Accidents & Disasters – Newsletter for February 24, 2011

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Have done nothing wrong, says Bhanot

NEW DELHI – Lalit Bhanot, the Commonwealth Games Organising Committee secretary general arrested Wednesday by the CBI, Thursday reiterated that he has done nothing wrong and all the decisions were taken collectively by the Organising Committee’s board.

Speaking to IANS before being brought before a special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court, Bhanot said: “We …. Read the original article : Have done nothing wrong, says Bhanot.

Hunt on for child snatching Indian ‘tantrik’

KATHMANDU – A hunt is on in the southern plains of Nepal adjoining the Indian border as well as the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh for a ‘tantrik’ – regarded by traditional society as a man with supernatural powers – who abducted a seven-year-old girl.

A manhunt has been started for Kalika Murao, who comes … Read more : Hunt on for child snatching Indian ‘tantrik’.

Nine held after Bangladesh gangrape victim kills herself

DHAKA – A Roman Catholic priest and nine other tribal Christians have been detained for their role in an out-of-court settlement of a gangrape case that caused the girl to commit suicide when the promised marriage did not come through.

Police have claimed that Father Bernard Tudu and others “provoked” the 14-year-old into a …. Source : Gaea News Network.

Two criminals killed in gun battle with police

MUZAFFARNAGAR – Two criminals, wanted for many cases by police of several states, were gunned down by a team of Uttar Pradesh Police here, an official said Thursday.

Anil Kumar, 40, and Rajendra, 38, were shot dead during a gun battle late Wednesday in Bhaura Kala town.
“While Kumar had 37 criminal cases, including of …. Source article : Two criminals killed in gun battle with police.

At least 98 now dead in New Zealand quake

CHRISTCHURCH – The devastating earthquake that rattled New Zealand’s second largest city Tuesday claimed 98 lives, while a total of 226 people were missing Thursday with least hope for any survivors beneath the tonnes of rubble of wrecked buildings.

The 6.3-magnitude quake hit the central city of Christchurch, the country’s business hub, at 12:51 p.m. …. Read the original article : At least 98 now dead in New Zealand quake.

Two killed in Lucknow factory fire

LUCKNOW – At least two labourers were killed and nine injured after a massive fire broke out in a plywood factory here Thursday, police said.

The fire engulfed the Kiran Plywood Factory in an industrial area of Talkatora locality.
“While a labourer died on the spot, another succumbed to his injuries while being treated at …. Source : Two killed in Lucknow factory fire.

Indian doctor gets bail for gangrape, two more victims come forward

TORONTO – As an Indo-Canadian doctor and his colleague, charged with drugging and raping a woman, were released on $100,000 bail each Wednesday, two more women have alleged sexual assault by him.

Dr. Amitabh Chauhan and Dr. Suganthan Kayilasanathan, both 32, were arrested Friday for the alleged drugging and gangrape of a 23-year-old in …. Original article : Indian doctor gets bail for gangrape, two more victims come forward.

Case against vice chancellor after singer’s complaint

PATNA – A case has been lodged against the acting vice chancellor of a Bihar university after a Bhojpuri singer complained that he misbehaved and attempted to molest her at a cultural function in Gaya district, police said Thursday.

Police have registered a first information report (FIR) in Gaya against D.P. Sinha of Chapra-based Jai …. Source article on Gaea Times at : Case against vice chancellor after singer’s complaint.

Pope prays for victims of New Zealand quake

Rome, Feb 24 (IANs/AKI) Pope Benedict XVI Wednesday offered prayers and condolences to the scores of people who perished in the earthquake in Christchurch, New Zealand. His thoughts were also dedicated to the families of the dead.

“At this time my thoughts turn especially to the people there who are being severely tested by this … Read : Pope prays for victims of New Zealand quake.

Mexican border city officials seek ban on video game

Ciudad Juarez (Mexico), Feb 24 (IANS/EFE) The mayor of Ciudad Juarez city in Mexico has said he would ask that a video game set in this gritty border metropolis be banned.

Action should be taken to prevent “Call of Juarez: The Cartel” from reaching the public and further damaging the image of this city, located …. Source article : Mexican border city officials seek ban on video game.

Organized crime poses biggest threat to journalists: Report

WASHINGTON – A total of 141 journalists and media workers were murdered by organized criminal groups between 2000 and 2010, the group Reporters Without Borders said in a report issued Wednesday.

The report said that organized crime’s mafias and cartels now pose the biggest threat to media freedom, replacing “the world’s remaining dictatorial regimes as …. Original article on Gaea Times at : Organized crime poses biggest threat to journalists: Report.

Arizona anti-immigrant vigilante sentenced to death

LOS ANGELES – A female anti-immigrant vigilante has been sentenced to death in Arizona for orchestrating a raid on the house of a family of Hispanic-Americans in which a man and his young daughter were murdered.

Shawna Forde, 43, a leader of the Minutemen American Defence group, was sentenced to die by lethal injection, the …. Original source : Arizona anti-immigrant vigilante sentenced to death.

Jeweller shot dead in Delhi

NEW DELHI – A jeweller was shot dead and robbed of valuables worth lakhs of rupees in the national capital Wednesday, police said.

The incident took place at Lal Quarter market in Krishna Nagar of east Delhi.
Gaurav Gambhir, 30, died on the spot, police said.
The victim was in his jewellery shop …. Source : Jeweller shot dead in Delhi.

Rahat mulls legal action against Indian officials

ISLAMABAD – Pakistani singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, who was arrested at the Delhi airport for carrying undeclared foreign currency, is contemplating legal action against the Indian authorities for allegedly confiscating his money.

Rahat was arrested at New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport Feb 13 for carrying undeclared foreign currency worth more than … Read : Rahat mulls legal action against Indian officials.

Delhi police nab serial criminal

NEW DELHI – Delhi Police have arrested a man involved in 17 cases of robbery, molestation and drug peddling here, a senior official said Wednesday

Pankaj (24) was caught from Rohini Tuesday and two live cartridges and a pistol were recovered from him,” Deputy Commissioner of Police Ashok Chand said.
According to police, Pankaj, a …. Original article on Gaea Times at : Delhi police nab serial criminal.

Man accused of multi-crore fraud kills self

NEW DELHI – A 44-year-old man, accused of duping around 1,000 investors to the tune of several crores of rupees, committed suicide by leaping off the roof of his office in west Delhi, police said Wednesday.

Subhash Agrawal, a resident of Prem Nagar in Aman Vihar area of west Delhi, leapt to his death …. Source article : Man accused of multi-crore fraud kills self.

CBI arrests Kalmadi aides Bhanot, Verma (Third Lead)

NEW DELHI – Lalit Bhanot and V.K. Verma, two close aides of Commonwealth Games (CWG) chief organiser Suresh Kalmadi, were arrested Wednesday for irregularities to the tune of Rs.1.07 billion ($23 million) in a contract with a Swiss company for time-keeping equipment during the Oct 3-14, 2010 event, officials said.

“The CBI has today (Wednesday) …. Original source : CBI arrests Kalmadi aides Bhanot, Verma (Third Lead).