New Delhi
SC Breather for Chief Secys of Four States
The Supreme Court on Wednesday discharged Chief Secretaries of four states, against whom contempt notices were issued earlier, after they have filed responses on the issue of treatment and rehabilitation of acid attack victims. The court expressed happiness over the steps taken by Kerala in implementing its earlier orders in dealing with acid attacks on women and providing timely relief and compensation. A Bench comprising M Y Eqbal and C Nagappan took note of the statements of the top officers from Kerala, Karnataka, Mizoram and Madhya Pradesh, who appeared personally before the court.
RSS Leader to Get X-Category Security
The Centre is likely to provide X- category security cover to senior RSS functionary Indresh Kumar after an assessment carried out by security and intelligence agencies indicated security threat to the leader. The X category has a security cover of two armed personnel. According the sources, Kumar’s security will be handled by the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), which is mandated to provide security to over 40 VVIPs and major critical infrastructure installations of the country.
HC Verdict on Maharani Gayatri Devi’s Shares Upheld
The Supreme Court on Wednesday decided the legal tussle over the assets of late Maharani Gayatri Devi by upholding the verdict of the Delhi High Court order allowing transfer of some shares of late Maharani to her grandchildren Devraj and Lalitya Kumari.
The court said the High Court rightly reversed the Company Law Board’s verdict which ordered rectification of share register of Jai Mahal Hotels Pvt Ltd in which Gayatri Devi held 99 per cent stakes. The High Court had allowed the plea of Devraj and Lalitya that these shares be registered in their names.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court said the “magnitude” of the Uphaar fire tragedy case, which had claimed 59 lives, “calls for a higher sentence” but the court has to limit itself to the choice available under the law.
The apex court’s reasoning came on its August order by which Ansal brothers were sent to two-year rigorous jail term if they failed to pay Rs 30 crore each.
ED Attaches Rs 196cr Assets of ex-UP Health Minister
At a time when the CBI has asked BSP chief Mayawati to join probe into multi-crore National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) scam, the Enforcement Directorate on Wednesday attached assets worth Rs 196 crore belonging to Mayawati’s close aide Babu Singh Kushwaha in the case. The ED alleged that Kushwaha had helped many private firms in rigging contracts.
Citing China, DRDO Seeks More Funds For Research
Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Wednesday asked the DRDO scientists to concentrate on core activities factoring the defence technology requirements of the Armed Forces. Meanwhile, the DRDO sought a hike in its budget citing the example of China saying the neighbouring country was spending close to 20 per cent of its defence outlay on research and development whereas India is spending only 5-6 per cent.
While addressing the 39th Directors’ Conference, Parrikar, citing example of Dadhichi, a Hindu mythological character, who gave up his life in order to allow the Gods to make weapons from his bones to defeat the Demons, said that ancient saints were probably great scientists and today’s scientists must learn the art of being humble from them.
Guj Rubbishes Sacked IPS Officer’s Allegations
The Gujarat government on Wednesday informed the Supreme Court that the claim of sacked IPS officer Sanjiv Bhatt that he was present at a meeting held at the residence of the then Chief Minister to discuss law and order situation during the 2002 Gujarat riots was incorrect. “The Supreme Court-appointed Special Investigation Team (SIT) had come to the conclusion that the petitioner (Bhatt) was not present at all in the February 27 meeting,” Solicitor General (SG) Ranjit Kumar, appearing for the State, told the Bench comprising Chief Justice H L Dattu and Justice Arun Mishra.
All-weather Road Planned from Leh to Siachen
Despite Chinese aggression, India has decided to strengthen its network of motorable roads along the Indo-China border. Rajnath Singh, who spent the night at Dungti Border out Post in the forward area with ITBP Jawans on Tuesday, made it clear that government will strengthen the road networks and telecom connectivity in far flung border areas to match Chinese infrastructure. According to sources, the government is planning to build all-weather motorable road between Leh-Siachen to ensure movement of heavy machinery and convoy as and if required.