HC to hear fresh PIL against NSEL and Jignesh Shah on Monday

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February 16, 2014

The Bombay High Court will on Monday hear a fresh PIL seeking transfer of a probe by Mumbai police into the alleged Rs. 5,500-crore scam involving National Spot Exchange Ltd (NSEL) and Jignesh Shah, to CBI.
The PIL filed by activist Ketan Tirodkar argues that since the scam has national and international ramifications only CBI has the necessary jurisdiction to probe this matter.

The NSEL case pertains to alleged financial embezzlements by the Multi-Commodity Exchange (MCX) and the Financial Technologies India Ltd (FTIL)–both promoted by Shah.

The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Mumbai Police is currently probing the case.

Though a bunch of PILs were filed in the high court, Tirodkar’s PIL would come up for hearing tomorrow.
The petition alleged those arrested so far like Nilesh Patel, a major borrower, and three employees of NSEL, including Anjani Sinha, were mere pawns in the game while concerted efforts were made to project Shah, the alleged mastermind in the fraud as a “victim”.

“This attempt to project the mastermind of the scam as a victim of conspiracy by his employees and borrowers is an outcome of the pressure of vested interests in the corridors of power who have been benefitted by the NSEL-MCX-FTIL triangular operations”, according to the PIL.

During the market stint of MCX, NSEL and FTIL, Shah launched many international platforms (Bourses and Trading companies) in tax-heavens, namely Mauritius, Botswana in Africa, Singapore and in Middle-east nations such as Dubai and Bahrain, to take advantage of the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement [DTAA] signed by India as a member of a Consortium of multiple nations, the PIL alleged.

These platforms were in form of bourses facilitating trading in futures for various commodities. The revenue from these bourses was transferred to India without inviting any tax liability and also revenue from Indian entities was siphoned off to these countries in the guise of payment schedules to be honoured, the PIL further alleged.

In reality, there were no payment schedules honoured and it was a financial market gimmick to avoid paying taxes in India, the PIL contended.

It further argued that Mumbai EOW has not yet sent any team abroad for interacting with

Sharad Pawar won’t merge NCP with Congress before elections: Munde

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Afternoon Voice

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February 16, 2014

Claiming that Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar won’t merge his party with Congress at least before the Lok Sabha elections, BJP leader Gopinath Munde on Sunday ruled out the BJP-Shiv Sena-RPI led ‘Maha-yuti’ (mega-alliance) having any “understanding” with NCP.

“NCP is not even a state-level party but a divisional level outfit having presence only in western Maharashtra,” Munde said, speaking to reporters ahead of a rally by top opposition leaders here this evening.

“We (opposition) are not willing to take Pawar into our fold. So that leaves Pawar no other option but to go with Congress,” Munde said.

“The opposition alliance is united and our only objective is to dislodge the Congress-NCP government,” Munde said.

After RPI leader Ramdas Athawale takes oath as Rajya Sabha member, his party will join NDA and he would be invited for all meetings of the BJP-led front at Centre, Munde said.

Similarly, Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana, led by Lok Sabha member Raju Shetty, will also be a part of NDA soon, the senior BJP leader said To a query on police booking Athawale over Indu mill violence, Munde said, “This is an attempt to silence the voice of opposition. We won’t be cowed down by such tactics.”

On reports of differences among the alliance partners over Madha Lok Sabha seat (where Pawar won in 2009), Munde said the issue would be sorted out amicably.

“The Mahayuti’s seat distribution will be finalised by this month-end,” he said. Rashtriya Samaj Party leader Mahadeo Jankar, a part of the Mahayuti, said he wanted to contest from Madha, but “some people in the alliance have hatched a conspiracy against me”. “However, I joined the alliance because of my faith in Munde and will abide by whatever he says,” Jankar added.

Congress to find it hard to maintain LS seats won in 2009 in Maharashtra

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Afternoon Voice

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February 16, 2014

Congress in Maharashtra has admitted that it is going to be a tough challenge for it to maintain its 2009 tally of 17 Lok Sabha seats in the upcoming general elections.

The party had last time contested 26 out of the 48 Lok Sabha seats in the state.

Out of the 17 won by it, five are from Mumbai and party MPs and office-bearers have asked the leadership that Congress interests in the country’s financial capital have to be safeguarded at any cost.

“There are 70 lakh slum dwellers in Mumbai and the election promise of regularising slums till the year 2000 has to be implemented,” Congress leaders from Mumbai told Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan at a meeting on Saturday.

The party hopes that the commencement of the monorail and the soon-to-be-functional metro will stand it in good stead with the middle class voters in the metropolis.

Sources said the chief minister was told that the criteria of Rs. 60,000 annual income in Mumbai to get benefits of the Food Security Act would not serve the interest of the Congress party.

In the last two days, Chavan, state Congress chief Manikrao Thakre and AICC general secretary in-charge of the state Mohan Prakash held a series of deliberations with party leaders to discuss strategy for the crucial Lok Sabha polls.

“There is some sentiment in favour of AAP and Narendra Modi on the ground and we need to counter that,” party sources said. Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi’s visit to the state is being planned in the first week of March before the election code of conduct comes into force.

“Interactions of Gandhi with hawkers, fishermen, minorities, slum dwellers, women and youth are being planned. This will help us to launch our campaign,” sources added.

At Saturday’s meeting, discussions pertained to evolving a consensus on elective merit of the aspirants in nine Lok Sabha constituencies where the party was defeated in 2009.

Four arrested in Vasai police’s drive against sand mafia

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Afternoon Voice

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February 16, 2014

District rural police carried out a major drive against the illegal sand mining in Vasai area, seized sand and equipment worth Rs. 1.30 crore, and arrested four persons.

Sub-divisional Police Officer Srinivas Ghatge said that police and revenue department officials took part in the raids.

The team seized 22,000 brass of sand, 8 boats, 6 suction pumps during the raids at Khanivade, Vaitarna, Chandip, Khardi, Doliv, Shirgaon, Usgaon and Kashid Kopar.

The value of sand seized was Rs. 90 lakh, while the boats and suction pumps were valued at around Rs. 39 lakh, he said.

Offences have been registered at Arnala police station under section 379 (theft) of Indian Penal Code.

Is Modi ready to debate with Kejriwal?

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Vaidehi Taman

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February 16, 2014

A free man now, Arvind Kejriwal, after he stepped down as Delhi’s chief minister, continued his attack on Gujarat Chief Minister and BJP’s Prime Ministerial Narendra Modi. Kejriwal wants Modi to break his silence on gas pricing. He also wants Modi to specify what is his and his party’s relation with Mukesh Ambani and Adani? The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is continuing its attack on BJP prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi. It’s a known fact that Modi’s huge and mega rallies are sponsored by Adani and Ambanis, both these tycoons have played major role in making of Modi a ‘Brand’. Kejriwal said Modi should speak on Mukesh Ambani and gas pricing in Himachal’s rally which he conducted on Sunday. The AAP leader also questioned Gandhi’s support to higher gas price allegedly favouring the Ambanis. The party has been attacking the two leaders over this issue ever since an FIR was registered by AAP led Delhi government against Mukesh Ambani and Union Petroleum Minister Veerappa Moily. His party has been making the gas pricing as an issue ahead of 2014 General elections. Would 2014 elections be fought between AAP and Mukesh Ambani, with Rahul and Modi being agents of Mukesh Ambani?

On Kejriwal’s orders, the Delhi government’s anti-corruption bureau had registered an FIR against Union Petroleum Minister M Veerappa Moily, Reliance Industries chief Mukesh Ambani, former Union Minister Murli Deora and retired director general of Hydrocarbons VK Sibal for creating an artificial shortage of natural gas in the country and raising its prices.

A few months back, Modi had challenged Mr. Rahul Gandhi for a debate and Gandhi did not responded to him. Now, is Modi ready to debate with Arvind Kejriwal? Before elections, there should be debate between in these three leaders. Let people know who is capable to head them? Democracy has the Rights to Reject. If Kejriwal can’t bring the bill this time then he could table it in the next session. There are people on streets and slums of Delhi who voted to Kejriwal, believing that he will change their life. Leaving all such crucial priorities aside, he wouldn’t have resigned. There is no doubt that crony capitalism must end and transparency must prevail. But ‘everyone is thief approach’ must be given up otherwise our economy would suffer heavily. On the other hand, his question to Modi is valid, Modi has given a lot of favours to Ambani for his industries in Gujarat and the bond between them is rock solid. So, expecting Modi to break silence on Ambani and Adani would be laughable. He won’t make any statement since it would mean violation of agreement with the Reliance. It’s good that at least Kejriwal is daring to take up the issue and exposing them openly. Now, people of this country have to decide what they want. Whoever comes in power, RIL will be the favourite punching bag for AAP and the party will go to any extent to expose them. Unfortunately, for RIL, they have a product ‘gas” which directly hurts the common man. It is really surprises me that people are avoiding the issue by saying matter is being ‘Subjudice’! Discussing alleged unethical things by the corporate houses is never deemed as contempt of court. At last, someone dares to break the conspiracy of silence. The important issues of the day have been carefully shielded from public debate under the guise of “growth” and “governance.” While Manmohan Singh’s reticence is to blame, the principal opposition’s obstructionist stances have led to the death of issue-based politics.

The Indian public discourse needed a rude shake-up to revive these issues. The four pillars, Executive, Legislature, Judiciary and the Media have slipped into a comfort zone in the sleaze of crony capitalist growth. True transparency will start with disclosures on electoral funds, but will take at least another 10 years. The revolution has barely begun and will need persistent support. Those who have manipulated systems so far will try to do so more virulently. Ambani must proceed to court; many things will come out if court takes serious note of it.

Survey conducted by many organization come to a conclusion that many fake twitter ids were created to favour Modi and dislike others. Many senior politicians of BJP and other parties were abused by these supporters. Who is the brain child behind this, to create fake ids to tweet? How much money has been spent on this project? A probe is needed to establish Modi and Businessmen nexus. After this, court will also ask the government to clarify, who is ruling Gujarat? Modi is touring the nation from last one year, busy in attending mega rallies and meeting people to generate supports in his favour.

Meanwhile, neither Modi nor any other politicians dares to utter a single word against Mukesh Ambani. They know the consequences of speaking against him. No political parties or politicians would like to lose election funds offered by corporate houses. RIL and Adani groups are in collusion with Modi, is further exposed from the CAG report which reveals that they were awarded farmland at throw-away prices. It becomes a trend that now the corporate houses do not put their eggs in one basket but in different baskets so that any political party captures power, they do not get harmed by it. Moreover, Kejriwal believes too much in populist talk. He should focus in constructive moves. That will be good for his political career as well as politics of this country.

NCP chief to inaugurate the new NMMC headquarters

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Afternoon Voice

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February 16, 2014

Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar will inaugurate the newly constructed headquarters of Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation, C.B.D Belapur at 4.30 pm on February, 18. During the event, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, Thane district Guardian Minister Ganesh Naik, Urban Development state minister Uday Sawant, CIDCO President Pramod Hindurao, Member of Parliament Sanjeev Naik, Member of Legistative assembly Sandeep Naik and others will be present.

The five storey green building is 45 meter high. The building is completely secured through constant surveillance by CCTV cameras, fire alarm system and public address system. Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde will be the chief guest on the occasion. The inauguration ceremony will be held in the presence of Prithviraj Chavan.

Terry Fox Run 2014 receives an overwhelming response

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Afternoon Voice

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February 16, 2014

The “Terry Fox Run” started at 8.00 a.m. from Air-India Building (Nariman Point) to Marine Drive Flyover and back to Brabourne Stadium. The Terry Fox Run 2014 received an overwhelming response as 7,000 students, from 45-50 schools participated in the run. Judith Fox-Alder, sister of Terry Fox flagged off the event.

Terry Fox India, Convener Mr Gul Kripalani said we are very happy that ‘Terry Fox Run, Mumbai’ is expecting to be No.1 run in raising fund for the cause. Last year we raised Rs 1.5 crore and this year we raised more than Rs 2.20 crore for this cause. We are the largest contributor for the cancer research.

Judith Fox-Alder, sister of Terry Fox says she was glad to see the kids along with their parents participate for the run. And she is happy to see that the Terry Fox Run, Mumbai have contributed so much for the research centers.

The Run is a non-competitive event where people get together as individuals, families and groups to raise money in Terry Fox’s name. It is a day of celebrating Terry’s legacy and helping to keep his dream of a cure for cancer alive. A run that brings individuals together in many parts of the world- Mumbai can be proud about the results of working together, with no barriers or frontiers for the benefit of all. Mumbai’s determination to fight cancer has made it into the top 3 cities of the world for giving generously towards fight cancer research through the Terry Fox Run.

Teenager raped by 60 year old man

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Afternoon Voice

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February 16, 2014

A teenager was allegedly raped by a 60-year-old man following which she became pregnant. The 13-year-old girl from Maharashtra’s Sindhudurg district, used to stay with the accused’s family at Joggers’ Park locality in Mira Road. She used to do petty jobs to support her family.

According to Dhanaji Kshirsagar Mira Road Police Station inspector said,
“According to the police, the accused has been identified as Pradhan Kaka, a retired BMC worker. He used to allegedly offer the victim tranquilisers as she went unconscious. The accused used to repeatedly rape the victim for the past eight months”

When the victim’s father inquired her about pregnancy, she revealed that she was sexually assaulted by the caretaker. Initially, the victim’s father hesitated to register a complaint against the accused. Later, the local politician learnt about this incident. He then persuaded the victim’s father to the visit the police station and file a complaint against Pradhan, his wife and another girl staying at their home.

API Jaiprakash Gute, the investigating officer in the case, said offences have been registered against the three under sections 376 (rape) and 328 rw 34 of the IPC, and sections 3, 4, 7 and 8 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012.

The girl will be sent for medical examination. Pradhan hailed from Haryana and police squad has been formed and sent to his village in Haryana for searching the accused.

AAP’s first Lok Sabha list out, Ashutosh to contest against Kapil Sibal

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Afternoon Voice

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February 16, 2014

Just two days after resigning from the Delhi government, Arvind Kejriwal’s Aam Aadmi Party has turned its attention on the upcoming general elections.

Finalising 20 seats as part of its first list of candidates for Lok Sabha, the party announced that former journalist and AAP spokesperson Ashutosh will contest against Union Minister Kapil Sibal from the Chandi Chowk seat in Delhi.

The party’s Mukul Tripathi will take on Foreign Minister Salman Khurshid from the Farrukhabad seat while senior advocate HS Phoolka will contest from Ludhiana against Information and Broadcasting Minister Manish Tewari.

Activist Medha Patkar will make her electoral debut when she contests from Mumbai (North East) while senior AAP leader Yogendra Yadav will contest from Gurgaon.

Announcing the list after a meeting of the party’s Political Affair Committee (PAC), AAP’s Manish Sisodia said Anjali Damania will contest against former BJP president Nitin Gadkari from Nagpur. Kumar Vishwas has been confirmed as the party’s candidate against Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi in Amethi.

“I have got a big responsibility. Earlier I thought I wouldn’t fight Lok Sabha or Assembly polls. We need to fight one-to-one against corruption. Arvind Kejriwal has said the same thing to me. I will fight to my fullest,” said Ms Damania after the announcement.

The Lok Sabha elections, due by May, has for months been seen as a direct contest between BJP’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi and Congress Number Two Rahul Gandhi, though the latter has not been officially named as his party’s prime ministerial candidate.

After Mr. Kejriwal’s Aam Aadmi Party made its spectacular debut in Delhi Assembly elections last December, many now see a triangular battle this year. The AAP has said it will contest at least a whopping 350 seats and is pitching its chief, Mr. Kejriwal as its candidate for the top post.

Dog detained for allegedly biting ex-cop in Uttar Pradesh

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Afternoon Voice

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February 16, 2014

Uttar Pradesh is truly the land of the bizarre. People had barely gotten over the absurdity of a massive search and rescue operation of UP Minister Azam khan’s stolen buffalo’s. And now a canine controversy from Bulandshahr district has become the top priority for the district police.

This allegedly ferocious dog has been detained by the Bulandshahr police for allegedly chasing and biting a former cop.

An FIR filed against the dog says it is a menace and that it bit former inspector Vijay Yadav while he was visiting his native village of Sanota.

It’s seems Mr Yadav had been struggling to get justice for more than three months and has even written to the district Superintendent of Police and the District Magistrate about the reign of terror that the dog had unleashed in his village.

The dog has been booked under section 289 of the Indian penal code which holds the owner of the animal responsible for negligent conduct with respect to animal that can cause harm to humans. The crime can send the owner to six months in prison and a fine.

The dog is not behind bars. Instead, he seems to have been adopted by the Gulawathi police station, and is being well fed and looked after.