'Sip Cow Urine For Garba Entry In Indore': BJP Leader's Remark Sparks Row

A BJP functionary from Indore district on Monday urged organisers to make people sip "gaumutra" (cow urine) before letting them in garba pandals during Navratri festival as a Hindu can never refuse this precondition.

The Congress questioned the BJP leader's call, terming it a new tactic of polarisation by the saffron party.

Proposing "aachman", BJP district president Chintu Verma told reporters that the aachman practice has great significance in Sanatan culture.

"We have requested organisers to ensure devotees do aachaman with cow urine before allowing them to enter garba pandals," he said.

According to Hindu customs, aachaman means taking a sip of water while reciting mantras for purification before starting religious rituals.

Queried about the rationale behind this demand, Mr Verma said sometimes some people join these events which generate certain discussions.

"Aadhaar card can be edited. However, if a person is a Hindu, he will enter the Garba pandal only after aachaman of cow urine and there is no question of refusing it," he reasoned.

MP Congress spokesman Neelabh Shukla alleged that BJP leaders are silent on the plight of cow shelters and are only interested in politicising this issue.

"Raising the cow urine aachman demand is the BJP's new trick of playing polarisation politics,'' he said and demanded BJP leaders sip cow urine before entering pandals and post videos on social media. 

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Fake Branch Claiming To Be Of SBI Unearthed In Chhattisgarh: Police

A fake branch claiming to be of the State Bank of India (SBI) was unearthed in Chhattisgarh's Sakti district following which police booked its three operators, a police official said on Sunday.

The bogus branch was being run in Chhapora village under Malkharauda police station limits, Sakti Additional Superintendent of Police Rama Patel said. Sakti, adjoining Janjgir-Champa district, is around 200 km from the state capital Raipur.

The fraudulent banking unit was set up in a rented shop in a commercial complex on September 18, with posters and banners of SBI installed there, she said.

Suspecting something was phoney, some locals complained about it. A team from SBI's regional office in Korba inspected the branch and found it to be fake, she said.

After being alerted by the public sector bank on Friday, police raided the place, the official said.

Five employees were found to be working in the fake branch. They claimed to have been hired through interviews, Patel said, adding that the employees are currently being interrogated.

Police have seized computers and other materials from the fake branch.

A case has been registered under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) against its three operators, including a person who claimed to be the manager and was said to be the mastermind of the fraud, the official said.

Efforts are being made to trace the accused, another police official said.

A probe is underway to ascertain how many people opened accounts with the fake branch and how much money the conmen collected from them, he said.

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Court Refuses To Interfere In Centre's Decision To Rename Port Blair

The Calcutta High Court's Port Blair circuit bench has refused to interfere in the government's decision to change the name of the capital of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, saying it is the prerogative of the executive.

On September 13, the central government renamed Port Blair to Sri Vijaya Puram.

Hearing a petition challenging the renaming, a division bench comprising Justices Ravi Krishan Kapur and Prasenjit Biswas on Friday refused to intervene as it is the prerogative of the executive.

The court cited the renaming of Bombay to Mumbai to highlight the executive's prerogative.

Advocate Prohit Mohan Lall who filed the petition then withdrew it.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah had said, “While the earlier name had a colonial legacy, Sri Vijaya Puram symbolises the victory achieved in India's freedom struggle and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands' unique role in it.”

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FIR Against Siddaramaiah In Land Scam Case After Court Orders Probe

Lokayukta police on Friday registered a First Information Report (FIR) against Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and others in the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) site allotment case, following the court order.

Congress President M Mallikarjun Kharge, meanwhile, came to Siddaramaiah's defence, stating that the party is standing with him and will support him.

Siddaramaiah, who began his three-day visit to his home district of Mysuru, claimed that he was being targeted in the MUDA issue as the opposition is "scared" of him and said it's the first such "political case" against him.

He also reiterated that he won't resign following the court ordering a probe against him in the case as he has done no wrong and asserted that he would fight the case legally.

While Siddaramaiah is accused number one (A1) in the case, his wife B M Parvathi (A2), brother-in-law Mallikarjuna Swamy (A3), Devaraju (A4) -- from whom Mallikarjuna Swamy purchased land and gifted it to Parvathi -- and others are named in the FIR registered by Lokayukta police in Mysuru.

A Special Court in Bengaluru on Wednesday ordered a Lokayukta police probe against Siddaramaiah in the case, setting the stage for filing an FIR against him.

The order of the Special Court Judge, Santhosh Gajanan Bhat, came a day after the High Court upheld the sanction granted by the Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot to conduct an investigation against Siddaramaiah on the allegations of illegalities in the allotment of 14 sites to his wife by the MUDA.

The Special Court exclusively to deal with criminal cases related to former and elected MPs/MLAs issued the order directing the Lokayukta police in Mysuru to initiate an investigation on the complaint filed by RTI activist Snehamayi Krishna.

"Acting under Sec.156(3) of Code of Criminal Procedure, the jurisdictional police i.e., Superintendent of Police, Karnataka Lokayukta, Mysuru is hereby directed to register the case, investigate and to file a report as contemplated under Sec.173 of Cr.P.C., within a period 3 months from today.." the court had said.

Accordingly, the FIR has been registered Sec.120B (Punishment of criminal conspiracy), 166 (Public servant disobeying law, with intent to cause injury to any person), 403 (Dishonest misappropriation of property), 406 ( Punishment for criminal breach of trust), 420 ( Cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property), 426 ( Punishment for mischief), 465 (Punishment for forgery) , 468 (Forgery for purpose of cheating), 340 (Wrongful confinement), 351 (Assault) and other relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code.

The court had also listed offences punishable under sections 9 and 13 the Prevention Of Corruption Act, 1988 and under Sec.3, 53 and 54 of the Prohibition Of Benami Property Transactions Act, 1988 and 3, 4 of Karnataka Land Grabbing Prohibition Act, 2011.

Snehamayi Krishna, expressing displeasure over "delay" on the part of Lokayukta SP, Mysuru, Udesha T J, in filing of the FIR, said this is another victory for his fight.

He said he will be approaching the High Court seeking handing over the case to the CBI. "At the initial stage during the filing of FIR itself there is a delay...can it be believed that there will be an honest probe against the Chief Minister? No. So we will fight to get this case handed over to the CBI." Siddaramaiah arrived in Mysuru on a three-day visit to a rousing welcome by party workers and supporters in a show of strength and support. The opposition BJP staged a protest demanding his resignation; many of the saffron party workers were whisked away by the police as they tried to march towards the venue of the meeting that the CM was attending.

Regarding BJP holding protests demanding his resignation, the CM said, "Why should I resign? If one has committed wrong he has to resign, when we are saying that no wrong was done, where is the question of resigning?"

Mr Kharge too rejected BJP's demand for Siddaramaiah's resignation, as he noted that "neither a chargesheet is filed, nor he is convicted," and said, "let the law take its own course, and when a situation comes, the party will examine."

"Now nothing is there, (but) every day I'm seeing that MUDA, MUDA. Crores of rupees (have been) swallowed by industrialists, Rs 16 lakh crore of their debt have been written off, and now you are taking one small issue and fighting. That too neither chargesheet is filed, nor he is convicted. Every day this is news. I'm fed up seeing all these things," said Mr Kharge.

In the MUDA site allotment case, it is alleged that compensatory sites were allotted to Siddaramaiah's wife in an upmarket area in Mysuru, which had higher property value as compared to the location of her land which had been "acquired" by MUDA.

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100 K9 Vajra Howitzers, Swarm Drones In Big Boost To India's Defence Power

The Indian Army is enhancing the combat prowess of its artillery units along the frontier with China by procuring an array of weapons systems, including an additional batch of 100 K9 Vajra howitzers, swarm drones, loitering munitions and surveillance systems.

Lieutenant General Adosh Kumar, the Director General of Artillery in the Army, said various futuristic platforms and equipment are being procured to bolster the capabilities of the artillery units considering national security challenges.

"Today, we are modernising at a pace like never before and as per defined timelines," he told reporters ahead of the 198th anniversary of the Artillery Regiment on September 28.

The development work is also in progress by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) for hypersonic missiles, he said.

Hypersonic missiles can fly at a speed of five mach or more than five times the speed of sound.

Lieutenant General Kumar said a number of 155 mm gun systems, including K-9 Vajra, Dhanush and Sharang, have been deployed along the Northern borders to boost the Army's fire-power.

The Army has already deployed 100 K-9 Vajra gun systems. It is in the process of procuring another batch of 100 K-9s.

"The Acceptance of Necessity (or initial tender) for repeat order of 100 guns was granted. Further process is on," the senior official said on procurement of an additional batch of K-9 self-propelled howitzers.

The K9 Vajras were originally procured for deployment in deserts, but following the eastern Ladakh standoff, the Army deployed a significant number of the howitzers in that high-altitude region.

"We are also in the process of inducting other 155 mm gun systems to include Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS), Mounted Gun System (MGS) and Towed Gun System (TGS)," he said.

The ATAGS is 100 per cent designed and developed by the DRDO along with two private partners.

Lieutenant General Kumar said the contract is likely to be concluded soon and trials for both MGS and TGS are set to commence in 2025.

"They are lighter in weight and can be carried underslung by helicopters. K-9 Vajra gun system is ideal for mechanised operations," he said.

Dhanush Guns are an "electronic upgrade" of Bofors guns.

On rockets, he said "Pinaka" systems have been the success story of "Atmanirbharta" (self-reliant) drive and the equipment have added more punch and lethality to artillery's arsenal.

The focus is now on to enhance the range of Pinaka rockets to 300 kms.

While the Pinaka Mark-I has a maximum range of 40 kilometers, the Pinaka Mark-II is known to have a range of 90 kilometers.

Lieutenant General Kumar said the focus has also been on boosting the Artillery's surveillance and target acquisition (SATA) regiments as well as to induct more swarm drones, loitering munitions and remotely piloted aircraft (RPAs).

"Our missile programme is progressing well at the desired pace, wherein research and development is being carried out by the DRDO to enhance range, accuracy and lethality of both ballistic and cruise missiles.

"As far as ammunition is concerned, lot of improvements are being undertaken to enhance the accuracy and lethality," he said.

Lieutenant General Kumar said the Army is engaged with private and public sector industries and academia for development of Sensor Fuzed Munition (SFM) and extended range ammunition.

"To give teeth to our precision capability, we are procuring loiter munitions, swarm drones, runway independent RPAs and the like.

"Due emphasis is also being laid on strengthening our intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance architecture to enhance battlefield transparency, so as to have effective sensor to shooter linkages, also called 'Kill Chains'," he said. 

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Delhi Lt Governor Overturns Deferring Of Standing Committee Seat Election

In a last minute intervention, Delhi LG VK Saxena overturned the postponement of elections for the last vacant seat of the standing committee and directed the MCD commissioner Ashwani Kumar to submit a report by 10 pm Thursday.

Mr Saxena directed that the deputy mayor be made the presiding officer for the elections if the mayor refuses to hold the elections.

In case the deputy mayor also refuses, the senior-most member of the House will preside over the elections, he ordered.

Earlier in the day, following disruption over frisking of councillors, the election to MCD Standing Committee was postponed by the Mayor, who adjourned the meeting of the House till October 5.

Mayor Shelly Oberoi claimed it was for the the first time a security check of the councillors had happened, and called it undemocratic and insulting for the members of the House.

The LG order read, "The Commissioner is hereby directed to submit a report of conduct of elections of the sixth member of standing committee by 10 pm today ie on 26.09.2024 positively.

"In case the Mayor is unavailable or refuses to preside over the meeting. the Deputy Mayor may be requested to preside over the meeting for conduct of elections.

"In case both are unwilling or unavailable, the seniormost member in order of seniority may be requested to discharge this function." Following the order, MCD commissioner issued an instruction for the conduct of the elections for the 6th member of the standing committee.

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Air Marshal SP Dharkar Appointed Air Force's Next Vice Chief

Ace fighter pilot Air Marshal SP Dharkar has been appointed as the next Vice Chief of Air Staff.

He would be succeeding incumbent Air Marshal AP Singh, who has been designated as the next Chief of Air Staff.

SP Dharkar would be assuming his new appointment after the new Chief takes over.

SP Dharkar-- an experienced fighter pilot with over 3600 hours of flying. He is an alumnus of the Rashtriya Indian Military College Dehradun, National Defence Academy Pune, Defence Services Staff College, Wellington and Air War College, USA. Commissioned in June 1985, he is a Qualified Flying Instructor, Fighter Strike Leader, and Instrument Rating Instructor and Examiner and has also been an Air Force Examiner.

During his illustrious career, he has commanded a frontline fighter squadron and a Fighter Flying Training Establishment.

He has instructional experience in conducting Professional Military Education for medium and senior level officers at the Defence Services Staff College and at the College of Air Warfare, Secunderabad.

He has served as Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Training) at Air Headquarters and Air Defence Commander at Headquarters Eastern Air Command.

He has the distinction of being the first Director General of Defence Space Agency. He has been the head of Eastern Air Command for the last two years now.

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Badlapur Accused Threatened to Spare No One In Police Van, Claims Officer

Akshay Shinde, accused in the Badlapur sexual assault case who died in an alleged shootout, had said he would not spare anyone after grabbing a pistol inside a police van, an official claimed on Tuesday.

He retaliated in self-defence as Akshay Shinde's demeanor suggested he would kill everyone, said inspector Sanjay Shinde, who shot the accused dead.

Mumbra police here registered a First Information Report against Akshay Shinde for 'attempt to murder' for opening fire on a police officer.

The FIR is based on the complaint of inspector Sanjay Shinde, investigating officer of the SIT formed to probe the sexual assault of two kindergarten girls at a school in Badlapur, the case in which Akshay Shinde (24) was the accused.

In his complaint, inspector Shinde said he was also conducting probe into another offence registered by Badlapur police on a complaint by Askhay's first wife, accusing him of sexual harassment and unnatural sex.

On Monday evening, a police team took Akshay Shinde out of Taloja jail for probe of the case filed his wife, the complaint said.

Inspector Shinde sat beside the driver in the driver's cabin, while two constables and Assistant Police Inspector Nilesh More sat in the back of the van with Akshay Shinde.

When they reached near Shil-Daighar police station, API More called inspector Shinde and told him that Akshay  was asking why they were taking him away and what new crime he had committed. Akshay then started abusing the policemen, so inspector Shinde stopped the van, and went into the back section and sat there with others, the complaint said.

Akshay was flanked by API More and constable Abhijit More. Inspector Sanjay Shinde and constable Harish Tawde were seated opposite.

At 6.15 pm, when the van reached the base of Mumbra Devi temple on Mumbra bypass, Akshay suddenly tried to pull out API More's pistol, the complaint said.

In the ensuing fight, the pistol got unlocked and one round got fired; the bullet hit API More who collapsed, the complaint said.

Akshay then seized the pistol, and pointing it at inspector Shinde and the constable, said now I will not leave anyone alive', the complaint claimed.

He fired two rounds but they dodged successfully, inspector Shinde claimed.

Akshay's body language suggested he would certainly try and kill everyone in the van, inspector Shinde further said, adding that hence, he fired one round in self-defence which hit Akshay.

The accused fell, and the constables pinned him down while the van drove to Kalwa civil hospital where doctors declared Akshay dead, the complaint said.

Akshay's family has challenged the police's version, claiming that he died in a staged encounter. His father has moved the Bombay High Court seeking a probe by an SIT.

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Army, Forest Team Captures 2 Leopards After 3 Killed In Attacks In Udaipur

The forest department in Udaipur district, with the help of the Army, has captured two leopards, bringing a sigh of relief to residents of Gogunda town where three people were killed in attacks by the big cats last week, officials said on Tuesday.

The leopards were captured in separate cages on Monday night, they added.

The traps were set following a wave of panic in the community after the rise in deaths due to leopard attacks.

In response to the fatalities, which included a 16-year-old girl, a 50-year-old man, and a 40-year-old woman, the forest department launched a search operation with local police, according to officials.

A team from the Indian Army was also called in on Saturday to trace the animals. Cages were strategically placed at six locations in the area, they said.

Gogunda police station SHO Shaitan Singh Nathawat said the leopards were rescued and transported to Sajjangarh Biological Park in Udaipur city by the forest department team.

Nathawat said prima facie, one of the two big cats, the older one who is lacking teeth, might have been responsible for the recent fatal attacks on humans.

"The animal's inability to hunt its natural prey due to broken or lack of canines likely drove it to attack humans, making it easier for the leopard to seek alternative sources of food. However, the forest officials are examining the matter in detail," he said.

The search operation commenced on Wednesday, and the Army utilised drones for surveillance starting Saturday, the officials said.

Camera traps were also used to capture the leopards' movements, they added.

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Karnataka High Court Tightens Rules On Live-Streaming Of Proceedings

The Karnataka High Court has introduced strict guidelines for live-streaming of judicial proceedings to prevent unauthorised sharing of clips on social media platforms.

The incident stems from remarks made by a single judge recently. These comments, made during a live-streamed hearing, sparked widespread criticism after video clips went viral.

To address this, the High Court has issued a note titled, "Prohibitions and Restrictions on Usage of the Recording or Live Stream," which is now displayed at the beginning of live-streamed sessions.

The note prohibits any unauthorised recording, sharing, or dissemination of live-streamed proceedings and archival data, including on social media and messaging platforms. Only authorised individuals or entities are permitted to handle such recordings.

The court also warned that anyone found violating these rules would face legal consequences under the Indian Copyright Act, 1957, the Information Technology Act, 2000, and contempt of court laws.

Further, the note underscores the court's exclusive copyright over its recordings and mandates that the use of authorised recordings-allowed for news, educational, and training purposes-must not be edited or repurposed for commercial use.

Rule 10(2) of the Karnataka Rules on Live Streaming and Recording of Court Proceedings, 2021, reinforces these restrictions by barring the use of recording devices by unauthorized individuals during hearings.

The changes come after Justice V Srishananda's remarks, which led to public backlash, prompting the judge to express regret.

Following media reports, the Supreme Court has taken note of the issue and asked the High Court Registrar General to file a detailed report on the matter.

The Advocates' Association of Bengaluru has also called for a temporary halt on live-streaming and urged judges to exercise greater sensitivity during proceedings.

They raised concerns that certain YouTube channels had exaggerated the judge's comments, attaching misleading titles to the content.

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"You Are India's Brand Ambassadors": PM Modi Thanks Indians Settled In US

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today addressed tens of thousands of Indian-Americans in a grand community event at the Nassau Coliseum in Long Island. The chants of "Modi, Modi" filled the stadium as the prime minister walked on stage to address people of Indian origin.

The Prime Minister started his speech with the chants of "Bharat Mata ki Jai!". He began by saying that even the 'Namaste' has gone from being local to global, and credited the Indians settled overseas for it.

A series of cultural performances entertained the people gathered at the stadium, who were enthused as they waited for the Prime Minister's arrival.

During his speech, Prime Minister fondly recalled his previous community events in the United States - 2014 at the Madison Square Garden, 2016 in San Jose, California, 2018 in Houston, Texas, 2023 in Washington and now in Long Island.

He credited the Indians settled in the United States. He said that they have been the bridge between the two nations and have helped strengthen the India-US relationship. He said "you all have come seven seas apart, but nothing can ever take the love of India away from your hearts and souls."

He said that people from different parts of India may have settled overseas - here in the US too and have become US citizens, but "the sentiment that brings us all together is, 'Bharat Mata ki...(Jai! chanted the spectators)'."

"This sentiment is what keeps us united, and this is our biggest strength, no matter where we go in the world," he said, adding that "It is this sentiment that helps us be peaceful, law abiding global citizens - what makes India proud of its children - and makes the world realise that India is the world's 'Vishwa-Bandhu'."

Calling the Indians settled in the United States 'Rashtradoot' (Ambassadors), the prime minister thanked the Indian community in the United States for the respect India has earned in that country, adding that "It is our Indian values and culture that makes us One."
 

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Pawan Kalyan Announces 11-Day Penance Amid Tirupati Laddoo Row

Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan on Saturday said he will undertake an 11-day penance to propitiate Lord Venkateswara for the alleged adulteration of animal fats in Tirupati laddus.

The actor-politician said he will begin the ritualistic penance from Sunday at Sri Dasavatara Venkateswara Swamy temple at Namburu in Guntur district.

"After undertaking the 11-day penance, I will visit Tirumala Sri Venkateswara Swamy," said Mr Kalyan in a post on 'X', and appealed to the deity to grant him the power to do the ritualistic sanitisation to undo the alleged sins committed by the erstwhile YSRCP government.

ఏడుకొండలవాడా..! క్షమించు
•11 రోజులపాటు ప్రాయశ్చిత్త దీక్ష
అమృతతుల్యంగా... పరమ పవిత్రంగా భావించే తిరుమల లడ్డు ప్రసాదం- గత పాలకులు వికృత పోకడల ఫలితంగా అపవిత్రమైంది. జంతు అవశేషాలతో మాలిన్యమైంది. విశృంఖల మనస్కులే ఇటువంటి పాపానికి ఒడిగట్టగలరు. ఈ పాపాన్ని ఆదిలోనే పసిగట్టలేకపోవడం…

— Pawan Kalyan (@PawanKalyan) September 21, 2024

Further, the Janasena founder wondered how Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) employees and board members could be oblivious to these alleged irregularities.

TTD is the official custodian of Sri Venkateswara temple in Tirupati.

During a recent NDA legislative party meeting, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu claimed that the previous YSRCP government did not even spare Sri Venkateswara Swamy temple and used substandard ingredients and animal fats for making the popular Tirupati laddus, known for their unique taste.

Mr Naidu's allegations sparked a massive public outcry across the country.

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Rape Accused, Out On Bail, Shoots Dead 17-Year-Old Victim: Police

A rape accused, out on bail, shot dead his victim here, police said on Friday, adding that the man along with another person have been detained.

Additional Superintendent of Police Shrish Chandra said, "A 17-year-old girl was shot dead in the Kaila Devi police station area on the night of September 18. A case has been registered against two men." The main accused, Rinku 20, had raped the girl and a case was registered against him in Ghaziabad police station in February. He came out of the jail on bail earlier this month, he said.

According to a complaint filed by the victim's family, the minor girl was shot dead while she was returning home on a motorcycle with her brother and mother.

The family alleges that Rinku along with another person intercepted them and opened fire, the police said.

"We are looking into all aspects of the shooting incidents. CCTV footage of the area are also being gathered," the officer said.

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After EY Employee Death, Deloitte Forms Panel To Review People Practices

Amid a social media storm over the death of a young employee at tax consultancy major EY allegedly due to work pressure, Deloitte has formed a three-member external committee, which includes former revenue secretary Tarun Bajaj, to look into practices, policies and processes concerning employees, its South Asia CEO Romal Shetty said on Friday.

Shetty said to manage the work pressure within the organisation and have an open work culture, Deloitte has a chief happiness officer and takes strictest action for any bad behaviour within the organisation.

Deloitte is one of the four major global tax consultancy firms. Besides Deloitte and EY, the other major firms are PwC and KPMG.

"... Very unfortunate, very tragic, young child losing her life. We are in the client service business and in the client service business there will always be deadlines... having all of those pressures," Shetty told PTI in an interview.

Anna Sebastian Perayil, who passed her CA exam in 2023 and worked at EY Pune office for four months, died in July. According to a letter her mother wrote to EY India chairman Rajiv Memani, she was overworked with a "backbreaking" load as a new employee that affected her "physically, emotionally, and mentally".

Shetty dismissed any bullying culture within organizations that have been built over 100-150 years, but did not rule out any individual transgressions.

"... Bullying culture is not normally the way professional organizations are. But are there individuals who do certain things? Yes, absolutely... So first, I think, as an organization, you need to have an open culture that nobody should be scared to bring up those issues." Shetty said Deloitte on Friday has instituted a panel of three eminent and independent people after the tragic loss of life of 26-year old Anna Sebastian Perayil at EY.

"We have instituted a panel post this.. Tarun Bajaj who used to be the Revenue Secretary, Manoj Kohli who used to be the CEO of Airtel, Subodh Jaiswal who used to be the CBI Director to relook at all our people practices, our policies, processes. How are ethics cases... We have an ethics helpline. How do they get actually managed? What are our mechanisms in place to do it?," Shetty said.

He said in today's world where the workforce is diverse, there is a need to relook at the work environment and make it suitable to manage stress. Mental health is a serious problem and dealing with it is a challenge, he said.

Shetty said, the youngsters joining the workforce today are coming from Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities leaving their families and might be going through some stress in their personal lives, besides the work pressure that they encounter in a client servicing business which has a strict deadline.

"The younger generation is far smarter than I ever was, far more intelligent, far more smarter. Sometimes, I think a little bit more resilience will be useful," Shetty said.

As a CEO, Shetty said he goes to every office and conducts an open forum wherein people can ask any question.

"The concept is, if you can ask your CEO any question, including, little bit embarrassing one as well, then you can actually walk up to a senior person and say, I don't enjoy this... Can we also have an environment to ensure that people are comfortable with what they do, because sometimes you spend 14 hours in the workplace," Shetty said.

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2 Men Attack Security Guard, Assault Female Staff At Noida Hospital, Held

A disturbing video has gone viral on social media, showing two men allegedly assaulting security guards, including a female staff member, at Jaypee Hospital in Noida's Sector 126. The violent attack was captured on video and circulated on social media, prompting police to file a First Information Report (FIR) against the suspects. The altercation began when the security guard denied entry to the men, identified as Akshay Sehgal (33) and Vaibhav Sehgal (27), without an attendant card. However, the men forcibly tried to enter the lift lobby, despite the guard's opposition. When confronted, they violently assaulted the security guard, kicking and punching him.

A female security staff member intervened, only to be pushed to the ground. Undeterred, she quickly got up and attempted to stop the attackers again. Despite bystanders and hospital staff intervening, the accused continued their assault.

Watch the video here:

This only happens in Noida. Where dehaatis got rich due to real estate. They didn't even care for the women security guard. pic.twitter.com/MAShmCjb88

— Gabbar (@GabbbarSingh) September 19, 2024

After the video went viral, authorities confirmed in a tweet that the suspects were arrested. 

थाना सेक्टर-126 क्षेत्रांतर्गत जेपी हॉस्पिटल में मारपीट करने वाले दोनों अभियुक्तगण गिरफ्तार। pic.twitter.com/mgVkeWBmvC

— POLICE COMMISSIONERATE GAUTAM BUDDH NAGAR (@noidapolice) September 18, 2024

The video has sparked discussion and outrage on social media, with many slamming the men for their shameful act. One user wrote, ''Sense of one-upmanship combined with a disdain for the ‘lower' bracket in society and we see this every day. When you feel you've crawled out of that hole you were in all your life you feel you deserve ‘respect.''

Another commented, ''To treat humans who work for us as slaves is a mindset, that exists in all eras. cctv has started capturing a lot more in this era and may help when such people are caught and given punishment.''

A third said, ''This harsh reality of our modern society faces us, urging us to accept its problems, inequalities, and struggles.'' A fourth added, ''This is absolutely shocking and unacceptable! A hospital is meant to be a place of healing, not violence. We need stricter action against hooliganism to ensure the safety of those who protect and serve us.''

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Andhra Clears New Liquor Policy, Adopts Private Retail System For Sale

The Andhra Pradesh Cabinet headed by Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday approved the new excise policy and 33 percent reservation for Backward Classes (BCs) in legislative bodies, among others.

Addressing a press conference at the secretariat, I & PR Minister K Parthasarathy noted that the new excise policy will come into effect from October 1.

"The cabinet decided to adopt a private retail system for sale of liquor as part of an attempt to increase management efficiency. Of the 3,736 retail outlets in the state, 10 per cent will be allotted to the toddy-tappers community," said K Parthasarathy.

According to the minister, Mr Naidu directed officials to ensure that quality liquor is available in the southern state at a reasonable price while the allotment of retail outlet licenses will be done in a transparent manner.

Likewise, the cabinet approved the proposal to provide 33 percent reservation to BCs in legislative bodies and also resolved to establish an Artificial Intelligence university and a skilling academy in the state.

Similarly, the cabinet approved the christening of Bhogapuram Airport as Alluri Seetharamaraju International Airport, and rename Vikasitha Andhra 2047 vision document as Swarnandhra Vision Document, which will be released on November 1.

Further, the cabinet approved the existing agency to construct the new diaphragm wall of the Polavaram Project and new works will be taken up in a transparent way through bidding process, among others.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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4 Wagons Derail Near Yard In Bihar, More Than 10 Trains Diverted

Four wagons of a mechanical rake derailed near Narayanpur Anant yard in Bihar's Muzaffarpur district on Wednesday, disrupting railway services on the route, officials said.

No one was injured in the incident that happened near point 67 of the yard in the Sonpur division of the East Central Railway around 5 pm, they said.

"The incident has caused disruption of rail traffic on the route. Mechanical and other technical staff are on the job to restore services," East Central Railway CPRO Sharswati Chandra told PTI.

"The matter is being investigated by the senior officials of the ECR," he said.

More than 10 trains had to be diverted, and some trains short-terminated following the accident, he added.

Among the diverted trains were Amritsar-Jaynagar Shaheed Express, Patna-Jaynagar Express, Harihar Express, Darbhanga-Amritsar Jannayak Express and Dibrugarh-New Delhi Rajdhani Express, Sharswati Chandra said.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Man, 73, Rapes 6-Year-Old Girl Near Mumbai, Arrested: Police

Navi Mumbai Police arrested a 73-year-old man for allegedly raping the six-year-old daughter of his neighbour, an official said on Wednesday.

The accused, identified as Sultan Bandagisaheb Atnur, wooed the girl under some pretext to his house on September 14 afternoon. He stuffed her mouth with a handkerchief, tied her hands with a rope, and raped her, the official said.

The girl narrated her ordeal to her parents, who approached the police and lodged a complaint.

Atnur was arrested under the provisions of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita and the POCSO Act.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Girl, 2, Raped By 50-Year-Old Tenant In UP, Accused Arrested: Cops

A two-year-old girl was allegedly raped by a man in her house in Uttar Pradesh's Muzaffarnagar on Wednesday, police said.

The accused was identified as Shiv Kumar (50), they said.

According to the complaint filed by the rape survivor's family, the accused, Shiv Kumar (50) was their tenant and took the child while she was playing and raped her.

Circle officer, Rupali Rao said that an FIR was lodged at the Nai Mandi police station under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita section 65 (2) (rape on a woman under twelve years of age and Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

The accused was caught by the family members and has been arrested, Mr Rao added.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Supreme Court Relief To 30 Army Men In 2021 Botched Nagaland Operation

In a relief to 30 Army personnel, the Supreme Court on Tuesday closed the criminal proceedings initiated against them by the Nagaland government for allegedly killing 13 civilians in a 2021 botched operation to ambush militants in Mon district for want of prosecution sanction.

A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and PB Varale noted that the Centre had on February 28 last year declined to grant sanction to prosecute the personnel under section 6 of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) of 1958.

Section 6 of the AFSPA says, "No prosecution, suit or other legal proceedings shall be instituted except with the previous sanction of the Central Government, against any person in respect of anything done or purported to be done in exercise of the powers conferred by this Act." The bench said, in case sanction is granted at any stage under Section 6 of the AFSPA, the proceedings pursuant to the impugned FIRs may continue and may proceed in accordance with law and be brought to a logical conclusion.

"In view of the aforesaid discussions, the writ petition (Criminal) Nos...are allowed. The proceedings pursuant to the impugned FIRs shall remain closed," the bench directed.

The top court closed the proceedings on two separate petitions filed by the wives of the personnel, including a major rank officer, who sought closure of the case lodged by Nagaland police.

The top court also refused to accept the prayer of the Nagaland government to direct the Army to initiate proceedings against the accused personnel on the administrative side.

"The said submission does not merit consideration by this court as that would be at the sole discretion of the armed forces whether or not to carry on disciplinary proceedings against its officers. As such, we are not inclined to issue any such directions. The concerned wing of the armed forces would be at liberty to take or not to take any disciplinary proceedings against its officers," the bench said in its order.

It also noted that the Nagaland government has filed a separate petition challenging denial of prosecution sanction by the Centre against the Army personnel in the case and notice has been issued in the matter.

The top court made its July 19, 2022 interim order absolute by which it had stayed further proceedings in the FIR registered by the state government against Army personnel belonging to the special forces unit.

The wives of the Army personnel had sought closure of the criminal proceedings on the ground that the state government has no jurisdiction to prosecute the personnel due to immunity granted under the AFSPA.

Their plea contended that prior sanction from the Centre was needed to initiate any legal proceedings against Army personnel if the area falls under AFSPA.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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What A Shame: Veep's Fresh Attack On Kapil Sibal Over "Symptomatic Malaise"

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Monday said there is a need to hit hard at subtle discrimination against women and urged the "male society" to change its mindset before it is too late.

He also condemned the rape-murder of a trainee doctor in Kolkata and said people must condemn remarks that the incident was of "symptomatic malaise".

Addressing the News 18 She Shakti Conclave 2024 in Delhi, the vice president said after the women's reservation law comes into force, more women will be part of decision-making and governance.

There will be less disturbance and disruptions (in Parliament and state legislatures), he said.

People who term women as the weaker sex are wrong, he asserted and said women empowerment will be boosted by women themselves.

Mr Dhankhar was of the view that education cuts into inequality. "Gender discrimination has vanished but has assumed certain forms. Overt discrimination can be fought but not subtle discrimination. We have to hit it hard," he asserted.

"Male society", the vice president said, has to change the mindset before it is too late.

Referring to the Kolkata case, he said "We must be firmly dismissive and contemptuous of insane thoughts of the kind that belittle barbarity of rape and murder of a female doctor in Kolkata while in hospital on duty.

"Someone calls it a symptomatic malaise. What a shame. Our hearts should bleed," he said in an apparent reference to purported Supreme Court Bar Association resolution in which senior lawyer Kapil Sibal reportedly described the rape-murder of a trainee doctor in Kolkata as a "symptomatic malaise".

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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'One Nation, One Election' To Come In This Tenure of Government: Sources

The idea of One Country One Election -- under discussion for long in the corridors of parliament -- will be implemented during the current tenure of the Narendra Modi government, sources have said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had mentioned this in his Independence Day speech this year and the government is committed to implementing it, sources said.

The government has already formed a committee under the chairmanship of former President Ramnath Kovind, which has submitted its report.  The panel has recommended simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha and state assemblies as a first step, which would be followed by synchronised local body polls within 100 days.

It is likely that the Law Commission will also recommend it soon. The Commission is likely to recommend that all three tiers of government -- Lok Sabha, state assemblies and local bodies like municipalities and panchayats -- have simultaneous polls starting 2029 and a provision for unity government in cases like hung house or no-confidence motion.

In his Independence Day address last month, PM Modi had made a strong pitch for "One nation, one election", contending that frequent polls were creating hurdles in the country's progress.

"The nation has to come forward for 'one nation, one election'," he had said.

The BJP had also promised "One Nation One Election" in its manifesto and government sources said they are hopeful that there will be consensus among all parties to implement it, sources said.

The Opposition, though, has staunchly opposed the idea sofar, red-flagging the constitutional issues.

The challenges to its implementation would involve syncing electoral cycles with minimum disruption to governance and there is no clarity dealing with the breaks that would be involved in bringing all states in the same timeline. There is also a marked lack of clarity in the way forward in cases involving dissolution of Houses, President's Rule, or even a hung Assembly or Parliament.

Regional parties have pointed out their limited resources could hamper them from highlighting local issues to voters, in the face of the din over the Lok Sabha election.

Another area of concern is the recurring cost of procuring EVMS, or electronic voting machines. This, the poll panel has said, will be nearly Rs 10,000 crore every 15 years.

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"They Have No Demand, Want To Return Home": CRPF Top Officer At Manipur Relief Camp

Families living in a relief camp in Manipur's Kangpokpi district want to return home, provided there is guarantee of their safety, a senior officer of the central paramilitary force CRPF told news agency ANI.

CRPF Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Manish Kumar Sachar visited the camps in Kangpokpi district's Thangkanphai village and Songpehjang, where over 100 families of the Kuki tribes have been staying since ethnic clashes began in May 2023.

"This is Saikul subdivision, a huge subdivision under Kangpokpi district. And this Songpehjang relief camp, where over 100 families are living. They are living peacefully. You can see children playing. But our objective and purpose is to ensure they return home as soon as possible," Mr Sachar told ANI.

"Their rehabilitation should be done. They should be given help to restart their lives. Many measures are being taken for them. For example, we are working to identify their agricultural fields and taking them to work on them, so that they can start living a normal life again," said the DIG of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), whose battalions have taken over security duties in some areas in the Kuki-dominant hill districts Churachandpur and Kangpokpi, vacated by the Assam Rifles (AR). The two AR battalions have been sent to Jammu and Kashmir.

"You can see around. They are all peaceful. The children are playing. They need to go to schools, live normal lives," Mr Sachar said, pointing at the relief camp.

To a question about demands raised by the families living in the camps, Mr Sachar said, "They have no demand. They only want to return to normal, lead normal lives, without any attacks on them or threats."

READ | Row Over Assam Rifles Ex Chief's "Meitei Police, Kuki Police" Comment; Cops Say "Myopic Mindset"

Over 220 people were killed in the ethnic clashes between the valley-dominant Meitei community and the Kuki tribes - a term given by the British in colonial times - who are dominant in some hill areas of Manipur.

While members of the Kuki tribes have left the state capital Imphal and other valley areas, Meiteis who had been living in the hill areas where the Kukis are dominant have come to the valley. Nearly 50,000 internally displaced people from both communities are living in relief camps.

Tension persists, however, in the foothills between the Kuki-dominant hill districts and the valley areas as both sides accuse each other of launching attacks.

The Kuki tribes want a separate administration to be carved out of Manipur, while the Meiteis do not want any division of territory, or harm to "territorial integrity".

"IDPs wishing to return home doesn't mean they don't have political demands. Security officials must stick to their job, not meddle in politics," Manipur BJP MLA Paolienlal Haokip said in a post on X, referring to internally displaced people (IDPs).

The MLA's "not meddle in politics" swipe at the CRPF top officer comes days after Lieutenant General PC Nair (retired), the former Director General of the Assam Rifles, in a nearly 50-minute interview to News9 said the Manipur Police are divided on ethnic lines - between Meiteis and Kukis, and that "there is no Manipur Police; it is 'Meitei Police'. It is 'Kuki Police'."

The Kuki tribes had protested against the Centre's move to shift the two Assam Rifles battalions to Jammu and Kashmir.

READ | Manipur BJP MLA From Kuki Tribes Condemns Call To Ban ITLF, Asks Amit Shah To Probe Audio Tapes

Mr Haokip is one of the 10 Kuki MLAs who have been speaking in the same chorus as the two umbrella groups that represent 25-odd Kuki-Zo insurgent factions, and separate civil society organisations. All of them have been demanding separation from Manipur.

Social media users from the Meitei community, reacting to Mr Haokip's post on the CRPF DIG's comment, alleged only those who want to keep the pot boiling have been objecting to attempts to return to a state of normalcy, and that it is the politicians who have political demands, not the displaced people who have been living together in peace for decades.

"Thousands of people from both communities want to return home under strict security and understanding of no more violence, for a start. I have been going from one camp to another, from Kuki to Meitei camps, if I may say that. Anyone who visits the camps will hear the same thing, that people want to go home," a senior officer who is looking after rehabilitation and relief matters near Bishnupur district's Moirang town told NDTV on phone, requesting anonymity.

"Ensuring safe return and rebuilding lives are not easy tasks, given the sharp ethnic divide, but it is possible with sincere efforts. Some elements know the return of peace means the failure of achieving their goal," the officer said.

Among a range of complex issues, the immediate cause that sparked the long chain of violence is often cited as the general category Meiteis' demand to be included under the Scheduled Tribes category.

The Kukis, who share ethnic ties with people in neighbouring Myanmar's Chin State and Mizoram, want the separate administration citing discrimination and unequal share of resources and power with the Meiteis.

With inputs from ANI

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Mumbai Woman Arrested For Sending Indians To Cambodia As 'Cyber Slaves'

A 30-year-old woman from Mumbai has been arrested by Telangana's Cyber Security Bureau for allegedly trafficking youth from India to Cambodia to be kept as cyber slaves there. The woman, who worked with the director of a Chinese-owned company, was paid Rs 30,000 for every person that she managed to trick and send to the country. 

'Cyber slave' is a term used for youth who are taken to a country by deceit, after being promised a legal employment opportunity, and are forced to participate in cyber frauds, sometimes under a threat of violence and confinement. Their passports are taken away, shutting off any way of returning home, and they are told there is a contractual obligation to stay. Sometimes, they are also 'sold' to other agents, often Chinese, for a price.

In July, the Indian embassy in Phnom Penh had said it had rescued 14 Indians who had been pushed into cyber crime in Cambodia. The embassy had said that, in collaboration with Cambodian authorities, it had facilitated the rescue and repatriation of over 650 Indians who had fallen victim to such scams so far. 

The Telangana Cyber Security Bureau in Hyderabad identified the arrested woman as Priyanka Shivkumar Siddu, a resident of Chembur in Mumbai, and said a case has been registered against her. 

Branching Out

Officials said Priyanka had previously worked at a licensed overseas job processing agency named Maxwell, which shut down because its managing editor faced health issues. After gaining experience there, she started her own agency without a proper license. Since she lacked legal authorisation, she misled job seekers by offering visit visas, promising that they would be converted to job visas later. 

As her agency expanded, she developed a connection with one Narayana, who also operated a similar agency in Mumbai. Narayana travelled to Cambodia and informed Priyanka about data entry job opportunities there, introducing her to Jithender Shah alias Amer Khan, the director of a Chinese-owned company named Zhan Zei.

Relative As Guinea Pig?

The officials said Priyanka also visited Cambodia to confirm the details and was offered $500 (approximately Rs 42,000) by agents as a commission for each candidate she sent to the country. Upon returning to India, she processed visas for her sister's son, Akshay Vaidhya, and his friend Danish Khan, who were the first two candidates she sent to Cambodia. 

Once in Cambodia, the two travelled by road for 12 hours after which Jithender Shah alias Amer Khan explained their job, which involved cybercrimes. Priyanka advertised extensively through newspapers and social media, offering high-paying jobs in Cambodia, leading individuals like Vamsi Krishna and Sai Prasad from Hyderabad to contact her. She collected Rs 30,000 as commission for each candidate, processed their visas, and sent them to Cambodia, where they experienced severe physical and mental torture after refusing to participate in cybercrime activities. 

Krishna and Prasad returned to India with great difficulty and the investigation into Priyanka's involvement in sending others abroad for cybercrimes is ongoing.

Officials said that not only are the victims of such scams coerced into committing cybercrimes and face abuse and psychological torture if they refuse, money is also extorted from some after a few months by threatening to kill them. The payment is demanded in cryptocurrency. 

The Telangana Cyber Security Bureau said those looking for jobs abroad should always demand a proper job visa, rather than a visit visa, and verify the credentials of travel agents through the Protector of Emigrants and the e-Migrant portal. Agents demanding large sums of money for processing fees, registration, or visa charges should be a red flag. 

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4 Of Family Murdered In Chhattisgarh Over Black Magic Suspicion: Cops

A man, his two sisters and 11-month-old nephew were killed on Thursday in Chhattisgarh's Balodabazar-Bhatapara district on suspicion that a member of the family was practising black magic, a police official said.

The murders took place at 6pm in Chharchhed village under Kasdol police station limits and a man and his two sons have been detained and are being interrogated, he added.

"Chaitram Kaivartya (47), his sisters Jamuna (28) and Yashoda (30), and Jamuna's son Yash were killed with sharp weapons and a hammer. We have detained Ramnath Patle and his two sons. They are from the same village. Patle's daughter had taken ill recently and he suspected it was due to black magic practised by Chaitram Kaivartya's mother," the official said.

"Chaitram's mother was not at home when the attack, allegedly by Patle and his two sons, took place. Further probe into the incident is underway," he added.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Engineer Arrested For Misappropriation Of Cryptocurrency Worth Rs 56 Crore

A 26-year-old software engineer was arrested from Bengaluru for allegedly misappropriating cryptocurrency worth Rs 56 crore from a city-based firm where he had worked previously, police said on Wednesday.

The accused, Shubhang Jain, who hails from Haryana, allegedly had access and control to all the company wallets which he misused, changed the account password and later transferred crypto currencies to other wallets, which he had created using fake identities, they said.

The matter came to light during a company audit.

Police said that accused was on the run for the last two years was arrested from Mumbai where he fled after committing the fraud at the city based cryptocurrency management firm he was working for.

"During the investigation, it was found that the accused had committed fraud by transferring the cryptocurrencies from the wallet belonging to the complainant company to the wallets of his, his family members and friends wallets which he had created to divert the firms currency between May 2021 and April 2022," the police said in a statement.

Based on information received, Mr Jain was tracked down and arrested in Mumbai where he was working for another company. Two mobile and as many as laptops were also seized from him, the police said.

He has been taken into police custody for further investigation and recovery of money, they added.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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S Jaishankar Meets German Counterpart, Discusses Ukraine, Gaza Conflicts

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar today held wide-ranging discussions with his German counterpart Annalena Baerbock and took stock of the India-Germany Strategic Partnership, covering areas such as trade, defence and security.

Mr Jaishankar, who arrived in Berlin from Saudi Arabia after attending the first India-Gulf Cooperation Council Ministerial Meeting for Strategic Dialogue, said they also exchanged views on Ukraine, Gaza and the Indo-Pacific region.

"Held wide-ranging discussions with FM @ABaerbock in Berlin today. Took stock of India-Germany Strategic Partnership, with a focus on trade and investment, green & sustainable development, skilled workers' mobility, technology and defence & security," the minister said in a post on X.

Mr Jaishankar said he also exchanged views on Ukraine, Gaza and the Indo-Pacific region and added that he was looking forward to welcoming Baerbock to India for the 7th Intergovernmental Consultations.

Held wide-ranging discussions with FM @ABaerbock in Berlin today.⁰⁰Took stock of India - Germany Strategic Partnership, with a focus on trade and investment, green & sustainable development, skilled workers' mobility, technology and defence & security.

Exchanged views on… pic.twitter.com/WC1XLzPwhk

— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) September 10, 2024

"Ms Baerbock and I had a good discussion on the state of the world...Our conversation touched on many subjects...We discussed Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi's recent visit to Ukraine. We talked about the situation in West Asia/Middle East, especially the Gaza conflict and its ramifications," Mr Jaishankar said in a press statement alongside the German foreign minister.

He said they also spent some time on the Indo-Pacific and briefly on some things which have been happening in their immediate neighbourhood.

"Our interactions in defence and security have also increased. We held the first-ever air exercises this year. And we hope to welcome your naval ships in Goa next month. Our policy and other exchanges have been mutually beneficial. And we would like to explore how our defence industries can cooperate more closely," he said.

During their talks, they also touched briefly on cooperation with the European Union. "With the incoming Commission, we hope to move faster on the FTA, and other agreements and we count on Germany's support for that. Also, we would like to hold an early meeting of the Trade and Technology Council," the minister said.

Mr Jaishankar said India plans to create 12 new industrial zones across the country and this can constitute new opportunities for India-Germany cooperation.

"Trade between us is probably in the range of about USD 30 billion annually. And I think investments from Germany are about 25 million USD, it's somewhat less from our side. But what is clear is that there is still a vast potential till there to be realized," he said.

"Germany is a crucial partner in accelerating our growth and development. In turn, India can contribute to building reliable and resilient supply chains, diversified production and trusted digital partnerships. We welcome the forthcoming Asia Pacific Conference of German businesses in New Delhi in October 2024," he added.

Mr Jaishankar said that when Ms Baerbock visited India in December 2022, they signed a Migration and Mobility Partnership Agreement. "This has facilitated a smooth movement of skills and talent and I was pleased to learn that today there are 125,000 Indian nationals who are working in their professional capacity in Germany," he said.

He said both India and Germany are active internationally in a variety of geographies and programmes. "We exchanged views about how we can work together where possible in third countries," he said.

"Later this month, we will be heading to New York for the UNGA. This year there is a special Summit of the Future and Germany is one of the co-facilitators. We naturally discussed global issues and reforming the UN. Do remember that we are both aspiring for a more prominent role in the UN Security Council," he added.

Mr Jaishankar earlier addressed the Annual Ambassadors' Conference of the German Foreign Office in Berlin.
 

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Probe Agency Goes To Court With Fresh Charges Against Farooq Abdullah

The Enforcement Directorate has filed an application before a court in Srinagar seeking the addition of two fresh criminal charges against former chief minister Farooq Abdullah and others in the JKCA money laundering case that was quashed by the Jammu and Kashmir High Court last month.

Official sources said the agency recently submitted its plea before the court of Principal District and Sessions Judge praying for addition of IPC sections 411 (dishonestly receiving stolen property) and 424 (dishonest or fraudulent removal or concealment of property) in the case related to alleged financial irregularities in the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA).

The move by the federal agency comes after the Jammu and Kashmir High Court quashed its case and charge sheet against Abdullah and some others on August 14 saying the offence of money laundering was not made out.

The high court, however, allowed the ED to "canvass" its case before a local court seeking addition of fresh IPC sections and if it decides to frame charges against Abdullah and five others for any of the scheduled offences, it shall be open for the ED to register a fresh case and launch prosecution.

The ED, as per the sources, filed this high court-directed application recently stating that the CBI "inadvertently missed/failed to specifically incorporate/mention the said offence under Section 411 and 424 of IPC".

The move comes at a time when assembly polls are being held in J&K and 86-year-old Abdullah's party, National Conference (NC), is in the fray along with other parties. Abdullah is the president of NC.

The ED, in its application, has requested the Srinagar court to frame fresh charges against the accused under the two stated sections saying it (Srinagar court) was vested with wide powers under section 216 of CrPC to "add/amend" charges and that "this can be exercised in appropriate cases, in the interest of justice".

Mr Abdullah has been questioned multiple times by the agency in the case.

The ED had attached assets belonging to Mr Abdullah and others worth Rs 21.55 crore.

The agency's case is based on a 2018 charge sheet filed by the CBI against the same accused.

The CBI charge sheet alleged "misappropriation of JKCA funds amounting to Rs 43.69 crore" from grants given by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to promote the sport in the erstwhile state between 2002 and 2011.

The ED had earlier said its probe found that JKCA received Rs 94.06 crore from BCCI in three different bank accounts during financial years 2005-2006 to 2011-2012 (up to December 2011). 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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"Lethargic": Court To Kerala Government Over Delay On Hema Committee Report

The Kerala High Court on Tuesday pulled up the Left government in the state saying its inaction on the Justice Hema Committee report was "alarmingly lethargic".

A special division bench of Justices A K Jayasankaran Nambiar and C S Sudha said the government got the report over four years ago and ought to have immediately responded and directed that the full report be handed over to the Special Investigation Team (SIT) to take requisite action in accordance with law.

"In the instant case, the conduct of the State Executive has been alarmingly lethargic. Although the report of the Justice Hema Committee was submitted to the state government as early as on December 31, 2019, there was no action taken thereon for well over four years...

"... and even thereafter, it took litigation to spur the state into action, and that too only in respect of one of the many issues that were flagged by the Justice Hema Committee," the bench said in its order.

The court further said that while the committee was in the nature of a fact-finding body, the fact that public money was spent on its functioning and that it was headed by a retired judge of the High Court, the "bare minimum" that the government could have done was "to take a prompt decision" on whether it agreed with the findings in the report.

"Apparently, this was not done. Silence and inaction not being options available to the state government any more, we are of the definitive view that the state government must take immediate steps to address the various issues generally faced by women in our society, including those faced by women in connection with their respective vocations," the bench said.

It further said that it was also "perplexed" by the government's inaction in a state where the population of females "has always exceeded that of the male" and the birth ratio of females has always been higher than the national average.

In such a state, "the interests of women cannot be treated as a minority interest, or their rights equated to minority rights." "Therefore, the state has to necessarily see the problems faced by women as problems affecting a majority of the literate people in the state," it added.

The court observed that the collective duties of the citizens in society translates into a duty of the state and hence, "it cannot afford to remain a mute spectator to the social and economic injustice that is meted out to women in general".

It directed the government to forthwith furnish a full copy of the committee's report, with all annexures, to the SIT which in turn shall go through it in entirety "to see whether any offence, cognizable or otherwise, has been made out at the instance of any person".

The SIT shall then proceed to take suitable action in accordance with law by treating the contents of the report as 'information' for the purposes of setting the law in motion, the bench said.

"The SIT shall, in particular, be mindful of the sensitivities that are required to be observed during investigation, and shall take note of the legal provisions regarding the privacy rights of the victim as well as those against whom allegations/accusations have been levelled.

"The preliminary enquiry and consequent action shall be done in a manner that is fair to all concerned. The SIT shall then forward a report, on the action taken by it, to the state government within two weeks from today," the court said.

On receiving the report, the government shall include a copy of the action taken along with an affidavit, the court said.

The court also directed the SIT to "refrain from giving press conferences or communicating with the media on any aspect of the investigation conducted in connection with the report of the Justice Hema Committee".

It said that the special team can give out information indicating progress of its investigation without mentioning any names.

Regarding the media reporting in connection with the committee's report, the bench urged the print, electronic and social media to exercise restraint and adhere to an appropriate code of conduct by respecting privacy rights of the victims and the accused.

It said even an accused person has a fundamental right to a fair probe and trial of the case against him/her and a trial by media would throw those to the winds.

The bench hoped that since it was monitoring the SIT probe, the media will ensure that the investigating team is not pressurised to act in a hasty manner through any news articles or posts and therefore, it was not passing a formal order restraining the media.

During the hearing, the Advocate General, appearing for the state, said that 23 cases have been registered based on the complaints by female actors.

The Justice Hema Committee was constituted by the Kerala government after the 2017 actress assault case and its report revealing instances of harassment and exploitation of women in the Malayalam cinema industry.

Following the allegations of sexual harassment and exploitation cropping up against several actors and directors in the wake of the report being made public, the state government on August 25 announced the establishment of a seven-member special investigation team to probe them.

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13-Year-Old Girl Kidnapped, Sexually Harassed By Property Dealer In Delhi

A 13-year-old girl was allegedly kidnapped and molested by a property dealer in Delhi's Nihal Vihar area, officials said on Tuesday.

The accused identified as Safaraz is a resident of Vandana Vihar. He has been detained and is being interrogated, they said.

The girl's mother told police that her daughter went missing from her house on Sunday. She accused Sarfaraz of abducting her.

According to police, the girl was found on Monday evening and it is suspected that she was sexually assaulted.

Police said the local residents alleged that some more girls in the area were molested by the accused who lured them with money.

Meanwhile, the accused has been booked under Sections 75(1) (sexual harassment) and 79 (insult modesty of a woman) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and 8/12 of the POCSO Act.

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Ranchi Girl, 13, Trafficked To Lucknow, Raped By Truck Driver: Cops

A 13-year-old girl from Ranchi was allegedly trafficked to Lucknow on a truck and on the way, she was "raped" by its driver multiple times before being left on a roadside, police said on Monday.

Two persons were arrested after a case was lodged at the Tamar police station in Ranchi on Sunday, they said.

The girl's family said she did not return from school on August 16, following which they lodged a missing person's complaint.

The girl told the investigators that she was taken to the Bundu bus stand on August 16 by a youth she knew and later she was taken to Patna by another youth who was also known to her, said Roshan Kumar, the in-charge of Tamar police station.

"The second youth left her in a truck in Patna and fled. The truck driver allegedly raped her and left her on a roadside in Lucknow," he said quoting the girl's statement.

"We have arrested the two youths on the basis of the FIR lodged on Sunday. There are several missing links in her statement. We are trying to connect them through various means," he said.

The case was filed under sections related to rape and human trafficking, besides the POCSO Act, he added.

Deputy Superintendent of Police Rati Bhan Singh told PTI, "We have started an investigation and are verifying the claims made by the victim in the complaint. The medical examination of the girl was being conducted." Child rights activist Baidyanath Kumar, who has been following the case after the registration of the missing person's complaint, claimed that the girl was "sold" to the truck driver in Patna.

"The girl was found on August 20 in Lucknow by the local police. They, then, handed her over to Rajkiya Balika Griha in Lucknow without registering any FIR," he claimed.

Baidyanath Kumar said the girl was brought to Tamar from Lucknow on September 1.

"Initially, the parents were not ready to lodge an FIR about the ordeal faced by the girl. Later, they agreed, and it was filed on Sunday," he said.

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Principal Arrested For Deleting Ganesh Chaturthi Post From School WhatsApp Group

A government school principal was arrested after he allegedly deleted Ganesh Chaturthi greetings posted on the school WhatsApp group, which triggered protests by people of the village, officials said on Sunday.

Villagers held demonstrations outside the school, demanding the removal of Shafi Mohammed Ansari, principal of government senior higher secondary school at Laturi village, they said.

The principal allegedly removed posts that had a picture of Lord Ganesh from a school WhatsApp group. Parents and teachers are part of the group, DSP Narendra Nadar said.

SHO at Bapawar Police Station Uttam Singh said Ansari was arrested for disturbing communal harmony. He was granted bail and released later in the evening, the officer said.

The situation in the village remained normal and peaceful, the SHO said.

According to police, a man posted a Ganesh Chaturthi greetings message on the WhatsApp group, which the principal deleted. The group is named School Management Development Committee or SMDC, the SHO said.

Around two hours later, a school teacher also uploaded a Ganesh Chaturthi greeting in the same group and Ansari allegedly deleted the post again, police said.

After this, some villagers gathered outside the school, held demonstrations against the principal and demanded his removal.

Police rushed to the spot on getting information about the incident, the SHO said.

Police arrested the school principal for alleged breach of communal harmony and initiated proceedings under Section 127 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) against him, he said.

He added that Ansari was granted bail and later released on the same day.

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Gangster Serving Life Sentence In Uttarakhand Jail Initiated Into Monkhood

An underworld don serving life sentence in the Almora district jail was offered 'diksha' by seers in the prison premises recently to initiate him into monkhood, claimed a man who mediated between the don and the seers.

Don Prakash Pandey, also called PP, has a number of criminal cases pending against him including those of extortion, robbery and murder.

Two seers accompanied by the man who mediated between the gangster and the seer community reportedly went inside the jail premises on September 5 to perform the 'diksha' ceremony during which Pandey was offered a rudraksha garland and a sacred beads necklace (kanthi) to wear. Vedic mantras were also chanted in his ears.

The don was renamed as Prakashanand Giri by the seers who introduced themselves as being associated with the Panch Dashnam Juna Akhara, which is headquartered in Haridwar and has its ashrams in the Kumaon region.

After coming out of the jail complex, the seers and mediator Krishna Kandpal held a press conference at a hotel in Almora and said it was done as the man was "full of patriotic feelings" and wanted to move towards a "religious and pure life".

"When I met PP bhai, I was impressed by his patriotic spirit. He had entered Pakistan once to kill Dawood (Ibrahim). He had even entered Vietnam to kill someone else but was arrested as there was a red-corner notice issued against him. He expressed his desire to tread the spiritual path. I talked to the seers and they agreed to offer him diksha," Kandpal told reporters.

"It was a subtle diskha programme. A larger and more elaborate one will be done at Prayagraj Kumbh in 2025," he said.

The life of Prakashanand Giri could inspire others behind the bars to embrace the life of spiritualism and purity, a seer named Rajender Giri said.

Nainital MP Ajay Bhatt shied away from commenting on the incident saying he was not aware of it.

"I have no knowledge of the incident. I also do not want to comment anything on saints," he said.

When asked how authorities allowed the ceremony to be carried out in the jail premises, the former Union minister said he could comment on it only after reading the jail manual.

Meanwhile, the Panch Dashnam Juna Akhara said it would set up a seven-member committee to probe the incident.

The akhara's international convener Hari Giri denied reports that the don has been made Mahamandaleshwar of the Akhara. However, he said everyone has the right to embrace sanatan. "Even if a man with criminal antecedents seeks the shelter of sanatan, he cannot be left alone," Giri said.

The seven-member panel of the akhara consisting of its former and present members will find out if money or any kind of favour was taken to offer the 'diksha'. "If found guilty, they might even be expelled from the akhara," Mahant Hari Giri said. he said. 

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Can Arvind Kejriwal Sign Files From Jail? Asks Supreme Court

Is there any restraint order on Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal performing his duties from jail? the Supreme Court asked the Delhi government on Friday after it was informed that files pertaining to the remission of sentences of eligible convicts were getting delayed for want of his signature.

Remission is the cancellation or reduction of a part of the sentence of a prisoner. Under section 432 of the CrPC, state governments may remit the whole or part of the punishment to which a convict has been sentenced based on factors such as the prisoner's conduct, rehabilitation, health and time served in prison.

The observation by a bench of Justices Abhay S Oka and Augustine George Masih came while hearing a plea filed by a convict alleging delay in remission of his sentence.

"Is there any restraint order on chief minister performing his duties from jail? We want to examine this because this will affect hundreds of cases.

"So many files would be there as various orders are passed by the court concerning the chief minister. Whether there is any restraint on the chief minister signing such important files?" the bench said.

Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati said she will take instructions on the issue and get back to the court.

The top court had in an earlier order directed the Delhi government to take a decision on the question of remission of the sentences of convicts within two months. The deadline was, however, extended by a month in July.

Mr Kejriwal was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on March 21 and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on June 26 in connection with the alleged excise policy scam.

On July 12, the top court granted him interim bail in the money laundering case.

According to legal experts, there is no bar either in the Constitution or in law on a jailed chief minister from continuing in office but running the government from a prison is "practically impossible".

The views of the legal experts are in line with the Delhi High Court's observations of March 28 when it had dismissed a PIL seeking removal of Mr Kejriwal from the post of the chief minister following his arrest.

They, however, opined that it would be impossible to run the day-to-day administration such as making cabinet decisions, signing official papers and transfer orders as these tasks cannot be completed in the secluded and protected area of a jail.

An application by a convict for grant of remission is submitted to the jail superintendent, who forwards the same to the presiding judge of the convicting or confirming court along with the history ticket, copy of the judgments, descriptive roll, and reports from the district magistrate and superintendent of police aboutthe convict's conduct.

Inspector General of Prisons, after his consideration, submits the proposal of remission to the state government with his recommendations. The state government then examines the proposal in accordance with its remission policy and the file is signed by the chief minister, if the same is accepted. 

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TDP Suspends MLA After Party Leader Accuses Him Of Sexual Assault

The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) on Thursday suspended its MLA Koneti Adimoolam after a woman leader of the party accused him of sexual assault.

Mr Adimoolam is the MLA from the Satyavedu constituency.

The party suspended him hours after a video surfaced on social media in which he was seen misbehaving with a woman in a hotel. She alleged that the MLA was sending her vulgar messages on the phone during night hours.

Taking serious note of the allegation, TDP state President Palla Srinivasa Rao issued a statement, announcing the suspension of the MLA.

Earlier, addressing a press conference in Tirupati, the woman leader of the TDP revealed the video evidence of the MLA's alleged misbehaviour with her. She claimed that the video was shot through a pen camera. She said that she also wrote to TDP President and Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, and TDP General Secretary and state Minister Nara Lokesh to expel Adimoolam from the party.

The woman leader said she had earlier opposed giving Mr Adimoolam a ticket in the recent Assembly elections after he defected from the YSR Congress Party to the TDP. However, when the party decided to field him, she accepted the decision and campaigned for him.

She alleged that after taking her contact details during party events, Mr Adimoolam began making inappropriate advances toward her by sending messages. She alleged that last month, he called her to a hotel room in Tirupati, where he sexually assaulted her. She claimed that the MLA threatened to kill her and her family if she disclosed the abuse. She also alleged that he raped her on three separate occasions in the same hotel.

The TDP leader said she wanted to expose Mr Adimoolam and when he called her to the hotel, she carried a pen camera and recorded the abuse. She also alleged that Mr Adimoolam raped multiple women and targeted those who refused to comply with his demands.

Mr Adimoolam has denied the allegations and claimed that it was a morphed video. He said it was the conspiracy of his rivals within the party to defame him.

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India, Singapore Elevate Ties, Ink 4 Agreements During PM Modi's Visit

India and Singapore on Thursday elevated their ties to a "comprehensive strategic partnership" and inked four MoUs, including one on cooperation in the semiconductor industry, as the prosperous city-state's companies pledged to invest about USD 60 billion in the next few years.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who arrived here from Brunei on a two-day visit, touted Singapore as a model for developing nations and said India wanted to create "several Singapores" of its own during his talks with Premier Lawrence Wong.

"Prime Ministers @narendramodi and @LawrenceWongST held productive talks today. They deliberated on ways to further deepen India-Singapore partnership across key sectors including technology, healthcare, trade, skilling, and more," the prime minister's office said in a post on X.

Later, PM Modi held a roundtable with top business leaders and CEOs in Singapore, where he talked about ways to deepen economic linkages. Highlighting the reforms underway in India, which will encourage investment and innovation, PM Modi invited Singaporean business leaders to look at investment opportunities in India in sectors like aviation, energy, and skill development.

At the roundtable with business leaders, Singapore companies committed an investment of around USD 60 billion (over Rs 5 lakh crore) in the next few years, officials said.

"Collaborative initiatives have been identified in areas such as skilling, digitalisation, mobility, advanced manufacturing, semiconductors and AI, healthcare, sustainability and cybersecurity," PM Modi said during his meeting with Lawrence Wong.

Describing Singapore as an "important facilitator" of India's Act East policy, PM Modi said, "Our strategic partnership is completing a decade. Over the past 10 years, our trade has more than doubled. Mutual investment has increased almost threefold to cross USD 150 billion. Singapore was the first country with which we launched the UPI Person-to-Person payment facility." Noting that in the past ten years, 17 satellites of Singapore have been launched from Indian soil, PM Modi said bilateral cooperation has gained momentum from skilling to the defence sector.

"I am pleased that today, we are together elevating our relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership," he said.

Both leaders witnessed the exchange of MoUs for cooperation in semiconductors, digital technologies, skill development and healthcare. These are the outcomes of the deliberations during the two rounds of India-Singapore Ministerial Roundtables held so far.

Prime Minister Modi also announced the setting up of an Invest India office in Singapore, which will be a handholding office for investors in Singapore in various areas identified in the six pillars.

At their talks, both leaders reviewed existing cooperation in the fields of defence and security, maritime domain awareness, education, AI, Fintech, new technology domains, science and technology and knowledge partnership, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said.

The leaders also exchanged views on important regional and global issues of mutual interest, including India-ASEAN relations and India's vision for the Indo-Pacific.

In a joint statement, the two countries committed to work together to promote peace and stability across the Indo-Pacific region, which would help promote free trade and open markets.

The two leaders "reaffirmed the importance of maintaining and promoting peace, security, stability, safety and freedom of navigation in and overflight above the South China Sea," the joint statement said, in a veiled reference to China, which claims most of the South China Sea, while the Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam, Brunei, and Taiwan have counterclaims.

PM Modi also said India's first Thiruvalluvar Cultural Centre would soon be inaugurated in Singapore. "The great saint Thiruvalluvar provided guiding thoughts to the world in the most ancient language Tamil. His work, the Thirukkural, was composed nearly 2,000 years ago, yet its ideas remain relevant today," he added.

The two leaders discussed the outcome of the 2nd India-Singapore Ministerial Roundtable held in Singapore in August 2024. Their discussion also covered the celebration of the 60th anniversary of bilateral ties in 2025.

The Prime Minister invited Lawrence Wong to visit India, which he accepted.

PM Modi thanked Lawrence Wong for the warm welcome. "This is our first meeting after you assumed the post of premier. Many congratulations to you from my side. I am confident that under the leadership of 4G (the fourth-generation leaders), Singapore will progress even faster," PM Modi said.

"The discussions with my friend, PM Lawrence Wong continued today. Our talks focused on boosting cooperation in areas like skilling, technology, healthcare, AI and more. We both agreed on the need to boost trade relations," PM Modi later said in a post on X.

Lawrence Wong said Singapore and India share a deep and enduring friendship, built on strong economic and people-to-people ties.

"Had a productive meeting with Indian Prime Minister @narendramodi at Parliament House. We've set out a forward-looking agenda for the next phase of our bilateral relations," he posted on X.

"This includes closer cooperation in areas like sustainability, advanced manufacturing, digital technologies and connectivity. We're also upgrading the Singapore-India Strategic Partnership to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership," he said.

"This is timely as we expand our partnership in new, mutually beneficial areas. We also celebrate 60 years of diplomatic relations and our Strategic Partnership's 10th anniversary next year," Lawrence Wong said.

Singapore looks forward to strengthening bilateral ties and creating new opportunities for the people of the two nations, he said.

Ahead of the talks with Lawrence Wong, PM Modi received a ceremonial welcome at the Parliament House.

The meeting between the two leaders comes months after Lawrence Wong took over as premier and PM Modi began his third term as prime minister.

PM Modi and Lawrence Wong also visited a leading Singaporean company in the semiconductor and electronics sector and discussed ways for collaboration in this critical industry. This is his fifth visit as prime minister, all prior visits were made in his first term as prime minister.

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Delhi Records 128 Clean Air Days In First Half Of 2024: Report

The national capital breathed clean air for 128 days of the first half of 2024, according to a Delhi government report.

The report by the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) said that the "Good days' (good/satisfactory/moderate days together) during the January-July, 2024, period was 128. The number of 'good days' from August 1 to August 20 was 20, it said.

The number of 'good days' referring to air quality, increased from 159 in 2018 to 206 in' 2023, it said.

An air quality index (AQI) between zero and 50 is considered "good", 51 and 100 "satisfactory", 101 and 200 "moderate", 201 and 300 "poor", 301 and 400 "very poor", and 401 and 500 "severe".

The identified sources of air pollution are vehicular and industrial emissions, open burning and other combustion sources.

The report cited various steps taken by the Delhi government to mitigate air pollution in the city.

A total of 385 dedicated enforcement teams of the Transport Department and Traffic Police have been formed to check vehicular pollution. These teams impounded 308 over-age vehicles between January 1 to July 15, 2024.

The government has also planned to induct 3,267 electric buses in the current financial year. Also, under its progressive electric vehicle policy, the Delhi government has been able to register 14.53 per cent EVs (over 3 lakh) by July 15, the report said.

A total of 338 patrolling teams were deployed to prevent open burning of biomass from October 2023 to July 15, 2024. It carried out over 65,000 inspections issuing around 550 challans and imposing Rs 6.85 lakh as fine, added the report. 

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Man Wearing Earphones While Crossing Road Crushed To Death By Bus: Police

A 28-year-old man was run over by a school bus while he was crossing the road in south west Delhi's Vasant Kunj south, police said on Wednesday.

The victim, Manoj Kumar (28), was sporting earphones when the incident took place near Mahipalpur flyover on Tuesday afternoon, they said.

The bus driver, Jasbir Dahiya (42), was arrested from the spot, said a police officer.

Manoj is survived by his wife and two children, who live in Uttar Pradesh's Agra. He used to live in Delhi's Rangpuri and worked at the IGI Airport as a security guard, he added.

The officer said the victim was returning home from his job when he was hit by a school bus carrying children from a school in Dwarka Sector-23.

During the course of investigation, it is suspected that the victim was wearing the ear phones due to which he could not notice the bus coming from the other side, the police said.

Manoj died on the spot, they said.

An eyewitness at the spot quickly intervened and apprehended the bus driver and handed him over to the police.

The police took the body for the post-mortem examination at the hospital and informed about the incident to the man's family members.

The bus driver has been booked under the relevant sections of the BNS and further probe is underway.

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Centre Closely Monitoring Flood Situation In Andhra, To Send Team: Amit Shah

The Centre is closely monitoring the current flood situation in Andhra Pradesh and has constituted a team of experts that will visit the flood-affected areas of the state for an on-the-spot assessment and make recommendations for immediate relief, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Wednesday.

So far, 20 people have died in the rain and floods which caused damage in several parts of Andhra Pradesh, especially Vijayawada.

In a post on 'X', Mr Shah said the Modi government is closely monitoring the flood situation in Andhra Pradesh.

"The MHA today constituted a central team of experts, led by the Additional Secretary (Disaster Management), MHA.

"The team will visit the flood-affected areas for an on-the-spot assessment of flood management, reservoir management, issues of dam safety, etc. and make recommendations for immediate relief," he said.

The Modi government is closely monitoring the ongoing flood situation in Andhra Pradesh.

The MHA today constituted a central team of experts, led by the Additional Secretary (Disaster Management), MHA. The team will visit the flood-affected areas for an on-the-spot assessment…

— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) September 4, 2024

On Wednesday, the total number of flood-affected people in Andhra Pradesh rose to 6.44 lakh and 42,707 people have been accommodated in 193 relief camps.

In seven districts of NTR, Guntur, Bapatla, Palnadu, Krishna, Eluru and West Godavari, officials have identified 63,894 families for the distribution of essential items.

Thousands of acres of paddy fields were submerged from Bhimavaram to Gudivada. Between Gudivada and Vijayawada, swathes of flooded fields resembled ponds.

As many as 3,312 km of roads across Andhra Pradesh have been damaged. Agricultural crops in 1.69 lakh hectares were damaged and horticultural crops in 18,424 hectares. 

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