CBI heat on Marans: Cong dismisses conspiracy theory
NEW DELHI:Congress on Tuesday dismissed suggestions of any “conspiracy” within the UPA in the wake of CBI turning the heat on Maran brothers over the Aircel-Maxis deal after the 2G scam landed two other DMK leaders A Raja and Kanimozhi in jail. “UPA is extremely transparent in all of its political alliances,” party spokesman Manish Tewari told reporters here suggesting that the “talk of conspiracy” could be the handiwork of interests and forces outside UPA.Tewari’s remark came in connection with questions regarding a statement of DMK chief M Karunanidhi backing the Marans.Breaking his silence, Karunanidhi said he treated “equally” both his daughter Kanimozhi, jailed over the 2G scam, and former union minister Dayanidhi Maran and his brother media baron Kalanidhi.”Reports that I do not support Maran brothers is part of a conspiracy by some vested interests to destroy DMK totally,” he said in a statement in the wake of reports suggesting his party was unconcerned about the Maran brothers. (PTI)
Court jails two rapists for 10 years each
NEW DELHI: Two youths have been jailed for 10 years by a Delhi court for abducting and gangraping a girl with the judge rejecting pleas of leniency on the ground that it will “not meet the ends of justice”. Additional sessions judge Bimla Kumari refused to release Gursewak Sharma, 22, and Gurpreet Singh, 20, on probation. “I am of the considered view that convicts cannot be released on probation of good conduct. After going through the principles and the policy of sentencing discussed by the Supreme Court in the cases referred above (in the judgement), I am of the considered view that a lenient view will not meet the ends of justice,” the court said. “I am of the considered view that ends of justice will be met if appropriate sentences are awarded upon convicts for the proved commission of offence in respect of which they were charged with,” the court added. It also imposed a fine of Rs 35,000 on Gursewak Sharma, who was also convicted for abducting the victim and Rs 25,000 on Gurpreet. (PTI)
Bhopal bandh in support of gas tragedy survivors successful
BHOPAL: A day-long Bhopal bandh observed on Tuesday for demanding adequate compensation, based on the actual number of persons killed and affected in the 1984 gas disaster, was successful with markets and transport services remained closed in support of the protest. The bandh call was given by various organisations representing the victims, including those actually died and those affected, in the gas leak tragedy. The bandh evoked maximum response in old Bhopal where the defunct Union Carbide factory is situated, while it was partial in new Bhopal localities. The protest was supported by CPI, CPM, Janata Dal (United), Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party, the Bhopal Chamber of Commerce, local transport and labour associations among others and a rally was taken out on the occasion. The protesters were demanding that the Centre should declare exact figures of persons died in the disaster and those affected till date in the aftermath of the tragedy and should accordingly award adequate compensation to them. (PTI)
‘Modi has nothing to do with FIR against Bhatt’
AHMEDABAD: Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi has nothing to do with the FIR filed against suspended IPS officer Sanjiv Bhatt and his subsequent arrest, government pleader said on Tuesday during hearing on the latter’s bail plea.The Sessions Judge V K Vyas, hearing Bhatt’s bail plea, deferred the matter till Wednesday when government is likely to respond to the argument made by Bhatt’s lawyer I H Syed on Tuesday.Special Public Prosecutor(SPP) S V Raju stated that the Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi had nothing to do with the FIR filed against Bhatt and he was not at all connected with it.Allegation against Modi by Bhatt was simply to divert the attention from the main offence he had committed, Raju said, adding involving the names of Modi and late Haren Pandya in affidavits was to attract media attention.Raju argued that Bhatt was not arrested immediately after the FIR was filed in June and he was given ample time and four summons were issued despite which he did not appear before the investigating officer.(PTI)