Salman Khan’s father Salim Khan says he is happy and relieved after his son’s acquittal in the 2002 hit-and-run case.
The Bombay High Court acquitted the 49-year-old actor of all charges in the case, seven months after a sessions court here convicted and sentenced him to five-year imprisonment in May.
“Everybody is happy…Every person who is close to Salman emotionally, is happy. I am happy and relieved,” Salim Khan said.
The veteran Bollywood scriptwriter feels people are oblivious to the ordeal that Salman faced in the case.
“People are saying he has just walked away… He has been in the jail for few days. He has spent over Rs 20-25 crores (on the case). Besides this, what about the tension that he and everyone went through all this time?” Salim said.
On September 28, 2002, Salman’s car had rammed into a bakery shop in suburban Bandra killing one and injuring four others.
The investigation agency laid a trap to arrest the Joint Commissioner of Income Tax M Jhagran while accepting a bribe of Rs. 5 lakhs from the complainant.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested a Joint Commissioner posted with Mumbai’s Income Tax department for allegedly demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs 5 lakhs from the complainant. The accused identified as M Jhagran has been holding the highest public service office since last couple of years.
The Joint Commissioner had allegedly demanded a bribe of Rs. 30 lakhs to settle the matter of Tax Assessment of complainant’s construction firm. The bribe amount was negotiated to Rs. 25 lakhs and the accused agreed to accept Rs. 5 lakhs as first instalment at his office premises. CBI laid a trap and the Joint Commissioner of Income Tax was arrested while accepting a bribe of Rs. 5 lakhs from the complainant.
The accused was arrested over a tip-off provide by one of the complainant after which the sleuths of CBI laid trap and caught Jhagran from Bandra Kurla Complex office which is the head-quarter of Mumbai’s Income Tax department.
“A case was registered on a complaint alleging therein that Joint Commissioner of Income Tax, Piramal Chambers, Mumbai has re-opened his file pertaining to Income Tax Assessment and threatened CA of the complainant that the complainant should come and meet him for settling the Income Tax matter. The Joint Commissioner had allegedly demanded an alleged bribe of Rs. 30 lakhs to settle the matter of Tax Assessment of complainant’s construction firm,” the CBI said in a statement.
Searches were conducted at residential and office premises of accused which led to recovery of property documents; gold jewellery / gold coins weighing 1.5 kg (approx) and incriminating documents.
The arrested accused was produced on Friday in the competent Court, Mumbai. According to sources, Jhagran will also be probed by the authorities in disproportionate assets case which is a normal procedure any public service official has to face. Jhagran will be produced before the special CBI court on Saturday where cops are looking for his custody. CBI is probing the matter further.
On 29 August, Income Tax Commissioner Daya Shankar was arrested after being caught red-handed by the CBI for accepting a bribe of Rs 2 lakh. The CBI sleuths are also probing whether there is a nexus between Jhagran arrested yesterday and Shankar who was arrested in August.
Actor Riteish Deshmukh’s cousin Abhijeet will head an adoption initiative in Maharashtra’s Latur district for nearly 25 families of farmers who have committed suicide due to agrarian crisis in last few years.
The initiative is part of a rehabilitation programme launched by Aadhishakti Foundation, under which it has decided to adopt 125 families from the drought-affected Marathwada region, comprising Beed, Latur, Jalna, Usmanabad and Parbhani districts.
“Riteish is from Latur, so his cousin brother Abhijeet will work there and look after the families we are adopting in the district,” Datta Pawar, president of the foundation, said.
The “Housefull” star cannot be directly involved in the helping process owing to his busy schedule but “he is the guardian of Latur,” Pawar said.
“It is a sad time for all of us. However, instead of lamenting on the agricultural crisis and blaming each other, we need to provide help to families of the deceased farmers on an emergency basis,” programme director DY Patil said.
The NGO will undertake the rehabilitation programme in three phases – providing basic needs like education and medical care, setting up business closely linked to agriculture, and enlist the help of agricultural experts for scientific approach to farming.
It plans to expand the programme and adopt nearly 250 families in the future.
The alternative therapies like the Ayurveda, Unani medicine and homeopathy are helpful. Besides allopathic medicines, we should familiarize ourselves with these medicines which are beneficial for our own health. Consuming two tablets of Triphala in tablet form (powder irritates the throat at times), with lukewarm water after dinner is very helpful. The important characteristic about Ayurvedic medicines is that it should be pure sans any adulteration. Therefore medicines should be purchased after consulting doctors and one should buy reputed brands otherwise it may cause harm to kidneys.
Many times people overdose on medications. For instance, they consume “Shilajeet” in large numbers for gaining enhanced sexual potency. People must consume Ayurvedic medicines after consulting a registered practitioner. Same is the case with Unani. “ Habbe asab” is a good medicine but must be consumed only if it is really needed after consulting a Unani practitioner. Homeopathy is very effective in many cases but off the shelf use will prove counterproductive unless you possess knowledge or by consulting a medical practitioner. One can also inquire with a person who has consumed the medicine earlier. Potency is vital therefore it is better to consult a homeopathic doctor and take medicines.
I have been pleading for the sale of these medicines at sea ports ( at least in major ports) for the benefit of seafarers, Indian and foreign origin. These days port stays are very short and many times you cannot avail shore leave due to work involved. The ports can make new outlets or use the facility of the existing duty free shops. The boarding officer of the shipping agent can provide information of such a facility when he visits ship on arrival.
This step will help the seafarers and also popularize the alternative Indian medicines. On my own volition, I have requested Nitin Gadkari and also the DG Shipping to kindly facilitate this because I have seen people getting cured after having them. One Phillipino engineer was very good but he used to cough a lot. I asked him to have “Chyavanprash” as he gradually stopped coughing. On the other hand, the bosun asked me to bring “Shilajeet” (he did not know its name but was communicating through gestures). I brought it for him and asked him to consume it with milk for two weeks. Seamen are very happy and truthful guys.
In a bid to achieve an additional 2 per cent growth in GDP, the Maharashtra Finance Department is mulling to implement a ‘4-way formula’ in the coming years.
This will help in taking the GDP to double-digit, from the current 8 per cent, state Finance Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar said.
Elaborating on the formula, he said the expenses on unproductive sectors will be reduced or stopped while expenses on productive sectors would be increased, leakages in tax mechanisms would be sorted out and the state will promote multi-tasking manpower.
“Though we proudly say that India is an agro-based country where more than 68 per cent population depends on agriculture, share of export of India’s agro-based products is a mere 0.026 per cent,” he said.
The country lags behind Brazil, whose share of agro-based export is 8.37 per cent, he said.
“We are planning to increase the share of the agriculture sector while promoting agro-base businesses. It will also increase the growth of state’s GSDP (Gross State Domestic Product) by 2 per cent,” he said.
Maharashtra’s current annual growth is between 8 and 8.25 per cent and a rise of 2 per cent would mean that the state’s annual income would go up by Rs 50,000 crore, he said.
Mungantiwar said his department is focussing on four major steps that will increase state’s income and GSDP.
“The state is considering promoting agro-based processing industries in various regions of the state, like oranges in Vidarbha, cotton in Vidarbha and Khandesh, cashew nuts in Konkan and in similar way, products in western Maharashtra and Marathwada region,” he said.
Nowadays, social media is one of the new media other than Print and electronic media. This media has a habit of taking every issue aggressively which are not handled by the mainstream media. Let it be the National Herald case, stalling of the parliament or Salman Khan’s acquittal from the 13 years old case in six months.
Recently, media has been accused and discussed too much for many reasons. Its integrity is being questioned. However, its authenticity depends on thinkers, readers and buyers. We are very fortunate that in our country we are extremely interested in politics. The headline craze has broken the credentials of a newspaper. Everywhere, we are discussing only politics and nothing else. Indian politics were the point of discussion in the British era also. Thus in that sense, our newspapers are much more serious on the quotes, and much better comparative to other newspapers of the world. Second thing is that newspapers or news does not mean only news; news has to have variety of segments. News does not mean only the national issues. News by itself is very rich in its nature. Anything which gives new information is known as news either it is healthy entertainment and right education. News is thing which inspires people to do better or asks the Government its accountability to perform a better job. All these aspects constitute a good journalism. My point however is that in the recent decades, the largest selling newspapers actually sell news space at a price tag; the so called supplement is completely paid advertisement in the form of news. We should not follow western culture of journalism, there should be a social control on it.
Generally news channels have a favourite quote, “If this is what people want to see, we are going to show”. Is that correct? Ethical or unethical no one knows. I think a viewer has choice, if he is not interested in what you are showing he can turn off the channel. There was a time when Indian youth was not at all interested in political development or politics of this country. However, if you look around now then you will find youth are discussing politics and also has their own opinion to rise. This is probably the impact of political coverage given by media.
Today, it’s more of young media, young audience. Youth are aware of their rights to vote and they are keeping an eye on good, bad and ugly sides of politics. If today we say media is aggressive, historic or ascertain issues, it’s because the youth understand the point which we are trying to say. Earlier, we could see two people in the corner discussing politics in the pale dim light and with bad picture quality of the national channel. No one is really bothered to look at those interviews or shows. Today, there is large participation in news based talk shows and discussions.
Today, if you look at the tabloids, even they are aggressive. They are also doing investigative journalism. Somewhere down the line, the tabloid is much better than broadsheet journalism nowadays. It’s not only hydro media which talks about serious issues such as poverty, fertilizations, but also widely published in other publications too. Everyone wants to know about fashion, cooking, films, party, Page three, Derby and race course activities. Nothing is framed and limited to particular segment of news print. Sometimes you are kind, unkind, avarice and aggressive for that your magazines and newspapers should reflect that plethora of interest and different registers in which we all live. Music, arts, cinema and gossips all that has its relevant space in the news print. What we are talking about is appetite, courage and willingness required for which we will go for money and power in its best ways.
When AAP came up with surprise winning in Delhi, media went over hauling about the party and its simplicity. None of the channels dared to show Salman Khan’s bare body or Shah Rukh Khan’s hyped coverage. During dry days, when there is nothing to show, no news or scandals to expose, then only the TV channels are focussing on Deepika Padukone kissing her boyfriend on airport or Sunny Leone to entertain their viewers. The news has to be relevant and worth grabbing the attention of readers or viewers. There are occasions when there is nothing happening and hence one need to find the alternative by any means. News is all about analysis and paralysis.
When it comes to paid news, even today the regional newspapers has no courage to speak against government. There is a silent understanding between the management of the newspaper and authorities that not to go against each other. If they publish anti-government news then the solution is its closure. Many such bold newspapers had to shut down their shop for writing against government. Many prospered by supporting and promoting and being the mouth piece of state governments or Chief Ministers. In north India, this kind of news culture is quite aggressively witnessed. There is a large section of media especially if we go in the rural areas, or to be specific local media, its journalists are acting like blackmailers. Now, obviously the ethics and morality has taken a back seat there. Let us not stigmatize small media but there are blackmailers in small media as well as in the national media. It won’t be wrong to say that blackmailers exist everywhere.
There are many regional papers that can be termed as the best examples for honest journalism but unfortunately they did not survive. Why? They would not have died if they would have grown on at a sub regional level. You take the examples of one of the leading Hindi newspapers; they are publishing sixty three editions for this country. It has tried to reach almost every district and state. Many times media has crossed its ethical boundaries. These are hypnosis views about ethical and unethical journalism. Media is introducing itself too much into people’s private lives.
Journalists has to raise their voice on unethical practices saying no to even their own bosses, managements and pay masters, by challenging all of them. Sometimes, it’s very much interference and journalist cannot really execute their freedom to live in ethical frame. Media in India is sometimes constantly criticized. They are related with one or other political parties, if you say good about Congress then you are connected to BJP and if you stand by BJP then you are accused of being bought by Congress. And if you stand in between, then you are accused of being paid by some third party or both the parties will attack you. The general assumption is that media and party are sold out in the country.
In other ways, finance is one of the biggest aspects of media. Small town or state level media is actually controlled by political parties. If it is in state level then direct while on national levels it’s indirect. It’s difficult for working journalists to understand how they are directly and indirectly controlled by political parties. Actually, journalists must assert themselves, and today common people are scrutinizing media much more, the mouth full is mouth shut. There is no doubt media has become powerful and that’s why everyone wants to control them.
A police constable attached to Nerul police station under Navi Mumbai police commissionerate, was convicted for accepting Rs. 12,000 as bribe and sentenced to one-year rigorous imprisonment by a court.
Thane District Judge MM Walimohammad held Constable Keshav Vikram Patil guilty under Prevention of Corruption Act 1988.
A fine of Rs. 500 was also imposed on him.
Prosecutor Hemlatana Deshmukh told the court that the complainant had a business of repairing mobiles and a shop in Mumbra.
A complaint was made against him of buying and selling stolen mobiles upon which an inquiry was conducted by the police. Subsequently, he was first called to Mumbra, Vikroli and finally at Nerul police station.
At Nerul police station, the accused made a demand of Rs. 12,000 for not arresting him in the mobile theft case, the court was told.
According to the prosecution, the policeman, sensing trouble, took the complainant to an isolated location in a rickshaw and accepted the money from him there, where he was trapped.
The court held that the convict committed offence falling under relevant sections of PC Act of 198.
The Article 21 of the Indian Constitution which guarantees right to life and personal liberty doesn’t give right to choice of food, an intervener before the Bombay High Court argued during the hearing on petitions against ban on beef consumption and possession in Maharashtra.
Advocate Anil Anturkar, the intervener’s lawyer, argued that “right to food” is a part and parcel of Article 21 but not the right to “choice of food”. In fact, the right to choice of food is not covered under any right guaranteed by the Constitution, he said.
The division bench of Justices A S Oka and S C Gupte is hearing a clutch of public interest litigations challenging Maharashtra Animal Preservation (Amendment) Act.
While the original Act of 1976 bans slaughter of cows, the recent amendment prohibits slaughter of bulls and bullocks too, making it an offence punishable with five-year jail term and Rs. 10,000 fine. Mere possession and consumption of bovine meat too can attract one year in jail and Rs. 2,000 fine.
Senior counsel Aspi Chinoy, appearing for one of the petitioners, had argued last time that by criminalising even possession and consumption of beef the state government had violated the fundamental rights of the citizens. He had said that right to choice of food fell under Article 21 of the Constitution.
In a tragic incident, a newborn girl was charred to death in fire after an explosion in the CNG kit of an ambulance, an official said.
A doctor and a nurse, who were accompanying the child, also sustained serious burns in the mishap, Thane civic body’s Regional Disaster Management Cell Chief Santosh Kadam said.
The ambulance was completely charred in the mishap, he said.
The infant, born on Thursday, was brought to a hospital in the city from Bhiwandi township the same day following some medical complications, he said.
The doctors at the private hospital advised the baby’s parents to shift her to a speciality care centre in adjoining Mumbai and called an ambulance to shift her there Thursday, Kadam said.
As the ambulance was about to leave for Mumbai with the child in it, the doctor and the nurse, who had also boarded the vehicle, witnessed a spark in the oxygen cylinder following which they
jumped out of it leaving the baby behind.
It seems Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s veiled dig at continuing protests by the Congress in Parliament has failed to make an impact.
“Let him say what he wants,” said Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Friday, when asked to comment on Modi’s assertion that democracy cannot function at the “whims and fancies” of anyone.
Without any reference to Congress, which has held protests in both Houses of Parliament over the National Herald case, Modi said democracy cannot be restricted to elections and governments alone and that one of the two main dangers before it is “Mantantra” (functioning as per one’s whims and fancies) with the other being “Dhantantra” (money power).
“You must have seen that these days this (disruptions) is being seen more. Meri Marji (I will do what I want). I will do whatever comes to my mind. Does the country run like this?” the prime minister said in his sharpest comments yet since the winter session began two weeks ago.
The protests and disruptions continued today. There were repeated adjournments in the Rajya Sabha because of Congress protests against what it calls ‘vendetta politics’ in connection with the National Herald case, in which Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi have to appear in court on December 19. The petitioner is the BJP’s Subramanian Swamy.
“The National Herald case is driven by PM’s office, we will tackle it legally,” said Rahul Gandhi during a tour of Assam.
The Parliament chaos means that the government’s flagship reform, the GST or Goods and Services Tax is in trouble. The bill needs to be passed in Parliament to meet the April deadline for its implementation. The government needs the support of the Congress in the Rajya Sabha, where it is in a minority.
Last evening, PM Modi shared the stage with the Congress president and was seen shaking hands with Rahul Gandhi at senior Maharashtra politician Sharad Pawar’s 75th birthday celebrations.
