Top stories on 5 March in a capsule
Tamil Nadu needs a leader, and I'll fill that vacuum: Rajinikanth
Actor turned politician Rajinikanth gave his debut speech, promising a future of good governance for Tamil Nadu. Arriving at the Dr MGR Educational and Research Institute on Monday to inaugurate the statue of former CM MG Ramachandran, Rajini said, “I can repeat the good governance that MGR provided, with the help of good advice of good people." The 67-year-old actor went on to say there is a vacuum for a good leader in the state politics as veteran Jayalalithaa has passed away and DMK Chief Karunanidhi is unwell. Addressing a gathering of cheering fans and students, he said he will practice 'spiritual politics', one without caste discrimination.
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The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), on Monday reportedly suspended seven wrestlers on charges of being guilty of breaking the rules of age limit and representing different state, without obtaining a No-Objection Certificate (NOC) from their parental state. The wrestlers banned for over a year, are of different weight categories. The accused namely Manjeet (130 kg), Meenu (50 kg), Santosh Yadav (55 kg), Sumit Malik (61 kg), Virender (71 kg), Deepak Kumar (70 kg) and Sumit Kumar (97 kg) were found guilty of the charges. In a order issued by the WFI, it said, "the period of their suspension commenced from February 2018."
Wrestling Federation of India suspends 7 wrestlers for one year
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Goa CM may travel aboard for check-up, sets up committee for governance
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In a bizarre set of events, the Oscar award of Frances McDormand who was honoured as the Best Actress of the year, was stolen during the Governor's Ball, the official after party of the Academy Awards. McDormand, who has won the award for her highly acclaimed performance in Three billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri got the Oscar to the party to get it engraved, only to realise it missing later. The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) arrested a 47-year-old Terrence "Terry" Bryant Jr., charging him with the grand theft and a bail price of $20,000. Reacting to the arrest, the LAPD told how a photographer had chased Bryant with the Oscar, after he realised Bryabt was not a presenter and the trophy did not belong to him.
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The Supreme Court on Monday pulled up the Jammu and Kashmir government over the investigation of killing four civilians in Shopian in January. Army man Major Aditya was accused of killing civilians, who were part of a stone-pelting mob, in a firing in Shopian district on January 27, prompting Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti to launch a probe. The apex court today, asked the state government not to take any action until the next hearing on April 24. Reacting to the order, the J&K government said there was no FIR in the Major’s name, in the first place. Meanwhile, trouble aroused for the Indian Army, as they are accused of killing 3 civilians, again in Shopian, on Sunday when militants attacked a check post. In its defense, the army said, the three were helping militants, who were also killed in the encounter.
The government on Monday announced CBI investigation into the Staff Selection Commission (SSC) alleged paper leak scam, as the protest by students entered its sixth day. Urging the students to call off the protest, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said, "We have accepted demands of protesting candidates and have given orders for CBI inquiry, the protest should now stop." The students, on the other hand, are defiant going off the road until their demands are met. Talking to media sources the protesters said, we welcome the Union home minister's decision on CBI probe but we will not call off the protest until a proper format is released."
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Thief steals the Oscar of Best Actress, gets arrested
In a bizarre set of events, the Oscar award of Frances McDormand who was honoured as the Best Actress of the year, was stolen during the Governor's Ball, the official after party of the Academy Awards. McDormand, who has won the award for her highly acclaimed performance in Three billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri got the Oscar to the party to get it engraved, only to realise it missing later. The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) arrested a 47-year-old Terrence "Terry" Bryant Jr., charging him with the grand theft and a bail price of $20,000. Reacting to the arrest, the LAPD told how a photographer had chased Bryant with the Oscar, after he realised Bryabt was not a presenter and the trophy did not belong to him.
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Indian Army eliminates terrorist who had killed 6 jawans
Mastermind of the terror attack on an army camp in J&K’s Sunjuwan district , was killed on Monday in a shootout between militants and the Indian army. Mufti was was a member of the terror outfit Jaish-e-mohammed, who had killed 6 jawans and a civilian on February 13. "This has resulted in a major dent to the designs of JeM, as after elimination of their earlier operational commander Noor Mohd Tantray in the same area in December 17, his successor too has been killed," defence spokesperson Colonel Rajesh Kalia said. His elimination was carried out in Lethpora village together by the Army, CRPF and state police force.
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SC asks J&K govt not to take action against Major Aditya
The Supreme Court on Monday pulled up the Jammu and Kashmir government over the investigation of killing four civilians in Shopian in January. Army man Major Aditya was accused of killing civilians, who were part of a stone-pelting mob, in a firing in Shopian district on January 27, prompting Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti to launch a probe. The apex court today, asked the state government not to take any action until the next hearing on April 24. Reacting to the order, the J&K government said there was no FIR in the Major’s name, in the first place. Meanwhile, trouble aroused for the Indian Army, as they are accused of killing 3 civilians, again in Shopian, on Sunday when militants attacked a check post. In its defense, the army said, the three were helping militants, who were also killed in the encounter.
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Centre orders CBI probe in SSC paper leak scam
The government on Monday announced CBI investigation into the Staff Selection Commission (SSC) alleged paper leak scam, as the protest by students entered its sixth day. Urging the students to call off the protest, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said, "We have accepted demands of protesting candidates and have given orders for CBI inquiry, the protest should now stop." The students, on the other hand, are defiant going off the road until their demands are met. Talking to media sources the protesters said, we welcome the Union home minister's decision on CBI probe but we will not call off the protest until a proper format is released."
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Railways announce all-exclusive compartment for women in trains
The Railways on Monday announced a special feature to facilitate women who travel alone in trains. Now, in trains, a single woman or women group will be allotted six berths at one place in the coach, which will be the all women exclusive compartment. The system will be carried in all trains and the order has been issued to all the zones on behalf of the Railway Board. The special compartment will be made according to the tickets booked in stations, falling under the destination. According to reports, Railway Minister Piyush Goyal has taken the decision keeping in mind the safety of women.
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IT dept finds 3200 crore TDS scam in 447 firms
The Income Tax department on Monday unearthed Rs. 3200 crore scam where about 447 firms have failed to pay the TDS collected from its employees to the government. These Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) funds were diverted for their own business interests. Reportedly, a huge number of these defaulters are builders. Others include people from the film industry and start-ups. The Income Tax department has initiated recovery actions by attaching the bank accounts apart from movable and immovable assets.
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China reduces its GDP forecast, increases military spending
China today set its GDP growth rate for 2018 at around 6.5 percent, same as last year, as the world's second-largest economy aims to reduce financial risks. The GDP target was announced by Premier Li Keqiang in his annual work report as the country started its parliament session. The session is being regarded significant as it is set to endorse key constitutional proposals to remove two-term limits for the president and vice president, after which the leaders could rule for their lifetimes. Also, it is planning to increase its military spending by 8.1% in 2018 in an effort to modernize its armed forces, which can be a great threat to India, given the Doklam standoff with the country.
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Maharashtra state govt orders probe in girl students' strip search case
The Maharashtra government on Monday ordered an inquiry into allegations that class 12 girls were strip-searched at an HSC exam center in Pune. “It’s not correct to search girls in this manner,” Maharashtra Education Minister Vinod Tawde said. On Saturday, the Police filed a case against two women security guards of Vishwashanti Gurukul in Pune for asking girls to remove their clothes to check if they had any cheating material. The guards were booked for sexual harassment and under provisions of the Indian Penal Code and Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act. The alleged incident took place between February 21 and February 28. The case was filed after some girls told their parents and then informed the police. The Maharashtra State Commission for Women has also taken cognisance in the case.
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