382 convicts on death row in country’s jails: govt
New Delhi: There were 382 convicts on the death row in the country’s jails, at the end of 2013, Lok Sabha was informed on Tuesday. Minister of State for Home Haribhai Parathibhai Chaudhary said in last 34 years about 123 mercy petitions were received under Article 72 of the Constitution for consideration of the President. All these mercy petitions have been considered or disposed of except three — Balwant Singh Rajoana of Chandigarh, Tote Dewan alias Man Bahadur Dewan of Assam and Antony of Kerala, he said in reply to a written question. These petitions have been processed or submission to the President. “Under Article 72 of the Constitution there is no limitation of time within which the power conferred may be exercised. However, the mercy petitions are disposed off as expeditiously as possible,” he said. (PTI)
De-classify docs related to Netaji’s mysterious disappearance: BJD MP
New Delhi: A BJD member Tuesday sought de-classification of documents related to the mysterious disappearance of Subhash Chandra Bose, saying it will help establish the truth once and for all and put to rest conspiracy theories. Raising the issue in Lok Sabha, B Mahtab questioned BJP over its change of stand on the sensitive issue as it had earlier favoured disclosing these papers and sought government’s reply on reports that two related files have gone missing. The reported “destruction” of these files, one in 1969 and another in 1972, is as mysterious as Netaji’s disappearance. What steps are being taken to release these documents… Why did the ruling party change its stand?,” he asked. Noting that different governments had appointed three commissions of inquiry, report of one of which was rejected by the UPA government, but conspiracy theories continue to swirl, Mahtab said if government declassifies all files it would help establish the truth. The government recently refused to make public the files pertaining to Bose’s mysterious disappearance and death saying the disclosure will prejudicially affect relations with foreign countries. It had taken the stand in response to a RTI query. (PTI)
Five persons killed in Bihar car-train collision
Nawada: Five persons were killed and as many others injured when a car was hit by Howrah-Gaya Express train at an unauthorised crossing in Nawada district of Bihar on Tuesday. While four persons died on the spot, one succumbed to injuries in a government hospital, Sub Divisional Officer (SDO) Rajesh Kumar said. Occupants of the car were returning from a marriage ceremony in Safiganj and the vehicle got entangled with the engine of the Gaya-bound train while trying to cross over the tracks unaware of arrival of the train. Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi has announced Rs 2.5 lakh compensation for the dependents of those killed in the collision. While Rs 1.5 lakh would be paid from Disaster fund, the rest would be from Chief Minister’s Relief fund, Chief Minister Office (CMO) sources said in Patna. The Chief Minister spoke to Nawada District Magistrate Lallan jee and directed him to facilitate free treatment of the injured, the CMO said. The Railways have not announced compensation saying that since the crossing was unauthorised, the Railways were not at fault, Chief Public Relation Officer(CPRO) Arvind Kumar Rajak said. The accident took place at an unauthorised crossing through which vehicles and pedestrians cross the railway tracks in between Warsaliganj and Nawada, Rajak said. The spot where the accident took place is 55 km from Patna and falls under Danapur division of East Central railway zone. (PTI)