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15 dead in landslide in Tawang, PM expresses grief

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Arunachal Pradesh

Itanagar: At least 15 people lost their lives and several others were missing when a massive landslide triggered by heavy rains hit a labour camp in Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh on Friday.

15 bodies have been retrieved from the spot along with one injured person, official sources said.  Two other workers are feared to be trapped in the debris.

The incident occurred at around 3.30 AM when 17 labourers engaged in construction work were inside the camp in Thamla, about four km away from Tawang town, bordering China, Additional Deputy Commissioner (headquarters) Lod Gambo said.

Senior officers are on the spot and rescue and relief operation was on.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed grief over the loss of lives. In a message, the Prime Minister extended his condolences to the bereaved families.
The district administration deployed men and materials in the rescue operation, including two JCBs.

The PWD road between New Lebrang and government higher secondary school has also been blocked due to landslide while damage to residential buildings has been reported from the area.

Heavy rainfall in the past few days in the district resulted in a flood like situation which severely damaged the Kitpi Ph-I and Ph-II hydel projects.

Power department officials said restoration work could not be started due to the continuous rains and both the power stations had been shut down.

Taking serious note of the situation, DC Duly Kamduk has directed the department to assess the damage and submit a report for action.

(Agencies)

SC stays HC order on President’s rule in Uttarakhand till Apr 27

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Uttarakhand

New Delhi: The Supreme Court today stayed till April 27 the judgement of the Uttarakhand High Court quashing the imposition of President’s rule, giving a new turn to the continuing political drama in the state by restoring the Central rule there.

Before passing a brief order, a bench comprising Justices Dipak Misra and Shiva Kirti Singh recorded an undertaking given by Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi that the “Union of India shall not revoke the Presidential proclamation till the next date of hearing”.

The apex court clarified that it was keeping in abeyance the judgement of the High Court till the next date of hearing on April 27 as a measure of balance for both the parties as the copy of the verdict was not made available to the parties.

While listing the matter for hearing on April 27, the bench said that the High Court shall provide the judgement passed yesterday to the parties by April 26 and on the same date the copy of the verdict shall also be placed before the apex court.

The Supreme Court’s stay has the effect of undoing the revival of the Congress government led by Harish Rawat by the High Court judgement yesterday.

During the hearing, the bench also observed that as a matter of propriety the High Court should have signed the verdict so that it would be appropriate for it to go into the appeal.

The apex court issued notice to Harish Rawat and Chief Seceretary of the state on the petition by Centre challenging the quashing of Presidential proclamation under Article 356 of the Constitution in the state.

Appearing for the Centre, Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi, along with senior advocate Harish Salve, pressed for the stay of the HC judgement.

He said how one party can be put at advantage and assume the office of Chief Minister when the other party is pushed to disadvantage in the absence of the judgement.

Senior advocates Abhishek Manu Singhvi and Kapil Sibal, appearing for Rawat and the Assembly Speaker, argued hard against the passing of any interim order saying “you are allowing the appeal by giving the stay”.

Sibal was of the view that allowing stay of operation of the High Court verdict would be like enforcing the proclamation of the President rule.

During the jam-packed hearing, the bench sought to pacify both the parties saying that it has to take a balanced view as this is a Constitutional court.

“We will take on record the copy of the judgement and go through it. This matter may go to Constitution bench,” the bench said.

(PTI)

Hitmen hired by Hindutva group may have killed Kalburgi, say CID officials

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M M Kalburgi

Bengaluru: Sources in the Criminal Investigation Department, which is probing the murder case of Kannada scholar MM Kalburgi said that supari killers, hired by a Hindutva group might have committed the crime.

CID officials said 20 such Hindutva groups were under surveillance over the past three months, and they are now close to cracking the identity of the group. However, they refused to comment further on the issue as it could hamper the probe.

CID sources said they had been working on the theory that hired hitmen shot down Kalburgi at his Kalyan Nagar residence in Dharwad on August 30 last year. When quizzed whether the new lead meant the sleuths had zeroed in on the group involved in the murder, the official said they were close to cracking the identity of the killers. The official also said they believed the same group and probably the same hit men may have been involved in the murders of rationalist Narendra Dabholkar and social activist Govind Pansare.

The basis for this, sleuths said, was the ballistic report of the bullets used in the Kalburgi murder that linked the weapon used in the two earlier assassinations. If proved right, it would be contrary to the arrests made by the Maharashtra police in the two murders. The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the Pansare murder case, had arrested Samir Gaikwad, an alleged activist from Goa-based Sanatan Sanstha, for the murder. The police are on the lookout for another absconding accused, Rudra Patil, in the case.

All officials involved in the probe, led by Inspector-General of Police Hemanth Nimbalkar, have been camping in Dharwad for the past two days. They even visited the house of the slain scholar on Thursday. Officials said they wanted to verify certain information with the family members, but beyond that the visit was a courtesy one.

Mr. Nimbalkar said they reviewed the probe into the case in the light of the new leads, and brainstormed over the next course of action. This is the first such meeting in recent months.

(Agencies)

Fresh claims on Bachchan in ‘Panama Papers’, equally fresh denial

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Bachchan Panama Papers

New Delhi: Even as a fresh report on the “Panama Papers” alleged Amitabh Bachchan “participated” in board meetings of two off-shore companies “by telephone conference”, the actor himself has said his name was “misused” and that nothing illegal has been attributed to him.

The Indian Express reported on Thursday that Sea Bulk Shipping and Tramp Shipping had passed a resolution each on December 12, 1994, in connection with a loan of $1.75 million from Dallah Albaraka Investment Company.

The loan was for Constellation Ship Management for the purchase of all the shares issued by Tramp Shipping and held by Sea Bulk Shipping. Besides Tramp and Sea Bulk, the paper had said Bachchan was managing director for two other offshore entities — Lady Shipping and Treasure Shipping.

“Both resolutions recorded Bachchan’s participation in board meetings ‘by telephone conference’. In their certificate of incumbency issued the same day, both companies also recorded Bachchan as director. The companies had the same directors, including Bachchan, and officers,” it said.

In response, Bachchan’s office sent a rejoinder, which was also posted on his twitter account.

“On Panama disclosures, I wish to state that queries continue to be sent to me by the media. I would humbly request them to kindly direct these to the GOI (Government of India) where I, as a law abiding citizen, have already sent, and shall continue to send, my responses,” the post said.

“I stand by my earlier statement on the ‘misuse of my name’ in the matter and in any event the press reports do not disclose any illegal act committed by me.”

The Indian Express, based on Mossack Fonseca records, said Umesh Sahai of Jersey-based corporate service provider City Management (now Minerva Trust) was one of the founder-directors of the four shipping companies and that he had appointed Bachchan as director and managing director in 1993.

“He (Sahai) also signed the board resolutions that recorded Bachchan’s participation in the December 12, 1994, meetings. Sahai did not respond to emails and phone calls seeking his comment on Bachchan’s statement denying any knowledge of the companies,” the newspaper said.

Bachchan’s name cropped up in the reports as part of a global expose of International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) and over 100 global media organisations, based on millions of leaked documents of the Panama law firm Mossak Fonseca.

A high-level probe team has been constituted, with members drawn from the various agencies of the finance ministry and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) based on the orders issued by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Indian authorities have already said not all off-shore funds need be illegitimate.

(Agencies)

High Court quashes President’s rule in Uttarakhand; floor test on April 29

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Uttarakhand

Nainital: In a big setback for the Centre, the Uttarakhand high court on Thursday set aside President’s rule that was imposed in the state on March 27.

The court added that the material considered for the imposition of President’s rule is ‘wanting.’ It has called for a floor test in the Assembly on April 29.

The HC’s order came on a plea by ousted chief minister Harish Rawat, who had challenged this imposition.

The high court had earlier criticized the Centre for imposing President’s Rule a day before a floor test was to be held in the assembly.

The Uttarakhand High Court on Wednesday said that the president of India is not infallible and he, too, can go wrong. Therefore, the President’s decision is open to judicial scrutiny.

“Absolute power can spoil anybody’s mind. Even the president can go wrong and in such cases his decisions can be subjected to scrutiny. Indian courts have the power to scrutinize all orders,” the court said.

Court are exceeding their constitutional mandate with such grave observations on the president and are setting dangerous precedents.
Mahendra Varma

Uttarakhand plunged into a political crisis when nine Congress legislators, including former chief minister Vijay Bahuguna, whom Rawat replaced, revolted against the chief minister and turned to the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for support.

In the 70-member assembly, the Congress has 36 legislators, including the nine rebels. The BJP has 28. The other six members, from smaller parties, are said to support the Congress.

(Agencies)

Hoax bomb threat in Jet Airways flight: one passenger detained

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Jet Airways

Ahmedabad: A Jet Airways Mumbai-Ahmedabad -Mumbai flight carrying 125 passengers and six crew members was today delayed after a bomb scare, which later turned out to be a hoax even as one person was detained after a chit with “bomb” written on it was recovered from under his seat.

The flight from Mumbai to Ahmedabad was taken to the isolation bay immediately after it landed here this morning due to the bomb scare.

According to police, one of the cleaning staff while preparing the flight for the next trip found a “chit” with “bomb” scribbled on it under one of the seats after which authorities were informed. The aircraft was then taken to an isolation bay where it was throughly checked by police and bomb disposal squad.

“When the cleaning staffers were making the flight ready for the next trip, one of them found a chit beneath a passenger seat,” said Assistant Commissioner of Police, ‘G’ division, J N Parmar, who along with other policemen, Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS) and dog squad rushed to the spot.

“The word ‘bomb’ was written on the chit. As passengers had already alighted, it was difficult for us to trace as to who left it. Hence, we have detained one passenger for questioning under whose seat the chit was found,” he said.

“Bomb squad as well as dog squad inspected the entire aircraft. Nothing suspicious was found,” the officer added. Meanwhile, police have started questioning of the passenger, who has been detained. “We have zeroed in on one passenger and started his questioning,” DCP, Zone 4, S K Gadhvi said without revealing the name of the accused.

The flight had to carry 125 passengers and six crew members from Ahmedabad to Mumbai for the next trip which was delayed by two hours after a bomb scare here.

Earlier, a Jet Airways spokesperson said the search yielded nothing and the aircraft has been cleared for further journey. “Jet Airways flight S2 4738 Ahmedabad to Mumbai had received a security alert. The aircraft was thoroughly inspected by the security agencies and the flight with 125 guests and six crew on-board has now been cleared for its onward operations,” the spokesperson said.

(Agencies)

 

US sex abuse survivor to sue Indian priest, diocese

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Joseph Jeyapaul

Washington: A 26-year-old American woman will file a lawsuit against a Catholic Indian priest and his church in India for allegedly sexually abusing her during his posting in the US between 2004 and 2005.

The move comes in protest against the recent Vatican decision which announced Diocese of Ootacamund located in Mylapore is reinstating Joseph Jeyapaul to ministry.

Minnesota attorney Jeff Anderson will file suit on behalf of the victim in federal court that claims the Diocese of Ootacamund endangered children by reinstating Jeyapaul.

Jeyapaul who served as a priest in Crookston township of Minnesota in 2004 and 2005 was arrested in India in 2012 and extradited to the US on charges of sexually abusing two girls in a congregation.

He was later deported to India last year, after serving his sentence of one year and one day. In a statement, advocacy group SNAP (Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests) announced that one of the sexual abuse survivors would sue the priest and the diocese.

“It may be the most irresponsible Vatican move we’ve ever seen: Catholic officials in Rome have lifted the suspension of a recently convicted predator priest. We are stunned and saddened by such blatant recklessness and callousness,” Barbara Dorris of St Louis, Outreach Director of SNAP, said in a statement today.

A letter sent to Anderson and Roseau County Attorney Lisa Hanson and signed by over 500 Jeyapaul supporters in India will also be released as evidence of the public danger (nuisance) permitted by Indian Bishop and Vatican, it said.

“On January 16, 2016, with the permission of Pope Francis, Bishop Amalraj lifted the suspension of Father Joseph Jeyapaul,” the firm said, adding that in 2015, after his extradition from India, Jeyapaul plead guilty to criminal sexual conduct involving the sexual abuse of a minor girl while he worked in the Diocese of Crookston in 2005.

“Catholic officials refuse to keep this admitted sex offender away from kids, so our only hope of stopping him is to get him charged and convicted again,” Dorris said.

Over the weekend, Barbara and the victim were seen distributing leaflets outside the church in Crookston to find another sex abuse survivor.

“Our goal is to find just one more victim who might be able to file criminal charges and get this proven predator behind bars,” the victim told local ‘Grand Forks Herald’.

The lawsuit would charge Catholic officials with creating “public nuisances” by hiding and helping predator priests.

“It was the first victim’s courage that brought forward a second victim of Fr Jeyapaul. It was the second victim’s courage that prodded Fr Jeyapaul to plead guilty. And we hope the courage of a third victim will get Fr Jeyapaul extradited, convicted and jailed again, so that no more innocent lives are shattered,” SNAP said.

“Until he’s charged and convicted again, Jeyapaul should be put in a remote, secure, independently-run treatment center far from families who have learned to trust him,” it said.

(PTI)

PF withdrawal allowed for housing, medical, education as govt backtracks on curbs

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PF

New Delhi: The provident fund withdrawal issue, which has been in the spotlight since the Union Budget in February, has found some support from the government. On Monday, the labour ministry curbed the planned restriction and said withdrawal can be allowed for housing, major medical treatment for self and family members, medical, dental and engineering education of children, and for their marriage.

The changed were made after labour minister Bandaru Dattatreya received representations from trade unions.

The relaxation has also been extended to members who have joined an establishment belonging to or under the central or state government, and become a member of contributory provident fund or old age pension. These norms will come into effect from August, a Times of India report said.

A government release said the ministry had decided to pay the full accumulations to the credit of a member, including interest up to the date of payment, if he or she fulfils any of the above-mentioned conditions, the ToI report said.

Earlier this month, retirement fund body EPFO had deferred till 30 April implementation of new norms that restrict 100 percent withdrawal of provident fund by members after unemployment of more than two months, among others.

In February, the EPFO amended the EPF Scheme 1952 to tighten the various norms for withdrawal of provident fund including increasing age limit for filing such claims by retiring employees to 58 years from 54 years.

Besides, the retirement fund body also restricted withdrawal of PF to own contribution of subscribers and interest earned on that, if the claimant has remained unemployed for more than two months. The member would be able to withdraw employers contribution on maturity.

It was stipulated that the requirement of two months unemployment will not apply in cases of women members resigning from the services for the purpose of getting married, on account of pregnancy or child birth.

According to the new norms, subscribers will not be able to claim withdrawal of PF after attaining 54 years of age. They would have to wait till attaining the age 57 years.

(Agencies)

Dilip Kumar stable, but not out of danger

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Dilip Kumar

“Dilip Sahab’s condition is stable since the time of admission….. hasn’t deteriorated but is slightly better. Multiple investigations have been conducted, and we have roped in the concerned consultants. We have taken a consensual decision as regards to the investigations and the modality of treatment. Some specialised tests are still left, which we are doing. We will keep a close watch on him for the next 48 hours or so,” averred, Jalil Parkar, outside Lilavati Hospital, where Dilip Kumar has been recently been admitted.

Dr. Jalil Parkar also stated that the 93 year old actor had infection in his lungs, fever and had experienced a few bouts of vomiting, but was conscious and was having food. Dilip Kumar was suffering from pneumonia as well but his breathing condition has improved. “We can’t say he’s out of danger right now, we have to see for at least two more days, right now there is no need for an ICU for him, we have kept him in close observation. We can’t say about discharge, we’ll decide after 72 hours of observation,” he added.

Incidentally speaking Dilip Kumar was admitted to the hospital late on Friday, and his wife Saira Banu had earlier announced that his condition is stable and he is recovering well. Saira took to the actor’s official Twitter account to quash reports that Dilip Kumar is in ICU. She also issued a statement which read: “Dilip Sahab was admitted to Lilavati Hospital for treatment of high fever & chest infection on 15th April night. He was advised intravenous administration of antibiotics for speedy recovery.

“Oral drugs would not act as fast as the IV injections, the doctors advised. Hence it became necessary to shift him to a hospital. He is recovering well and is stable by the grace of God and the care of the doctors treating him. He is in a room and in the hospital and not in the ICU as spread by rumours.” added Saira Banu

Born in Peshawar, now in Pakistan, Dilip Kumar, whose real name is Yusuf Khan, entered the Indian film industry in the black & white era and became a name to be reckoned with in 1950’s & 1960s.

Apart from films like Aan, Daag, Madhumati, Paigham, Leader, Ram Aur Shyam et al, his cinematic gems range from the tragic story of Devdas, the historical love saga Mughal – E – Azam to the dacoit drama Ganga Jamuna. After working for about 6 decades, he stepped away from the arc lights in 1998. His last movie was Qila. Dilip Kumar was honoured with Padma Vibhushan, India’s 2nd highest civilian honour, in 2015. There is so much to write about the legendary thespian & tragedy king Dilip Kumar that even reams & reams of papier mache would be in suffice.

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