Lahore High Court directs Govt. to use all means to defend terror suspect Dr.Aafia

Lahore, Jun.6 (ANI): The Lahore High Court (LHC) has directed the federal government to use all its diplomatic means to defend Aafia Siddiqui, who is currently in detention in the US for having alleged links with Al Qaeda.

LHC Justice Ijaz Ahmad Chaudhry also asked the Foreign Office to write a letter to the American court and bring all documents and materials, which would prove Siddiqui’s innocence, to its knowledge, The Daily Times reports.

The court’s directive came during a petition filed by one Javed Iqbal Jaffree, who submitted that Siddiqui was kidnapped along with her three children from Karachi in 2003, and that the government should be directed to seek her release from the US custody.

Siddiqui, a trained neuroscientist, has been charged by the US for allegedly shooting at her American interrogators in Afghanistan in July 2008.

Aafia faces up to 20 years in prison on the attempted murder charges and life in prison on the firearms charge. (ANI)

No relief for Rathore, case deferred till Tuesday

Disgraced former Haryana DGP SPS Rathore, sentenced to 18-month prison term by a court in Chandigarh in Ruchika molestation case, on Monday failed to get any relief as the Punjab and Haryana High Court deferred the hearing on his revision petition seeking bail till Tuesday.

68-year-old Rathore’s lawyer wife Abha Rathore had filed the review petition on his behalf in the High Court on May 26 seeking bail, a day after he was sentenced and lodged in the high-security Burail jail here.

The single vacation bench of Justice Ajay Tewari deferred the case till tomorrow.

On May 28, High Court Judge, Justice Gurdev Singh had posted the matter for today on the plea of the CBI counsel that the investigating agency had not received copy of the review petition.

In her petition, Abha Rathore had alleged that the appellate court had on May 25 passed the order “under media pressure”.

She had pleaded that the former DGP was facing “severe health problems”.

Rathore was jailed after a sessions court had enhanced his prison term to 18 months for molesting teenager Ruchika Girhotra–who later committed suicide, 20 years back.

High court defers hearing in Rathore’s case till Tuesday

Chandigarh, May 31 (IANS) The Punjab and Haryana High Court Monday deferred till Tuesday the hearing on the bail petition of former Haryana police chief S.P.S. Rathore, who has been sentenced to 18 months imprisonment for molesting teenager Ruchika Girhotra in 1990.

After hearing the arguments, the vacation bench of Justice Ajay Tiwari deferred the case and directed the lawyers of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to submit their reply in connection with Rathore’s appeal.

Rathore’s wife and counsel Abha Rathore was also accompanied by daughter Priyanjali, a lawyer, in the court Monday. Abha had moved a bail petition in the high court May 26, a day after a court convicted him and sent him to the Burail Jail.

‘We are filing our reply in the high court and we will strongly oppose the bail petition,’ CBI lawyer Ajay Kaushik told IANS Monday.

Abha said during arguments Monday: ‘I am ready for the arguments any time. But they (CBI lawyers) are unnecessarily delaying it. It was just the media hype that had affected the court’s verdict in the past.’

Abha also showed a map to the judge displaying the positions of Rathore, Aradhna (lone witness in the case) and Ruchika in Rathore’s office Aug 12, 1990 whe he allegedly molester her.

‘Rathore and Ruchika were sitting across the table. How can he embrace somebody who is sitting so far? Moreover, Aradhna left the room for only a few seconds. There were gunmen outside and glass windows in the room. All previous courts have ignored this map,’ Abha told the judge.

Rathore has sought bail on medical grounds, saying he had undergone a heart surgery and required medical attention.

The former Haryana director general of police was sent to jail Tuesday by the district and sessions court which upheld his conviction in the molestation case by a CBI special court in December last year and enhanced his jail term to 18 months.

Rathore was sentenced to six months’ rigorous imprisonment and fined Rs.1,000 by the CBI special court. He was immediately granted bail then. Rathore filed a plea in January challenging his conviction.

Rathore files review petition before Punjab and Haryana High Court

Chandigarh, May 26 (ANI):Haryana’s former Director General of Police (DGP) SPS Rathore, who was sentenced to a 18-month prison term in connection with the Ruchika Girhotra molestation case on Tuesday, on Wednesday filed a petition before the Punjab and Haryana High Court seeking review of the District Sessions Court verdict.

Rathore”s lawyer-wife Abha Rathore filed the review petition on his behalf in the court of Justice S S Saron. She also requested bail for Rathore.

In the petition, Abha Rathore alleged that the Sessions Court had passed the order under media pressure.

Rathore was jailed on Tuesday after the Chandigarh District Sessions Court enhanced his jail term to 18 months.

In the petition, Abha Rathore also sought to appraise the court about her husband’s heart ailment. (ANI)

England is best country to host World Cup: Capello

London, May 20 (ANI): Coach Fabio Capello has said that England is the best country to host the World Cup.

The England boss joined the 4,000 people who have backed The Sun’s campaign to save the country’s 2018 bid.

“This is the best country where you can play football. The transport, the fans, the stadiums, the hotels, everything is good. This is why I think it will be fine for England,” he said.

The paper launched Save Our Bid this week, calling on FIFA to ignore former bid chairman Lord Triesman’s corruption claims.

Boxing ace Ricky Hatton joined that campaign by signing the e-petition, saying: “England is where the beautiful game began. Bring it on.”

Oasis star Noel Gallagher, 42, speaking at the launch of Umbro’s I’m in campaign, said: “England should win. It’s a travesty we have only had it once.”

Other celebs backing The Sun’s bid include former England captain Alan Shearer, TV host Adrian Chiles and Fatboy Slim star Norman Cook. (ANI)

Marandi appeals in vain to Supreme Court

New Delhi, May 20 (ANI): The Supreme Court on Thursday refused to give urgent hearing to the petition filed by Jharkhand Vikas Morcha-Prajatantrik (JVM-P) chief Babulal Marandi challenging Jharkhand Chief Minister Shibu Soren for holding the coveted post without being the member of the State assembly.

A vacation bench comprising Justices G S Singhvi and Chandramouli Prasad said that there was no urgency in the matter and that it would be heard during the routine course.

In his petition, Marandi has accused Soren of misusing the special provision under Article 164 (4) of the Constitution.
Marandi alleged that it is the third time Soren has apparently misused the provisions.

“As per provision of the said Section, Soren should become the member of the House within a span of 180 days, out of which he has stayed the CM for 140 days now,” Marandi had earlier said.

“The process of holding election takes 40-45 days but as Soren does not intend to become a member of the House, he is still holding the post. This is against constitutional norms,” he added.

Article 164 (4) enables an unelected person to become chief minister subject to the condition that he/she would get elected to the Assembly within six months. (ANI)

Miranda Kerr feels sorry for Aussie banker caught ogling at her naked pics

Melbourne, May 19 (ANI): The last time Victoria’s Secret angel Miranda Kerr shot for a racy GQ photoshoot, a misfortunate Australian banker almost lost his job. Now, the model has posed for yet another racy shoot for GQ magazine’s June issue.

The Macquarie Banker, David Kiely, was caught on live TV looking at naked pics of Miranda Kerr. Images of Kiely gazing at Miranda were broadcast around the world after he was inadvertently filmed during an interview on Channel 7 news at Macquarie Bank in Sydney.

“It was a big deal,” The Herald Sun quoted Miranda as telling GQ. “I wasn’t offended. I just felt sorry for the poor guy.

“I wonder if he’ll get into trouble if we send him this cover.”

And she said that this time she hoped Kiely would not be caught out.

“We should send him a signed cover!” she said.

“He can read the magazine at home instead of at work on the Internet.”

Miranda told the Herald Sun”s Confidential: “I am told there is a petition to save his job and of course I would sign it.”

Commenting on the ideal man she would want, Miranda said, “Personally, I believe that women need to be stimulated mentally by the man.

“t”s not necessarily about his looks.

“It’s more about being stimulated mentally, like when a man is funny or he is witty or charming, I think that’s attractive. It’s all about personality, really,” she added. (ANI)

Lahore High Court issues notice to Zardari over holding two offices

Lahore, May 18 (ANI): The Lahore High Court (LHC) has issued a notice to President Asif Ali Zardari over the legality of holding two offices of interest.

Hearing a petition filed by the Pakistan Lawyers Forum (PLF) challenging the right of Zardari to hold on to the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) chief’s post, the high court directed Zardari’s Principal Secretary to explain the legality of President dual posts.

“Since the president could not appear because of security reasons, the court asked his principal secretary to appear in court on May 25,” The Daily Times quoted PLF president A.K. Dogar, as saying.

Dogar said that though there was no constitutional bar on the President holding office in a political party, the Supreme Court had barred a president from holding a party post.

“Our Supreme Court judges decided in 1993 that the president should be non-partisan. He should not involve himself in political battles. He should shun politics but here he is a party head, which is illegal,” he said.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has come out openly in favour of Zardari over the issue, saying there are no legal bar on holding two offices at a time.

President Zardari can keep two offices at a time and there is no constitutional or legal bar whatsoever, Gilani told media persons during a brief interaction here. (ANI)

Pak court dismisses plea against extradition of Taliban No.2

Islamabad, May 12 (ANI): The possible extradition of 12 Afghan Taliban militants, including Taliban No.2 Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, arrested by Pakistan has benn stalled after the Lahore High Court dismissed petitions regarding the extradition.

Chief Justice Khawaja Muhammad Sharif on Tuesday rejected the plea of petitioner’s lawyer Tariq Asad, stating that the petitioner, Khalid Khawaja, was now dead.

He said a fresh petition needed to be filed for the case to proceed, the Daily Times reports.

Khawaja was kidnapped and later killed by the Afghan Taliban.

The kidnappers had linked his release with the withdrawal of petitions pending in the Lahore High Court regarding their arrested men.

Khawaja had challenged the possible extradition of Mullah Baradar, Mullah Abdul Salam, Maulvi Kabir, Mullah Muhammad, Ameer Muawiya, Tayyab Agha, Hakeemuddin Mehsud, Mullah Tayyab Popalzai, Abdul Qayum Zakir, Musa and Mohtasim Agha and others. (ANI)

Supreme Court asks judge to frame issues in N.D. Tiwari paternity suit

New Delhi, May 10 (ANI): The Supreme Court on Monday asked a trial judge to frame issues in a paternity suit filed against former Andhra Pradesh Governor N D Tiwari.

The suit has been filed by Rohit Shekhar, who claims to be his biological son.

The Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan headed bench said the issues should be framed without being influenced by observations made by single judge or the division benches of the Delhi High Court.

The Delhi High Court had on March 17 rejected Tiwari”s plea for quashing Shekhar”s paternity suit.

A division bench of the high court had hinted that Tiwari might have to undergo a DNA test to decide the issue. It set aside a single bench order that had dismissed Shekhar”s paternity suit on grounds that it was time barred and non-maintainable.

Justice S N Dhingra had on November 3, 2009 said the suit filed by Shekhar was non maintainable and allowed the plea of 84-year-old Tiwari, who had sought dismissal of the petition.

Tiwari quit as Andhra Pradesh Governor following allegations of his involvement in a sex scandal inside Raj Bhavan. (ANI)

Supreme Court allows Reddy brothers to mine in undisputed areas

New Delhi, May 10 (ANI): The Supreme Court on Monday gave permission to the Reddy brothers to mine in undisputed areas, but said it should not be within 150 metres of the Karnataka border.

Janardhan Reddy and his brother Karunakara Reddy, both ministers in Karnataka Government, are facing allegations of illegal mining of iron ores by encroaching upon a large chunk of forest land in the area causing huge damage to the environment.

Earlier, the apex court had appointed a Survey of India (SoI) panel to conduct a detailed mapping of the three mines of the Reddy brothers. The SoI submitted its report, saying mining should not be allowed till a fresh demarcation of the Karnataka-Andhra Pradesh border is complete.

The SoI panel had given its nod to Reddy”s 68.5-hectare iron ore mine, asserting that there was no major encroachment. The panel said that of the 68.5 hectares, only 66 hectares could be mined.

The remaining 2.5 hectares were set aside for road construction. The panel found the Reddys mining all 68.5 hectares.

The apex court had on March 22 suspended the Reddy brothers”” mining operations in Andhra Pradesh and ordered a survey team to examine the allegations and submit an interim report within two weeks.

The apex court had asked the survey team to monitor the six mines on the Andhra-Karnataka border – three of which belong to the Reddys – to check whether or not they encroached on forestland.

Tumti Iron Ore owner Tapal Ganesh had filed a police complaint in 2006 alleging that the Reddy brothers were encroaching on his mine and later filed a petition in the Supreme Court in 2009. (ANI)

Supreme Court to hear N.D. Tiwari”s paternity suit appeal

New Delhi, May 10 (ANI): The Supreme Court will hear former Andhra Pradesh Governor N D Tiwari”s petition challenging the paternity case filed against him by Rohit Shekhar who claims to be his biological son.

The Delhi High Court had on March 17 rejected Tiwari”s plea for quashing Shekhar”s paternity suit.

A division bench of the high court had hinted that Tiwari might have to undergo a DNA test to decide the issue. It set aside a single bench order that had dismissed Shekhar”s paternity suit filed by Shekhar”s on ground that it was time barred and non maintainable.

Justice S N Dhingra had on November 3, 2009 said the suit filed by Shekhar was non maintainable and allowed the plea of 84-year-old Tiwari, who had sought dismissal of the petition.

Tiwari quit as Andhra Pradesh Governor following allegations of his involvement in a sex scandal inside Raj Bhavan. (ANI)

Gas dispute: ‘We will respect Supreme Court order’: Anil Ambani

New Delhi, May 7 (ANI): Reliance Natural Resources Limited (RNRL) chief Anil Ambani onm Friday said he will not challenge the Supreme Court verdict delivered on Friday that gave his brother, Mukesh’s Reliance Industries Limited (RIL), the advantage in the Krishna Godavari Basin Gas row.

””We respect the judgment of the Supreme; we note that SC has safeguarded interest of over 25 lakh RNRL shareholders by giving guidelines for gas supply agreement,” Anil said.

“We have no plan to file a review petition in the Supreme Court… We are looking forward to successful renegotiation with RIL (Reliance Industries) within six weeks in line with verdict,” he added.

The Supreme Court has said the RIL cannot supply gas to the RNRL and its power plants at 234 dollars per unit which is what the brothers had agreed to in a private agreement in 2005.

The RIL has since challenged the price, arguing that it should be allowed to charge more, because the government has asked for higher prices.

The court held that gas belongs entirely to the government and it alone has the right to decide gas prices.

The court ordered Mukesh and Anil to renegotiate their contract in six weeks.

Anil maintained that he was rather looking forward to successful re-negotiation with RIL over the next 6 weeks as directed by the SC.

Aiming to arrest the fall of the ADAG stocks in the market, Anil maintained that the Court had safeguarded the interest of 2.5 million RNRL shareholders.

The stock is trading down by 20 percent ever since the verdict came in. (ANI)

Scribe’s death: Jharkhand court orders filing of report against Priyabhanshu

Koderma (Jharkhand), May 7 (ANI): A court in Jharkhand’s Koderma District on Friday ordered filing of a report against Priyabhanshu Ranjan who was said to be journalist Nirupama Pathak’s fiancé.

Pathak died under mysterious circumstances on April 29 at her house in Koderma District’s Tilaya area.

A court ordered the filing of the report based on a petition filed by Pathak’s family.

Earlier, one of Nirupama’s brother alleged that Priyabhanshu had raped his sister.

On Thursday, a Jharkand Police team had seized Priyabhanshu’s mobile phone to check the nature of calls and messages exchanged right before her death.

Police who had seized Nirupama”s laptop, a few diaries and some clothes, had earlier questioned Priyabhanshu on their relationship and her pregnancy.

According to an autopsy report, Nirupama was three months pregnant at the time of her death.

He was also taken to Nirupama”s house as part of the investigation.

Meanwhile, the Delhi Police is expected to question Priyabhanshu on Saturday.

Almost a week since she passed away, Nirupama”s friends and batch mates are still trying to come to terms.

One of her friends shared a video shot on a mobile phone showing Nirupama singing a bhajan at the annual day in the Indian Institute of Mass Communications (IIMC) ironically, the song is about broken dreams and love lost.

Nirupama was working for the Business Standard daily in Delhi, and was stated to be planning to marry Ranjan, who was her classmate at IIMC.

Reportedly, Pathak’s family did not approve of the proposal because Ranjan belongs to the Kayastha caste. (ANI)

Ajmer blast accused petition accepted, Rajasthan Government to file reply

Ajmer, May 7 (ANI): A court in Ajmer on Friday admitted the revised petition of Devendra Gupta, arrested for his alleged role in the 2007 Ajmer Dargah blast and issued a notice to the Rajasthan Government to file its reply by May 10.

Gupta”s advocate Umardan Lakhawat said the District and Session Judge Ajmer Prashant Agarwal has admitted the petition and asked the State government to file its reply by May 10.

Gupta, who is allegedly linked to Hindu outfit Abhinav Bharat Sangathan had on Thursday filed a revised petition against the proposed narco and brain mapping tests conducted on him by the Rajasthan Anti Terror Squad (ATS).

The petition comes just two days after the ruling of the Supreme Court that illegal compulsory use of narco-analysis, brain-mapping and polygraph tests techniques amount to cruel and degrading treatment and unwarranted intrusion into personal liberty.

In his petition, Gupta claimed that the ATS had not taken his permission for conducting the tests.

Earlier on April 3, the court had granted permission to the ATS to conduct a narco-analysis test on Gupta.

Gupta was arrested last week from Ajmer, when he had come to meet his ailing mother.

He is suspected to be involved in the blast inside the Dargah of Khawaja Moinuddin Chishti.

The ATS has so far arrested three persons in the blast case- Devendra from Ajmer and Chandrashekhar and Vishnu Patidar from Madhya Pradesh.

Police are also probing Gupta”s alleged links with Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur, a key accused in the Malegaon blast case.

Chandrashekhar, who is also suspected to have connections with Hindu right-wing groups, is alleged to be a key member of the terror module involved in the Ajmer blast.

At least three persons were killed and over 15 others were injured in the Ajmer Dargah blast in 2007. (ANI)

SC upholds selected UPSC candidates right to quota benefits

New Delhi, May 7 (ANI): A five judge Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court on Friday upheld the constitutional validity of a Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) rule allowing merit list candidates belonging to reserved category to avail the quota benefit while choosing posts.

The bench consisting of Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan and Justices S H Kapadia, R V Raveendran, B Sudershan Reddy and P Sathasivam set aside an earlier Madras High Court judgment on the issue.

The court passed the order on a special leave petition filed by the Centre challenging the Madras High Court verdict.

“Such migrations of reserved category candidates taking the benefit of reservation even after making into merit list is not inconsistent with the provision of the Constitution….Appeals are allowed,” the court said in its judgment.

Earlier, the Madras High Court had ordered that if a candidate from reserve category vacates his place in a general category merit list in civil services examination conducted by the UPSC and opts to prop up his position by opting for caste-based benefit, then the vacant general category seat should go to a reserved category candidate. (ANI)

Governors can’t be removed due to change of regime at Centre: SC

New Delhi, May 7 (ANI): In a judgement that could have deep political connotations the Supreme Court on Friday said governors cannot be removed or transferred just because of a change of government at the Centre.

A five-judge constitution Bench headed by Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan gave the decision on a petition challenging the summary dismissal of governors by the President after a change of regime at the Centre.

Earlier, appearing for the petitioner, senior lawyer Soli J Sorabjee had questioned the removal of four governors by the UPA Government after the NDA lost elections in 2004.

He had said constitutional office holders should not be made sacrificial goats at the altar of electoral politics and should be treated with dignity that they deserve.

Sorabjee had suggested a fixed tenure for them or in case of removal, giving of proper reasons by the President of India. (ANI)

Class 7 Pak girl student pleads for divorce in court

Islamabad, May 6 (ANI): A Pakistani girl in class seven, who was sold by her father for Rs 0.1 million, has approached a civil court in Shahdadpur in Mirpurkhas for divorce.

A private TV channel reported on May 5, that Aroosa informed the court that her father forced her to marry, and now she wants a divorce, reports the Daily Times.

The court has adjourned the hearing of the case to May 18.

Meanwhile, Aroosa’s father Ghulam Mohammad has divorced his wife Yasmeen, and his son Shahid alias Suhail has also divorced his wife Naseem.

Following the divorce, Yasmeen filed a petition for expenses and for the custody of her children in the civil court. (ANI)

Farmers call for rail network to be kept open

The Minister for Regional Development Brendon Grylls says the Government is yet to decide whether it will keep operating rail lines in the Wheatbelt.

The Farmers Federation of WA has presented Mr Grylls with a petition containing almost 3,000 signatures demanding the government reconsider its decision to close parts of the network.

The president of the Merredin zone Ian Lane says more than 60,000 extra truck movements will be needed as a result of the closure and that will increase the risk faced by other road users.

Mr Lane says the Government must immediately reconsider its decision.

“We intend to drive home our point to the Government that it is not just grain farmers who will be affected by this. It will be the St John ambulance, the fire brigade.

“All of these people who commit their time in the bush voluntarily will be under extreme pressure.”

Mr Grylls says he welcomes the farmers’ input and will raise their concerns in parliament.

“The real question and challenge for the government is where do you get this value for the investment, is it on the rail, is it on the road?

“That work is being done and the decision of the Government will be made.”

Council defers car beach ban decision

The Geraldton Greenough Council has ordered city rangers not to enforce a controversial law banning vehicle access at a popular beach, until further public consultation.

The local by-law, introduced nine years ago, prohibits vehicles on Pages Beach, but rangers often turned a blind eye to recreational fishermen launching their boats.

That was until earlier this year, when the rangers signalled their intention to begin enforcing the law.

At its meeting last night, the council formally received a petition with 521 signatures, calling for the ban to be overturned.

The council voted to defer a decision on the matter, ahead of further public consultation.

Geraldton Greenough Mayor Ian Carpenter says council will consider all submissions during the public consultation phase.

“Obviously if there’s 500 people there who felt that access to that beach should be allowed then we would think about that, but now that we have this deferral and we’ve made it clear there will be no prosecutions in that area, that gives us some more breathing space and a bit of time to consider all of the submissions,” he said.