Deferment will prolong Ayodhya issue: Owaisi

Sep,25, Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi Thursday apprehended that further deferment of the Ayodhya verdict’s pronouncement by the Allahabad High Court would unnecessarily prolong the issue.Ruling out any compromise on the matter, Owaisi said the people of the country have the right to know the truth.“Where is the question of compromise when both the parties have already ruled out the same,” asked Owaisi, reacting to thme Supree Court deferring the Ayodhya verdict till Sep 28.The Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM) chief told IANS that the deferment was unnecessary as it served no purpose and would, in fact, prolong the issue. “Our fear is that if Justice Dharam Veer Sharma (of the high court) retires before the verdict is pronounced, the issue will again get prolonged,” Owaisi said.Justice Sharma, one of the three judges of the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court that is to give its ruling on the Ayodhya verdict, is retiring on Oct 1. Legal experts say that if the verdict is not pronounced before his retirement, the hearing would have to take place all over again.“This issue is going on for 50 to 60 years. The people of this country have a right to know what is the truth,” Owaisi, a barrister, contended.He felt that the Supreme Court deferring the verdict was unnecessary, especially when the Muslim Personal Law Board and others have already stated that the verdict would be acceptable to them.Asked if Muslims would approach a larger bench of the Supreme Court against the deferment, Owaisi said it was for the Muslim Personal Law Board to take a decision. “But I think since there are only four days for the next hearing we should wait and see,” the MP added.
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Court dismisses pleas for postponing Satyam trial

Sep,25, A special court hearing the multi-crore Satyam fraud case Friday dismissed the petitions of three accused for postponing the trial against them.The XXI Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate court dismissed the petitions of former Satyam chief financial officer Vadlamani Srinivas, and two other employees of the company on the ground that they were devoid of merit.Srinivas, D. Venkatapathi Raju and Ch. Srisailam sought postponement of the hearing on framing of charges till the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) files the fourth chargesheet in the case.They moved the petitions as the court, which has already heard CBI’s arguments on framing of charges, was to hear the arguments from all 10 accused.CBI’s Special Public Prosecutor K. Surender opposed the pleas on the ground that the investigating agency never said that it would file a fourth chargesheet.He told the court that investigations were on and if the CBI finds evidence it would file another chargesheet. He also pointed out that the court had already rejected a similar petition by another accused.Magistrate B.V.L.N. Chakravarti ruled that the petitions were devoid of merit and not tenable under law.Founder and chairman of Satyam Computer Services B. Ramalinga Raju, the prime accused in the Rs.14,000-crore accounting fraud, has also filed a similar petition seeking postponement of trial till the CBI completes its investigation.The CBI has already opposed the petition, saying it was yet another attempt by the accused to delay the trial. The final arguments on the petition are likely on Sep 29.Ramalinga Raju had shocked corporate India by confessing massive accounting fraud in the IT bellwether.All 10 accused in the case have already been granted bail by the court.
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Volkswagen ex-official, five others charged with fraud

Hyderabad, Sep 25 : The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Saturday formally filed charges against six people, including former Volkswagen executive Helmuth Schuster, in a case of defrauding the Andhra Pradesh government.The investigating agency, which took up the probe in 2005, filed the 150-page charge sheet in the CBI court here. It examined 59 witnesses. The name of state Panchayati Raj Minister B. Satyanarayana, however, did not figure in the charge sheet. He was then holding the industries portfolio and the opposition had alleged his involvement. The 56-year-old Schuster is on the run since the scam broke, and has been placed on the wanted list of the CBI. An Interpol notice was issued against him in 2005. The other accused include Volkswagen's former India representative Ashok Jain, businessmen Bhuwan Kumar Chaturvedi, Jagdish Alaga Raja and his sister Gayatri, who in collusion with Schuster had floated a fictitious firm to cheat the state government. The accused have been charged under sections 120B (criminal conspiracy) and 420 (cheating) of Indian Penal Code, CBI official S. Venkatesh told reporters outside Nampally Criminal Court complex. The accused started Vashishta Wahan Private Ltd (the firm's initials are VW, the same as that of the German car maker) to receive Rs.11 crore from the state government for setting up its plant at Visakhaptanam. The scam hit the headlines in 2005 when Volkswagen sacked Schuster on charges of corruption in some other dealings. Schuster was negotiating on behalf of Volkswagen with the state government for setting up the car plant since early 2004 when the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) was in power. Later, the Congress government continued the talks. In January 2005, the state government received a letter from Schuster. Typed on Volkswagen letterhead, it confirmed that the company was going ahead with the project. For a joint venture with the government, Schuster sought transfer of 2 million Euros to Vashishta Wahan, which he claimed was the Indian arm of Volkswagen. The Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (APIIC), a government organisation, made the payment. Volkswagen later denied that Vashishta Wahan was its Indian arm or it received the payment. Ashok Jain had registered Vashishta Wahan with the Registrar of Companies. He wrote to the ROC in January 2005 that he was stepping down as promoter and director. The company was later registered in the name of Bhuwan Kumar Chaturvedi of Gurgaon and Jagdish Alaga Raja of Chennai. After the scam broke out top officials of Volkswagen had visited Hyderabad to clarify that the company had nothing to do with Vashishta Wahan. They tendered a moral apology for the wrongdoings of Schuster and offered to return the money the government paid to Schuster. Then Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy had refused to accept the money and instead urged Volkswagen to set up its plant in Andhra Pradesh. The auto giant later dumped the southern state and choose Maharashtra for locating its unit. Meanwhile, Satyanarayana told reporters that he was relieved at getting a clean chit. He accused the opposition TDP of resorting to character assassination by making baseless allegations against him.
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Two-year-old crushed under school bus

Hyderabad, Sep 25 : A two-year-old girl playing outside her house was crushed under a school bus here Saturday, police said.The girl was playing in front of her residence in Attapur neighbourhood when she came under the rear wheels of the mini bus that was reversing. Eye witnesses said the bus driver failed to spot the little girl. She sustained serious injuries and succumbed before she could be shifted to hospital. The child's parents were inconsolable. The accident sent shock waves in the residential locality. The bus driver fled soon after the accident. Police said they have registered a case. Residents said there was nobody on the bus to help the driver and the negligence of the school authorities led to the accident. In a similar incident, a school child came under the wheels of his school bus while alighting from the vehicle near his house.
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Man held for killing former girlfriend

Hyderabad, Sep 25 : Police have arrested one Shekhar for allegedly murdering his junior Divya in his apartment at Hill colony in Vanasthalipuram.Shekhar, an engineer, was arrested along with his parents three days back from the city, Police Commissioner S Prabhakar Reddy told reporters at a conference here yesterday. Divya and Shekhar were close friends for the past three years but the two were not on good terms for the past six months after Divya befriended another student who was her former schoolmate.Shekhar, who had completed his B Tech last year, could not ''digest'' that Divya was seeing someone else, following which he bore a grudge and planned to murder her.On September 19, he invited her on the pretext of sorting out differences. He smashed her head with a baseball bat, clubbed her to death and fled the scene, the police said. Shekhar has reportedly confessed to the crime and said she had betrayed him. ''I returned the love letters that Divya wrote to me, but she did not return the letters which I wrote to her,'' police quoted Shekhar as saying.''She used to taunt me as drugaddict and a mad fellow ever since she started seeing Pradeep. So, I killed her,'' police quoted Shekhar as saying.
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Andhra parties, Muslim groups appeal for peace

Hyderabad, Sep 23 : Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister K. Rosaiah, leaders cutting across party lines and Muslim groups have appealed to people to maintain peace and harmony after Friday's court verdict in the Babri Masjid-Ramjanmabhoomi dispute.Rosaiah has asked police to be vigilant and take all precautionary measures to deal with the situation after the Allahabad High Court gives its judgment. He appealed to the public, political leaders and elders of all communities to ensure that harmony prevails, said a statement from the chief minister's office. He said the court verdict on the issue should be accepted by all and no one should react in a manner that hurts the religious sentiments of other communities. Rosaiah Thursday held a meeting with Director General of Police Aravinda Rao, Police Commissioner A.K. Khan and other top officials to review security arrangements across the state. President of the state unit of the ruling Congress party D. Srinivas, opposition leader N. Chandrababu Naidu, Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) chief K. Chandrasekhara Rao, Praja Rajyam Party (PRP) president K. Chiranjeevi and Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM) leader Asaduddin Owaisi have also appealed to people to maintain peace and harmony. The All India Muslim Personal Law Board has also issued an appeal to Muslims to maintain peace no matter in whose favour the judgment goes. Board general secretary Moulana Khalid Saifullah Rahmani urged the community not to show any reaction to the verdict. Leaders of the Jamaat-e-Islami, Movement for Peace and Justice, Majlis Tameer-e-Millat, Majlis Bachaco Tehreek and other Muslim organisations have also appealed for maintaining peace. Hyderabad Police Commissioner A.K. Khan said security measures taken for Ganesh idol immersions Wednesday would continue till Friday. More than 35,000 policemen were deployed for the procession. Fifteen people who were sending provocative SMSes ahead of the court verdict have been identified and will be arrested, police say. The cyber crime wing of city police is investigating the case. Khan told reporters that police were in touch with mobile phone service providers and would keep a close watch on those sending SMSes to several numbers simultaneously. Appealing to people to maintain peace, Khan said the verdict should not be construed as the victory of one community over another. "Whatever be the verdict, it will not be a final one as one or both the parties will have the option of approaching the Supreme Court," he said.
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Berths Available in South Central Railway Special Trains in September

Hyderabad, Sept 22 : South Central Railway(SCR) is running several special trains to various destinations to cope up with extra rush of Passengers.The vacant berths availability at the earliest dates are Tr. No.0995 Secunderabad-Jaipur weekly special train on September 27, Tr. No.0866 Nizamabad-Visakhapatnam weekly special train on September 29, Tr. No.0719 Secunderbad-Bikaner weekly special train on September 29, Tr. No. 0727 Narsapur-Nagarsol weekly special train on September 29, Tr. No. 0714A Secunderabad-Guntur weekly special train on September 24, Tr. No. 0701 Secunderabad-Kakinada special train on September 25, Tr. No. 0701A Secunderabad-Kakinada special train on September 26, Tr. No. 0748A Hyderabad-Visakhapatnam weekly special train on September 25, Tr. No.0703 Kacheguda-Bangalore weekly special train on September26, and Tr. No. 0723 Secunderabad-Tirupati weekly special train on September 27, a SCR release said here today.
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Ganesh procession passes off peacefully in Hyderabad

Hyderabad, Sep 22 : The mammoth Ganesh procession passed off peacefully here Wednesday amid unprecedented security.The main procession, comprising hundreds of big idols, passed through the communally sensitive Old City ahead of the immersion of idols in Hussain Sagar Lake. Officials said over 1,000 idols were immersed in the lake since early morning and the process was expected to continue till early Thursday. Heavy rains which lashed the city disrupted the immersion procession for a couple of hours on Wednesday evening. The downpour accompanied by strong winds also hampered immersion. The tallest idol this year was at Khairatabad. Heavy cranes were deployed to lift the 50-feet idol and put it on a truck ahead of immersion. Police said though the main procession had passed off peacefully, they would continue the vigil. Thousands of idols from all parts of state capital Hyderabad and its outskirts were brought to Hussain Sagar Lake in the heart of the city for immersion. More than a million people took part in the festivities. About 35,000 policemen were deployed as part of the massive security while the army was kept on stand-by. Earlier, the afternoon and evening prayers at the historic Mecca Masjid also passed off peacefully. The main procession was stopped some distance away to allow smooth conduct of prayers at the mosque near the historic Charminar. The procession resumed through the communally sensitive area after the prayers. Police Commissioner A.K. Khan was supervising the security arrangements in the area where communal clashes took place in the past. With the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court is set to deliver its verdict in the Ayodhya title suit Sep 24, police have made additional security arrangements in the city. State Home Minister P. Sabita Indra Reddy addressed the gathering from the welcome stage set up by Ganesh procession organisers at Charminar. She stressed the need to maintain peace and communal harmony. State ministers D. Nagender, Mukesh Goud, Hyderabad Mayor Kartika Reddy, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) state president G. Kishan Reddy and others addressed the devotees. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister K. Rosaiah and other ministers earlier offered prayers to the Ganesh idol at Khairatabad - the tallest idol in the state. This year the idol was 50-foot-tall and had five-heads with a 500-kg laddu in its palm. Meanwhile, two people sustained minor injuries at Moazzamjahi Market when a huge idol fell on the road. A crane was arranged to remove the idol. There was a festive mood in the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad with slogan-shouting youth wearing saffron scarves marching towards the lake with the Ganesh idols for immersion. From a cycle to a long truck, the devotees used every possible mode of transport to carry the idols for immersion. More than 50 cranes have been installed at the lake for the immersion of big idols. The main procession with huge idols in different sizes began from Balapur in the Old City in the morning. It covered a distance of 20 km to reach the lake. The procession began after the auction of the traditional 'laddu' at Balapur. Businessman A.G. Sridharbabu bought it for Rs.5.35 lakh. However, the auction was marred by controversy as a woman devotee Sarita accused the organisers of cheating her. Sarita, who had bought the laddu for Rs.5.10 lakh last year, claimed that it was given to another man even though she had offered a price of Rs.5.50 lakh. Meanwhile, the chief minister congratulated the police for peaceful and smooth conduct of the 11-day Ganesh festival and the immersion procession.
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Blast at Andhra hospital, none hurt

Hyderabad, Sep 22 : A blast took place in a hospital owned by an environmental activist at Sompeta in Andhra Pradesh's Srikakulam district. No one was injured but a portion of the hospital was damaged, police said.The blast occurred on the third floor of Mahalakshmi Nursing Home. There was still no word from the police about the nature of explosives used and who could be behind the attack. Y.Krishna Murthy is the convenor of environment protection committee, which is fighting against the proposal to set up a thermal power plant at Sompeta, 600 km from here. His supporters allege that the blast was to threaten him to silence. The committee took out a peace rally after the blast, demanding action against the guilty. The environment protection committee along with other NGOs have been opposing the proposed thermal power project by Nagarjuna Construction Company (NCC). It was on their petition that National Environmental Appellate Authority (NEAA) in July overruled the environmental clearance given for the 2,640 MW project coming up at a cost of Rs.12,000 crore. Earlier on July 14, two people were killed and over 100 injured in police firing on protesters. The groups had been protesting against the project on the ground that it would destroy the ecology and endanger their livelihood.
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TRS allays industry apprehensions over Telangana

Hyderabad, Sep 22 : Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) President K. Chandrasekhar Rao Wednesday assured top honchos of the Indian industry that his party would ensure that the movement for separate Telangana does not affect the ongoing business ventures in the region.Allaying apprehensions of industrialists regarding investment climate in view of the ongoing agitation, Rao said TRS was for a peaceful movement for a separate Telangana, bifurcating the Andhra Pradesh state. The industry leaders voiced their concern that the Telangana movement could again affect the industry and business like it did late last year and early this year. They raised questions on chances of bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh and if it happens, its implications for industry and governance. Rao exuded confidence that a separate Telangana state would soon be a reality with Hyderabad as its capital. The process for state formation would be initiated soon after Srikrishna committee submits its report to the central government by Dec 31. Rao was addressing a CEOs forum organised by the International Market Assessment (IMA). About 150 business leaders including those from leading companies like DuPont, Bank of America, GVK Bio, Matrix laboratories, SabMiller, Apollo Hospitals and Gati attended the closed-door session. "We will also develop Hyderabad as international business hub and in and around the city satellite townships will be created. To create industrialisation throughout the state, we will revitalize district industries centres," said K. Taraka Rama Rao, Rao's son and a legislator. Rama Rao pointed out Hyderabad already has a dominant position in the chemical and pharmaceutical industry producing about 33 percent (worth USD 1.6 billion) bulk drugs of the country. "We will also develop places like Sircilla, Gadwal, Pochampally, Dubbaka which are strong in weaving and handicraft. Telangana will compete with industrially progressed states like Gujarat, Maharashtra and Karnataka and try to surpass them in terms of growth and progress," he told the industrialists. He said more districts would be created in Telangana state to provide responsive and accountable governance. The meeting of TRS and industry leaders was significant in view of the recent remarks made by Chief Minister K. Rosaiah at national executive committee meeting of Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI). Rosaiah had said that movements like the one for separate Telangana affected investments in the state.
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Army on standby for Ganesh procession in Hyderabad

Hyderabad, Sep 22 : The mammoth Ganesh procession began here Wednesday amid unprecedented security with the army on standby in case of an emergency, officials said.Thousands of idols from different parts of the state capital and its outskirts headed towards Hussain Sagar Lake in the heart of the city. There was a festive mood in the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad with slogan shouting youth, wearing saffron scarves, marching towards the lake with the idols. From a cycle to a long truck, the devotees used every mode of transport to carry the idols for immersion. More than 50 cranes have been installed at the lake for the immersion of big idols. The main procession with huge idols in different sizes and shapes began from Balapur in the old city. It will reach the lake late in the evening after covering 20 km and passing through several communally sensitive localities. The procession began after the auction of the traditional 'laddu' at Balapur. A.G. Sridharbabu bought it for Rs.5.35 lakh. However, the auction was marred by controversy with a woman devotee Sarita accusing the organisers of cheating her. Sarita, who had bought the laddu for Rs.5.10 lakh last year, claimed that it was given to another man though she had offered a price of Rs.5.50 lakh. Unprecedented security arrangements have been made for the annual procession, which is attended by over a million people. About 35,000 policemen and personnel of the paramilitary Rapid Action Force (RAF) have been deployed. Hyderabad Police Commissioner A.K.Khan hoped that the procession would pass off peacefully with the cooperation of all sections of people. He said tight vigil was being maintained at the places of worship to prevent any untoward incident. He said the army was being asked to standby to meet any eventuality. "If necessary we will also use the anti-terrorist force Octopus," he said. With the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court set to deliver the verdict in the Ayodhya title suit on Sep 24, police have made additional security arrangements. Security was also on high alert at the historic Mecca Masjid in the old city, where communal clashes broke out in the past. The Bhagyanagar Ganesh Utsav Samiti has set up welcome stages at the Charminar and Moazzamjahi Market to welcome the idols. Labour Minister Mukesh Goud and other political leaders offered prayers to Ganesh idol at Khairatabad. The tallest idol in the state attracts large number of devotees. This year it is a 50-ft, five-headed idol with 500-kg laddu in its palm.
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Army on standby for Ganesh procession in Hyderabad

Sep,22, The mammoth Ganesh procession began here Wednesday amid unprecedented security with the army on standby in case of an emergency, officials said.Thousands of idols from different parts of the state capital and its outskirts headed towards Hussain Sagar Lake in the heart of the city.There was a festive mood in the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad with slogan shouting youth, wearing saffron scarves, marching towards the lake with the idols.From a cycle to a long truck, the devotees used every mode of transport to carry the idols for immersion. More than 50 cranes have been installed at the lake for the immersion of big idols.The main procession with huge idols in different sizes and shapes began from Balapur in the old city. It will reach the lake late in the evening after covering 20 km and passing through several communally sensitive localities.The procession began after the auction of the traditional ‘laddu’ at Balapur. A.G. Sridharbabu bought it for Rs.5.35 lakh. However, the auction was marred by controversy with a woman devotee Sarita accusing the organisers of cheating her.Sarita, who had bought the laddu for Rs.5.10 lakh last year, claimed that it was given to another man though she had offered a price of Rs.5.50 lakh.Unprecedented security arrangements have been made for the annual procession, which is attended by over a million people. About 35,000 policemen and personnel of the paramilitary Rapid Action Force (RAF) have been deployed.Hyderabad Police Commissioner A.K. Khan hoped that the procession would pass off peacefully with the cooperation of all sections of people. He said tight vigil was being maintained at the places of worship to prevent any untoward incident.He said the army was being asked to standby to meet any eventuality. “If necessary we will also use the anti-terrorist force Octopus,” he said. With the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court set to deliver the verdict in the Ayodhya title suit on Sep 24, police have made additional security arrangements.Security was also on high alert at the historic Mecca Masjid in the old city, where communal clashes broke out in the past.The Bhagyanagar Ganesh Utsav Samiti has set up welcome stages at the Charminar and Moazzamjahi Market to welcome the idols.Labour Minister Mukesh Goud and other political leaders offered prayers to Ganesh idol at Khairatabad. The tallest idol in the state attracts large number of devotees. This year it is a 50-ft, five-headed idol with 500-kg laddu in its palm.
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Women empowerment important for a powerful nation: Patil

Sep,22, President Pratibha Patil Wednesday said women empowerment is very important for developing India into a powerful nation.“Women empowerment is very important for the development of the nation. If women become powerful, the nation will also become powerful along with them,” Patil said while addressing the platinum jubilee celebration of the All India Marwari Federation here.She said just like a car cannot move without wheels, a nation cannot also progress without its two wheels — men and women.Talking about the business sector, the president said it plays an important role in the prosperity of the country, but it is even more important to maintain ethics in business.“…In an era where newer technological innovation is the need of the hour, it is even more important to maintain ethics at workplace,” she said.Patil said the characteristic of “unity in diversity” in India has made it unique in the world. “In our country we have people of various religions, castes, languages. This uniqueness sets India apart from all other countries,” she said.
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Central government not providing adequate forces: Mayawati

Sep,21, Ahead of the judgment in the Ayodhya case due Sep 24, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati Monday criticised the central government for its “apathy” in providing the state the security forces needed in case of any trouble after the verdict.While reviewing the law and order situation in the state here, she told the high level meeting held at her official residencehow she had been repeatedly seeking assistance of the central government ever since the high court declared its decision to deliver the much awaited verdict some two months back.
“Since then the state government was making special efforts to maintain law and order besides taking all possible measures to ensure that the communal forces would not be able to disturb the law and order. We also made it a point to keep the centre duly posted of the prevailing situation in the state,” she said.Mayawati lamented the fact that as against the state’s demand and requirement of 642 companies (one company comprising about 80 men) of para-military forces, the central government had agreed to eventually provide just 52 companies, which she described as “grossly inadequate.”“While the initial demand on Aug 6 was made for 458 companies, the demand for an additional 143 companies was made on Sep 1 last to specifically protect the disputed site at Ayodhya. Besides, 29 companies were sought to ensure fool-proof security high court premises, both in Lucknow and in Allahabad, followed by yet another letter dated Sep 6 for 12 companies of the Rapid Action Force (RAF),” she said.According to an official spokesman, the chief minister stressed the need to take a tough stand against mischief-mongers. Directing officials to remain on a round-the-clock alert, she also made it a point to highlight the need for keeping a tab on rumour-mongering, which was “equally dangerous”.Mayawati also reviewed the security of important religious, social and historical places, that were already on a high alert.She also appealed to the people of the state to maintain peace and cautioned them to watch out for mischievous elements.
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Mumbai attack: Hearing on confirmation of Kasab’s death sentence from Oct 18

Sep,21, The Bombay High Court Monday fixed Oct 18 for starting daily hearings to confirm the death sentence awarded to Mumbai attack convict and Pakistani terrorist Mohammed Ajmal Amir Kasab.A division bench of Justice Ranjana Desai and Justice Ranjit More also declined to entertain Kasab’s application seeking physical presence and ruled that he would remain present through video-conferencing, his lawyer Farhana Shah said.“As per the court’s directions, I met Kasab and discussed the issue. He wanted to remain personally present in the high court during the hearing,” Shah said.The prosecution, led by Special Public Prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam, expressed apprehensions about brining Kasab to the Bombay High Court on a daily basis from the Arthur Road Central Jail and said it may pose a threat to him.Shah said in view of these developments, Kasab was unlikely to be brought to the court and would appear before it through video-conferencing as he did Monday.She said she planned to file her appeal against the death sentence by Sep 27.On May 6, Kasab was awarded the death sentence by Special Judge M.L. Tahaliyani after finding him guilty of 86 different offences.Kasab’s two co-accused – Fahim Ansari and Sabahuddin Ahmed – charged with conspiracy in the terror attack, were acquitted on the grounds that the prosecution evidence against them was doubtful.Kasab is lodged in the Arthur Road Central Jail, where the trial was conducted.
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NDA won’t win in Bihar: Lalu Prasad

SEP,21, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad asserted Monday that Chief Minister Nitish Kumar will fail to lead the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) to power in Bihar.“It is certain that the JD-U-BJP (Janata Dal-United and Bharatiya Janata Party) government of Nitish Kumar will not win the (October-November) assembly elections,” Lalu Prasad told a press conference here.The former railway minister launched a scathing attack on Nitish Kumar, alleging that rampant corruption had caused agony in the last five years.He also alleged growing differences between the JD-U and BJP.Lalu Prasad said his RJD and Ram Vilas Paswan’s Lok Janshaktri Party had decided to contest from 168 and 75 seats respectively.
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Cannot trust BJP, VHP, RSS on Ayodhya: Digvijay

Sep,21, Congress general secretary Digvijay Singh Monday said he cannot trust the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad on the Ayodhya dispute as “they could do anything”.He said the Congress made a mistake in 1992 by believing the affidavits filed by Sangh parivar organisations. The Babri mosque was demolished Dec 6, 1992 by Hindu mobs who had gathered at the spot.“I cannot trust BJP, RSS, VHP. In 1992, we made a mistake by believing their affidavit,” said Singh, who is Congress general secretary in charge of Uttar Pradesh.The Congress leader said he had information that Sangh parivar organisations were making some plans. The Lucknow bench of Allahbad High Court is expected to give its verdict in the title suits relating to the Ayodhya dispute on Sep 24.He said the party has asked its MPs and legislators in Uttar Pradesh to remain in their constituencies on Sep 24 and work for communal harmony.Singh alleged that posters had been put up by Hindu fundamentalist organisations in Bhopal and Indore to recruit people.He said he had told Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan during a telephonic conversation that the state government should control “overzealous” workers in the current scenario.
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Chiranjeevi's fans in Telangana vow to protect his interests

Hyderabad, Sep 21 : With the films of actor-turned-politician K. Chiranjeevi and his family members facing a boycott from Telangana activists, his die-hard fans in the region Tuesday formed a group to protect his interests.The fans of the Praja Rajyam Party (PRP) president met in Hyderabad and formed a "Chiru Force" to counter pro-Telangana groups who have been disrupting the screening of films of Chiranjeevi, his son Ramcharan Teja and brother Pavan Kalyan for their opposition to the demand for a separate state of Telangana. The presidents of Chiranjeevi Fans' Association from all 10 districts of Telangana made it clear that they would not tolerate any disruption of the screening of his films. The members of the "Chiru Force" said since Chiranjeevi entered politics on their demand and had been raising the issues of people, it was their responsibility to protect him and his family members. They also pointed out that people of Telangana were the biggest beneficiaries of the Chiranjeevi Blood Bank. The group said it was ready even for a confrontation on the issue. Osmania University students' joint action committee (JAC) was quick to hit back. The JAC leaders said they would disrupt the screening of Chiranjeevi's movies at any cost. They warned that the "Chiru Force" would be responsible for the consequences. The superstar is facing the ire of Telangana groups since early this year for taking a U-turn on Telangana statehood issue. Both legislators of his party in Telangana quit the party in protest. Chiranjeevi has not visited Telangana since then. The Telangana statehood supporters have decided to stop him from visiting the region. The superstar, however, recently said he would soon undertake a visit to Telangana.
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Hyderabad tightens security for Ganesh immersions

Hyderabad,Sep 21: Over 30,000 policemen were deployed and the military asked to stand by as massive security arrangements have been made for Ganesh idols immersion processions here Wednesday.A thick security blanket has thrown around the route of the mammoth procession, which passes through the communally-sensitive old city before culminating at Hussain Sagar Lake in the heart of the city. Unprecedented security has been made in view of the communal riots that broke out in the city in March this year and the verdict of Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court in Babri Masjid title suit scheduled for Sep 24. According to Hyderabad Police Commissioner A.K.Khan, military will be on stand-by to meet any contingency. "If necessary, the services of anti-terror force Octopus and armed forces will be utilised," he told reporters. Four companies of paramilitary Rapid Action Force (RAF) will be deployed in addition to the police forces. While the entire 10,000- strong city police force will be deployed, another 15,000 to 20,000 constables from other parts of the state will also be drafted for security. Over 40 officers of the rank of superintendent of police and above will be on duty. Over one million people are expected to attend the annual procession, which starts from Balapur in old city. Nearly 13,000 big idols from Hyderabad, Secunderabad, Cyberabad and surrounding districts will be immersed in the Hussain Sagar. Authorities have installed 50 heavy cranes for immersion of the idols. Hundreds of idols were immersed during last two days. Police have already imposed restrictions under section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code banning assembly of four or more people barring those in the Ganesh processions. The orders will be in force till Sep 28. Thirty bomb disposal squads will search vulnerable places along the 20-km long procession route. An equal number of anti-sabotage teams will use 30 sniffer dogs to identify suspicious objects. Massive security will be in place at the historic Mecca Masjid and Charminar in the old city. In the past, communal clashes broke out during the procession in the sensitive areas in the old city. The procession, organised by Bhagyanagar Ganesh Utsav Samiti since early 1980s, brings the city to a grinding halt. The main procession route and roads taken by nearly two dozen tributary processions will be closed for traffic.Like in the past, the state government has declared a general holiday in the state capital and the neighbouring Ranga Reddy district fo Anantchaturdashi that marks the close of the 10-day Ganesh festival.
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Murder accused stabbed to death in Andhra court

Hyderabad, Sep 21 : A man accused in a murder case was stabbed to death in a court premises in Andhra Pradesh Tuesday.Kondaiah, who was brought by police to the court for the murder case hearing, was stabbed and killed in full public view in the court complex in Miryalguda town of Nalgonda district, about 150 km from here. Police said the attacker fled after killing the youth. The incident sent panic among litigants and lawyers at the court. According to Kondaiah's relatives, the attacker, Khaja, picked up an argument with him and stabbed him to death as others watched in horror. The motive is still not clear. Police suspect the attack was carried out to settle old scores, and have now launched an investigation. Kondaiah allegedly had extramarital relations with a woman and her relative Khaja stabbed him to take revenge. Kondaiah, hailing from Nagarjunasagar, was allegedly involved in a murder and was brought by police to the court for hearing.
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