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Delhi Law Minister Jitender Singh Tomar arrested over alleged fake law degree

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Jitender Singh Tomar

New Delhi: In a dramatic escalation of the row between the central and AAP governments, Delhi Law Minister Jitender Singh Tomar was arrested here Tuesday over his alleged fake law degree. The AAP cried foul and linked it with its anti-corruption campaign.

Delhi Police, which does not report to the AAP government but to Lt Governor Najeeb Jung and the union home ministry, told IANS that Tomar was arrested on charges of cheating, criminal conspiracy and forgery.

The Aam Aadmi Party, which took power in Delhi in February, accused police of roughing up Tomar. Delhi assembly Speaker Ram Niwas Goel said he wasn’t informed about the arrest.

Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia accused Lt. Governor Jung of unleashing an “Emergency-like situation” and said vested interests were ganging up against the AAP government because of its anti-corruption campaign. The AAP, he vowed, won’t be cowed down.

A visibly livid Sisodia said although the issue of Tomar’s alleged fake degree was in the court, about 40 policemen swooped on Tomar’s office early in the morning and took him away as if he was a fugitive.

“The police told Tomar they had come to see some documents… They asked him to accompany them to his house. On the way they told his driver to get off and took charge of his vehicle and told him he was being detained.

“They told Tomar that he could ask someone to bring the documents to the police station…

“What is going on?” asked Sisodia. “Was he (Tomar) running away? Did he explode bombs in Delhi? There is an allegation (against him). The matter is in the court. What was the need to arrest him?”

Sisodia added: “There is something wrong… This arrest is illegal. There is an Emergency-like situation. This is supposed to be a democracy… Maybe it is an attempt to teach the AAP a lesson (for what we are doing).”

AAP supporters, including Tomar’s family members, gathered in large numbers at the Vasant Vihar police station in south Delhi where Tomar was being questioned.

Tuesday’s arrest peaked a simmering row between the central and AAP governments over the powers of the Delhi government over the posting and transfer of senior officials. This dispute too is also now facing judicial scrutiny.

AAP leader Sanjay Singh said police arrested Tomar without giving any notice.

“If the case relates to a fake degree, will ministers Smriti Irani and Ram Shanker Katheria (of BJP) will also be taken to police station without any prior notice?” Singh asked.

Tomar told CNN-IBN that he didn’t know why he was arrested. “Around 30-40 policemen asked me to accompany me to the police station without any prior notice.”

He said this was done to tarnish the AAP’s image.

Delhi Police said Tomar would be produced in a court later on Tuesday.

Two cases are pending against Tomar in the Delhi High Court, alleging he enrolled himself as an advocate on the basis of a fake law degree and seeking cancellation of his election. Tomar says his degree is genuine.

The Congress took potshot at Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, demanding his resignation as the Tomar episode had punctured his claims of ushering in clean politics. It also sought Tomar’s resignation from the assembly.

(IANS)

Journalist burnt to death for a Facebook post against SP MLA Ram Murti

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Journalist burn Facebook

Shahjehanpur: A gruesome incident has been reported in Uttrar Pradesh’s Shahjehanpur, where a journalist was reportedly burnt alive for writing against SP MLA Ram Murti on Facebook.

The victim, journalist Jagendra Singh had written about the Samajwadi Party MLA’s involvement in illegal activities in newspapers, according to a media report.

An eyewitness revealed that a police officer, who wanted to arrest Jagendra Singh, set him on fire and the journalist succumbed to the injuries while he was being rushed to hospital.

However, the Shahjehanpur police stated that journalist Jagendra Singh committed suicide when they were arresting him.

(Agencies)

Those opposing 'Surya namaskar' should drown in sea: Yogi Adityanath

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Yogi Adityanath

Varanasi: Firebrand BJP leader Yogi Adityanath has stoked a controversy with his remarks that those opposing ‘surya namaskar’ should “drown in the sea”.

With certain minority groups protesting against inclusion of ‘Surya namaskar’ exercise during the June 21 International Yoga Day celebrations, the Gorakhpur MP said, “Sun is the source of life giving energy. Whoever thinks Sun is communal, I would like to humbly request them to drown themselves in the sea or they should stay in a dark cell.”

“Sun God has never deprived anyone of its light based on caste, creed or religion. Despite that if they are calling sun communal, I feel amused at their mindset,” said the BJP leader yesterday at a religious event in Varanasi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Lok Sabha constituency.

“And my request to them would be that they should not take the sunlight or even its warmth,” said the saffron-clad leader, who is known for courting controversy with his inflammatory remarks.

Adityanath’s remarks came after the All-India Muslim Personal Law Board said that it will move the Supreme Court against inclusion of Surya namaskar and Yoga in schools.

Congress and Samajwadi Party hit out the BJP leader, saying he was trying to create a communal divide, and stressed that nobody can force their own belief system on any citizen.

Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah mocked Adityanath’s remarks saying many people “will have to pack” their bags.

Congress leader Rita Bahuguna said, “Every time he (Adityanath) speaks, he spits venom. He tries to create a communal divide by giving communal statements. What is the reason to say that those who don’t want to do this should leave the country?

“Talking about certain communities that have certain reservations about some parts of yoga, what is the use? It is an exercise for physical and mental well-being. Those who don’t want to do it should be allowed not to do it.”

SP’s Gaurav Bhatia recalled that the Prime Minister had recently told his partymen that such statements will not be tolerated.

“And again we hear the habitual offender Yogi Adityanath making such a statement. In our country everyone has the right to profess his religion, to have his own belief system and no body can force his own belief system on any citizen,” he said.

Reacting to Adityanath’s remarks, Omar said on Twitter, “The solution to overcrowding in India since so many of us will have to pack our bags. Ek teer do shikar (killing two birds with one stone).”

(PTI)

Greenpeace activist barred from entering India

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Expulsion of Australian activist despite having visa is government’s latest attempt to stifle free speech, group says.

The government has previously frozen bank accounts belonging to the organisation and banned activists from travelling [AFP]

The government has previously frozen bank accounts belonging to the organisation and banned activists from travelling [AFP]

by Al Jazeera

An Australian member of Greenpeace has been prevented from entering India without explanation, according to the environmentalist lobby group’s Indian arm.

Aaron Gray-Block was not allowed to enter the country on Saturday despite having all relevant visas and documents needed to enter, the group said, adding the Australian was not officially deported despite being put on a flight back to Kuala Lumpur.

“There is absolutely no reason why one of its staff members should be treated in such an arbitrary way, and we expect the Ministry of Home Affairs to offer a full explanation,” said Divya Raghunandan, the programme director for Greenpeace India.

If confirmed, the incident will be the latest episode in a dispute between the Indian government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Greenpeace.

Activist Priya Pillai was prevented from boarding a flight to London in January and had a travel ban placed on her until it was overturned by a court in March.

In April, the Indian Ministry of Home Affairs banned the group’s domestic branch from accepting donations from abroad after accusing the group of not declaring transactions, and in May, bank accounts belonging to the group were shut down over the same issue.

At the time, Nalin Kohli, a spokesman for the ruling BJP party, told Al Jazeera that Greenpeace was not following the provisions of the law and did not disclose how they obtained their funds.

Greenpeace says it is being targeted by the Indian government over its activism.

“Denying entry to a Greenpeace employee with a valid visa is yet further proof of the extent to which the Indian government is prepared to go in violating Greenpeace’s right to freedom of expression under international law and under India’s Constitution,” a statement by the group said.

Telangana: Case registered against KCR for illegal phone-tapping

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KCR

Visakhapatnam: A case has been registered here against Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao for alleged illegal tapping of phones of his Andhra Pradesh counterpart Chandrababu Naidu in the backdrop of the cash-for-votes scam, police said Monday.

According to Inspector of III-Town Police Station, B Tirumala Rao, a Vizag-based advocate NVV Prasad lodged a complaint against KCR for violating the basic rights of Naidu and “tarnishing” his image by tapping his telephone lines.

In his complaint, the assistant Public Prosecutor accused TRS of deliberately trying to snoop on TDP members.

Based on the complaint, a case has been registered against KCR under Sections 464, 647, 471, 166, 167 and 120/B of IPC.

Meanwhile, a purported conversation in an audio tape between Chandrababu Naidu and nominated MLA Elvys Stephenson, aired in a section of local TV channels has given a new twist to the cash-for-votes controversy.

Sunday, Parakala Prabhakar Advisor (Communications) to the Andhra government strongly denied reports saying that the tapes were fabricated and the AP government will take up the issue seriously.

The reported conversation suggested that the Andhra CM was giving “assurance of all sorts” to the MLA if he votes for TDP nominee in the Telangana Legislative Council election.

Prabhakar further alleged that the Telangana government is trying to malign the image of the AP chief minister by resorting to cheap tactics.

“It is not the chief minister’s conversation. How come they are available outside. Telangana Government has to give answer to this. Telangana CM and Home minister should give answers,” Parakala had said.

He said that the Telangana CM is trying to mislead the people of Andhra Pradesh by resorting to “cheap tricks”.

The anti-corruption bureau of Telangana is in the process of questioning TDP MLA Revanth Reddy and two others who have been arrested in cash-for-vote case.

On May 31, the ACB arrested Reddy for allegedly trying to bribe the nominated MLA Elvis Stephenson to vote for TDP nominee in the Telangana Legislative Council election.

Based on a complaint by Stephenson, ACB officials held Revanth, Sebastian Harry and Uday Simha after they were caught while allegedly handing over Rs 50 lakh to Stephenson.

(IANS)

Cash-for-vote scam: Andhra CM's audio tape made public

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ChandrababuNaidu

Hyderabad: The cash-for-vote scam in Telangana took a dramatic turn on Sunday with the release of an audio tape of a purported telephonic conversation between Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and nominated Telangana legislator Elvis Stephenson.The Andhra government denied that it’s Naidu’s voice.

This is perhaps for the first time in India that a chief minister of a state has been tapped while allegedly trying to lure a legislator. Denying that it is Naidu’s voice, the Andhra Pradesh government has taken the release of audio tape seriously and vowed to fight it legally, constitutionally and politically.

The new twist may create a constitutional crisis as Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) of Telangana is planning to summon Naidu for questioning in the case. Hyderabad is the common capital of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. Both Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) governments have taken up the issue with E.S.L. Narasimhan, who is the governor for both the Telugu states.

The audio tape was released three days after Telangana Home Minister N. Narasimha Reddy said the government has proof that Naidu spoke to Stephenson and some other MLAs of TRS to lure them to vote for TDP-BJP candidate in Telangana legislative council elections.

The audio tape was first played T News, a Telugu news channel owned by ruling TRS and was later picked up by others.

During the conversation, Naidu purportedly assured the nominated member that he is with him. “Our people briefed me. I am with you don’t bother. For everything I am with you. What all they spoke we will honour,” Naidu was heard as telling the legislator.

In swift developments on Sunday night, Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao met Governor Narasimhan at Raj Bhavan while Naidu called a meeting with Andhra Pradesh Director General of Police J.V. Ramudu and other officials to take stock of the latest situation.

Rao’s meeting with the governor, the second in three days, came minutes after the release of the audio tape.

Telangana TDP legislator A. Revanth Reddy was arrested by the ACB on May 31 when he was offering Rs.50 lakh to Stephenson to make him vote for TDP-BJP candidate in the elections to Telangana legislative council.

ACB, which had laid a trap on a complaint by Stephenson, also arrested Revanth Reddy’s aides Sebastian Harry and Uday Simha.

TRS leaders have been alleging that Naidu is the mastermind in the scam and he should be booked.

The audio tape came to light a few hours after ACB questioned Revanth Reddy and two others for a second day. A city court had sent them to four-day custody of ACB.

Earlier in the day, Naidu met Narasimhan, who is governor for both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. The TDP chief reportedly complained to the governor about TRS government tapping his phone.

Meanwhile, Naidu’s media advisor Prakala Prabhakar told reporters on Sunday night that the voice in the audio tape is not the voice of Naidu.

He said the government was taking the release of the audio tape seriously and will not keep quiet. “We will fight it legally, constitutionally and politically,” he said.

He wanted to know from the TRS government as to how it got the audio tape. “If you have done telephone tapping, it is a crime and if you have recorded Mr. Chandrababu Naidu’s voice on different occasions, tampered it and presented to mislead people that it is his conversation, it is also a crime,” he said.

Naidu’s aide wondered how the audio tape could be released as evidence when the same should be produced in the court, where the case is being heard. Prakala condemned the attitude of Telangana government towards Andhra Pradesh chief minister in the common capital. He said both the governments and both the chief ministers had equal rights in the common capital.

He pointed out that under section 8 of the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, the governor is responsible for law and order, protection of lives and property of people and vital installations in Hyderabad.

He alleged that the release of audio tape was a conspiracy to tarnish Naidu’s image and disrupt the public meeting scheduled to be held in Guntur on Monday to mark TDP government’s first year.

The media advisor said the government would go ahead with the meeting and fight the conspiracy.

Andhra Pradesh’s Finance Minister and senior TDP leader Y. Ramakrishnudu said the audio tape was a proof that the TRS government was violating law by tapping phones.

(IANS)

Food regulator orders testing of GSK, ITC fast food brands

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fssai-orders-testing-of-gsk-itc-fast-food-brands

New Delhi: Central food safety regulator FSSAI today ordered testing of various noodles, pasta and macaroni brands, including Top Ramen, Foodles and Wai Wai, manufactured by seven companies to check compliance of norms in the wake of Maggi controversy.

Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has also asked for testing of four variants of “Maggi Nutilicious Pazzta with tastemakers”. “Various test results on Maggi and some other similar products have raised serious health concerns. In view of the same, it would be advisable to draw regulatory samples for similar products for which product approvals have been granted by the FSSAI…These samples should be sent to the authorised labs for testing,” FSSAI CEO YS Malik said in letter to Commissioners of Food Safety in all states and UTs.

As per FSSAI order, the companies whose products have been listed for testing are Nestle India, ITC, Indo Nissin Food Ltd, GSK Consumer Helathcare, CG Foods India, Ruchi International and AA Nutrition Ltd. The regulator has ordered the testing of products registered with it.

The products include Wai Wai noodles and bhujiya chicken snacks by CG Foods; Koka instant noodles from Ruchi International, Foodles by GSK Consumer Helathcare and Nestle’s Maggi instant noodles with nine variants.

Others in the list are Indo Nissin’s Top Ramen Aata Masala, ITC’s three variants of instant noodles and Yummy chicken and vegetarian noodles of AA Nutrition. When contacted CG Foods CEO GP Sah said: “Our brands meets all regulatory standards as listed by Food Safety and Standard Authority of India. We are not closed to any tests and will cooperate with authorities if required.”

Comments from other companies could not be obtained immediately. The development comes after the Indian unit of the Swiss multinational recalled Maggi from the markets after several states banned the famous ‘2-minute’ instant food brand as tests showed them containing taste enhancer MSG (Mono Sodium Glutamate) and lead in excess of the permissible limits. Meanwhile, FSSAI on Friday banned all variants of Maggi noodles terming them as “unsafe and hazardous” for human consumption.

(PTI)

Hate speech: SC bench recuses from hearing Subramanian Swamy's plea

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Subramanian Swamy (Photo credit: Jagran)

Subramanian Swamy (Photo credit: Jagran)

New Delhi: A Supreme Court bench headed by Justice R K Agrawal today recused itself from hearing the plea of BJP leader Subramanian Swamy against the order of an Assam trial court issuing a non-bailable warrant against him for failing to appear before it in a case of alleged hate speech.

The bench, also comprising Justice Amitava Roy, referred the matter to another bench saying, “If it has to come before another bench, why apply mind. List it before another bench on June 22.”

Senior advocate Ram Jethmalani, who was appearing for Swamy, then asked the bench “In the meantime, what should the man do if there is an order that he be arrested and produced before the judge.” To this, the bench said that till June 22 nothing will happen but refused to pass an interim order. “We cannot pass any interim order,” it said.However, it allowed Swamy to mention it before Chief Justice H L Dattu after Jethmalani sought permission.

“You have the liberty to mention it before the Chief Justice,” the bench said.Earlier, on May 21, a judge of the apex court had recused from hearing his plea challenging the validity of some penal provisions relating to “hate speech”.

The apex court was hearing Swamy’s plea against the order of an Assam trial court issuing an NBW against him for failing to appear before it on March 19 in a case of alleged hate speech.

The NBW was issued on June 1 by a court in Karimganj on a complaint accusing him of allegedly delivering an inflammatory address on March 15 at Kaziranga University.The Karimganj court had ordered that the arrest warrant be complied with on or before June 30.

(PTI)

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat gets ‘Z+’ security cover

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Mohan_Bhagwat

New Delhi: Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Chief Mohan Bhagwat has been extended top category ‘Z+’ security cover with the commandos of CISF having been tasked with the job.

Officials said Bhagwat will now be guarded by an armed squad of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) during his stay at the RSS headquarters in Nagpur and when he travels to any place in Maharashtra and across the country.

“The Special Security Group of CISF has been entrusted with the task of securing the VVIP after a threat analysis made in this regard necessitated that Bhagwat be guarded by a trained team.

“He was till now being guarded by units of Maharashtra police and its armed reserve units under the same cover,” a senior official said.

As part of the security cover, the RSS ‘Sarsanghchalak’ will have about 60 commandos round-the-clock to protect him.

The VVIP commando unit of CISF is armed with sophisticated weapons like AK-series rifles and is equipped with latest gadgets for communication and anti-sabotage tasks.

This unit is also identified as the ‘centre of excellence” for VVIP security in the country.

Sources said the elite squad will take over the security duties at Bhagwat’s residence and the vehicles in his convoy will also be changed as per norms set for a ‘Z+’ central security VVIP.

“The decision to hand over his security to central forces from state police has been hanging for over an year now.

“The Union Home Ministry recently gave the sanction in this regard and tasked CISF with the job,” they said.

A number of other prominent figures like BJP President Amit Shah and government functionaries and politicians have been accorded such security cover in the recent past by the Union government.

(PTI)

AIMPLB to campaign against making Yoga, Surya Namaskar compulsory in schools

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surya-namaskar

Lucknow: Even as the Narendra Modi government plans to make the International Yoga Day on June 21 a grand success, All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) on Sunday decided to launch a nationwide campaign against making ‘Surya Namaskar’ and Yoga compulsory in schools.

We have decided to constitute a committee of our members headed by Maulana Wali Rahmani and launch a country-wide campaign against the move of making ‘Surya Namaskar’ and Yoga compulsory in schools, AIMPLB member Maulana Khalid Rashid Farangi Mahali said.

“The committee will also find ways to make Muslim community aware of their constitutional rights. During the campaign, we will put forth our view on Surya Namaskar and Yoga and explain as to why it was against our religious beliefs and should not be forced on our children,” he said.

Taking the campaign beyond the ambit of Hindu-Muslim tension, the AIMPLB member said that attempts would be made to include people of other religions as well in the campaign.

Speaking at AIMPLB’s executive committee meeting held at Nadwat-ul-Ulma here, Mahali also expressed the organisation’s willingness to fight legal battles regarding the “interference of courts in Sharia laws”.

“Recently some court decisions have come against Sharia laws. The All India Muslim Personal Law Board has decided to file an appeal in such cases in court and fight the legal battle as a party in such cases,” Mahali said.

Maulana Wali Rahmani was appointed as the acting General Secretary of the Board at the meeting. Maulana Nizamuddin will also continue in the post, he said.

The Board also informed that they will discuss issues like attack on freedom to propagate one’s religion, in a separate session and have plans to launch a campaign in this regard.

(Agencies)

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