Top stories on 24 April in a Capsule
4 states gear up for Asaram verdict today, security tighten
Four states of India namely- Rajasthan, Gujarat, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh were directed by the Centre to tighten security measures, ahead of the verdict on rape charges against god man Asaram Bapu today. 378 people were also taken under preventive custody to a spud disturbances. 77 year old Asaram, currently lodged in the Jodhpur Central Jail has been accused of sexually exploiting a 16-year old girl from UP’s Shahjahanpur in his Manai ashram near Jodhpur in 2013. A special trial court will be set up inside the jail today as per the order of Rajasthan High Court. Earlier on Tuesday, Asaram had also appealed to his followers to maintain peace
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Doklam happened due to lack of trust: China to India
With just two days left for the highly anticipated, diplomatic meeting between India and China set to take place, the Chinese government on Tuesday softened its stance on Doklam issue saying the problems between the two countries happened due to mistrust. "The boundary incident that happened (at Doklam) last year someway reflected lack of mutual trust between the two countries," vice foreign minister Kong Xuanyou told the media agencies. The border dispute between the two sides started last year and went on for two months, before talks to ‘disengage’ were held in August 2017. PM Narendra Modi and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping, meeting for an informal summit on 27th April, are aimed at having ‘heart-to-heart’ talk on issues thronging the nations.
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Bollywood reacts to casting couch controversy after Saroj Khan’s comment
As Bollywood choreographer Saroj Khan went on to make the remark that ‘casting couch in the film industry serves as a way of livelihood, and does not rape’ several Bollywood actors reacted to the same. Actress Richa Chaddha objecting to use of the word 'rape' said “I don't feel she's (Khan) defending casting couch as no person in their mind would.” Veteran actor Anupam Kher also asked the media to mountain out of a molehill. However it always the reaction of actor Ranbir Kapoor that was criticised in social media for an alleged casual reaction. Kapoor, who was promoting his upcoming film at an event said “I never faced casting couch. If it’s there, it’s the worst kind.”
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Karnataka Polls 2018: Yogi Adityanath to address 35 rallies
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India will hold its first match against South Africa on June 5 for the 2019 World Cup, as per the announcement made during the ongoing ICC meet in Kolkata. Earlier the date for the match was fixed on June 2, but had to be postponed after BCCI ruled that they will have to maintain a 15-day gap between IPL final (25 May) and international matches, as per the recommendation of the Lodha Committee. India, this year will look to retain the title, after their successful win in 2011 and reaching the semi-finals in 2015. The event will be held from May 30 to July 14, 2019 across England and Wales, 20 years after UK hosted a World Cup event.
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At least 15 bodies of slain naxals were recovered by security forces on Tuesday, rising the death toll to 37 in the Gadchiroli district of Maharashtra, after 48 hours of heavy firing. On Sunday, heavy firing ensued between the naxals and Commando-60s of Maharashtra, a special anti-naxal force leading to the encounter of 16 ultras. Their bodies were recovered from Indravati River on Monday, out of which 12 were identified while six more were reportedly eliminated on the day. Calling it a major win for the security forces, Gadhchirolo police informed media agencies that top naxal leaders including Sainath alias Dolesh Madhi Atram and Shrinu alias Shrikanth, who was the deputy commander was also killed in the encounter.
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Former Foreign Affairs Minister Salman Khan on Tuesday accused his party, Congress of holding anti-Muslim activities and having ‘the blood of the Muslims on its hands.’ The controversial comment came from the leader on being asked a question over the number of riots under the Congress , regime while attending an event at Aligarh Muslim University (AMU). “I am a part of Congress. So, let me accept that we have the blood of Muslims on our hands. Learn something from our history and don’t create such situation for yourself,” Khurshid said according to media reports. The leader later clarified that his comments were in defence of Congress.
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NITI Aayog Chief Executive Officer Amitabh Kant on Tuesday said that India was backward because of the eastern states like Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Chattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, especially on social indicators. "We have improved on ease of doing business, we have remained backwards on human development index’, he said while addressing students in Jamia Islamia University. Kant said that there is a need for radical change at the state and district levels to improve the current situation. Responding to this, Bihar opposition leader Tejashwi Yadav took to twitter to explain his discontent saying that ‘Bihar & Bihari’s pay equal taxes, contribute equally or more in governance & Nation building. Bihar gave 33 MPs to NDA, 7 Union Ministers r frm Bihar, both State & Centre govts are of same party and alliance, but still these Babu’s says Bihar is backward’.
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Actor-Singer Ali Zafar sent a legal notice to his accuser on Monday, seeking an apology, which, if not provided, will result in "damages to the tune of at least Rs100 million" under Defamation Ordinance, Pakistan media house Geo News reported. A defamation suit will be filed against Shafi should she fail to delete the tweet dated 19.04.2018 and issue an apology on Twitter within two weeks of the notice being served. Meanwhile, Ahmad Pansota, Shafi's lawyer, said his client had not received Zafar's legal notice. Earlier this week, in a Twitter post, Shafi had said: “I have been subjected, on more than one occasion, to sexual harassment of a physical nature at the hands of a colleague from my industry: Ali Zafar.
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Two of the accused in the alleged gang rape and murder of an 8 year old in Jammu and Kashmir’s moved to the Jammu and Kashmir High court on Tuesday, demanding fresh probe by the CBI into the case. Sub inspector Anand Dutta and Special Police Officer (SPO) Deepak Khajuria were held guilty of destroying evidence in the case. The two, filing petition in the HC through their lawyer Veenu Gupta have alleged that the State CBI’s report was incorrect as there were ‘huge differences’ in the post mortem and forensic lab reports. Meanwhile, days after the Union government approved an ordinance to award death penalty to child rapists, the J&K cabinet introduced it on Tuesday.
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India to face South Africa first for 2019 World Cup
India will hold its first match against South Africa on June 5 for the 2019 World Cup, as per the announcement made during the ongoing ICC meet in Kolkata. Earlier the date for the match was fixed on June 2, but had to be postponed after BCCI ruled that they will have to maintain a 15-day gap between IPL final (25 May) and international matches, as per the recommendation of the Lodha Committee. India, this year will look to retain the title, after their successful win in 2011 and reaching the semi-finals in 2015. The event will be held from May 30 to July 14, 2019 across England and Wales, 20 years after UK hosted a World Cup event.
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Economic offenders ordinance to take Vijay Mallya as 1st case
The Fugitive Economic offenders Ordiance will undertake Vijay Mallaya’s case as their first. The bill, which got the President’s sign on Monday, empowers the Indian authorities to attach and confiscate the proceeds of crime associated with economic offenders. The ordinance was formualted in response to the growing practice of debt-laden Indian citizens flying abroad to avoid arrest. Scheduled offences worth Rs. 100 crore or more will come under the purview of the Fugitive Economic Offenders Ordinance. Vijay Mallya left the country on March 2, the day public sector banks, to whom he owed an estimated Rs 9,091 crore in loans, moved the Debt Recovery Tribunal against him._________________
Death toll of Naxals rises to 37 in Maharashtra’s Gadchiroli
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Congress’ hands stained with blood of Muslims: Salman Khurshid
Former Foreign Affairs Minister Salman Khan on Tuesday accused his party, Congress of holding anti-Muslim activities and having ‘the blood of the Muslims on its hands.’ The controversial comment came from the leader on being asked a question over the number of riots under the Congress , regime while attending an event at Aligarh Muslim University (AMU). “I am a part of Congress. So, let me accept that we have the blood of Muslims on our hands. Learn something from our history and don’t create such situation for yourself,” Khurshid said according to media reports. The leader later clarified that his comments were in defence of Congress.
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States like Bihar, UP, MP making India backward: NITI CEO
NITI Aayog Chief Executive Officer Amitabh Kant on Tuesday said that India was backward because of the eastern states like Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Chattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, especially on social indicators. "We have improved on ease of doing business, we have remained backwards on human development index’, he said while addressing students in Jamia Islamia University. Kant said that there is a need for radical change at the state and district levels to improve the current situation. Responding to this, Bihar opposition leader Tejashwi Yadav took to twitter to explain his discontent saying that ‘Bihar & Bihari’s pay equal taxes, contribute equally or more in governance & Nation building. Bihar gave 33 MPs to NDA, 7 Union Ministers r frm Bihar, both State & Centre govts are of same party and alliance, but still these Babu’s says Bihar is backward’.
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Ali Zafar sends legal notice to Meesha Shafi
Actor-Singer Ali Zafar sent a legal notice to his accuser on Monday, seeking an apology, which, if not provided, will result in "damages to the tune of at least Rs100 million" under Defamation Ordinance, Pakistan media house Geo News reported. A defamation suit will be filed against Shafi should she fail to delete the tweet dated 19.04.2018 and issue an apology on Twitter within two weeks of the notice being served. Meanwhile, Ahmad Pansota, Shafi's lawyer, said his client had not received Zafar's legal notice. Earlier this week, in a Twitter post, Shafi had said: “I have been subjected, on more than one occasion, to sexual harassment of a physical nature at the hands of a colleague from my industry: Ali Zafar.
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Kathua rape case: 2 accused move HC, demand fresh CBI probe
Two of the accused in the alleged gang rape and murder of an 8 year old in Jammu and Kashmir’s moved to the Jammu and Kashmir High court on Tuesday, demanding fresh probe by the CBI into the case. Sub inspector Anand Dutta and Special Police Officer (SPO) Deepak Khajuria were held guilty of destroying evidence in the case. The two, filing petition in the HC through their lawyer Veenu Gupta have alleged that the State CBI’s report was incorrect as there were ‘huge differences’ in the post mortem and forensic lab reports. Meanwhile, days after the Union government approved an ordinance to award death penalty to child rapists, the J&K cabinet introduced it on Tuesday.
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