Top stories on 17 September in a capsule

Cong stakes claim to form government in Goa, submits letter to Governor

The Congress party unit in Goa on Monday staked claim to form the government as with the prolonged illness of incumbent Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, the BJP continues to be in a fix. Submitting a letter to Governor Mridula Sinha, Congress is defiant that they can form the government since they have the majority. Addressing the media, Goa Congress chief and Leader of Opposition Chandrakant Kavlekar said, “We have the support of 16 MLAs and we are a majority. BJP has only 14 MLAs.” In the 40-seater Assembly, the BJP had staked the claim in 2018 in an alliance with Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party and Goa Forward Party have three MLAs each. Congress is now, reportedly, scheduled to meet the Governor tomorrow.

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4 Manipur policemen suspended in MBA student lynching case

Four policemen in Manipur were suspended after a video surfaced where they were present during the mob lynching of a 26-year-old who was killed in cold-blooded murder on suspicion of being a bike thief. MBA student Mohammad Farooque Khan was killed last Thursday in a village near capital city of Imphal by a group, believing he stole a two-wheeler on the same day. The concerned reportedly shows Khan still alive while the armed men do little to help him. Inspector General (DIG), Range 1 Jayanta Singh Said strong action has been taken against the four and an enquiry has been initiated. As of now, five people, including an Indian Reserve Battalion (IRB) constable, have been arrested.

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Haryana CBSE Topper Gang Rape: Rajnath assures action against accused 

Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday addressed the media on the case of gang rape of the 19-year-old CBSE topper in Haryana’s Rewari, assuring that the state government is taking a ‘strict action.’ “I have spoken to CM Manohar Lal Khattar. He told me he will take strict action against the culprits,” Mr Singh said. Meanwhile, a local court sent the three arrested to five days of police custody. Prime accused Nishu, along with Sanjeev- a doctor and Deen Dayal-owner of the tubewell room where the crime was committed, were presented before the Sub-Divisional Judicial Magistrate Piyush Sharma at Kanina court. Meanwhile, the police are conducting massive search operations in Rajasthan and Haryana to nab the remaining two prime accused Pankaj an Army personnel and Manish. 

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Tainted Jalandhar bishop writes to Pope, says resignation only 'temporary'

Former Bishop of Jalandhar diocese, Franco Mulakkal on Monday wrote to the top authority of Catholic church, the Pope to only consider his resignation on a temporary basis, until the investigation in the nun rape case is on, in which he is an accused. In the letter dated September 16, the bishop stated he wants more time to fight the case so he handing over the responsibilities of the diocese to his junior Mathew Kokkandam. Mulakkal has been summoned to appear before the Kerala police this Wednesday over the charges of rape that a nun has posed on him.

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Karnataka reduces petrol, diesel prices by Rs 2 litre 

In a relief to the citizens of Karnataka, the Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy government on Monday announced a tax cut in the rates of fuel, reducing the prices of petrol and diesel by Rs 2 per litre. Deputy CM G Parameshwara hailed the decision of the Congress-Janata Dal (Secular) coalition, calling it a ‘landmark’ move. With Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal, Karnataka has now become the fourth state to reduce state tax on fuel prices. Meanwhile, in the rest of the country, the fuel prices are at an ever increasing rate with petrol prices touching its highest at Rs 90 in some parts of Maharashtra.

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