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CBI books Teesta Setalvad, husband for illegal foreign funds

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Teesta Setalvad

New Delhi: The CBI on Wednesday registered a case against social activist Teesta Setalvad, her husband Javed Anand and associate Peshimam Gulam Mohammad for criminal conspiracy and illegal acceptance of foreign contributions for their company, Sabrang Communications and Publishing Pvt. Ltd. (SCPPL).

The three have been accused of diverting foreign funds to SCPPL by violating the provision of the Foreign Contribution and Regulation Act (FCRA), 2010.

A Central Bureau of Investigation official said that the trio has also been booked under various sections of FCRA 2010 and Protection of Civil Rights Act.

“The allegations are of criminal conspiracy for illegal acceptance of foreign contribution without registration and prior permission from the ministry of home affairs,” the official told IANS.

Javed, Teesta and Mohammad are directors of SCPPL, based in Santa Cruz in Mumbai.

(IANS)

Azim Premji gives half of his stake in Wipro for charity

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Azim Premji

Bengaluru: Economic value is sustainable only if created on a foundation of ethics and responsibility, say the IT czar

IT czar Azim Premji has given away almost half of his stake holding in Wipro, India’s third largest exporter of software services, to philanthropy.

The Wipro’s billionaire founder has given away an additional 18 per cent of his stake in the IT Company for charity, thus earmarking 39 per cent of stake (worth Rs 53,284 crore) for a charitable trust.

The latest philanthrophic initiative by Premji would pump in an additional Rs 530 crore by way of dividends into the Azim Premji Trust’s corpus this year.

69-year old Premji is the first Indian to sign the Giving Pledge, sponsored by billionaires Warren Buffett and Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates to invite the world’s wealthiest to donate majority of their wealth to charity.

“Over the past fifteen years, I have tried to put this belief into action through my personal philanthropic work…,” Mr. Premji said in a letter to shareholders published in the company’s annual report for the year ended March 2015.

Mr. Premji said, “Over these years I have irrevocably transferred a significant part of the shareholding in Wipro, amounting to 39 per cent of the shares of Wipro, to a Trust (of which ownership in 21.14 per cent was transferred and for the balance the Trust is entitled to beneficial interest of dividends and sale proceeds).”

The previously transferred 21 per cent stake was estimated at USD 4.3 billion. The promoter group led by Mr. Premji holds 73.39 per cent stake in Wipro.

Mr. Premji was considered the ‘most generous Indian’ of 2014 according to the Hurun India Philanthropy List.

He said the Trust supports the work of The Azim Premji Foundation and Azim Premji Philanthropic Initiative and thus a very significant part of the value created by Wipro, goes towards social causes.

Mr. Premji also stated in the report that economic value is sustainable only if created on a foundation of ethics and responsibility.

“For us, this is the driving force in the form of our values and is something that we will continue to remain completely committed to,” he added.

The company’s Social and Sustainability Initiatives are driven by the conviction that corporations should play a significant role in contributing to building a better society, Mr. Premji said.

“The owners — individuals or other entities — of such corporations can do a lot more for society, because they can choose to exercise the right of their ownership, and invest their wealth in any social cause, to their utmost,” he said.

(PTI)

SC orders CBI probe into Vyapam, as more skeletons tumble out

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Supreme Court

New Delhi/Bhopal: The Supreme Court today ordered a CBI probe into the massive admission and recruitment scam in Madhya Pradesh as more skeletons tumbled out of the Vyapam cupboard with the death of yet another witness coming to light.

The Supreme Court, while directing CBI to probe all cases of the Vyapam scam and alleged deaths of persons related to it, also and issued notices to the Centre and the state on a plea seeking Governor Ramnaresh Yadav’s removal for his alleged involvement in the scandal. The court also issued a notice to the Governor.

Congress had yesterday claimed 49 people associated with the scam had died so far.

The apex court’s order transferring all Vyapam-related cases to the CBI came after the state government gave its consent to shifting investigation from the Special Investiation Team (SIT) and the Special Task Force (STF).

A bench headed by Chief Justice H L Dattu said all cases will stand transferred to the CBI from Monday and the agency will file its report before it on July 24.

Before handing over the probe to the CBI, the apex court took on record the submission of Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi, who on behalf of the MP government, said the state has no objection to transferring the investigation in Vyapam and deaths of people allegedly related to it for a free and fair probe.

“The Attorney General (AG) on instruction states that MP govt has no objection whatsoever for transferring the investigation of criminal cases relating to Vyapam scam to the CBI and the cases related to deaths of those allegedly connected with the scam for free and fair probe.

“We appreciate the stand of the AG. In view of the above we transfer investigation of all criminal cases relating to Vyapam scam and death of people allegedly related to it, to CBI,” the bench, also comprising Justices Arun Mishra and Amitava Roy, said.

The apex court was hearing a batch of petitions including one filed by senior Congress leader Digvijay Singh seeking CBI probe into all cases arising out of the Vyapam scam.

As the Supreme Court ordered an inquiry by the central agency, reports came from Bhopal of a special court being informed about the death of yet another witness in the scam.

The Special Task Force of MP police, which hitherto investigated the scam, told the court that Sanjay Singh Yadav, aged around 35, died from illness at a private hospital in Bhopal on February 8. According to his family, he was suffering from Hepatitis-B.

The Supreme Court, while issuing notices relating to the Governor that are returnable after four weeks, refrained from making any remarks on him when Kapil Sibal, appearing on behalf of petitioners demanded that Yadav demit office to maintain its dignity.

“We are not going to say anything on it,” it said.

The STF had registered a case against Yadav, a former Congressman appointed to the post by the previous UPA government, for favouring some candidates appearing for tests conducted by MP Professional Examination Board (MPPEB), also known as Vyapam. The high court, however, quashed it citing immunity from prosecution he enjoys while in office.

Yadav’s son Shailesh, an accused in the case who was alleged to have accepted bribe for rigging Vyapam examination to favour some candidates, was the most high-profile person linked to the scandal to have died in mysterious circumstances. His body was found at his father’s lucknow residence in March this year.

As soon as Sibal, appearing for Singh, submitted that it is a matter in which who’s who of MP is involved, Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi said the state has already moved the high court for a CBI probe and the matter has been deferred to July 20.

Rohatgi’s submission on MP government’s stand evoked a quick response from the bench which said, “The High Court wants to wash off its hand.”

“On CBI enquiry, instead of doing that, they are now saying that ball is in the Supreme Court,” the bench observed.

A beleagured Chouhan, whose credibility has been severely eroded following the scam, hailed the apex court’s order, saying,”I welcome it wholeheartedly. There was a burden on my heart.”

Speaking to journalists in Bhopal, Chouhan said he would request the CBI to begin investigation at the earliest “so the truth comes before the country, the people, and justice is done”.

He rejected Congress’ demand for his resignation. “They ask for it (his resignation) 5-6 times a day. To discredit Shivraj Chouhan, they have discredited the whole state. Probity in public life is my capital,” he said.

Referring to the probe conducted by the STF and SIT so far, Chouhan said,”It was my test by fire. Had I not wanted, investigation would not have happened. I wanted to set the system right.”

Not only Chouhan, political parties of all hues welcomed the decision.

Congress and AAP, while hailing the decision, also demanded that Chouhan step down to facilitate a fair probe.

“The victims have to be given justice. It is very important for the Chief Minister to step down for proper investigation to take place. It would be proper that the Chief Minister resigns as the control of police is with him as of today. If he gets a clean chit, then he can come back,” Congress spokesperson Tom Vadakkan said.

“We welcome the Supreme Court decision. We wanted the Supreme Court to monitor the case and we hope it monitors it,” he said.

AAP Spokesperson Ashish Khetan said by transferring the investigation to CBI, Supreme Court has expressed “dissatisfaction” with the probe conducted by state agencies.

“Now the Chief Minister is left with no moral authority to continue In his post,” he said.

Congress general secretary Digvijay Singh, one of the petitioners in the case, welcomed the apex court’s order.

“With this decision, the faith of the country in judiciary has increased. We are thankful to the Supreme Court,” he told reporters in Delhi soon after the verdict.

The BJP, however, patted Chouhan on the back for the apex court order.

“BJP wanted a CBI probe, BJP approached the court and the court has accepted it. We welcome it,” party spokesman Nalin Kohli said.

Kohli was quick to remind the Congress that an earlier petition filed by Digvijay Singh for a CBI probe had been rejected by the Supreme Court.

(PTI)

RSS’s ‘Muslim Rashtriya Manch’ hosts Iftar party

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rss iftar

New Delhi: The hardline Rashtriya Swamsevak Sangh (RSS) ‘Muslim wing’ the ‘Muslim Rashtriya Manch’ held an iftar gathering Saturday evening in the parliament annexe building.

The RSS has a barely-known wing called Muslim Rashtriya Manch. Its chief patron, Indresh Kumar, said at the gathering that people of one faith should respect other religions and not criticise them.

Kumar quoted from the Quran, the holy book of Muslims, that mutual peace and harmony was the message of god.

Ambassadors of a few countries, including Egypt, and representatives of various Muslim countries attended the event, the organisers said. Union minister Harsh Vardhan was also present.

(Agencies)

US Muslim groups launch fundraiser to help rebuild burned black churches

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At least eight predominantly black churches have burned since Charleston shooting; Ramadan fundraiser aims to help

Photo: AFP

Photo: AFP

by Al Jazeera

A coalition of Muslim groups has launched an online fundraiser to help rebuild predominantly African-American churches damaged in a recent spate of fires across the South.

At least eight churches have suffered fire damage since a shooting on June 17 at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina, left nine black parishioners dead.

The church burnings took place within just 10 days of one another, and three are being investigated as possible arson cases.

“To many, it is clear that these are attacks on black culture, black religion and black lives,” the coalition wrote on the campaign’s LaunchGood page.

“It’s Ramadan, and we are experiencing firsthand the beauty and sanctity of our mosques during this holy month. All houses of worship are sanctuaries, a place where all should feel safe,” it added.

The coalition — which consists of U.S. organizations Muslim Anti-Racism Collaborative and the Arab American Association of New York as well as digital startup Ummah Wide — has so far raised over $23,000 in five days. After the campaign ends on July 18, the money will be given to pastors of the burned churches that need it most, the groups said.

Like black communities in the United States, the coalition wrote, American Muslims are also vulnerable to intimidation, though not to the same extent as African-Americans.

“The American Muslim community cannot claim to have experienced anything close to the systematic and institutionalized racism and racist violence that has been visited upon African-Americans,” organizer Imam Zaid Shakir wrote on the campaign’s website.

However, Muslims can understand the “climate of racially inspired hate and bigotry that is being reignited in this country,” he wrote, saying the American Muslim community should stand in solidarity with African-Americans.

Just 65 miles north of the church where professed white supremacist Dylann Roof allegedly killed nine people, investigators took samples from the charred rubble of Mount Zion AME Church. Authorities said last week they were assessing whether accelerant was used to fuel the blaze at the church, which the Ku Klux Klan burned to the ground two decades ago.

Two other church burnings — God’s Power Church of Christ in Macon, Georgia, and College Hill Seventh Day Adventist in Knoxville, Tennessee — were also suspected arson attacks and are being investigated.

Authorities have not classified any of the fires as hate crimes.

With wire services

Gaza still in ruins, a year after the war

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Besieged territory struggles to recover from last summer’s war with Israel, as pledges of aid fail to materialise.

Many families in Gaza have been living in the ruins of their homes [EPA]

Many families in Gaza have been living in the ruins of their homes [EPA]

by Al Jazeera

The people of Gaza are marking a year since the Israeli air raids that heralded the start of a war that left 2,251 Palestinians dead and thousands more wounded.

The anniversary on Wednesday of last summer’s war comes as the besieged territory struggles to rebuild its infrastructure, and tens of thousands of its people struggle to access basic amenities.

Al Jazeera spoke to Palestinians who said little was being done to help them recover and go on with their lives.

One survivor, Ibrahim Abdeldaem, lost his legs in an Israeli air strike while his family was sheltering at a UN school in Gaza City. His father and brother were killed in the attack and one year later he said he had no hope that his life would get any better.

“I am completely destroyed. I’ve lost my legs. I’ve lost my job. I can’t leave Gaza because we are under siege on all sides. All I want is at least one artificial limb to feel like a normal person again,” Abdeldaem said.

Continuing siege

More than 12,000 homes were destroyed in the war and 100,000 damaged.

International donors including the US and Arab Gulf countries have pledged more than $5bn to help rebuild Gaza.

The director of The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), Robert Turner, criticised the blockade, calling on Israel to end immediately.

“The blockade remains in place and its crippling effect on Gaza is undeniable, inexcusable,” Turner said during a press conference in the territory on Wednesday.

“I see a real willingness on the part of Israel to address some of its worst impact.”

Israel’s economic siege, which has lasted for years, means badly needed construction materials like cement have not been allowed in, despite offers by the United Nations to oversee the process.

Around 20,000 Palestinians still live in temporary shelters ranging from cargo containers to makeshift tents in what is left of their bombed-out homes.

Two-thirds of the 1.8 million population are recipients of UN aid in one form or another.

Turner said that help is needed for more than 7,000 homes to be rebuilt.

The UN official said payments would be issued for the first time on Wednesday for a limited number of families whose homes were destroyed, while repairs for damaged houses have occurred.

Seventeen hospitals, 56 primary health facilities, and 45 ambulances were either damaged or completely destroyed during the conflict, costing Gaza’s healthcare system an estimated $50m.

In addition to the Palestinian casualties, at least 73 people, including 67 soldiers, were killed on the Israeli side of the conflict.

Israel said it was conducting the campaign to put an end to rocket attacks launched by Hamas and other Palestinian factions, which together fired 4,881 rockets and 1,753 mortars during the war.

Now, Hema Malini holds girl’s father responsible for fatal car mishap

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Sonam

New Delhi: A week after her speeding luxury car crashed into a Maruti Alto killing a four-year-old girl and critically injuring her parents in Dausa, the BJP MP Hema Malini has indirectly blamed the father of the girl for the accident.

The actor-turned-politician took to Twitter and expressed how sorry she was about the death of a four-year-old girl.

But, she also tweeted saying that it could have been averted if the girl’s father “followed traffic rules”. “How I wish the girl’s father had followed the traffic rules – thn this accident could have been averted & the lil one’s life safe!” said the veteran actress on Twitter.

The accident happened last week when the Mercedes she was travelling in (according to a few eye-witnesses she was driving) rammed into another car in Dausa.

A four-year-old girl was killed in the accident and five others were injured. Hema was immediately taken to a hospital, but the family of the deceased alleged that the little girl could have been saved had she been taken to the hospital along with the BJP MP.

Hema’s driver was arrested, but was released on bail within hours. Hema also tweeted that her “heart goes out to the child who unnecessarily lost her life”. She thanked all her well wishers and said that her recovery would not have been so quick without their support. The MP had undergone a surgery and was also treated for a minor fracture on her nose.

(Agencies)

Vyapam scam: MBBS student Namrata’s death was homicide, reveals Autopsy

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Namrata Damor

Ujjain: MBBS student Namrata Damor, whose body was found near rail tracks in Ujjain district in 2012 after her name figured in the Vyapam scam, had died a “homicidal” death caused by “violent asphyxia as a result of smothering” and nail injuries were found on her face.

As Madhya Pradesh Police decided to reopen the case of her death, the doctors who conducted the post-mortem said they never mentioned in their report that it was a case of suicide.

Earlier police had registered a “murder” case in this regard and later termed the incident as an “accident” and closed the case, a police official said.

The post-mortem report, a copy of which is with PTI, describes Namrata’s cause of death, as “asphyxia (violent asphyxia)…as a result of smothering.”

The findings were suggestive of the death being “homicidal”, as per the autopsy report issued on January 9, 2012.

The post mortem report was signed by Dr B B Purohit (Forensic Medicine), Dr O P Gupta (Medical Officer) and Dr Anita Joshi (Gynaecologist).

Dr Purohit told PTI that “the panel of doctors that conducted the post-mortem has never mentioned in their short PM report as well as the detailed PM report that it was a case of suicide.”

“We also found nail injuries at three places on her face,” he said.

When the body was brought for postmortem, at that time it was unidentified, Dr Purohit said.

The report also advised for “histopathological examinations to rule out any sexual intercourse prior to death.”

The autopsy was conducted at district hospital in Ujjain.

Namrata’s body was found near railway tracks under Kaytha police station limits in Ujjain.

Her case came back to focus after the sudden death of TV journalist Akshay Singh in Jhabua district’s Meghnagar town recently after he interviewed Namrata’s father.

Ujjain District’s Superintendent of Police Manohar Singh Varma said, “We have ordered a review of the death of Namrata Damor. Sub Divisional Officer of Police (SDOP), Tarana, R K Sharma will reopen the case.”

Namrata was studying at the Government MGM Medical College in Indore and it was suspected that she took admission with the help of the racket involved in the high-profile Vyapam scam that is said to have claimed 45 lives so far.

Shiv Sena wants Muslims to realise the necessity of family planning

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uddhav thackeray

Mumbai: In controversial remarks, the Shiv Sena said the increasing population of Muslims in the country will cause language and geographical imbalance and asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ensure that Muslims accept the necessity of family planning.

The Sena said that increasing the Hindu population to counter Muslims is not the solution and that the “Sangh” should pressurise the government to strictly impose family planning on all religions.

“From 2001-2011, Muslim population increased by around 24 per cent and must have increased by another 5-10 percent till 2015. The increasing population will cause language, geographical and sentimental imbalance and will create cracks in the unity of the country,” the Sena said in an edit in mouthpiece Saamana.

“The Prime Minister should clearly tell Muslims to obey the law of the land and accept the necessity of family planning. The PM promised to address their issues even if they knock his doors midnight. But, will Muslims similarly run to help the country?” it questioned.

“More than Lokpal, the country needs a Common Civil Code in place,” it said.

“Whoever wants to try Ghar Wapsi can do so. We do not oppose it. But this is not the solution to stop Islamic onslaught on the country. Pakistan has an Islamic government. Even countries like Iraq have an Islamic government. But in those countries, human lives there do not have much dignity.

On the contrary, countries like Turkmenistan, that have adopted modern technology are in the race with Europe and America. Modi government should knock the doors of Muslims and apprise them with this fact,” the Sena said.

(PTI)

Siddaramaiah puts onus on Governor to remove Justice Bhaskar Rao

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KARNATAKA JOINT SESSION

Bengaluru: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday distanced himself from the efforts being made by the Opposition for removal of Lokayukta Justice Y Bhaskar Rao by saying that Governor Vajubhai Vala should take a decision on the matter.

The governor is understood to be in consultation with legal experts on the growing demand for Justice Rao’s removal.

Vala has reportedly sought a detailed report from the State government on the recent developments in the anti-corruption watchdog, including charges against Justice Rao’s son, Ashwin.

An attempt by the Opposition parties, the BJP and the JD(S), to move a motion in both Houses of the Legislature seeking removal of the Lokayukta, is unlikely to materialise.

100 signatures

Advocate General K Ravivarma Kumar has reportedly told the Business Advisory Committee (BAC) meeting attended by leaders of all political parties that signatures of minimum 100 MLAs and 50 MLCs are required to submit a memorandum seeking to move the motion, as per the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968.

The memorandum submitted by the Opposition parties last week to the presiding officers of the Assembly and the Council had signatures of 57 MLAs and 33 MLCs.

The BAC meeting was convened at Suvarna Soudha in Belagavi to take a decision on the memorandum. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly Jagadish Shettar were among the leaders who attended the meeting.

The presiding officers have reserved their ruling. The need for amending the Karnataka Lokayukta Act, 1984, to enable the State government to intervene and take appropriate steps to protect the dignity of the institution was also discussed at the BAC meeting.

(Agencies)

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