CBI launched Saradha scam probe

8:22 AM

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West Bengal

June 4: The CBI today launched its probe into the Saradha default scam in Bengal by registering three FIRs against the group.

The central agency has named Saradha chief Sudipta Sen and Trinamul MP Kunal Ghosh, who used to head the group’s media wing, in the FIRs. FIRs have also been lodged against Manoj Nagel, the director of Saradha Realty; Debjani Mukherjee, Saradha’s executive director; Arvind Chauhan, an employee; and Somnath Dutta, the group’s vice-president.

Sen had been arrested from Sonamarg in Jammu and Kashmir in April 2013 while Ghosh, who has been suspended by Trinamul, was picked up on November 23 last year.

Sources said charges of cheating (IPC section 420), criminal breach of trust (405) and criminal conspiracy (120B) had been brought against the six accused. The sources said the CBI would focus on gathering evidence before submitting the chargesheet.

One of the FIRs deals with the role of some regulatory authorities, which the CBI is looking into in connection with the Saradha probe. “Government officials and several politicians will be questioned in due course to unravel the larger nexus and their alleged role in promoting the illegal chit fund racket,” CBI director Ranjit Sinha said today.

The CBI today also lodged 43 FIRs in Odisha in connection with the default by Saradha and other deposit-mobilising companies.

“We have clubbed several similar cases to conduct a probe in a scientific manner,” said a senior member of the special investigating team (SIT) set up by the CBI to probe the Saradha scam.

“Since lakhs of small investors became bankrupt in Bengal, the cases have been registered keeping in mind the larger conspiracy angle of the scam. Details of bank accounts, how Saradha collected deposits in the districts with the promise of high returns and where the money was funnelled are some of our primary concerns,” the officer added.

Source: Telegraph

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Asaram Bapu's Video clip with a girl - Rajasthan police

9:33 AM

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scandal

Jodhpur: In what will bring more trouble for Asaram Bapu, the Rajasthan police have accessed a video clip from the caretaker of the spiritual guru, Shiva’s mobile featuring the controversial godman with a girl, reports said on Friday. 

Asaram Bapu

Earlier, it was reported that Shiva possessed CDs featuring the controversial preacher with his female followers in his dhyan ki kutiya (meditation hut). 

According to reports in Hindi newspapers, Asaram used to make the CDs of him with his female devotees in the hut in order to blackmail them. 

Meanwhile, Additional Advocate General (AAG) Anand Purohit yesterday said that the sexual assault case involving allegations against Asaram was fit for trial in a fast-track court. 

Talking to reporters, Purohit said the prosecution may also consider making one of Asaram's associates, Shiva or Shilpi, a government witness. 

While Shiva, an aide of Asaram's, is in police custody, Shilpi, the warden at the Chhindwara Gurukul where the girl was a student, is still absconding. Jodhpur police said they have established a strong link in connection with the case between and Shiva and Shilpi. 

"Shilpi is a vital link in the investigation... Shiva was the mediator between Shilpi and Asaram," DCP Ajay Pal Lamba told reporters here. 

"It is Shilpi who planned to send the girl to Asaram by convincing her that she was under the spell of evil spirits and only Bapu could save her," the DCP added. 

"Shilpi was in regular touch with the parents of the girl in order to convince them about taking their daughter to either the ashram at Jodhpur or in Ahmedabad," he said. 

There were dozens of calls exchanged between Shilpi, Shiva and the girl's parents from August 13 to 15, the day when the 16-yr-old-girl was allegedly sexually assaulted at Manai ashram by the accused. 

Asaram Bapu, who was arrested for sexually assaulting a 16-year-old girl, is currently lodged in Jodhpur Central Jail after a court on Monday sent him to 14-day judicial custody. 

The minor has alleged that the sexual assault took place August 15 at Asaram's ashram outside Jodhpur city and the complaint was filed by her August 20. The godman has denied the charge. Police, however, claimed they had a water-tight case against him. 

Source : zeenews

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Robert Vadra land deals paralysed Parliament

7:58 PM

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scam news

NEW DELHI: Alleged dubious land deals of Sonia Gandhi's son-in-law Robert Vadra paralysed proceedings in Parliament on Tuesday with Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha witnessing two adjournments following uproar by BJP.

'Congress ka haath, damaad ke saath' (hand of Congress is with the son-in-law) chanted BJP members, seeking to draw the attention on the Vadra issue in the Lok Sabha.

This was met with counter slogans 'Congress ka haath, janata ke saath, garib ke saath' (hand of Congress is with the people and the poor) by ruling party members.

The BJP demanded setting up of a Supreme Court-monitored Special Investigation Team (SIT) to examine Vadra's land deals across Congress-ruled states like Delhi, Haryana and Rajasthan.

"Our demand is that the SIT, which should be a multi-disciplinary authority to examine the alleged violation of the banking law, company law and income-tax law through these land deals, be set up and the probe monitored by the Supreme Court," BJP leader Yashwant Sinha told reporters outside the Parliament.

Taking an obvious dig at Vadra, Yashwant Sinha said, "Though there are several business schools which teach models of making money, there is one highly connected person who did not go to any such school but has given a model where no investment is made but windfall gains of thousands of crores are made."

The Vadra issue dominated both the Houses which saw other issues too, including Telangana with TDP members continuing to storm the Well, wearing shirts with slogan 'Save Andhra Pradesh, Save Democracy'.

Soon after Lok Sabha assembled and obituary references were made, members of various parties were on their feet to raise different issues with the Left targetting Congress on the solar scam in Kerala and some others voicing concern over violence in Kishtwar and other areas in the Jammu region.

The Rajya Sabha also witnessed similar scenes, with the main opposition BJP forcing adjournment of the House till noon on the same issue, minutes after it assembled for the day.

BJP members shouted slogans which were countered by those from Congress.

As the din continued unabated, Chairman Hamid Ansari's remarks whether members wished the House to become a "federation of anarchists" added fuel to the fire.

With BJP members shouting slogans seeking probe and reply from the government on the Vadra issue, members from the treasury benches too were on their feet.

"Every single rule in the rule book, every single etiquette is being violated...If the Hon'ble members wish the House to become a federation of anarchists, then it is a different matter," Ansari remarked, amid strong protests from BJP members. He then adjourned the House till noon.

Uproarious scenes continued after the Upper House reassembled, with Rajiv Pratap Rudy (BJP) asking the Chair for his view on a Zero Hour notice to raise the Vadra issue.

"There is scam that has taken place. It has rocked the nation. It involves somebody very important," Rudy said, with his party MPs rising in support.

Soon Congress members were on their feet raising counter slogans, forcing adjournment of the House again till 2pm.

Lok Sabha witnessed uproar during Question Hour with opposition targeting the government on several issues including violence in Kishtwar, solar scam in Kerala as also the Vadra issue.

Congress members protested against BJP leader Yashwant Sinha's remarks against Vadra, with Sanjay Nirupam walking into the Well to protest against the charge.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kamal Nath and his deputy Rajiv Shukla, both seated in the front row, were on their feet. BJP members countered them from their seats.

With the House in disorder, Speaker Meira Kumar adjourned it till noon. Though there was pandemonium on several matters, the Vadra issue led to its adjournment till noon.

When the House reassembled, the issue dominated with shouts and countershouts among opposition and ruling party members.

Earlier, Yogi Adityanath (BJP), who was asked by the Speaker to speak on violence in Kishtwar, said the government in Jammu and Kashmir has not woken up to the threat posed by separatist forces.

Left parties demanded resignation of Kerala chief minister Oommen Chandy and a judicial inquiry into solar scam.

Congress members joined issue with them and tried to shout them down.

Rajya Sabha earlier witnessed acrimonious exchanges between members of the treasury benches and the BJP, which continued to demand a discussion on Robert Vadra land deals.

BJP members shouted slogans which were countered by those from Congress.

Demanding a discussion on the issue, Deputy leader of BJP Ravi Shankar Prasad said, "It is a case of forgery of bank documents. Allow the issue to be raised."

Deputy Chairman P J Kurien, however disallowed any such discussion saying, "Chairman has not permitted (a discussion). What can I do? I will have to adjourn the House if that is the behaviour. I have no other way."

He told Prasad to go by the rules, saying he being a senior leader also knows that the House runs by rules.

As slogan shouting between BJP members and the treasury benches continued, Kurien asked members to read out their Zero Hour mentions.

Amid the pandemonium, he called the name of BJP member Bhupendra Yadav to make his Zero Hour mention.

Yadav, in his mention, raised the issue of a member of an influential family, triggering uproar by Congress members. This led to adjournment of the House till 2pm.

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Rs 37 lakh fake Indian currency notes smuggled from China

9:01 PM

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scam news

NEW DELHI: Days after a consignment of fake Indian currency notes (FICN) worth\

Rs 37 lakh coming from China was apprehended in Delhi, another consignment of comparable value from the same country has now been seized on the Indo-Nepal border. This is the first time evidence of FICN being routed from China has been found and the development has caused much concern in the security establishment as China was not used as a fake currency channel till now. 

 Agencies suspect that the well-established drug cartels in China and Pakistan spy agency ISI's influence in that country's Xinjiang province are being used to push FICN into India. The development poses a tough challenge as Indian agencies have little network in China to stem this rot.

Based on information provided by Indian intelligence agencies, authorities in Nepal on June 24 arrested one Ranjit Jha from Birganj (a city on the Indo-Nepal border) while receiving a consignment of Rs 30 lakh in fake currency. The notes were hidden in electronic dolls, piano and a cradle imported from Hong Kong.

Sources said the consignment was actually coming from Pakistan and Hong Kong was the transit point from where it landed in Nepal through Thai Airways. It was headed to Motihari in Bihar.

On June 22, Directorate of Revenue Intelligence had similarly apprehended a courier with Rs 30 lakh in fake currency addressed to a Delhi restaurant. The courier had been sent from China's restive Xinjiang province. The development became a cause of concern also because it came close on the heels of three Chinese nationals from the same province being apprehended in Leh area of Jammu & Kashmir while trying to illegally cross over to Pakistan.

While there have been intelligence inputs in the past of Pakistan trying to eke out a new FICN route through China after traditional routes of Dubai, Nepal, Bangladesh, Thailand and Malaysia got exposed, this the first time a consignment from China has been seized.

"China is already a flourishing drug market conduit where Pakistani underworld has considerable influence. In the recent past, we have also seen growing ISI influence in Xinjiang. China has openly talked about elements from Pakistan fomenting terror in this region. Pakistan could very well be using these assets to push FICN into India," said an officer from the security establishment.

National Investigation Agency (NIA), which has a Terror Funding and Fake Currency Cell, has already taken cognizance of the two cases and begun investigations.

However, the worry for Indian agencies is that unlike Nepal, Bangladesh, Dubai and Malaysia — where Indian intelligence agencies have considerable influence — it would be difficult to move China on the issue. "We have conducted operations in the traditional routes and dismantled quite a few cartels in those countries. But it would not be possible in China," said an intelligence officer.

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Underworld don Abu Salem will not return to Portugal

4:09 PM

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scam news

New Delhi: The Supreme Court has ruled that the extradition of underworld don Abu Salem to India is valid. Salem is being tried for his alleged role in serial blasts in Mumbai in 1993 in which 257 people were killed and another 713 injured. 

Salem, 45, was sent by Portugal to  Mumbai in November 2005 along with his then companion, actor Monica Bedi. He is imprisoned at the Arthur Road Jail in Mumbai.

A court in Portugal had ruled that his extradition to India was terminated because of "violation" of deportation rules. Salem had argued that India had reneged on its promise that he would not be tried for any crime that could result in the death penalty.

That has resulted in CBI telling the Supreme Court in Delhi that it is ready to drop charges under the anti-terror TADA law.

The trial against Salem, which had been suspended till the Supreme Court's verdict, can now continue in a court in Mumbai.

Source : ndtv.com

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National debate on controversial suspension of IAS officer Durga

12:20 PM

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scam news

New Delhi: The controversial suspension of young Uttar Pradesh IAS officer Durga Sakthi Nagpal has triggered a major national debate on the "arbitrary and whimsical ways" of an incumbent government and how a system should be in place to restore dignity to the civil service that was once known as the 'steel frame' of governance. 

Eminent, retired and serving bureaucrats have come in full support of the officer, suspended allegedly for demolishing the wall of a local under-construction mosque during Ramzan. 28-year-old Nagpal, a 2010-batch IAS officer of Uttar Pradesh cadre, was suspended on July 27. 

Critics of the Samajwadi Party government in Uttar Pradesh have said the reason for the officer's suspension was not the mosque wall but her tough line against the rampant sand quarrying on the Yamuna river bank. 

They called for reforms of the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) to ensure that upright officers, who do not kowtow to the politicians in power, are not harassed by way of frequent transfers and unreasonable actions including suspensions. 

Former CAG Vinod Rai, who himself recently demitted office after a considerable amount of criticism from the ruling establishment for his reports on various scams, supported Nagpal. 

"Suspension of an officer is a serious issue. It is done when there are grave charges against him or her. She has been denied natural justice as she was not given an opportunity to present her case before being suspended," Rai said. 

He said Nagpal's seniors should have stood by her. "Chief Secretary and Secretary (of the department concerned) should have not succumbed (to any kind of pressure)," said Rai, a former IAS officer who demitted as the chief of country's top auditing body. 

Former Central Vigilance Commissioner (CVC) N Vittal saw political vendetta in Nagpal's suspension and called it as an example of "very unhealthy tradition" established in the country's bureaucracy. 

"It is one more example of very unhealthy tradition we have established since independence. Suspension and transfer have been two ways by which politicians feel they can break bone of civil servants. 

"There should not be arbitrary suspension of any officer. It is a political vendetta," said Vittal, who had served in various key posts as a former IAS officer before becoming head of anti-corruption body. 

He demanded a mechanism to check on such whimsical transfers of bureaucrats. "There should be a procedure of review of transfer by Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) in case of officers serving at Centre. Whereas, State Vigilance Commissions or Lokayuktas should review any such transfer in case an officer is posted in states. Only after confirmation from CVC or Lokayuktas, as the case may be, such suspension should continue," he suggested. 

Vittal said the central government must intervene in the matter. "Durga is a young officer. She should be reinstated immediately," the former CVC said. 

Former Cabinet Secretary T S R Subramanian wondered the way such transfers are taking place in various states across the country. "Transfers in bureaucracy are taking place at the drop of the hat. It is happening across the country, especially in Uttar Pradesh," said Subramanian, a former IAS officer who has served in various key posts. 

He said there are two versions on her transfers in media reports seen by him. One-- she was removed as she tore down a wall of religious structure which according to authorities was a potential cause to have caused communal tension and second, she took on sand mafia which were active in the area. 

"There has been a number of order by Supreme Court saying that any structure coming out on government land illegally has to be removed... As a sub divisional magistrate she was also supposed to check on illegal mining activities which might be on in that area. 

"Going by both the versions, her job was to follow apex court's order (which was to check on unauthorised construction) or do her job of checking on illegal mining activities. Has she been suspended for following her duties?," he asked. 

Subramanian said the state government should not make it a prestige issue and her suspension should be revoked immediately. Serving IAS officer of 1991 batch Ashok Khemka, who was frequently transferred by Haryana administration, termed Nagpal's suspension as a "brazen colourful exercise of power". 

"In my personal opinion it was totally unwarranted. It is a brazen colourful exercise of power. A very very few officers can take such a bold and courageous step to check on any illegal activities. As a young brave officer she has taken a correcting step towards improvement in bureaucracy," he said.

Former IAS officer Dr G Sundaram called Nagpal's transfer as humiliation and an act of discouragement to civil service officers. "She should have not been suspended. It is a humiliation for young officer. If at all she has done something wrong, she could have been transferred," Sundaram told PTI over phone from Chennai. 

Sundaram, who has held various key posts during his tenure in the centre, also said that younger politicians should take a lead in exhibiting integrity in public service. 

Another former IAS officer E A S Sarma said there was a need to bring reforms in the administrative service. "Transfers, suspension and promotions and all other matters must be done by independent agency in a transparent manner without any political vendetta," Sarma told over phone from Vizag.

Her (Nagpal) suspension is wrong. She should be reinstated immediately, he added. Reacting on the matter, Chairman of market regulator Sebi, U K Sinha, has called for a soul searching.

"It does not arouse our collective consciousness if a young officer is suspended for taking action against a group of people who are organised criminals, (who are) stealing natural resources," Sinha said. 

Source : Zee News

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Video - Narinder Bhati claiming Durga transferred in 41 minutes

9:54 PM

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scam news

GREATER NOIDA: SP leader Narinder Bhati has landed in a controversy after a video purportedly showed him as claiming that he had got UP IAS officer Durga Shakti Nagpal, who clamped down on the mining mafia, transferred in "41 minutes".

Narinder Bhati claiming  Durga  transferred in 41 minutes

The claim was made by Bhati while addressing a rally in Gautam Budh Nagar, two days after he denied his involvement in the suspension of the 28-year-old officer.

"I spoke to Mulayam Singh Yadav and Akhilesh Yadav at 10.30am and at 11.11am the suspension order arrived. She behaved so badly and couldn't last for 41 minutes after that. Within 41 minutes, the order came from Lucknow and she was suspended," the video showed him as saying.

Nagpal, a 2010 batch IAS officer, was served the suspension order on July 27 ostensibly for demolishing the wall of a mosque.

Bhati, who is also the UP agro chairman and enjoys minister status, maintained that permission was not taken to build the wall around the place of worship. The wall was built to allow people to offer Ramzan prayers in a clean environment, he said.

Asked about the video clippings, Bhati said, "Media was highlighting a concocted version. I had said that it was a victory of democracy.

"SDM's suspension order was issued by state government," he said.

Slamming the Uttar Pradesh government's decision, BJP leader Nitin Gadkari said the attitude of the state authorities is completely oriented towards vote bank politics.

"They are fanning communal and caste-based sentiments. Harassing a good officer for vote bank politics is improper and that is why the IAS officers association has opposed the move," he said. Former IPS officer Kiran Bedi charged the Samajwadi Party with hiding facts in the SDM suspension case due to vote bank politics.

Asking the IAS officer not to lose patience, she said, "The country needs her. She will be a role model for the nation".

A month ago, Nagpal had lodged an FIR against close aide of Bhati in the sand mining case.

District magistrate Kumar Ravikant Singh in his report to the state government had supported the suspended SDM and said that the wall was demolished by villagers themselves and no JCB machine was put in operation to demolish it.

Bhati had earlier denied his role in her suspension and said he would quit politics if his links to the mining mafia are proved.

The Samajwadi Party leader had said that the state government had suspended Nagpal, who had cracked down on mining mafia, after getting feedback from different persons.

"SDM's role in demolition of boundary wall of religious place was the cause of her suspension and not illegal mining related issues," he said.

Residents of Kadalpur village, where Nagpal had got the wall demolished, said Bhati had donated Rs 51,000 for construction of a mosque. "If it was illegal construction, then why UP minister gave donation," they had said.

The UP chief minister on Thursday stoutly defended the suspension of Nagpal, saying her action to demolish the wall of a mosque had "vitiated" communal harmony.

Facing intense criticism over the suspension of the officer by the UP government on July 27, an unyielding Akhilesh was also at pains to explain that there was no connection between sand mining and government's action against her. He termed the action as "valid".

The assertion by the Samajwadi Party leader came even as a delegation of all-India IAS officers association stepped in on Thursday and took the battle to the Centre for revoking the suspension of the officer. The delegation met Union minister of state for Personnel V Narayanasamy in Delhi.

Noting that Nagpal has been suspended without being given an opportunity, Narayanasamy said the Centre was still awaiting a report from the state government informing it of the officer's suspension.

Amid growing demands for Nagpal's reinstatement, the minister gave an assurance that justice would be done to the officer, who had clamped down on the sand mining mafia thriving in Gautam Budh Nagar area of Uttar Pradesh.

Source : timesofindia

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IPL fixing - Aditya Verma offered money to settle case

2:04 PM

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sports news

NEW DELHI: Aditya Verma, the man who filed the PIL which led to the Bombay High Court striking down BCCI's probe panel as "illegal and unconstitutional", has claimed that he had received an anonymous call offering him money to go in for an out-of-court settlement. Verma is the secretary of the Cricket Association of Bihar.

"Last week, I received a phone call from a private number. A man whom I do not know said, 'Come to Chennai and meet boss. What do you want? Come and tell us'," claimed Verma.

"After the court hearing, I was again approached by some strangers who offered me money to settle the case. They also told me that my son is playing for the junior Bengal team and asked why I was fighting a powerful institution.

"This made me even more determined to carry on the battle," he added.

Verma also said that he did not know the men. He said he would not like to speculate on who they might be representing or whether their 'offers' were serious. When TOI asked him what kind of money he was offered, he declined to comment.

After the Bombay High Court verdict on Tuesday, Verma flew in to Delhi to file a caveat in the Supreme Court. He is scheduled to address a press conference today at 3pm.

Verma, a former junior cricketer and ex-Tata Steel employee, is the secretary of the Cricket Association of Bihar, one of the three bodies vying to gain BCCI's recognition.

Bihar has not been able to play in the Ranji Trophy for 13 years owing to the multiple cricket associations which claim to represent the state.

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India's First private DNA forensics lab

11:07 AM

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technology news

Global biotechnology company Life Technologies has launched India’s first private DNA forensics laboratory here, which is expected to accelerate sampling process and thereby reduce the burden on existing forensic laboratories.

“Life Technologies DNA Forensics Laboratory will reduce the burden on the existing forensic system and address the requirements of DNA database generation for unidentified dead bodies or other crime investigations,” said Devashish Ohri, Managing Director of Life Technologies South Asia.

Currently, there are 28 laboratories for forensic DNA investigation and testing in the country. But many of them are overburdened with cases and have sample backlogs.

Till the beginning of 2013, there was a backlog of 862 crime cases in the DNA division of the Delhi State Forensic Science Laboratory alone, Mr. Ohri said, adding that for India’s size and population, the number of labs should ideally be about 400.

The lab here is equipped with advanced DNA testing systems and will facilitate a broad range of DNA testing including paternity testing, kinship testing, DNA profiling for database generation, and forensic DNA analysis.

Nadia Altomare, Vice President and General Manager for Life Technologies Human Identification Business, said: “DNA technology has widely been accepted as the most effective crime fighting tool among law enforcement agencies for a variety of applications, including sexual assault, missing persons and disaster victim identification. It’s also the primary technology used for performing paternity and kinship testing.”

The Life Forensics Laboratory will meet international standards for DNA testing.

“The opening of a laboratory shows strong commitment by Life Technologies to partner with Government agencies in this vital area. I am sure this lab would bring more efficiency and improve the available forensic capabilities.” said Dr. J.R Gaur, Principal Scientific Officer (Life Science) in the Ministry of Home Affairs, and former Director of State Forensic Science Laboratory.

Mr. Ohri added, “We are looking forward to partnering with the State and Central Government laboratories to assist in the establishment of a DNA database project.”

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SC dismissed PIL into the IPL spot fixing scam

8:47 AM

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sports news

The Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed a public interest writ petition seeking a CBI probe into the IPL spot fixing scam involving bookies, players and others.

A Bench of Justices B.S. Chauhan and S.A. Bobde dismissed the PIL plea filed by Sharmila Ghuge, a professor of law from Mumbai and asked her to approach the High Court concerned seeking similar relief.

‘CROSSED ALL LIMITS’

The petitioner said as far as the Sixth Version of Indian Premier League (2013) was concerned, it had crossed all limits in relation to the controversies and the greed of the players.

She said that though the allegations related to betting, spot fixing and match fixing, which would attract only the provisions of the Gambling Act, the repercussions of the crime were gigantic for society at large.

She said both the Mumbai and Delhi Police had registered different cases of spot fixing, match fixing and betting in relation to the recently concluded IPL.

‘PROPER SECTIONS NOT APPLIED’

“Although the allegations are very serious in nature, from newspaper reports it seems the investigating agencies have not booked the accused by applying proper sections/provisions of law.

“Nor do they appear to be following proper legal steps to ensure that the culprits are suitably punished. Further, there appears to be no co-ordination among the investigating agencies, which is bound to benefit the wrong-doers.”

‘HIGH INFLUENCE’

She alleged that the Mumbai and Delhi police, along with some politicians and other influential persons, were colluding to save the real culpri

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Bihar issues ad, wants principal to taste meals before feeding children

11:32 AM

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scam news

The Bihar education department has issued an advertisement in prominent newspapers today reiterating that the school principal and the cook should taste the food prepared under the midday meal scheme before serving it to children.

 Bihar issues ad, wants principal to taste meals before feeding children

The advertisement also states that insecticides and food ingredients should not be stored together as it could contaminate the food.

9. 15 am: Midday meal cooked in an insecticide container?

The midday meals fed to children in Saran district of Bihar were cooked in a container used to store insecticides, the Hindustan Times reported.

The report quotes a student as saying that the cook, now deceased, refused to use the container but was made to by the headmistress, Meena Devi.

Devi has been suspended and an FIR has been filed against her.

9. 00 am: ‘Nitish, Sahi should take responsibility and resign’

Former Bihar cabinet secretary TSR Subramanian has demanded that Bihar Education Minister PK Sahi and CM Nitish Kumar step down over the midday meal horror.

“I think the time has come, that instead of ministers talking through their hats before inquiries, they should now take responsibility and resign, saying that in my state 22 children have died, I should take responsibility,” Subramanian told CNN-IBN.

Updates for 17 July end

21.27 pm: 23 including cook dead after consuming midday meal

With 12 more children dying, the number killed by contaminated mid-day meals served in a school in Bihar rose on Wednesday to 23 including a cook, authorities said.

The deaths have triggered a war of words between the Nitish Kumar government, which blamed the supplier of foods for the tragedy, and an aggressive opposition including the estranged ally BJP.

IANS

9.19 pm: NHRC sends notice to govt, police over midday meal

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued notices to the Bihar government as well as the state police over the death of 23 school children who consumed contaminated midday meal, an official said Wednesday.

Taking suo-motu cognizance of media reports, the commission has given four weeks time to the officials to submit reports, he said.

“The commission has observed that the contents of the press reports, if true, raise a serious issue of violation of rights to food of the deceased,” said the NHRC official in a statement.

“(we have) issued notices to the principal secretary (education), government of Bihar, and superintendent of police, Saran, calling for reports in the matter within four weeks,” the statement said.

IANS

7. 22 pm: 31 kids hospitalised in Dhule, lizard found in mid day meal

While the midday meal tragedy in Bihar saw protests in Chapra, another shocker was reported from Maharashtra’s Dhule. Around 31 children were admitted to hospital after consuming mid day meal. Reports suggest that a lizard was found in the meal.

5.15 pm: Bihar Education Minister says school principal was close to prominent political party member

Bihar Education Minister PK Shahi is holding a press conference. According to him, the principal Meena Kumari was transferred to the Chhapra school under political pressure. Her husband is a member of a political party and the ingredients for midday meal used to be provided by him, says Shahi.

‘The cook complained to Meena Kumari about the cooking oil,’ said Shahi, ‘Don’t think it’s a coincidence that the teacher’s husband, with political ties, supplies grocery to the school.’ The male members of Kumari’s family are absconding.

Shahi also said that the children were poisoned. ‘Doctors have said the odour from the children’s vomit proves that there was organic phosphorus in the mid-day meal,’ he said. The teacher did not eat the food that was poisoned, according to Shahi

Bihar’s Education Minister has also criticised the media’s role in the tragedy saying that the media was insensitive towards the parents.

4. 00 pm: 15 children faint after consuming midday meals in another school

In a separate incident, fifteen children fainted after consuming midday meals at a school in Madhubani district of Bihar. Two of them are critical and doctors have rushed to the site. According to CNN-IBN, there was a lizard found in the food. The children have been rushed to a local hospital.

Meanwhile, the principal of the school in Chhapra district has been suspended and an FIR has been filed against her.

3. 30 pm: This food has turned killer, says mother of victims

A woman whose two sons were among the 22 children who died after they ate midday meals at their school in Bihar’s Saran district was left inconsolable.

“This food has turned killer. We did not know that when our children go to school then we will get to see their dead faces (sic),” lamented the mother who lost her two sons – Prahlad and Rahul  -  in the tragedy. – IANS

A man mourns as he holds his dead daughter in Patna Medical College and Hospital. PTIA man mourns as he holds his dead daughter in Patna Medical College and Hospital. PTI
3. 20 pm: Another child dies, death toll rises to 22

The death toll in the Bihar midday meal incident has risen to 22. Among the dead were two children of a woman cook of the mid-day meal project Panno Devi.

Three children of another woman cook Manju Devi are under treatment at PMCH along with her.

2. 10 pm: Protests outside government office in Patna

Protesters carrying banners of the NSUI and Left protested outside a government office in Patna.

Television channels also showed footage of protesters vandalising a government office and raising slogans against the state government. It wasn’t clear who was responsible for vandalising the premises.

1. 00 pm: One more child dies, death toll now at 21

The death toll in the midday meal poisoning incident has risen to 21. Ten more children are battling for their lives, officials said, as the tragedy triggered protests.

Amarjeet Singh, principal secretary, education, confirmed the toll and said he suspected the deaths occurred by organo phosphorous poisoning caused by traces of insecticides. The twenty dead children have been buried near the school. - IANS

11. 30 am: Govt will take action against those responsible, says Yadav

JDU-U Chief Sharad Yadav has said strict action will be taken against those responsible for the death of 20 children. “The government will do all in its capacity.. we are investigating whether there was something wrong in the material supplied,” he said.

10. 35 am: This is a case of poisoning, not food contamination, says Bihar minister

Bihar Education Minister PK Shahi on Wednesday claimed that the incident was a case of ‘direct poisoning’ and not contamination. Speaking to CNN-IBN, the minister said it was a strong dosage of poison. “Investigations will reveal whether it was accidental or intentional.. our first priority is to save as many lives as we can,” Shahi said, adding that food poisoning would lead to diahorrea but in this case the children started dying immediately.

10. 20 am: Forensic report will be out by evening, says Pallam Raju

Minister for Human Resource Development MM Pallam Raju said the government has taken serious note of the incident and hoped others would exercise more caution. “Saddened to know about yesterday’s incident.. the Additional Secretary who looks after midday meal program is already in Bihar,” he said.

“This is an example where we should exercise more caution.. hope others will pick up from this.. we are waiting for the forensic report which will be out later today and we will know the reason then,” the minister further said.

10. 05 am: BJP attacks Nitish, says administration at fault

The BJP was quick to attack the JD-U government saying Chief Minister Nitish Kumar was ‘monetising’ the death of the children. “Is Rs 2 lakh the value of a human life for the CM? This has occured due to the callous attitude of the administration,” BJP spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain said.

9. 57 am: Protesters outside DM’s residence disperse

Villagers who were protesting outside the residence of the Chhapra District Magistrate’s residence have started dispersing from the site. This, after the state police started detaining those indulging in violence.

Buses were set afire and public property damaged as people took to the streets in protest.

9. 45 am: 27, including cook, critically ill

Twenty seven people, including the woman cook, are seriously ill and have been shifted to Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH), Principal Secretary Education Department Amarjit Sinha told PTI.

9. 05 am: Midday meal contained phosphorous?

PK Shahi, the state education minister, said a preliminary investigation suggests the food had traces of phosphorous, which is used to preserve rice and wheat, the Associated Press reported.

9. 00 am: Protests outside District Magistrates house

Violent protests were reported from outside the District Magistrates house in Chhapra district of Bihar. Protesters went on a rampage and demanded action against school and government authorities.

8. 30 am: Death toll rises to 20
Reports coming in this morning have said that the death toll has risen to 20.

Meanwhile, the Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakh for the families of those who have died.

Violent protests have broken out in Chhapra, Bihar, where 20 children have died after consuming contaminated midday meals in their schools.

Television visuals showed crowds of people armed with sticks and poles attacking public property and setting a bus on fire. The RJD, in whose constituency Chapra falls, called for a bandh on Tuesday.

Bihar_middaymealThe toll of children who fell ill after having mid-day meal at a state-run primary school in Bihar’s Saran district, rose to 20 on Wednesday.

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has ordered a high level inquiry into the incident, sources in the CMO said, adding that a Forensic Science Laboratory team will assist in the probe, which will be conducted jointly by the Saran Divisional Commissioner and DIG.

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Bihar : Death toll rose to 20 mid-day meal horror

10:34 AM

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scam news

Death toll of children who fell ill after having mid-day meal at a state-run primary school in Bihar's Saran district, rose to 20 on Wednesday.

Confirming the deaths, Principal Secretary, education, Amarjeet Sinha said that he suspected the deaths occurred by organo phosphorous poisoning caused due to traces of insecticides.

In past, dead lizards, frogs, insects and a rat were found in the food cooked for the mid-day meal, angering students and parents.

Bihar  : Death toll  rose to 20 mid-day meal horror

Latest development on this big story:

* Violent protests have erupted in Chhapra. People armed with sticks and rods set blaze a bus and damaged public property.

* 27 children are undergoing treatment at Patna Medical College And Hospital. They are admitted to hospital after consuming mid-day meal served to them at a government primary school in Dahrmasati village at Mashrakh block, about 25 Kms from Chhapra.

* Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has also announced a compensation of two lakh rupees each to the families of the deceased. Union Human Resource Development Ministry has sent a senior official to Chhapra to take stock of the situation.

* PK Sahi, the state education minister, said a preliminary investigation suggests the food had traces of phosphorous, which is used to preserve rice and wheat.

* RJD president Lalu Prasad Yadav who represents Chhapra Parliamentary Constituency, said: “it is shameful that rotten food was served to children. There is no responsible governance in Bihar anymore”

* "We had information of various complaints on the mid-day meal scheme in Bihar. We couldn't even think that children will die in such a way. This is a tragic incident. The Bihar government must take a note of it and take stringent action against the guilty," said BJP spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain.

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Rahul Dravid prosecution witness in IPL spot-fixing case - dna

1:28 PM

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sports news

The Delhi police are building a watertight case in the IPL spot-fixing scandal and have recorded the statement of Rajasthan Royals captain Rahul Dravid, making him a formal prosecution witness. “It is a single-page statement, which makes our case stronger,” said an investigating officer.

Sources in the special cell of the Delhi police told dna that a team was sent to Bangalore on July 10 to record Dravid’s statement under section 161 of the CrPC. Dravid expressed sadness over the affair and said he was unaware of the involvement of the arrested cricketers. “I never had a doubt about these players. I used to select players on a match-to-match basis,” Dravid said.

Rajasthan Royals players S Sreesanth, Ajit Chandila and Ankeet Chavan were arrested on May 16 for their alleged involvement in spot-fixing during IPL-6. The police also plan to record the statement of Rajasthan Royals coach Paddy Upton, who is in South Africa. “He will be made a prosecution witness when he returns to India,” the officer said.

A charge sheet in the case will be filed soon. It will include the names of underworld don Dawood Ibrahim and his aide Chhota Shakeel among others.
Investigators also sought a former India bowler’s opinion and scanned the footage of controversial matches to understand how spot-fixing took place.

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Coal scam CBI seeks SC nod to share info with govt

9:15 AM

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scam news

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Monday approached the Supreme Court seeking modifications of its order of restraining it from sharing coal scam probe report with any government agency or officers. The agency also wanted lifting of the restrictions imposed on it from changing the 33-member investigation team.

Coal scam

The apex court had on May 8 restrained the CBI from sharing any information regarding the coal block allocation scam probe with anyone in the government.
Along with its status report filed in a sealed cover, the CBI also submitted two separate applications on Monday stating that it needed to have certain permissions to share relevant information with the "appropriate government/authority" in all cases.

“It is mandatory for us to get proper sanctions from the government, so we have to share evidence with with the department concerned to obtain the same. Imposing a blanket ban on us will hamper our investigations,” a senior CBI official said.

“Statutorily it is required to share probe information with the CVC and various government bodies, including its prosecutors, for purposes such as getting sanction, necessary government notifications and for strengthening the case with the help of experts so that the matter can stand the litmus test of trial,” said the CBI application, which is likely to be heard by the court on July 10.

The investigation agency informed the court that so far it has filed 13 regular cases and three preliminary inquiries in the coal scam and the scope of inquiries/investigation is expanding.
Praying to amend the May 8 order that had put a blanket ban on the CBI not to share any information regarding any coal probe with anyone in the government, the agency said, “However, to comply with the mandate of the statutory provisions, it may be necessary for the CBI to share information with (a) appropriate government for purpose of notification/consent under the Act (b) the appropriate authority for the purpose of the approval under the Act.”

The CBI also referred to various provisions of its manual and the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act by which the agency is being regulated. In another application, the agency sought the Supreme Court's nod to carry out changes in the investigation team on the ground that more officers are required in the team as the scope of the scam has been expanding.

"With progress on the inquiries in allocation of coal blocks, more investigating officers are required to be associated with the investigation. Since two more cases are registered after the last date of hearing, it is proposed to add one SP and two inspectors to the team of officers involved in the investigation," the CBI said.

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