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Jessica case: HC rejects Bedi's bail plea

      New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Wednesday rejected the anticipatory bail petition moved by Dr J S Bedi, who is charged for allegedly fabricating records and submitting them as evidence for Vikas Gill during the Jessica Lall murder trial, in which, Gill is an accused. Justice A K Sikri who rejected the bail plea observed that at this point of time when investigations are on a crucial stage, granting bail would slow down further proceedings. The move came after the Delhi High Court, on a submission by the police counsel in connection with the appeal of the Jessica case verdict, directed the police to proceed against the Chandigarh- based doctor. The High Court Division Bench, comprising Justices R S Sodhi and P K Bhasin, had on May 31 ordered registration of the FIR against Dr. Bedi for misleading the court. On the basis of these medical certificates issued by Dr. Bedi, Gill successfully managed to seek personal exemption from the trial. The prosecution realised it later that Gill had already fled to the US. On June 12, Bedi granted permission by the Delhi High Court to inspect the "fake" medical documents which is now in the possession of the Delhi police. However, at the insistence of the Delhi police counsel Mukta Gupta, Vacation Judge A K Sikri, however, ruled that Bedi and his counsel would inspect the documents only in the presence of the investigating officials. The orders were passed on a petition filed by Bedi seeking permission to inspect the "fake medical certificates" allegedly issued by him to Vikas Gill, one of the accused who has fled to the US in October 2004. Police alleged that Bedi granted nearly four medical certificates between 2004 and 2006 to certify that Gill was suffering from spinal problems, even though the accused was not in the country during the said period. Eventually, all the accused in the Jessica murder were acquitted by the trial court on February 21.

Lalu to seek private investment in Railways

      New Delhi: With Indian Railways coming out of the red, Railway Minister Lalu Yadav is keen to attract private investment and participation. Yadav will inaugurate the Public-Private Partnership Convention - India Rail on Thursday. The subjects to come up for discussion at the convention include project finance, heavy haul operations, legal issues, transparency in infrastructure concessions, structured financing in railway projects and freight corridor etc. A heavy haul dedicated freight corridor is being planned to match the growing requirement of transportation in the country. It will be a 2700 kms long heavy haul double line connecting Kolkata with Ludhiana via Sonnagar and Khurja, on the Eastern corridor and Delhi to Mumbai on the Western Corridor. The scale of investment envisaged is more than Rs. 27,000 Cr. The Railways are seeking innovative financing options to optimize cost of funds. It is in this context that this convention assumes significance. To obtain exposure on best international practices and expand railways infrastructure on these lines, the Indian Railways have invited experts and technocrats from various fields like Finance, Rail Engineering and Operations, Rail Consultants, Rail persons experienced in Reforms, Legal experts in the area of Public Private Partnership etc. The key issues to be discussed including structuring of an ideal debt equity ratio including capping of debt, aspects of strategic partnering with rail user industries, structuring of the track access charges/toll to be realized by the Special Purpose Vehicles from rail operators, implementation of the construction project through Build Operate Transfer route to accelerate the pace of construction, advisability of dividing the 2700 KM route into 4-5 separate BOT bid packages, structuring of debt to the best advantage of the Government with equitable distribution of risks and benefits with the BOT partners, choosing the best option among annuity payments vis-`-vis net tonne km based track access charges for the BOT etc. Ministers of State for Railways Naranbhai J. Rathwa and R. Velu, Chairman, Railway Board J.P.Batra and Financial Commissioner (Rlys) Shri R.Sivadasan will also attend the convention.

Firing inside Mahesh Bhatt's office  (Go To Top)

      Mumbai: An unidentified gunman entered the Juhu office of filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt and fired shots before leaving the premises on Wednesday afternoon. According to reports, one unknown person, who walked inside the Vishesh Films office in suburban D N Nagar this afternoon, held a gun to Bhatt's accountant, Gilbert's, head, and asked for his boss. When told that Mahesh Bhatt was not in the office, the gunman fired at the ground from his revolver and then walked out, where two of his accomplices had been waiting. Then he fled away on a black coloured Pulsar motorcycle with his friends. Mumbai Police have cordoned of the entire area and begun investigations. A sketch is being prepared of the person on the basis of details provided by eyewitnesses. No casualty or injuries have been reported. Reacting to the incident soon after the firing, Bhatt said that he did not suspect the involvement of the underworld in the shooting incident. Speaking to a TV news channel, Bhatt said that he was at his home preparing for a conference in Delhi when he learnt about the firing at his office. "I don't see the involvement of the underworld in this. I have not received any threat from the underworld so far, although there were several persons who called up and abused me to vent their frustration in the past," he said. However, Ravi Pujari, a noted underworld don has claimed responsibility for the incident. Ravi Pujari, while talking to a TV news channel over telephone, said that he had been planning this incident since a month as "he (Mahesh Bhatt) is close to Chhota Shakeel and Dawood".

Centre to continue peace talks with ULFA

      New Delhi: National Security Advisor, M K Narayanan, on Wednesday said that the Government would continue peace talks with the People's Consultative Group (PCG) headed by Indira Goswami, who is negotiating the talks between the Centre and the North East insurgent outfit ULFA. Narayanan told reporters this after a meeting with Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil that reportedly discussed the modalities to be adopted for the forthcoming third round of talks to be held on June 22. Intelligence Bureau Chief E S L Narasimhan was also present at the meeting. Goswami, who is a Delhi University professor, on Tuesday, had warned the ULFA that violence could spoil the atmosphere for upcoming talks. She also said that she would have to "rethink about my role also, if the violence continues". The outfit last week claimed responsibility for a number of violent acts across Asom The incidents took place soon after the Centre had announced the third round of talks between government peace representatives and an 11-member civil society group from Assam chosen by the outlawed United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA). The ULFA has demanded the release of at least five senior jailed rebel leaders before the outfit begins direct peace talks with New Delhi. The ULFA which is active since 1979, considered as most powerful insurgent outfit in Asom. Over 15,000 people have lost their lives to insurgency in Asom since the foundation of ULFA.

Kuwaiti Amir arrives on five-day visit to India

       New Delhi: Shaikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al- Sabah, the Amir of Kuwait, arrived here this evening on a five- day State visit to India. He was received by Minister of State for External Affairs E.Ahamad and Vayalar Ravi, the Minister of Overseas Indian Affair. The visiting dignitary is accompanied by a high-level delegation including Ministers for Energy, Finance and Foreign Affairs. During the visit, both countries will sign three agreements, including Double Taxation Avoidance Treaty (DTAT), Agreement on Drugs and Narcotics and Agreement on Cooperation in Culture. During his stay, Shaikh Sabah will call on President A P J Abdul Kalam, who will also host a State Banquet in honour of the visiting dignitary. He will also meet Vice President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat and Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and will hold talks on issues of bilateral interest as well as on the regional and international situation. On Thursday, the Kuwait Amir will be accorded a ceremonial reception at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan. Thereafter, the Indian and Kuwaiti delegations will engage in talks that are expected to last for over five hours. The talks will be followed by Home Minister Shivraj Patil calling on the Amir and dinner. On Friday, Leader of Opposition L.K.Advani will call on the Amir. This will be followed by a business meeting with Captains of Indian industry and a meeting with UPA Chairperson and Congress president Sonia Gandhi. Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee will call on the visiting dignitary on Friday evening. The Amir will leave for Mumbai on Saturday where he will meet Indian business leaders. India and Kuwait have close, friendly, deep-rooted and multi- faceted ties. Indo-Kuwaiti bilateral trade excluding oil trade was almost 700 million dollars in 2004-05. There are several Indian public and private sector companies working in Kuwait. Kuwait provided about 11 million tons of crude oil and 1.25 million tones of oil products in 2005 to India, worth around 4.5 billion dollars. Over five lakh Indians live and work in Kuwait. The visit is expected to strengthen bilateral ties between the two countries, and raise them to a new height.

Maoists strike to protest rights violation (Go To Top)

      Ranchi: Trains were halted and shops shut in parts of eastern and central India on Wednesday as Maoist rebels observed a strike to protest against what they called a human rights "onslaught" by the states. A goods truck in Jharkhand was set ablaze, and some people stayed at home, but the shutdown call received only sporadic support in the states affected by rebel violence. Rebel leaders said that the strike was in response to the setting up of the controversial Salwa Judum (Campaign for Peace), a state-sponsored movement in the Bastar region of Chhattisgarh, where more than 170 civilians have been killed since January, according to official figures. "More than 250 tribals have been killed by goons of Salwa Judum and the security forces," rebel chief Ganapathi said in a statement, adding, "Three thousand houses have been torched in 500 villagers, while many women have been raped". He said that the security forces were putting innocent people in the firing line, and called the Salwa Judum a "fascist onslaught" on tribal people. Road and rail traffic were affected in parts of Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh, as railway authorities feared attacks. "My truck has been stranded because of the blockade. We can't ply unless the blockade is cleared because anything can happen on the way," said Shanyar Khan, a trucker, in Ranchi. "The position is really bad. Passengers are having a harrowing time. Our buses cannot ply," said Jameel, a bus driver.

    In West Bengal, no buses were running in three districts, but most people ignored the strike call. Police and paramilitary forces have stepped up operations against the Maoists, while the states of Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Orissa have banned the movement, enabling police to target the rebels more effectively, officials said. Last year, the Chhattisgarh government set up local anti-Maoist groups -- mainly made up of people from tribal communities who are in the forefront of the state's battle with the rebels -- and provided arms to some members. The Maoists operate out of jungle bases across a swathe of 13 Indian states running up the eastern flank of the country, and say that they are fighting for the rights of poor peasants and landless labourers. However, the Human rights groups say that arming of local people has only added to the region's insecurity. Police say that there are more than 20,000 armed Maoists backed by hundreds of thousands of supporters across these states.

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