Hashimpura case: Delhi HC orders 16 policemen to life imprisonment
The Delhi High Court on Wednesday overturned the trial court verdict and convicted 16 Provincial Armed Constabulary personnel (PAC) for the murder of 42 Muslims in the 1987 Hashimpura massacre case in Meerut and sentenced them to life imprisonment. It is alleged that 19 personnel of the Provincial Armed Constabulary rounded up 42 youths from the Hashimpura mohalla (locality) of the city, took them to the outskirts of the city, shot them in cold blood and dumped their bodies in a nearby irrigation canal. A few days later, the dead bodies were found floating in the canal and a case of murder was registered. The High Court framed charges of murder, attempt to murder, tampering with evidence and conspiracy under the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Earlier the trial court on March 2015 acquitted 16 PAC officials and later on September 6, 2018, High Court reconsidered the verdict on the base of the appeals by National Human Rights Commission and a survivor of massacre Zulfiqar Nasir.
Rafale deal case: SC wants answers about pricing details of the jet
Supreme Court asked the Central government on Wednesday about the pricing details of 36 Rafale jets that India is purchasing from France and ordered to submit the report within 10 days’ time period. The apex court has said that all the decision-making process should be bought to public notice except the matters which are of confidential and of strategic importance in nature. A three-judge bench is appointed comprising of Justices U U Lalit, K M Joseph headed by Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi is hearing the case and next hearing of the case will begin from November 10 after the submission of the required documents. The court was hearing the petitions filed by the former Union ministers Yashwant Sinha, Arun Shourie and advocate Prashant Bhushan who wants a CBI investigation into the matter. Opposition Congress party is continuously targeting the union government for paying more funds to purchase the jets than the previous administration. However, BJP government has dismissed the claims.
Goa beaches will open for swimming from November 1
In a big relief for all the tourists visiting Goa, the state government has decided to open its beaches for swimming from November 1. Previously the beaches were closed from June to September in fear of high tides and erratic weather conditions. To ensure the safety of people the state government appointed Drishti Lifesaving Lifeguard agency and built up safe swim zones for the tourists and advised them to swim only in those areas which are marked with red and yellow colour flags. The agency also established 24 no selfie zones and has created signage boards across the location for safety precautions. Moreover, lifeguards will be provided to the swimmers and will inspect 22 beaches in South Goa and 16 beaches in North Goa respectively. Each year Goa witnesses millions of tourist from all over the world and by adhering to these safety tips it will help prevent accidents.
Muzaffarpur shelter home rape case: Former Bihar minister Manju Verma goes missing
Former Bihar minister and an accused in Muzaffarpur shelter home rape case Manju Verma has been reported missing on Wednesday. The case relates to the alleged sexual abuse of over 30 minor girls in a shelter home at Muzzafarpur, Bihar. Also, the CBI raids conducted at Manju Verma'in-laws house in Begusarai also recovered at least 500 catridges and a FIR was registered against them under the arms act n August. The apex court on Tuesday asked the Bihar government about the delay of arresting Manju Verma after her anticipatory bail was rejected by the Patna High Court. Manju Verma's husband, who was also a close aide of key accused in the case Brajesh Thakur, surrendered himself before the district High Court on Monday. Verma who has been representing Cheria-Bariarpur assembly constituency on a Janata Dal(United) ticket since 2010, had to resign as the social welfare minister in the wake of the Muzaffarpur shelter home sexual abuse case
AIR sacks 9 women employees for complaining of sexual harassment
Amidst #Metoo campaign gaining strength in India, All India Radio sacked nine women employees in Shahdol station in Madhya Pradesh on Wednesday after they filed complaints of sexual harassment against the assistant director of programming Ratnakar Bharati. The accused was posted in Delhi headquarters despite a police complaint was filed against him and the internal committee had declared him guilty for sexual misconduct a year back. According to AIR union, similar complaints have been filed by many women across the stations in India and in some cases the accused is freed after warnings or else the complainant has to leave the organization, reported by FirstPost. However, in an interview with Times of India director general of All India Radio Fayyaz Shehryar said, “every incident has been reported by the Internal committee and after the rising complainants against Ratnakar Bharati, he was transferred immediately and kept under strictest vigilance.”
