Regional

Patna, April 15 (IANS) In what is being suspected as a case of honour killing, two teenage girls have been allegedly killed by their mother in Bihar's Vaishali district, the police said on Saturday.

Even as the woman -- Rinku Devi -- has admitted to killing her daughters, aged 18 and 16, the police suspect that the crime was committed by her husband, who is currently absconding.

Rinku Devi told the police that she killed her daughters as she was miffed with them for frequently eloping with some youth.

"I have killed the elder daughter first, followed by the younger daughter. Both of them used to elope with youth frequently. They had eloped with two youth 15 days ago. I gagged them until death," Rinku Devi said in her confessional statement.

Om Prakash, SDPO Sadar range of Vaishali, said: "When we learnt about the incident in the morning, a team from Sarai police station went there for investigation. On noticing the police, the girls' father fled from the spot. He lives in Kolkata. We have detained their mother for enquiry. She confessed that she had killed them.

"However, the way she appeared, we doubt if she had actually committed the crime. She is trying to shield her husband," the police officer said.

"On the basis of a confessional statement, we have arrested her and raids are on to nab her husband. Rinku Devi claimed that she was miffed with her daughters and hence, she killed her. The bodies have been sent for postmortem," Om Prakash said.

Meanwhile, Neeraj Singh, the Mukhiya representative of Shital Bhakurahan Panchayat, said: "Rinku Devi came to my house in the morning and said that her husband killed her two daughters. They had eloped 15 days ago and their father was angry over them. He had gagged their mouths until they died. After committing the crime, he fled from the spot."

--IANS
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Chennai, April 15 (IANS) A man from Uttar Pradesh has been arrested by the Railway Protection Force (RPF) in Tamil Nadu on Saturday on charges cheating the Indian Railways by creating a fake software to book tatkal train tickets.

The arrested person has been identified as Shamsher Alam (40), who has been accused of creating a fake software to book and sell tatkal tickets on the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) website since 2012.

Alam was arrested from Tiruvannamalai, where he was produced before a magistrate court which sent him to judicial custody.

RPF officials said that Alam was operating from Titwala town near Mumbai for the past 10 years and had developed a software, ‘Fusion', to book tatkal tickets on the IRCTC website.

According to the local police, Alam sold the 'Fusion' software to private ticket-booking centres across the country which made money to the tune of Rs 50 crore by booking tatkal tickets illegally.

According to the police, five booking agents were arrested in Vellore after a raid in July 2022. The agents informed the police about a fake website that helped them book tatkal tickets faster by using fake IDs and by bypassing the genuine commuters.

These agenst spilled the beans, which led to the arrest of a person named Shailesh Yadav (32), a native of Danapur in Bihar, in September 2022.

Yadav had sold the software through his website (tatkalsoftwareall.in) to ticket booking agents across the country. On questioning Yadav, the police found that Alam was the key conspirator who had developed the software.

Alam initially rented out his software (named Sharp, Tez, Nexus ++ and Fusion) for Rs 500 to customers on a monthly basis. He then joined hands with Yadav and planned and executed the fraud in a major way.

The police said that Alam has cases registered against him in Kurla, Dadar, and Jodhpur police stations.

--IANS
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Bengaluru, April 15 (IANS) The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has cancelled the Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) status of Kannada actor-activist Chetan Kumar Ahimsa, who is known for his 'anti-Hindutva' stands, and directed him to submit his OCI card within 15 days.

Chetan on Saturday confirmed that he has received a letter from the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) asking him to submit his OCI card within the next 15 days, adding that he would challenge the decision in the high court.

Condemning the move, the actor-turned-activist claimed that the notice has been issued to him because he can't be defeated for his society-oriented rational work.

"I obtained the OCI status in 2018. If it is cancelled, I can't contest elections or get a government job," he said.

"I was arrested for a tweet. Cases have been filed against me one after the other. Now, they have sent a notice cancelling my VISA and OCI status," he said.

Chetan's recent claim that the Tirupati temple had been built after demolishing a Buddhist set-up had stirred a controversy. In an interview, he further claimed that Hindu temples were never Vaidik institutions, as they were built after invading and destroying Buddhist religious places.

Chetan in his social media post had claimed that Hindutva is built on falsehood. He also termed the statement by Hindutva icon Veer Savarkar that Hindu nation took shape when Lord Ram returned to Ayodhya after defeating Ravan as 'incorrect'.

--IANS
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Bengaluru, April 15 (IANS) In a setback to Opposition leader Siddaramaiah, the Kolar assembly seat has been allotted to a local leader by the Congress. Siddaramaiah had asked for a ticket from Kolar constituency also. Presently he is contesting from Varuna seat.

The party has allotted the ticket to Kothur Manjunath. According to sources in the party, the invisible hands within Congress have denied the safer option to Siddaramaiah by denying him ticket to contest from two constituencies.

Siddaramaiah was planning to retain Kolar and resign from Varuna constituency. He had planned to get his son Yathindra Siddaramaiah elected in the by-polls. However, with BJP fielding a formidable candidate in Varuna constituency in the form of senior leader V. Somanna and Congress denying him ticket from Kolar, sources explain that Siddaramaiah is pushed to tight spot.

Kothur Manjunath stated that the high command has announced his name without asking him. He maintained that Siddaramaiah should be made a candidate from Kolar. "But, if local leaders want me to contest I will," he said.

--IANS
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Bengaluru, April 15 (IANS) Karnataka Congress on Saturday announced the third list of 42 candidates for the state assembly elections. Former deputy chief minister Laxman Savadi, who joined Congress from BJP, has been allotted the ticket from Athani constituency in Belagavi district.

In the party's third list, Laxman Savadi's name appeared on the top.

Interestingly, the party has not announced the ticket for Hubballi-Dharwad Central constituency for which former chief minister and senior BJP leader Jagadish Shettar has locked horns with the saffron party.

Sources explain that the Congress leaders have already approached and assured Shettar of ticket and position if he joins Congress.

The party has named G.B. Malatesh as the candidate for Shikaripura constituency from where former chief minister B.S. Yediyurappa's son B.Y. Vijayendra is contesting.

Siddaramaiah's loyalist Umashree has been denied a ticket from Terdal constituency from where Siddappa Ramappa Konnur has been fielded. Film producer Umapathy Srinivas Gowda has managed to obtain a ticket from Bommanahalli constituency in Bengaluru.

K.M. Shivalinge Gowda, who joined Congress from JD(S), has been allotted ticket for Arasikere constituency. The party has fielded Banavasi Rangaswamy from Hassan seat. Preetham Gowda is BJP's candidate here and since this is the only seat in the district, the saffron party is in no mood to lose it.

The locals say that it is going to be a straight fight between BJP and JD(S) in Hassan.

Congress had announced 124 candidates in the first list and 42 candidates in the second list. It is yet to announce names for the 16 seats.

--IANS
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Raigad, April 15 (IANS) In a pre-dawn tragedy, at least 12 youths, including five minors, were killed while 28 others injured when a private bus plunged into a gorge on Mumbai-Pune Highway on Saturday, officials said here.

President Draupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, Governor Ramesh Bais, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and others mourned the tragedy and expressed condolences to the victims and their families.

The Prime Minister has announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakh to the kin of each deceased victim, and Rs 50,000 for those injured, while Shinde has said that an ex-gratia of Rs 5,00,000 will be given to the families of the deceased and full treatment expenses of the injured shall be borne by the state government.

Khopoli Police Inspector Shirish K. Pawar said that the accident occurred around 4 a.m. on the Pune-Mumbai arm of the old highway and the bus reportedly fell into the ravine at least 50 meters below, near the treacherous Borghat section.

"From preliminary investigations, it appears that the driver may have lost control on one of the steep turns on the highway, but our priority is rescue work," said Pawar.

At that early hour, there was limited traffic on the highway but some people managed to rush to the accident spot, summoned the Raigad Police, Fire Brigade, some workers from a nearby construction project and a local trekkers' group for help.

A massive rescue operation was immediately launched with ropes and climbers went down to help the victims, numbering around 40-45 including the bus driver, locals said.

According to Pawar and the district authorities, around 12 youngsters have died in the accident and the number of fatalities could go up.

The injured were rushed to Khopoli Civil Hospital, Jakhotia Hospital, and MGM Hospital in Navi Mumbai for treatment, and the condition of some is reported to be serious.

A police official said that a majority of the passengers were members of the Baji Prabhu Music Group, Goregaon, and comprised five minors and other youngsters in their teens or twenties, who were returning home after performing at a programme in Pune on Friday.

The deceased include Jui D. Sawant (18), Kritik Lohit (16), Rahul Gothan (17) (all from Goregaon); Abhay V. Sable (20) and Vaibhavi Sabale (15) of Malad; Harshada Pardeshi (19) of Mahim; Satish S. Dhumal (25), Swapnil S. Dhumal (15), Yash S. Yadav (20), Manish Rathod (25), Veer K. Mandavkar (6), and one person whose identity is yet to be ascertained.

Meanwhile, scores of grieving parents and relatives of deceased and injured victims rushed from different parts of Mumbai to the accident spot and the hospitals in Raigad and Navi Mumbai.

--IANS
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Belagavi, April 15 (IANS) Karnataka Opposition leader Siddaramaiah on Saturday said that he would welcome senior BJP leader Jagadish Shettar if he joins the Congress.

Talking to reporters, Siddaramaiah said, "BJP has not treated senior leaders right."

The Congress leader questioned where is BJP leader K.S. Eshwarappa who used to speak about the party and its policies.

Siddaramaiah claimed that the Congress would benefit from the joining of the former Deputy Chief Minister from BJP Laxman Savadi.

"We will give responsibility to Savadi for campaigning as per his wishes," he said.

On senior BJP leader V. Somanna being pitted against him, Siddaramaiah said, "Somanna is an outsider and he will not get a single vote. There is a Congress wave in the entire state, he added.

Siddaramaiah also stated that the third list of candidates of Congress is most likely to be released on Saturday.

Savadi will campaign for Congress party in Belagavi and other parts as well.

Meanwhile, Union Coal, Mine and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi has held a closed-door meeting with Shettar at his residence. After the meeting, Shettar is holding another meeting with his supporters and is likely to announce his decision.

--IANS
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Bengaluru, April 15 (IANS) In poll-bound Karnataka, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is scheduled to address a rally in Kolar on Sunday where he had made Modi surname remarks for which he was convicted of criminal defamation leading to his disqualification from Parliament.

He is scheduled to arrive in Bengaluru and travel to neighbouring Kolar to address the 'Jai Bharat' rally.

The rally was first scheduled on April 5, 9 and finally April 16.

The Gandhi scion is scheduled to inaugurate 'Indira Gandhi Bhavan' near the Congress headquarters in Bengaluru later. AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge is also expected to attend the programme.

Addressing a rally for the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, seeking votes for Congress candidate K. H. Muniyappa, Rahul Gandhi had alleged, "Why all thieves have Modi surname."

Rahul Gandhi reiterated his Modi surname remark at a public rally in Corporation Grounds in KGF.

--IANS
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Bengaluru, April 15 (IANS) Ahead of the Karnataka Assembly elections, former Prime Minister and veteran JD(S) leader H.D. Deve Gowda released a 12-point manifesto in Bengaluru on Saturday, in which the party has laid emphasis on women empowerment and development of farmers.

In the manifesto, the party has promised to waive loans taken by Stree Shakti Groups, provide five LPG cylinders in a year for free, Rs 6,000 allowance for pregnant women for six months, hike of widow pension from Rs 900 to Rs 2,500 and pension for persons who completed 15 years of service.

The party has also proposed to provide a Rs 10,000 subsidy per acre to farmers; Rs 2,000 monthly allowance for farm labourers; Rs 2 lakh subsidy for women who marry youths who have taken up agriculture.

It has promised to exert pressure on the Central government to conduct exams in Kannada for various civil services and defence recruitments. The party also promised that, if voted to power, it would bring legislation to provide reservations for Kannadigas in the private sector.

The party proposed to distribute 6.8 lakh bicycles and EV mopeds to 60,000 girl students free of cost who are studying in government colleges. The manifesto assures government multi-speciality hospitals in every district.

The JD(S) is marching ahead with new vigour in the state as national parties Congress and BJP are busy "quelling dissidence". JD(S) has resolved family infighting over the matter of issuing the ticket to Bhavani Revanna, daughter-in-law of Deve Gowda.

The party has finally decided to give the ticket to party leader Swaroop Prakash. The party has declared the names of 142 candidates in two lists. The party has to announce candidates for 82 seats.

--IANS
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By M.K. Ashoka
Bengaluru, April 15 (IANS) The Karnataka BJP unit is upbeat about its chances in the May 10 assembly elections. The saffron party has gone one step ahead in replicating the Gujarat model in the state by allotting 52 tickets to new candidates in the first list and denying tickets to seven sitting MLAs in the second list.


Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai has stated that the opponents are already shivering after seeing the list of candidates. Sources said that this was much needed in the interest of the party. However, it is posing a serious challenge to the BJP as the dropped MLAs are rebelling, especially the senior leaders who have vowed to prove themselves by joining hands with political rivals of the BJP.

Sources in the party said that the leaders have been told by the high command not to worry about the rebel candidates and they will take care of the situation. The campaign blitzkrieg of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has been planned in such a way that the state would be swamped by a saffron wave.

However, the controversy surrounding the Amul and Nandini brands has dented the image of the party ahead of the polls. First it was an allegation of Hindi imposition on curd packets. The central agency withdrew it after facing a backlash not only in Karnataka, but in other south Indian states also.

When things seemed to be settling down, the BJP delivered another issue on a silver platter to the opposition by beginning to sell Amul milk and curd packets directly in Karnataka.

The Opposition and Kannada activists came out on the streets to protest the move. Soon, the issue was linked to the survival of the farmers who depend on selling milk to the Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF). The BJP which initially ignored the agitation against Amul, later tried to control the damage by explaining how steps are being taken to strengthen the KMF and the Nandini brand.

The Opposition Congress and JD (S) used the controversy to reach out to the people of the state and successfully created suspicion about the BJP merging the Nandini brand with Amul.

The party is also dealing with the rebellion of its leaders, following the release of the first and second list of candidates. Controversial leader K.S. Eshwarappa was asked to retire from electoral politics. The party denied a ticket to former deputy CM Lakshman Savadi while former CM Jagadish Shettar's ticket is yet to be announced. According to sources the high command is not interested in him.

Senior BJP leaders former deputy CM R. Ashoka and Minister V. Somanna have been given challenging tasks. They will take on Karnataka Congress president D.K. Shivakumar and Opposition leader Siddaramaiah respectively.

The party has managed to rein in Eshwarappa. Lakshman Savadi has declared war on the BJP and will most likely join the Congress. Jagadish Shettar is waiting for his ticket in the third list and he is claiming that he will talk after getting some clarity. The high command had summoned him to Delhi and managed to contain him.

The party has taken a major decision to check the anti-incumbency factor in the coastal Karnataka districts. It is fielding six new faces in place of the sitting MLAs. Six-time MLA and minister S. Angara has resigned from the primary membership of the BJP following the development. Veteran BJP leader Halady Srinivasa Shetty had also announced his retirement.

The BJP is presently facing a rebellion in more than 20 constituencies. BJP sitting MLA from Udupi constituency Raghupathy Bhat who missed the ticket stated that he came to know about the denial of a ticket from the media. This was not the way to treat a senior leader like him, he added.

Former minister Goolihatti Shekar, sitting MLA from Belagavi North Anil Benake, former minister Sogadu Shivanna, MLC R. Shankar who were denied tickets have given clear hints of joining hands with the opposition parties. The party has also not announced a ticket for former minister and senior BJP leader S. Ramdas from Mysuru district.

Tamil Nadu BJP president Annamalai, who is touring the state, has stated that according to him the BJP would win 150 seats in Karnataka. Tejasvi Surya, Bengaluru South MP and BJP Yuva Morcha national president, has stated that the BJP is the only party to groom party workers into leaders. Stalwarts such as Yediyurappa and Halady Srinivasa Shetty have set standards to accommodate future candidates and it shows how different the BJP is when compared to other parties.

Tejasvi Surya has also stated that the BJP has given prominence to new faces. It is to be seen how the BJP's experiment will work for the party in the assembly elections.

--IANS
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