2020 riots: Delhi court acquits six accused
New Delhi: July 8: Six individuals who were accused of rioting, arson and loot during the riots in North-East Delhi in 2020 were acquitted by a local court on Saturday. Additional Sessions Judge Pulastya Pramachala gave the verdict in a case involving Sahil, Dinesh, Tinku, Sandeep, Vikas Kashyap and Sonu. The accused were allegedly part of a violent mob that trespassed and looted a shop in Bhagirathi Vihar on the intervening night of February 24 and 25, 2020. The court said that the charges against the accused could not be proven beyond reasonable doubt, leading to their acquittal. The judge cited significant discrepancy in the timing of the incidents between the testimonies of two prosecution witnesses, a constable and an assistant sub-inspector, who claimed to have witnessed the events. (IANS)
BJP top brass meet to discuss Modi cabinet reshuffle
New Delhi, July 8: Ahead of the Lok Sabha elections in 2024, another high-level meeting of the BJP top brass has started as the much-talked about reshuffle of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s cabinet is on the cards. BJP national president J.P. Nadda, Union home minister Amit Shah and the party’s national organization general secretary B.L. Santosh are holding a meeting at the BJP headquarters in Delhi. For the last two months, senior BJP leaders have been continuously holding marathon meetings in view of the Lok Sabha elections and the upcoming assembly elections, the organizational changes in the BJP and the Union cabinet reshuffle. The BJP leaders have held meetings with Amit Shah, J.P. Nadda and B.L. Santosh for several hours in the party office. Recently, Amit Shah also met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and held discussions informing him about the blueprint being prepared for change in the party and government.(PTI)
Rlys to slash fares of AC chair car
New Delhi, July 8: Fares of AC chair cars and executive classes of all trains, including Vande Bharat, and those with Anubhuti and Vistadome coaches will be reduced by up to 25 per cent, depending on occupancy, a Railway Board order has stated. The fares will also depend on those of competitive modes of transport. With a view to optimising utilisation of accommodation, the rail ministry has decided to delegate powers to principal chief commercial managers of railway zones to introduce discounted fare schemes in trains with AC seating. “This scheme shall be applicable in AC chair car and executive classes of all trains having AC seating accommodation, including Anubhuti and Vistadome coaches,” the Railway Board order stated. “The element of discount shall be up to a maximum 25 per cent on the basic fare. Other charges like reservation charge, super fast surcharge, GST, etc, as applicable, shall be levied separately. The discount may be provided in any or all the classes on the basis of occupancy,” it said. The order also said that trains having “classes with occupancy less than 50 per cent (either end-to-end or in some specified legs/sections depending upon the sections where discount is to be provided) during the last 30 days shall be taken into consideration.” (PTI)