News & Politics – Page 1859

Supreme Court of India Orders Day to Day Trial in Gulbarg Society massacre case

November 14, 2014 by Nasheman

Zakia Jafri and Teesta Setalvad visit her Gulbarg Society home in Feb ’10

by Teesta Setalvad

Today i.e.. November 13 2014 the Supreme Court of India Ordered Day to Day Hearing of the Gulberg Trial and completion of the Trial within 3 months. It did not Its Vacate Stay on the Trial Court Judgement (operative since May 2010) (as requested by SIT). The state of Gujarat tried to confuse the issue but fortunately our team, Ms Aparna Bhat had a detailed status report prepared by us which was read out to the Hon’ble Court.

Detailed Background / Status report on Gulberg Trial is Pasted Below

SIT has filed an application to Vacate Stay on Judgement. Our Advocate Ms Aparna Bhatt pointed out to the Court that over two years delay had been caused by the SIT refusing to produce documents related to Witness Application under Section 319 seeking to make MK Tandon, PN Gondia and others accused in the Trial. Finally after the HC rejected their obstructionist attempts they produced the documents in August this year. We have still not been given a copy. (Detailed Dates and SIT instructions given below).

Gulberg Case – SC No. 152/02

Update

Trial Suspended from July 2012 until March 2014 when the Gujarat High Court rejected SIT’s frivolous application challenging the Order of the Sessions Court dated May and June 2012.

Background:-

Special Court Judge BJ Dhandha in Sessions Case No. 152/02 and others through an order 31 May 2012 (Order at Exhibit 1577) directed the SIT to produce documents related to joint commissioner of police, MK Tandon and P.B. Gondia as the papers were related to the further investigation directed by the Supreme Court. The further investigations into the Gulberg trial, especially vis a vis the alleged criminal conduct of these two police officers were sought to be prevented from coming on record by the SIT by deliberately confusing this case with the wider criminal conspiracy in the Zakia Jafri v/s Narendra Modi and 59 Others case.

The further application u/s Section 319 ( Exhibit 1577) was moved by us witnesses in Special Sessions court dated 12.5.2012 and it was on this application that the Court pronounced the order on 31.5.2012 stating inter alia that, while at this stage no order is passed in this application.

The SIT did not comply with the said order dated 3.7.2012 passed by the Sessions Court

[Exb.1661] and in fact moved the Sessions Court to review its own Order. This was also turned[ down by a final Order of the Sessions Court passed on 3.7.2012. (Exb.1748 and 1730) In this context the affidavit filed by Himanshu Bhatt of the SIT dated 18.6.2012 resisting the application of the Sessions Court Order (Exhibit1754) is noteworthy. It is important to note that the Special PP RC Kodekar had noted that he had no objection to the documents being prayed for in our application. The SIT continued to play a dilatory and destructionist role.

The SIT submitted the closure report filed before a lower court in the Zakia Jafri case but this has been kept in a sealed cover and sought to leave to challenge the orders in the High Court. The SIT thereafter on 24.7.2012 moved the Special Criminal Application (SCR) 2249/2012 in the Gujarat High Court. (Exhibit 1730 and 1748).

Witness Survivors have filed their Affidavit-in Reply in the said SCR but were distressed that no hearings have taken place in the Gujarat High Court and the entire the Trial process has been stalled.

Judge BJ Dhandha retired in September 2013 and another Judge KK Bhatt has been assigned to hear the Trial but not a single hearing has taken place.

The closure report in the Zakia Jafri case was filed on 8.2.2012 before the Magistrate (a lower court than the Special Court hearing the Gulberg trial) and the protest petition therein was argued through 2013. While the Magistrate hearing the case rejected the protest petition by it’s Order dated 26-12-2013, the SIT is seeking shelter under this to conceal critical evidence about the allegedly criminal conduct of Tandon and Gondia before a higher court, the Sessions Court hearing this, i.e. the Gulberg trial.

In effect therefore, the Trial in the Gulberg Society Carnage case had been completely stalled since July 2012 largely because of the SIT’s reluctance to make available relevant documents.

In December 2009, witnesses had moved an application under Section 319 of the CrPC seeking to arraign more accused (Exhibit Nos exhibit 738) including former joint commissioner of police MK Tandon and former deputy commissioner of police PB Gondia. In its order passed on 18.1.2010 vide Exb.738 the Special Sessions Judge allowed the application vis a vis one accused namely Rajesh Dayaram Jingar, rejected it vis a vis three accused namely (1) Manish Somabhai Patel @ Manish Splendar (2) Mahendra Pukhraj (3) Jagrupsing Rajput but kept the issue of arraigning the two senior policemen pending since further investigation into their criminal negligence was still being conducted by the SIT on 3.10.2011,

Witness Victim Survivors thereafter moved an Application (Exhibit Nos 1661) to access the relevant documents of investigation. An application to stay the proceedings until these documents were brought on record was rejected by the Sessions Court and the matter appealed by Victim Survivors in the Gujarat high Court (SCR 3322/2011). While rejecting the application, the Hon’ble Gujarat high court in its order dated 29.12.2013 (Para 17) observed, “I have given thoughtful consideration to this aspect of the matter. There is no dispute that the Hon’ble Apex Court directed the SIT to comply with the directions issued in paragraph no.9 in the order dated 12.9.11 and thereafter even the Sessions Court vide order dated 9.11.11 almost issued the said direction to the SIT and till date no report is filed either before the Court having competent to take cognizance of the matter and till date no copies of such report and documents have been furnished to the Court of Session. In the above view of the matter. The respondent no.2 should take immediate action and the submissions advanced by Mr.A.C. Choksi. Learned Special Public Prosecutor for the respondent no.2 that the report shall be submitted at the earliest should be followed in its true spirit.”

The entire evidence in this trial has been recorded and final arguments have been virtually concluded in the trial. It was a pending application under Section 319 CrPC where a judicial order had kept the issue of arraigning joint Commissioner of Police MK Tandon, DCP P.B. Gondia, (Note No.2) Police Commissioner P.C.Pandey and I.O. S,S,Chudasma A.C.P. Crime Branch pending, that the applications by Witness Survivors for additional documents were made. The next date of hearing in SCR 2249/2012 was then on 19.2.2014

Finally the Gujarat High Courtr dismissed the Application by the SIT ruling against it. The SIT finally submitted the Index of Documents from which Witmess Advocates have to indicate the relevant documents on 05.08.2014. The next date for hearing is 25.07.2014

ROZNAMA (while SIT had effectively stayed the Trial by Its application against the Sessions Court Order granting documents dated May and June 2012).

Date Details

17.9.13 Formal date is given.

1.10.13 Accused produced in the ‘E’ Court. Accuse No.17 and 49 accused exception from appearance application submitted in the court and granted vide exb. No. 1822

12.10.13 Addl Session Judge K.K. Bhatt. [Sp. P.P. Shri R.C. Kodekar was absent} SIT moved for medical relief for accused [PC Mehboobbhai was present] Accused No.17 Kalpesh Purohit’s medical certificate produced vide exb. 1823 in the court. Notice issued to guaranteer and NBW against accused No. 1 to 7.

25.10.13 Matter adjourned to 11.11.13 for final arguments due to matter pending in High Court

11.11.13 Matter adjourned to 25.11.13 for final arguments due to matter pending in High Court

25.11.13 Matter adjourned to 10.12.13 for final arguments due to matter pending in High Court

3.12.13 Accused produced in the court today. Accused No.3 Sandeep @ Sonu Ghungruvado ( SC. No. 167/03) And accused No.3 Surendrasing Digvijay Singh ( SC. 152/02) and Accused No. 43 Narayan Sitaram (S.C. No. 194/04) application about discussion and to take guidance vide exb.1829. Exb. 1829 application of the accused rejected.

10.12.13 Matter adjourned on. 26.12.13 due to matter pending in High Court

26.12.13 Pursis vide Exb.1832 about death certificate of Accused No.17 Court is on leave today. So, next date on 9.1.14

Matter adjourned to 9.1.14 due to matter pending in High Court

9.1.14 Order as per Exb.1834. Recorded Nodel Officer to File The report

Matter adjourned to 21.1.13 due to matter pending in High Court

21.1.14 Report not submitted vide Exb. 1835 accused no.17’s death

Matter adjourned to 4.2.14 due to matter pending in High Court

24.1.14 Order to take necessary action against Transfer warrant of Accused No.1 Kailash Lalchand Dhobhi by DCB II Cr.No.3132/13 and send to criminal department II. SIT submitted report to inquire about the death of accused no.17 vide exb.1836

Matter adjourned on. 17.2.14 for final arguments due to matter pending in High Court

17.2.14 Matter adjourned on. 3.3.14 to submit arguments due to matter pending in High Court

20.2.14 Copy of order by the Gujarat High Court in Cr.Mis.A. No. 136/14 submitted in the court by accused Jayesh Ramjibhai Parmar vide exb.1838.

3.3.14 Speedy Trial Application submitted in the court vide exb. No.1839 on behalf of witnesses Sayraben Sandhi, Firoz Gulzar Pathan, Rupa Dara Modi and Salim Noor Mohammed Sandhi by Advocate S.M. Vora. Copy was received by Prosecution. Next date of hearing on 10.3.14

Matter adjourned to. 18.3.14 due to matter pending in High Court

5.3.14 Received the copy from criminal department II vide exb.no. 1841 about Writ in the Hon’ble Gujarat High Court Cr.M.A. No. 2249/12

10.3.14 Court is on leave so hearing of Exb.1839 postponed.

18.3.14 Written reply submitted in the court by Sp.P.P. about SIT officer application vide exb.1839. which submitted Exb.1843

Matter adjourned to 15.4.14 to, submit arguments

Hearing of Exb.1839 on dt.7.4.14

Next date. 31.3.14

31.3.14 Court is on leave. Next date 15.4.14

7.4.14 Rejoinder affidavit Exb.1845 submitted in the court against the witnesses vide exb.1843 reply by the SIT.

For hearing vide exb. 1839 on dt.18.4.14 in the noon around 2.45 pm

11.4.14 Writ certified copy of Honble Gujarat High Court in Cr, M.

A.No.3911/14 vide exb.1846 submitted in the court.

15.4.14 Matter adjourned to 29.4.14

For hearing vide exb. 1839 on dt.18.4.14 in the noon around 2.45 pm

18.4.14 Court heard arguments in Exb.1839 and admitted SIT IO Sur-Rejoinder vide Exb.1848 Court heard Sp.PP’s Arguments

Court adjourned for argument reply by Sp.PP .

Next date.22.4.14

22.4.14 Court heard in Exb.1839 Sp.PP argument reply by S.M. Vora. So, adjourned and on order vide exb.1839.

Next date.9.5.14

29.4.14 Matter adjourned to. 13.5.14 to for final arguments due to matter pending in High Court;

For further hearing and order in Exb.1839 . So, adjourned to

dt.9.5.14

13.5.14 Matter adjourned to 27.5.14 to submit arguments in favour of Accused due to dilatory tactics by the SIT. For further hearing and order in Exb.1839 . So,

adjourned to dt.27.5.14

27.5.14 Matter adjourned to 10.6.14 to submit arguments

For order in Exb.1839 . So, adjourned on dt.27.5.14

10.6.14 Court is on leave. So next date.24.6.14

Matter adjourned to 24.6.14. For orders in Exb.1839 .

24.6.14 Matter adjourned to 08.07.2014 to submit arguments in favour of accused due dilatory tactics by the SIT For order in Exb.1839 . So, adjourned on dt.8.7.14

8.7.14 Order declared in Exb.1839- Witness application for Documents was finally allowed

Matter adjourned to 22.7.14

22.7.14 Court is on leave. SIT IO Himanshu Shukla given application to take

15 days time to submit the copies in the court to Sp.P.P. vide Exb.1839 and this exb. No. 1856.

Application granted…..

Matter adjourned to 5.8.14.to submit arguments in favour of accused due to Supreme Court stay order

2.8.14 Cr.M.A. No. 11343/14 of the Gujarat HC Xerox copy of writ vide exb.1858

Cr.M.A. No. 11260/14 of the Gujarat HC Xerox copy of writ vide exb.1859

Cr.M.A. No. 10494/14 of the Gujarat HC Xerox copy of writ vide exb.1860

Cr.M.A. No. 9491/14 of the Gujarat HC Xerox copy of writ vide exb.1861

5.8.14 Order’s copy submitted in Exb.1839 by the Sp.P.P. in the court vide Exb. 1863

Order to “abate” Accused No.17 Ratilal Ganeshji Kumbhar on cause of death.

Matter adjourned to 19.8.14 for arguments

INDEX of Documents submitted to Witness Advocates by the SIT

7.8.14 Cr.M.A. No. 11260/14 of the Gujarat HC Xerox copy of writ vide exb.1864

19.8.14 Application to provide documents in favour of witnesses in Exb.1839 by Advocate S.M. Vohra’s with Exb.1866.

Fixed for hearing. Matter adjourned to. 2.9.14 to submit arguments in favour of accused due to Supreme Court stay order

2.9.14 Copy of order by the Gujarat High Court in Cr.Mis.A. No. 12643/14 submitted to the court by accused Jayesh Madanlal Jingar vide exb.1868

Copy of Letter of High Court Ahmedabad about the order of the Supreme Court by Deputy Registrar of the Supreme Court wide Ex.1869

Matter adjourned on. 11.9.14.for final arguments

For hearing in Ex.1866

Next date 11.9.14

11.9.14 Court adjourned for requested by Advocate Salim in favour of witnesses and Sp.P.P. Kodekar to give copy of documents oraly.

Next date 25.9.14

Matter adjourned to 25.9.14 for witnesses to submit list of documents needed to press Section 319 application

Update for 13.11.2-14

Note:- Judge K.K. Bhatt retired on.30.9.2014 and the new designated Judge P.B Desai was appointed on 15.10.2014

(Note: List of Documents from Index along with all documents pertaining to more accused sought to be arraigned in the Section 319 application i.e. MK Tandon –then Joint CP, Ahmedabad, PB Gondia, then DCB Crime Branch, Ahmedabad etc submitted by the SIT to the Court on 5.8.2014. Witness Survivors moved application before the Court to provide them with a copy on 19.08.2014 (Exhibit 1866). Though the Court fixed the date for hearing of the application on 2.9.2014, the said application has not yet been heard by the Court and no documents have been received by us to this day.)

25.9.14 Matter adjourned to 9/10/14 for Submission of documents

9.10.14 Matter adjourned to 20/11/14 for Submission of documents

20.10.14 Matter adjourned to 5/11/14 for Submission of documents

05.11.14 Matter adjourned to 19/11/14 for Submission of documents

There is no Order in Gulberg for Fixed days for hearing in the Week

Next date of Hearing is now 19.11.14

Criminal Case filed in Australia against Prime Minister Narendra Modi

November 14, 2014 by Nasheman

The American Justice Center (AJC), an organization established to bring human rights abusers to justice, has announced the filing of a criminal complaint in Australia against visiting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his role in aiding, abetting and inciting organized attacks against the minorities of Gujarat state before and during the horrific genocide of 2002.

The lawsuit is being brought under the aegis of AJC, by Mr. Asif Vahora, a survivor of the 2002 massacres, in which over 2,000 people were killed and over 150,000 displaced. The complaint refers to the destruction of “20,000 Muslim homes and businesses and 360 places of worship.”

The complaint against Prime Minister Modi has been lodged under Australia’s “The Criminal Code Act 1995” which provides Australian courts jurisdiction over cases involving crimes against humanity worldwide (Id. §§ 268.117(1) & 15.4). Justifying the prosecution of Modi in Australian Courts, the complaint states that Modi’s actions during February-March 2002 violate sections 268.3,4,5,8 & 9 of Australia’s Criminal Code Act of 1995.

The complaint, lodged with Honorable Robert Bromwich SC, Director Commonwealth Public Prosecutions, Australia, charges Mr. Modi with crimes against humanity and genocide resulting in the killing of more than 2,000 Muslims and displacement of several hundred thousand.

“Our relentless pursuit of justice has now taken us to the Australian shores, where Mr. Modi will have to account for his criminal misdeeds in Gujarat,” said Mr. Joseph Whittington, Jr., President of AJC, and also the 2nd Ward Alderman of Harvey, Illinois.

Mr. Modi’s rise to power comes in the backdrop of increasing persecution of religious minorities in India. In August this year, India’s Christian population, numbering about 24 million, marked the sixth anniversary of horrific anti-Christian massacres in the state of Odisha, considered the worst anti-Christian pogrom of the 21st century. Prominent watch-dog group “International Christian Concern,” reported an alarming rise in the attacks on rural churches in recent months. In May 2014, several villages in the Indian state of Chhattisgarh passed local ordinances banning all non-Hindu religious activities, in effect banning Christianity. Vatican Radio, the Holy See’s official news outlet, reported on the possibility of Christians being “purged,” from villages across three states.

Recently, AJC spearheaded an Alien Tort case against PM Modi during his visit to the United States in September. Following the AJC complaint, a US federal court issued a summons against the visiting PM. The case is currently under review by the US Federal Court. As in the Tort case brought against Mr. Modi in the US, AJC is providing legal support and advice to the survivors in their effort to hold Mr. Modi accountable for the loss of lives and property that was caused by his complicity in the Gujarat massacres.

“Under Australia’s criminal code, mere presence of the accused foreigner in Australia is a sufficient basis for jurisdiction over acts of genocide and crimes against humanity committed abroad,” said Mr. Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, legal advisor to AJC. “Thus it adopts a mode of jurisdiction equivalent to universal jurisdiction,” added Mr. Pannun.

The Gujarat genocide of 2002 was one of the worst episodes of sectarian violence in independent India, and was marked with horrific crimes against humanity, including the rape of several hundred women. Many of the victims were subsequently burned alive. Although the Special Investigation Team (SIT) investigating the mass violence did not prosecute Mr. Modi, an amicus curiae appointed by the Supreme Court had recommended

Mr. Modi’s prosecution. A case filed by Mrs. Zakia Jafri, widow of slain Parliamentarian Ehsan Jafri, is pending against Mr. Modi in the Gujarat High Court.

The American Justice Center (AJC) is a human rights organization dedicated to holding human rights abusers and perpetrators of mass violence accountable. AJC provides legal aid and support for international judicial redress to victims deprived of legitimate and legal means to justice.

REFERENCES:

Criminal Complaint in Australia Against Indian PM Narendra Modi
http://www.americanjusticecenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Modi-CriminalComplaint-Filed-Australia-Nov-13.pdf

Supporting Evidence for Criminal Complaint in Australia Against Indian PM Narendra Modi
http://www.americanjusticecenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Supporting-Evidence-Criminal-Complaint-Against-PM-Modi-Australia.pdf

US Court issues summons against Indian PM Modi ahead of his arrival
http://www.americanjusticecenter.org/press-release/

AJC challenges Narendra Modi’s immunity; announces $10,000 reward for serving US Court’s summons
http://www.americanjusticecenter.org/ajc-challenges-narendra-modis-immunity-announces-10000-reward-for-serving-us-courts-summons/

US Federal Court allows AJC, Gujarat victims to challenge US Government’s “Suggestion of Immunity” to PM Modi
http://www.americanjusticecenter.org/us-federal-court-allows-ajc-gujarat-victims-to-challenge-us-governments-suggestion-of-immunity-to-pm-modi/

The Diplomat: US Federal Court Issues Summons Against Narendra Modi
http://thediplomat.com/2014/09/us-federal-court-issues-summons-against-narendra-modi/

REUTERS: Small-town U.S. politician emerges as unlikely foe of Modi
http://in.reuters.com/article/2014/09/27/modi-usa-visit-riots-lawsuit-idINKCN0HM01720140927

Jiyo Parsi Ads – The Ministry of Minority Affairs has funded this absurd campaign seeking multiplication of Parsis

November 14, 2014 by Nasheman

Jiyo Parsi is a Government of India supported scheme to arrest the decline in population of the Parsi Zoroastrian Community in India. Headed by Shernaz Cama, the program launched a major ad blitzkrieg today. The advertisements will run in the print media in the days and weeks to come.

Amid criticism Deve Gowda announces son as JD(S) Karnataka Chief

November 14, 2014 by Nasheman

JD(S) national president H D Deve Gowda, newly appointed party’s state chief H D Kumaraswamy and others at the JD(S) office in Bengaluru on Thursday. Photo: Nagaraja Gadekal, The New Indian Express

Bengaluru: Former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda on Thursday announced appointment of his son H D Kumaraswamy as President of the JDS state unit, even as he acknowledged there was a need to dispel the impression that his was a “father-son party.”

Gowda, who has come under constant attack over his family maintaining a stranglehold over JDS, defended the appointment of Kumaraswamy, a former Chief Minister who is under pressure in recent weeks to play a more active role.

It was a “big tragedy” that JDS was being labelled “father-son party” in Karnataka, Gowda said.

“Aren’t father and their children in the same party in other states?, the JDS chief asked.” If Mamata Banerjee (West Bengal Chief Minister) and Mayawati (BSP leader) had children, what would they have done?, he said, hitting back at the detractors who accuse him of promoting dynastic politics.

The state unit president’s post was lying vacant for the past seven months following the death of A Krishnappa due to heart attack on April 23. He was party candidate for Tumkur Lok Sabha seat. The backward classes leader had assumed the charge in September last year.

The decision to appoint Kumaraswamy was taken at a high-level meeting of party state office-bearers, legislators, district unit presidents and former legislators held here in which Gowda took part.

This is not the first time Kumaraswamy is holding the post. He was appointed as the JDS president in 2008 after the death of Meerajuddin Patel.

Kumaraswamy had quit the post following the party’s defeat in last year’s August 21 bypolls to Bengaluru Rural and Mandya Lok Sabha seats, considered the party’s bastion.

Gowda also announced apointments of Mahantesh Patil and Amarnath Shetty as Vice Presidents, Sharada Purya Nayak, Dinakar Shetty (Gneral Secretaries) and Meenakshi Naneesh and Dr Riaz Farooq (Secretaries).

Assuming the charge, Kumraswamy said he would make all efforts to build the party and take up farmers’ issues.

In 2013, he resigned from the Lok Sabha after winning election to the Karnataka Assembly in which his party emerged the second largest in terms of vote share percentage.

Rohit Sharma's 264 powers India to 404/5 against Sri Lanka

November 13, 2014 by Nasheman

Kolkata: Rohit Sharma (264) made history by becoming the highest individual scorer in One-Day International (ODI) cricket and also became the first batsman to score two double hundreds as he powered India to a mammoth 404 for five in their fourth match against Sri Lanka at the Eden Gardens here Thursday.

The 27-year-old smashed nine sixes and 33 fours to register the record score in 173 deliveries against a hapless Sri Lankan bowling attack.

Rohit, who scored 209 against Australia in November 2013, stitched a 202-run partnership for the third wicket with skipper Virat Kohli (66).

Brief Scores:
India: 404 for five in 50 overs (Rohit Sharma 264, Virat Kohli 66; Angelo Mathews 2/44, Nuwan Kulasekara 1/89, Shaminda Eranga 1-77) vs Sri Lanka.

(IANS)

Fewer undertrials might solve prison overcrowding, says NHRC

November 13, 2014 by Nasheman

New Delhi: National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) chairperson Justice (retd.) K.G. Balakrishnan Thursday said overcrowding in Indian prisons can be reduced if the number of undertrials is brought down.

“If a charge sheet is being filed and there is no indication that the accused may influence witnesses or the evidence, what is the reason of keeping him behind bars,” Balakrishnan told IANS at a two-day national seminar on prison reforms.

He also said steps should be taken to decrease problems in jails. “State governments should invest to build more jails and improve infrastructure,” he said.

Many prision and government officials attended the seminar and informed the participants on the status of the prisons in their respective states.

The seminar will conclude Friday.

(IANS)

BJP Kashmir candidate opposes repeal of Article 370

November 13, 2014 by Nasheman

Srinagar: Hina Bhat, BJP candidate for the Amira Kadal assembly constituency here, Thursday said she does not support abrogation of Article 370 and expressed the hope the contentious issue would not figure in the party’s manifesto for the state elections.

When IANS asked Bhat whether she stood by her statement in local media that she would be the first to pick up the gun if Article 370 was abrogated, she said: “It is my personal opinion that Article 370 cannot be abrogated.”

“Yes, if it is abrogated, I will oppose it tooth and nail.”

She also questioned reports that abrogation of Article 370 would be part of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) manifesto for Jammu and Kashmir assembly polls.

“Have you seen the manifesto? How do you say abrogation of Article 370 would be part of our assembly election manifesto?” she asked.

On Tuesday, while inaugurating the party’s media cell in Jammu, Jitendra Singh, minister of state at the Prime Minister’s office (PMO), told reporters: “All issues (including Article 370) which have been part of the BJP manifesto all these years will be part of the agenda. They will continue to be so.”

“The ideological issue (Article 370) which you are pointing at, BJP’s stand is very clear on it and it is known to you.”

“But in each election at a given time, you have to prioritise and you have to go by the aspiration of the people. The aspiration of the people as of now, in 2014, in November and December, when we go to polls, is to liberate this state and people from years and years of misgovernance, corruption and misappropriation of central funds,” the minister said.

(IANS)

AMU students protest against ‘negative portrayal’ of university in media

November 13, 2014 by Nasheman

Aligarh: Students of Aligarh Muslim University protested here on Wednesday at the alleged negative portrayal of the university in certain sections of the media. The AMU Students’ Union and Women’s College Students’ Union staged a protest march in the university campus and said that simple administrative issues were allegedly blown into an issue of gender bias by the media.

The students also condemned the “irresponsible and careless” remarks of the Vice- Chancellor Zameer Uddin Shah.

“The AMUSU and Women’s College Students’ Union feel shocked and angered by intense negative portrayal of AMU in some section of the media. The anti-women depiction of the historical campus of AMU is not only factually wrong but also an unnecessary sensationalisation of a simple administrative issue into an issue of gender bias,” said Abdullah Azzam the AMUSU president.

He said the allegation of gender bias against the university was wrong as Maulana Azad Library has more than 2,700 registered female members including PG students, research scholars and students of various professional courses.

Arguing that the women’s college has its own library meant to cater the requirements of the college girls, he highlighted the long standing demand of the Women’s College Students’ Union regarding updating the existing library and providing easy access to the books of Maulana Azad Library.

Meanwhile, the university administration has also clarified the position.

“It must be put on record that there is absolutely no issue of gender in allowing or not allowing membership to Maulana Azad Library. Girl students of the University which include research scholars, postgraduate and undergraduate students (including students in undergraduate professional courses) are members of Maulana Azad Library and they avail its facilities in a routine manner,” said Dr Rahat Abrar, Public Relations Officer.

“AMU Women’s College offers education in conventional undergraduate courses and is located around 3 kilometers away from the main campus of the University. It has its own system including the library and book bank.”

Dr. Abrar further said that Maulana Azad Library was established in 1960 and AMU Women’s College in 1936 and since then the two have been functioning smoothly. “The University has not imposed or introduced any new rule regarding membership to Maulana Azad Library as the media reports seem to mischievously suggest,” he said.

Machil Fake Encounter: 7 Army personnel found guilty, sentenced to life imprisonment

November 13, 2014 by Nasheman

Victims: Aasha Begam, mother of Shezad Ahmad with picture of her son. Next her Jabeena, wife of Shezad and his five year old son Shahid. Shezad was killed in the Machil Fake Encounter. Photo: Javed Dar

Srinagar: A court has convicted seven Indian Army personnel including two officers for involvement in the 2010 Machil fake encounter case in Kashmir.

The military court has handed out life imprisonment to all the men and they have been suspended from service.

The court found the troopers guilty of killing civilians and hatching a conspiracy to cover-up the case.

In 2010, three youth were lured to Kupwara region with the promise of job and were killed in a staged encounter by troops near the Line of Control.

The Army had dubbed them as ‘Pakistani terrorists’ who had infiltrated into Kashmir.

Following the discovery that the slain men were civilians, a court of enquiry was ordered and court martial proceedings had begun in January 2014.

Seven soldiers, two civilians and one member of territorial Army had been found guilty in the proceedings.

A colonel rank officer and a captain have been found guilty in the fake encounter.

The order comes as a relief for the families of victims who had demanded action against the Army officers. The case had triggered massive protests against the Army in the valley.