Archives for December 2021

New Delhi: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday said inquiry has begun into the helicopter crash that killed Chief of Defence Staff Gen Bipin Rawat and 12 others, and that their bodies will be brought to the national capital in the evening.

Making a statement in the Lok Sabha, Singh said the last rites of Gen Rawat will be performed with full military honours.

Thirteen of the 14 people on board the helicopter died in the crash near Coonoor in Tamil Nadu on Wednesday.

Singh said that Group Captain Varun Singh, who survived the crash, is on life support at a Wellington hospital.

Coonoor (TN): Defence officials on Thursday retrieved the Flight Recorder, more popularly known as ‘Black Box’, of the ill-fated Indian Air Force helicopter that crashed near here on Wednesday. Chief of Defence Staff, General Bipin Rawat and 12 others were killed in the incident.

Official sources said the black box was retrieved in the wake of authorities expanding the search area from 300 metres to one km from the accident spot.

The black box would provide crucial data on the chain of events leading to the tragedy on the hills on Wednesday when the 63-year old Rawat, the country’s first CDS, his wife and 11 others were killed when the Mi-17VH helicopter they were travelling in crashed and went up in flames, leaving only one survivor.

Rawat was on his way to the Defence Services Staff College (DSSC), Wellington to address the faculty and student officers of the staff course when the fatal mishap happened in the Katteri-Nanchappanchathram area.

Geneva: The World Health Organization says early evidence suggests the omicron variant may be spreading faster than the highly transmissible delta variant but brings with it less severe coronavirus disease – though it’s too early to make firm conclusions.

The comments come among swirling concerns about the new variant that first emerged in southern Africa last month, prompting some countries to shut their borders and rattling stock markets fearful of the long-term impact of a possible new variant of the virus that has already infected at least 267 million people and killed more than 5.2 million.

Dr. Michael Ryan, WHO’s chief of emergencies, told reporters Wednesday that data about the omicron variant so far is pointing to a virus that’s efficiently transmitting and probably more efficiently transmitting than even the delta variant, which is by far the most widespread and deadly version.

Maria Van Kerkhove, the technical lead for COVID-19 at the U.N. health agency, cautioned that it was too early to determine the severity of disease caused by omicron, saying there’s only anecdotal information about that for now.

We certainly have information from South Africa that many of the patients that are identified with omicron have a more mild course of disease, she said. But it does take time for people to go through the full course of their infection.

Meanwhile, WHO officials stuck to their stance that giving booster shots to people who are already vaccinated should be a secondary priority to getting first doses into the arms of people in places that have relatively little vaccination coverage.

Dr. Soumya Swaminathan, the WHO’s chief scientist, said wholesale boosting is not the solution right now. That appeared to be an allusion to policies in some countries, notably in hard-hit Europe and the United States, that encourage broad categories of people to get booster shots, not just groups that are seen as especially vulnerable.

The data from country after country after country is showing that the people who are in the ICUs, the people who are severely ill, and the people who are dying are the unvaccinated, she said. I think the message is loud and clear that it’s a primary course of vaccination that is going to protect against severe disease and death — that has to be our goal.

Boosters, she added, aren’t useful in countries with large vaccine supplies but where up to 50% of people have not gotten vaccinated, whether out of concern for secondary effects or other reasons.

At this point, the benefits that we will get from reaching those people who have not received primary courses of vaccination are going to be higher than giving additional doses to those who have already completed a primary course, Swaminathan said.

The agency had hoped to vaccinate priority populations the elderly, people with weaker immune systems and health care workers – in all countries by the end of this year. But rich countries with big vaccine stockpiles have monopolized most doses.

Washington: General Bipin Rawat, India’s first Chief of Defence Staff who died in a helicopter crash in Tamil Nadu, was a strong proponent of India-US defence ties and helped deepen the strategic partnership between the two countries, a senior US official has said.

General Rawat, his wife Madhulika and 11 other people on board an Indian Air Force helicopter died in a crash near Coonoor in Tamil Nadu on Wednesday, the Air Force said.

The copter carrying General Rawat and his entourage crashed in apparently foggy conditions, killing the 13 people on board, the IAF and other officials said. One person survived the crash and is being treated at a hospital.

“We are deeply saddened to hear of the death of Indian Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat, his wife, and 11 others in that tragic helicopter crash in India today. General Rawat was a valued partner, State Department Spokesperson Ned Price said at his daily news conference on Wednesday.

“He was a strong proponent of the US-India defence partnership. He helped to deepen the strategic partnership between our two countries. He was pivotal to that relationship, and that’s why our thoughts go out to the general’s family, to the families of all those on board this flight, and, of course, to the people of India on the loss that they have suffered today, Price said.

Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby, at a separate news conference said that on behalf of the entire Department of Defense, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin extends their deepest condolences to the Rawat family, the Indian military and the people of India after the tragic death of General Rawat in helicopter crash.

“He left an indelible mark on the course of the U.S.-India defence partnership and was at the center of the Indian Armed Forces’ transformation into a more jointly integrated warfighting organisation, Kirby said.

‘The secretary had the privilege of meeting with him earlier this year and really came to view him as a valued partner and a friend to the United States. Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Rawat family, as they lost other family members in this crash, and of course the families of all the other victims of this terrible, terrible incident, he told reporters.

Several top American lawmakers expressed their condolences at the demise of the Indian general in a tragic incident.

I send my deepest condolences to Narendra Modi & the people of India as they mourn the tragic deaths of General Bipin Rawat, his wife, Madhulika Rawat, & the 11 other crew members & passengers lost, said Senator Rick Scott.

India is strong and during this time of grief the United States stands with you, he tweeted.

My deepest condolences to the people of India after the tragic death of General Bipin Rawat, head of India’s armed forces, his wife & 12 others today. My thoughts & prayers are with their families, tweeted Senator Bill Hagerty.

My most sincere condolences to the people of India and their armed forces for the lives lost in today’s tragic aviation incident. I will continue to do all I can to help our partnership grow into an enduring force for overcoming this and future adversities,” Congressman Michael McCaul said in a tweet.

Please join me in praying for India today after this staggering loss, Congressman Mark Green said in a tweet.

General Rawat is survived by two daughters.

New Delhi: Former Chief Justice of India (CJI) Ranjan Gogoi, credited for bringing the curtains down on the sensitive Ayodhya land dispute, Wednesday said he should not have been part of the bench to hear a case related to sexual harassment allegations against him, saying, We all make mistakes and there was no harm in accepting it.

Speaking at the launch of his autobiography, Justice for the Judge’, Justice Gogoi, the first head of judiciary from northeast states, spoke about all the issues, including controversial ones, during his tenure as the 46th CJI and vehemently denied the allegation of quid pro quo in getting the Rajya Sabha nomination in lieu of the Ayodhya verdict.

In hindsight, I should not have been a judge on the bench (which heard alleged sexual harassment case against him). 45 years of my hard work in bar and bench was being spoiled. It might have been better If I was not part of the bench. We all make mistakes. No harm in accepting it, he told a private news channel at the book launch function.

In 2019, a former Supreme Court staffer had accused him of sexually harassing her, and pursuant to her allegations, the Supreme Court took a suo motu cognisance and a three-judge bench headed by Justice Gogoi was constituted.

He was later given clean chit by an in-house committee of three judges headed by Justice S A Bobde. Other members of the committee were two women judges — Justices Indu Malhotra and Indira Banerjee.

The former CJI, simultaneously, defended the procedure of the in-house panel to probe into the allegations saying that it has been there for the last 20 years.

“Any Tom Dick and Harry making a complaint does not get it investigated. The in-house proceeding is not toothless. If found guilty they step down and the President approves impeachment,” he said.

On the issue of interference of the executive in the functioning of the judiciary, he said there was NIL interference.

Who dares to come to Gogoi do this and that? Who would come? I would display my warrior skill and call All India Radio and tell them. There was no interference, he said.

Justice Gogoi said that he did not meet the Prime Minister even once during his tenure as the CJI and those who took selfies with the PM have now become activist judges.

He said people claimed that daal mein kuch kaala hai’ (there is something fishy) when the Prime Minister visited the apex court before the Rafale judgement.

‘Daal to kaala hi hota hai. Nahi toh kya daal hai’. He (PM) came on November 26 on Constitution Day. I do not think anything wrong with it. There were judges who took selfies with the PM and now they are activist judges, he said.

The allegations of quid pro quo’ are all made up by media and newspapers , he said, adding I was least convinced that democracy was in peril. Similarly, I am least convinced about the Rajya Sabha seat offered to me as quid pro quo for the Ayodhya judgment.

If I had become chairman of NHRC(National Human Rights Commission)? Would you have said the same thing? I am sick and tired of repeating that I won’t, he said.

He said that he has been made the MP by a nomination of the President and has not joined any political party and hence is free to express views for or against the government.

On the dramatic and unprecedented January 12, 2018 press conference against the functioning of the then CJI Dipak Misra, Justice Gogoi said that he was under the impression that he would be meeting journalists covering apex court at the residence of Justice (since retired) J Chelameswar.

It is very easy to say that I don’t know what I walked into. We addressed the press and that was my idea. I believed it was the right thing to do at that time. We had to call the conference because we were unable to persuade the then CJI Dipak Misra regarding the allocation of cases to benches. I hope it is the last occasion, he said.

Speaking about the Ayodhya case and the allegations of sidetracking cases of human rights, he said, I did not resurrect Ayodhya. It is a responsibility which my predecessor gave to me and allotted a date. I had two options to run or to fight. Justice Bobde said I come from a family of warriors so I fought.

He said the cases on Kashmir were allocated to an alternate bench and the matter was not allowed to hibernate.

On the critical issue of reinstatement of a woman, who had levelled the allegations against him, Justice Gogoi said she was reinstated during his tenure only as his successor received a letter for re-appointment on humanitarian grounds.

He (Justice Bobde) asked me and I said deal with it. Justice Bobde reinstated her with compassion, Justice Gogoi said.

Justice Gogoi, hailing from Dibrugarh in Assam, became the CJI on October 3, 2018, and demitted office on November 17 next year.

Udupi (K’taka): Rajya Sabha MP Subramanian Swamy on Wednesday sought a probe by a senior Supreme Court Judge into the helicopter crash near Coonoor in Tamil Nadu that killed India’s first Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Bipin Rawat, his wife and 11 others.

The former Union Minister termed the incident as “shocking” and a big caution to national security.

“….final report has not come, so it is very difficult for me to say anything, but the mere fact that a military aircraft in a safe zone like Tamil Nadu, has blown up, it appears to be,” Swamy said.

Speaking to reporters here, he said, “it is something that requires very very serious investigation….the public has to be taken into confidence, so somebody, a senior Supreme Court Judge, should investigate the matter.”

The copter carrying General Rawat, appointed as CDS in 2019, and his entourage crashed on Wednesday, in apparently foggy conditions, killing the 13 people on board, the IAF and other officials said.

One person survived the crash and is being treated at a hospital.

New Delhi: Condolences over the demise of Chief of Defence Staff Gen Bipin Rawat poured in on Wednesday from various countries, including the US, Russia and Pakistan.

Gen Rawat, his wife Madhulika and 11 other people on board an Indian Air Force helicopter died in a crash near Coonoor in Tamil Nadu on Wednesday, the Air Force said.

The US Embassy here extended its deepest condolences to the Rawat family and the families of those who perished in the tragic helicopter crash.

As India’s first Chief of Defence Staff, General Rawat spearheaded a historic period of transformation in the Indian military, the US mission said in a statement.

Gen Rawat was a strong friend and partner of the United States, overseeing a major expansion of India’s defense cooperation with the US military, it said.

“In September, he spent five days travelling throughout the United States as part of a counterpart visit with General Mark Milley to discuss military developments and opportunities to enhance our cooperation with like-minded countries. His legacy will continue on,” the Embassy said.

“Our thoughts are with the Indian people and the Indian military, and we pray for Group Captain Varun Singh’s full recovery,” it said.

British High Commissioner Alex Ellis also condoled Gen Rawat’s demise and hailed him as a wise man and brave soldier.

“Tragic news. Gen Rawat was a wise man, a brave soldier, a pioneer & a generous host to me only weeks ago. We mourn his death and that of his wife, and all killed in this terrible accident,” Ellis tweeted.

Russian Envoy to India Nikolay Kudashev said with deepest regret, he learnt about the sudden demise of Gen Bipin Rawat, Madhulika Rawat and 11 other officers in the helicopter crash.

India has lost its great patriot and dedicated hero, Kudashev said.

“Russia has lost a very close friend, who played a big role in promotion of our bilateral special and privileged strategic partnership. Grieving together with India. Goodbye, friend! Farewell, commander!” he tweeted.

Australian High Commissioner to India Barry O’Farrell expressed deepest sympathies to the families of Gen Rawat, Madhulika Rawat and others on the helicopter.

Australia-India relationship has thrived during General Rawat’s tenure, he said.

French envoy to India Emmanuel Lenain tweeted, “Deeply saddened by the tragic demise of CDS Gen Bipin Rawat, his wife, and several defence officials in a crash. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families & the Indian Armed Forces.”

“We will remember CDS Rawat as a great military leader & a supporter of Flag of France-India defence ties,” he said.

Pakistan’s top military brass also expressed condolences over the “tragic death” of India’s Chief of Defence Staff Gen Rawat, his wife and 11 others who died in a helicopter crash in Tamil Nadu.

Pakistan Army’s spokesman in a short statement posted on Twitter said that Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) General Nadeem Raza and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa expressed condolences.

Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, NI(M) Chief of the Air Staff Pakistan Air Force, also expressed his condolences on the tragic death of Indian CDS Gen Bipin Rawat, his spouse, and 11 others in the helicopter crash.

New Delhi: At least 96 civilians have been killed in Kashmir post the abrogation of Article 370 while 366 terrorists have been neutralised by security forces, the government informed Rajya Sabha on Wednesday.

In a written reply, Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai also said that “no Kashmiri Pandit/Hindu has been displaced from the valley” post the repeal of Article 370 on August 5, 2019.

“However, recently some Kashmiri Pandit families, mostly women and children, living in Kashmir have moved to Jammu region.

“These families are of govt. employees, many of whom, move to Jammu in winter as part of movement of officials and the winter vacation in educational institutions,” the minister stated.

Replying to another question, Rai said a total of 96 civilians, 81 security forces personnel and 366 terrorists were killed in Kashmir since the repeal of Article 370 till this November.