Barry Callebaut welcomes decision of SIX Swiss Exchange Sanction Commission

July 21, 2010 By Leave a Comment

ZURICH, SWITZERLAND, Jul 20 (MARKET WIRE) —
Barry Callebaut AG / Barry Callebaut welcomes decision of SIX Swiss
Exchange Sanction Commission processed and transmitted by Hugin AS. The
issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

Zurich/Switzerland, July 20, 2010 – Barry Callebaut AG, the world’s
leading manufacturer of high-quality cocoa and chocolate products,
welcomes the decision by the Sanction Commission of SIX Swiss Exchange
announced today, under which Barry Callebaut is cleared of all charges
relating to application of IFRS in its consolidated financial statements
for fiscal year 2007/08.

Expert opinions differ regarding application of IAS 2 and IAS 39

On November 6, 2008, Barry Callebaut published the 2007/08 consolidated
financial statements audited by KPMG AG (KPMG). KPMG confirmed that the
consolidated financial statements gave a fair presentation of the
company’s financial position and financial performance in accordance with
International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). SIX Exchange
Regulation, as the regulatory authority for listed companies, also
reviewed the financial statements and concluded that two standards had
been violated: IAS 2 in connection with the valuation of inventories and
IAS 39 in connection with treatment of inventories as hedging instruments
in a fair value hedge accounting model. In response, Barry Callebaut
submitted an opinion by KPMG in the subsequent sanction proceedings
stating that the reporting method selected offered the best possible way
to provide information about the business model. In addition, Barry
Callebaut submitted an opinion from the Institute of Accounting,
Controlling and Auditing at the University of St. Gallen that also
confirms that the accounting model used by Barry Callebaut is consistent
with IFRS rules. The Sanction Commission mandated a partner of
PricewaterhouseCoopers AG (PwC) to provide an expert opinion as an
additional expert. This opinion represents a third view of how IAS 2 and
IAS 39 can best be applied to Barry Callebaut’s business model.

As a result, the Sanction Commission held that different recognized
experts had arrived at different results regarding application of IFRS
and had reached different opinions as to the best way to report
information to investors. According to the Commission, the company had
obviously relied to a considerable degree on expert knowledge in order to
achieve adequate compliance with IFRS. As a consequence, the Sanction
Commission cleared Barry Callebaut and its representatives of all charges
and did not issue a sanction or require payment of the costs of the
proceedings.

In the view of Barry Callebaut, both the method favored by KPMG and the
method favored by the PwC expert for valuing inventories and applying
hedge accounting would ultimately lead to the same result. Accordingly,
the profit figures reported by Barry Callebaut in the audited 2007/08
annual report are correct.

Change in the application of IAS 2 and IAS 39 as of fiscal year 2010/11

Due to the fact that acknowledged experts arrived at different
interpretations regarding the accounting model to be used, Barry
Callebaut has decided to modify the accounting model used to date.

In the revised model, inventories will be valued at the lower of cost and
net realizable value. In the future, the broker-trader exemption,
according to which inventories are fair valued, will no longer be applied
nor will such inventories be designated as hedging instruments to hedge
firm sales commitments for chocolate. The latter will consequently no
longer be fair valued. The cocoa price risks related to inventories
exceeding these firm sales commitments will be hedged with cocoa futures
in a fair value hedge relationship.

This revised model, which will be introduced prospectively as from fiscal
year 2010/11, will produce essentially the same result with regard to
presentation in the income statement as the accounting model used to
date. The differences will involve only some changes in the presentation
of the balance sheet and disclosures provided in the notes. In accordance
with IFRS, prior-year figures will not be restated.

* * *

About Barry Callebaut (www.barry-callebaut.com):

With annual sales of about CHF 4.9 billion for fiscal year 2008/09,
Zurich- based Barry Callebaut is the world’s leading manufacturer of
high-quality cocoa and chocolate – from the cocoa bean to the finished
product on the store shelf. Barry Callebaut is present in 26 countries,
operates more than 40 production facilities and employs about 7,500
people. The company serves the entire food industry, from food
manufacturers to professional users of chocolate (such as chocolatiers,
pastry chefs or bakers), to global retailers. Barry Callebaut is the
global leader in cocoa and chocolate innovations and provides a
comprehensive range of services in the fields of product development,
processing, training and marketing. The company is actively engaged in
initiatives and projects that contribute to a more sustainable cocoa
supply
chain.

* * *
Contacts

For investors and financial analysts: For the media:

Evelyn Nassar Gaby Tschofen
Head of Investor Relations VP Corporate Communications
Barry Callebaut AG Barry Callebaut AG
Tel.: +41 43 204 04 23 Tel.: +41 43 204 04 60
evelyn_nassar@barry-callebaut.com gaby_tschofen@barry-callebaut.com

The complete news release can be downloaded from the following link:

[HUG#1432547] — End of Message —

Barry Callebaut AG
P.O. Box Zurich null

WKN: 914661;ISIN: CH0009002962;

News Release (PDF): http://hugin.info/100441/R/1432547/378689.pdf

This announcement is distributed by Thomson Reuters on behalf of Thomson
Reuters clients.

The owner of this announcement warrants that:

(i) the releases contained herein are protected by copyright and other
applicable laws; and

(ii) they are solely responsible for the content, accuracy and originality
of the information contained therein.

All reproduction for further distribution is prohibited.

Source: Barry Callebaut AG via Thomson Reuters ONE

Copyright 2010, Market Wire, All rights reserved.

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Barry Callebaut AG: Barry Callebaut welcomes decision of SIX Swiss Exchange Sanction Commission

July 21, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Barry Callebaut AG / Barry Callebaut welcomes decision of SIX Swiss Exchange Sanction
Commission processed and transmitted by Hugin AS. The issuer is solely responsible for
the content of this announcement.

Zurich/Switzerland, July 20, 2010 – Barry Callebaut AG, the world’s leading manufacturer
of high-quality cocoa and chocolate products, welcomes the decision by the Sanction
Commission of SIX Swiss Exchange announced today, under which Barry Callebaut is cleared
of all charges relating to application of IFRS in its consolidated financial statements
for fiscal year 2007/08.

Expert opinions differ regarding application of IAS 2 and IAS 39

On November 6, 2008, Barry Callebaut published the 2007/08 consolidated financial
statements audited by KPMG AG (KPMG). KPMG confirmed that the consolidated financial
statements gave a fair presentation of the company’s financial position and financial
performance in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). SIX
Exchange Regulation, as the regulatory authority for listed companies, also reviewed the
financial statements and concluded that two standards had been violated: IAS 2 in
connection with the valuation of inventories and IAS 39 in connection with treatment of
inventories as hedging instruments in a fair value hedge accounting model. In response,
Barry Callebaut submitted an opinion by KPMG in the subsequent sanction proceedings
stating that the reporting method selected offered the best possible way to provide
information about the business model. In addition, Barry Callebaut submitted an opinion
from the Institute of Accounting, Controlling and Auditing at the University of St.
Gallen that also confirms that the accounting model used by Barry Callebaut is
consistent with IFRS rules. The Sanction Commission mandated a partner of
PricewaterhouseCoopers AG (PwC) to provide an expert opinion as an additional expert.
This opinion represents a third view of how IAS 2 and IAS 39 can best be applied to
Barry Callebaut’s business model.

As a result, the Sanction Commission held that different recognized experts had arrived
at different results regarding application of IFRS and had reached different opinions as
to the best way to report information to investors. According to the Commission, the
company had obviously relied to a considerable degree on expert knowledge in order to
achieve adequate compliance with IFRS. As a consequence, the Sanction Commission cleared
Barry Callebaut and its representatives of all charges and did not issue a sanction or
require payment of the costs of the proceedings.

In the view of Barry Callebaut, both the method favored by KPMG and the method favored
by the PwC expert for valuing inventories and applying hedge accounting would ultimately
lead to the same result. Accordingly, the profit figures reported by Barry Callebaut in
the audited 2007/08 annual report are correct.

Change in the application of IAS 2 and IAS 39 as of fiscal year 2010/11

Due to the fact that acknowledged experts arrived at different interpretations regarding
the accounting model to be used, Barry Callebaut has decided to modify the accounting
model used to date.

In the revised model, inventories will be valued at the lower of cost and net realizable
value. In the future, the broker-trader exemption, according to which inventories are
fair valued, will no longer be applied nor will such inventories be designated as
hedging instruments to hedge firm sales commitments for chocolate. The latter will
consequently no longer be fair valued. The cocoa price risks related to inventories
exceeding these firm sales commitments will be hedged with cocoa futures in a fair value
hedge relationship.

This revised model, which will be introduced prospectively as from fiscal year 2010/11,
will produce essentially the same result with regard to presentation in the income
statement as the accounting model used to date. The differences will involve only some
changes in the presentation of the balance sheet and disclosures provided in the notes.
In accordance with IFRS, prior-year figures will not be restated.

* * *

About Barry Callebaut (www.barry-callebaut.com http://www.barry-callebaut.com/ ):
With annual sales of about CHF 4.9 billion for fiscal year 2008/09, Zurich-based Barry
Callebaut is the world’s leading manufacturer of high-quality cocoa and chocolate – from
the cocoa bean to the finished product on the store shelf. Barry Callebaut is present in
26 countries, operates more than 40 production facilities and employs about 7,500
people. The company serves the entire food industry, from food manufacturers to
professional users of chocolate (such as chocolatiers, pastry chefs or bakers), to
global retailers. Barry Callebaut is the global leader in cocoa and chocolate
innovations and provides a comprehensive range of services in the fields of product
development, processing, training and marketing. The company is actively engaged in
initiatives and projects that contribute to a more sustainable cocoa supply chain.

* * *

Contacts

For investors and financial analysts: For the media:
Evelyn Nassar Gaby Tschofen
Head of Investor Relations VP Corporate Communications
Barry Callebaut AG Barry Callebaut AG
Tel.: +41 43 204 04 23 Tel.: +41 43 204 04 60
evelyn_nassar@barry-callebaut.com gaby_tschofen@barry-callebaut.com

The complete news release can be downloaded from the following link:

HUG#1432547

News Release (PDF) http://hugin.info/100441/R/1432547/378689.pdf

— End of Message —

Barry Callebaut AG
P.O. Box Zurich null

WKN: 914661;ISIN: CH0009002962;

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Power shortage in Jammu and Kashmir villages

May 18, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Doda (Jammu and Kashmir), May 18 (ANI): The non-availability of electricity has created problems for the people residing in over 35 villages of Jammu and Kashmir”s Doda District.

The villagers are forced to use traditional means of light, like oil lamps, firewood and candles to carry out their routine tasks.

“The Ministers are well aware of the electricity crisis we are facing. At the time of elections, they promised that electricity will be provided within three days, but nothing has been done till now,” said Ghulam Rasool, a villager.

Villagers complained that they face numerous problems especially while walking at night, asserting that they have repeatedly approached the concerned officials but nothing has been done so far.

The officials, however, said that they are awaiting sanction of plans to sort out the problem.

“We have proposed schemes to solve out the problem of electricity crisis in the area. We are now waiting for those schemes to get sanctioned. Once the schemes get sanctioned all the problems will be solved,” said Jameel Ahmed, an electricity department official.
(ANI)

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Centre okays visa for Prabhakaran mother

May 11, 2010 By Leave a Comment

In a careful move, the Union Government accorded sanction to Parvathiammal, the ailing mother of slain LTTE chief V Prabhakaran, to visit Tamil Nadu on a six-month visa, even as it placed riders to ensure that the pro-Tiger outfits did not draw mileage out of her presence.

Parvathiammal had arrived at the Chennai airport from Malaysia on the night of April 16 on a valid medical visa, but was immediately deported by the immigration authorities as her name figured in the blacklist.

Reiterating that the state government was kept in the dark about the earlier visit, Chief Minister M Karunanidhi informed the Assembly today that the Centre has now communicated the official permission to the Indian mission in Malaysia on May 7, a copy of which was received by the government here yesterday.

“Though such matters usually move at a slower pace, the central and state governments moved swiftly, taking into consideration her health condition,” Karunanidhi said.

The High Commission in Malaysia, where Parvathiammal has been staying for the past few months, has been asked to provide her a visa for six months on medical grounds so that the octogenarian could seek treatment in Trichy as per her request — though under certain conditions.

She has been barred from staying anywhere outside the hospital where she is seeking treatment, and only her family members can remain in touch with her — she has to list these relatives. She has also been asked not to contact any political party or organisations that have connections with banned outfits.

These conditions effectively rule out pro-Tiger MDMK leader Vaiko, Tamil activist P Nedumaran and others from contacting her or using her presence to attack the state government, the DMK or the Congress, as the proposed visit coincides with the first anniversary of Prabhakaran’s death and the end of war in Lanka.

Vaiko and Nedumaran were present at the airport when Parvathiammal was deported, and had strongly criticised Karunanidhi and his government over the incident.

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Port coach admits to illegal bet

May 5, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Port Adelaide assistant coach Matthew Primus has been named as the Power official who breached AFL rules by placing a bet on a preseason game last year.

The $20 wager on the match between Geelong and Carlton also involved two English Premier League matches.

Primus says he did not intend to bet on the AFL game, and is aware it contravened AFL rules.

He says he will accept any sanction imposed.

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U.S. sees sanctions by May; Iran lobbies against West

April 23, 2010 By Leave a Comment

U.S. Vice President Joe Biden said on Thursday he expects new sanctions on Iran by May as Tehran began lobbying the U.N. Security Council to oppose new steps against the Islamic Republic over its atomic plans.

Biden issued the latest U.S. warning to Iran, locked in a standoff with the West over a nuclear program Tehran insists is entirely peaceful, in an appearance on ABC television’s “The View” talk show.

“Everyone from the Israeli prime minister straight through to the British prime minister to the president of Russia, everyone agrees the next step we should take is the U.N. sanction route,” Biden said.

“I believe you will see a sanction regime coming out by the end of this month, beginning of next month,” he said. Asked if Israel might attack Iran’s nuclear facilities without consulting Washington, Biden said Israel had agreed to wait and see what the impact of new U.N. sanctions would be.

As closed-door negotiations continue on a draft resolution for the U.N. Security Council, Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki heads to Vienna and other capitals to lobby council members to oppose any new U.N. sanctions.

If negotiations on a fourth round of U.N. punitive measures against Tehran run past May, the U.S. House of Representatives has declared Congress should finalize legislation to impose new unilateral U.S. sanctions on Iran by the end of next month — whether or not the Security Council has acted.

The 403-11 vote signaled growing impatience on Capitol Hill with efforts by U.S. President Barack Obama’s administration and its allies to get a fourth round of U.N. sanctions to pressure Iran to curb a nuclear program the West fears is aimed at making a bomb.

Diplomats from the five permanent Security Council members — the United States, Britain, France, Russia and China — and Germany are meeting nearly every day in New York to revise a U.S.-drafted sanctions proposal that Moscow and Beijing would like to see watered down, Western diplomats say.

The proposed U.S. congressional measures are much tougher than those included in the U.N. draft proposal, agreed upon with Britain, France and Germany over a month ago before Washington passed it on to Russia and China for comment.

U.N. SANCTIONS TALKS COULD DRAG ON

The majority of U.S. lawmakers from both political parties are ready now to block Iran’s vital gasoline imports by imposing sanctions on its gasoline suppliers, a tough measure also favored by Israel. Both the House and the Senate passed legislation months ago to do this.

The U.S. draft for the 15-nation Security Council proposes some new curbs on Iranian banking, a full arms embargo, tougher measures against Iranian shipping, moves against members of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and firms they control and a ban on new investments in Iran’s energy sector.

But the U.N. draft does not seek to block imports or exports of oil or gas products to or from Iran — measures that Russia and China have made clear they could not support.

Western diplomats familiar with the U.N. talks say the six powers are far from agreement on a draft to present to the full council and expect negotiations to drag on until June.

Diplomats said China proposed cutting some of the measures from the U.S. draft. Both Russia and energy-hungry China have close trade ties with Iran and fought hard to dilute three previous rounds of U.N. sanctions before voting for them.

The head of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization, Ali Akbar Salehi, told Reuters in Tehran that Foreign Minister Mottaki would soon “meet and discuss with representatives of (council) member countries” the sanctions issue. Diplomats said Tehran was launching a lobbying campaign to avoid new sanctions.

Mottaki’s first stop will be Austria, which is on the council until the end of this year and also the seat of the U.N. nuclear watchdog. He is expected to meet with senior Austrian officials on Sunday, as well as the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Yukiya Amano.

Mottaki met with Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu earlier this week in Tehran. Davutoglu told reporters his country, which is also on the Security Council and has made clear it would have trouble supporting new sanctions on Iran, was ready to help resolve Tehran’s standoff with the West.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was in Harare for talks with Zimbabwe’s President Robert Mugabe, a visit Mugabe’s opponents condemned as a meeting of despots.

Zimbabwean state media said Ahmadinejad’s visit was part of a drive to boost ties between nations at odds with the West.

The U.S. unilateral measures under discussion in Congress could make life difficult for countries trading with Iran.

A new report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office found that 41 foreign firms had commercial activity in Iran’s oil, natural gas and petrochemical sectors from 2005 to 2009.

Separately, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards successfully deployed a new speed boat on Thursday that is capable of destroying enemy ships in war games in a waterway crucial for global oil supplies, Iranian media reported.

(Additional reporting by Susan Cornwell in Washington, Louis Charbonneau in New York, Sylvia Westall in Vienna, Parisa Hafezi in Tehran, Marius Bosch in Harare; writing by Louis Charbonneau; editing by Todd Eastham)

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Biden: Iran sanctions soon, no Israeli strike likely

April 23, 2010 By Leave a Comment

U.S. Vice President Joe Biden said on Thursday he expects new U.N. sanctions on Iran by late April or early May and dismissed the notion that Israel might attack the Islamic Republic before first allowing sanctions to take their course.

Biden issued the latest U.S. warning to Iran, which is locked in a standoff with the West over its nuclear program, in an appearance on ABC television’s “The View” talk show.

“Everyone from the Israeli prime minister straight through to the British prime minister to the president of Russia, everyone agrees the next step we should take is the U.N. sanction route,” Biden said.

“I believe you will see a sanction regime coming out by the end of this month, beginning of next month,” he said.

Asked whether Washington was concerned that Israel might attack its arch-foe Iran without U.S. consultation, Biden said, “They’re not going to do that.”

He said Israel had agreed to await the outcome of tightened sanctions against Iran, an effort being led by U.S. President Barack Obama.

“They’ve agreed the next step is the step we — the president of the United States — have initiated in conjunction with European powers, the NATO powers,” he said.

Israel, the only assumed nuclear weapons power in the Middle East, has made clear it is keeping open the military option against Iran even as Washington proceeds on the dual diplomatic and sanctions track.

Biden reiterated the administration’s view that China, one of five veto-holding members of the U.N. Security Council, would support new sanctions on Iran. Beijing has softened its resistance to new measures but has been reluctant to accept punitive steps as severe as Washington wants.

“We’re going to continue to keep the pressure on Iran,” Biden said.

The West accused Iran of seeking to develop nuclear weapons, but Tehran says it only wants peaceful civilian nuclear power.

(Reporting by Matt Spetalnick and Ross Colvin, Editing by Sandra Maler)

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Kite, Weyman banned for a week

April 15, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Neither Brent Kite nor Michael Weyman will feature in round six of the NRL, after both forwards were suspended for one match by the NRL judiciary.

Manly front rower Kite was found guilty of a grade one careless high tackle on Cronulla’s Blake Ferguson, and will miss this weekend’s match in Melbourne.

Kite punted on taking the case to the judiciary with a one-game suspension already hanging over his head had he taken the early guilty plea.

The former Test prop’s defence team claimed it was unrealistic to expect Kite to avoid contact with Ferguson’s head, which dipped just before the point of impact.

Weyman meanwhile elected to contest a grade one striking charge, but the St George Illawarra front rower’s sanction was upheld at the judiciary.

He will miss the Dragons’ trip to the Gold Coast on Friday night.

Weyman was charged for raising his elbow to Ben Hunt whilst taking the ball up just after half-time during the Dragons’ 34-16 win over Brisbane last weekend.

Meanwhile, Cowboys forward Luke O’Donnell was banned for three matches on Tuesday after submitting an early guilty plea for a grade two dangerous contact charge.

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Floors cops five weeks for Huxley tackle

April 12, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Cheetahs forward Kabamba Floors has been suspended for five weeks after being found guilty of a dangerous tackle on Julian Huxley during Saturday’s Super 14 rugby match against the Brumbies in Canberra.

Floors was cited for the crude tackle in which he lifted the Brumbies full-back up and ploughed him into the turf in the 77th minute of the Cheetahs’ 61-15 loss.

SANZAR judicial officer Dennis Wheelahan said in a statement he hoped the severity of the sanction would act as a deterrent.

The Cheetahs are 13th in the standings, with only two wins from eight games.

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Mooney, Shiels to front AFL tribunal

April 8, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Geelong key forward Cameron Mooney and Hawthorn youngster Liam Shiels will both contest charges at the AFL tribunal on Wednesday night.

Mooney will attempt to overturn a one-match ban after he was charged with engaging in rough conduct against Hawk Rick Ladson in Monday’s physical encounter at the MCG.

Shiels is challenging a two-match suspension for striking Geelong skipper Cameron Ling.

It is something of a risk for Shiels, who could have accepted a one-match sanction with an early guilty plea.

The other two players reported during Geelong’s nine-point win – Cats full-back Matthew Scarlett and Hawthorn utility Michael Osborne – have accepted early guilty pleas and will be suspended for one match.

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Koschitzke hit with four-game suspension

March 30, 2010 By Leave a Comment

St Kilda big man Justin Koschitzke has been hit with a four-game suspension after being reported for engaging in rough conduct by the AFL match review panel.

Koschitzke was on Monday charged with a level three offence for his high bump on Sydney’s Nick Malceski at Sydney’s Olympic stadium on Saturday night, and his offence drew 476.02 demerit points.

The match review panel assessed the incident as reckless, of medium impact and high on Malceski’s body.

Koschitzke can reduce the penalty to 357.02 demerit points and a three-game suspension if he pleads guilty.

His team-mate Brendon Goddard also fell foul of the rules in round one, as he was reported for making negligent contact with a field umpire and was fined $1,200.

Goddard can reduce the sanction to $900 by pleading guilty.

Essendon breathed a sigh of relief as ruckman David Hille had his charging report against Geelong’s Jimmy Bartel withdrawn.

The panel ruled Hille made contact to Bartel’s body and shoulder while he had his eyes on the ball and was making a legitimate attempt to mark the ball.

-AAP

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King to miss season opener

March 17, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Richmond utility Jake King will miss the AFL season opener against Carlton through suspension despite a successful visit to the tribunal.

King had a charge of striking Collingwood’s Travis Cloke downgraded from intentional to reckless on Tuesday night.

It meant he was banned for one match, rather than the two matches he would have missed had he pleaded guilty to the original charge.

He risked a three-match sanction had his tribunal gamble failed.

But the jury accepted King’s argument that the contact which left Cloke with a black eye happened accidentally, as the feisty Tiger was swinging his arms in an effort to push off Cloke and Magpies team-mate Brent Macaffer, who had him pinned to the ground.

The incident occurred late in a Princes Park practise match on March 5.

King was hurt by his prior record, having been banned for two matches for striking the Magpies’ Alan Didak in round 20 last season.

He could have escaped with a reprimand, if not for a 20 per cent penalty loading and carryover points for that offence.

- AAP

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Vigilance Commission booked 54 officers for corruption in 2009

March 11, 2010 By Leave a Comment

New Delhi, Mar 10 (ANI): Union Government on Wednesday revealed that the Vigilance Commission filed corruption related cases against 54 officers in 2009.

Replying a question in the Lok Sabha, Union Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Prithviraj Chavan tabled the number of vigilance cases initiated against All India Service Officers (AIS) during the year 2008 and 2009.

In 2008, the Central Vigilance Commission has filed cases against 38 Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers, eight Indian Police Service (IPS) officers, four IFS officers, while in 2009, 35 IAS, 10 IPS and nine IFS officers were booked.

Chavan informed the House that the CVC does not issue sanction for prosecution, however, the Commission advised sanction for prosecution in the year 2008 and 2009 in 107 and 131 cases respectively.

In pursuance of the Commission’s advice, the competent authorities have imposed penalties, Chavan added.

He also informed that promotion of Government Servants including AIS officers against whom disciplinary or court proceedings are pending or whose conduct is under investigation is governed by the ruling given by the Supreme Court.

Therefore, pendency of vigilance case except as provided in the ruling is not a bar on promotion, Chavan said. (ANI)

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Iranian regime accused of using torture, murder and rape to suppress opposition

September 19, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Tehran, Sep. 18 (ANI): The father of an Iranian student, who died in jail after being arrested for protesting against President Ahmadinejad’s disputed re-election, has claimed that his son was beaten, got his bones broken and toenails pulled out while in prison.

Amir Javadifar, 24, was so badly beaten that he had to treated in hospital before being taken to the notorious Evin prison, Times Online reports.

Later, his father was called to collect his dead body. And, they ordered his family to say that he had died of a pre-existing condition.

“My son was not involved in politics. He loved his motherland – that’s all. I alone mourn him,” the report quoted his father, as saying.

According to reports prepared by the country’s opposition, Javadifar was just one among scores of alleged cases of murder, torture and rape. And, security forces have engaged in systematic killing and torture to try to break the opposition, the report adds.

“The use of rape and torture was similar across prisons in Tehran and the provinces. It is difficult not to conclude that the highest authorities planned and ordered these actions. Local authorities would not dare take such actions without word from above,” the report quoted one investigator referring to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as saying.

The documents suggest that at least 200 demonstrators were killed in Tehran, with 56 others still unaccounted for, and that 173 were killed in other cities.

According to the report, the documents also suggest that a chain of unofficial, makeshift prisons has been set up across Iran where rape and torture are common practice.

In Tehran alone, 37 young men and women claim to have been raped by their jailers. Doctors’ reports say that two males, aged 17 and 22, died as a result of severe internal bleeding after being raped, the report adds.

Female rape victims were mostly held for days, the report claims, adding that some victims had said that their jailers claimed to have “religious sanction” to violate them as they were “morally dirty”. (ANI)

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CBI records Buta Singh’s statement in bribery case

September 10, 2009 By Leave a Comment

New Delhi, Sep 10 (ANI): The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Thursday recorded the statement of Buta Singh, Chairman for the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC), in connection with a bribery case involving his son Sarobjit Singh.

A two-member CBI team recorded Buta Singh’s statement at his NCSC office in the Lok Nayak Bhavan in the national capital.

Heavy security arrangements were made at the Lok Nayak Bhavan during the recording of Singh’s statement.

Singh had informed the Delhi High Court on August 31 that he would appear before the CBI only after it clarified that he is required as a witness and not as an accused in the case.

Earlier, Singh, had struck a defiant note saying CBI has no authority to question a constitutional functionary having powers of a civil court, without Central Government’s sanction.

The CBI arrested Sarobjit, on July 31 for allegedly demanding a bribe of Rs one crore from a Nashik-based contractor to dispose off an atrocity case against him pending before the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) headed by Buta Singh.

The Lok Nayak Bhavan was declared out of bounds for the public and also to the media till 2 p.m. (ANI)

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Porn as bad as guns for kids, says Oz politician

September 10, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Melbourne, September 10 (ANI): A senior member of the Liberal Party of Australia has warned against children’s exposure to pornography at home, saying viewing of the restricted material is as dangerous as guns for kids.

Scott Morrison suggested that laws should be introduced Down Under forbidding parents from letting their kids watch the explicit content.

“It is not acceptable to knowingly or negligently expose a child to pornographic material. To do so in my view is child abuse, ” News.com.au quoted Morrison as telling Federal Parliament.

“Even those who would defend an adult’s right to porn would surely not oppose any restriction or sanction placed on parents who knowingly or negligently expose their children to this abuse,” he added.

The 41-year old also said that porn should be treated like dangerous firearms and kept under lock and key to protect youngsters from its risks, that include developing sexually deviant tendencies, committing sexual offences and having difficulties with intimate relationships.

Morrison said: “Any ammunition must be stored in a locked and separate container, it must be put in a locked receptacle which is very solid, and failure to meet these requirements attracts a jail sentence.

“If we can protect our children from guns then we should also be aware of the loaded gun that is lying around in the homes of thousands of Australians on their computer, on their coffee table, in their bathroom or in their bookcase.” (ANI)

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Naxals condemned for massacre of civilians in Jharkhand

September 8, 2009 By Leave a Comment

New Delhi, Sep 7 (ANI): Asian Centre for Human Rights (ACHR) today condemned the killing of five innocent villagers, including two students by the cadres of the Communist Party of India (Maoists) at Pundigiri in Ranchi district of Jharkhand on the night of September 6 as a blatant violation of the international humanitarian law, the Geneva Conventions.

The Maoists reportedly abducted the five villagers and executed them on the charge of being police informers.

Earlier on August 28, 2009, the Maoists had shot dead four villagers, including a woman and a 12-year-old girl at Bundu village near Pundigiri in Ranchi district.

“The killings are acts of terrorism. The culprits must be brought to justice, and the State must examine the culpability of the leadership of the Communist Party of India (Maoists) for these wanton killings,” said Suhas Chakma, Director, Asian Centre for Human Rights.

ACHR stated that without the sanction of the leadership of the CPI (Maoists) these systematic killings of civilians cannot take place. ACHR urged the Maoists leadership to immediately stop the killing of innocent civilians. (ANI)

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Supreme Court issues notices to CBI, Kerala Govt on Vijayan case

September 1, 2009 By Leave a Comment

New Delhi, Aug 31 (ANI): The Supreme Court on Monday issued notices to Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Kerala Government over the state Governor’s permission to CBI to prosecute Pinarayi Vijayan.

The apex court was hearing the petition filed by Vijayan, challenging the governor’s sanction for his prosecution by the CBI.

Vijayan is the politburo member of Communist party of India (Marxist) (CPM)

A bench of the apex court comprising Justice R.V. Ravindran and Justice B.S. Sudarsan Reddy admitted Vijayan’s lawsuit directly for hearing.

The bench stated that the petition involved several important questions of law.

Vijayan is facing the charges of by passing the regulations while awarding a contract to a Canadian based company, SNC Lavalin for renovating three power plants when he was Kerala’s power minister in 1997.

The charges against Vijayan were filed in a special court after Kerala Governor R.S. Gavai gave the green signal to the CBI to prosecute the stalwart of communist movement in June.

Earlier, the central agency had asked Vijayan to appear before the CBI court at Kochi on September 24.

The Rs.374-crore SNC Lavalin scam, has created a tussle between Vijayan and State Chief Minister V.S.Achhuthanandan. (ANI)

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Buta Singh says he is ready to be questioned by CBI

September 1, 2009 By Leave a Comment

New Delhi, Aug. 31 (ANI): Former Bihar Governor Buta Singh on Monday informed the Delhi High Court that he was ready to be questioned by CBI in connection with the bribery case involving his son.

His willingness to testify comes following CBI’s clarification that the chairman of National Commission for Scheduled Castes is required to be questioned as a witness and not as an accused in the bribery case. ingh said he would be available to CBI on September 10 at 11 am at his office, and the probe agency officials can come and question him.

Justice Geeta Mittal, after recording the statement given by Singh’s counsel, disposed the matter and asked the investigating agency to question Buta Singh on the date given by him.

The High Court had on August 26 sought response from the CBI on a petition filed by Singh, who had accused the probe agency of illegally summoning him for interrogation in an alleged bribery case.

Singh had contended that he holds a post of Cabinet rank and the CBI cannot question or interrogate him without taking sanction from the Centre.

He had on August 25 approached the Delhi High Court challenging CBI’s notice to appear before it in connection with a case of alleged bribery against his son Sarobjit Singh.

Singh’s son was arrested on July 31 by CBI for allegedly demanding a bribe of one crore rupees from a Nashik- based contractor to close an atrocity case against him pending before the Scheduled Caste Commission headed by his father. (ANI)

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Delhi HC seeks CBI’s response on legality of summoning Buta Singh

August 26, 2009 By Leave a Comment

New Delhi, Aug 26 (ANI): The Delhi High Court on Wednesday sought response from the CBI on a petition filed by Buta Singh accusing the agency of illegally summoning him for questioning in connection with a multi crore corruption case.

Buta Singh, who holds a post of Cabinet rank, argued that the agency couldn’t question him without taking mandatory sanction from the Centre.

On this, Justice Geeta Mittal issued notice to the CBI and asked it to file its reply by Monday.

After accepting the notice, Advocate Harish Gulati, appearing for CBI, said he would take instructions from the agency on whether sanction was taken or not before summoning Singh.

Buta Singh’s son Sarabjot Singh was arrested by the agency on July 31 for allegedly demanding a bribe of three crore rupees from Nasik-based contractor Ramrao Patil.

Earlier, Buta Singh had stated: “Latest attack (by CBI) is an attempt to kill my whole political life and my political future.”

Patil had allegedly taken a loan of around 10 crore rupees from a cooperative society on behalf of over 100 persons from the Dalit community.

He allegedly pocketed the money following which a case was registered against him. (ANI)

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