NEWS
DIGEST, EVENING
20 April 2019: 14 Shaban 1440:Vol: 11, No:180
INDIA
CJI Gogoi terms sexual harassment charges
‘unbelievable’, says judiciary’s independence under ‘severe’ threat
New Delhi :At an emergency special session of
the Supreme Court Saturday, a bench led by Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi
expressed serious displeasure over allegations of sexual harassment in reports
in some online portals against the CJI himself and called it an attempt to
undermine the independence of the judiciary. At the session which was convened
at 10.39 am, hours after some news portals reported on the allegations by an ex
staffer, CJI sitting with Justices Arun Mishra and Sanjiv Khanna said:“This is
unbelievable. I should not stoop low even in denying it.”Attorney General KK
Venugopal and Solicitor General Tushar Mehta prodded the court to take up the
matter seriously.CJI said that an attempt was being made to undermine the
judiciary and to “deactivate” the office of the CJI by levelling the
allegations and added “the judiciary is under very serious threat”. CJI said
all that was happening was because there were important matters coming up for
the consideration of the court next week.“This is the reward CJI gets after 20
years?” he asked, adding he had “Rs 6,80,000 in my account after 20 years.
Anyone can check the balance. Even my peon has more money”. He added he will
not give in and will discharge his duty till his retirement. Venugopal said
there were 2 precedents: one involving charges against retired Justice
Swatanter Kumar and other against senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi and in
both cases, the media was restrained from publishing matters related to it.He
added that even “under the law on sexual harassment, the name of the accused
and victim cannot be published” but in the instant case, “the report had
totally brazenly” published names. The law officer said even he had been
attacked on social media.A Delhi court Saturday said it would hear on April 24,
a police plea to cancel the bail of an ex woman Supreme Court employee, who has
accused CJI Gogoi of sexual misconduct, in a cheating and criminal intimidation
case, PTI reported. An FIR for alleged offences of cheating, criminal
intimidation and criminal conspiracy was lodged against the woman on March 3,
after a complaint was filed by Naveen Kumar, a resident of Jhajjar in Haryana, alleging
that the ex SC employee had defrauded him of Rs 50,000, which he claimed she
took as part of a bribe, promising him a job at the SC. CJI pointed out that
the allegations have coincided with the date of hearing the bail applications of
the complainant in some criminal cases against her today. Mehta said the
charges were coming from an “unscrupulous” person.indianexpress
Ex-SC employee alleges sexual harassment by CJI
Muslim Prisoner Burn-Stamped ‘Om’ On Back in
Delhi's Tihar Jail, denied food by officials, Court Orders Probe
New Delhi:A Muslim undertrial claimed that he
was beaten and branded with an Om symbol by Tihar jail officials inside the
jail premises.The case came to light after the man's family approached
Karkardooma court with a complaint that their son's life was "in danger in
the jail".When Shabbir alias Nabbir was brought before magistrate Richa
Parihar, she found that the Om symbol had been engraved on his back.Shabbir is
34 years old and has been in Tihar since Nov.2017.On April 12, Shabbir raised a
complaint with the superintendent of jail no 4 - Rajesh Chauhan. Shabbir told
Chauhan that the induction stove in their barracks was not working properly. Incensed
by complaint, jail official then started beating Shabbir. Chauhan then summoned
Shabbir into his office, berating him for "trying to be a neta" and
raising complaints. Behind closed doors, Chauhan and some other jail officials
beat Shabbir again. They did not stop there.Not satisfied with the beating,
Chauhan took a metal Om symbol, heated it, and branded the Om on Shabbir's
back.Shabbir was then denied food for 2 days, and on April 14, Chauhan told
Shabbir that he had "converted to Hinduism as he had 'fasted' during
Navratri". The jail officials also berated him for his religion saying
that "you Muslims have destroyed our country". Shabbir narrated his
ordeal to his family, who contacted their advocate.On April 16, when advocate
Jagmohan met his client(Shabbir) in jail, branded symbol had only healed a
little.The case was heard by the court on April 17 when Shabbir was already
scheduled to be brought to court for a hearing in the ongoing trial against
him. The judge passed orders that Shabbir was to be medically examined, and
immediately removed from "direct or indirect supervision of jail
superintendent Chauhan". The court also ordered an enquiry and ordered DGP
Prison to submit CCTV footage and take statements of the other prisoners within
24 hours.The brazenness of the authorities came out on April 18 as no official
from the Tihar authority appeared before the court.The medical examination and
enquiry reports also did not come to the court.The judge has now issued
repeated orders, asking for a report from DGP Prisons, and will hear the matter
on April 22. Meanwhile, Tihar authorities, in a statement to India Today, tried
to downplay the incident."There is little possibility that any such
incident has happened. We are conducting an enquiry,"a source said.The
family is scared but have placed their hope in the judiciary.
Tribunal serves notice to Jamaat-e-Islami
J&K, asks why JeI can't be declared unlawful association
Srinagar:Unlawful Activities (Prevention)
Tribunal, constituted by the Centre, has issued a showcause notice to
Jamaat-e-Islami J&K (JeI), which was banned by govt in Feb, asking it why
the organisation cannot be declared as an unlawful association. "A notice
is hereby given under sub-section (2) of Section 4 of the Act (UAPA)) and you
are hereby called upon to show cause, within 30 days from the date of service
of this notice, as to why your Association, declared as unlawful, be not
adjudicated to be so and why an order confirming such declaration be not made
under Section 4(3) of the Act," said the notice issued by Registrar, UAPA
Tribunal, Lorren Bamniyal, to the JeI.The notice was issued on April 5.The
Tribunal asked the Jamaat to file objections or reply affidavits, if any,
before the next date of hearing of the Tribunal at the office of the Registrar.
"In case the objections/reply and the documents are in regional language,true
English translation thereof be also attached. You may appear through a duly
authorised person before the Tribunal on 20 May, 2019 at 3 PM in Court Room
number 26 for further proceedings," notice said.Centre had constituted tribunal
headed by a Delhi high court judge to decide whether there is sufficient cause
for declaring JeI as an unlawful association. PTI
ELECTIONS
Sadhvi Pragya Mocks Karkare, says he died
because her curse: police
officers slam her
Mumbai:Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur’s claim that
former Maharashtra ATS chief Hemant Karkare, who was killed in Mumbai attack,
died after she “cursed” him has triggered outrage among Karkare’s ex colleagues
who expressed shock at “hurtful” remarks. Ex-Maharashtra DGP, Anami Roy,under
whom Karkare-led ATS charged Thakur in 2008 Malegaon blasts case, said he was “appalled
by the unethical and immoral statement”. Thakur’s remarks also brought back
into focus a visit by the then Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi to the
central Mumbai residence of Karkare on Nov.28, 2008, even as NSG commandos were
clearing the attack sites. And his promise of Rs 1 crore to the families of
“security forces who were martyred while fighting terror”.11 years ago,
speaking to reporters outside the Oberoi Hotel, Modi had said: “We must commit
ourselves to destroy terrorism from its root.. I have visited the house of two
brave police officers — those of Shriman Karkare and Shriman Salaskar… I have
made an announcement today that those jawans of the security forces who were
martyred while fighting terror, Gujarat govt will give their families Rs 1
crore… Yesterday, PM (Manmohan Singh) had a message for the country. I also expressed
my feelings through the media yesterday, but the country had many expectations
from PM, his message to the country was disappointing.”Karkare’s wife Kavita
Karkare reportedly declined a cash award from the Gujarat government at the
time.Ex state DGP Roy said: “(Thakur’s) comments have really hurt me and hence
I am talking to you to defend someone who is not alive to defend himself. As
the ATS reported to me, I was involved in the overall supervision of the
investigation and stand by the chargesheet, which was done in a professional
manner and without any extraneous influence or pressure. Chargesheet stands
vindicated as the accused were not discharged and the trial court has framed
charges and the trial is underway.”Speaking about Karkare, Roy said: “He was an
absolute professional who did not have any political leanings. The man is no
longer there to defend himself and as a service colleague, it is hurtful to
hear such statements.” Former IPS officer Meeran Borwankar, who was a batch
senior to Karkare, said she was “distressed” at Thakur’s comment. “I knew him
for more than 20 years. He was a gentleman to the core and one of the most
professionally sound police officers I have interacted with. Just because he is
no more to defend himself, what right does Pragya Thakur have to smear his
name? It is most unethical and against the Indian culture that the lady
professes to believe in. I condemn her statement.” Former Mumbai Police
Commissioner Julio Ribeiro said: “Karkare was one of our finest officers and it
is so annoying to see such statements being made about him.” On Thakur’s case,
Ribeiro said: “He did what Krishna told Arjun on the battlefield: To do one’s
duty. Karkare did his duty like a good Hindu.”Dinesh Agarwal, a retired officer
who was an inspector with Maharashtra ATS when Karkare was its chief, said: “He
was one of the most upright officers I knew… Do you think it is easy to charge
someone as influential as a Sadhvi (Pragya Thakur) or an Army Lt Colonel
(Prasad Purohit) unless you have foolproof evidence against them? No officer
would take such a chance.”indianexpress
Pragya’s statement on Karkare attracts police
force’s outrage
Sadhvi Pragya Thakur Mocks 26/11 Hero Karkare,
Says He Died Because She Cursed Him
Fielding Pragya a reply to those who called
Hindu civilisation 'terrorist': Modi
New Delhi:PM Narendra Modi has said the
fielding of Pragya Singh Thakur, an accused in Malegaon blasts case, as BJP
candidate from Bhopal was a symbolic answer to all those who labeled the rich
Hindu civilization as “terrorist” and asserted that “this symbol will prove
costly for the Congress”.He said the Congress worked with a certain modus
operandi to create false narratives on incidents such as the Samjhauta Express
blasts and the death of judge B.H. Loya.IANS
Pragya gets show-cause notice from Bhopal poll
official for derogatory remarks against Karkare
Bhopal District Election Officer has served a
show-cause notice on BJP's Bhopal candidate Pragya Singh Thakur for her
derogatory remarks against Hemant Karkare.She has been told to respond within24
hours.thehindu
Shazia Ilmi: BJP is absolutely right in giving
Pragya ticket'
BJP Insulting Martyrs Like Karkare:Owaisi
AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi, who is seeking
reelection for Lok Sabha from Hyderabad for the fourth consecutive term, alleged
that BJP is insulting martyrs like police officer Hemant Karkare who died
fighting terrorists during Mumbai 26/11 attack. caravandaily
Pragya’s comment on Karkare insults martyrs:Agnivesh
Social activist Agnivesh has said terror
accused Pragya Singh Thakur’s statement that former Mumbai ATS chief Hemant
Karkare died because she had cursed him had “insulted the martyrs” of the
country.scroll.in
Pragya’s Remarks on Karkare Insulting: IPS
Association
UP: BJP MLA Ashok Chandel Gets Life
Imprisonment In 22-Year-Old Murder Case
BJP MLA from UP's Hamirpur district, Ashok
Chandel, on Friday was sentenced to life imprisonment after he was found guilty
in a 22-year-old murder case.He was sentenced by Allahabad High Court for his
involvement in the murder of five people on Jan.26, 1997. A bench of Justice
Ramesh Sinha and Justice D.K. Singh also sentenced 10 others to life
imprisonment. Rajiv Shukla, the victim's family member, told IANS: "3
people from my family -- elder brothers Rajesh Shukla and Rakesh Shukla and
nephew Ganesh -- were killed along with our security guards Ved Prakash Nayak
and Shrikant Pandey."He said he approached the High Court after a lower
court acquitted the accused.IANS
BJP leader booked for 'anti-Muslim' remarks in
UP
Barabanki :An FIR was registered against a BJP
leader on Friday for his controversial statements against Muslims."A case
has been registered against BJP leader Ranjit Bahadur Srivastava for violation
of model code of conduct. A probe is on in the matter," ASP R S Gautam
said.Addressing a gathering on Thursday as BJP candidate Upendra Rawat filed
his nomination papers from Barabnki Lok Sabha constituency, Srivastava asked
people to vote for Prime Minister Narendra Modi to "break the morale of
Muslims"."Muslims want to grab power with their votes but they will
not succeed. It's the right time for Hindus to unite," the former Nagar
Palika Chairman added.PTI
Cast vote in favour of BJP if you want to
destroy Muslims: UP BJP leader
‘We agreed and then...’: AAP on failed
alliance talks with Congress
New Delhi:AAP on Saturday blamed the Congress
for not having an alliance on 18 Lok Sabha seats of Delhi, Haryana and
Chandigarh. Senior party leader and Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia
said the Congress “wasted time” in the name of discussion over alliance against
BJP-led ruling coalition in Lok Sabha elections. “Congress was doing timepass,
it had no intention of having an alliance in Haryana,” said Sisodia explaining
why seat-sharing talks between the Congress, AAP and JJP of Dushyant
Chautala.Sisodia said, “sole reason for us to go for an alliance with Congress
was to defeat the Modi-Shah pair in the election and not to fight over which
party contests how many seats in these 18 Lok Sabha seats. But Congress
backtracked from the last agreed seat-sharing arrangement for Haryana.” This
came after AAP’s announcement on Friday that it had accepted one of Congress’s
proposals for an alliance formula to share seats in Lok Sabha polls indicating
revival of their on-again, off-again discussions for electoral pact that began over
4 months ago.Sisodia said the three parties had agreed for Congress’s proposal
for a 7:2:1 seat-sharing arrangement in Haryana. Congress was to contest seven
seats, JJP two and the AAP one.HT
UP: In Rohilkhand, Gangwars in Bareilly and
Muslims in Badaun could hold key
:In Rohilkhand region’s two prominent seats,
Gangwar votes have become crucial for Union Minister Santosh Gangwar in
Bareilly while in adjoining Badaun, Muslim votes are crucial for SP candidate
Dharmendra Yadav. Santosh’s main opponent, SP’s Bhagwat Sharan, is also a
Gangwar, whereas in Badaun, Muslims have an option in Congress’s Salim
Sherwani.Polling on both these seats is on April 23.Of total 17.76 lakh voters
in Bareilly constituency, more than 5 lakh are Muslims. The second most
dominant community is Gangwar (Kurmi, an OBC) — around 4 lakh voters. There are
also around 1 lakh Vaishya voters, 3 lakh Scheduled Castes, 1 lakh Lodh farmers
and nearly 1 lakh Maurya-Shakya, 70,000 Yadavs and 25,000 Jats.indianexpress
In Rampur, Azam Khan looks for Yadav-Jatav
push as opponents cosy up to Congress
Rampur:Abdulla Azam Khan, MLA son of Azam
Khan, has launched a bicycle rally in Rampur’s Topkhana area after the Election
Commission banned his father from campaigning for three days. Azam Khan,
Samajwadi Party’s candidate from Rampur in 2019 Lok Sabha elections, faced EC’s
wrath after his “misogynistic” remarks against rival BJP candidate Jaya
Prada.Abdulla told reporters,“The central government and some people want to
curb the voices of Muslims, OBCs and Dalits, but they will not be
successful.”This was only a few days after his father, while referring to the
DM, had said: “Don’t fear the collector, have you seen the photos where these
officers are seen polishing Mayawati’s shoes? I will get them to polish her
shoes again.”The campaigning style of the father-son duo is reflective of the
fact that in this Muslim majority Lok Sabha seat, support from OBCs
(particularly Yadavs) and Scheduled Castes (particularly Jatavs) could be a big
push for Azam, who is making his debut in parliamentary elections.An MLA for 9
terms since 1980, except in 1996 Assembly elections when he lost to Congress,
Azam currently represents the Rampur assembly segment;his son Abdulla is MLA
from Swar-Tanda segment.Turks’ votes among Muslims are nearly 1.45 lakh and
they are considered against Azam Khan. Moreover, Pathans’ total vote in Rampur
is nearly 1.35 lakh and a small number of them, who are elite, never liked
Azam. While they may not go with BJP but are most likely to align with the
Congress candidate — a move that may strengthen the prospects of BJP candidate Prada.
indianexpress
Azam Khan's jibe: Many Muslim women say
remarks unwarranted, but will vote for him
‘Politics of UP, Gujarat Won't Work Here':
Muslim Leaders in Rajasthan Struggle for Political Space
New Delhi: Despite having a sizable population
of about 9.07 per cent in Rajasthan, the Muslim community’s representation in
politics remains minimal. While the Congress has fielded one Muslim candidate,
Rafique Mandelia from Churu seat, in the ongoing Lok Sabha polls, BJP has not
fielded any. In its history of fielding candidates, the saffron party in
Rajasthan picked a Muslim candidates only once, in 1979 from Bikaner. The
Congress, on the other side, has been giving ticket to one Muslim leader every
election, except in 1962, 1967 and 1972.Muslim leaders in the desert state
complain about the lack of electoral opportunities. Many among them believe
that question of ‘winnability’, the ability of a candidate to garner votes from
different communities affects their chances of candidature. A Muslim leader
from the BJP’s state minority cell in Jaipur, wishing anonymity, said the party’s
central leadership has sidelined Muslim leaders in Rajasthan and the number of
Muslim candidates fielded by the party in Assembly polls has also fallen
sharply. News18
BJP spokesperson disrespects Quran, Islam;attacks
Mahtab Osmani during debate on Sudarshan TV
New Delhi: A debate was organised on Sudarshan
channel on the issue of Muslim women’s entry into the mosques. During the
debate, BJP spokesperson Priya Chaudhry spoke about Quran and Islam with
disrespect. When one of the panellists Mahtab Osmani objected on this, she
started beating him. Apart from Priya Chaudhry three other sadhus also
assaulted Mahtab Osmani.An Urdu newspaper with reference to INN reported that
Mahtab Osmani, Shamsul Hasan Abidi and his wife participated in the debate.
Some Muslim women from old Delhi were also called for it. BJP spokesperson
Priya Chaudhry was also present. According to Mahtab Osmani, Priya Chaudhry
spoke badly about the Quran. Mahtab Osmani tried to silence her by reciting an
Urdu verse, on which Priya Chaudhry got up and attacked Mahtab Osman. Emulating
her three sadhus also assaulted him resulting in bleeding of his nose.siasat
Case against Union Minister Irani over degree
controversy
A local Congress leader in Amethi has formally
lodged a complaint with the Election Commission accusing Union Minister Smriti
Irani of submitting wrong information about her educational qualifications in
her affidavit.In the affidavit accompanying her nomination papers filed on
April 11, Irani had stated that her highest educational qualification was 'Part
1 of Bachelor of Commerce from Delhi University in 1994'.In a 2004 affidavit
when she was contesting from the Chandni Chowk seat in Delhi, she had submitted
that she did her BA in 1996 from the Delhi University (School of
Correspondence).IANS
EC directs Eros Now to stop online streaming
of web series on PM Modi
New Delhi :Days after deferring the release of
the biopic on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Election Commission Saturday
directed Eros Now to stop online streaming of the web series on the life of PM
Modi until further orders.Titled as ‘Modi – The journey of a common man, the
web series was released on April 3, and till now, 5 episodes have been
released. The web series is directed by Umesh Shukla of OMG: Oh My God fame,
and stars Mahesh Thakur essaying the role of PM Modi, along with an ensemble
cast.indianexpress
Dalit man chops off finger after accidently
voting for BJP
Lucknow:A Dalit man, who accidentally cast his
vote for BJP in Uttar Pradesh’s Bulandshahr, has chopped off his index finger
for the “mistake”.Pawan Kumar, in a video clip that has gone viral on social
media, can be heard saying that he got confused with too many symbols on the
voting machine and pressed the wrong button on Thursday.“I wanted to vote for
the elephant, but I voted for the flower by mistake,” he said in the
video.Kumar had gone to vote in the Shikarpur area in Bulandshahr and cast his
vote for BJP’s Bhola Singh instead of the BSP’s Yogesh Varma.IANS
OTHERS
Pakistan spins Swaraj’s Balakot remark, claims
finally the ‘truth under ground reality compulsions’
Though External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj
only reiterated on Thursday that India had avoided civilian and military
casualties during the Balakote air strike across the Line of Control, Pakistan
sought to use her statement to propagate “their version” of the attack. Major
General Asif Ghafoor, DG of Pakistan Army’s Inter-Services Public Relations
wing, tweeted, “Finally the truth underground reality compulsions. Hopefully, so
will be about other false Indian claims ie surgical strike 2016, denial of
shooting down of 2 IAF jets by PAF and claim about F16. Better late than
never.”On Thursday, Swaraj only reiterated India’s position that the attack was
carried out in self-defence and avoided civilian and military
casualties.indianexpress
JKLF chief Yasin Malik on hunger strike
against NIA custody, ‘seriously ill’, alleges family
Yasin Malik, JKLF chief, is “very ill” after
he went on a hunger strike to protest against his “illegal” detention by NIA,
his family has alleged. He has been shifted to a hospital in Delhi, they said.
“We had gone to Jammu to meet him (Malik), but when we reached there in the
evening, we heard that he has been taken to Delhi. So we returned without
meeting him. Since then, we are only in touch with his lawyer. The lawyer, Raja
Tufail, was also not allowed to meet Malik,” the family said while addressing a
press conference.He has been remanded in NIA’s custody till April 22 and was
shifted to Delhi’s Tihar Jail.The family further said Tufail had to get court
permission to meet JKLF leader. “It was then that they (NIA officials) were
forced to tell him (lawyer) that Malik was very ill as he (Malik) had been on a
hunger strike since April 10 and was admitted to a hospital on April 16. Jail authorities
had not informed us about his health condition,” they said. Meanwhile, Hurriyat
leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq expressed that the safety of the Malik was the
responsibility of the state. indianexpress
Suspension of cross-LoC trade unfortunate:
Mirwaiz
Srinagar:Mirwaiz Umar Farooq has termed the
Centre’s decision to suspend cross-LoC trade “extremely unfortunate” and said
such measures for “short-term gains” come at a huge price for the
people.Hardening its stand against Pakistan, India indefinitely suspended
cross-LoC trade at two points along LoC in Jammu and Kashmir effective Friday,
following reports that it was being “misused” by elements from across the
border to smuggle weapons,narcotics and fake currency. “Extremely unfortunate
that GoI (govt of India) instead of enhancing people to people contact as
families of both side of LoC stand divided & improving trade & other
ties, even whatever little had been achieved since (former PM Atal Bihari)
Vajpayee time is being blocked & stopped. “Such measures for short term
gains come at a huge price for people” Mirwaiz tweeted.PTI
Foreign Secretary Gokhale to visit China for
talks with Chinese FM
Beijing :Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale
starts his two-day visit to China on Sunday during which he will hold talks
with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi as both countries grapple with a host of
issues, including Beijing’s continuous attempts to block efforts to list Masood
Azhar as a “global terrorist”. Gokhale will be visiting China for regular
consultations, Indian Embassy here said on Saturday. He is due to meet China’s
State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on April 22. His schedule here is
being worked out, it said.PTI
China stresses cooperation, ties after India
boycotts BRI forum
China has said that it is preparing for a
summit with India despite New Delhi skipping next week’s Belt and Road Forum,
billed as the biggest event in Beijing’s diplomatic calendar for year.State
Councillor and foreign minister Wang Yi, played down differences between the
two sides on Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), President Xi Jinping’s flagship
connectivity project. New Delhi has consistently told Beijing a key component
of BRI, China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), violates India’s territorial
sovereignty as it passes through POK. Addressing a news conference on the
second Belt and Road Forum to be held in Beijing during,Wang all but dismissed
India’s sovereignty concerns over CPEC, but couched his remarks in diplomatic
jargonhindustantimes
Bhopal gas tragedy among world’s ‘major’
accidents of 20th century: UN report
1984 Bhopal gas tragedy which killed thousands
of people is among the world’s “major industrial accidents” of the 20th
century, a UN report has said, warning that 2.78 million workers die from
occupational accidents and work-related diseases each year.The report released
by UN labour agency ILO said in 1984, at least 30 tons of methyl isocyanate
gas, which was released from Union Carbide pesticide plant in MP capital,
affected over 600,000 workers and nearby inhabitants. “Govt figures estimate
that there have been 15,000 deaths as a result of the disaster over the years.Toxic
material remains and thousands of survivors and their descendants have suffered
from respiratory diseases and from damage to internal organs and immune
systems,” it said.The report titled ‘The Safety and Health at Heart of Future
of Work – Building on 100 years of experience’ said the Bhopal disaster was
among world’s “major industrial accidents after 1919”.PTI
NIA
takes 3 into custody in Hyderabad
Hyderabad: NIA picked up 3 people following
searches at 3 locations in the outskirts of Hyderabad, in connection with the
arrest of three youths for links with the ISIS in August 2018.The searches were
carried out after investigators found that a person from King's colony in
Mailardevpally was in touch with two of the arrested — Mohammed Abdullah Basith
and Mohammed Abdul Qhadeer. The details of the other 2 are yet to be confirmed.
On Saturday morning at 4 am, NIA officials reached the residence of Mohammed
Taaha, and conducted searches after questioning him and his wife. Taaha was
later taken to the NIA office in Madhapur for questioning. Sources
confirmed that Taaha was in touch with Basith and Qhadeer in connection with an
Abu Dhabi terror module of Islamic State busted in 2016. The investigating
agency had filed supplementary charge sheet against Basith and Qadeer in Feb.During
interrogation, Basith reportedly told NIA officials that Taaha had provided
them shelter at Nagpur. Further searches were also conducted at Bandlaguda and
Falaknuma based on the fresh leads.thehindu
SIMI Case:Acquitted men say their happiness is
'incomplete'
Kozhikode: They were branded as “terrorists”
by both the media and the state.Their ordinary lives were shattered, and
families harassed. They spent more than 40 months in jail after being convicted
in a terror case investigated by NIA.Panayikulam SIMI case, as their case was
widely known as, became a phrase, synonymous with terror.After the Kerala high
court announced their acquittal on April 12, Abdul Rasik, Nizamudeen and
Shammas are now preparing to return to normal life. According to the HC
verdict, NIA court’s 2015 decision to convict them was a “serious error”.
Talking to a packed hall in Kozhikode, they said their happiness will only be
complete when the thousands of other innocent people kept in jail are freed.
Their co-accused – Shaduly and Ansar – are still in jail in connection with
other cases –which rights groups allege, are fabricated.Abdul Rasik, Nizamudeen
and Shammas, along with Shaduly and Ansar, were acquitted by the Kerala HC last
week.They were arrested with a handful of others on Independence Day in 2006,
when they were holding an event at an auditorium. thewire
Indian Muslims Need to Stand Up on Their Own
Feet: Jamaat Chief Sadatullah Husaini
New Delhi:Syed Sadatullah Husaini has been
elected as the new chief of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind for a tenure of 4 years
(2019-2023).In an interview with caravan daily, he talks about various issues
and challenges facing Muslims in India as well as all over the world and his
organization’s plans to deal with them. He sheds light on the marginalization
of Indian Muslims and the rise of Islamophobia all over the world. He speaks of
his dream about India. He said, " Indian Muslims are realizing that they
need to stand up on their own feet.The dependence and reliance on others is a
liability for them. They can’t rely just on the govt. Education is the
fundamental requirement to get socially and politically empowered. Secondly,
this situation is motivating Muslims particularly its youth to build relations
with the non-Muslim majority community. I think this is also very important,
long-felt and long-neglected need. We need to engage with the majority. Perhaps
the rising hate mongering is forcing us to engage with non-Muslims and to make
them understand what Islam stands for. Such engagement should be accelerated
and strengthened." The Jamaat chief further said," I have already
mentioned a few points about our main concerns in the current situation; that
our engagement with our majority community should be a priority, not just for
the jamaat but for the entire community. Muslims should be motivated, trained
and guided to take up this task of communicating the message of Islam.Second
important need is the empowerment of Muslims educationally, socially and
politically. The third being the youth; India is considered as a young nation.
It has the highest youth population. Jamaat has always focused on youth and has
established many organisations. SIO is an important organization. I think in
this term we will be having a special focus on youth."caravandaily
India’s Haj quota hiked, all applicants from
larger states cleared for trip
New Delhi :A hike in India’s Haj quota means
that all those who applied for this year’s pilgrimage from larger states like UP,
West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh and Bihar will be able to undertake the journey.The
increase, the third since the Modi govt came to power, would also benefit all
applicants from Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Dadra & Nagar Haveli, Goa,
Lakshadweep, Manipur, Odisha, Puducherry, Assam, Chandigarh, Daman & Diu,
Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Punjab, and Tripura.Sources said this is the first
time since independence that no applicant from these states will be left out. Saudi
govt had on Thursday issued a formal order with regard to the increase in
India’s quota. Indianexpress
Violence in Libya: Sushma Swaraj asks Indians
to leave Tripoli immediately as situation worsens
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj has
appealed Indians in Tripoli, Libya’s capital, to leave for home immediately as
the situation in the city has worsened.Libya faced political instability and
violence for several years now.“Even after massive evacuation from Libya and
the travel ban, there are over 500 Indian nationals in Tripoli,” Swaraj
tweeted. “Situation in Tripoli is deteriorating fast. Presently, flights are
operational. Please ask your relatives and friends to leave Tripoli
immediately.We will not be able to evacuate them later.”scroll
Starvation looms large in Tripura’s Bru
refugee camps, tribals threaten to loot govt godown
Agartala:Facing delay in supply of ration for
over 20 days, Bru tribals living in 6 refugee camps on Saturday threatened to
loot the government godown at Gachiramparan. In a letter to North Tripura
District Magistrate CK Jamatia, Mizoram Bru Displaced Peoples Forum (MBDPF)
said, “Ration for the month of April is yet to be distributed, while the due
date to receive the ration is generally between 1st-5th of every month.” “Take
immediate steps for distribution of ration, otherwise all the displaced Brus
will have to launch a democratic agitation including a blockade of road and
looting of nearest Government relief Godown under the banner of MBDPF”, letter
read.Bru body warned the state government to take immediate steps for
distribution of ration, failing which the displaced Brus would blockade the
road and loot nearest government relief godown. “There will be many casualties
in the camps due to starvation if the ration is delayed further,” MBDPF general
secretary Bruno Msha and president Apeto Sawibunga said, adding that the
condition of those living in the camps is fast deteriorating. MBDPF added that
the supplies were being delayed by 10-20 days every month for last 4 years. It
added that MHA sanctioned free ration to Bru camps till Sept.31, 2019. Kanchanpur
SDM, Abhedananda Baidya said that the delay was caused due to official
formalities as MHA asked to halt supplies to camps after March 31, 2019. Over
37000 Bru tribals fled Mamit, Kolasib and Lunglei districts of Mizoram during
ethnic clashes in 1997. They were sheltered in six major relief camps in
Kanchanpur and Panisagar sub-divisions of northern Tripura. Nearly 7000 Brus
returned to Mizoram in eight phases of repatriation. However, nearly 5,000 others
sought shelter in Tripura in 2009 when fresh clashes broke out. 32,000 Brus
still live in 6 relief camps in Tripura.indianexpress
WORLD
Egypt votes in referendum aimed at extending
Sisi's rule to 2030
Egyptians have begun voting in a three-day
referendum on proposed constitutional amendments that could see President Abdel
Fattah el-Sisi's rule extended to 2030.State television on Saturday showed
images of el-Sisi casting his ballot at a polling station in the eastern suburb
of Heliopolis. Egypt's parliament had on Tuesday voted overwhelmingly in favour
of the changes, which include allowing the general-turned-president to extend
his current term by two years and stand for another six-year-mandate, potentially
extending his rule until 2030. 596-member assembly is packed with el-Sisi
supporters, with 531 of the 554 legislators who attended the vote opting in
favour of the constitutional changes.aljazeera
Egyptian police coerce shopkeepers to support
pro-referendum campaign
Egypt carrying out ‘witch-hunt’ against
journalists, report claims
The press freedom situation in Egypt has
become more alarming under President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi, Reporters Without
Borders has said in its annual report.“Egypt is now one of the world’s biggest
jailers of journalists,” the report wrote: “Some spend years in detention
without being charged or tried. Others have been sentenced to long jail terms
or even life imprisonment in iniquitous mass trials.”It added: “Since 2013, the
authorities have waged a witch-hunt against journalists suspected of supporting
Muslim Brotherhood and have orchestrated a ‘Sisification’ of the media.”“The
internet is the only place left where independently-reported information can
circulate,but over 500 websites have been blocked since the summer of 2017 and
more and more people are being arrested because of their social network posts.”MEMO
Trump praises Haftar in apparent reversal of
US policy
Thousands of protesters took to the streets in
Libya's capital, Tripoli, on Friday after US President Donald Trump praised
Libya's Khalifa Haftar amid a military assault by the renegade general to seize
the capital.A White House statement said Trump and Haftar spoke by phone on
Monday "to discuss ongoing counterterrorism efforts to achieve peace and
stability in Libya".On April 4, Haftar and his forces launched an
offensive against the country's internationally recognised govt, which is based
in Tripoli.In their phone call, Trump "recognised Field Marshal Haftar's
significant role in fighting terrorism and securing Libya's oil resources, and
the two discussed a shared vision for Libya's transition to a stable,
democratic political system."It was unclear why White House waited several
days to announce the phone call.aljazeera
Sudan's al-Bashir charged with money
laundering
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/04/sudan-probes-bashir-large-sums-cash-home-190420124723519.html
Sudan's public prosecutor has begun
investigating deposed President Omar al-Bashir on charges of money laundering
and possession of large sums of foreign currency without legal grounds, a
judicial source told Reuters news agency on Saturday. The source said that
military intelligence had searched al-Bashir's home and found suitcases loaded
with more than $351,000 and 6 million euros, as well as five million Sudanese
pounds. "The chief public prosecutor... ordered the (former) president
detained and quickly questioned in preparation to put him on trial," the
judicial source told Reuters."The public prosecution will question the
former president in Kobar prison," the source added.aljazeera
Sudan protest leaders to unveil interim
civilian council
Sudan's protest leaders have announced plans
to unveil a civilian body to take over from the country's ruling military
council as huge crowds of demonstrators continued their days-long sit-in
outside army HQRS in the country's capital, Khartoum. Protesters braved
scorching heat and fatigue for a 14th day on Friday, demanding the military
council, which took power after overthrowing longtime leader Omar al-Bashir,
quickly make way for a civilian administration.Sudanese Professionals
Association (SPA), which has been spearheading the months-long protests, said
in a statement on Thursday that civilian council members would be named at a
news conference at 17:00 GMT on Sunday outside the army complex to which
foreign diplomats are also invited.aljazeera
‘B's must go': Algerians keep up pressure on
old guard
Hundreds of thousands of demonstrators have
taken to the streets for a ninth successive Friday in Algeria to demand a
complete political overhaul in the wake of former president Abdelaziz
Bouteflika's resignation.The protesters gathered in multiple cities throughout
the country, including the capital Algiers, to call for root-and-branch reforms
and the departure of the military's powerful chief of staff, General Ahmed Gaid
Salah.Bouteflika's April 2 exit has failed to placate many Algerians, who
instead want to remove entire clique historically aligned to the ailing
ex-leader and a political elite that has dominated the country since its
independence from France in 1962 and is widely perceived as corrupt.Algeria's
parliament has tried to no avail to appease the demonstrators by naming an
interim president, Bouteflika loyalist Abdelkader Bensalah, and announcing an
election to be held on July 4.aljazeera
Gaza fishermen: Israel extending fishing zone
is token gesture
Under cover of early morning darkness, Hassan
Zidan, a Palestinian fisherman in Gaza, puts on warm clothes and ventures out
to sea in a rickety fishing boat along with his friends. They hope to catch a
good amount of fish to sell in the morning market. But before that, they will
have to face a series of dangerous obstacles that hundreds of Palestinian
fishermen are coping with on a near-daily basis."Only a few days ago, the
Egyptians arrested four fishermen, and the week before that, Israel confiscated
five fishing boats," Zidan said, adding both incidents had no pretext or
clear reason.Israel enforces its 12-year blockade on the Gaza Strip with tens
of gunboats that set the terms for an ever-changing limit on how far the
fishermen can sail out into the Mediterranean Sea, keeping a tight grip on the
siege against the impoverished enclave.aljazeera
Israel hinders Good Friday celebrations in
Jerusalem
Israeli restrictions on Friday prevented many
Palestinian Christians — especially those from the blockaded Gaza Strip — from
taking part in Good Friday celebrations in Jerusalem’s Old City.Marked each
year on the Friday preceding Easter Sunday, Good Friday commemorates the
crucifixion of Jesus on Mount Calvary outside Jerusalem. Nevertheless, despite
the deployment of Israeli troops on the streets of the Old City, thousands of
Christians — many carrying crucifixes — marched along the Via Dolorosa on
Friday to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher.According to Wadie Abu Nassar, a
local church official, Palestinian Christians from blockaded Gaza were unable
to take part in Friday’s celebrations due to restrictions imposed by Israeli
authorities.MEMO
Kuwait paper reveals plan to destabilise
Jordan
Kuwaiti newspaper Al-Qabas has revealed a
“dangerous” plan aimed to destabilise Jordan by promoting an individual close
to King Abdullah II.The Kuwaiti paper reported security and political sources
as saying that the man behind this plan is the husband of the King’s aunt,
Al-Wattan Voice reported on Friday. The man is believed to be a businessman
charged with corruption and a senior security official loyal to a former
intelligence agency chief. It is thought he has relations with a number of
politicians and journalists inside and outside Jordan. According to the Kuwaiti
newspaper, the “hellish plan” would have cast doubt over the King’s ability to
choose heads of government, as well as include a deliberate campaign to weaken
the current Prime Minister, Omar Al-Razzaz, by using information about
recruiting ministers and MPs’ brothers to public positions with high salaries.
This would be used to mobilise members of the different Jordanian tribes to
start a protest in front of the Royal Palace in order to create a state of
unprecedented instability. The newspaper reported that the planners asked the
country’s banned Muslim Brotherhood to join the protests, but the group
refused.middleeastmonitor
Turkey arrests ‘UAE spies’, probes Khashoggi
link
Turkey has arrested two men suspected of
spying for the UAE and is investigating whether the suspects were linked to the
murder of Jamal Khashoggi, according to media reports. The state-run Anadolu
Agency, citing judicial sources on Friday, described the two men as
"intelligence operatives" working on behalf of the UAE, and said they
were "referred to a court on charges of political and military
espionage". The agency also released apparent surveillance images of the
pair in the streets, as well as photographs of the two men taken following their
arrest on Monday.aljazeera
35 Syrian soldiers killed in clashes with ISIS
At least 35 regime soldiers have been killed
in clashes with (ISIS) Daesh in Syria’s western Homs province, according to
local sources on Saturday.The sources said a group of Daesh militants , who
have been trapped in a desert area in Homs, engaged in clashes with Iran-backed
militias, using hit-and-run tactics.The Daesh militants also laid an ambush for
regime forces patrolling nearby, the sources said.35 soldiers were killed and
dozens injured in exchange of fire between Daesh and regime forces, which came
to save the Iran-backed militiamen, the sources said.Daesh still has some
presence in the Syrian desert after losing most of its strongholds in the
war-torn country. Anadolu Agency
Democrats reject Barr's offer to see
less-redacted Mueller report: aljazeera
Top Democrats in US House of Representatives
and Senate on Friday rejected Attorney General William Barr's proposal to allow
them access to a less-redacted version of Special Counsel Robert Mueller's
Russia investigation report.In an April 19 letter to the attorney general, 6
Democratic politicians led by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority
Leader Chuck Schumer instead reiterated their demand for Barr to release the
unredacted Mueller report and underlying evidence to Congress. But they also
said they were open to discussing a "reasonable accommodation" with Justice
Dept.
Flash:
views & NEWS
‘Hindutva terror’ acquittals expose India’s
deeply compromised criminal justice system:Mohsin Alam Bhat & Harsh Mander
Sadhvi Pragya Was First Arrested in Terror
Case by BJP Government, Not Congress :Kashif Kakvi
Does the Modi Government Really Want to
Promote Urdu?Faiyaz Ahmad Wajeeh
Malegaon blast wasn’t first 'right wing
terror' case for Hemant Karkare
Insult to Hemant Karkare: BJP scores a self
goal by fielding terror accused Pragya Singh Thakur:Sujata Anandan
Suspension of LoC trade shrinks space for
manoeuvre in Kashmir and with Pakistan:Editorial , indianexpress
Rajinder Sachar, a life-long socialist, showed
the true picture of Indian Muslims: Prem Singh
Imran Khan wants peace and dialogue. Engaging
Pakistan is in India’s interest: Khaled Ahmed
Rights panel had found no evidence of torture:Sharmeen
Hakim , Mumbai Mirror
EC's 'Studied Silence' on Complaints About
Modi Playing Politics with Armed Forces:Gaurav Vivek Bhatnagar
India elections: Will farm crisis be PM Modi's
undoing? Deepa Kurup
Compiled and edited by
Anwarulhaq (Released at: 8:12 PM)
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