Government working to tie loose ends over Maria’s role in Sheena Bora murder case

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September 10, 2015

Two days after he was shunted from the post of Mumbai Police Commissioner, Rakesh Maria’s supervisory role in the Sheena Bora murder case remained clouded in uncertainty and the Maharashtra government was working on legal procedures to soon give him statutory powers.

In a surprise decision, Maria was on Tuesday promoted as DG (Home Guards) and senior DG-rank officer Ahmed Javed was made Mumbai Police chief, triggering speculation over the timing of the decision and the reasons behind it.

Marking a climbdown, the Home Department clarified on the same day that Maria will continue to supervise investigations in the Sheena Bora case in which he had played a key role right from the start and interrogated the accused and others in connection with the sensational case.

Though Maria had refrained from making any public comments on his involvement in the probe, local media have been rife with speculation that he is reluctant to monitor the investigation in the high profile case after taking over the new assignment.

According to the Home department, granting statutory status to Maria to carry forward investigation requires some procedural amendments and it would be finalised very soon.

“It is a legal process which would be completed very soon and our process is on,” Additional Chief Secretary (Home) K P Bakshi told when asked who will head the probe and if Maria has been officially communicated about it.

Javed, on his part, declined to make any comments on the matter despite reporters persistently asking him who will head the probe.

He also parried question whether Peter Mukerjea, husband of Sheena Bora murder case accused Indrani Mukherjea, would be called for further interrogations.

Meanwhile, when asked about the procedural tangles involved in the issue, former IPS officer and lawyer Y P Singh said the DGP (Home Guards) is an ex-cadre post, which fell outside the police force of Maharashtra. “Therefore, in that position, Rakesh Maria does not have statutory police powers.”

“Under the provisions of section 36 of Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), 1973, only superior officers of police hold authority on statutory investigation within the specified local area for which they have been appointed. Such statutory investigation is being done in the Sheena Bora case under Chapter – XII of the CrPC,” he said.

Till the government does not issue a due notification conferring statutory jurisdiction of supervision to Maria and removing the jurisdiction of the present Commissioner Ahmed Javed, any supervision done by Maria, though an administrative arrangement would not be consistent with the law, Singh said.

India, Pakistan agree to reduce border tension

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Afternoon Voice

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September 10, 2015

In a significant development, India and Pakistan on Thursday agreed to open more channels of communication for resolving all issues of utmost importance between the two sides, increase bilateral engagements and maintain peace along the international border.

The development comes as India and Pakistan began Director General-level talks this morning during which the top military commanders from both sides agreed not to allow escalation of tensions along the Line of Control (LoC).

Responding to India’s appeal for peace, the Pakistan Army pledged that its troops will observe ceasefire strictly and exercise restraint in the days to come.

On Wednesday evening, a 15-member delegation of the Pakistan Rangers arrived in New Delhi for the talks. The team is led by Major General Umar Farooq Burki, Director General of the Pakistan Rangers (Punjab).

From the Indian side, the delegation for the talks is led by Border Security Force (BSF) Director General DK Pathak and 22 other officers.

The talks reportedly began around 10.00 am and will continue till September 12.

The main agenda of the talks is ceasefire violations. Just on Wednesday, at least two BSF personnel were wounded in firing in Nowgam sector of Jammu and Kashmir.

The Pakistani Army also fired at Indian positions along the LoC in Poonch district.

The talks, one of the measures agreed upon during a meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif, gain special significance after the National Security Adviser-level talks could not take place due to Pakistan’s insistence on discussing Kashmir.

The Pakistan Rangers delegation entered India via Attari, and was welcomed by senior BSF officers including DG Pathak. There, they boarded a special aircraft to Delhi, where the talks are taking place.

The Indian delegation to talks also includes officials from the Home Ministry, the Narcotics Control Bureau and the Survey of India.

“During the conference, discussions will be held on important issues like cross-border firing, infiltration and smuggling etc. The talks will also endeavour to focus on positive issues like different levels of communication, more simultaneous coordinated patrolling and other confidence building measures,” a BSF official said.

Asked if the talks will reduce tension between the two countries, Pathak said, “That is the objective for talks.”

With some 100 ceasefire violations along the India-Pakistan border since the Ufa talks, the issue is likely to dominate the agenda from the Indian side, sources said.

Till June this year, there have been 199 ceasefire violations by Pakistan.

Official figures reveal that around 430 ceasefire violations occurred on the International Border while 153 violations were reported on the LoC in 2014. In 2013, it was 347.

After MM Kalburgi’s murder, KS Bhagwan receives threat letter

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Afternoon Voice

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September 10, 2015

Over a week after the murder of noted Kannada progressive thinker and scholar MM Kalburgi, another rationalist free-thinker and writer KS Bhagwan on Wednesday received a letter threatening his life.

“I was not at home when the letter came this afternoon. My family received it. After reading the letter, written in English, the family informed the police… Currently, it is with the police,” he said.

Bhagwan had incurred the wrath of right-wing activists after he allegedly disparaged the Bhagawad Gita while speaking at a programme in Mysuru in February this year.

A Bajrang Dal local activist was arrested in Dakshina Kannada district a day after Kalburgi’s death on August 30 for allegedly posting remarks on Twitter threatening Bhagwan for his ‘derogatory’ remarks on the Bhagawad Gita.

Bhagwan’s family spoke to him about the contents of the letter which said that “three people we have finished, next is your turn; no amount of police protection will help. Your time is over, count the days.”

Stating that he is “not deterred” by such threats, Bhagwan said “it shows utter ignorance on the part of those who wrote the letter. They wouldn’t have even read a page of my writing. I write on the basis of my research. If they have objections about it, they can always oppose it in a civilised way.”

“This is not the first time I have received such threats; I’m not afraid,” he added.

Police here are now examining the letter and its origin.

“Yes, a letter threatening Bhagwan was received at his residence, we are investigating it,” IGP (Southern Range) B K Singh said.

The murder of Kalburgi had prompted the state police to increase the security provided to Bhagwan. They had also extended security to other noted litterateurs, including Jnanpeeth award winner Girish Karnad and S L Byrappa.

MEA seeks cooperation from Saudi Embassy in alleged rape case

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Afternoon Voice

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September 10, 2015

India on Thursday asked Saudi Arabia to cooperate with the investigation against its Delhi-based diplomat, who has been accused of rape and torture by two Nepalese women working at his house in Gurgaon on the outskirts of the national capital.

Saudi Ambassador Saud Mohammed Alsati was called in by the External Affairs Ministry and told that the Haryana police is seeking cooperation in the case, a day after the ministry received a report about the case from police.

“MEA Chief of Protocol called in Saudi Ambassador today and conveyed request of Haryana Police for cooperation of Embassy in the case of 2 Nepali citizens,” Spokesperson in the Ministry of External Affairs Vikas Swarup said.

Gurgaon Police last night had sent a “detailed” report to the ministry on their investigation into the case. The report was sent hours after a second medical examination of the two women confirmed rape and sodomy, said Rajesh Chechi, ACP (Crime) of Gurgaon Police.

The Saudi Embassy had issued a statement yesterday terming the allegations “false” and said it has protested the police “intrusion” into a diplomat’s house against “all diplomatic conventions”.

The Saudi Ambassador along with some embassy officials had also met senior MEA officials on Wednesday to register their protest.

Meanwhile a group of women rights activists held a protest outside Saudi Embassy demanding action against the diplomat.

They demanded that no diplomatic immunity be extended to him.

1984 riots witness alleges that Sajjan Kumar prompted mob to kill Sikhs

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Afternoon Voice

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September 10, 2015

In major trouble for Congress leader Sajjan Kumar, a witness in the 1984 Sikh riots case on Thursday identifies him as an accused in the Sultanpuri riots incident.

Sheela Kaur confirmed that Sajjan Kumar instigated mob to kill all Sikh men of her street after which her family was attacked.

Sheela Kaur, a witnesses in the 1984 Sikh riots case, identified Sajjan Kumar as an accused in the Karkardooma court during examination after which there was a heated argument in the court.

Sajjan Kumar is the prime accused in the 1984 riots case.

The court in July 2010 had framed various charges, including murder and rioting, against Kumar, Gupta, Peeriya, Khushal Singh and Ved Prakash in connection with killing of the man in Sultanpuri in the riots which had occurred in the aftermath of the assassination of Indira Gandhi on 31 October, 1984. Accused Khushal Singh has since died.

The trial court had also framed charges for the offence of spreading enmity between two communities against the accused in the case.

CBI had filed two charge sheets against Sajjan Kumar and others in January 2010 in the riots cases registered in 2005 on the recommendation of Justice GT Nanavati Commission which had probed the sequence of events leading to the violence.

Sonia Gandhi questions on PM Modi’s silent on Vyapam, Lalitgate

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Afternoon Voice

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September 10, 2015

Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Thursday reacted sharply to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s barbs at her, questioning why he is silent on External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj as well as chief ministers of Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh who are facing serious allegations.

“What about the chief minister of Madhya Pradesh’s case, the foreign minister’s case and Rajasthan chief minister’s case? Why did he not have a word to say about these things,” Gandhi questioned when asked to comment on Modi’s attack.

Swaraj and Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje are facing allegations of helping former IPL commissioner Lalit Modi who is being investigated in a money laundering case. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan is facing allegations in Vyapam scam.

Earlier in the day, PM Modi hit out at Gandhi for her “hawabaazi” (empty talk) comment, alleging that “hawalabaaz (scamsters) are unnerved” due to the tough stance of the government on black money.

Addressing BJP workers in Bhopal, Modi said Congress was resorting to “disruptive tactics” as it was not being able to come to terms with its defeat in 2014 Lok Sabha polls.

Gandhi had on Tuesday said that the Prime Minister has been “reduced to unedifying flip flops” and most of his poll promises were nothing more than “hawabaazi” (empty talk).

Gandhi, who was on a two-day visit of her Rae Bareli Lok Sabha constituency, met locals today and visited Congress workers who have lost members of their families recently and offered condolences.

Ellen DeGeneres says working on American Idol my “Worst Decisions”

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Afternoon Voice

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September 10, 2015

The talk show host appeared on the Howard Stern Show to discuss everything from her life to her career, including her run as a judge on Fox’s American Idol. Looking back on her time on the singing competition show, Ellen had nothing but not-good memories.

“American Idol is one of the worst decisions I’ve made,” she admitted to host Howard Stern.

The comedienne continued to open up about her time on the show, adding that it wasn’t like anything she expected it would be. “As a fan of the shows, it doesn’t matter that I sing or I know anything about pitch or anything, I’m like everybody else at home,” she explained. “It’s American Idol. …So I thought I’m gonna represent those people at home that have opinions.

Katy Perry Makes an Impression at Hand Print Ceremony

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Afternoon Voice

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September 10, 2015

Katy Perry left her mark on Hollywood at a handprint ceremony outside of TCL Chinese Theatre (originally Grauman’s Chinese Theatre and renamed Mann’s Chinese Theatre in 1973).

Bold move, Katy Perry!

Katy Perry bared some serious cleavage. Maybe she forgot that the Hollywood event requires her to put her hands in wet cement and bend over for a number of photos…?

Mandy Moore Samples Litti Chokha in Patna

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Afternoon Voice

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September 10, 2015

Hollywood actress Mandy Moore, who is currently in India, is not shying away from experimenting with local cuisines. She recently sampled Bihar’s favourite dish litti chokha when she was here.

The 31-year-old actress, best known for her roles in films such as A Walk To Remember, Tangled and License to Wed, is in India to support NGO PSI India’s Gender Based Violence (GBV) Programme, Project Wajood.

This is what Mandy shared on Twitter:

Mandy, who joined PSI in 2008, as an ambassador for its child survival programmes, also thanked the Government of Bihar:

Mandy will be in the country for a week. She will be travelling to different cities in order to understand how PSI and its partners work, to improve the health and rights of girls and women by providing comprehensive health solutions.

Man-made drought

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Afternoon Voice

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September 10, 2015

Have you ever struggled without water at home? Stood in long queues waiting to fill up cans and drums? Stayed awake past midnight waiting for a tanker lorry to come clanging, heralding the supply of water for the week? Three members of your family bathing in one bucket of water? Chances are no, or perhaps rarely?

We are experiencing drought this year. Ideally, we ought to live everyday like a drought day. We don’t conserve water as we feel that our taps will never run dry. Most of us feel that modern cities remain unaffected by water scarcity which is not true. Water shortage affects everyone and can claim the lives of farmers, cattle, wildlife and birds.

Indian cities consume more water than other regions of the country. Meat farming and consumption consumes 90 times more water than agro farming. Star hotels consume 5 times more water than the rest. Affluent city dwellers like us consume 12 times more water than our counterparts in villages. A bathtub takes up 10 to 25 times more water than a shower. Jacuzzi, Pool, Spa. , dishwashers and washing machines consume more water. In fact, a bottle of mineral water consumes more water to produce, transport, store and reach you than it holds within itself!

Think. Drought is not a joke. It spreads more disease than flood and destroys more habitat than a forest fire. Famine can destroy a generation of animals, take a few species to extinction. It can change the construct of landscapes, destroy the richness of soil and alter the complexion of the planet.

It’s so easy to blame the poor monsoons and criticise the governments for failing to take steps to resolve the drought issue. Some people also blame the global warming. Be true to yourself and ask…. How many times have you seriously done things you could have to curb usage and stop wastage of water?

How much water did you waste during Holi celebrations this year? How many days did you take to fix the leaking tap? When was the last time you turned off the tap while brushing or shaving? Have you ever thought of washing your small apparels by hand, to reduce load and club washing machine runs? Did you ever tell the waiter at a hotel to not change the plate every time you walked to the buffet counter? Ever used lesser or no cutlery? Did you ever ask your car cleaner to use a bucket instead of the deadly hose? Have you turned off the shower while applying soap to your body?

Drought is the punishment meted out to human beings for being irresponsible to conserve water. It’s not a climatic condition, but a result. It’s not measured in duration of drought or deficiency of rainfall. But in the destructive plastics we dump and electricity we consume. In the constructions we do and forests we destroy. The peaks we scale and tunnels we dig, the flights we take and fuel we burn. This is a year of drought. Don’t suffer but learn to adapt. Some generation at some point in time has to take the responsibility of reversing our fortunes.

Krishna Kumar