Top stories on 4 December in a capsule

Bulandshahr Cop Killed: NHRC issues notice to UP govt, 5 arrested 

In the latest development in Bulandshahr violence case, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Tuesday sent a notice to the Uttar Pradesh government and Bulandshahr DGP over the death of police inspector Subodh Singh and a 20-year-old youth following a mob violence over rumours of cow. Earlier in the day, five people were arrested and four others along with Bajrang Dal leader Yogesh Raj were detained. However ruling out the involvement of any religious outfit, Assistant Director General Anand Kumar said, “We can’t confirm the involvement of any organisation yet.” While Singh’s post mortem report stated that he died due to a gunshot injury in his forehead, his sister alleged that the incident was a conspiracy. “My brother was investigating Akhlaq lynching case and that is why he was killed,” she told reporters. The case has taken a political turn with Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati among other Opposition parties accusing the BJP for the mob violence. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is set to hold a review meeting with officials later in the evening even as the state has announced compensation for the family of the deceased.

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Special courts in Patna, Kerala to check MPs, MLAs with criminal record: SC

The Supreme Court on Tuesday announced that over 4000 criminal cases were pending for more than three decades against the current and former Members of Parliament and Members of Legislative assembly and suggested the formation of special courts. The top court, under a bench headed by Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi directed the constitution of special courts in each district of Bihar and Kerala for trial of cases against politicians and asked for reports from Patna HC and Kerala HC by December 14. The SC bench further said as many courts as required can be constituted in the districts of these states and they had to treat life term cases on priority basis. The criminal cases data on elected representatives was released by senior advocate and amicus curiae Vijay Hansaria, on basis of PIL filed by BJP leader Ashwini Upadhyay asking for lifetime ban on politicians with criminal past.
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SC gives green signal for 2-member SIT to probe Anti-Sikh riots case

The Supreme Court on Tuesday agreed to the Central government’s suggestion of continuing with the two-member Special Investigative Team (SIT) in the 1984 Anti-Sikh riots that would probe the 186 pending cases. Taking the decision the bench of Justices Madan B Lokur and Deepk Gupta said that Delhi High Court Judge SN Dhingra and IPS officer Abhishek Dular would continue as members, relieving former IPS officer Rajdeep Singh. On January 11, 2018  Singh approached the SC that he does not wish to be a part of the SIT citing personal reasons. The SIT will seek to reopen cases which needed further probe.The large scale agitation against the Sikh community after the assassination of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi had reportedly witnessed almost 3,000 deaths.
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Christian Michel to be brought to India this week: Reports

The Dubai government on Tuesday decided to extradite Christian Michel, the main accused in the Agusta Westland case, as India has time and again asked for the same, several TV channels reported. Earlier, a Dubai high court had rejected India’s extradition plea since Michel has been lodged in a Dubai jail and is going through the judicial proceedings in UAE. English daily, Economic Times claimed that as per reliable sources Michel may be brought to India this week and would be produced before Delhi’s Patiala court. Michel, a British national is accused of acting as a middleman in the 2013 VVIP chopper case when several ministers under the UPA government were accused of accepting bribes of UK-Italy aviation company, AgustaWestland as part of $36 billion deal.

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National Herald Case: SC allows IT to continue Tax review case against Gandhis

 

In trouble for the Congress President Rahul Gandhi and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, the Supreme Court on Tuesday asked the Income Tax (IT) Department to continue assessing the tax details of the two leaders in a case related to the newspaper, National Herald (NH). The top court however restrained the IT department from taking any action against the Gandhi family while hearing their plea. Congress leader Oscar Fernandes too had sought the court's intervention to stop the reopening of their tax assessment for the financial year 2010-11. The case pertains to Associated Journals Ltd, the publisher of National Herald which allegedly kept no records of tax. The IT department had alleged that it cannot be exempted from the same as it is not a charitable organization. The case will next be heard on January 8, 2019.

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Pak should get on board with peace process, support PM Modi: US

In a stern message to Pakistan on Tuesday, United States of America President Donald Trump’s office lauded India’s efforts at peace-keeping in the South Asia region and said it is time to back Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Addressing media reporters in Pentagon, US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis welcomed Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for her 5-day visit. Mattis, stressed that Pakistan needs to act tough on the Taliban and the war in Afghanistan needs to stop. "It's time for everyone to get on board, support the United Nations; support Prime Minister Modi's, (Afghan) President (Ashraf) Ghani and all those who are trying to maintain peace and make for a better world here,” Mattis's statement read

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