No objection in making driver approver in Sheena murder case: CBI to court

The CBI told a special court in Mumbai that it does not have any objection in making key accused Indrani Mukerjea’s former driver Shyamvar Rai an approver in the sensational Sheena Bora murder case.

“We have filed our reply and have said that we don’t have any objection in making Rai an approver provided that he reveals all the truth in connection with the case,” said a CBI official.

Special CBI prosecutor Kavita Patil, on May 17, had sought more time to file its reply on the desire expressed by Rai to turn approver in the case. Special Judge HS Majahan had then adjourned the case until June 6.

Earlier, on May 11, Rai sought to turn approver, saying he wants to “disclose all truths” as he had taken part in Sheena’s killing by strangulation and was present at the time of the murder in 2012.

Recording his statement before a special CBI court then, Rai said he was under “no pressure, threat or coercion” to reveal the facts in the case and was “repentant” about his act.

The development came after Rai wrote a two-page letter to the court last month seeking pardon in the case while stating that he wants to tell all.

Rai was the first accused to be arrested in the case in August 2015.

The killing came to light after Rai was picked up in connection with an arms case and later spilled the beans.

Rai last year had recorded his confessional statement before the magistrate under the provisions of section 164, which unlike the police statement, is admissible in the trial.

Indrani, her former husband Sanjeev Khanna and Rai allegedly strangled Sheena (24), Indrani’s daughter from an earlier relationship, inside a car in April 2012. Her body was found in a forest in Raigad. The crime, which came to light in August last year, is allegedly linked to certain financial dealings.

The trio were arrested in August last year while Indrani’s husband and former media baron Peter Mukerjea was arrested in November. According to CBI, Peter was part of the murder conspiracy.

While Peter (59) and Khanna are lodged in Arthur Road prison, Indrani (43) is in Byculla womens’ jail.

Source: http://www.hindustantimes.com

Dadri lynchying: Mohammad Akhlaq's village put on high alert

The administration and police in Greater Noida in Uttar Pradesh has been put in a state of high alert as a 'panchayat' has been called on Monday afternoon in Bisahada village, an official said.

This is the village where a Muslim named Mohammad Akhlaq was lynched on 28 September last year on the charge that he and his family consumed cow's meat.

A government forensic lab in Mathura said in its report released last week that the meat in question was of "cow or its progeny".
Family of Mohammad Akhlaq. Getty images

Family of Mohammad Akhlaq. Getty images

The report has revived the controversy over the legal and moral issues surrounding the lynching.

An official, however, informed IANS that the accused would be produced before a fast-track court on Monday where charges would be fixed on them. A juvenile has already been granted bail by the high court.

The jawans of the Uttar Pradesh Provincial Armed Constabulary have been patrolling the village since Sunday evening.

Security has been increased following announcement by some Hindu frontal organisations — Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), Rashtrawadi Pratap Sena, Goraksha Dal and Hindu Yuva Vahini — that they will participate in the panchayat, said officials.

Residents of Bishada village, including the kin of the accused in the September 2015 Akhlaq lynching case, on Sunday, met the Gautam Budh Nagar SSP to press their demand for registration of an FIR against Akhlaq's family after a forensic report stated that the meat found in his house was that of "cow or its progeny".

Source: http://www.firstpost.com

Live: Sensex closes 66 points lower, Nifty holds 8,200 ahead of RBI policy

Indian shares decline as investors have paused a day before the central bank’s decision on policy rates and with a number of global risk events scheduled for later this month, including a US Federal Reserve meeting and the “Brexit” referendum.

The S&P BSE Sensex closes 0.24%, or 65.58 points, lower at 26,777.45, while the Nifty closes 0.24%, or 19.75 points, lower at 8,201.05 points.

3:05pm: Indian shares are trading lower as investors have paused a day before the central bank’s decision on policy rates and with a number of global risk events scheduled for later this month, including a US Federal Reserve meeting and the “Brexit” referendum.

The S&P BSE Sensex is trading 0.33%, or 89.80 points, lower at 26,753.23, while the Nifty 50 is down 0.34%, or 28.10 points, at 8,192.70.

2:00pm: BSE Sensex is now trading lower by 24.60 points, or 0.09%, to 26,818.43, while the Nifty falls 7.80 points, or 0.09%, to 8,213.00.

1:50pm: Thyrocare Technologies Ltd falls 3% to Rs.611. The Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD) has alleged that Thyrocare, which is one of the leading diagsnostic centres in Mumbai, is involved in encouraging cut practice among doctors. The association has written a letter to the Maharashtra Medical Council (MMC) asking it to look into the matter and take action.

1:30pm: UB Group stocks jump on the back of higher volumes. United Breweries Holdings Ltd jumps 12% to Rs.22.50, McDowell Holdings Ltd rises 17% to Rs.27.40

1:10pm: Sugar stocks are trading higher. Shree Renuka Sugars Ltd rises 2.3%, EID Parry India Ltd rises 2.4%, Bajaj Hindusthan Sugar Ltd rises 3.6%, Balrampur Chini Mills Ltd rises 3.1%, Dhampur Sugar Mills Ltd 2.6%, Triveni Engineering and Industries Ltd 3.1%, Sakthi Sugars Ltd rises 5.8% and Mawana Sugars Ltd 10%.

Source: http://www.livemint.com

Sushil Kumar vs Narsingh Yadav: No winners, only survivors in HC battle

The court battle is finally over. Unless Sushil Kumar decides to appeal in the Supreme Court, Narsingh Yadav will be India's sole 74-kg wrestling representative at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.

The biggest mistake Sushil and his camp made, however, was initiating the legal process in the first place. A dharna at Jantar Mantar, yards away from the offices of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), would have been a better choice. I am sure that, with hindsight, Sushil and his supporters would also be thinking on these lines.
Narsingh Yadav (right) will go to Rio at the expense of Sushil Kumar (left)

Narsingh Yadav (right) will go to Rio at the expense of Sushil Kumar (left)

Besides being a top-class athlete, Sushil, as his name literally suggests, is a gentleman. He must have thought this through 10 times before going to the Delhi High Court. But then, his father-in-law Satpal, a former wrestler himself, may have pressured him to do so. Raj Singh was another one. A disgruntled vice-president of WFI, Raj Singh had filed an affidavit in court demanding a trial.

Had he sat on a dharna at Jantar Mantar, or for that matter, any other place, Sushil would have garnered a lot of support from political leaders as well. Once the matter went to court, no one came out openly in his support. It is no secret that Sushil has a massive following in political circles, even among the ruling party's leaders. But no one uttered a word in his support once the HC started hearing the case.

Narsingh has already lost a lot of precious time — both mentally and physically. Now that the legal battle is over, he can concentrate on training. He will now be under tremendous pressure to perform. After all the drama, he will be the one Indian participant from whom the entire country would expect an Olympic medal. And he knows it well. He will be seen as the one who kept out Sushil Kumar, a two-time Olympic medal winner. Having done so, if he fails to deliver, everyone will hit out  at him, especially his detractors from Sushil Kumar's camp. Sushil knows what it takes to be an Olympic medal winner. But others would not spare him so easily.

Source: http://www.firstpost.com/

Modi-Obama friendship 'unlikely', says New York Times as PM flies to US

As US President Barack Obama gets ready to host Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the White House for the second time in as many years, a New York Times report describes the bond between the two as an "unlikely friendship".

"There are few relationships between Obama and another world leader more unlikely than the one he has with Modi," The New York Times said ahead of what will be the seventh meeting between Modi and the US president.

COMMON CAUSE

The report said the two largest democracies in the world have "compelling reasons" to find common cause. For example, the US is encouraging India's rise as a regional giant for Obama's so-called "pivot to Asia" policy and counter China's global economic and military superpower ambitions.

For India, the US bond, according to the Times, is needed to "accelerate its economy with an injection of investment from American companies". But the relationship between Modi and Obama is still "unlikely".

The Times said Obama has made the protection of minorities a central pillar of his life because he believes that "criticism and dissent are core tenets of democracy".

"But Modi, by contrast, spent much of his life rising through the ranks of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, a right-wing paramilitary organisation that campaigns forcefully for India's Hindu majority," it said, recalling the Gujarat religious riots that saw some 1,000 people, most of them Muslims, killed in 2002 when Modi was the chief minister of the western Indian state.

Source: http://indiatoday.intoday.in

What is stopping Aishwarya Rai Bachchan from wearing 'a white shirt and jeans' at Cannes?

It has been 15 years at Cannes for Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. And almost every outing, and outfit, has made news — good, bad and ugly.

This year, it was her purple pout that created a stir.

Starting with a gold cape dress, she followed it with a red number designed by Naeem Khan. During the premiere of Sarabjit, Aishwarya took her Rami Kadi ensemble to an edgier level by sporting a lavender lip. 16 May was indeed a busy day for Twitter, what with assembly polls and Aishwarya's choice of lipstick.

The former beauty queen describes fashion as "art". Which it is. In its purest self, it's an expression of individualism and creativity. But fashion on the red carpet isn't art; it's business. The Guardian writes that Cannes' screenings are by invitation and the official dress code is explained to guests: men should show up in black tie-black shoes, and women in elegant dresses with smart footwear.

Perhaps, that's what stopping Aishwarya. And other celebrities. That the fact that they might represent a brand (Aishwarya is the brand ambassador for L'oreal Paris). Or they might represent various jewellery businesses and fashion designers, who will have the satisfaction of seeing their creations on the red carpet. Aishwarya, this Cannes season, sported looks by four different designers.

How much is the red carpet business worth? A report by The Cut estimates that a red carpet day rate for a celebrity stylist is anywhere between $1,500 and $10,000. It details in neat mathematics, a breakdown of Charlize Theron's 2012 Golden Globes outfit. Another report, by New York Magazine, details the appearance fee for different celebrities. While Business Insider confirmed that jewellery designers, shoe designers and even tampon companies pay the celebrities who endorse their products. It is all about the money.

Source: www.firstpost.com

Saudi Arabia denounces Iran over decision to not send Hajj pilgrims this year

Saudi Arabia has denounced Iran over its decision not to send its pilgrims to the annual Hajj and has also criticised Tehran's demand regarding right to organise demonstrations during the Hajj and to have privileges.

Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir said this in a joint press briefing with his British counterpart Philip Hammond in Jeddah yesterday.

He termed the Tehran's demand as unacceptable as it would cause chaos during the annual event.

Jubeir said, Saudi Arabia annually signs a hajj memorandum of understanding with more than 70 countries to guarantee the security and safety of pilgrims.

However, Iran this year refused to sign the memorandum.

Earlier, Iran's Haj and Pilgrimage Organisation announced that the country's pilgrims would not attend pilgrimage.

Iran has blamed regional rival Saudi Arabia for sabotage and failing to guarantee the safety of its pilgrims. Relations between the two countries plummeted after hundreds of Iranians died in a crush during last year's Hajj.

Earlier, Iran had boycotted the Hajj for three years after 402 pilgrims, mostly Iranians, died in clashes with Saudi security forces in an anti-US and anti-Israel rally in Mecca in 1987.

Source: http://zeenews.india.com