Allahabad HC allows ASI survey at Gyanvapi mosque

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August 3, 2023

Varanasi, Gayanvapi — Image: PTI (Gyanvapi mosque in Varanasi)

The Allahabad High Court on Thursday dismissed a petition filed by the Gyanvapi committee challenging a district court order directing the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to conduct a survey to determine if the mosque was built upon a temple.

It said the district court order is just and proper, and no interference from this court is warranted.

The Varanasi district court had on July 21 directed the ASI to conduct a ”detailed scientific survey” -– including excavations, wherever necessary — to determine if the Gyanvapi mosque located next to the Kashi Vishwanath temple is built upon a temple.

The Anjuman Intezamia Masjid committee, which manages the mosque, had moved the high court on July 25, a day after the Supreme Court halted the ASI survey till 5 pm on July 26, allowing time for the committee to appeal against the lower court’s order.

Allahabad High Court Chief Justice Pritinker Diwaker had reserved the order on the mosque committee’s petition on July 27 after hearing arguments from both sides.

Dismissing the petition on Thursday, the high court said there is no reason to not believe the ASI’s assurance that the survey will not cause any damage to the structure.

It asserted that no digging should be done at the mosque as part of the survey.

The order of the district court for a survey on the disputed premises is just and proper, and no interference from this court is warranted, it added.

Advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain, who represented the Hindu side, told reporters that the high court said the district court’s order on the ASI survey will become effective immediately.

”This is a very important decision by the high court. The argument by the Anjuman Intezamia that the survey will affect the structure (of the mosque) has been rejected by the court, which has dismissed its petition,” he said.

The mosque committee had earlier argued that it did not get a chance to approach the high court, Jain said.

Therefore, the high court heard all its arguments before arriving at the decision that the district court order will be implemented with immediate effect, he said.

Earlier, the counsel for the mosque committee had submitted that the matter regarding maintainability of the suit is pending before Supreme Court and if the top court later comes to the conclusion that it is not maintainable, then the entire exercise will be futile.

Thus, the survey should be conducted after the Supreme Court’s decision on maintainability of the suit, the counsel had said.

On the other hand, Jain has argued that the court had ordered the ASI survey to come to a logical conclusion.

When the hearing started in the case, ASI Additional Director Alok Tripathi assured the court that the ASI is not going to do any digging at the structure.

The mosque’s ‘wazukhana’, where a structure claimed by Hindu litigants to be a ‘shivling’ exists, will not be part of the survey — following an earlier Supreme Court order protecting that spot in the complex.

Hindu activists claim that a temple existed earlier at the site and was demolished in the 17th century on the orders of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb.

Drivers of private bus operators hired by BEST on strike; over 900 buses off roads, operations at 12 depots hit

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PTI

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August 3, 2023

best bus, best undertaking, best bus strike, private operators — Drivers of private bus operators hired by BEST on strike; over 900 buses off roads, operations at 12 depots hit 3

Bus services of the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) undertaking were affected at its 12 depots after drivers of a few more private bus operators hired by the public transport body joined the ongoing strike on Thursday, officials said.

As many as 921 buses of three private operators from 12 depots of BEST were off roads, affecting bus operations from there since morning, a BEST spokesperson told PTI.

On Wednesday, drivers of the private bus operator SMT, also known as the Daga Group, went on a flash strike at the Ghatkopar and Mulund depots of BEST in the eastern suburbs over their demand for a salary hike, affecting services on several bus routes.

The protest over salary hike and other demands intensified as drivers of other private operators, namely Mateshwari and Tata Motors, also joined the strike on Thursday morning, the officials said. The operations of BEST’s wet leased buses were severely hampered at Ghatkopar, Mulund, Shivaji Nagar, Worli and eight other depots since morning after more drivers joined the strike, they said.

The protesting drivers on Wednesday claimed they haven’t got adequate salary raise in the last three years and find it difficult to manage expenses. They claimed their salaries are quite low compared to the monthly earnings of employees of the BEST undertaking.

The BEST undertaking, which provides public bus services in Mumbai, has hired buses from a few contractors on a wet lease model under which private operators have the responsibility of the vehicle ownership, maintenance, fuel and driver costs.

It daily ferries more than 30 lakh commuters on its buses in Mumbai and neighbouring Thane, Navi Mumbai and Mira-Bhayander cities with its fleet of around 3,100 buses. Out of these, the public transport body owns 1,340 buses.

North Korea calls US human rights envoy a “political housemaid” in protest of criticisms

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ANI

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August 2, 2023

north korea, kim jong-un, kim, nk, north k, un, human rights, us — North Korea calls US human rights envoy a "political housemaid" in protest of criticisms 5

North Korea hurled misogynistic insults on Wednesday at a newly confirmed United States special envoy to monitor the country’s human rights issues and warned of unspecified security consequences if Washington continues to criticise its human rights conditions.

The statement published by North Korea’s official Korean Central News Agency described Julie Turner as a “wicked woman” who was picked by the Biden administration as a “political housemaid” to launch groundless attacks on the country’s human rights record.

The US Senate confirmed Turner’s appointment July 27. She previously served as the director of East Asia and the Pacific at the State Department.

The statement said the Biden administration’s public criticism of North Korea’s human rights situation highlighted its hostility toward Pyongyang in the face of an intensifying nuclear standoff between the countries.

KCNA described Turner’s past criticisms of North Korea’s human rights record as absurd, and said the US “revels in meddling in the internal affairs of a sovereign state and slandering it.” “Turner should know that she was chosen as a political housemaid and scapegoat for the human rights’ plots to pressure the DPRK, a poor policy set forth by the Biden administration driven into a scrape in the DPRK-US nuclear confrontation,” the agency said, using the initials of the North’s formal name, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.

The agency said the continued US criticism on North Korean human rights issues could “backfire on it, spawning severe security issues.” In defiance of Washington last week, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un hosted senior delegates from Russia and China at a Pyongyang military parade that showcased his intercontinental ballistic missiles designed to target the US mainland.

Analysts say Kim is trying to boost the visibility of his partnerships with Moscow and Beijing as he looks to break away from diplomatic isolation and insert himself into a united front against the United States.

Tensions on the Korean Peninsula are at their highest point in years. The pace of North Korean missile tests and the United States’ combined military exercises with South Korea have intensified in a tit-for-tat cycle.

North Korea is sensitive to any criticism of its top leadership and government, and often issues harsh remarks toward US and South Korean officials in times of animosity.

The country’s language tends to be cruder when the targets are women: It called former South Korean President Park Geun-hye a prostitute, and former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton a “funny lady” who sometimes “looks like a primary schoolgirl and sometimes a pensioner going shopping.”

Opposition MPs of INDIA bloc stage walkout from Rajya Sabha on Manipur issue

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ANI

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August 2, 2023

rajya sabha, manipur violence, rj, Jagdeep Dhankhar, rs — Opposition MPs of INDIA bloc stage walkout from Rajya Sabha on Manipur issue 7

Opposition members of the I.N.D.I.A bloc on Wednesday staged a walkout from Rajya Sabha over their demands for discussion on Manipur violence under Rule 267 and a statement from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Soon after the House met for the day, Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar said that the debate on Manipur violence under Rule 176 will not be restricted to 2.5 hours.

“There is no time limit for discussion on Manipur situation under Rule 176,” he said, adding that the parties “will have full say”. He said 60 notices were submitted under Rule 267 for discussion on Manipur violence but he has already conveyed his decision.

Over the opposition’s demand for the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the House during the debate on Manipur, the Chairman said he cannot issue a directive. “Directive from the chair cannot be issued. I can’t give that directive. I shall not,” he said.

Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge said he had given notice for discussion under Rule 267 and other opposition MPs also pressed over their demand. Dhankhar said he gave the floor to the Leader of Opposition but the opportunity “was not wholesomely utilised”. Congress and other Opposition parties staged a walkout against the stance of the government on their demand, which they have been raising since the beginning of the monsoon session of Parliament on July 20.

Congress and 25 other opposition parties have joined hands to form I.N.D.I.A bloc.

Death toll in Haryana communal violence rises to 6; vandalism, arson reported in Gurugram

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ANI

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August 2, 2023

haryana, communal violence, haryana violence, gurugram — Death toll in Haryana communal violence rises to 6; vandalism, arson reported in Gurugram 9

The death toll in the communal violence in Haryana rose to six on Wednesday with the Vishva Hindu Parishad reporting the death of an ijured Bajrang Dal activist while many shops and godown were torched in Gurugram which remained on the edge following clashes here and Nuh.

According to the police, vandalism and arson were reported in at least five areas in Gurugram on Tuesday last night.

A fire broke out at a godown and an adjoining puncture shop in sector 70A around 9:30 pm on Tuesday. Two fire tenders were pressed into service and the blaze was controlled within half an hour, police said, adding that around 1 am, three godowns near Teekli village were torched. Two meat shops were vandalised in the Badshahpur area while a godown in Palam Vihar was also set on fire. Slums near Nakhdola village were also attacked by a group of youths, a senior police officer said.

He said that some people tried to set a puncture shop on fire near Maruti Kunj in the Bhondsi area but they fled after seeing a police team in the area.

Meanwhile, District Vice-President of Vishva Hindu Parishad Surendra Tanwar said during the violence in Nuh on Monday, Bajrang Dal activist Pradeep Sharma was attacked by the rioters and critically injured.

He was initially admitted to a hospital in Gurugram and later taken to Safdarjung Hospital in Delhi where he died, the VHP district vice-president said. Police have confirmed the death of 32-year-old Bajrang Dal activist Pradeep Sharma.

Haryana DGP P K PK Agrawal and ADGP CID reached Gurugram around noon to assess the situation there. Meanwhile, a mahapanchayat has been called in Manesar over the Nuh violence.

On Tuesday, mobs killed a cleric in a late-night attack on a mosque, torched an eatery and vandalised shops as communal violence that began in Haryana’s Nuh spilled over into neighbouring Gurugram.

People also blocked a road and downed shutters over the attack on a Vishva Hindu Parishad procession in Nuh a day earlier, and a ‘panchayat’ targeted Muslims.

Noted art director Nitin Desai found hanging at ND Studio in Karjat

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PTI

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August 2, 2023

nitin desai, art director, suicide, desai, nd studio, karjat — Noted art director Nitin Desai found hanging at ND Studio in Karjat 11

Renowned film art director Nitin Desai was found hanging on Wednesday at his ND studio in Maharashtra’s Karjat, a senior police official said.

Prima facie, it seems to be a case of suicide, the official said, adding they are investigating the case from all angles.

“Desai’s body was found hanging with a rope in the morning at the N D Studios,” Raigad Superintendent of Police Somnath Gharge said.

The studio is located in Karjat area of Raigad, about 50 km from Mumbai.

After being alerted, police rushed to the spot, the official said. The police are investigating the case from all possible angles, Gharge said.

Desai served as art director and production designer for a number of Bollywood and Marathi movies.

He was known for his art work in films like “Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam”, “Lagaan”, “Jodhaa Akbar” and “Prem Ratan Dhan Payo”.

Raaj Rawal, son of famous actress Pooja Ghai, will make his film debut with “The Unspoken”

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Brand Makers

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August 2, 2023

raaj rawal, pooja ghai, the unspoken, unspoken, debut — Raaj Rawal

The Indian film industry is buzzing with anticipation as a highly talented new actor makes his debut on the digital platform. Raaj Rawal has made his acting debut with a short film that showcases his talent and versatility. This film, titled “The Unspoken”, takes audiences on an emotional roller coaster while also demonstrating Raaj’s ability to bring his characters to life. The short film not only showcases his incredible acting abilities, but it also demonstrates his dedication and pursuit of excellence.

Raaj Rawal, the son of popular actress Pooja Ghai, will capture hearts and captivate audiences with his extraordinary acting skills. Following in his mother’s footsteps, Raaj has embarked on a remarkable journey, honing his craft at renowned institutes and also gaining valuable experience from working behind the scenes.

Raaj’s passion for acting led him to pursue his dreams at the prestigious Lee Strasberg Institute in the United States, where he studied the art of method acting. Under the guidance of renowned instructors, he refined his skills and acquired a deep understanding of the intricacies of the craft. Eager to further enhance his abilities, Raaj returned to India to complete a diploma course at the esteemed Jeff Goldberg Studio, renowned for its commitment to fostering excellence in acting, and to expand his skill set by learning dance at the esteemed Ganesh Acharya Dance Academy. Moreover, Raaj is leaving no stone unturned in his quest for physical fitness and stamina.

As Raaj began his journey in the world of Indian cinema, he first ventured into the industry as an assistant director. Assisting in the making of notable films such as “Mission Majnu” (Starring Sidharth Malhotra and Rashmika Mandanna, Directed by Shantanu Bagchi) and “Laxmii” (Starring Akshay Kumar and Kiara Advani, Directed by Raghava Lawrence), Raaj gained valuable insights and a behind-the-scenes perspective into the filmmaking process.

He has also worked for the production team on a web series called Hum, Tum, and Them, produced by DJ’s. These experiences allowed him to grasp the nuances of storytelling and further solidified his determination to make his mark as an actor.

With his inherent talent, extensive training, and determination to create impactful cinematic experiences, Raaj Rawal is all set to leave an indelible impression on the hearts of audiences across the nation.

^{This report is auto-generated from an agency. Afternoon Voice holds no responsibility for its content.}

Rajya Sabha passes Multi-State Cooperative Societies (Amendment) Bill

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Afternoon Voice

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August 1, 2023

rajya sabha, elections, Multi-State Cooperative Societies (Amendment) Bill — Rajya Sabha passes Multi-State Cooperative Societies (Amendment) Bill 14

Rajya Sabha on Tuesday passed the Multi-State Cooperative Societies (Amendment) Bill 2023 which seeks to strengthen cooperatives by making their functioning more transparent, introducing a system of regular elections and prohibiting appointment of related persons.

Minister of State Cooperation B L Verma moved the Multi-State Cooperative Societies (Amendment) Bill, 2023 for consideration and passage in Rajya Sabha.

The bill, which had been approved by Lok Sabha on July 25, 2023, was passed in Rajya Sabha by voice vote.

While replying to queries on the bill, Verma said that the bill provides for norms for appointment of employees, which ensures that there is no nepotism practices.

He said that India’s target of becoming a 5-trillion dollar economy cannot be achieved without the progressive role of cooperative sector.

Noting that there is a limit for the private sector when it comes to employment generation, he said that the cooperative sector can spur jobs as the government is strengthening the cooperatives, by expanding their sphere of work into areas like LPG and petrol pump dealerships. The bill seeks to establish a ‘Cooperative Election Authority’ with a view to introduce electoral reforms in the cooperative sector.

It will consist of a chairperson, vice-chairperson and members not exceeding three to be appointed by the central government.

As per the data published by the NCUI, there are about 8.6 lakh cooperatives in the country, out of which active Primary Agricultural Cooperatives (PACs) are around 63,000.

In January, the government had decided to establish three new multi-state cooperative societies to promote organic products, seeds and exports.

As per the statement of objects and reasons of the bill, a new clause has been inserted to set up Cooperative Rehabilitation, Reconstruction and Development Fund for revival of sick multi-state cooperative societies.

The bill also provides for concurrent audit for multi-state cooperative societies, mechanism for redressal of complaints, appointment of one or more cooperative ombudsman and cooperative information officer.

Further, it provides for an increase in monetary penalties that will be imposed on these societies in case of contravention of the provisions.

Another provision is for filing of applications, documents, returns, statements, statement of accounts in electronic form.

Sidhu Moosewala murder accused Sachin Bishnoi extradited to India from Azerbaijan’s Baku

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ANI

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August 1, 2023

sachin bishnoi, sidhu moosewala, moosewala murder, Azerbaijan — Sidhu Moosewala murder accused Sachin Bishnoi extradited to India from Azerbaijan's Baku 16

Prime accused in the Sidhu Moosewala murder case, Sachin Bishnoi alias Sachin Thapan has been extradited to India from Baku, Azerbaijan by Delhi Police Special Cell. Delhi Police Special Cell Commisioner HGS Dhaliwal said that the police will hold a detailed press conference later today.

Bishnoi, a relative of notorious gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, had been absconding after the sensational murder of Moosewala in May 2022. According to reports, Bishnoi who hails from Punjab’s Fazilka. was detained in Azerbaijan in August last year.

A few days before Sidhu Moosewala’s murder, Bishnoi fled the country using a forged passport. Meanwhile, earlier this month, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) had arrested notorious jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi’s key aide Vikramjeet Singh alias Vikram Brar, after his deportation from United Arab Emirates (UAE) to India.

Also, gangster Lawrence Bishnoi has been brought to Delhi from a Gujarat jail and lodged in the national capital’s Mandoli prison. He has refused his involvement in Moosewala’s killing. Sidhu Moosewala, 28, was shot dead on May 29 last year in Mansa, a day after the Punjab government curtailed his security cover.

The singer was shot at point-blank range and declared dead on arrival at the Mansa civil hospital. The assailants fired over 30 rounds at Moosewala, who was found slumped in the driver’s seat by locals. The investigation suggested gangster Lawrence Bishnoi was the mastermind of the daylight killing. His close aide Goldy Brar, who is said to be based in Canada, was also under investigation in this case. Police issued a Red Corner Notice against Brar through Interpol.

The incident occurred two days after Punjab Police withdrew the security cover of 424 persons, including that Moosewala. Moosewala had fought an election from Mansa in the last Assembly election on a Congress ticket but was defeated by AAP’s Vijay Singla. On November 23, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested Bishnoi in a case related to the alleged conspiracy to recruit youth to carry out terror strikes in Delhi and other parts of the country.

Shahapur Crane accident in Maharashtra: CM Shinde announces Rs 5 lakh aid to families of deceased

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ANI

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August 1, 2023

shahapur, crane accident, eknath shinde, shinde, maharashtra — Shahapur Crane accident in Maharashtra: CM Shinde announces Rs 5 lakh aid to families of deceased 18

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Tuesday expressed grief over the loss of lives in the crane accident at Shahapur in Thane district and announced an aid of Rs 5 lakh for the families of each of the deceased.

Seventeen workers were killed and three injured as a crane fell on a bridge slab during construction of the third phase of Samruddhi Expressway in Maharashtra’s Thane district on Tuesday, an official said.

“A few persons are still feared trapped and efforts are on to rescue them,” an NDRF official said.

Three persons were injured in the incident and they were being treated at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Hospital at Kalva in Thane, he said.

CM Shinde announced an aid of Rs 5 lakh to the families of each of the deceased.

The government will bear the expenses of treatment of the injured persons, he said in a tweet.

The accident took place during the third phase work of the Samruddhi Mahamarg, he added.

The Samruddhi Mahamarg, named Hindu Hrudaysamrat Balasaheb Thackeray Maharashtra Samruddhi Mahamarg, is a 701-km-long expressway connecting Mumbai and Nagpur.

It traverses 10 districts including Nagpur, Washim, Wardha, Ahmednagar, Buldhana, Aurangabad, Amravati, Jalna, Nashik and Thane.

The construction of the Samruddhi Mahamarg is being carried out by the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation.

The first phase, connecting Nagpur to the temple town of Shirdi, was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in December 2022. It covers a distance of 520 km.

CM Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis inaugurated the 80 km long second phase of the Samruddhi Mahamarg stretch from Bharvir village in Igatpuri taluka to Shirdi on May 26.

Shinde said in May that the third and last phase would be completed by the end of December this year.