Month: May 2010

New Delhi, May 01: In what is being seen as a major step forward in the Mumbai attacks probe, reports claimed on Saturday that the United States has finally agreed to allow India direct access to 26/11 accused David Coleman Headley.

It is believed that while allowing India direct access, Washington has attached no pre-conditions for questioning Headley, who is currently under FBI custody.

The Indian government is now likely to set up a special team which will interrogate Headley in the US very soon, said government sources.

Mumbai, May 01: As he awaits the outcome of the “biggest and most challenging” case in his career, Ajmal Kasab’s lawyer is satisfied with the defence he made of his client’s innocence in the 26/11 trial.

“I am hopeful that Kasab’s defence of his innocence in the case would be considered by the court while delivering the verdict on May 3,” KP Pawar told a news agency.

New Delhi, May 01: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Saturday said a “dramatic reform” was necessary in legal education system to make law fraternity sensitive to the needs of the marginalised sections.

New Delhi, May 01: In a fresh advisory, the US on Saturday warned of “imminent” terror attacks in New Delhi, particularly in market places like Connaught Place, Greater Kailash and Chandni Chowk, which are “attractive targets” for terrorist groups.

“This Warden Message provides updated information related to the April 21, 2010 Warden Message and additional information related to the Travel Alert issued for India on April 16, 2010,” said the renewed advisory primarily intended for American citizens in India.

Kolkata, May 01: The fate of the Congress-Trinamool Congress alliance in West Bengal has become uncertain, with both the parties deciding on Saturday to contest the Kolkata Municipal Corporation elections on May 30 separately.

The alliance fell apart as none of the two partners were ready to take a smaller pie of the KMC’s 141 seats. The Congress is unhappy with Trinamool chief Mamata Banerjee for offering only 25 seats and today announced a list of its candidates for 88 wards.

Melbourne, May 01: In yet another attack on Indians in Australia, a 24-year old student from the community was severely beaten up in western Sydney, where police claimed the assault was not racially motivated.

The violent attack on the Indian student took place on the night of April 28, the ‘Sydney Morning Herald’ reported without identifying the victim.

He was repeatedly hit and kicked by unidentified assailants but local police said the attack was not racially motivated, according to the report.

New Delhi, May 01: A Delhi court today remanded MCI President Ketan Desai and three others in 13-day judicial custody after their arrest for allegedly taking bribe to allow a medical college in Punjab to admit students despite lack of infrastructure.

Additional Sessions Judge O P Saini sent them to jail till May 14 after the CBI told that their custodial interrogation was no more required in the investigation of the case.

Meanwhile, Desai moved his bail application in the court which has been fixed for hearing on May

–PTI

New Delhi, May 01: Madhuri Gupta, a junior Indian diplomat arrested on charges of spying for Pakistan’s Inter Services Intelligence (ISI), told a court here on Saturday that she was being framed, police sources said.

Gupta was sent to 14 days judicial custody by Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Kaveri Baweja. The police were told to present Gupta before the court on May 15.

According to a police official, Gupta, 53, said she was not a senior officer and could not have passed on sensitive information to her contacts in Pakistan where she was posted in the Indian High Commission.

Melbourne, May 01: In yet another attack on Indians in Australia, a 24-year old student from the community was severely beaten up in western Sydney, where police claimed the assault was not racially motivated.

The violent attack on the Indian student took place on the night of April 28, the ‘Sydney Morning Herald’ reported without identifying the victim.

He was repeatedly hit and kicked by unidentified assailants but local police said the attack was not racially motivated, according to the report.

Giridih, May 01: Rail services on Howrah- Delhi route were disrupted today following a blockade by villagers demanding Schedule Tribe status at a railway crossing in Giridih district, officials said. Villagers belonging to Ghatwar caste blocked Isri Bazar crossing under Dhanbad division of East Central Railway demanding that they be included in the Schedule Tribe category, they said.

Mumbai, May 01: Maharashtra, which is celebrating 50 years of its formation today, has provided pragmatic leadership in diverse areas including national polity, industry and trade, Governor K Sankaranarayanan today said. “Maharashtra has provided pragmatic leadership in diverse areas including national polity, industry, trade, literature, music, fine arts, entertainment, science and technology,” the Governor said at a ceremonial parade in Shivaji Park here to mark the state”s golden jubilee.

Muzaffarnagar, May 01: A leading Islamic seminary has condemned ban on use of veil by Muslim women in some European countries.

Deputy Vice Chancellor of Darul Uloom Deoband Maulana Abdul Khalique Madrasi has condemned the European countries, especially Belgium, for the law curbing Muslim women to wear veil.

“The act is undemocratic and against secularism. Some anti-Islamic forces are trying to curb the religious freedom of Muslims in these countries,” he alleged.

New Delhi, May 01: There are 1,69, 813 vacancies in Railways as on April one, last year, the Rajya Sabha was told today.

Giving this information, Minister of State for Railways E Ahamed said to rectify this situation, streamlining of the working of Railway Recruitment Boards has been undertaken.

Under the new methodology, examination for a particular post will be held on the same date simultaneously by all the Railway Recruitment Boards and in addition to Hindi, Urdu and English, question papers shall be set in local languages, he said in a written reply.

New Delhi, May 01: Madhuri Gupta, a junior Indian diplomat arrested on charges of spying for Pakistan’s Inter Services Intelligence (ISI), told a court here Saturday that she was being framed, police sources said.

Gupta was sent to 14 days judicial custody by Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Kaveri Baweja. The police were told to present Gupta before the court on May 15.

According to a police official, Gupta, 53, said she was not a senior officer and could not have passed on sensitive information to her contacts in Pakistan where she was posted in the Indian High Commission.