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Pappu Yadav to be shifted to Tihar Jail

     New Delhi: The Supreme Court today ordered law enforcement officials and the Bihar Government to shift Madhepura RJD MP Pappu Yadav to Delhi's Tihar Jail within a week. Pappu, who is currently lodged in the Beur Jail in Patna, has been accused of having a hand in the murder of the CPM leader, Ajit Sarkar. A two-judge bench of the apex court comprising Mr.Justice N Santosh Hegde and Mr.Justice S B Sinha delivered the order and said that the trial of pending cases against the controversial MP would continue in Patna through video-conferencing. The court also said that Pappu would be produced before the sessions judge only in rare and exceptional situations. While announcing its order, the apex court also said that during Yadav's shifting, the authorities should follow the rules strictly and not give any special privileges to the accused. It said that Pappu would only be allowed to meet visitors as per instructions incorporated in the Tihar Jail manual. The Supreme Court had earlier taken suo moto action against Pappu on the issue of him holding darbars in jail and using his cell phone to keep in touch with people outside the jail.

Crude bombs discovered in Ahmedabad (Go To Top)

     Ahmedabad: More than 50 crude bombs were recovered from a shop in Ahmedabad's Gomtipur area today. "In all 52 crude bombs, including four gelatine sticks, were recovered from the roof of the abandoned shop in Patel chawl last night. The recovery was made after some policemen, patrolling in the area, got a tip off about it," informed the police. However, all the crude bombs have been defused, they added.

Italian President arrives (Go To Top)

     New Delhi: Italian President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi, on a five-day visit to India, was accorded a ceremonial reception in New Delhi on Monday (February 14). Ciampi is the first Italian head of state to visit India in a decade. "It is a pleasure and privilege for me to be here. I would like to thank the president of the Republic of India and I would like to point out that this visit is considered to be of extreme significance and importance because it affords the opportunity as two peace loving countries to reiterate our commitment to peace and to consolidate our links," said Ciampi. During the Italian President's visit Rome is expected to take a fresh look at the potential for trade and commercial ties with Asia's fourth largest economy. A 200-strong business delegation is accompanying Ciampi, which is scheduled to hold talks with Indian industry leaders on business opportunities. Italian and Indian captains of industry are meeting for four days in the capital from tomorrow under the aegis of the Indo-Italian Joint Business Council to chalk out ways to enhance bilateral economic and commercial cooperation.

     Indo-Italian bilateral trade stood at 2.77 billion dollars in 2003-04 showing a 28 percent growth over the previous year. Italy is India's 4th largest trading partner in the EU and ranks 12th in terms of approved investments amounting to 1.31 billion dollars from 1991-September 2004. The 16th Session of the India-Italy Joint Commission for Economic Cooperation signed in January this year agreed to improve bilateral trade flows as a common goal for mutual benefit and reinforcement of political links. India and Italy have agreed to explore enhanced cooperation in textile clusters and in the field of textile design through the National institute of Fashion Technology after the phase-out of the multi-fibre arrangement (MFA). Both the sides are also expected to explore possibilities for cooperation in leather, gems and jewellery, food processing industry, tourism, energy, financial services and information technology and scientific research. Ciampi is due to hold meetings with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and the Italian born President of the ruling Congress party, Sonia Gandhi. The two countries are also likely to sign an agreement on fishery and aqua-culture production and also on the conservation of famous paintings of Ajanta and Ellora caves.

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