Legal News – Weekly Newsletter for January 10-17, 2011

2G scam: Supreme Court issues notice to Centre, 11 telecom companies

NEW DELHI – The Supreme Court on Monday issued notice to the Centre and eleven licencee companies that have not fulfilled roll-out obligations on a petitions seeking cancellation of all the licenses of 2G spectrum issued by former Communications Minister A Raja.

A bench comprising justices G S Singhvi and A K Ganguly sought the response …. Read the original article  : 2G scam: Supreme Court issues notice to Centre, 11 telecom companies.

Supreme Court to hear 2G spectrum case today

NEW DELHI – The Supreme Court will hear on Monday two petitions seeking cancellation of all the licenses of 2G spectrum issued by former Communications Minister A Raja.

The petitioners, Janata Party President Subramaniam Swamy and Prashant Bhushan, an advocate, have prayed to the apex court that in view of the collosal loss of Rs 1.76 …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Act strictly in exploitation of girls by NRIs: Sukhbir

NEW DELHI -) Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukbhir Singh Badal said Sunday that there were thousands of cases of girls from Punjab being exploited for marriage by people of Indian origin staying in Canada and strict action should be taken in all such complaints.

Addressing queries from the gathering here at the concluding day of … Read more >>>.

Uttar Pradesh child adoptions under court scanner

LUCKNOW – Inter-country adoption of orphans and the destitute through the family court in Lucknow has come under the scrutiny of the Allahabad High Court following allegations of irregularities.

Chief Justice F.I. Rebello took note of a complaint made by Saksham Foundation, an organization working in the field of child rights, and ordered an inquiry …. Source article  : Uttar Pradesh child adoptions under court scanner.

Indian diplomat in Britain claims immunity on wife-beating charge

LONDON/NEW DELHI – A high-ranking Indian diplomat in Britain has escaped charges of assaulting his wife after he claimed immunity due to his diplomatic status, a media report said Sunday. The Indian external affairs ministry in New Delhi said it was “carefully looking” into the incident.

Anil Verma, the third senior-most Indian diplomat and minister …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Indian diplomat in Britain claims immunity on wife-beating charge.

1993 Mumbai blasts case: Supreme Court’s final hearing on March 29

NEW DELHI – The Supreme Court will conduct a final hearing of the 1993 Mumbai blasts case on March 29.

A decision to this effect was taken on Tuesday after the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) told the apex court that a few Marathi documents were to be translated into English, and that it needed …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : 1993 Mumbai blasts case: Supreme Court’s final hearing on March 29.

CVC Thomas to face trial in palm oil corruption case

NEW DELHI – The trial of Chief Vigilance Commissioner P.J. Thomas in the palm oil import corruption case will continue, the Supreme Court ruled Tuesday.

The decks were cleared after the Supreme Court said former Kerala chief minister K. Karunakaran’s appeal against the trial in the case was infructuous following his death.
Thomas was …. Read the original article  : here.

Times have changed for K.G. Balakrishnan (Letter from Kerala)

KOTTAYAM – Four years ago, the sleepy village of Kaduthuruthy, 30 km from here, was basking in the glory of one of its sons, a humble Dalit who went on to become the 37th chief justice of India.

K.G. Balakrishnan assumed the office of Supreme Court chief justice four years ago — Jan 12, …. Original source  : Times have changed for K.G. Balakrishnan (Letter from Kerala).

Jackson doctor ordered fatal anaesthetic, says witness

LOS ANGELES – Michael Jackson’s doctor ordered hundreds of vials of the anaesthetic propofol in the months leading up to the pop singer’s death, a witness said.

Pharmacist Tim Lopez made the statements Monday at the start of the second week in the preliminary hearing for Conrad Murray, who is charged with involuntary manslaughter of …. Source article  : Jackson doctor ordered fatal anaesthetic, says witness.

Situation in Uttar Pradesh worse than Emergency: Varun Gandhi

BARIELLY – Training his guns on Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Varun Gandhi said here Monday that conditions in the state were worse than during the 1975-77 Emergency.

The MP from Pilibhit was speaking to mediapersons after calling on jailed independent legislator Raghuraj Pratap Singh, popularly known as Raja Bhaiya.
… Read this article on Gaea Times at : Situation in Uttar Pradesh worse than Emergency: Varun Gandhi.

Supreme Court issues notice to Jharkhand CM Munda

NEW DELHI – The Supreme Court reacting to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) which said that an unelected person should not be made a chief minister, on Monday issued notices to Jharkhand Governor M O H Farooq, Jharkhand Chief Minister Arjun Munda and former state chief Shibu …. Original source  : Supreme Court issues notice to Jharkhand CM Munda.

Banks asked to deposit Emaar MGF’s guarantee money with court

NEW DELHI – The Delhi High Court Monday asked two state-run banks to deposit the Rs.93 crore bank guarantee of real estate giant Emaar MGF for constructing the Commonwealth Games (CWG) village with its registrar general till the disposal of a case relating to incomplete work at the site.

A division bench of Justice Vikramajit …. Read the original article  : Banks asked to deposit Emaar MGF’s guarantee money with court.

Court questions Gujarat on pollution

GANDHINAGAR – A letter from a man over official apathy towards pollution by industries in east Ahmedabad was Monday turned into a public interest suit by the Gujarat High Court, which questioned the government over the allegation.

The court issued notices to the government, the State Human Rights Commission, the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) and … Read : Court questions Gujarat on pollution.

Government, 11 telecom firms get court notice on 2G spectrum (Roundup)

NEW DELHI – The Supreme Court Monday issued notice to the governments and 11 firms on a plea seeking cancellation of licences and award of spectrum for second generation (2G) phone services during former communications minister A. Raja’s tenure.

The court also said that it will ask the government how much loss, if any, the …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Government, 11 telecom firms get court notice on 2G spectrum (Roundup).

West Bengal asked to produce case diary of Lalgarh incident

KOLKATA – The Calcutta High Court has asked the West Bengal Government to produce case diary of the incident that took place in Lalgarh’s Netai village on Friday.

The court has asked the Government to produce the diary by 2 p.m. tomorrow.

Earlier today, the Kolkata Bar Association has filed a Public [..] Read the original article: here.

Film fest on disability begins Thursday

NEW DELHI – Aiming to bring together voices from across the world on issues pertaining to disability, the eighth edition of the We Care Film Festival will start in the capital Thursday, officials said.

With 67 entries from countries like US, Britain, Canada, Israel, Indonesia, Spain, Italy, Brazil, Australia and Nepal besides India, the festival …. Original source  : Film fest on disability begins Thursday.

Hajj corruption scandal: Pak SC cracks down on investigating agency

ISLAMABAD – Supreme Court Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry on Tuesday said the apex court would not let anyone hush up the Hajj corruption scandal.

Pulling up the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) over the way it was conducting the investigation, Chaudhry directed the government to remove FIA Director General Wasim Ahmed from the case.

According to The … Read : Hajj corruption scandal: Pak SC cracks down on investigating agency.

Seven years on, Kashmir still waits for information commission

JAMMU – Jammu and Kashmir was the first to enact the Right to Information (RTI) Act in 2004. But seven years down the line and despite Rs.8.3 million being spent on the required infrastructure in the past year, the State Information Commission is yet to be set up.

RTI activists in the state are …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Seven years on, Kashmir still waits for information commission.

State legislature in US passes death penalty repeal

WASHINGTON – The General Assembly in the US Midwestern state of Illinois voted to abolish the death penalty, but it was unclear whether the governor would sign the repeal.

The state Senate passed the measure 32-25 Tuesday after the House of Representatives had approved it last week.
Governor Pat Quinn, a Democrat, had previously expressed … Read more : State legislature in US passes death penalty repeal.

Father treks 14 km with daughter’s body tied to cycle

BHOPAL – In a shocking instance of absolute helplessness, a poor tribal farmer in Madhya Pradesh had to trek 14 kilometres with his teenage daughter’s body on a makeshift bier tied to his bicycle to get her autopsy done.

The local police in his village had told the farmer it was his responsibility to take … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Father treks 14 km with daughter’s body tied to cycle.

Media cannot be used to fight corporate battles: Tata

NEW DELHI – Tata group chairman Ratan Tata has questioned the “indiscriminate disclosure” of private conversations between corporate lobbyist Niira Radia and a host of others being justified under the right to free speech, saying the media cannot be used to fight corporate battles.

“The right to freedom of expression cannot be a euphemism for …. Source  : Media cannot be used to fight corporate battles: Tata.

Lalgarh violence: West Bengal Govt. asked to clarify its stand

KOLKATA – The Kolkata High Court, while hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) into the January 7 violence case in Lalgarh’s Netai village, on Tuesday asked the West Bengal Government to file an affidavit by Friday on whether or not there should be a Central Bureau if Investigation … Read : Lalgarh violence: West Bengal Govt. asked to clarify its stand.

Gujarat high court’s secular credentials questioned in PIL

GANDHINAGAR – A Gujarat High Court bench headed by Chief Justice S.J. Mukhopadhaya Tuesday refused to hear a public interest suit questioning the court’s secular credentials.

The bench of Chief Justice Mukhopadhaya and Justice K.M. Thaker said: “Let the matter be listed before another bench where the chief justice is not a member.” [..] Read the original article: here.

Gulf NRIs seek differential tax treatment

NEW DELHI – The proposed changes in the new direct tax code, which makes NRIs liable to pay tax if they stay in India for over 60 days a year, has led to some distress among the Indian diaspora in the Gulf region as they tend to spend a longer time in India due to … Read : Gulf NRIs seek differential tax treatment.

British Airways workers may strike on royal wedding day

LONDON – The royal wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton – likely to be a major tourist attraction to Britain this year – may be hampered with British Airways and metro union workers planning to launch a strike during that period.

The wedding is slated for April 29.
British Airways cabin crews and London …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : British Airways workers may strike on royal wedding day.

New rules for tourist visa to ‘curb misuse’

NEW DELHI – Foreigners travelling to India on tourist visas have to give a two-month gap before they re-enter the country, according to new government rules aimed at avoiding “misuse” of the tourist visa.

“It has come to the notice of the government that there has been abuse, misuse of tourist visa. With a view … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : New rules for tourist visa to ‘curb misuse’.

US Republicans disappointed at Palin’s ‘blood libel’ rant over attack on Giffords

WASHINGTON – Former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin missed a prime opportunity to demonstrate that she can play on the presidential stage when she delivered a video statement on the attack on US Representative Gabrielle Giffords, top Republicans have said.

Giffords, and 18 others were shot on January 8 when a gunman opened fire outside a …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Human rights situation worsening in Tibet, says NGO

DHARAMSALA – The human rights situation has worsened in Tibet, with the Chinese government cracking down on singers, writers and environmentalists, an NGO of Tibetan exiles said here Thursday.

“The Chinese government laid policies to enforce a systematic crackdown on influential Tibetans like singers, writers and environmentalists,” said Ugen Tenzin, executive director of the Tibetan …. Original article  : Human rights situation worsening in Tibet, says NGO.

Nepal Maoists favour regulated border, visa for Indians

KATHMANDU – Staking claim to the new government, the Maoists, the largest party in Nepal’s parliament, have indicated they favour regulating the open border between India and Nepal and visa for Indians in Nepal as part of their demand to scrap a six-decade-old bilateral pact.

Baburam Bhattarai, the deputy chief of the Maoists and the …. Source  : Nepal Maoists favour regulated border, visa for Indians.

Arizona shooting: Palin ‘blood libel’comment upsets American Jews

LONDON – Former Alaska Governor and 2008 Republican vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin has upset American Jews by using the term “””blood libel””” against her critics in connection with last weekend’s shootings in Tucson, Arizona.

ccording to The Guardian, Palin’s use of the phrase “blood libel” historically refers to the false accusation that Jews killed Christian …. Source  : Arizona shooting: Palin ‘blood libel’comment upsets American Jews.

JuD head Hafiz Saeed wants Pak Govt to defend him in US court in Mumbai attack case

LAHORE – Jamaatud Dawa (JuD) chief Hafiz Muhammad Saeed has moved the Lahore High Court seeking direction for the Pakistan Government to defend him, ISI chiefs and others before a US court, which has issued summons to them in connection with the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks.

Saeed, his operational commander Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi, DG ISI Lt Gen …. Source article  : JuD head Hafiz Saeed wants Pak Govt to defend him in US court in Mumbai attack case.

Kin of man who died due to hospitals’ laxity get relief

NEW DELHI – The Delhi government was Wednesday directed by the Delhi High Court to pay Rs.3 lakh as interim compensation to the kin of a vegetable vendor who was injured in a road accident and died in an ambulance after being refused admission by one hospital after another.

“We are inclined to direct the … Read : Kin of man who died due to hospitals’ laxity get relief.

Over 3,000 tribal women demonstrate in Madhya Pradesh

BHOPAL – In an unprecedented expression of anger, about 3,000 tribal women Wednesday demonstrated in Barwani before the district collector and the superintendent of police.

The demonstrators, including children, were protesting against the arrest of fellow tribals who questioned the rising incidents of maternal deaths in the district government hospitals.
The women were gathered … Read more »».

Mamata pitches for mediclaim for sex workers

KOLKATA – Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee Wednesday asked her party-run Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) board to bring sex workers and their children under a mediclaim policy.

“Sex workers have taken up their profession out of necessity to make a living. There are many who hate them. But this is not fair. Often these women … Original source on Gaea Times at : Mamata pitches for mediclaim for sex workers.

Darjeeling hills shutdown sees clashes, road blockade

SILIGURI – Clashes, road blockade and thin traffic marked the first day of the 27-day phased strike called by the Gorkha Jana Mukti Morcha (GJM) in the three hill sub-divisions of Darjeeling district to pressurise the central government into accepting their demand for a separate Gorkhaland state.

Normal life was paralysed in the hills as … Read more »».

Obama urged to press Hu on missing lawyer, jailed activists

BEIJING – Human rights groups Friday urged US President Barack Obama to press his Chinese counterpart, Hu Jintao, over missing lawyer Gao Zhisheng and other jailed activists.

“We hope you will seize the opportunity before you – an opportunity nearly all Chinese lack – to confront the Chinese leadership about its profound disrespect for universal … Read more >>>.

India to ease travel permits for Pakistani Kashmiris

NEW DELHI – The government will “unilaterally” ease travel restrictions and give multiple-entry permits valid for six months to Pakistani Kashmiris who want to visit their families in Jammu and Kashmir, Home Secretary G.K. Pillai said Friday.

Pillai said Pakistan did not agree to the Indian government’s idea to ease travel curbs on families divided …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : India to ease travel permits for Pakistani Kashmiris.

WikiLeaks pays US soldier $15,100 legal fee for leaks

LONDON – Whistle-blower website Wikileaks has donated $15,100 to the legal defence fund of the US soldier accused of providing it with the digital trove of secret diplomatic cables sent to and from American embassies across the globe.

The legal defence fund of Private Bradley Manning, charged with the disclosure of thousands of classified … Read more »»».

Russia’s ‘porn king’ wants his movies back

Moscow, Jan 14 (IANS/RIA Novosti) A top porn movie producer in Russia – dubbed the “porn king” – has filed a complaint in a court demanding the return of more than 60,000 adult films made by his studio that are currently in the court’s possession.

The St. Petersburg court seized the adult movies made by …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

UN human rights rapporteur to visit Kashmir Jan 19

NEW DELHI/SRINAGAR – United Nations rapporteur on human rights Margaret Sekaggya will visit Srinagar on Jan 19 to assess the condition of “human rights defenders” in the conflict-hit Kashmir Valley, a UN official said Friday.

“Sekaggya, the special rapporteur on human rights defenders appointed by the Geneva-based Human Rights Council, arrived in India …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : UN human rights rapporteur to visit Kashmir Jan 19.

Apex court questions secrecy about German bank accounts

NEW DELHI – The Supreme Court Friday asked the central government what was the difficulty in making public the names of people who have stashed away huge amount of money in a German bank.

The observation from the apex court bench of Justice B. Sudarshan Reddy and Justice S.S. Nijjar came in the wake of …. Original article  : Apex court questions secrecy about German bank accounts.

Darbari gets bail in CWG scam

NEW DELHI – The Delhi High Court on Friday granted bail to former Commonwealth Games (CWG) Organising Committee (OC) official T S Darbari on the grounds that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) did not file any chargesheet against him.

The High Court also said that the CBI has not submitted enough evidence to nail … Read more »».

Pakistan unlikely to defend Hafiz Saeed in 26/11 US lawsuit

ISLAMABAD – Pakistan has dodged the issue of defending Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) chief Hafiz Muhammad Saeed in a US lawsuit, which has issued him summons in connection with the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, saying it would only protect the interests of ISI officials who had been named in the case.

DG ISI Lt Gen Ahmed Shuja Pasha, … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Pakistan unlikely to defend Hafiz Saeed in 26/11 US lawsuit.

‘Able’ person gets disability award in Goa, complaint filed

PANAJI – A collective working for disabled people in Goa filed a complaint against Minister for Social Welfare Sudin Dhavalikar for what it called fraudulently awarding state disability award 2010 to an ‘able’ person.

In a formal criminal complaint filed with the Panaji police, Avelino D’Sa of the Disability Rights Association of Goa (DRAG) … Read more >>>.

Calcutta High Court decision on Lalgarh killings

KOLKATA – The Calcutta High Court will today decide on a petition asking for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) enquiry into the killings in Lalgarh’s Netai village.

The State Home Secretary has filed an affidavit saying no CBI inquiry is needed as the CID is already investigating the case.

The affidavit would be placed … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Calcutta High Court decision on Lalgarh killings.

Goa asked to pay Rs.50,000 compensation to beggar

PANAJI – The National Human Right’s Commission (NHRC) has asked the Goa government to pay Rs.50,000 to a beggar who was literally dumped by police in a garbage dump and left to die.

The commission said the money should be recovered from the guilty policemen’s salaries.
The NHRC in its order dated Jan …. Read the original article  : Goa asked to pay Rs.50,000 compensation to beggar.

Indian journalist defends WikiLeaks at British parliament

LONDON – Whistle-blower website WikiLeaks and its founder Julian Assange “do not deserve to be treated like common criminals” for upholding “such precious freedom” that does not exist in many countries, a leading Indian journalist said here.

The US athorities want to charge Assange for revealing state secrets after his website published thousands of documents, …. Source article  : Indian journalist defends WikiLeaks at British parliament.

Britons want cuts in immigration level

LONDON – About 80 percent people in Britain want to see cuts in the level of immigration, a survey carried out for the government has revealed.

According to the Daily Mail, more than half the population want to see numbers coming from abroad to live in Britain reduced by “a lot”, the study found.
The … Read : Britons want cuts in immigration level.

Court moved on Delhi’s power tariff

NEW DELHI – North Delhi Power Limited (NDPL) Friday filed a petition before Delhi High Court asking it to direct the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC) to determine the tariff for 2010-2011.

In an application before a division bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justice Manmohan, NDPL, a joint venture of Tata … Read more : Court moved on Delhi’s power tariff.

Swamy moves court against Sibal’s attack on CAG

NEW DELHI – Janata Party president Subramanian Swamy Friday moved the Supreme Court against the “intemperate and uncalled for public attack” by Communications Minister Kapil Sibal on the “CAG methodology for calculating the loss in allocating 2G spectrum in 2008 at 2001 prices.

Swamy said that the way Sibal has led the attack on the …. Source article  : Swamy moves court against Sibal’s attack on CAG.

Arrange blood for pregnant HIV-positive woman: Court to hospital

NEW DELHI – The Delhi High Court Friday directed the Lady Hardinge Medical College and Sucheta Kriplani Hospital to immediately arrange blood for a pregnant HIV-affected woman who has been advised a Caesarean delivery.

In an interim order, Justice S. Muralidhar ordered the hospital to arrange the blood as the woman’s husband was HIV positive …. Original source  : Arrange blood for pregnant HIV-positive woman: Court to hospital.

CWG scam: Bail for Darbari, hearing on Jayachandran’s plea Monday (Night Lead)

NEW DELHI – The Delhi High Court Friday granted bail to former Commonwealth Games Organising Committee (OC) official T.S. Darbari and slated for Jan 17 the bail plea of another official, M. Jayachandran. Both are facing investigations in the Queen’s Baton Relay scam.

Justice Hima Kohli granted Darbari bail on technical grounds as the CBI …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Plea seeking release of Amar Singh tapes in apex court

NEW DELHI – The Supreme Court Friday issued notice to the central government and Rajya Sabha member Amar Singh on a plea seeking vacation of the court’s 2006 order restraining the publication of the tapes of the former Samajwadi Party leader’s telephonic conversations.

An apex court bench of Justice G.S.Singhvi and Justice Asok Kumar Ganguly … Read more : Plea seeking release of Amar Singh tapes in apex court.

New law on disability soon, says Mukul Wasnik

NEW DELHI – The old disability act will soon be replaced by a new legislation that will be suitably aligned with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Mukul Wasnik said here Friday.

“Provisions of the present act do fall short of the provisions … Read : New law on disability soon, says Mukul Wasnik.

CWG scam: Darbari gets bail, Jayachandran hearing continues (Second Lead)

NEW DELHI – The Delhi High Court Friday granted bail to former Commonwealth Games Organising Committee official T.S. Darbari and slated for Jan 17 the bail plea of another official, M. Jayachandran. Both are facing investigations in the Queen’s Baton Relay scam.

Justice Hima Kohli granted Darbari bail on a technical ground as the …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : CWG scam: Darbari gets bail, Jayachandran hearing continues (Second Lead).

Cuba raps Facebook, YouTube

HAVANA – Cuba has denounced online social network Facebook and Google-owned video sharing network YouTube for closing its account and censoring video links from the two websites.

YouTube censored the video channel of the Cuban official site Cubadebate and closed it for “alleged violation of copyright”, xinhua reported quoting Cubadebate.
“Google censors, Facebook, too. Today …. Read the original article  : Cuba raps Facebook, YouTube.

India pays tribute to Nepali stars in Mumbai

KATHMANDU – India will celebrate its Republic Day here in a unique way this year, toasting maestros with Nepali roots who became legends in India such as artist Laxman Shrestha, Bollywood diva Manisha Koirala and singer Udit Narayan.

The Indian embassy in Kathmandu has commissioned a documentary, “Rainbow over Mumbai”, which pays … Read more : India pays tribute to Nepali stars in Mumbai.

Using RTI difficult for us, says Indians abroad

NEW DELHI – Living overseas for education, employment or other reasons, Indians abroad find it difficult to use the Right to Information (RTI) Act due to the cumbersome fee-payment process.

“Even after five years of the RTI Act, Indian citizens living abroad are unable to use it effectively because of a cumbersome fee payment … Read : Using RTI difficult for us, says Indians abroad.

Peru bans smoking in public buildings

Lima, Jan 16 (IANS/EFE) Peru has banned smoking in all public buildings, according to a decree published in the official gazette.

The executive order, which was signed by President Alan Garcia, toughens previous restrictions on smokers and increases penalties for offenders.
Selling tobacco to minors or not observing the ban on smoking in the workplace … Original source on Gaea Times at : Peru bans smoking in public buildings.

NGO sensitises census enumerators on disability issue

NEW DELHI – In an effort to sensitise enumerators on the disability issue so that they ask the newly-included question in this regard “responsibly” and record the answer “faithfully”, an NGO here held a consultation with enumerators of the country’s north zone Saturday.

The consultation, organised by the National Centre for Promotion of Employment of … Read more >>.

Birthday girl Mayawati announces Rs.4,000-crore projects

LUCKNOW – Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati announced some 600 new projects and welfare schemes worth Rs.4,000 crore on her 55th birthday Saturday.

She also chose to give a new name – “Jan Kalyankari Diwas” (public welfare day) – to her birthday that she used to earlier term as “Arthik Sahyog Diwas” (financial support day).
[..] Read the original article: here.

CWG scam: Delhi court grants bail to Mahendroo

NEW DELHI – The Delhi High Court on Saturday granted bail to another Commonwealth Games (CWG) Organising Committee (OC) official Sanjay Mahendroo after the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) failed to file any chargesheet against him.

He was arrested on January 15 in the case of alleged financial bunglings in holding the Queen Baton’s Relay in … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : CWG scam: Delhi court grants bail to Mahendroo.