Two Zee News Journos detained on extortion charges

ASHISH KUMAR MISHRA

New Delhi: Zee News Editor Sudhir Chowdhary and Zee Business head Samir Ahluwalia were Tuesday arrested on the charge of  allegedly extorting money from the Jindal Group.

Navin Jindal, who is a Congress MP and chairman of the Jindal Group, had last month filed an FIR against the two for allegedly seeking 100 cr from the company in return of dropping a story which links his firm to coalgate.

Reacting to the arrests, Zee News has accused Congress MP Navin Jindal of  trying to divert the attention from coal scam .

Defending its editors, Zee News CEO Alok Agrawaal said its editors have been illegally arrested."Our executives' arrest is illegal. We strongly condemn arrests of our two executives," he said while addressing a press conference. 

Agrawal accused the UPA-II of "intimidating" the media because of its "mistakes". He added, "Our channel raised fundamental questions about coal blocks allocated to the Jindal group. Jindal's mother pleaded with us to play down the coalgate."

Earlier last month in a press conference, steel tycoon Navin Jindal  had released a CD which allegedly showed footage in which the Zee editors were attempting to strike a deal with his officials, telling them that their  channel would not broadcast stories on the Jindal Group's involvement in the coal scam if the money was paid to them. 

The channel later had sent a Rs 150 crore defamation notice to Naveen Jindal and Jindal Steel & Power Limited for showing doctored evidence to deliberately malign it. In retaliation Jindal too had filed a Rs 200 crore case against  Zee News claiming the TV channel had tried to extort money from his company.

The two editors were arrested Tuesday night by Delhi police after a forensic analysis confirmed that the CD has not been doctored or edited.

Read more at: http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/zee-news-sends-rs-150-crore-defamation-notice-to-congress-mp-naveen-jindal/1/22651

Selectors should talk to Sachin: Gavaskar



Photo: PTI

 ASHISH KUMAR MISHRA

Mumbai: Sachin Tendulkar's continued poor performance with the bat has drawn severe criticism from the critics of cricket indicating it is perhaps time to call a day.Tendulkar scored  just 29 in the last two test played against England.

In the last 10 innings he has scored only 153 with an average of 15.3, the lowest average of any Indian top-order batsman over the last 10 knocks.

On Sachin's repeated failure, the legendry Sunil Gavaskar said that the selectors should have a word with him about his future plans.

"Tendulkar has been playing for so long and he has been so consistent. This little period of lack of runs or lack of half centuries will give the critics chance to ask questions," Gavaskar said.

"At the end of the day, it is the selectors who will take the call. I think the selectors will probably have a word with Tendulkar about what his future plans are and then take a call," he said.

On the other hand,  playing down  questions over Tendulkar's retirement, the BCCI chief Rajiv Shukla said that one should not overanalysis his performance in haste.

"According to me, he is one person who is of the nature that whenever he thinks that he should hang up his boots, he will hang it. He doesn't require anybody's advice to hang up his boots. He will immediately walk away from the ground the moment he feels that he can't give 100%. But judging someone by one series or two series is not appropriate. He has got a colossal record behind him and while analysing his performance one should always keep in mind his past record also," said Shukla.

The last test hundred hit by Sachin was against South Africa (146)  in Jan, 2011.

(with inputs from Agencies)

Aam Aadmi Party held its first rally as political outfit

ASHISH  MISHRA

New Delhi: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which was earlier known as India Against Corruption(IAC), held its first rally at Jantar Mantar here on Monday.

While addressing the rally, former IAC activist Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday said,"This party is result of our struggle against corruption.”

Amid thousands of supporters his party member Manish Sisodia announced the name of 23 members of the national executive body that include Prashant Bhushan, Dinesh Waghela, Sanjay Singh, Gopa Rai, Kumar Vishwas and Sisodia himself.

Earlier at the party’s meeting on Sunday, Arvind Kejriwal  was chosen as the national convenor, Pankaj Gupta as the national secretary while Krishana kant  was elected as the treasurer. All of three were elected unanimously by the National Executive Committee. “These people have been authorised by the Executive Committee to take appropriate measures to approach the Election Commission for registration. We have also taken steps to open bank accounts and receive donations,” Prashant Bhushan told media persons.

Reacting to the party's name, Information and Broadcasting minister Manish Tiwari accused Kejriwal of adopting the theme of Congress and said, "Aam Aadmi word has been the synonymous of Congress Party and nobody can overtake it."

 

Mumbai 26/11 attack: Ajmal Kasab hanged till death

 

ASHISH MISHRA

Mumbai: The lone surviving terrorist from Mumbai 26/11 attack, Ajmal Kasab, who was held responsible by the special session court on May 6, 2010,  for waging war against India and killing 166 people, was executed secretly this morning after president of India rejected his mercy plea on Nov. 5.

Confirming the execution, Maharashtra Home Minister R R patil said, "He was hanged at 7:30am this (Wednesday) morning at Yerwada jail in Pune”.

Patil added that this is a tribute to the 166 people and policemen who lost their lives in the deadly terrorist attacks 4 years ago. 

The relatives of victims expressed their happiness over the government decision to hang Kasab and said it's better late than never.

Kasab along with nine terrorists entered Mumbai by a boat on November 26, 2008. He was the only attacker captured alive by the police.

Girls deactivate Facebook accounts, termed arrests unfair

Ashish Mishra

Mumbai: Two Thane girls, who were arrested by the police for posting a comment against the shutdown in Mumbai following the death of Shiv Sena supremo Balasaheb Thakre, deactivated their accounts on the heels of growing anger among Sena’s party members.

21-year-old Shaheen on Monday was arrested for allegedly posting a comment on her Facebook which read- ‘People like Thackeray are born and die daily and one should not observe a bandh for that.’

Her friend Renu was also arrested for liking her comment.

However, within hours of the arrest, both of them were released on bail of Rs 15,000 each. 

Speaking to the media on the issue Shaheen said, “Treatment we got was very unfair. I regret putting up the post.”

Earlier, around 200 Shiv Sena members vandalized Shaheen’s uncle’s medical clinic against her alleged anti-Balasaheb Facebook update. The police made 9 arrests in the connection with this case.

Meanwhile, showing displeasure over the action taken by the police Press Council of India chairperson Markandey Katju on Monday wrote a letter to Maharashtra CM Prithviraj Chavan demanding action against the officials who ordered the arrest.

Kevin Pieterson hits second century of IPL, guides Daredevils to five wkt win over Deccan

Ashish Kumar Mishra

New Delhi, April 19: A blistering knock of 103 off 64 balls by Kevin Pieterson  propelled Delhi  to the top of the point table as they beat Deccan chargers by Five wicket in an IPL held at the Feroz Shah Kotla here on Thursday. He hammered 9 sixes during his unbeaten inning, the most sixes in the IPL this season.

The highlight of Pietersen's innings was the three successive sixes off Jean-Paul Duminy and the one against leg-spinner Amit Mishra, which was probably the biggest ever at this venue.

"It is amazing, a special feeling to score a century in T20 cricket. This is my first in this format, so it has to be my favourite," Pietersen told reporters after smashing  his first hundred in Twenty20 cricket, to help Daredevils register their fourth victory in IPL 5. He was also adjudged man of the match for his brilliant knock.

Earlier, winning the toss Deccan charger elected to bat first and managed to post the fighting target of 157 for 8 which the Daredevils achieved in 19.2 over. 

Deccan is without a win in four games in the tournament so far and remains at the bottom of the table.

India succesfully test-fires Agni 5 missile, joins elite nuclear club

Photo: AP

Ashish Kumar Mishra

Bhubaneswar, April 18: India on Thursday successfully test-fired its indigenously developed AGNI -5 Inter Continental Ballistic Missile from a test range at Wheeler Island off the coast of Odisha. The missile with the range of  5000 km has the capability to hit deep inside the China. 

Expressing the happiness over the successful test launch, Defence minister AK Antony described the maiden test flight of Inter-Continental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) Agni-V as an "immaculate success" and a "major milestone".

"The nation stands tall today. We have joined the elite club of nations (to possess the ICBM  related stories India successfully test fires Agni-V, takes a giant stride capability)," Antony reportedly  told the DRDO chief VK Saraswat on phone after the test flight of the missile was declared successful today.

With the launch of AGNI - 5, India has now joined the elite club of countries having ICBM capability. Until now only USA, Russia, China and France had this facilities.

BJP wins Delhi civic polls, Congress speaks in different voices

Courtesy: The Hindu

Ashish Kumar Mishra

New Delhi, April 17: The BJP has retained its power in the Delhi municipal polls winning North and East corporations and emerged as the single largest party in the south Delhi Municipality.

The BJP, which won the municipality polls in 2007, became only the second party, after the congress in 1962, to have been voted back to power in the trifurcated Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) .

BJP captured North and East Corporations with a clear majority while it got 44, nine short of majority in the 104-member House in South Corporation. The party may hope to get a majority with help from independents who have bagged 14 wards.

Shocked by the defeat, Congress leaders spoke in different voices. While Sheila Dikshit's son and MP from East Delhi Sandeep Dikshit admitted that the people of Delhi had voted on national issues like corruption and price rise, Union Minister Kapil Sibal said civic polls were fought on local issues and down played the theories of an anti-Congress mood.

Rahane hits first century of IPL- 5, takes Rajasthan to easy win over RCB

Ashish Kumar Mishra

An impressive  knock of unbeaten 103-run off just 60 balls by Ajinkya Rahane powered Rajasthan Royals to a comfortable 59-run victory over Royal Challengers Bangalore on their home ground at M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore on Sunday.

After opting to bat first, Rajasthan made a steady start, they had just 61 runs in 10 overs without any loss. But S Arvind’s third over changed the complexion of the game. Rahane scored six consecutive boundaries in that over. Rahane together with the England right handed batsman Wais Shah (60) made 121 runs off 8.2 overs for the second wicket to guide Rajasthan to a mammoth 195 for two. 

Chasing  the formidable total, RCB after a quick start, lost wickets at regular intervals to be bowled out for 136 in 19.5 overs.

Ajinkya Rahane was announced the Man of the Match for his scintillating innings which helped his team top the table with 6 points from 5 matches with a better run rate than Pune Warriors and Mumbai Indians who are also on 6 points.

Salman Bashir new Pak envoy to India

Islamabad, April 15: Pakistan government has appointed former foreign secretary Salman Bashir as new envoy to India.

60-year-old Bashir will succeed Shahid Malik, who has completed a record five-and-a-half-year term as Pak envoy.

Bashir's nomination has been cleared by Pakistani Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani. His appointment has formally been accepted by the government of India.

Salman Bashir served as the foreign secretary of Pakistan from April, 2008 to March, 2012.

Before being appointed as foreign secretary, Bashir was the Pakistan Ambassador to China and Mongolia from 2005 to 2008.

Bashir had travelled to New Delhi when Pak President Asif Ali Zardari made a day-long private visit to India on April 8.

Trinamool workers held for thrashing prof who circulated cartoons

Kolkata, April 15: Police have arrested four Trinamool Congress workers on Saturday for assaulting Jadavpur University professor Ambikesh Mahapatra, who allegedly circulated “defamatory” cartoons of chief minister Mamata Banerjee. A court granted them bail after a few hours.

Meanwhile, assaulted and forced to spend almost a night in jail Mahapatra is now apprehensive about his own and his family's security. “I am still to come to terms with the assault and my subsequent arrest. Not only my family and I are apprehensive of our security, even other residents of the housing society are now scared,” Mahapatra said on Saturday. - Agencies

Delhi votes to elect new civic bodies

New Delhi, April 15: Voting began Sunday morning for elections to Delhi’s newly-formed three civic bodies that is witnessing a tough fight between the incumbent Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress.

People queued up outside 11,543 booths across the capital to vote for elections of the trifurcated Municipal Corporation of Delhi.

Over one crore voters are expected to exercise their franchise to decide the fate of 2,423 candidates for 272 seats.

While the corporations of north and south have 104 wards each, the east Delhi corporation has 64. 

A total of 30,000 armed police personnel have been deployed at the booths to ensure free and fair elections.

The BJP, which rules the corporation, had swept the 2007 elections in the then unified MCD with 168 seats.

While Sunday’s election will see a straight contest between the Congress and the BJP, parties like the Samajwadi Party have also fielded candidates.

The polling will end at 5.30 p.m.

For the first time, 50 percent seats (136) have been reserved for women candidates.

Interestingly, the capital is also for the first time witnessing the participation of eunuchs as contestants in the polls.

With Delhi assembly elections due in end—2013, the results will have significant impact on the morale of the parties. 

The votes will be counted Tuesday. - Agencies

Indian relay squad not performing in Oympics

As the London Olympics draw closer, the task of assembling a competitive women's 4x400m squad is becoming tougher for the Athletics Federation of India (AFI).

Facing a one-year ban, the nation's top-six women quarter-milers were expected to return to the track in June, but that's ruled out as the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) has filed an appeal against the National Anti Doping Agency Appeal's (NADAP) ruling in the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

The latest development will delay the comeback of the dope offenders, including Asian Games gold medallist Ashwini Akkunji, and they will not be able to compete in the Olympic qualification events.

Secondly, the performance of the current 400m sprinters doesn't point to a smooth passage for the squad to the London Games.

In the second Indian Grand Prix at Patiala on Thursday, the women's 400m event was bereft of depth. The eventual winner and India's best hope, MR Poovama, recorded 54.36 seconds. Ratandeep Kaur finished second with 55.82s followed by K Sowjanya (56.12s) and Priyanka Mondal (57.52s).

Despite the lacklustre performance, the AFI is hopeful of the team winning a ticket to London. "The athletes will come within the stipulated time before the deadline," said ML Dogra, director, AFI.  - Agencies

North Korea failed rocket launch increases likelihood of new nuclear test

The Telegraph

Tokyo, April 13: Kim Kwan-jin, the South Korean defence minister, told a parliamentary committee in Seoul that intelligence reports indicate the North is making preparations for a test, which would be the third time it has detonated a nuclear device.

"I believe it's possible because North Korea has been making preparations for a long time," Kim said.

Analysts agree that the failure of the launch – monitors indicate that it suffered catastrophic structural failure about one minute after it was fired and fell into the ocean off the west coast of the Korean peninsula – is a humiliation to a regime that had made the event the centrepiece of celebrations to mark the 100th anniversary of the birth of the founder of the nation, Kim Il-Sung.

It was also designed to cement the legitimacy of the inexperienced new leader of the reclusive state, 28-year-old Kim Jung-on, who took over after the death of his father, Kim Jong-il, in December.

"The North Korean regime is based on three fundamental values," said Toshimitsu Shigemura, a professor at Tokyo's Waseda University and author of a number of books on the North Korean leadership.

"The first is the legitimacy of the regime; the second is its desire to pursue what it sees as 'noble causes'; and the third is the concept of face" he said. "This failure means they have lost legitimacy, they have failed in a noble cause and there has been massive loss of face.

"To win some of that back, they need a new achievement," he said. "A new nuclear test would provide that."

South Korean intelligence recently reported that satellite imagery indicates the North is excavating a new tunnel at its Punggye-ri test site, in the north-east of the country, where the two previous tests were carried out in October 2006 and May 2009.
 
"It would appear to me that they are now more inclined to do such a test," said Jun Okumura, a senior adviser and political analyst with the Eurasia Group. "I also think that the need for a successful test has risen with this failure and the stakes for the regime have gone up.

"There would be very serious loss of face if they suffer another debacle."

Azhar Mahmood waiting for Indian visa to play in IPL

ANI

Former Pakistan all-rounder Azhar Mahmood is still awaiting an Indian visa to play for Kings XI Punjab in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Kings XI had bought Mahmood for $200,000 at the 2012 player auction.

The Kings XI management said Mahmood had taken a short break after playing in the Bangladesh Premier League but captain Adam Gilchrist confirmed that there have been visa issues.
Mahmood is the only player representing Pakistan in this season of the IPL.

Pakistan players have not played in the IPL after the inaugural season in 2008 due to the breakdown of cricketing ties between India and Pakistan over the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks.

IPL chairman and BCCI vice-president Rajiv Shukla had earlier said that the participation of Pakistan cricketers in the IPL hinged on the resumption of bilateral ties.

“No one is against Pakistan or Pakistani players in India, or else we would not have allowed Pakistani commentators or umpires in IPL 5,” he had said.

“Everything is tied to the resumption of bilateral cricket ties between the two countries. Once that happens, I think everything will happen automatically. The IPL functions under the BCCI and when bilateral relations resume between the two boards, the IPL will also not be a problem for Pakistan players,” he added.

Yet again, Sharukh Khan detained at New York airport

 Written by Ashish kumar Mishra 

New York: Bollywood actor Sharukh Khan was detained at the New York airport  when he was on his way to address  students at Yale University. 

He was detained by the immigration official for over two hours after arriving from India in a private plane with Nita Ambani, wife of Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani. While Mrs Ambani and the rest of the group were immediately cleared , Khan was stopped and was allowed to go only after the host intervened and took up the issue with the higher authorities. The function at the Yele Universities started an hour late.

In a similar case in August 2009, Shahrukh Khan was stopped at the New York Airport and was released after two hours at the intervention of the Indian consulate in New York.

'Mechanical' apology not adequate; India to take up SRK issue

New Delhi, Apr 13: Reacting strongly to the detention of Bollywood superstar Shahrukh Khan at a New York airport, India today asserted that "mechanical apology" from the US side in such cases was not "adequate" and that it will take up the issue with the highest authorities in that country.

On his way to address students at Yale University, Shahrukh was detained by immigration officials for nearly two hours after arriving from India in a private plane at White Plains Airport, which is about 53 kilometres from Manhattan, and was given immigration clearance after intervention by Indian Consulate General (CGI).

Immediately after the intervention by CGI, the US Customs and Border Protection authorities expressed "profound" apology in a letter to them.

However, External Affairs Minister SM Krishna has asked Ambassador Nirupama Rao to take up the matter with the highest US authorities.

"Repeated problem for the same person followed by clearance on account of Consulate intervention and mechanical apology is not adequate," Ministry of External Affairs sources said. According to the sources, the letter by the immigration department said that SRK's name was "flagged" in the system and airport people needed approval of "senior" authorities to clear him.

PTI