Charge sheet filed against Arnab Goswami in 2018 suicide case

Mumbai, Dec 4: The police on Friday filed a charge sheet against Republic TV editor-in-chief Arnab Goswami and two others in a 2018 abetment of suicide case.
The charge sheet was filed before a court in Alibaug in neighbouring Raigad district, where the case for alleged abetment of suicide of interior designer Anvay Naik and his mother Kumud has been registered.
Besides Goswami, the other two accused named in the charge sheet are Firoze Sheikh and Nitish Sarda, said special public prosecutor Pradeep Gharat.
The trio has been charged under IPC sections 306 (abetment to suicide), 109 (punishment for abetment)and 34 (act done by several people in furtherance of common intention).
As many as 65 persons are named as witnesses in the charge sheet that runs into 1,914 pages.
Prosecution sources said that it relies on purported suicide noteas the `dying declaration’.
Naik’s handwriting has been matched with the writing in the suicide note and forensic report indicated that he was not under pressure while writing it, sources added.
Six statements recorded before a magistrate under section 164 of the Code of Criminal Procedure are also part of the charge sheet. Such statements can be used as evidence during trial.
Incidentally, Goswami had moved the Bombay High Court on Thursday seeking a stay to the filing of charge sheet, but the petition is yet to be heard.
Goswami, Sheikh and Sarda were arrested by Alibaug police on November 4 in the case, but they got bail from the Supreme Court on November 11.
Anvay Naik and his mother Kumud committed suicide in 2018, allegedly because of non-payment of dues by firms of Goswami and other two accused.
The case, closed for want of evidence in 2019, was reopened in May this year, with Goswami alleging that the Maharashtra government was pursuing a vendetta against him for his work as a TV journalist.
Karnataka Bandh: Traffic jam in CBD area, Vatal Nagaraj calls Jail Bharo agitation against CM
BENGALURU: Traffic was thrown out of gear around Mourya Circle, Race Course Road, Corporations circle and Mekhri Circle on Saturday following Karnataka Bandh called by Pro-Kannada organisations. More than 5000 activists were taken into preventive custody by the city police.
Shops and commercial establishments were closed at Gandhinagar, Chickpet and Avenue road and the protesters blocked the road at Town Hall and Mysuru Bank Circle. The group from Karnataka Rakshana Vedike headed by Narayanagowda tried to protest in front of CM’s house on Kumarakrupa road and he was detained by the police. Narayanagowda began the rally from Gandinagar via Shivananda Circle. When they were heading CM house Krishna police bundled them in a BMTC bus.
The protesters in KR Puram allegedly pelted stones at a BMTC bus and the situation was tense for a while. Meanwhile, KSRTC and BMTC bus services were seen as usual around Majestic.
Speaking to the media, Varal Nagaraj said more than 20,000 Kannada activists have been taken to preventive custody when they were coming to the city to participate in the Bandh and police who came in mufti forced them to return their house and most of them were detained at early morning. The Chief Minister is behind all this and he is using the police force to destroy the protest. He is also an agent of other states and has no concern about Kannada and he is a betrayer.
“We never stop protesting until CM has to give his resignation and we have called a meeting on Wednesday to campaign Jail bharo agitation against the CM’s decision of Maratha Development Authority (MDA)”, Nagaraj added.
Two weeks after taking experimental dose of COVAXIN, Haryana Health Minister Anil Vij tests positive for COVID-19
CHANDIGARH: Haryana Health Minister Anil Vij tweeted on Saturday that he has tested positive for COVID-19 and has been admitted to a hospital.
Vij (67), who is also the state’s home minister, urged all those who had come in contact with him recently to get tested.
“I have been tested Corona positive. I am admitted in Civil Hospital Ambala Cantt. All those who have come in close contact to me are advised to get themselves tested for corona (sic),” he tweeted.
Vij is a senior leader of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and is a legislator from Ambala Cantt assembly constituency.
He was stated to be the first cabinet minister of any state government who has volunteered to take the trial dose of a potential vaccine against COVID-19.
Trudeau’s comment on farmers protests: India cautions Canada to stop ‘actions’ that can damage ties
We have always stood for peaceful protests and will continue to defend the rights of peaceful protestors in India,” he had said in an online interaction with the Sikh community on Monday.

NEW DELHI: Taking a note of comments made by Canadian premier Justin Trudeau and other leaders on the farmers’ protests, India summoned the Canadian High Commissioner on Friday and warned that such actions could have a seriously damaging impact on bilateral ties.
“The Canadian High Commissioner was summoned to the Ministry of External Affairs today and informed that comments by the Canadian Prime Minister, some Cabinet Ministers and Members of Parliament on issues relating to Indian farmers constitute an unacceptable interference in our internal affairs. Such actions, if continued, would have a seriously damaging impact on ties between India and Canada,” the MEA said in a statement. Trudeau was the first international leader to comment on the farmers’ protest.
“I would be remiss if I didn’t start by recognising the news coming from India about the protest by farmers. The situation is concerning. We are all very worried about family and friends. We have always stood for peaceful protests and will continue to defend the rights of peaceful protestors in India,” he had said in an online interaction with the Sikh community on Monday.
The MEA statement added that such comments encouraged gatherings of extremist activities in front of Indian High Commission and Consulates in Canada and raise issues of safety and security.
“Such actions, if continued, would have a seriously damaging impact on ties between India and Canada,” the ministry asserted.
“We expect the Canadian Government to ensure the fullest security of Indian diplomatic personnel and its political leaders to refrain from pronouncements that legitimize extremist activism,” it asserted.
India on Tuesday too had lashed out at Trudeau saying that his comments were ill-informed and unwarranted. MEA spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said that the Canadian Prime Minister’s comments on India’s internal affairs were unwarranted.
Canadian prime minister Trudeau, backing the agitating farmers in India, had said that Canada will always be there to defend the rights of peaceful protests, and had expressed concern over the situation.
“We expect the Canadian government to ensure the fullest security of Indian diplomatic personnel and its political leaders to refrain from pronouncements that legitimize extremist activism,” the MEA said.
On Tuesday, the ministry had reacted very strongly to the comments made by Trudeau and some other Canadian leaders, terming them as “unwarranted”.
“We have seen some ill-informed comments by Canadian leaders relating to farmers in India. Such comments are unwarranted, especially when pertaining to the internal affairs of a democratic country. It is also best that diplomatic conversations are not misrepresented for political purposes,” the MEA had said.
When asked by a journalist about India’s reaction, Trudeau said in Ottawa, “Canada will always stand up for the right to peaceful protest anywhere around the world. We are pleased to see moves towards deescalation and dialogue.”
On whether his comments would damage ties with India, he reiterated: “Canada will always stand up for the right of peaceful protests and human rights around the world.”
Canada has a significant number of Indians and most of them are from Punjab.
Canada’s Indian-origin Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan too had expressed concerns over reports of the “peaceful protesters being brutalised in India”.
“The reports of peaceful protesters being brutalized in India are very troubling. Many of my constituents have family there and are worried about the safety of their loved ones. Healthy democracies allow peaceful protest. I urge those involved to uphold this fundamental right,” he tweeted on Sunday.
Thousands of farmers from Punjab, Haryana and several other states have been protesting for the last nine days at the borders of Delhi against three farm laws.
Dubbing these laws as “anti-farmer”, these farmers claim that the newly enacted legislations would pave the way for dismantling of the minimum support price system, leaving them at the “mercy” of big corporations.
However, the government has maintained that the new laws will bring farmers better opportunities and usher in new technologies in agriculture.
COVID-19 Update India rises to 95.71 lakh with 36,595 new infections
The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 90,16,289 pushing the national recovery rate to 94.20 per cent, while the COVID-19 case fatality rate stands at 1.45 per cent.
NEW DELHI: India’s COVID-19 caseload rose to 95.71 lakh, while the total number of people who have recuperated from the disease crossed 90 lakh pushing the national recovery rate to 94.20 per cent, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Friday.
The total coronavirus cases mounted to 95,71,559 with 36,595 new infections being reported in a day, while the death toll climbed to 1,39,188 with 540 new fatalities, the data updated at 8 am showed.
The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 90,16,289 pushing the national recovery rate to 94.20 per cent, while the COVID-19 case fatality rate stands at 1.45 per cent.
The active COVID-19 caseload continued to remain below 5 lakh.
There are 4,16,082 active coronavirus infections in the country which comprises 4.35 per cent of the total caseload, the data stated.
India’s COVID-19 tally had crossed the 20-lakh mark on August 7, 30 lakh on August 23 and 40 lakh on September 5.
It went past 50 lakh on September 16, 60 lakh on September 28, 70 lakh on October 11, crossed 80 lakh on October 29, and surpassed 90 lakh on November 20.
According to the ICMR, 14,47,27,749 samples have been tested up to December 3 with 11,70,102 samples being tested on Thursday.
The 540 new fatalities include 115 from Maharashtra, 82 from Delhi, 49 from West Bengal, 32 from Haryana, 31 each from Kerala and Uttar Pradesh, 22 from Chhattisgarh and 20 each from Punjab and Rajasthan.
A total of 1,39,188 deaths have been reported so far in the country including 47,472 from Maharashtra followed by 11,821 from Karnataka, 11,747 from Tamil Nadu, 9,424 from Delhi, 8,576 from West Bengal, 7,848 from Uttar Pradesh, 7,014 from Andhra Pradesh, 4,862 from Punjab, 4,031 from Gujarat and 3,300 from Madhya Pradesh.
COVID-19 India 30 Crore People To Be Vaccinated By August 2021, Says Health Minister
Hygiene and mask remain key weapons against coronavirus, Union Minister Harsh Vardhan said.
Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan today said that up to 30 crore Indians would be inoculated against COVID-19 by August 2021 according to the central government’s plans. However, he also reiterated the need to follow appropriate protocols to fight off the disease.
Distributing masks and soaps at the Old Delhi Railway Station today, the minister, who is also Chairman of the Indian Red Cross Society, said the vaccine will be available before the middle of next year in India.
“In the first 3-4 months of next year, there is a possibility we will be able to provide vaccine to the people of the country. By July-August, we have a plan to provide vaccines to around 25-30 crore people and we are preparing accordingly,” Mr Vardhan told reporters here.
“I would like to request everyone to remember and follow COVID-19 appropriate behaviour like wearing masks and following social distancing. These are important for health,” he said.
He reminded that even as the country heads for its 12th month in the battle against the disease, the key to ensure personal protection remained the same: hygiene and social distancing. “In the fight against COVID, our biggest weapon is the mask and the sanitiser,” he said.
He highlighted that India had one of the highest recovery rates in the whole world. From one laboratory in January 2020, the country now has 2,165, while over a million people were being tested on a daily basis.
India’s coronavirus tally breached the 94-lakh mark after 38,772 new infections reported in the past 24 hours, government data showed on Monday. With 443 new deaths, the cumulative toll mounted to 1,37,139.
Karnataka Minister To Travel To UP, Gujarat To Study Anti-Cow Slaughter Law
The Minister has already announced that the anti-cow slaughter bill will be introduced during the winter session of the state legislature starting from December 7.
Prabhu Chavan has reiterated that anti-cow slaughter bill will be tabled in the winter session
Karnataka Animal Husbandry Minister Prabhu Chavan will be travelling to Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat to study and gather information on implementation of the anti-cow slaughter laws there, his office said on Tuesday.
The Minister has already announced that the anti-cow slaughter bill will be introduced during the winter session of the state legislature starting from December 7.
“Aimed at further strengthening the proposed anti-cow slaughter bill in the state, officials of the department under the leadership of Minister Prabhu Chavan will be visiting Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat from December 2 to 4,” the Minister’s office said in a statement.
Mr Chavan in the statement has reiterated that the anti-cow slaughter bill will be tabled in the winter session and all the necessary preparations have been made for it.
Noting that anti-cow slaughter Acts have been implemented in Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat, it said the Minister and officials will be gathering information on its implementation and management.
They will also visit “gaushalas” (cow shelters) and try to know about the measures taken by these states for the protection of cows.
Mr Chavan had recently said that if the law is enacted, along with prohibition on slaughter, sale and use of beef and also illegal transportation of animals for slaughtering will be stopped.
The BJP in its manifesto ahead of the 2018 assembly election had promised prohibition of cow slaughter.
Despite resistance from opposition, the then BJP government led by BS Yediyurappa in 2010 had passed the controversial Prevention of Slaughter and Preservation of Cattle Bill that proposed to replace the Karnataka Prevention of Cow Slaughter and Cattle Preservation Act, 1964.
The bill had widened the definition of “cattle” and imposed a blanket ban on cattle slaughter, coupled with stringent penalty clauses for violation.
Joe Biden wants Census Bureau to ensure everyone is counted accurately
Biden said that he hoped the US Supreme Court rejects a plan by President Donald Trump’s administration to exclude from the census the immigrants living illegally in the country.

WASHINGTON: US President-elect Joe Biden on Tuesday said the Census Bureau must ensure that every American is counted accurately in the ongoing nationwide population counts.
Biden said that he hoped the US Supreme Court rejects a plan by President Donald Trump’s administration to exclude from the census the immigrants living illegally in the country.
The apex court heard a case on Tuesday regarding the plan of the Trump administration to exclude illegal immigrants from once-in-a-decade census.
Today, the Supreme Court of the United States heard a case about whether everyone in America will be counted in the census for the purpose of apportionment of Congressional seats, as the Constitution plainly and clearly requires, Biden said.
“Or whether the partisan politics of intimidation and xenophobia will intentionally exclude specific groups of people from being counted.
It’s a case about whether we deny our ability to govern responsibly and undermine our fidelity to our laws and values as a government of, by, and for all people,” he said in a statement.
“In America, we make ourselves heard when we fill out the Census to be counted. It’s a critical way the power of the nation resides in the people. That’s America. We can’t keep rewriting history, scrambling norms, and ignoring the Constitution and the precedents we abide by,” Biden said.
“It is my hope the Supreme Court does the right thing. And, Congress must give the experts at the Census the time to make sure everyone gets counted accurately.
Let everyone be counted and let us begin the work to heal and unite our nation,” Biden said.
Noting that the census will determine the future of the country for the next decade, Biden said it helps decide where and how to invest in the health and safety of the nation everything from whether children can attend a good school and eat a warm lunch, families can drink clean water and breath clean air, and people have access to basic health care and good jobs.
Uttar Pradesh govt’s Mission Shakti has failed, crimes against women rising: Priyanka Gandhi
Adityanath had launched the ‘Mission Shakti’ campaign in October focusing on ensuring the safety and dignity of women and girls.

NEW DELHI: Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Wednesday alleged that the Yogi Adityanath government’s ‘Mission Shakti’ has “failed” as crimes against women are rising in Uttar Pradesh.
Chief Minister Adityanath had launched the ‘Mission Shakti’ campaign in October focusing on ensuring the safety and dignity of women and girls, with a stern warning that perpetrators of crimes against women will be dealt with an iron hand.
Attacking the BJP government, Gandhi said in a tweet in Hindi, “When the government’s aim is hypocrisy and false propaganda, then missions are bound to fail.”
“Mission Shakti launched by the BJP government to cover up the rising crimes against women in UP has failed. Case is being registered against those responsible for burning a woman after one month. Crimes are rising,” the Congress general secretary in-charge of UP alleged.
She also tagged a media report which claimed that a 21-year-old woman in Bhadohi was burnt inside her house by bullies, but a case was registered only after a month.
The Congress has been attacking the UP government over the state of law and order, alleging that criminal activities are rampant, a claim denied by the Adityanath dispensation.
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