical miles in tandem with customs, the distance further deep inside the sea being the responsibility of the Coast Guard and the navy. Clarifying the home minister's reply, Chief Minister Ashok Chavan said an amount of Rs 1.27 billion has already been sanctioned for purchase of weapons and equipment and that the money will be spent before March 31, 2009. Responding to a vociferous opposition demand for action against Maharashtra Director General of Police Anomy Roy and Mumbai Police Commissioner Hasan Ghafoor for alleged dereliction of duty in the face of the terror strike, Chavan said a high-level inquiry would be carried out to fix the responsibility for the security lapses and the guilty would be punished. Do Kasab's statements ring true? Would you buy them, given the fact that his cronies are gone and there's none to corroborate them?




I was offered money to keep mum: Accident witness
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/Jaipur_accident_witness_offered_money/articleshow/3853388.cms
18 Dec 2008, 0420 hrs IST, Rao Jaswant Singh & Nitesh Kumar Sharma, TNN
JAIPUR: The main witness in Monday night's hit-and-run case, Abhimanyu Swami, has alleged that the step-grandson of Rajmata Gayatri Devi and main accused, Vijit Singh, offered him money for not reporting the matter to the police. Swami on Wednesday also alleged that when he refused the offer, Singh threatened him. On Monday night, Vijit Singh was arrested after the Volkswagen Touareg V6 TDI he was driving hit a group of students at Gandhi Nagar. A girl student from Kota, Babita Chaudhary (20), was killed on the spot, while four injured were rushed to the SMS hospital. Recalling the incident, Swami told TOI: "I was driving back home from my friend's house in my Ford Fiesta, when I heard a thud near Gandhi Nagar turn around 10.45pm. When I turned back, I was shocked to find that a girl was hit by a speeding car and she was thrown about 10 feet in the air before falling flat on the road.'' Swami said he chased the luxury car and overtook it near a glass factory on Tonk Road. He slowed down his car in front of the Volkswagen and waved the driver to stop, but he hit his car from behind and sped away towards Tonk Road. This didn't stop Swami from chasing the car. He again followed the car and drove side by side but the Volkswagen again hit his car. "I chased him up to his house at Maharani Farm in Durgapura area and at the same time also informed the police,'' he said. Swami said he stopped his car in front of Singh's house and confronted him. "Do you know whom you are meddling with? This was the first question that Singh shot at me,'' alleged Swami and said Singh offered him cash and asked him to keep silent. Swami, who had already informed the police, said the police arrived within 15 minutes and took Singh along with his car to Jhalana Doongri police chowki. The police registered two cases against Singh for causing death and intentionally hitting Swami's car in order to escape from the scene. Singh says he was drunk Vijit Singh told the police that he was drunk on Monday night at the time of the accident. Police officer Dilip Sharma said Singh said he was returning from Hotel Rambagh Palace when a group of students suddenly appeared in front of his car. He lost control of the car leading to the accident, he said. Police took main witness Abhimanyu Swami to the accident spot on Wednesday and recorded his statement.




HC turns down Todi's bail plea
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/Kolkata_HC_rejects_Todis_bail_plea/articleshow/3853437.cms
18 Dec 2008, 0200 hrs IST, TNN
KOLKATA: The Calcutta High Court on Wednesday turned down the bail plea of industrialist Ashok Todi, the main accused in the death of computer graphics designer Rizwanur Rahman. Justice D P Sengupta turned down the plea of Todi, who is in custody, on the grounds that there was a possibility of tampering with evidence. He observed that Todi was an influential person and had used the police in breaking the marriage of Rizwanur with Priyanka (Todi's daughter). Meanwhile, the 14th metropolitan magistrate court, Alipore, transferred the case to the city sessions court for trial. All the accused in the case will now have to appear before the city sessions chief judge on December 23 when the date of trial will be given. Todi is not entitled to get relief under provisions of CrPC, as there is sufficient material in the case diary which implicates him for comitting offences punishiable under Section 306 of IPC for abetment to suicide, the judge said. The only saving grace for Todi is that he has already obtained a stay from the Supreme Court against the trial. "We will ask for the trial to begin in the case of others. They haven't got a stay,'' said CBI lawyer Soumen Ghosh. On December 8, a division bench of Justice Amit Talukdar and Justice P S Banerjee referred the case to a third bench after Justice Banerjee did not agree with Justice Talukdar's decision to grant bail. The matter was then asigned to Justice Sengupta who accepted Justice Banerjee's view and refused to grant bail to Todi. Ashok's younger brother and co-accused Pradip Todi, who'd moved Supreme Court for bail and was asked to appeal before the high court, moved his bail plea. The case came up for hearing before the division bench of Justice Amit Talukdar and Justice P S Banerjee, who declined to hear the matter on personal grounds. Now, the Chief Justice will assign hearing of the matter to another bench. All the accused police officers - Ajoy Kumar, Sukanti Chakraborty, Krishnendu Das - and Anil Saraogi, Ashok Todi's cousin, arrived at the court of the 14th metropolitan magistrate Madhumita Roy on Wednesday. All the four are on bail. Ashok Todi and his brother Pradip Todi too were brought from the Presidency jail. The last to appear was the other accused social worker S M Mohiuddin alias Pappu. After last Friday's violence inside the court premises when supporters of the accused clashed with reporters, cameramen and lawyers, the police kept outsiders away.




Tribunal started working from Feb 2006
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/Tribunal_started_working_from_Feb_2006_/articleshow/3853705.cms
18 Dec 2008, 0010 hrs IST, TNN
Bangalore: The Supreme Court on Wednesday directed the Centre that the term of the Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal should begin from 2006 and not 2004. This observation has come as a relief for Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra, which have filed petitions before the tribunal on issues related to sharing surplus water. Although the tribunal was formed on April 2, 2004, it started functioning from February 1, 2006. The delay was caused by lack of infrastructure for the tribunal. Many felt the Centre would take the initial two years into account before winding up the tribunal. A bench of justices B N Agarwal, G S Singhvi and Lodha directed the Centre to recognize February 2006 as the starting date of the tribunal. Supreme Court advocate Brijesh Kalappa, who is representing Karnataka before the tribunal, said the order has made the tribunal safe from functus osfficio (bereft of power) as a vacuumn would have been created then.





Divorce Cases Head For Lok Adalat For Cheaper Solutions
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/Divorce_Cases_Head_For_Lok_Adalat_For_Cheaper_Solutions/articleshow/3854154.cms
18 Dec 2008, 0208 hrs IST, Supriya Bhardwaj, TNN
CHANDIGARH: The global financial meltdown is promising to thaw the iciness that prevails between city's estranged couples in a strictly monetary sense. Usually, individuals seek high alimony from their spouses, but the recession has made the situation a bit different. The season of pink slips is making many couples zero in on the pocket-friendly method of taking their legal battles to the mega Lok Adalat to be held on December 20 and 21. Advocate Munish Dewan, who will be contesting three divorce cases at the adalat, said, "Courts usually decide that the maintenance amount be half of the husband's salary. But during the Lok Adalat, there is a possibility of compromises leading to lower alimony. This factor is driving more people to take their cases to mega Lok Adalat." He added, "The current recession means that jobs are not very stable. This is the reason couples may go for the Lok Adalat in hope of some leniency coming their way due to the economic situation." Sources said 300 couples had decided to get their cases settled during the upcoming adalat. Court officials said there were around 700 cases under the Hindu Marriage Act pending in district courts. With lawyers' fees skyrocketing, people are keen to get their marital disputes, including divorce cases, alimony petitions, custodial battles and conjugal rights cases to the mega Lok Adalat for amicable settlements. Legal experts said spouses tended to seek extremely high divorce settlement amounts in courts. They added most of the divorce cases involved individuals working for information technology sector, engineering or government. District Bar Association president NK Nanda said, "Divorce cases are increasing and so is alimony amount being sought. I have three cases wherein the the opposite parties have demanded more than Rs 25 lakh for out-of-court settlement. Such cases can be settled in Lok Adalat." Recession coziness A couple involved in a divorce case decided to reunite after the court of additional district and session judge SK Aggarwal succeeded in making them reach a compromise on Wednesday. The reason cited by the wife, aged 32, while filing for divorce two years ago was that her hotelier husband's business was failing and he was not able to provide for her. That, however, did not seem to be a problem on Wednesday even as the economic recession continues.




Panel recommends dropping of Goa varsity
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/Panel_recommends_dropping_of_Goa_varsity/articleshow/3854690.cms
18 Dec 2008, 0408 hrs IST
PANAJI/NEW DELHI: Recommending the deletion of Goa University from the list of universities to be centralized under the central universities bill, 2008, the standing committee of the ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) submitted its report to the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday. In its report, the parliamentary panel stated, "in the light of views expressed before the committee and representations received from various sections of society, the committee is of the opinion that the provision relating to upgrade of Goa University into a central university be dropped at this stage." However, the committee found substance in both sides of the arguments and said that "efforts may, however, be made to evaluate the situation with a holistic and balanced approach to ensure that Goa does not remain the only state without a central university". Saying that the committee deliberated at length on the issue, the report says, "The committee observes that divergent views have emerged mainly due to clause 6(2) which specifically provides that admission of students will be on all India basis." It was pointed out to the committee that on centralization, local students who failed to obtain seats in the stream of their choice would, in the absence of any other university in the state, have to go to neighbouring states for higher studies. This would nullify the objectives of providing additional access and competitive ambience through a central university. The other view put forth before the committee was that on centralization, Goa University would find a solution for its resource crunch, the faculty shortage as also the declining number of local students. The report says that "the members of the committee unanimously agreed that the views of the people of Goa need to be respected." Rajya Sabha member from Goa, Shataram Naik said that before the amended bill comes up for consideration and passing in the Lok Sabha where it was introduced, it will have to go to the cabinet for the approval of the amendment. In other suggestions, the panel pointed out that two important branches of learning — law and agriculture — did not find place in the bill. It recommended that they be included among the subjects to be taught. However, the panel found fault with a particular provision that allows the central government to issue directions and call for information from universities. The standing committee told the HRD ministry that existing central universities acts do not have such a provision. "With such power, the autonomy of a university is bound to be adversely affected. In the absence of valid justification for having such a provision, the committee recommends deletion of the clause 32(1) of the bill," it said. The committee also said that instead of the central government, the appointment of the first chancellor, the first vice-chancellor, the first registrar and the first finance officer should be made by the visitor on the recommendations of search committees comprising eminent persons constituted by the visitor. The panel suggested bringing down the tenure of chancellor and vice-chancellor from five to three years and of the registrar and finance officer from three to two years. The bill is likely to be taken up in parliament on December 22 or 23, 2008 failing which it may be taken up during the budget session.




Cops goof up name of 2nd accused in NFL case
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/Cops_goof_up_name_of_2nd_accused_in_NFL_case/articleshow/3853736.cms
18 Dec 2008, 0201 hrs IST, TNN
HYDERABAD: What's in a name, one might ask. But not many know that the person who was arrested along with K Satyanarayana Raju is in fact the chief executive officer of Maytas Infra, which is in the eye of a storm over an acquisition-and-back off drama along with Maytas Properties by Satyam group of companies. K S Raju and the second person arrested were both directors of Nagarjuna Finance Limited, and were arrested by the city police on Monday on fraud and other charges. The police gave the name of the second accused as Pundi Krishna Swamy Mahadevan, while in fact, the Maytas Infra website lists his name as P K Madhav, CEO. When asked as to why the police gave a misleading name instead of the actual one, the DCP (detective) told TOI on Wednesday evening that "It was a typing mistake committed by a constable," and hastened to add that the same had now been corrected on the city police website. A perusal of the website, however, showed the arrested person's name as `P K S Mahadeva.' The name game by the police is lending credence to allegations that the police are trying to protect the scandal-ridden Maytas from further bad publicity.





Cops probe role of make-up man in Bhargavi's murder
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/Cops_probe_role_of_make-up_man_in_Bhargavis_murder/articleshow/3853729.cms
18 Dec 2008, 0159 hrs IST, TNN
HYDERABAD: Police suspect Bhargavi's make-up assistant might have tipped off Praveen Kumar about the actor's movements in the city.
According to sources, Venkat, 19, had been working as a personal make-up assistant for Bhargavi for some time, and Praveen was in touch with him. "The call logs of the cell phones of both Bhargavi and Praveen show calls were either made to or received from Venkat's mobile on Tuesday morning," a police officer told TOI. Since the time they noticed Venkat's mobile number in both the mobile phones of Bhargavi and Praveen, the police have been trying to contact him on his cell phone. "It has been switched off. We suspect that he absconded due to fear," the officer said. After attending a film shoot in Palakollu, Bhargavi reached the city on Monday for a scheduled shoot here. Police suspect that Venkat, after calling Bhargavi, might have passed on the information about her being alone in the city to Praveen Kumar. Police said that they had information that Praveen Kumar purchased the dagger in Nellore and boarded a bus to Hyderabad at around 8 pm on Monday night. After reaching the city in the wee hours of Tuesday, he contacted Venkat again. Ramesh, the driver who went to pick up Bhargavi, told the police that Venkat came to the car and kept the make-up kit inside the vehicle. "After that, he told Ramesh that he would be back in a minute after buying cigarettes. But Venkat did not return after that. We suspect that Venkat might have brought the make-up kit from Bhargavi's house," an investigating officer said. The contact address given by Venkat in the application form submitted for a mobile connection is in Chittoor. But the police said Venkat had been staying in the city for sometime now. Police are trying to contact the film and television crew members with whom Bhargavi had worked to trace the whereabouts of Venkat. Meanwhile, the doctors, who performed post-mortem on the actor at the Gandhi Hospital, told the police that she died due to stabbing. "One of her lungs was punctured and heart also suffered stab injury. Doctors said that the two injuries caused her death," deputy commissioner of police (DCP) (west zone) C Ravi Verma said. The suicide note found in the trousers of Praveen Kumar will be sent to the Andhra Pradesh Forensic Science Laboratories (APFSL) for handwriting confirmation. For the samples of Praveen's handwriting, police are in touch with his family members in Nellore. The bodies of Bhargavi and Praveen were handed over to the family members on Wednesday afternoon.




Police looking into bigamy complaint against Goa minister
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/Police_looking_into_bigamy_complaint_against_Goa_minister/articleshow/3858243.cms
18 Dec 2008, 1918 hrs IST, IANS
PANAJI: The Goa Police is looking into a complaint of bigamy filed against a cabinet minister in the Goa government, a spokesperson said. Deputy Superintendent of Police Umesh Gaonkar said the complaint of bigamy filed by Sara Pacheco against her alleged husband Tourism Minister Francisco alias Mickky Pacheco had been sent to the prosecution department for a legal opinion. The bigamy complaint was filed by Sara Pacheco on Mickky Pacheco's birthday Dec 12. The police took cognizance of the case after the matter was reported in the media. "We have sent the complaint to the director of prosecution. We will act after we receive a legal opinion on it, as both the complainant and the minister have not been living together for nearly four years now," Gaonkar said. Sara Pacheco had lodged her complaint before the police as well as the block development officer (BDO), who is empowered as a protection officer under the Domestic Violence Act. In her complaint Sara Pacheco claimed that she was married to Mickky Pacheco April 10, 1999 and the marriage was duly registered with the Margao sub registrar. "My husband who was very good to me and was deeply in love with me, suddenly changed after he got elected as a legislator and became minister in 2002. It is at this time that he began to stray and chase other women and accused me of being fat and ugly," the complaint reads, adding that she was forced to quit the house in 2004, "practically only with the dress I was wearing". "I am now left penniless while my minister husband Mickky Pacheco is enjoying the wealth that belongs jointly to both of us. He has now married Viola Rosaline Fernandes and has three children through her," the complaint alleges. When contacted, the tourism minister Mickky Pacheco refuted the charges. "Bigamy occurs only when you are married twice. I am married only once," was his only refrain. Pacheco Pacheco said that he was willing to depose before any authority if required.




To Find Out Irregularities In Land-Related Projects
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/To_Find_Out_Irregularities_In_Land-Related_Projects/articleshow/3853976.cms
18 Dec 2008, 0420 hrs IST, Prakash Bhandari, TNN
JAIPUR: Heaps of files relating to various cases under 90 (b) of the Land Revenue Act, change of land use (CLU), mine allotments and excise-related contracts with liquor manufacturing companies and house allotments have started accumulating in the chief minister's office. Chief minister Ashok Gehlot after assuming power had asked the chief secretary D C Samant to ask officials at various levels to send files related to 90 (b), and other such cases of shady deals effected by the Vasundhara Raje government. After the files have been reviewed, Gehlot wants to know as to who were the people responsible for the act. "As a practice, each government after assuming power asks for records of last six months of the previous government. The basic idea is to know as to whether any illegal regularizations, out of way clearances or allotments were made flouting all the rules and norms. There are more than 10,000 cases of 90 (b) and change of land use (CLU) which were cleared by the previous government, not only in Jaipur Development Authority, but through various district collectors, Urban Improvement Trust (UIT), municipal councils etc. In the 10,000 cases of 90 (b) the share of the JDA is only 15-20%. Thus after studying the files it is to be established whether such clearances were according to rules or whether it was done arbitrarily. Moreover if the new government finds that in some cases where irregularities were committed by the previous government and total compliance is still pending, then the new government often stops the process as a precautionary measure," said a senior official of chief minister office (CMO). All the collectors, Urban Improvement Trusts, municipal councils and JDA are eligible to issue 90 (b) orders. But more important than the 90 (b) process is change of land use (CLU). The CLU clearance is given only by the department of urban development and the urban development minister himself takes decision on the CLU files. During the BJP reign, JDA and the Jaipur district collector cleared a large number of cases in 247 villages adjoining Jaipur, these cases were related to 90 (b). Similarly the collectors of Udaipur, Alwar, Kota and Bhiwadi Urban Improvement Trust also cleared 90 (b) related cases. A number of hotels that came up in Udaipur were built only after CLU given by the UDH department. There are four dozen cases of CLU that were granted for various lands located in Neemrana and Bhiwadi, in favour of Delhi-based builders and colonizers. In Kota and Udaipur, two major township projects were cleared, while in Bhilwara 1 lakh sq mt of land was given CLU. This land belongs to a textile company. Studying the files and finding out how rules and norms were flouted is a mammoth job and is likely to take a few months.




38 Bengal kids rescued from Orissa
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/38_Bengal_kids_rescued_from_Orissa/articleshow/3854114.cms
18 Dec 2008, 0211 hrs IST, TNN
BHUBANESWAR: Government Railway Police (GRP) rescued 38 children
, all seven to 17 years of age, from a train while they were being shipped off to Kozhikode in Kerala on Tuesday. They were stopped at the Mancheswar station in the fringes of the city. On Tuesday, some passengers of the Muzaffarpur-Yeshwantpur Express alerted police at Bhubaneswar station, suspecting it to be a case of child trafficking. Later, GRP rescued the children, all Muslims, from Mancheswar station. The kids have been kept at Childline, a shelter. Nine persons escorting the kids, have been arrested and booked under Sections 342, 365 and 34 IPC. They claimed to belong to Malda and said they were taking the children to Kozhikode to admit them to a madarsa. They couldn't provide any document to support their claims though. "We will trace the kid's parents and send them back. We have forwarded all the arrested to court," said B D Rout, OC of GRP (Bhubaneswar).



26 Illegal tanneries shut down
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/26_Illegal_tanneries_shut_down/articleshow/3854112.cms
18 Dec 2008, 0209 hrs IST, TNN
KOLKATA: Twenty-six illegal tanneries have been shut in Tiljala, Topsia and Tangra after the three-day drive by Kolkata and South 24-Parganas police to execute a High Court order issued a week ago to close down illegal tanneries. The Kolkata and South 24-Parganas police had a list of 14 illegal tanneries. During the drive, police found more illegal tanneries in the area. Out of the 26 units closed so far, 11 were operating and the remaining were already in the process of shifting to other spot. Additional SP (industrial) South 24 Parganas Sunil Chowdhury said they did not face any resistance from locals. "Instead, locals cooperated with us in carrying out the drive," he said. However, some Aituc supporters blocked the road from 3 pm to 3.30 pm. The police will continue the drive on Thursday to find whether any more illegal tannery units are still functioning. The West Bengal Pollution Control Board, Kolkata Municipal Corporation, CESC and police jointly carried out the drive. This was the third such drive to close down the illegal tannery units. Previously such drives were undertaken in 2002 and then in 2004.




IRCTC supplied fake brand oil
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/IRCTC_supplied_fake_brand_oil/articleshow/3854365.cms
18 Dec 2008, 0226 hrs IST, TNN
NAGPUR: The discovery of purchase of 300 tins of duplicate soyabean oil worth Rs 2.65 lakh here by local Indian Railway Catering Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) officials has created a flutter. The purchase came to light when Pramod Choudhary, vigilance officer of SK Oil Industry, Jalgaon, came to Nagpur and informed the IRCTC officials that the oil they had bought on quotations was duplicate. He informed the IRCTC that looks after catering on Indian Railway trains, that the Soya Drop brand oil purchased by them had been withdrawn from the market two years ago. A local trader Balaji General Agency, Sitabuldi, had supplied 300 tins of ‘Soya Drop’ oil. Each tin contained 15 litres oil. SK Oil Industry now markets its oil under a new brand name ‘Silver Soya’. Choudhary told TOI, “We received lot of complaints that some local dealers were misusing our brand and supplying oil locally. The label pasted on the tins supplied to IRCTC on Wednesday tallies with our brand details including the phone numbers.” He also showed both the new label and the discontinued one. Sources said each tin was supplied for Rs 877 after deducting Rs 18 towards return of empty tin to the dealer. Interestingly, a source said, other dealers who were asked for quotations were not told about this provision. Otherwise, they were also ready to deduct Rs 22 for each empty tin returned. “This condition was told only to the Balaji Agency by a local IRCTC official in the office purchase committee (OPC),” sources said. That enabled him to be lowest and thus win the order. The supplier was blacklisted some 15 years ago for irregularities, sources said. Speaking to TOI, divisional railway manager (DRM) Ashwani Kumar Kapoor said, “This is disturbing. Although I don’t deal with IRCTC affairs, this has happened at our station and I will write about it to the IRCTC general manager in Mumbai.” The OPC, which cleared the quotation of Balaji Agency, consisted of Vijay Kundle, assistant manager, Mumbai, R B Sawarkar, assistant manager, V V Vyawhare, station officer, and R S Tayde, senior catering inspector (godown), all based in Nagpur. When contacted, Sawarkar shifted the blame on the Mumbai official saying the quotation was cleared by him on September 15. Choudhary says, “The IRCTC officials should have asked Balaji Agency whether it was our authorised dealer. I have told them to seal the stock as it doesn’t belong to us and we will not be responsible for any complaints of adulteration.” The IRCTC officials have decided to stop payment to Balaji Agency. “We may also return the stock,” Sawarkar said. RKB Bajaj, consultant IRCTC, Nagpur, said he was filing an FIR with Government Railway Police, Nagpur Station, in this case.




Condoms in ladies’ wing baffle cops
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/Condoms_in_ladies_wing_baffle_cops/articleshow/3854344.cms
18 Dec 2008, 0224 hrs IST, Soumittra S Bose, TNN
NAGPUR: Ajni police team investigating the death of Dr Meenal Kondhari was baffled to find some condoms at different places in the ladies wing of the hostel. Condoms were also found in the dustbin near the room where Meenal’s body was discovered. The police team, which found a syringe and a needle on the ground beneath the window at the rear of the hostel building, also stumbled upon a used condom at the spot. They initially ignored it, but were baffled when more were found elsewhere. A constable attracted the attention of senior police inspector Sunil Jaiswal towards the finding in the hostel where men are generally not allowed. “We wanted to know from the authorities how the condoms might have got there. But we are not considering it as a part of the investigation as of now as there is no angle of an affair being behind the case so far,” said Jaiswal who is viewing the death prima-facie as a suicide. A MARD office-bearer, however, said that this being a PG residents’ hostel, many inmates were married and were often visited by their spouses. The authorities took a lenient view in such cases, he said.




Illegal liquor coming from Punjab
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/Illegal_liquor_coming_from_Punjab/articleshow/3853755.cms
18 Dec 2008, 0232 hrs IST, TNN
PATNA: The excise department has detected entry of illegal liquor into Bihar from Punjab in the name of transporting it to Arunachal Pradesh. "We have detected at least three such cases in which, illegal liquor is being unloaded in Bihar," said excise commissioner S Vijaylaxmi N. She said the Arunachal-based firm for which the liquor was meant was found to be fake. "We sent an official to Arunachal Pradesh. The excise department of the state has given us in writing that no such firm exists there," she said. "The excise departments of both Punjab and Arunachal Pradesh have been alerted about it," she said. Admitting that the entry of illegal liquor was posing a problem, she said that most of the liquor sold in roadside dhabas was illegal.





'Moral police' put behind bars
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/Moral_police_put_behind_bars/articleshow/3855821.cms
18 Dec 2008, 1128 hrs IST, PTI
PUNE: Two city Constables, who undertook a literal 'moral policing' as a lucrative option, are now cooling their heels in a lock-up here. The duo - Ramdas Gadre and Anand Ayachit - according to police, chased two motor-cycle borne college youths in the small hours of Wednesday in a rickshaw and stopped them when they were passing through Budhwar Peth area, a red light zone. A complaint lodged with police by the youths said the two Constables took them to task for "visiting prostitutes" and demanded money to avoid "action" against them. Since the youths did not have much money with them, the Constables took them to an ATM near Alka cinema house and made them withdraw an amount of Rs 3,000. The scared youths were then let off. Recovering from the midnight shock, the youths filed a complaint at Pharaskhana police station in the morning alleging extortion by the Constables. They were shown photographs of all police staff under the jurisdiction and asked to identify the duo. After the complainants recognised Gadre and Ayachit, police arrested them last night under the offence of extortion. The police authorities conceded that similar complaints were being received from red light areas of the city and asked people to be vigilant and come forward to report without fear. The episode has outraged citizens at a time when police are still groping in the dark in the investigation into the brutal murder of Suresh Alurkar, owner of a landmark music shop, on last Sunday.




Reward for informants who help curb graft
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/3837202.cms
15 Dec 2008, 0930 hrs IST, AGENCIES
THANE: In order to weed out corruption from the state, the Maharashtra government has announced a scheme of awards to the informants. A Government Resolution (GR) issued on November 4, 2008 has said those who give information about the unaccounted property made by government and semi-government officers would be given substantial amount as reward. The resolution states that such a move will help in keeping corruption under check. According to the GR, Rs 2 lakh will be given to those who give information about the disproportionate assets worth above Rs 5 crore owned by public servants. For assets to the tune of Rs 1-5 crore, the reward is Rs 1 lakh. The reward for assets worth Rs 50 lakh-1 crore, Rs 25-50 lakh, and up to Rs 25 lakh is Rs 50,000, Rs 25,000 and Rs 10,000 respectively. The reward will be given keeping full confidentiality in cases where the chargesheets are filed in courts, and in keeping with section 7 of the Anti-corruption Act of 1968. However, the GR instructs the director general of the ACB to not rely completely on the information given by the informers, but to have departmental personnel verify the information and then proceed. The government has also said the informers can be provided protection if required.





Four year old Kerala sex scandal kicks up fresh controversy
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/Four_year_old_Kerala_sex_scandal_kicks_up_fresh_controversy/articleshow/3826498.cms
12 Dec 2008, 0848 hrs IST, IANS
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The death of a teenage girl in a private hospital in Kottayam in 2004, known as the Killiroor sex case, has stirred up fresh controversy in Kerala especially with the name of a state minister getting involved. The Kerala state unit of the All India Democratic Women's Association (AIDWA) on Thursday asked the Chief Justice of India K.G. Balakrishnan, who belongs to Kerala, to inquire into the manner in which the Thiruvananthapuram Chief Judicial Magistrate Phillip Thomas asked the police to file a case against Kerala Health Minister P.K. Sreemathi. On Wednesday, Thomas hearing a petition from N. Nagaraj directed the police to register a case against Sreemathi and two officials in Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan's office over allegedly hiding a file containing information about the case. The six people named to be investigated include Sreemathi, private secretary to Achuthanandan S. Rajendran, political secretary to Achuthanandan K.N. Balagopal, the children of two state ministers and Latha Nair, an accused in the case. Addressing reporters here, office bearers of the state unit of AIDWA said that the central committee of the AIDWA also has taken up this issue. "We wish to find out if the move to include a leader and a minister like Sreemathi along with one of the accused in the case is right," said state AIDWA president T.N.Seema to IANS. Thomas asked the Cantonment Police Station sub inspector to register a case and investigate the missing file in the Killiroor sex case. This issue surfaced after K. Suresh Kumar, an IAS officer and a former official in the office of Achuthanandan, last Sunday told the media that the two officials in the chief minister's office were hiding this sensitive file. Following his outburst, Kumar was suspended Wednesday evening pending inquiry from the post of managing director of a state owned cooperative bank. The Killiroor sex case pertains to the death of teenager Shari who died in mysterious circumstances in a private hospital in Kottayam in 2004. Achuthanandan, who was then leader of the opposition, had said that according to the doctors the victim's health deteriorated after a VIP visited her. Shari's father Surendran later alleged that the VIP who Achuthanandan referred to was Sreemathi. Meanwhile, Surendran is likely to approach the high court to petition against the missing file.




Sad reflection on democracy with appointment of defeated candidates
http://www.punjabnewsline.com/content/view/14437/38/
VERINDER SAREEN
Thursday, 18 December 2008
NAWANSHAHR: Maintaining that appointment of defeated candidates as Chairmen of district Planning Committees was a "sad reflection on democracy and negation of popular mandate", former deputy speaker and senior congress leader Bir Davinder Singh here on Thursday said that he, after consultations with the party, could file a PIL on the issue.

He added that chairmen for such Boards or committees must be the elected representatives of the people."As MLAs are the ex-officio members of such Committees, how could they be made to accept chairmanship of a person whom they have defeated?" he asked. Singh, an aspirant of party ticket for Anandpur Parliamentary constituency, who was in the town in connection with his "jan sampark" programme as part of his preparations for the ensuing Lok Sabha poll, earlier laid out his priorities if the party high command approved his candidature for the seat. These would be, he said, strengthening of basic infrastructure and bringing about the much-needed changes in core sectors like education, health and public distribution system.
He claimed that he had also specific plans for solving the grievances of the NRIs and keeping them intact with their roots in the state. To a question he denied there were three different centres of power in the state congress at the moment. He said that all these so-called power-centres were working under the flag of congress with different responsibilities-Mohinder Singh Kaypee with the responsibility of running the organisation, Rajinder Kaur Bhattal as the leader of party's legislative wing and Capt Amrinder Singh as the chairman of Campaign Committee. To another question,he said he would continue his crusade against corruption and "untruth" prevailing in the society, esp. in the political set up in the country."His desire is that the people should be able to enjoy a vibrant democracy in the country",he maintained. President of district NRI Sabha Kewal Singh Dhillon was also present.



Nano Car Project: Third petition filed in Gujarat High Court
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/News_By_Industry/Auto/Automobiles/Nano_Car_Project_Third_petition_filed_in_Gujarat_High_Court/articleshow/3857739.cms
18 Dec 2008, 1704 hrs IST, PTI
AHMEDABAD: A third petition demanding compensation for land sold by the state government to the Tata for the Nano Car Project was filed in the
Gujarat High Court by the farmers of Bol Village in Sanad taluka here where the manufacturing unit is coming up. A division bench of Chief Justice K S Radhakrishnan and Justice Akil Qureshi today adjourned the hearing on the three similar cases which are being heard simultaneously till January 19, 2009. The court has also asked the government to file a reply to the petitions explaining under what circumstances and on what basis was the land under question was acquired by the government in 1900. State government has recently given 1,100 acres of the land to Tata at Northcout farm in Sanand Taluka to relocate their Nano car project from Singur to Sanand. Two petition filed in the matter includes one by farmers of Khoda village demanding compensation for 865 acre of land and other a public interest litigation (PIL) by Gandhinagar-based Rashtriya Kisan Dal, asking for adequate compensation for the farmers. Eighteen farmers of Bol village have claimed that they are original owners of the 960 acre land which was taken on lease by the government for 99 years from their ancestors during the drought in 1900 for protection of cows of 'Kankreji' breed.







Delhi HC notice to police over rights of delinquent juveniles http://www.zeenews.com/states/2008-12-17/491842news.html
New Delhi, Dec 17: The Delhi High Court on Wednesday sought an explanation from city police on a complaint that they were making juveniles who are in conflict with the law to sign self-incriminating statements during investigation.
Converting a letter written by an NGO into a PIL, a Division Bench of Chief Justice A P Shah and Justice S Muralidhar issued notice to the police and sought a reply by January 7, 2009. Taking suo motu cognisance of the complaint, the Bench asked the Delhi Police counsel to tell the department to stop this practise. The legal officer of NGO, Voluntary Child Rights, in his letter written to Justice Madan B Lakur alleged that the children in the juvenile homes have complained several times to the NGO that the police were forcing some children who were in conflict with the law to make incriminating statement. He alleged in the case of juveniles accused of serious offences, the police were forcibly obtaining their signatures after recording their incriminating statements and attaching the copy of the statement along with the chargesheet. The Division Bench has now fixed January 7 as the date for further hearing of the PIL. Bureau Report



Bid to ban Google Earth fails
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Chennai/Bid_to_ban_Google_Earth_fails/articleshow/3854081.cms
18 Dec 2008, 0246 hrs IST, TNN
CHENNAI: A public interest writ petition to impose "total or partial ban" on Google Earth failed in the Madras High on Wednesday, with the first bench dismissing the PIL filed by a retired police official. The first bench comprising the acting chief justice S J Mukhopadhaya and Justice V Dhanapalan dismissed petition of J Mohanraj, after observing that judges were not experts and the petitioner should move an appropriate forum for remedy. In his submissions, Manikandan, counsel for the petitioner, said Google Earth mapped the terrain of India upto 200 metres in contravention of the National Mapping Policy and the National Security Act. The Ministry of Science and Technology, and the Survey of India are the only two authorities responsible for mapping the country, he said. Noting that many countries have complained about the Google Earth application, he said that pursuant to the controversy the internet company had agreed to "fuzzy and low-resolution or distorted" images of sensitive military and scientific establishments on the web. He said former President APJ Abdul Kalam had expressed an apprehension that Google Earth's imaging would pose a security risk to vital installations in developing countries, which already faced terrorist threats. The judges, however, said that since there were forum created under the TRAI Act 1997, besides the parliament and legislature to take appropriate decisions on national security, it would be desirable to leave the matter to those forums. They shall make an appropriate law in this regard, the bench said and disposed of the petition. (EOM)




HC asks Gujarat govt about status of Union riot relief package http://www.zeenews.com/states/2008-12-17/491792news.html
Ahmedabad, Dec 17: The Gujarat High Court on Wednesday asked state government to provide status report regarding the implementation of Central government's relief package for 2002 riot victims. The decision comes following the hearing of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) demanding implementation of the Central relief package for 2002 riot victims, filed today by Gangan Sethi, member of Special Monitoring Group appointed by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and Yusuf Shaikh, convener of Antarik Visthapit Hakk-Rakshak Samiti and a Vadodara-based NGO working for the rights of riot victims. The division bench of Chief Justice K S Radhakrishnan and Justice Akil Qureshi while admiting the PIL asked the state government to provide status report of the implementation of the Central government's relief package and scheduled the matter for further hearing on December 30. The court further directed the petitioner to give a copy of the PIL to Central government counsel. The PIL says that Gujarat government has failed to disburse the Central government's relief package among the families of over 1,169 victims of post Godhra communal violence. Subsequent to the announcement by the Central government to provide additional ex-gratia towards relief and rehabilitation of victims of 2002 communal riots in Gujarat on September 11, 2007, the Gujarat government had passed a resolution on September 24, 2007 for implementation of the package, it added. Bureau Report



Another PIL against Narayan Rane over terror allegations
http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?sectionName=&id=6e90068f-6025-474f-acba-f3dd3fee9074&MatchID1=4873&TeamID1=1&TeamID2=3&MatchType1=1&SeriesID1=1229&PrimaryID=4873&Headline=Another+PIL+against+Narayan+Rane
Press Trust Of India
Mumbai, December 17, 2008
First Published: 19:43 IST(17/12/2008)
Last Updated: 19:46 IST(17/12/2008)
Another PIL has been filed against Congress leader and former Maharashtra revenue minister Narayan Rane, seeking that he disclose the information about politicians' alleged links with the terrorists.
Rane, who was recently suspended by the party, had alleged in a press conference on December 6 that terrorists who attacked Mumbai last month got "logistical and financial" support from some politicians without revealing any names.
Purushottam Barde, Solapur district president of Shiv Sena, on Wednesday filed PIL in the Bombay High Court, saying that court should direct Rane to reveal more information regarding this.
Also, action should be taken against Rane if the information proved to be false, PIL says.
It also mentions Rane's another allegation that former chief minister Vilasrao Deshmukh had links with a person connected with fugitive gangster Dawood Ibrahim. Rane should be forced to reveal information regarding this too, it says.
Earlier Dr Avisha Kulkarni, a social activist, had filed PIL with identical demands following Rane's allegations.
Both PILs might come up for hearing on Thursday.
Rane, a former Shiv Sena man, fell out with Congress leadership after being denied chief minister's post when Vilasrao Deshmukh resigned.