India assures full legal aid to 17 on death row in UAE

India has assured full legal assistance to 17 Indians sentenced to death for killing a Pakistani national in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as the Indian consulate in Sharjah tapped prominent lawyers to argue their case.“They are in good health. We have assured them of full legal assistance,” a government source said here.“The appeal in a higher court will be made within two months of the judgment,” the the source added.“We will provide them whatever help they need,” the source said.The source added that the authorities in Sharjah have been meeting top-end lawyers to seek their assistance and the appeal to the higher court will be made within the prescribed period of two weeks from the date of judgment by the lower court.The Indians are pleading innocence, the sources confirmed.Relatives of the 17 Indians, who are mostly from Punjab, have demanded Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s intervention in rescuing them.External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna has also assured support to them, saying New Delhi will stand by them if they appeal in a higher court.The Indians were accused of killing a Pakistani and injuring three more following a row over illegal alcohol business.Early this week, Indian consulate officials in Dubai got access to all 17 Indians placed in an UAE prison
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Ayesha Siddique files police complaint against Shoaib Malik,

Hyderabad, April 4: Ayesha Siddiqui, who claims to be the first wife of Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik, Sunday lodged a police complaint against him for cheating her.In her complaint to Banjara Hills police station, Ayesha also complained that Shoaib was warning her to keep mum and was going ahead with his second marriage with Indian tennis star Sania Mirza without divorcing her. In the complaint, filed by Ayesha's father M.A. Siddiqui on her behalf, she also accused Shoaib of harassment. Police said they would investigate the complaint before taking any action. "We have only received a complaint. We will go into it before taking further action," said Assistant Commissioner of Police R. Ravinder Reddy. Ayesha has filed the complaint under sections 498 A (harassment), 420 (cheating) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code. She alleged that the Pakistani cricketer had offered her USD 1 million to keep mum on their first marriage. She also stated that he was threatening her for speaking to the media. Police may record Ayesha's statement before registering a case against Shoaib, who is staying at Sania Mirza's house here. Legal experts said if a case is booked against Shoaib, his passport may be seized and he may be prevented from leaving India until the investigations are completed. Earlier, Shoaib rejected Ayesha's demand for a divorce, saying he signed a 'nikahnama' or marriage document for marrying a girl whose photographs she had been sending. Shoaib told reporters that he was in Hyderabad for the marriage with Sania Mirza April 15. (photo from allvoices) 
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Curfew relaxed for 6 hours in two phases

Hyderabad Apr 4: The indefinite curfew, clamped in 25 police station limits in Hyderabad since Monday last in the wake of killing of two people in communal violence since March 27, was relaxed for six hours in two phases, providing much needed relief to the people reeling under restrictions for the seventh day today.Relieved over the return of peace to trouble-torn areas, the Hyderabad Police first relaxed curfew for three hours from 0700 hrs in eight Police Stations of Tappachabutra, Asifnagar, Mangalhat, Kulsumpura,Shahinayathgunj, Habeebnagar, Begumbazar and Afzalgunj in West-East-Central zones. Curfew was then relaxed for another three hours from 1000 hrs in 17 Police Station limits in Charminar, Hussainialam, Kamatipura, Bahadhurpura, Kalapathar, Falaknuma, Chatrinaka, Shahalibanda, Moghalpura, Bhavaninagar, Dabeerpura, Mirchowk, Reinbazar, Madannapet, Santhoshnagar, Kanchanbagh and Chandrayangutta, in the communally sensitive South Zone. Thousands of young and old came out of their homes and queued up to buy milk vegetables and groceries. Long queues were also seen in front of medical shops.City Police Commissioner A K Khan told mediapersons that if the present situation continued, they would consider lifting curfew during daytime tomorrow. Police continued heavy deployment of central para-military forces, besides the state forces including the elite OCTOPUS personnel, even as authorities made extensive arrangements for distribution of essential commodities, commoners complained that unscrupulous traders were charging double the market rate to make a quick money. No untoward incident was reported during the curfew relaxation period, Mr Khan said. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister K Rosaiah had asked the police to consider relaxation of curfew for a longer spell to reduce the hardships of the general public, while taking stern action against trouble-makers and rumour mongers.                    (photo by RSJ Thomas)
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Shoaib says no 'Nikah' took place with Ayesha

Hyderabad, April 4: Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik Sunday claimed that no 'nikah' or marriage took place with Ayesha Siddiqui and hence there was no need for him to divorce her.In his first comments over his alleged first marriage with Ayesha Siddiqui, Shoaib said he signed the 'nikahnama' thinking that he was marrying the girl whose photographs were sent to him. He quoted chief qazi of Hyderabad as saying that the 'nikah' was not valid as it did not meet the conditions prescribed in Islam. The cricketer released a statement to the press in front of the residence of Indian tennis star Sania Mirza, who he is marrying April 15 here. The Pakistani claimed that Ayesha Siddiqui was the girl who had introduced herself as Maha Apa or elder sister of Ayesha and had taken him around in Hyderabad during his visits. Shoaib said he or his brother-in-law could never meet Ayesha during their visits to Hyderabad. Shoaib, who arrived here has been staying at Sania's house for the last two days, came out to release the statement to the waiting media but declined to answer queries saying his lawyer would answer them. A nervous-looking Shoaib told reporters that the marriage with Sania would take place in Hyderabad on April 15. "I have come here for my wedding with Sania Mirza and we are happy," he said. Shoaib said Sania knew the truth and she had been supportive of him. To a query about Sania's tennis career, he said she would play as long as she wished to play. "She has been representing India and will continue to represent India," he said to another query. Shoaib claimed that Ayesha had starting making phone calls to him in 2001 when he was in Sharjah with the Pakistani team. "Naturally I wanted to meet her. Every time I brought up the topic of meeting, she would send me a bunch of photographs," the statement said. The cricketer claimed that he was made to believe that he was speaking to the girl in the photograph. "The truth is that I have, to this day, not met the girl in the photograph," he said. He said when he came to Hyderabad in 2002 to meet Ayesha, he was told that she had left for Saudi Arabia for some urgent work. "She told me over phone that Rema and Maha Apa would take me around," he claimed. Later, Shoaib was informed that Ayesha was not meeting him as she had put on weight and would come before him only after shedding some weight. He was also told that the photographs sent to him were old ones. The Pakistani said in 2002 Ayesha forced him into marriage over telephone saying people in Hyderabad had started talking about their relationship and this had put her parents in embarrassing position. "We accidentally ran into the truth about who Ayesha was. It was worst moment of my life. No one enjoys being made a fool of and that was exactly how I was made fool of," he said. "It happened in August 2005. My brother-in-law got a photograph of a teacher in Saudi Arabia who was telling people around her that Shoaib is married to me. His nephews were studying in that school. I was aghast when he showed me the photograph of the teacher. The woman in the photograph was the woman I called Maha Apa." "I immediately confronted Maha Apa. I told her I didn't want to speak to her again. I told Ayesha I was going to release photographs she had been mailing me to the media. She apologized and told me that the other girl was married and that I would ruin her life if I release the photographs. I thought about it, who so ever is in the photograph does not even know about all this and it would not be fair to release the pictures."
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Expelled SP leader Jaya Prada celebrates birthday in tirumala

Tirumala, Apr 3: On the occasion at her birthday, expelled Samajwadi party leader Jaya Prada offered prayers at the hill shrine of venkateswara swamy temple here this evening.The yester year glamour heroine-turned politician Jaya Prada who arrived here along with her family members, had darshan of the lord Bajali during the VIP break and after darshan, she was presented sri vari prasadams by the TTD officials.Later briefing mediapersons, she said that Uttar Pradesh people have supported her in all her political endeavours during her political career.Replying to a question, she said that she would contest in the next elections from Andhra Pradesh and remained tight lipped over contesting from the party concerned.
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Shoaib still in Sania's house, marriage may be advanced

Hyderabad, April 4: Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik continued to stay in the residence of Indian tennis star Sania Mirza amid speculation that their marriage was being advanced to avoid any problems due to the raging row over Shoaib's alleged first marriage with a resident of this city.Shoaib, who arrived here Friday night from Dubai, did not come out of Sania's house in Jubilee Hills. With Sania's relatives and friends visiting her till late Saturday night, speculation was already doing the rounds that the marriage, originally scheduled for April 15, had been advanced. Sania's family is reportedly in touch with a qazi to solemnize the marriage. Sources said it would only be a reception which Sania's family would host at a star hotel here on April 15 but the marriage could take place much before that. Some television channels captured the duo dancing Saturday night and Sania's friends confirmed about the festivities being held at home. Unfazed by the threats by Ayesha Siddiqui to launch legal proceedings against him for cheating, Shoaib landed in Hyderabad Friday night and was spotted at Sania's house Saturday. Shoaib reportedly cleared the air over serious allegations levelled by Ayesha and her parents. Sania's family was apparently convinced by his claim that Ayesha cheated him by using the photographs of another girl. While admitting that he signed the 'nikahnama', Shoaib reportedly told Sania and her parents that he did not marry Ayesha. Sania, in her Twitter page, said they knew the "truth" and had confidence in god's justice. With dozens of media persons with cameras and OB vans surrounding her house in Jubilee Hills and obstructing the guests, Sania's family Sunday sought police protection. Some policemen in addition to her private security guards were deployed at the house. Meanwhile, the family of Ayesha Siddiqui said they were going ahead with the legal proceedings against Shoaib to get a formal divorce from him. They want Shoaib to give divorce to her before marrying Sania and have hired a lawyer in Pakistan to file a case against him.
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25th Accountants’ General Conference to begin from 5th April, 2010 in New Delhi

(PIB NEWS) 25th Conference of Accountants General is being held for 5 days from 05 to 09 April 2010. Conference of Accountants General is held almost every two years to discuss contemporary issues in relation fulfilling the role and responsibilities of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India and transforming the audit as an effective tool for good governance. The Accountants’ General conferences conclude with specific recommendations for internal and external reforms to enhance the effectiveness of audit. The recommendations upon their approval by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India are implemented to realize the value from the deliberations of all Accountants General. The fundamental objective of this conference is to deliberate on ‘Transformation of Indian Audit & Accounts Department: Consolidation, Expansion and Innovation’. More than 120 Accountants General and Principal Accountants General, responsible for audit of the Union and State Governments and for maintenance of accounts of the State Governments, shall be attending the conference. The theme papers for deliberation in the conference include (i) Adoption of Best Practices in Audit Function; (ii) Institutional Frame Work for Integrated Audit; (iii) Performance Auditing; (iv) Audit and Risk Management; and (iv) Accounting as an enabler for Good Governance and more effective Audit. In addition the new draft ‘Public Audit Bill’ forwarded by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India to the Government will also be discussed during the conference. The conference shall be inaugurated by Smt. Meira Kumar, Speaker of the Lok Sabha on 05 April 2010 at 11.30 AM in the Auditorium of the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India, Pocket 9, Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Marg, New Delhi. Shri Gopinath Munde, Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament and Shri Vinod Rai, Comptroller and Auditor General of India will also address the inauguration session. A special feature of this conference will be a Stakeholders’ Panel Discussion on 06 April 2010 during 10 AM to 1 PM in the Auditorium of the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India, Pocket 9, Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Marg, New Delhi, in which eminent personages from public life, media, business and professions will participate. The theme of the stakeholders’ panel discussion is “Expectations from CAG”. It will afford an opportunity to deliberate on what the stakeholders expect from the CAG and to what extent their expectations are fulfilled. It is for the first time that this type of wide external stakeholder’s panel discussion is organized during the Accountants’ General conference. The stakeholders’ panel discussion shall be attended by eminent personages, which includes Smt Sheila Dixit, Chief Minister of Delhi, Shri Deepak Parekh, Chairman HDFC, Shri Shekhar Gupta, Editor-in-Chief, Indian Express, Shri T.N.Ninan, Chairman and MD, Business Standard and Shri T. Mohandas Pai, Director (HR and E&R), Infosys Technologies Limited. The valedictory function of the conference will be addressed by the Finance Minister Shri Pranab Mukherjee on 09 April 2010 at 1 PM in Auditorium of the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India, Pocket 9, Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Marg, New Delhi. ======================================================

Stern action to be taken against troublemakers: Andhra Pradesh CM

Hyderabad, Apr 3: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister K Rosaiah today advised to the Hyderabad City Police Commissioner to consider relaxation of curfew for a longer spell to reduce the hardships of the general public.

At the same time, he warned that stern action would be taken against troublemakers and rumour mongers while normalcy was returning in Hydetabad. The Chief Minister held a review meeting on the latest situation in the old city areas with ministers, DGP and other top officials from camp office soon after his return from Chittoor today.He expressed satisfaction that the situation was fast improving in the old city areas and that there were no untoward incidents in the curfew and non-curfew areas.The Chief Minister thanked all religious leaders and political parties for their whole-hearted cooperation in bringing back normalcy in the old city areas. Mr Rosaiah said Hyderabad was historically known for peace and communal harmony and hence ''it was our paramount duty to keep aloft the 'Brand Hyderabad' name.'' The DGP explained to the Chief Minister that the situation was by and large peaceful in the curfew and non-curfew areas. There were no untoward incidents when the curfew was relaxed in the old city areas today. He was told that milk, vegetables and other essential commodities were supplied through selected outlets in sufficient quantities. The Chief Minister specifically told them not to cause any inconvenience to patients who need emergency medical services. He also advised the City Commissioner of Police to extend the curfew relaxation period taking the situation into consideration to reduce hardships of the people.The Chief Minister once again appealed to the people to remain calm and assured that the government will take all necessary steps to restore peace and communal harmony in the city. The Chief Minister once again appealed to the people not to believe in any rumours and baseless provocative SMSs.Mr Rosaiah further said the Government was closely monitoring the situation and would take appropriate action accordingly. Home Minister Ms Sabita Indra Reddy, Chief Secertary S V Parasad, DGP R R Girish Kumar, IG (Intelligence), Mr M Mahender Reddy, City Police Commissioner, Mr A K Khan, Commissioner, GHMC, Mr Sameer Sharma, and other officials were also present at the occasion. (newkerala.com)
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Shoaib Malik at Sania Mirza's house in Hyderabad

Hyderabad, Apr 3 : Despite the controversy surrounding his marriage with tennis star Sania Mirza, Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik is reported to be at Sania's place in Hyderabad.It has been reported Shoaib Malik arrived here from Dubai on Friday and is with Sania''s family since then.It has been reported that the two sports stars will tie the nuptial knot in Dubai on April 15, as Malik''s family fears protests in India on their arrival.The Pakistani media has reported that Malik''s family wants the wedding to take place in Dubai and would not come to India."Around 25 people are expected to attend the marriage in Dubai," adds the Pakistani media.After the marriage, the couple will be based in Dubai, where Shoaib is a resident.The wedding ceremony of both the sports stars will take place in April, while the Walima reception will be hosted by Shoaib on April 16 or 17 in Lahore. Shoaib was earlier engaged to another Hyderabad girl, Ayesha Siddiqui. (newkerala.com)
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PM-enumerated for sensus 2011,

The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh being enumerated for Census-2011.by the staff of the Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India, in New Delhi on April 03, 2010.Wife of the Prime Minister, Smt. Gursharan Kaur and the Minister of State, Prime Minister’s Office and Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions and Parliamentary Affairs, Shri Prithviraj Chavan are also seen. (Photo by PIB No:CNR-31078) ======================================================

Clarification

(PIB NEWS) A report in the Times of India dated March 12, 2010 has suggested that ever since demitting office in 2007, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, former President of India has been a "frequent flyer" and that the Government was "looking to see if it can put a cap on such visits".

It is clarified that the cost of the foreign travels of Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, former President of India, has been borne usually by his hosts and not the Government of India. There is no proposal before the government to put any kind of restriction on the foreign travels of former Presidents.
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Jaipal Reddy criticises Bal Thackeray for his statement about Sania Mirza

(PIB NEWS) The Union Minister for Urban Development, Mr. S. Jaipal Reddy has criticised Shiv Sena Supremo, Shri Bal Thackeray for his statement about Ms. Sania Mirza’s marriage plan. In a statement Mr. Reddy has said the comment of Mr. Bal Thackeray is highly symptomatic of his notorious tendency to lend a communal colour to every issue. Following is the statement of Mr. Jaipal Reddy:-“It is unfortunate that the leader of Shiv Sena, Mr. Bal Thackeray, has chosen to criticise the decision of Miss. Sania Mirza to marry a Pakistani cricketer on political grounds. We in India have very serious problems with the Government of Pakistan. That does not, however, mean that there cannot be good relations between the people of the two countries. At any rate, the choices in matters relating to marriage are absolutely personal. Nobody can dispute the freedom of Miss Sania Mirza on the issue.The Comment of Mr. Bal Thackeray is highly symptomatic of his notorious tendency to lend a communal colour to every issue. The people of India, in the second decade of twenty first century, are much too mature and sophisticated for such cheap political gimmicks.”
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