Panaji: Four Fabindia staff have been chargesheeted in a court of law here in connection with a 2015 case of snooping after Union Minister Smriti Irani made a complaint against it, a police officer said on Sunday.

Paresh Bhagat, Prashant Naik, Karim Lakhani, and Raju Payancha were named in the chargesheet filed a month back by the Goa Police Crime Branch under Sections 354 (criminal force with intent to outrage a woman’s modesty), 354C (voyeurism), 509 (intrusion of privacy) of the Indian Penal Code and 66E (violation of privacy) of the Information Technology Act, 2000, Superintendent of Police Karthik Kashyap told the media here.

He said top company officials had “no role” in the affair.

The accused were arrested in 2015 after Irani, the then Human Resource Development Minister and at present the Information and Broadcasting Minister, alleged that a hidden camera was installed to snoop on customers in the trial room of the Fabindia store in the tony Candolim beach village, 20 km from Panaji.

(IANS)

New Delhi: Delhi Police on Thursday registered an FIR against a man who openly threatened to eliminate four eminent women and a noted journalist, all of whom he termed “anti-national”, a senior police officer said.

The FIR was registered following a complaint from journalist Sagarika Ghose whose name appears in the list of women which include authors Shobha De and Arundhati Roy, and activists Kavitha Krishnan and Shehla Rashid.

“We have registered a FIR after receiving a complaint from Sagarika Ghose under the Information Technology (IT) Act. She, in her complaint, stated that she saw an open threat posts from a man who had two different accounts on the names of ‘Vikram Aditya Rana and Vikramjb Rana’ at social networking site Facebook. He is a native of Shillong,” Deputy Commissioner of Police Anyesh Roy told IANS.

“She said that Rana on Tuesday posted and shared his posts openly on his Facebook account, calling her and four other women activists including journalists as anti-nationals who masquerade as journalists and activists,” Roy said.

“We received some screen shots copies along with the complaint by Ghose and have asked Facebook officials about the details of Rana, related to his accounts and email ids to track him. His IP address is being traced,” the officer added.

On the day, noted Kannada woman journalist Gauri Lankesh gunned down by unknown assailants outside her residence in Bengaluru, Rana had written a vituperative post on his Facebook wall, praising her killers, he said. “…. Serves her & her kind right for d damages these so called journos have caused our nation.Sagarkia Ghose & Arundhati Roy ,Kavitha Krishnan ,Shiela Rashid ,Umar Khalid ,Kanhaiyya should be at d top of d list now,” Rana had posted, said Roy.

In another post, he wrote: ‘Let d shooting of #GauriLankesh serve as example to those anti-nationals who masquerade as journalists & activists. I hope this is not d last in a should be episode of serial assassinations of all anti nationals. Shobha De ; Arundhati Roy ; Sagarika Ghose ; Kavitha Krishnan ; Shiela Rashid etc at d end of a list that should start with antinational & treacherous politicians. A hit list be prepared & eliminate all those on d list.At last a ray of hope.”

(PTI)

Beijing: After joining BRICS members in condemning terror groups based in Pakistan, China on Friday tried to mollify its all-weather friend saying “good brother and iron friend” Islamabad has “done its best” to counter terrorism.

In a press conference after meeting his Pakistani counterpart Khawaja Asif, Foreign Minister Wang Yi said that “no one understands Pakistan better than China”.

“When it comes to the issue of counter-terrorism, we believe Pakistan has done its best with a clear conscience. In comparison, some countries need to give Pakistan the full credit it deserves,” Wang Yi said, with Asif by his side.

Beijing had invited Asif for an official visit just after the conclusion of BRICS summit in Xiamen where the five-member bloc named Pakistan-based anti-India terror groups Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed in its joint declaration.

The move was seen as a “victory” for India but caused worry among some Chinese experts who said it may put a strain on China-Pakistan ties.

Briefing the international press, Wang said terrorism is a global issue and tackling it needed concerted efforts from all countries.

“Instead of blaming each other, countries need to work with each other,” Wang said.

“Pakistan is a good brother and iron friend of China. No one knows Pakistan and understands Pakistan better than China. For years Pakistan has been a victim of terror, and more importantly Pakistan is an important participant in the international cooperation against terrorism.”

“The government and people of Pakistan made huge efforts and sacrifice in the fight against terrorism and such efforts and sacrifice are there for everyone to see.”

“The international community should recognise that,” he said.

China has always defended Pakistan over accusations of harbouring terrorists.

China has invested heavily in Pakistan and is building a $50 billion economic corridor, which is key to its ambitious Belt and Road project.

(IANS)

Bengaluru: The Karnataka government today announced Rs 10 lakh reward to anyone who provides clues about the killing of senior journalist and activist Gauri Lankesh.

The announcement was made by Home Minister Ramalinga Reddy, a day after the city police asked public to share any information that they may have in connection with the case through a specific phone number and e-mail id.

“Chief Minister (Siddaramaiah) has given instructions to intensify the investigation and nab the culprits as soon as possible. We have given enough officials to the SIT, if they need additional officers we are ready to give,” Reddy said.

Speaking to reporters after meeting Siddaramaiah, he said, “We will give Rs 10 lakh reward to anybody who gives clues about the culprits.”

Siddaramaiah today held a meeting with the SIT on the investigation that is in progress in connection with the case.

Reddy, along with SIT chief B K Singh, Director General of Police R K Dutta and Intelligence DG A M Prasad were present at the meeting.

The state government had on Wednesday announced the formation of a 21-member SIT team headed by IGP (Intelligence)B K Singh to probe the killing that has led to a wave of country-wide protests and condemnation across the political spectrum.

Gauri Lankesh, known to be an anti-establishment voice with strident anti-right wing views, was shot dead at close range by unknown assailants at her home here on the night of September 5.

When informed about Gauri’s family expressing concern about the possibility of a delay in nabbing the culprits, citing the delay in solving rationalist M M Kalburgi murder case, Reddy said the SIT had been formed with the intention to nab the culprits at the earliest.

“The government’s intention is to solve the case as quickly as possible… that’s the reason we have given so many officials to this case particularly. If more officials are required, we are ready to give,” he added.

Reddy also said he had asked the SIT to find out from BJP MLA Jeevaraj on his statement about Gauri’s killing that has elicited strong reactions from various quarters.

“Jeevaraj had made a statement yesterday. I have asked the SIT to call him and find out with what intention he made the statement or did he say it casually. will find out about it.”

“I don’t know whether there is any background to the statement he made. But when Gauri Lankesh died no BJP leaders came to her house or Ravindra Kalakshetra or the burial ground to pay last respects. I don’t know what is the reason,” he added.

(PTI)

India is standing on the precipice of change. In the last few years, the country has witnessed a tectonic shift in the geo-political landscape. But, will it be able to sustain its growth in this financially progressive and technologically driven environment? Alchemy 2017, the Annual Management Conclave of SIBM Bengaluru addressed this burning issue. The event witnessed highly esteemed speakers from various sectors of the industry participating in panel discussions and giving keynote speeches, that centred around the theme for the year, ‘VivartanamBharate’, translating into transforming India.

The first panel, ‘Technological Singularity’, focussed on the impact of automation and artificial intelligence on the future of the country. Mr. Rohit Kumar Pandey, co-founder and CEO of SigTuple said, “AI will act as an enabler that will serve to improve the efficiency of doctors.”

“Important thing to address is, does AI help me drive my sales growth?” said Mr. Padmanabhan Babu, MD and CEO of LogiLink, India.

“Before using AI, we need to understand the domain of that industry”, said Mr. Bhupendra Bhate, CDO, L&T Technology Services.

Mr. Naveen Yeri, head of consumer risk advanced analytics at Wells Fargo spoke about the grassroots levels adapting AI for it to be successful, he said, “Middle management will first have to adapt for AI to be incorporated in the banking sector.”

“Adaptability is the next new thing”- Mr. SambathMargabandhu, Vice President at Polaris Consulting and Services Ltd. also stressed on the importance of adaptability in bringing about transformation.

The second panel, ‘Bankable India?’ addressed the role that Financial Inclusion will play in capitalizing the demographic dividend and including businesses previously unaccounted for.

“Digital and Financial Inclusion go hand in hand.”, said Dr.Susheela Venkataraman, former Technology Head at Asian Development Bank.

“Financial Inclusion has to be profitable to be viable and not from charity or CSR activities.” Said Mr. TamalBandyopadhay, Consulting Editor of Mint.

The day concluded on a high note with Mr. Rajat Jain, executive chairman of Neva garments, one of the keynote speakers for the day, saying that “Innovation is the key to survive.”

About SIBM Bengaluru:

Ever since its inception in 1978, SYMBIOSIS has been synonymous with progress. The trend of progress has been continued by setting up of SIU’s first campus outside Maharashtra at Bengaluru in 2008. SIBM Bengaluru is now one of the leading B-Schools of the country. The focus, now, is on matching global standards of management education. SIBMB instills a work culture which is unparalleled among various institutions. It provides a holistic approach to management which goes a long way in creating a dynamic identity. Vibrant student associations and committees complement the program with a number of activities involving institute-industry interaction.

For additional information on subject of this release, please feel free to contact:

Leona Jennifer                       Ankita Chauhan

+91-9600037833                      +91-9983714327

public.relations@sibm.edu.in

http://www.sibmbengaluru.edu.in/

SIBM Bengaluru, #95/1, #95/2, Electronics City, Phase-1, Hosur Road, Bengaluru – 560100.

Bengaluru: The National Women’s Front condemned the brutal killing of journalist Gauri Lankesh at a protest march here in the city.

NWF called the killing an act of cowardice, by those who were scared of Lankesh’s intellect.

“Gowri was not only a journalist but was also a lead social activist in the state. By killing Gowri the evil minded people are trying to suppress other activists but very little they know that it is only her who has been killed but not her ideology nor perspective,” NWF said in a statement.

Hyderabad: Raising the pitch for carving out Vidarbha state, Union minister Ramdas Athawale today said it is high time that the BJP takes a call on the issue as it is in power in Maharashtra and at the Centre. Athawale, who is the chief of Republican Party of India (A), said that the people of Vidarbha region want a separate state.

“The BJP had been supporting a separate Vidarbha state since long. Now the BJP is in power in Maharashtra and also at the Centre. From RPI(A) we would like to tell that (it is) the BJP (which) has been in favour of smaller states,” Athawale told reporters here.

“Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has not said no on this matter (statehood to Vidarbha). Only Shiv Sena is opposed to this. All other parties support it,” he said. “A decision has to be taken, the way (a decision was taken) earlier, under the National Democratic Alliance government, the decision was taken for creation of three new states — Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and Uttarakhand,” the minister of state for social justice and empowerment said.

He said the BJP has since long been advocating for a separate Vidarbha, even when it was in the opposition. “We are also supporting the demand for the formation of Vidarbha state and we appeal the central government to carve out a separate Vidarbha,” he said. Just like the separate Telangana state was formed, a separate Vidarbha state should also be carved out of Maharashtra. The people from Vidarbha region too want a separate state, Athawale said.

(Agencies)

Patna: Two days after senior journalist Gauri Lankesh was shot dead in Bengaluru, another scribe was today attacked in Bihar. Journalist Pankaj Mishra was shot at in Arwal district.

The condition of Mishra, working for Rashtriya Sahara newspaper, is stated to be critical. He has been referred to Patna Medical College and Hospital in the state’s capital.

According to the police, the journalist was attacked by two bike-borne assailants.
 
The incident comes just two days after senior journalist Gauri Lankesh was shot dead at her house in Bengaluru.

Gauri Lankesh, who is known to be an anti-establishment voice with strident anti-right wing views, was shot dead at close range by unknown assailants at her Bengaluru home on the night of September 5.

Today’s incident in Bihar is yet another attack on journalists in India and raises the crucial issue of safety of media persons from those trying to curb the freedom of speech and expression.

(Agencies)