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Archives for January 2018

Kamal Haasan to announce political party’s name on Feb 21

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Chennai: Veteran actor Kamal Haasan has announced he will commence his political journey from his hometown Ramanathapuram on February 21, when he will also reveal the name of his party.

He made the announcement in a statement issued late on Tuesday night, saying his purpose in life is to “challenge the status quo that has been plaguing the politics of Tamil Nadu for some time now”.

“I intend to embark on a journey across the state from February 21, 2018 to truly understand as to what the needs of my people are?, what is afflicting them?, what their aspirations are?

“Further, this momentous journey of meeting people across Tamil Nadu is neither an act of rebellion nor is it a gathering for glamour. Simply put, this is a journey of discovery and learning and an opportunity for me to truly understand my people,” said Haasan, 63.

This, he said, is being planned and executed in phases and over a period of time.

“I believe it will be truly appropriate if my political journey commences from the place of my birth and hometown Ramanathapuram. Following this, I intend on meeting and spending time with the people from the districts of Madurai, Dindigul and Sivagangai.

“In addition, at the commencement of the journey, I intend to announce the name of my political party along with the guiding principles we intend to live by,” Haasan added.

With his political foray, Haasan intends to “question mediocrity and raise the bar on governance and welfare for the people of Tamil Nadu”.

“The journey is intended towards that goal. I begin this journey with your support. Join hands with me to empower our country and state,” said the acclaimed actor, who feels the love he has for people of the state needs to be “manifested in action and deed”.

(IANS)

S. Africa beat India by 135 runs in 2nd Test

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Centurion: South Africa bowled out India for 151 in their second innings, registering a 135-run victory in the second cricket Test here on Wednesday. With this win, the hosts have clinched the three-match cricket series.

Chasing a target of 287, India resumed the day at 35/3. Rohit Sharma top-scored for India with 47.

Debutant pacer Lungi Ngidi picked up six wickets for 39 runs.

(IANS)

SC begins hearing on constitutional validity of Aadhaar

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New Delhi: A five-judge Constitution bench of the Supreme Court on Wednesday began hearing the matter related to the constitutional validity of linking Aadhaar card to a number of government schemes.

The five-judge Constitution bench, headed by Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra and four other judges Justices A. M. Khanwilkar, Adarsh Kumar Sikri, D.

Y. Chandrachud and Ashok Bhushan will hear a number of petitions filed challenging the validity of the identification number.

Since inception, the validity of the Aadhaar and possible leakage of data has cropped up time and again. The top court has also received petitions regarding the linkage of this 12-digit number with mobile phones, bank accounts and so on, the last date for which was extended to March 31 this year.

While data breach has been widely debated in the recent past, the government had refuted all claims of the same.

Most recently, The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) decided to enable ‘Face Authentication’ infusion mode on registered devices by July 1, so that people facing difficulty in other existing modes of verification such as fingerprints, iris, and one-time-password (OTP) could easily authenticate.

(PTI)

Prashant Bhushan files complaint against CJI Dipak Misra, requests five senior judges to conduct inquiry

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A file photo of activist-lawyer Prashant Bhushan. Photo: PTI

New Delhi: Supreme Court lawyer Prashant Bhushan on Tuesday said he had filed a complaint against Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra in the medical college scam case and requested five senior most apex court judges, including the four rebel judges, to hold an in-house inquiry into the matter.

As a convenor of Campaign for Judicial Accountability and Reforms, Bhushan demanded in-house inquiry against Justice Misra saying that “the CJI has apparently committed several acts of serious misconduct that should be inquired into by a committee of three/five Judges of this court”.

Bhushan levelled four charges against the chief justice in his complaint addressed to Justices J Chelameswar, Ranjan Gogoi, Madan B Lokur and Kurian Joseph — who held a presser last week complaining against the CJI — and Justice A K Sikri.

“The facts and circumstances relating to the Prasad Education Trust case show prima facie evidence suggesting that CJI Misra may have been involved in the conspiracy of paying illegal gratification in the case, which at least warrants a thorough investigation,” Bhushan said.

M Quddusi, a retired Judge of the Orissa High Court was arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation and later granted bail, Biswanath Agarwala, a middleman, and BP Yadav of the Prasad Education Trust, the institution which was barred by the Medical Council of India from admitting medical students and subsequently appealed before the Allahabad High Court and Supreme Court.

The complaint also questioned Justice Misra’s denial of permission to the CBI to register a case against Justice Narayan Shukla of the Allahabad High Court in the Prasad Education Trust matter.

Bhushan’s second charge against Justice Misra dealt with the “alleged misuse of his administrative powers by ignoring the clear principle of conflict of interest and proceeding with hearing of a petition for an independent inquiry by a former CJI into the irregularities in the Prasad Education Trust matter”.

After hearing the petition himself, Justice Misra nullified the order of another bench of Justice Chelameswar who had ordered the matter to be listed before five senior Judges of the Supreme Court. The CJI constituted a three-Judge bench to hear the petition which later dismissed the plea filed by the Campaign for Judicial Accountability and Reforms.

Bhushan alleged that Justice Misra “conducted a serious act of forgery by ante-dating an administrative order dated 6 November, 2017”.

The Supreme Court advocate also alleged that “Justice Misra as lawyer acquired land for a fodder farm in Odisha by furnishing a false affidavit”. Later, the land deal was cancelled by a local Magistrate in 1985 but Justice Misra surrendered the land in 2012 after he was elevated to the Supreme Court.

The 24-page complaint read: “The abovementioned matters have tarnished the reputation of the court and have brought the judiciary into disrepute. It is a matter which needs to be swiftly dealt with.”

“The inquiry must be swiftly done so that the reputation of the judiciary is not damaged further and its integrity and independence remains intact.”

(IANS)

Karnataka paid the witness to appear before tribunal, alleges Goa minister

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Panaji: Goa Water Resources Minister Vinod Palyekar today accused Karnataka of “paying” money to a witness to appear before a tribunal, which was looking into the dispute over the sharing of the Mahadayi river water between the two states.

Karnataka and Goa, the riparian states of the Mahadayi (known as Mandovi in Goa), have been locked in a bitter battle over the sharing of the water of the river, which originates in Belagavi in Karnataka.

The matter is pending before the Mahadayi Water Dispute Tribunal.

In a series of tweets, Palyekar, who has been engaged in a war of words with the Congress government in Karnataka, made fresh accusations against the neighbouring state.

“Goa never paid for its witnesses. Our witnesses worked keeping in mind #GoemGoenkarGoemkarponn (interest of the state) in #Mahadayi matter (sic),” one of his tweets read.

“Unlike Karnataka witness A K Gosain who had confessed in tribunal that he was paid 50k per day by Karnataka for being the witness and 5 lakhs to prepare report (sic),” the minister further said.

The Goa government has claimed that Karnataka has resumed work on a tributary canal of the river at Kankumbi village, in “violation” of a Supreme Court order.

Palyekar had said the state would file contempt petitions against Karnataka in the apex court and also in the tribunal.

Meanwhile, Karnataka Irrigation Minister M B Patil had visited Kankumbi yesterday and said that the claims made by Goa were “false”. He had also said that no fresh work was going on at the proposed dam site.

Palyekar, in a late evening statement yesterday, had called Karnataka “habitual liars” on the Mahadayi issue.

The Goa government made a representation before the tribunal on the river-sharing issue yesterday.

(PTI)

‘Padmaavat’ producers move SC against ban by various states

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New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday agreed to hear the plea of producers of controversial Bollywood movie ‘Padmavaat’ against the ban imposed on its release by various state governments.

A bench comprising Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud considered the submission of the counsel of the producer that the matter be heard urgently in view of the ban on its release by various state governments.

Rajasthan, Haryana, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh have banned the movie citing law and order issues.

The movie is scheduled to be released on January 25.

(PTI)

Rohingya refugees to return ‘within two years’

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Rohingya refugees wait for aid in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh [Danish Siddiqui/Reuters]

by Al Jazeera

The UN has raised concern over the return of hundreds of thousands of Rohingya refugees, who fled a military crackdown in Myanmar’s Rakhine State, within the next two years as agreed upon by Bangladesh and Myanmar.

As part of a repatriation deal signed by the two Asian neighbours in November last year, Bangladesh and Myanmar officials at a joint meeting in Naypyidaw on Tuesday agreed on plans to facilitate the return of those displaced since August.

“Much work remains to be done in the context of the Rohingya refugee situation to ensure that any potential returns are voluntary, that they occur in conditions of safety and dignity, and that they are sustainable,” said Caroline Gluck, senior public information officer for UNHCR, UN’s refugee agency.

“The protection of the Rohingya refugees must be guaranteed both in Bangladesh and upon their return to Myanmar,” she told Al Jazeera in an emailed response.

Earlier, Bangladesh’s foreign ministry said in a statement that “the repatriation would be completed preferably within two years from its commencement”.

Under the arrangement, Bangladesh would establish five transit camps from where returnees would be received initially in two reception centres on the Myanmar side, the statement revealed.

Some 1,550 refugees will be sent back each week, which will add up to approximately 156,000 over a period of two years.

“Myanmar has reiterated its commitment to stop the outflow of Myanmar residents to Bangladesh,” the Bangladesh foreign ministry said.

The agreement does not specify when repatriation will be commenced, but agrees to provide temporary shelter to the returning Rohingya and building houses for them later.

‘They will slaughter us’
More than 650,000 Rohingya have fled to neighbouring Bangladesh since August 25, when Myanmar’s army launched a bloody crackdown in response to attacks on border posts by the armed group, Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army.

Refugees who crossed the border reported mass killings, gang rapes and arson, prompting the UN and rights groups to accuse Myanmar’s army of possible crimes against humanity.

The mainly Muslim minority, who live primarily in Rakhine State, is not recognised as an ethnic group in Myanmar, despite having lived there for generations. They have been denied citizenship and are rendered stateless.

Many refugees living in camps in Bangladesh have also raised fears about returning to Myanmar.

Abd-us-Salam, who is more than 100 years old, has fled three military crackdowns in Myanmar. He and his wife are currently seeking refuge in Bangladesh’s Kutupalong refugee camp.

“There’s no point in sending us back to Myanmar because there is no security for us there,” he told Al Jazeera.

“They will not allow a single Rohingya to live there,” he said.

“They will slaughter us all. Please don’t send us back as bate for the monster.”

Taslima Begum, another Rohingya refugee, said she would “rather die in Bangladesh than go back”.

“We have been persecuted and brutalised there,” she said. “They took all our possessions, crops and cattle.”

Safe return

UNHCR’s Gluck told Al Jazeera that Rohingya refugees say they would only consider return if they see positive developments in relation to their legal status and citizenship, the security situation in Rakhine State, and their ability to enjoy basic rights back home.

She said that the root causes of the crisis, such as the Rohingya’s legal and citizenship status, need to be addressed to ensure peace and security in Rakhine State.

Since the signing of the deal, the UN and rights groups have criticised the repatriation plan, because they believe it does not guarantee the protection of the refugees on return.

Delwar Hossain, director of East Asian Study Centre of Dhaka University, told Al Jazeera on Tuesday that it will be impossible to complete the repatriation process within two years.

“I am sceptical whether they will be able to start the repatriation properly with the Physical Arrangement that was signed between the two countries,” he said.

The UN has called the violence against civilians in Myanmar a “textbook example of ethnic cleansing”.

The ongoing crisis has been described as the biggest forced exodus of 2017.

Faisal Mahmud contrinuted from Dhaka

U19 World Cup: India thrash Papua New Guinea by 10 wickets

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India crushed minnows Papua New Guinea (PNG) by 10 wickets to register their second consecutive win in Group B of the ICC U-19 Cricket World Cup here on Tuesday.

Left-arm spinner Anukul Roy finished with figures of 5/14 as three-time champions India completed a facile 10-wicket victory which took them closer towards qualification for the Super League stage.

Apart from Roy, Shivam Mavi and Kamlesh Nagarkoti also bowled a correct line and length as PNG folded up for a paltry 64 runs.

India skipper Prithvi Shaw then knocked up a neat half-century as the target was achieved in only eight overs.

Commenting on the match, Roy said: “I thought there would not be much help in the pitch for bowlers so I decided to concentrate on line and length.

I got the desired results and am thankful to the support and guidance I received from the team management.”

India will now play their last league match against Zimbabwe here on Friday.

Meanwhile in Whangarei, Shaheen Afridi claimed the best bowling figures by a Pakistani on first-class debut to guide his team to a comprehensive nine-wicket victory over Ireland in a Group D clash.

The young left-arm fast bowler notched up figures of 6/15 as Ireland were bundled out for just 97 runs in 28.5 overs.

Seven of the Irish batsmen failed to reach double-figures, of which four were dismissed without opening their account.

Joshua Little, who remained unbeaten on 24, was the highest scorer for Ireland.

Pakistan then shook off the early dismissal of Rohail Nazir to coast home in just 8.5 overs.

Opener Mohammad Zaid Alam spearheaded the run chase with a whirlwind knock of 43 runs off a mere 19 deliveries.

The right-hander smashed seven boundaries and a six to hammer the Irish bowlers into submission.

Pakistan thus stay in contention for a spot in the knockout stages with two points from two matches. They had lost to Afghanistan by five wickets in their campaign opener.

Brief scores:

Papua New Guinea: 64 in 21.5 overs (Ovia Sam 15; Anukul Roy 5/14) vs India: 67/0 in 8 overs (Prithvi Shaw 57 not out).

Ireland: 97 in 28.5 overs (Joshua Little 24 not out; Shaheen Afridi 6/15) vs Pakistan: 98/1 in 8.5 overs (Zaid Alam 43 not out).

(IANS)

Goa minister Palekar stokes fresh controversy, says Karnataka “habitual liar”

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Panaji: Goa Water Resources Minister Vinod Palekar today said neighbouring Karnataka was a “habitual liar” on the Mahadayi river case.

Earlier in the day, Karnataka Water Resources Minister M B Patil demanded an apology from Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar over alleged abusive words used by Palekar against Kannadigas recently.

“If Karnataka minister feels that Goa and Goans are liars then it is they (Karnataka) who are habitual liars in Mahadayi case and their witnesses are exposed before Mahadayi Water Dispute Tribunal,” Palekar said.

“Goans don’t have a habit of lying. I personally visited the site along with the team of our engineers. It was quite visible that work on the canal was on and we have collected the evidence which would be produced before the tribunal,” the minister said.

Patil, who had visited the spot in the morning, had claimed that Goa’s allegations were “false” and “baseless.”

“Goa minister Vinod Palekar who visited Kanakumbi had alleged that we have started work on the Kalsa-Banduri canal project. But that is false. What he has seen is signs of old work,” Patil was quoted as saying by media reporters this morning.

Palekar said Karnataka had been lying about the Mahadayi issue since July 2007.

“Karnataka’s witnesses have been exposed by our Additional Solicitor General Atmaram Nadkarni before the tribunal,” the minister said.

The hearing on Goa’s arguments against Karnataka’s proposed dams on the river will be heard by the tribunal in the first week of February.

Nadkarni had said Goa’s case was essentially to challenge the construction of 12 dams by Karnataka on the Mahadayi river and also oppose Karnataka’s proposal to divert Mahadayi waters to the Malaprabha reservoir.

(PTI)

SC asks Maharashtra government to share Judge Loya documents with petitioners seeking probe

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New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed the Maharashtra government to share all the documents relating to the death of Special CBI Judge B.H. Loya with the petitioners seeking independent probe and adjourned the matter for seven days.

“This is a matter, they must get everything. There should not be any confidentiality,” said the bench of Justice Arun Mishra and Justice Mohan M. Shantanagoudar asking senior counsel Harish Salve to share the documents with the petitioners.

Social activists T. Poonawala and Mumbai journalist Bandhuraj Sambhaji Lone have moved the top court seeking independent probe into the death of Judge Loya.

As Salve appearing for Maharashtra government told the court to have a look at the documents that were in a sealed cover, Justice Mishra said “Exchange the copy with them (petitioners). And we adjourn the matter for seven days.”

As Salve said that he had himself not seen the documents sent by Maharashtra government, the bench told him to go through the documents and if he finds some are sensitive, then he can hold them back.

Justice Mishra said, “Unless there is something, there should not be any confidentiality. Normally there should not be any objection in sharing the documents.”

Salve said that he has a spare copy which he can share with senior counsel Pallav Sisodia – appearing for the petitioner – but he should keep it to himself.

The death of Judge Loya has raised a storm as presiding over the special CBI court he held the trial in the Sohrabuddin Shaikh fake encounter case in which BJP president Amit Shah is one of the accused. Shah was later discharged in the case.

(IANS)

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