The Defence Ministry has ordered a bribery investigation over the purchase of jet engines from Rolls-Royce by the state-run Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in a deal worth at least $1.2 billion or Rs. 7426.8 crores.
The Central Bureau of Investigation will look into more than Rs. 500 crores in alleged kickbacks in the deal that was signed in 2011, a ministry official told Reuters.
No comment was immediately available from Rolls-Royce’s office in India.
Suspicions of corruption in India’s defence procurement programme have for years delayed the modernisation of India’s armed forces, forcing a heavy reliance on outdated Soviet-designed equipment.
The air force has been dogged by a series of crashes of its Russian-built MiG fighter jets, while an accident aboard a Soviet-made submarine that killed two officers last week provoked the resignation of Admiral DK Joshi as the naval chief.
The probe into the HAL deal follows the arrest in Britain last month of Indian-born businessman Sudhir Choudhrie and his son in a bribery investigation by the Serious Fraud Office into Rolls-Royce’s dealings in China and Indonesia.
Both men denied any wrongdoing and have been released on bail, their spokesman said last month.
A 70-year-old man was murdered by contract killers allegedly hired for Rs. nine lakh by his two sons who suspected him of having an extra-marital affair.
The victim, Om Prakash, was beaten to death on February 18. His sons Rajesh and Neeraj were arrested last night in Indirapuram area.
The brothers told the police that they were unhappy with Om Prakash for having an extra-marital affair and an extravagant lifestyle. They said their mother was also upset with Om Prakash’s habits.
Police have also arrested Rajesh’s brother-in-law Sunil in connection with the murder.
“Rajesh and Neeraj told police that Om Prakash had an extra marital affair and used to live a lavish life. He recently sold a plot for Rs. 80 lakh, but he didn’t give them a single penny which angered them,” said a senior police official.
Neeraj and Rajesh then hatched a plan to kill him.
“To kill their father, they hired a contract killer, Devendra, for Rs nine lakh and also involved Sunil in the plan. On February 18, when Om Prakash was going to Mainpuri district after collecting rent, Devendra, along with his two accomplices, brutally attacked him with iron rods and fled from the spot,” he said.
A senior executive with a consultancy firm was arrested for allegedly stabbing his wife to death at their home in Gurgaon, police said.
Rajnish Singh (44), an alumnus of IIM-Ahmedabad, suspected his wife Shweta Bindra (36) of having an illicit affair and after an argument yesterday he stabbed her several times in the chest and stomach, said Jitnedra Rana, Station House Officer, Badshapur.
They were staying in a flat at Parsvanath Green Ville, on Sohna road in Gurgaon. The couple also ran a play school in the locality.
Singh himself informed the police and Shweta’s parents about the incident and confessed to his crime.
The couple was married for nine years and had three children. When the incident occurred, their 7-year-old daughter and 11-month-old son were at the home while their 5-year-old daughter was away at a relative’s residence.
According to the SHO, Singh suspected his wife of having an illicit relationship with another person and despite his requests, she continued to contact that person.
After the couple had an argument yesterday morning, Singh stabbed Shweta several times in the chest and stomach using a kitchen knife, he said.
A post-mortem examination would be conducted this evening, Mr Rana said, adding that the accused would also be produced before a Judicial Magistrate today and his police custody would be sought.
After the horrific 2012 brutal Delhi gangrape, similar tragedies continue to occur in our nation. The incident which led to a mass outrage shook the nation leading to many protests nation-wide to give justice to Nirbhaya compelled the creation of fast track courts and forced the formulation of more stringent rape laws and urged the judiciary to act fast. However, anytime similar incidents occur in any nook and corner of the country, when voices still go unheard and justice evade, we are reminded of the futility of raising our voice and feel helpless and crippled. Such issues were once again raised in Satyamev Jayate season 2, a show hosted by Aamir Khan, popular for giving an in depth knowledge and analysis on social issues.
On his show, Aamir highlighted the ordeal that rape victims have to through to register a complaint, while undergoing medical examination or seeking justice. Many parents of rape victims who had lost their daughter had made appearance on this show to narrate their tragedy. Through their voices and the voices of many others working for this cause, Aamir brought to light shocking facts. Since rape incidents are growing each passing day, it is very important to educate the masses in this regard, particularly, his voice should reach to the illiterate, rural population, especially when according to statistical data, rural areas are more prone to rape incidents than urban areas. Both secluded areas in villages and the ignorance of the rural population are factors responsible for increasing crime rates in these areas.
One such parent stated that after their daughter was raped, when the mother accompanied her daughter to the police station, the police reported to file an FIR after making them wait for an entire night. Many times police force are reluctant to register a complaint whereas as per rules, they are duty bound to file an FIR irrespective of whether the victim has undergone a medical examination or not. A victim can take action if the concerned policeman refuses to register her complaint by complaining to the SP or the magistrate. The policeman in question can be punished in jail upto two years for showing such insensitivity. Besides, the victim has full right to keep a copy of the FIR registered.
The two-finger test used in hospitals which have been declared illegal, is still practiced in many hospitals. It is a test whereby the doctors determine whether the victim is sexually active or not. In a shocking revelation in his show, Aamir through directing questions to other medical practitioners and social workers, disclosed how doctors use such victims to explain the process to their counterparts.
The others too try their hand on it and the victim is subjected to further humiliation and trauma and this too can be called as an act of rape. Moreover, they don’t keep this sensitive issue confidential and treat them as accused rather than as victims.
Besides, it was further disclosed on this show that almost more than 90% of these victims were clad in sarees or burquas resting our queries regarding whether wearing certain kinds of clothes triggered the lust of potential rapists or rather men in general leading to such an act. Besides, it was established that rape was an assertion of power over the female body rather than an act of lust.
So women in general should be made aware of the laws regarding rape and the lawmakers, the executive and the judiciary should act together to make this nation safe for women.
Nawab Malik says that Uddhav Thackeray has become insecure hence he is issuing statements against Narendra Modi.
The political scene is heating up ahead of the Lok Sabha election as political parties have started indulging in blame game activities. This time it was the Shiv Sena supremo Uddhav Thackeray’s turn to take potshots at National Congress Party president Sharad Pawar by stating that the latter has his feet planted in two camps. On the other hand, the NCP retaliated by saying that Shiv Sena is frustrated hence they are issuing such irresponsible statements to gain political mileage.
When AV contacted NCP spokesperson Nawab Malik and asked him about the statements issued by UddhavThackeray he said, “Shiv Sena has become insecure hence they are issuing such irresponsible statements to malign the party’s image. Sena is aware that it will fare badly in the Lok Sabha election hence they are adopting these gimmicks to gain an upper hand over their opponents.”
Nawab Malik said that NCP will remain associated with UPA, “Sharad Pawar is agricultural Minister so he has to interact with other minister. If Pawar has a meeting with NDA leaders it doesn’t mean that he will join NDA. NCP is a part of UPA and it will continue to be a part of it.”
On the other hand, Shiv Sena MLA Diwakar Raote defended his party and said, “First NCP need to ask Sharad Pawar why he is trying to become an opportunist? Everytime he issues different statements like a joker. Shiv Sena is in politics to work for the welfare of the common man.”
In a press conference held at Uddhav Thackeray’s residence, he said,” Pawar is a politician who stands on two stones. He was exploring option of a post-poll alliance with NDA. But Shiv Sena opposed his move to join NDA after which the NCP chief did a U-turn on BJP’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi’s alleged role in Gujarat riots.”
Uddhav also questioned about the meeting held between Sharad Pawar and Narendra Modi. Why did Pawar deny meeting Modi initially when he had already met him?
“When reports of Pawar’s meeting with Modi surfaced, the NCP leader defended it by saying that he did not meet a terrorist. But when Shiv Sena opposed having NCP in the ‘Mahayuti’, Pawar remembered the Gujarat riots,” Uddhav said.
Pawar, had recently said there was no need for a debate on the 2002 Gujarat riots after courts had ruled on Modi’s role during the communal conflagration. But, he later took a U-turn and targeted Modi for “mass murder”.
Uddhav criticized Pawar stating that he has failed to do justice as a agriculture minister as Maharashtra has witnessed the highest number of farmers’ suicides and is lagging behind other states in development.
“Why is Pawar interested in cricket? Why is he contesting MCA polls and staying away from Lok Sabha elections?” Uddhav asked.
The Bombay High Court has granted custody of a minor boy to his father, who was accused of murdering his wife, after observing that in the absence of a mother, a child’s natural guardian is the father.
A division bench of Justices PV Hardas and AS Gadkari was hearing a petition filed by Amol Pawar, seeking custody of his two and a half year son who was being looked after by his maternal grandfather after the father was arrested for allegedly murdering the child’s mother.
Amol got married to Ramesh Dhotre’s daughter in November 2010. In March 2012, she died due to burn injuries following which Amol was arrested and booked for murder and harassment.
In April 2013, a session’s court in Satara acquitted Amol from the charges following which he sought custody of his son from his father-in-law. “Since the petitioner has been acquitted and he is the natural guardian of the minor child, the petitioner cannot be deprived from obtaining custody of his minor child,” the high court said.
It also noted that till date the state government has not preferred an appeal against Amol’s acquittal.
While directing Dhotre to hand over custody of the child to Amol, the court said, “The respondent (Dhotre) would be at liberty to file appropriate proceedings under the Hindu Minority and Guardianship Act for claiming custody of the minor child in the family court. Currently, the petitioner being the father cannot be deprived of the custody of his child.”
Maharashtra’s ambitious Emergency Medical Services initiative was launched yesterday by Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan.
Over 970 ambulances will be deployed in the state and will provide service free of charge,” the chief minister said.
Chavan inaugurated the service at a function at the Marine Drive near the Police Gymkhana in south Mumbai.
The EMS project envisages that citizens will be able to dial 108 in case of an emergency to call for a free ambulance service. Of the total number of ambulances to be
deployed, 233 are advanced life support ambulances.
Every ambulance will be equipped with a doctor and para-medic staff. In urban areas, the ambulance will be available at the accident spot within 20 minutes, while in rural areas it will reach within 30 minutes.
In Mumbai, 70 ambulances will be deployed immediately.
Thereafter, another 70 will be added, Health Minister Suresh Shetty said.
A 13 year old girl from Shil-Daighar in Thane district has been raped, police said.
One 22-year-old woman has been arrested for alleged abetment to rape while the main accused, identified as Mahadu Rathod, is absconding, police said adding the incident had taken place on February 26 in a slum colony in Kausa.
According to Police Inspector (Crime) Gauriprasad C Hiremath of Shil-Diaghar police station, the arrested woman Laxmi Baban Rathod had taken the victim to her house on the pretext of giving her a job of cutting logs of woods.
“However, when the girl entered the house she asked her to get some water to drink. When the girl went in, the lady locked the door from outside. Inside the room, there was a man who raped her,” he said.
However, the girl later managed to escape from his clutches and lodged a complaint.
The duo have been charged under sections 376 (rape) as well as the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act of 2012, police added.
Anti-corruption activist Anna Hazare said he would campaign for 50 independent candidates in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Talking to reporters at Deulgaon-Raja near Jalna in Maharashtra, Anna said he had proposed a 17-point agenda for political parties and these 50 candidates, 12 of them from Maharashtra, had accepted it.
West Bengal Chief Minister Manmata Banerjee, too, had accepted the programme, which is why he was supporting her, he added. Asked if he would support the Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP, Anna said that since the party had not accepted the 17-point programme, there was no question of him supporting its candidates.
He added that the candidates supported by him, if elected, would support neither Congress nor BJP. Anna appealed to the people to vote for Balasaheb Darade here, who is planning to contest as an independent from Jalna Lok Sabha constituency.
Nawab Malik says that Uddhav Thackeray has become insecure hence he is issuing statements against Narendra Modi.
Maharashtra’s ambitious Emergency Medical Services initiative was launched yesterday by Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan.