India

Kolkata, Dec 17 (IANS) Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) showed Sujay Krishna Bhadra, a prime accused in the multi-crore cash-for-school-job case in West Bengal as arrested on Tuesday and presented him online at a special court in Kolkata.

On December 6, a single-judge bench of the Calcutta Court granted conditional bail to Bhadra in the case registered in the matter against him, by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), which is conducting a parallel probe in the school job case.

After getting bail in the case registered by ED, Bhadra approached a division bench of the Calcutta High Court for anticipatory bail in apprehending his arrest by CBI.

However, on December 16, the division bench of Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice Gaurang Kanth rejected his plea for anticipatory bail plea by Bhadra’s counsel.

Earlier, Bhadra skipped the appearance thrice and hence CBI was unable to show him as arrested, since unless an accused is presented at any court through production warrant, he or she cannot be shown as arrested.

However, on Tuesday CBI ensured his online presence following which the central agency officials could finally show him as arrested.

On Monday, the judge of the special court made a significant observation about the event of Bhadra skipping the appearances at the court.

“I will see to it how his physical presence at the court can be ensured. Since the very first day, the CBI has been seeking his custody. But that was not possible because he could not be physically presented to the court. But the CBI cannot be held responsible for what has happened during the last few days. The court is watching everything,” the judge of the special court observed.

--IANS

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Chandigarh, Dec 17 (IANS) Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Bikram Singh Majithia on Tuesday said Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann should own moral responsibility for the worsening law and order situation and resign as Home Minister.

He expressed shock at the manner in which the Amritsar police and its commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar were engaged in a cover-up operation and were denying that a string of grenade attacks on police stations in Amritsar took place.

A blast was reported at the police station on early Tuesday, triggering panic among residents, but the police denied it.

According to locals, an explosion was heard at around 3 A.M. However, according to the cops, a heavy object fell on the temporary police sentry post outside the station.

Amritsar Police Commissioner Bhullar denied claims of a blast and said a policeman posted on sentry duty heard the sound.

“I immediately went out but found nothing. I heard the sound,” he said.

Speaking about the incident at Amritsar’s Islamabad police station when a loud explosion damaged window panes of neighbouring houses, Majithia said, “The Amritsar Police was quick to deny the incident and even cleaned up the police station to show nothing had happened. However, simultaneously the police were at work and threatening people who asserted that they had heard a grenade going off, for which responsibility has also been taken now.”

Stating that the Punjab government must not take such attacks on police stations lightly, the Akali leader said, “Earlier when the Majitha police station was the subject of a grenade blast the police claimed that a tyre had burst. Now again the same tactic is being employed in the case of the attack on the Islamabad police station.”

Majithia said all these attacks were a clear indication of an Intelligence failure and that the Chief Minister should own moral responsibility for it.

“This is also the result of weakening state institutions by giving encouragement to gangsters like Lawrence Bishnoi,” he said.

Asking the state government not to try to deny such incidents, Majithia said, “An effort should instead be made to isolate and arrest the anti-national elements behind the blasts.”

The Police Commissioner, however, said some people claimed on social media that an “attack” took place at the police station but there was no such incident.

--IANS

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Gurugram, Dec 17 (IANS) Rapper Badshah was fined Rs 15,500 for driving in the wrong lane in Gurugram, violating traffic rules.

Badshah's convoy, comprising three cars, was reportedly plying on the wrong side of the road, violating traffic norms.

Badshah, who was driving Mahindra Thar to reach Punjabi singer Karan Aujla's concert on December 15, was fined by the Gurugram Traffic Police.

However, it is being said that the vehicle did not belong to the rapper and was registered in the name of a youth from Panipat.

After the post about Badshah violating traffic rules went viral, Gurugram Traffic Police issued a challan to the rapper.

"3 vehicles of Punjabi singer Karan Aujla's convoy are going on the wrong side towards Airia Mall, and the bouncers are also misbehaving with the people, but Gurugram police are sleeping," an 'X' user wrote.

To this, Gurugram police replied, "Challan has been generated on 16.12.2024 against wrong side driving according to MV Act."

"A challan of Rs 15,500 has been issued against one vehicle remaining two of the convoy are being identified. Soon fines under the MV (Motor Vehicles) Act 2019 will also be issued," said a traffic police official on the condition of anonymity.

Under the MV 2019, driving on the wrong side of the road is a punishable offence under Section 184 (dangerous driving) and Section 194D (wrong side on one-way roads).

The penalty for the first offence includes a fine of Rs 500 to Rs 1,000 and/or imprisonment for up to six months. For repeat offences, the fine increases to Rs 10,000, with possible imprisonment of up to 2 years and license suspension. Repeat violators may also face vehicle impoundment.

Meanwhile, the Gurugram Traffic Police have imposed challans amounting to Rs 10.28 crore against 1.46 lakh traffic offenders from January to November this year for wrong-side driving, police said.

--IANS

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Bengaluru, Dec 17 (IANS) The Karnataka Police Department has announced that it will file an appeal petition in the Supreme Court challenging the bail granted to Kannada actor Darshan in the fan murder case.

Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru on Tuesday, Bengaluru Police Commissioner B. Dayanand stated, “In connection with the Renukaswamy murder case, the police department is preparing to approach the Supreme Court to challenge the bail granted to the accused by the High Court.”

“We are sending a proposal to the government in this regard and are in the process of filing an appeal petition,” he added.

Sources stated that following the instructions from the Home Ministry, the police department has already got the charge sheet against Darshan translated into English and the copy is ready to be submitted to the Supreme Court.

The Karnataka High Court last Friday granted bail to Kannada superstar Darshan and his partner Pavithra Gowda in connection with the Renukaswamy murder case.

Darshan was released from prison on October 30 on interim bail after spending 131 days in jail.

The actor is presently being treated for severe back pain at the BGS Apollo Hospital in Bengaluru.

Darshan's partner and actress Pavithra Gowda (33) was released on bail from Parappana Agrahara Central Prison in Bengaluru on Tuesday. Darshan, Pavithra Gowda, and 15 others were arrested on June 11 on charges of kidnapping and brutally murdering Renukaswamy, a fan from Chitradurga.

Renukaswamy had allegedly sent derogatory and obscene messages to Pavithra Gowda as he was miffed with the actor having a relationship with her despite being married.

Reacting to the bail granted to the Kannada superstar and others accused in a sensational fan murder case, victim Renukaswamy's father, Kashinathaiah Shivanagoudar had said that he is confident that the bail granted to actor Darshan will be challenged in the Supreme Court.

Speaking to the media, Kashinathaiah Shivanagoudar said in Chitradurga: "I have full faith in the judicial system. I came to know about the bail granted to Darshan, Pavithra Gowda, and the other accused. I believe that after the court trial is completed, justice will prevail."

"The accused may have been granted bail temporarily, but I trust the judicial system will ensure they receive the appropriate punishment."

--IANS

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Gurugram, Dec 17 (IANS) The Gurugram Police have arrested three people, including a Dhaba owner, and filed cross FIRs in connection with vandalism and setting fire to vehicles due to enmity near the jail complex in Sohna Chowk, police said.

The accused has been identified as Aniket a resident of village Khandsa, Gurugram, Hemant (Dhaba owner) and Mohit, both residents of Islampur, Gurugram.

According to the police, on December 15, information was received at Police Station Shivaji Nagar, Gurugram, regarding a fight at 'Jail Ki Roti Boti Dhaba' near Sohna Chowk, Gurugram.

On receiving the information, the police team reached the spot and found that the injured person had gone to the hospital. The police team reached the hospital for further action but the injured person was not found in the hospital.

Thereafter, on December 16, a person filed a complaint at the Shivaji Nagar police station. In the complaint, he said that he was eating food at Jail Ki Roti Boti Dhaba with Dhaba operator Hemant Sharma and his other friend on December 15.

At the same time, some people were having a birthday party near a parked car. When he ordered food, those people abused him and started beating him. When his friends came to rescue him, they also beat his friends and threatened to kill him.

On this complaint, FIR number 441 was registered under the relevant sections in Police Station Shivaji Nagar, Gurugram.

In relation to the incident, a person from the other side also told the police on December 15 that he was having a birthday party with his friends near Sohna Chowk. During this, he picked up a chair from near Jail Ki Roti Boti Dhaba to sit. However, the Dhaba owner and his associates beat him up and also vandalised his auto and set an Eco car on fire. On this complaint, another FIR number, 442, was registered in Police Station Shivaji Nagar, Gurugram.

During the investigation, police took action and arrested Aniket in FIR number 441 from Shivaji Nagar, Gurugram, on Monday. Later police also nabbed Hemant and Mohit.

From the criminal record of the accused, it was found that two cases were registered against the accused, Aniket, under the Excise Act in Gurugram.

"Police teams have been formed to arrest other accused in the above cases. Every possible effort is being made by the formed teams to arrest the accused involved in committing the crimes of the above cases. Investigation of the cases is going on," Sandeep Kumar, spokesperson of the Gurugram police said.

--IANS

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New Delhi, Dec 17 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed grief over the devastation caused by Cyclone Chido in Mayotte, a French territory in the Indian Ocean.

"Deeply saddened by the devastation caused by Cyclone Chido in Mayotte. My thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families," PM Modi posted on his X handle on Tuesday.

Expressing confidence in France's recovery efforts, he said: "I am confident that under President Emmanuel Macron’s leadership, France will overcome this tragedy with resilience and resolve. India stands in solidarity with France and is ready to extend all possible assistance."

President Macron is expected to visit Mayotte in the coming days and has declared a period of national mourning. "I will be travelling to Mayotte in the coming days to support our fellow citizens, civil servants, and emergency services mobilized. This is about dealing with emergencies and preparing for the future. Faced with this tragedy, which is upsetting us all, I will declare national mourning," he announced on X on Monday night.

Cyclone Chido, which struck Mayotte on December 13 night, brought wind speeds of 200 kph, causing the strongest storm in over 90 years to hit the islands. The cyclone has claimed 22 lives so far, left more than 1,400 injured, and affected nearly 70 per cent of the population.

Widespread destruction has been reported, including damage to houses, government buildings, and a hospital. Mayotte's main airport has been closed to civilian flights due to extensive damage, with only military aircraft operating for relief efforts.

France has dispatched rescue teams and medical personnel to the island, while residents line up outside grocery stores in search of water and essential supplies.

The cyclone also caused extensive damage to neighbouring Madagascar and later made landfall in Mozambique on the African mainland late Sunday. However, Mayotte, located directly in the cyclone's path, remains the worst affected.

--IANS

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Kohima, Dec 17 (IANS) The leaders of Eastern Nagaland Peoples' Organisation (ENPO), which has been demanding a separate ‘Frontier Nagaland Territory (FNT)’ comprising six districts for seven backward tribes, on Tuesday said that the tripartite talks with the Centre and the state government are in an advanced stage.

ENPO General Secretary M. Honang Konyak said that they are optimistic that the Central government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, would not fail in fulfilling the proposed offer of FNT by the Centre in the interest of the people of eastern Nagaland.

He said that in the tripartite meeting held in New Delhi on December 13, the ENPO delegation made its unwavering stand very clear that the demand of the people of eastern Nagaland is for a separate "Frontier Nagaland" state.

"The ENPO having considered the difficulties of the Centre at the present juncture had decided to temporarily accept the offer of the government for FNT, a unique arrangement with executive, legislative and financial autonomy," Konyak said.

He said that the December 13 meeting witnessed significant progress and had decided to have the next round of tripartite meetings by the second week of January 2025 to deliberate on the unresolved issues.

Since 2010, the ENPO has been demanding a separate ‘Frontier Nagaland Territory’ or separate state comprising six eastern Nagaland districts -- Kiphire, Longleng, Mon, Noklak, Shamator, and Tuensang, inhabited by seven backward tribes -- Chang, Khiamniungan, Konyak, Phom, Tikhir, Sangtam, and Yimkhiung.

Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, referring to the ENPO demand, recently said that a draft Memorandum of Settlement was submitted, on November 6 to the Ministry of Home Affairs emphasising a shared economic progress for all citizens and marking the beginning of a new era of partnership and collective growth.

In October, the Nagaland cabinet accepted the proposal for granting and constituting a Frontier Nagaland Territory Authority (FNTA) comprising six eastern districts of the state as demanded by the ENPO.

With the formation of the proposed FNTA, special powers would be granted to the six Eastern Nagaland districts.

The Ministry of Home Affairs had, before the Lok Sabha polls, sought the state government’s comments and proposal on the ENPO demand.

People of the six Eastern Nagaland districts abstained from the June 26 civic body elections and Lok Sabha elections on April 19 after the ENPO gave the vote boycott call in support of their demands.

The ENPO and its allies had given a call to boycott the Assembly elections held in February last year but withdrew it later following an assurance from Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

Nagaland has 60 Assembly seats and 20 of them are in these six districts.

--IANS

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Belagavi, Dec 17 (IANS) Karnataka Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao said on Tuesday that holding pharmaceutical companies accountable has proven to be difficult, emphasising that it needs to be tackled through national-level legislation.

“I want to convey that drug-related laws are not strong. There is no history of action being taken against pharmaceutical companies,” said the minister on the floor of the Legislative Council while addressing the series of maternal deaths which occurred at the Ballari hospital.

He highlighted that many drugs have failed due to substandard quality, but holding pharmaceutical companies accountable has proven difficult.

“This issue needs to be seriously discussed at the national level. If quality medicines are not manufactured, it will have serious implications for people,” Rao stated.

Substandard drugs can result in fatalities and ineffective treatment of diseases. Most drug manufacturing companies are based in states like Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. They receive support from the administration, and in order to protect their reputation, pharmaceutical companies are granted immunity, Rao alleged.

He further claimed that pharmaceutical companies are shielded from regulatory laws and protected by the courts. “Some drug manufacturers have one standard for medicines exported to foreign countries and a different, lower standard for medicines distributed in India,” Rao pointed out.

“There should be no differentiation in drug quality, whether they are meant for export or for the poor in India. Quality should not be compromised. The system currently fails to ensure this,” the Minister emphasised.

He added that the Drug Control Department wrote a letter regarding the certification of drug quality, but the state laboratory reported otherwise.

“We cannot dispute the findings of accredited national labs and must accept their reports. The batch of medicines was tested five times before being supplied to the Ballari hospital,” he said

He also pointed out that all laboratories declared the medicine as compliant. However, questions have arisen regarding the management and functioning of nationally accredited labs.

“A team has been formed to investigate this issue, and a report is awaited,” he said.

Minister Rao insisted that there should be no attempt to cover up such cases.

“This is a systemic failure. Similar incidents have occurred nationwide. Initial steps are taken, but the issue is later forgotten. This should not happen. It needs to be discussed at the national level, and systemic flaws must be addressed in light of this tragedy,” he urged.

He said that following visits by teams from the state government, the Drug Control of India, and the West Bengal government to the pharmaceutical company in question, concerns were raised about the manufacturing process.

“A stop-production notice has been issued to the company, halting all drug manufacturing activities,” Rao informed.

“The manufacturer should not be allowed to make such mistakes. The Food Control Department and the Drug Control Department will now be monitored by an IAS officer in the state,” he stated.

“We should not tolerate such incidents in any form. This is the current state of the system in our country. In Maharashtra, a company supplied antibiotics containing spurious powder,” he reiterated.

“The pharmaceutical lobby is huge in our country and has strong influence at the central government level. Regulatory laws are not effectively enforced. Our country needs a system to ensure that only quality drugs are produced. We should strive towards this goal,” Rao asserted.

“The Development Commissioner has been instructed to provide a comprehensive report on the maternal death tragedy. Strict orders have been given to investigate each maternal death case in the state, and a maternal death audit is being conducted,” he announced.

Addressing the maternal deaths, Rao explained, “The incidents in Ballari District Hospital occurred on November 9, 10, and 11. A total of 34 cesarean surgeries were performed, of which seven cases turned critical. Tragically, five women died after delivery, while two recovered and were discharged.”

The incident came to the government’s attention on November 13, prompting the immediate dispatch of a team to investigate. Rao noted that over 2,000 deliveries had been conducted at the Ballari hospital previously, with no reported deaths.

An expert team of doctors visited the hospital on November 14 and submitted a report two days later. The report stated that local doctors had not shown negligence or dereliction of duty and that due procedures and protocols were followed.

Minister Rao emphasised that such incidents should not be tolerated.

“We must consider the consequences of a mother’s death in a family due to the negligence of a manufacturer or any other reason,” he pointed out.

“We are taking action against laboratories for providing false reports. Pharmaceutical companies must not supply substandard medicines. The system must ensure this and prevent companies from risking lives. Another drug from the same company has also failed quality tests,” he revealed.

“All necessary action must be taken against the Paschim Banga Pharmaceuticals company, which supplied substandard medicines. We do not know how many other companies are operating similarly. The issue came to light only because of the series of deaths in Ballari. If deaths occur in different locations, they might go unnoticed due to inefficient reporting mechanisms,” Minister Rao concluded.

--IANS

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Jaipur, Dec 17 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday participated in the 'Ek Varsh-Parinaam Utkarsh', marking the completion of one year of Bhajanlal government.

He also inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for 24 projects related to Energy, Road, Railways and Water worth over Rs 46,300 crore, including the interlinking of 11 rivers in the state.

The interlinking of rivers, under the Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (ERCP) is an ambitious move to link at least 11 rivers in the state, to turn the state from a water-deficient to a water-surplus state.

Addressing the gathering, PM Modi highlighted former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee's vision of linking rivers and also recalled his government's efforts in bringing waters from the Narmada river to various parts of Gujarat and Rajasthan.

PM Modi also remarked that he envisions a day when Rajasthan will no longer face water scarcity and will have it in abundance for the region's development.

Many local residents expressed happiness over the green signal to the long-pending ERCP and thanked the Prime Minister for initiating a project that could prove to be a "game-changer" in eliminating the water crisis from the state.

A resident sharing his joy told IANS, "Rajasthan is a large state but over the last 75 years, successive governments have only given empty promises to address the water crisis. A small effort was made by Ganga Prasad, which led to the Rajasthan Canal project. However, it did not meet expectations. Now, with the ERCP scheme being implemented across 13-14 districts, and PM Modi personally announcing it to the public, it is set to be a remarkable addition to the state. Around 40 per cent of the state’s landmass will finally have access to water."

"PM Modi is a leader, whom the people trust. Under the ERCP scheme, the long-standing water issues in eastern Rajasthan are being addressed. In coming days, Rajasthan will witness areas, where groundwater levels had reached zero, finally receiving water. This initiative will be historic," said another resident.

A resident from Rajasthan's Shekhawati said, "I want to express my gratitude to PM Modi for inaugurating the ERCP scheme, which will benefit numerous districts in Rajasthan. In the coming days, the work initiated under this scheme will start showing fruitful results."

"Rajasthan is a vast state geographically, with a significant portion being arid. Despite this, no government took meaningful steps to resolve the water crisis. We have faced this problem for decades, but now PM Modi has given us this invaluable gift, and we are truly grateful," said another resident.

PM Modi also told the gathering that soon after the formation of BJP governments in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, an agreement was reached on the Parbati-Kalisindh-Chambal link project, which would interlink the Chambal River and its tributaries, including Parbati, Kalisindh, Kuno, Banas, Banas, Ruparel, Gambhiri, and Mej rivers.

He said that this water pact will provide irrigation and drinking water to 21 districts in Rajasthan while accelerating the development of both Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh.

--IANS

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Nagpur (Maharashtra), Dec 17 (IANS) Continuing to take potshots at the government, Maharashtra Congress President Nana F. Patole claimed that the Bharatiya Janata Party-led NDA is attempting to ‘murder’ the Indian democratic system through Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), here on Tuesday.

Speaking to the media, Patole said that the EVMs used in the Lok Sabha elections were not utilised for the Maharashtra Assembly elections, for which EVMs were allegedly brought here from Gujarat.

“There is a gross misuse of EVMs. BJP members are sitting on the board of directors of the companies manufacturing EVMs. The EVMs deployed during the Lok Sabha polls were not used for the state Assembly polls and for this, the EVMs were sent from Gujarat,” contended Patole.

He again slammed the Election Commission of India (ECI) for “failing to exercise its constitutional powers” and alleged that all its operations are conducted at the behest of the BJP, “thus revealing their (ECI’s) mindset” – though the government and ECI have rubbished all anti-EVM allegations.

Taking a swipe at the One Nation-One Election, Patole added that the BJP-RSS’ machinations to end the country’s democracy are evident by the ‘One Nation, One Election’ bill brought before Parliament on Tuesday.

Earlier, the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) legislators continued their strong protests for the second day against EVMs, the plight of farmers, the custodial death of a Parbhani Dalit man Somnath Vyankat Suryawanshi in judicial custody, and the killing of a Beed Sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh.

The MVA legislators of Congress-Shiv Sena (UBT)-Nationalist Congress Party (SP) raised slogans and carried placards condemning the MahaYuti government, targeted the police for alleged atrocities in Parbhani and protecting the culprits in the Beed case, plus sought action against the officials concerned in both matters.

Amid the growing clamour from the Opposition, the Speaker said that the Parbhani matter would be taken up for discussion on Wednesday by the Assembly.

--IANS

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