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Thackeray, Tendulkar, Azmi among water bill defaulters

By
Afternoon Voice
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Late Shiv Sena patriarch Bal Thackeray, cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar and SP leader Abu Asim Azmi are among the two lakh water bill defaulters in Mumbai.

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), which recently made public the list of defaulters on its website, has named several biggies including former Maharashtra Chief Minister AR Antulay for non-payment of dues.

The civic body has recovered massive dues of over Rs. 1,000 crore from over two lakh defaulters in the metropolis as on January 16, 2014.

“The list has been prepared based on information received from 24 ward offices and comprises names of all defaulters from commercial, industrial and domestic connections categories,” a civic official said.

The BMC would soon consider action against these defaulters based on the amount they have to pay, the official said.

When contacted, a source close to the Thackeray family told that they would check into bills pending.

While Mr. Azmi said, “There is no bill pending from my side. Due to the mismanagement of the civic body they might have not sent the bill. I have checked with the manager of my hotel and no bill is pending. If at all the bill is pending I will pay it within a day. I will send notice to the BMC for including me in the defaulters list.”

Six Convicted by NIA Court in 2009 Fake Currency Case

By
Afternoon Voice
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A special National Investigation Agency court convicted six persons for possessing and circulating Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICN) in May 2009.
Special NIA judge Prithiviraj Chavan convicted six arrested accused- Abdul Shaikh, Mohammed Aizul, Ravi Dhiren Gosh Nooruddin Bari, Mohammed Samad and Aizul Shaikh – under relevant sections of Indian Penal Code and Unlawful Activates (Prevention) Act.
This case happens to be the first investigated by NIA in the city after it was set up post 26/11 attacks to probe and prosecute pan-India crimes, terror-related cases and offences affecting the ‘sovereignty, security and integrity of India’.
The quantum of sentence is likely to be pronounced on Thursday.
The Anti-Terrorism Squad of Maharashtra police had arrested the accused on May 14, 2009 from near Star Cinema at Mazgoan in south Mumbai, after they received the tip-off that they were planning to exchange money.
The ATS had also seized from them 75 fake Indian currency notes of Rs. 1000 denomination. Though the preliminary investigation was carried out by ATS, NIA took over the investigation on June 19 2009.
In the 1000-page charge sheet filed on November 6, 2009, the prosecution named one Shaukat as the kingpin of the racket and accused a ‘hostile’ neighbouring country for supporting the crime.
Further according to the charge sheet, the six accused are part of a larger racket and are attempting to destabilise country’s economy with an intention to abet terrorist activities.
Special public prosecutor Rohini Salian told that court has taken circumstantial evidence into account to convict all the accused. Salian added that three accused are still wanted in the case.
In the trial that commenced in December 2012, the prosecution had examined 39 witnesses.

HC asks Centre to file reply on Domestic Violence Act section

By
Afternoon Voice
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The Bombay High Court gave a last chance till March 5 to Union government for filing its reply on a petition challenging the constitutional validity of a section under the Domestic Violence Act which allows cases to be filed only against males.

The petition filed by a mother-daughter duo has challenged the validity of Section 2(q) of the Act restricting the definition of ‘respondent’ to adult male members.

The petition was filed in February 2013, following which the bench issued a notice to Ministry of Women and Child Welfare seeking its reply. However, the ministry is yet to respond.

“The ministry has been given three chances since February last year. But you (ministry) are still seeking time. We are giving you one last chance now. File reply by March 5. No further time will be given,” Chief Justice Mohit Shah said.

According to petitioners Kusum Harsora (53) and her mother Pushpa Harsora (78), the section under the said Act makes an unreasonable, unfair and arbitrary distinction in the definition of ‘respondent’.

“Even female family members can be perpetrators of domestic violence. By restricting the definition of respondent to a domestic violence case to adult male members, the entire purpose of the Act is defeated. The section must be declared as unconstitutional and violation of the rights of women,” according to the petition.

The petition was filed after a single judge of the high court in February last year quashed a case filed by Kusum against her sisters and sister-in-law under the Domestic Violence Act. While junking the case, the high court took the view that no case under Domestic Violence Act can be made out against female relatives.

Kusum had filed complaint in a metropolitan magistrate in October 2010 against her two sisters, Anita and Chandrika, brother Pradeep and his wife Hiral. Kusum had alleged that the four were harassing her and her mother Pushpa.

MNS protest against toll politically motivated: Uddhav

By
Afternoon Voice
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uddhavShiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray today dubbed Maharashtra Navnirman Sena’s violent agitation at toll plazas as “politically motivated,” with an eye on the upcoming Lok Sabha and Assembly polls.

“In Kolhapur, the Shiv Sena agitation against toll was a success with the support of locals. But, when one hears of vandalisation of toll nakas in Mumbai, Thane, Pune under the cover of darkness, we should understand that those who were sleeping all the while on issues concerning the common man, have woken up and started their poll campaign,” he said.

The state government had to take note of the Kolhapur agitation as the corruption in levy of toll came out before the people, he noted in an editorial in today’s edition of party mouthpiece ‘Saamana’.

“Shiv Sena-BJP-RPI alliance declared that if voted to power in the Assembly elections, Maharashtra would be toll free. However, some parties who were sleeping all the while suddenly woke up and vandalised toll nakas,” he said.

Accusing the MNS of double standards on the issue of toll, Uddhav said some time back “some people” had appointed private auditors to count the number of vehicles at toll plazas in the state.

“However, the auditors disappeared as if the issue of toll was a thing of the past. How is it that stones are being pelted from behind the curtains?” he asked.

Uddhav said the need of the hour was to look for an alternative to levy of toll and stop corrupt practices in it.

“You need political insight and will to do that…This government has none,” the Sena leader said.

Admitting that toll was introduced by the previous Sena-BJP government, he said, “Because of the toll, six lane Pune-Mumbai Expressway came up. People happily paid it because of the comfort travel. There were never potholes. But can you say the same thing for roads in Kolhapur, Nashik. Why should we pay toll for bad roads?”

Uddhav also said “politicians-toll companies nexus” has now been exposed and levy of toll has to be scrapped. People of the state have seen through the falsehood of those who damage toll nakas for political gains and the “drama” will not last long, he added.

Raj Thackeray’s MNS workers have been on the rampage, vandalising toll plazas in different parts of the state following their leader’s diktat not to pay the levy and “thrash” those who raise a voice against it.

After Rahul’s remarks, AAP joins chorus for SIT probe in 1984 riots

By
Afternoon Voice
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SIT-probe-1984-riotsAfter Shiromani Akali Dal and BJP, the Aam Aadmi Party has also backed the demand by the victims of 1984 riots that a Special Investigation Team (SIT) be constituted to probe the carnage on the streets of Delhi that had left thousands dead.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday met Lt Governor Najeeb Jung to press for action on the long standing demand. “I discussed it with the Lieutenant Governor and he is very positive about it. We will discuss the special investigation team formation and its terms in the next cabinet meeting,” he said.

Although the SIT probe demand was part of the AAP manifesto, the timing of Kejriwal’s move suggests that he may be looking to put the Congress in a tight spot given the furore created by Rahul Gandhi’s recent comments on the issue.
Rahul Gandhi brought the 1984 riots back into focus after he, in an interview to a news channel, sought to differentiate the role of governments during the anti-Sikh riots in Delhi and in the post-Godhra riots in Gujarat. The Congress vice president also refused to apologise for the riots saying he was not involved in them or in the Congress party at that time.

While Rahul accepted that some Congress men were probably involved in the riots, he stressed that they have gone through a legal process and some of them have been punished for it

The demand for a probe into the deadly riots is a long standing one and has gained more strength over the years given the slow pace of the trial against the accused. Senior Congress leaders Jagdish Tytler, Sajjan Kumar are among those who have been accused of instigating rioters to go on a killing spree to take revenge for the assassination of then prime minister Indira Gandhi by her Sikh bodyguards.

Counsel for the 1984 victims, HS Phoolka, who has been leading the initiative to get an SIT probe the riots, said, “Never ever such manslaughter occurred, hardly anyone was found guilty, it is a blot on India. Many witnesses are still alive, evidence is still there.”

Phoolka said that he agreed with Rahul Gandhi that 1984 riots were “different” as in Gujarat riots, 131 persons were awarded life imprisonment, 10 awarded the death sentence and one minister was sentenced to 28 years imprisonment, but hardly anyone has been punished for the riots of 1984.

The senior counsel also said that Congress’ unwillingness to constitute a SIT probe on 1984 riots reeks of double standards when the party had fully supported the formation of SIT to probe the Gujarat riots.

No PM can revoke J&K’s special status: Omar

By
Afternoon Voice
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Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has said no Prime Minister can revoke Article 370 of the Constitution granting special status to the state “without calling into question” its accession to India.

Dismissing a question on whether he was worried at the prospect of BJP’s Narendra Modi becoming the Prime Minister, Omar said, “It does not matter whether he is the Prime Minister or the President or (holds) any other position.”

“Constitutionally, he cannot revoke Article 370 without calling into question the accession of J&K to India. Now as Prime Minister of India, if he wants to rewrite accession to India, he is welcome to it. But I do not think any Prime Minister would be as foolhardy as that,” he said.

Omar was answering questions in BBC’s ‘Hard Talk’ programme during which he more then held his ground in the face of tough questioning by its well-known anchor Stephen Sackur who focused on the insurgency, role of the armed forces and the State’s accession to India.

The Chief Minister was asked about Modi’s suggestion for a debate on Article 370 to which he had responded by offering to do that debate with the BJP leader “at any time, any place”.

He said Modi had not responded to this himself but “one of his minions gave a statement that he is too busy to discuss Article 370 and, to make it worse, he is far too more important to discuss it with somebody like you (Omar)”.

Sackur remarked that he would be “extraordinarily worried” because Modi could be the next Prime Minister if opinion polls were to be believed because the BJP leader favours doing away with J&K’s special status. “I am not worried,” Omar told him.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has said no Prime Minister can revoke Article 370 of the Constitution granting special status to the state “without calling into question” its accession to India.

Dismissing a question on whether he was worried at the prospect of BJP’s Narendra Modi becoming the Prime Minister, Omar said, “It does not matter whether he is the Prime Minister or the President or (holds) any other position.”

“Constitutionally, he cannot revoke Article 370 without calling into question the accession of J&K to India. Now as Prime Minister of India, if he wants to rewrite accession to India, he is welcome to it. But I do not think any Prime Minister would be as foolhardy as that,” he said.

Omar was answering questions in BBC’s ‘Hard Talk’ programme during which he more then held his ground in the face of tough questioning by its well-known anchor Stephen Sackur who focused on the insurgency, role of the armed forces and the State’s accession to India.

The Chief Minister was asked about Modi’s suggestion for a debate on Article 370 to which he had responded by offering to do that debate with the BJP leader “at any time, any place”.

He said Modi had not responded to this himself but “one of his minions gave a statement that he is too busy to discuss Article 370 and, to make it worse, he is far too more important to discuss it with somebody like you (Omar)”.

Sackur remarked that he would be “extraordinarily worried” because Modi could be the next Prime Minister if opinion polls were to be believed because the BJP leader favours doing away with J&K’s special status. “I am not worried,” Omar told him.

Amid outrage, government denies ordering khaas aadmi treatment for MPs at airports

By
Afternoon Voice
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Amid public outrage, the government today said a demand by parliamentarians for special privileges from private airlines and airports will not be sanctioned.

Civil Aviation Minister Ajit Singh denied that private airlines had been asked to offer MPs privileges like free snacks, use of VIP lounges, priority clearances and a protocol officer. Many of these privileges are already granted to MPs when they use the government’s Air India.

The MPs’ unabashed demand for khaas aami treatment was discussed by a parliamentary panel in December and sent to the civil aviation regulator or DGCA. But Mr. Singh told that no guidelines were issued.

Their wish-list comes at a time Arvind Kejriwal and his Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) are drawing huge public support for refusing the VIP privileges that are usually bestowed upon and eagerly exercised by politicians.

“To be demanding special privileges for ‘VIPs’ in this political atmosphere takes a special kind of disconnect with reality,” tweeted Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.

Union Minister Praful Patel, who headed the Civil Aviation Ministry earlier, said if an MP “is given a little respect, I don’t think this should be blown out of proportion.”

“There is nothing to suggest that there is preferential treatment beyond the point that certain courtesies are extended. Every carrier extends courtesies to Commercially Important Persons, along with VIPs,” he added.

Centre to challenge SC ruling on commuting death sentences on grounds of delay

By
Afternoon Voice
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supremecourt1The central government will challenge the Supreme Court’s recent ruling in which it said that inexplicable, inordinate delays in deciding mercy pleas of death row convicts can be sufficient grounds for commutation of death sentence to life.

Reports on Wednesday said that the Centre will soon file a review petition in the apex court, asking it to review its recent ruling in which it called for speedier disposal of mercy pleas.

The apex court had passed its order in response to a petition filed by 15 death row convicts – including four of Veerapppan aides – in which they had sought commutation of their death sentences as the government had not taken a decision on their mercy plea for years.

“….Mercy petitions were disposed of more expeditiously in former days than in the present times. Mostly, until 1980, the mercy petitions were decided in minimum of 15 days and in maximum of 10-11 months. Thereafter, from 1980 to 1988, the time taken in disposal of mercy petitions was gradually increased to an average of four years,” a three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice P Sathasivam said.

“Since the average time taken for deciding the mercy petitions during this period was brought down to an average of 5 months from 4 years thereby paying due regard to the observations made in the decisions of this court, but unfortunately, now the history seems to be repeating itself as now the delay of maximum 12 years is seen in disposing of the mercy petitions,” the court said.

Veerappan aides Meesekar Madaiah, Gnanaprakash, Simon and Bilavendran, who are lodged in a Karnataka jail since 2004 and Haryana couple Sonia and Sanjiv, sentenced to death for killing 13 of their relatives, were among the petitioners.

The court also said that the government cannot keep mercy pleas pending for years. The court said that if there is a procedural lapse in deciding on the mercy plea of a death row convict then it can be a ground for commuting death sentence to life.

Importantly, the apex court ruling is likely to impact the mercy pleas of Rajiv Gandhi’s assassins Murugan, Arivu and Santhan, which are pending before the top court.

The apex court also laid down important guidelines on dealing with death row convicts and their mercy pleas.

The court directed that death row convicts should not be placed under solitary confinement. Also, such convicts must be provided all legal aid if he/she wishes to submit a mercy plea.

The court also mandated respective state governments to place necessary material before the Governor while sending the mercy plea.

Once the mercy plea is rejected, it should be conveyed in writing to the convict, the court said.

“Although, no time frame can be set for the President for disposal of the mercy petition but we can certainly request the concerned Ministry to follow its own rules rigorously which can reduce, to a large extent, the delay caused,” the bench added.

Noted jurist Soli Sorabjee welcomed the SC verdict. He termed it “correct and humane.”

Absence of role models

By
Mahendra Singh
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People have started realizing that the ultimate goal of politicians is to gain power and find incessant visibility (publicity) on television. Nothing else matters for them. When you open the front page of a prominent news paper you find a gentleman in his seventies striding on wearing designer suit and carrying several shopping bags. If this is the case then what do you expect from young children? What will they want to possess?

Political parties will use various tactics like the one adopted by AAP for coming to power. They performed a good job in mobilizing the mob for their personal gain and they chose such a name for the party that it is very difficult for any one to dissociate from this description. Can any one say, I am not an “aam aadmi”. These two aspects have stumped all political parties. If you call “main” you are an egoist but if you call “hum”, you are a pluralist. How simplistic it has become.

It has been repeatedly said that the need of the hour is to uplift the citizenry. “Bhaag Milkha Bhaag” has become a role model for young and the old. I have noticed that several persons have started running in the park. Modi is seen as a role model and working for the welfare of the state without amassing personal wealth. People voted for AAP for similar reason but they are not as “tyagi” as Modi and hence got exposed very soon. Delhi’s Law Minister Somnath Bharti has time to fly kites but not to appear before the Women Commission.

I should somehow get a government job or become an MP or MLA and start earning money and get my pictures aired on television daily. I must not lose any minute in pursuing such a goal and that is why AAP was trying to lose no time in fooling people all the time. What is the Lieutenant Governor doing? He should dismiss the AAP government for violating the law. Don’t you have any other better person to become the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi? No army man and no police officer is suitable? Congress is to be blamed for this and hence they will receive very severe drubbing in the coming Lok Sabha election. Rakhi Sawant is right in calling Kejriwal an item boy. He is fortunate to have received such a good mandate from people and should be silently working for betterment of Delhi residents. If Kejriwal does not mend his ways fast, the AAP government should be dismissed and he and Somnath Bharti be prosecuted. Media must not give too much publicity to AAP activists like Gopal Rai, who was ousted by Anna. TV channels have great responsibility to educate the masses and not merely act as news disseminators.

Tearless Modi

By
Afternoon Voice
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Tearless-ModiAfter the 51st anniversary of the song Aye Mere …, political parties were discussing whether Narendra Modi or Jawaharlal Nehru was the most sensitive leader.

Lata Mangeshkar who had brought tears in the eyes of former Prime Minister of India Jawaharlal Nehru by singing the song Aye Mere Watan Ke Logon had attended a function to mark the 51st anniversary of the popular patriotic song at Mahalaxmi Racecourse. However, this time when Lata sung the same song tears were not visible in BJP’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi’s eyes. Thus a question which arises here is was Nehru very sentimental leader?

Sachin Sawant, Congress Maharashtra spokesperson said,  “Former Prime Minister of India Jawaharlal Nehru had patriotic feelings for the nation hence tears came from his eyes after hearing the song ‘Aye Mere Watan Le Logo, Jara Aankh Main Bharlo Paani’. We can’t compare Narendra Modi and other BJP leaders with Nehruji because he was a proud about being Indian. Tears will only arrive from the eyes of that person who is concerned about the nation and its people. There is huge difference between Modi and Jawaharlal Nehru.”

Satish Singh, a resident of Charni Road said, “Politicians are organising events only for pursuing the interests of their party. Modi had invited Lata Mangeshkar only for the sake of garnering publicity. If he is a true Indian like Nehru then tears would have arrived from his eyes as the song reminds us about martyr soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the sake of the nation.”

Rajan Patil, a bank employee said, “Nowadays political parties lack patriotic feelings. The song is very emotional that tears will come out of the eyes of any Indian. I am surprised why not a single drop of tears came from Modi’s eyes.

Rohit Tiwari, a T.Y.B.comstudent said, “It is really embarrassing to hear to find no expressions Narendra Modi after hearing the song. I am confused what to say about such selfish politicians. But all I can say that political parties have become self-centred as nobody bothered about the nation.”

BJP MLA from Borivali Gopal Shetty said, “People are crying today just because Nehru had cried earlier. Nehru was not a strong leader hence tears had arrived from his eyes. Modiji is too strong and doesn’t was to depict that he is weak and controlled his emotions.”

The song, composed by C Ramachandra, was written by Kavi Pradeep in honour of Indian soldiers who lost their lives in the 1962 war with China. Lata Mangeshkar, 84, famously sang the song in the presence of Nehru at the Ramlila Maidan in New Delhi, on January 27, 1963.

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