Month: February 2014

Seven die in roof collapse during wedding ceremony

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Seven persons were on Friday killed and 11 others injured when the overcrowded roof of a house collapsed during a wedding ceremony at Tankupi village in Aurangabad district, police said.

The incident happened when a large number of people gathered on the roof during a “sangeet” programme as part of wedding ceremony.

The weak roof could not bear the load of so many people on it and caved in, Superintendent of Police Upendra Kumar Sharma said.

The dead were in the age group of 12 to 18 years.

Minor commits suicide after harassment

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Unable to bear the constant harassment and threats by a man, a minor in West Bengal Friday committed suicide by setting herself on fire, police said.

Following a dying declaration by the victim, the accused was arrested.

The incident took place in Ketugram, some 170 km from Kolkata.

“The accused used to harass and threaten her continuously for the last few days. Last night (Thursday), finding her alone, he entered her house and molested her. Unable to bear it, the girl today (Friday) set herself ablaze and later succumbed to her injuries,” Superintendent of Police SMH Meerza said.

Petrol price hiked by 60 paise; diesel by 50 paise

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Oil marketing companies on Friday increased petrol price by 60 paise a litre, diesel by 50 paise, excluding tax levies, with effect from midnight tonight.

Petrol in Delhi currently costs Rs 72.43 per litre, after the increase it will be priced at Rs 73.03 per litre.

Diesel rates will go up marginally from Rs 54.34 a litre to Rs 54.84 in Delhi.

Petrol price was last hiked on January 3 by 75 paise a litre.

Simultaneously, diesel rates were increased by 50 paise per litre due to a hike in dealers commission.

Court fixes March 24 for arguments on charge against Abu Jundal

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A special NIA court in New Delhi on Friday fixed March 24 for commencement of arguments on framing of charges against suspected LeT terrorist Abu Jundal, one of the masterminds of the 26/11 attacks.

District Judge I S Mehta fixed the matter for March 24 after the National Investigation Agency (NIA) supplied the deficient copies of the documents filed along with its charge sheet to advocate M S Khan, who appeared for Jundal.

Talwars move HC for stay on release of movie on Aarushi case

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Nupur and Rajesh Talwar, who have been sentenced to life imprisonment for killing their teenage daughter Aarushi and house help Hemraj in 2008, have approached the Bombay High Court seeking stay on the release of a movie purportedly based on the murder case.

The Talwars in their petition have claimed that the movie ‘Rahasya’ is based on “distorted facts surrounding the gruesome death” of their daughter.

A division bench of Justices V M Kanade and G S Kulkarni today posted the petition for hearing on March 4.

IAS officer protests against AP Chief Secretary’s service extension

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Sulking over the possibility of Chief Secretary Prasanna Kumar Mohanty getting a three-month extension, Chief Commissioner of Land Administration I Y R Krishna Rao proceeded on a ten-day “protest” leave from Friday.

Both Mohanty and Krishna Rao belong to the 1979 batch of IAS. Mohanty was supposed to retire from service today after attaining the age of superannuation, and Rao was next in line for the Chief Secretary’s post.

RJD accuses Bihar CM Nitish Kumar of dividing party

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The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) has accused Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar of trying to split the RJD to make political headway before the 2014 general elections. In a poll jolt to Lalu Prasad Yadav-led RJD, 13 legislators quit the party on February 24, out of which six of them later had claimed their allegiance to party chief, and said that they were duped into signing on false paper work. The 13 legislators had met Bihar Assembly Speaker Uday Narayan, and had sought to be recognised as a separate group, which was immediately accepted by the Speaker.

Gadkari defamation suit: Kejriwal to appear before Delhi court on April 7

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Delhi Metropolitan Magistrate Gomati Manocha on Friday asked former chief minister Arvind Kejriwal to appear before her court on April 7 to clear his name in connection with a criminal defamation complaint filed against him by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Nitin Gadkari. It may be recalled that Kejriwal had included Gadkari”s name in Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP’s) list of “India”s Most Corrupt”. Gadkari complained that Kejriwal had maligned his reputation.

Army officer commits suicide in J&K

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A junior commissioned officer (JCO) of the Army on Friday committed suicide by shooting himself with his service rifles inside a camp here.

Subedar Surinder Singh shot himself inside the camp of 2 Rashtriya Rifles unit at Shalteng here this evening, army sources said.

He was rushed to a nearby hospital where doctors declared him brought dead.

The incident came a day after an army jawan shot dead five of his colleagues before committing suicide at Safapora in Ganderbal district of Kashmir.

—PTI

Delhi HC rejects ND Tiwari’s proposal for settlement outside court

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The Delhi Court on Friday dismissed the proposal of veteran Congress leader ND Tiwari for settlement of paternity case outside the court after his biological son Rohit Shekhar refused to do so.

Seeking to settle the matter peacefully, the proposal to settle the matter “amicably” outside the court was put forth by Tiwari on February 19.

The paternity suit was filed by Shekhar in 2008, in which he had claimed that Tiwari was his biological father. However, the Congress leader has denied the claim.

Brian Lara dating former Miss Scotland?

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West Indies cricket legend Brian Lara is reportedly dating former Miss Scotland Jamey Bowers.

The batting great was introduced to Bowers, who is 20 years his junior, by former Manchester United and Trinidad and Tobago striker Dwight Yorke.

“It’s early days. I didn’t want anyone to know, but Brian’s been declaring his love all over the place,” the Daily Mail quoted Bowers as saying in the Edinburgh News.

“He’s charming, romantic and fun. We’ll see what happens.”

Lara, 44, is considered one of the greatest batsmen of all time.

111-year-old Italian man crowned world’s oldest man

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A 111-year-old Italian has been crowned the world’s oldest living man by the Guinness Book of World Records.

Arturo Licata, from Enna, Sicily, has been awarded the title after officials checked his birth papers and marriage records.

The Italian has been declared the world’s oldest living man after reaching the age of 111 years and 302 days today, The Mirror reported.

The world’s oldest living person is a woman named Misao Okawa from Osaka, Japan, who was born on March 5, 1898.

Didn’t expect so much dew, says Kohli after loss

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India skipper Virat Kohli said the dew on the ground was “way beyond our expectations” but credited his bowlers for taking their Asia Cup match against Sri Lanka into the last over, here today.

Sri Lanka chased down the 265-run target set by India in 49.2 overs, courtesy a marvellous century by experienced wicketkeeper-batsman Kumar Sangakkara.

CS heads 8-man panel to oversee bifurcation

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An eight member Apex committee, led by APCC president Botcha Satyanarayana, has been set up. The committee would coordinate between various departments on bifurcation issues. Chief Secretary would be president of the committee.
A GO to this effect was released setting up of 15 committees to look after administrative, sharing and other bifurcation issues. (NSS)

Court denies bail to Asaram in rape case for third time

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The sessions court here today rejected the bail petition of self-styled godman Asaram Bapu, arrested in a rape case.

Judge G K Upadhyaya said that a bail could not be given at this stage as the charges were of “serious nature”. This is the third time Asaram has been denied bail.

While seeking the bail, Asaram’s application relied on alleged contradictions in the victim’s statement in the charge sheet, but the judge dismissed the argument.

On October 24 last year, Asaram had filed a bail plea on the ground of delay in filing of FIR by the police. It was rejected.

Idols, ornaments stolen

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Brass idols and ornaments have been stolen from a temple at Madhuvan Complex in Hazaribagh town, the police said today.

The thieves entered the temple cutting iron grills last night and escaped with idols of Radhakrishna and another idol along with ornaments valued several lakhs rupees, the sources said here.

When the head priest opened doors of the temple this morning, he found the idols and ornaments missing, the sources said.

The temple management lodged an FIR with the Hazaribagh sadar police station in connection with this incident.

Decision to impose President’s rule in AP unfortunate: YSRCP

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Describing as “unfortunate” the decision to impose President’s Rule in the state, YSR Congress Party today said Congress has run away from responsibilities.

“The decision to impose President’s rule in Andhra Pradesh is unfortunate. People of the state voted Congress to power with a view that it would provide stability.

“But the party has given up its hopes in forming the government and has recommended for President’s rule, which shows that it is on the verge of total collapse,” senior YSRCP leader M V Mysoora Reddy told reporters here.

Sizzling Sangakkara spoils India’s party

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Seasoned Sri Lanka batsman Kumar Sangakkara delivered with a spectacular ton to give his team a two-wicket win over India in the Asia Cup here Friday.

The Indian pacers failed to back up the good show of spinners, allowing Sri Lanka to chase down India’s 264 for nine in the final over at the Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium. Sangakkara (103 off 84 balls) anchored the chase beautifully until he was caught off a full toss in the 49th over.

Sri Lanka were in a spot of bother at 216 for seven but Sangakkara’s sizzling knock made the difference.

Over 47,000 appear for inter practical exams

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As many as 47,440 students from all over the State appeared for the practical examinations of IPE March 2014 held at 1051 Centre on the 16th day on Friday.

According to Board of Intermediate Education, necessary arrangements were made to conduct practical exams. The Flying Squads with video cameras visited the examination centers. Examinations have been conducted smoothly and peacefully without any untoward incident, the BIE said. (INN)

Lok Satta Welcomes President’s Rule

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Lok Satta Party national President Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan said there is
no alternative to President’s rule in the murky circumstances prevailing in Andhra Pradesh.

In a media statement, Dr. JP pointed out that the Government has ceased to exist in the State for the last two years with Ministers squabbling among themselves forgetting their collective responsibility and the Legislature becoming dysfunctional for the last four years.

The Central leadership, which has derailed the economy and is steeped in orruption, has succeeded merely in destabilizing Andhra Pradesh.

Shankar rao flays TG, Erasu on switching loyalties

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Former Minister P Shankar Rao today criticized that some Congress leaders for joining other parties for political gains.

Talking to media persons at Congress Legislature Party office here he flayed leaders like TG Venkatesh, E Prathap Reddy and Ganta Srinivasa Rao and others as backstabbers for joining TDP and other parties. He found fault with them for meeting Telugu Desam Chief N Chandrababu Naidu. He ridiculed that the TD and YCP will smash in the polls as they don’t have peoples’ trust. He exuded confidence that the Congress will sure win in the general elections.

CAB operators to launch Website today

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The Greater Hyderabad Cabs & Bus Operators Association is launching its own website “ghcboa.com” with complete details of cab and bus drivers for protection of employees working in the IT companies in the Hitec city.

Speaking to mediapersons here on Friday, Association general secretary Syed Nizamuddin said on the basis of a notification issued by the authorities concerned, they have provided all details about the cab and bus drivers in the website for ready reference. The data would be supplied to the Cyberabad and Hyderabad Police.