Page 884 - Law Crime
SC appointed amicus bats for more courts to try lawmakers
The Supreme Court has been informed that 12 special courts set up to try lawmakers exclusively have not been constituted on a uniform pattern, and their number needs to be raised to 19 for trying cases at the sessions level. It has also been suggested to the apex court that another 51 such courts are required for magisterial trial cases. The suggestion has been made by senior advocate Vijay Hansaria, appointed as amicus curiae for assisting the top court and preparing a report on the measures needed to effectively deal with the criminal cases against MPs and MLAs. "Recommendation has been made for constitution of one special court for sessions cases and one for magisterial cases in each State/ UT, except where pendency is less than 10 in the State/ UT. Wherever such cases are more than 10, recommendation is based on minimum of one court at both levels for 65 pending trial cases," as per the submission, filed through advocate Sneha Kalita. Hansaria, who has been assisted by Kalita, has
CBI registers rape case against Daati Maharaj, 3 others
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Friday registered a case of rape and unnatural sex against self-styled godman Daati Maharaj and three others.On October 22, the Supreme Court refused to hear his plea against the Delhi High Court's order of transferring the rape case to the CBI.Last week, the controversial godman had moved the top court arguing that he was not heard before passing the order to transfer the case to the CBI.The High Court on October 3 allowed the alleged victim's plea seeking transfer of the case to the CBI, saying that the manner in which the Delhi Police carried out the probe "casts a shadow on the investigation."Previously, the probe was being helmed by the Delhi Police Crime Branch.Daati Maharaj is accused of raping a disciple two years ago and was booked under Sections 376 (rape), 377 (unnatural sex), 354 (molestation) and 34 (common intention) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). However, he has maintained that he is being framed in a false case.The ...
Koregaon-Bhima case: Pune court rejects bail plea of rights activists
A Special Court here on Friday rejected the bail pleas by three human rights and civil liberties activists, accused of alleged involvement in the Elgaar Parishad and the subsequent Koregaon-Bhima caste riots of January 1.
PIL in HC against Centre's orders sending CBI chief and second in command on leave
A PIL was on Friday moved in the Delhi High Court challenging the Centre's orders sending CBI Director Alok Kumar Verma and Special Director Rakesh Asthana on leave and appointing IPS officer M Nageshwar Rao as interim head of the agency, alleging that the decisions were "completely illegal". However, the high court declined to pass any orders in the matter saying the same issue was pending before the Supreme Court and it will await the top court's decision before taking a call on whether to hear the PIL. "The same issue is pending before the Supreme Court. It is seized of the matter. Let us see what the Supreme Court decides. Judicial propriety dictates that we should not intervene once the matter is in SC. It is not proper to run a parallel proceeding here," a bench of Chief Justice Rajendra Menon and Justice V K Rao said and listed the matter on November 14. The apex court on Friday set a deadline of two weeks for the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) to complete the inquiry ...
Jagan refuses to record statement in knife attack case
YSR Congress Party President Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy, who sustained a minor injury at the Visakhapatam airport in a knife attack by a young man on Thursday, refused to record his statement with the Andhra Pradesh Police saying he has no trust in them.
Malegaon case: Framing of charges delayed, court warns accused
A special court here Friday took strong note of absence of five out of seven accused in the 2008 Malegaon bomb blast case as the framing of charges had to be deferred to October 30. Judge Vinod Padalkar, presiding over the special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court that is handling the case, cautioned the accused against delaying the proceedings. He took a strong exception to the fact that only two of the seven accused, Lt Col Prasad Shrikant Purohit and Sameer Kulkarni, were present in the court. The court deferred the proceedings to October 30 and said this was the last chance for the accused to follow the court's order and remain present in court. Framing of charges is a process after which the trial in a criminal case starts. "It seems that the accused are intentionally avoiding coming to court. If they fail to remain present on the next date, appropriate orders will be passed against them," Judge Padalkar said. Meanwhile, a division bench of the Bombay High Court Friday ...
No conviction in cyber crime cases in Maha between Jan-May
No accused was convicted in cyber crime cases in the first five months of this year in Maharashtra, a home department official said Friday. The data for the last three years showed that while the number of cyber crime cases is rising, the conviction rate is falling. As many as 488 persons were arrested in cyber crime cases from January 1 to May 31, and the trials in ten of these cases were completed, the official said. However, all these trials resulted in acquittals, he added. A total of 1,665 cyber crime cases were registered during this period, including 529 cases of credit/debit card scams and 334 cases of online banking frauds. There were 48 cases of investment frauds, 74 cases of fraudulent job offers and eight cases related to matrimonial portals, as per the data. A total of 449 of these cases were solved. The cyber crime cell of police solved 66 credit/debit card fraud cases and arrested 76 people, the official said. Sixteen cases of investment frauds were ...
CBI books Daati Maharaj for alleged rape and unnatural sex
The CBI has booked self-styled preacher Daati Maharaj, who runs a temple in South Delhi, for allegedly raping and having unnatural sex with an inmate of his ashram, officials said Friday. The agency had taken over investigation in the case on the instructions of the Delhi High Court, they said. On a complaint by a woman disciple, a case of rape and unnatural sex was filed against Daati Maharaj, his three brothers and a woman at Fatehpur Beri Police Station in South Delhi. On June 22, the police had questioned Daati Maharaj also known as Daati Madanlal, who was charged with rape of a disciple at his ashrams in Delhi and Rajasthan. The accused had claimed he was being framed in the case. A bench of Chief Justice Rajendra Menon and Justice V K Rao had allowed the complainant woman's plea to transfer the matter to the CBI, saying the manner in which the Delhi Police carried out the probe "casts a shadow on the investigation". It is possibly the first case registered by the agency after a .
Zuma's son to stand trial in S Africa in March
Duduzane Zuma, the son of South Africa's graft-tainted former president Jacob Zuma, will stand trial for culpable homicide in March over a fatal late night car crash in 2014, a magistrate said Friday. Duduzane, 34, appeared before the Randburg Magistrates' Court in Johannesburg accompanied by his father, who was flanked by security personnel. He is accused of causing the death of Phumzile Dube after his Porsche hit a minibus she was travelling in. Three others were injured and one passenger, Nankie Mashaba, died in hospital weeks later. Magistrate Heidi Barnard told the packed court that there would be a pre-trial hearing in January. "I want you to avail yourself as well on 26 March 2019, that will be your trial date," she said. In a separate case, Duduzane Zuma is also due in court on January 24 on corruption charges over allegations of a bribe offered to former deputy finance minister Mcebisi Jonas. Jacob Zuma, 76, was forced to resign in February over allegations centring around ...
Bookshop owner shot dead in Varanasi
A 40-year-old man was shot dead by two motorcycle-borne men when he was in his bookshop in Chetganj area here, police said Friday. The incident took place Thursday night when Satish Rai was in his bookshop and the unidentified men shot at him, they said. The bullet hit Rai in his shoulder and he lost consciousness. He died when he was being rushed to a hospital, they added. He hailed from Revatipur village in the neighbouring Ghazipur district and lived here in Shivpurva area, they said. The body was sent for postmortem and a manhunt was launched to nab the accused. The motive behind the killing was was not known, they said.
Incitement case: Myanmar court releases 3 journalists on bail
Three Myanmar journalists who were arrested for publishing a report that criticized government spending were released on bail here on Friday.
Rahul Gandhi refuses comment on CVC probe against CBI Director
Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Friday refused to comment on the Supreme Court order on an inquiry into the allegations against CBI Director Alok Verma by the CVC, saying it was a "process being carried out".
Police files charge sheet against 3 in Bengal gangrape case
The West Bengal Police has filed a charge sheet against three persons in connection with the brutal gangrape of a woman in Jalpaiguri district, five days after the incident on October 20, a police officer said Friday. The 35-year-old woman was raped and an iron rod inserted in her private parts brought back memories of the ghastly Nirbhaya rape case of 2012. Police filed a charge sheet against the three accused Thursday, the police officer said. The accused have been charge-sheeted under Sections 376D (gangrape), 326 (causing grievous injury) and 307 (attempt to murder) of the Indian Penal Code. Under Section 326 the minimum punishment is 10 years and under Section 376 D it is 20 years. The maximum punishment under both these provisions is life term. Under Section 307 the maximum punishment is 10 years. While we have arrested two persons, one is still absconding, Superintendent of Police (SP) of Jalpaiguri Mitava Maity said. The incident had taken place near the victim's home at ...
Man shot dead in Delhi for making fun of dance moves
A dance instructor in his 20s was shot dead allegedly by an unidentified man after the victim made fun of his dance moves during a Valmiki Jayanti procession near Mandir Marg, police said Friday. The deceased was identified as Avinash Sangwan, they said. The incident took place on Wednesday night when Sangwan along with his friends was dancing during the procession. Sangwan got into an argument with the accused after he made fun of his dance moves, a senior police officer said. The accused then took out a pistol and shot at Sangwan, killing him on the spot, he said. A case was registered in the matter and a probe was underway, Deputy Commissioner of Police (New Delhi) Madhur Verma said. Police said Sangwan was also carrying a knife with him. A video of the incident shot by one of the persons at the procession shows the victim dancing at the event. In the video, Sangwan is seen removing his T-shirt before falling down. Later, the people around him noticed a bullet injury his chest. The
CVC to complete inquiry against Verma within two weeks, Rao can't take policy decisions: SC
The Supreme Court Friday set a deadline of two weeks for the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) to complete the inquiry against CBI Director Alok Kumar Verma, who has been divested of his duties and sent on leave in view of the feud between him and Special Director Rakesh Asthana. The court directed that the inquiry be conducted under the supervision of a retired apex court judge and also barred IPS officer M Nageswara Rao, who has been given interim charge of looking after the duties of the CBI Director, from taking any policy decision or any major decision. It said a list of decisions taken by Rao from October 23 till today, including transfer of investigations and change of investigating officers, be placed before the court in a sealed cover by November 12 - the next date of hearing - after which it would pass appropriate orders. A bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi said that the CVC's inquiry into the allegations made in the August 24 note/letter of the Cabinet Secretary ..
Highlights of SC hearing on Verma's plea
The following are the highlights of the Supreme Court hearing in CBI Director Alok Verma's petition challenging the Centre's decision to divest him of all his powers: - Enquiry into the allegations made in the August 24 note/ letter of the Cabinet Secretary on Verma to be completed by Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) within two weeks. - The enquiry to be supervised by retired Supreme Court Judge AK Patnaik. - All decisions taken CBI Joint Director M Nageswara Rao, who has been given the duty of CBI director from October 23 till today to be submitted in sealed cover to SC by November 12, the next date of hearing. - Rao cannot take any major or policy decision; to continue routine work to keep CBI going. - After furnishing of list of decisions taken by Rao, SC to pass appropriate orders relating to transfer of investigations, change of Investigating Officers. - Notice issued to Centre and CVC on Verma's petition, asked to file responses. - SC also dealt with plea by NGO Common Cause ..
Govt has no interest for or against any individual: Jaitley on CBI row
Welcoming the Supreme Court order seeking completion of a probe into allegations against top officials of CBI within two weeks, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley Friday said the government has no interest for or against any individual and is keen only on maintaining institutional integrity of the investigative agency. Jaitley said recent developments have eroded the credibility of Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the "CVC, in the interest of fairness, had passed an order that till investigation or inquiry is pending against the two top officers of the CBI, they must step aside and recuse themselves from CBI's function". The Supreme Court asking the Central Vigilance Commission to complete within two weeks its inquiry into corruption allegations against CBI Director Alok Kumar Verma is an "extremely positive development," he said. "The government has no interest for or against any individual. The government is interested in only maintaining the professionalism, the image and the ..
Bhima Koregaon: Court rejects bail application of 3 activists
The Pune Sessions Court on Friday rejected bail plea of Vernon Gonsalves, Arun Ferreira and Sudha Bharadwaj, three of the five activists arrested on August 28 in the Bhima Koregaon violence case.On October 24, the Pune Sessions Court had said that it will pronounce the verdict on bail applications of Gonsalves, Ferreira and Bharadwaj today.All three are presently under house arrest which is ending today.A three-judge bench of the Supreme Court led by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Ranjan Gogoi will on October 29 hear Maharashtra government's plea challenging a Bombay High Court order that refused to grant more time to the Pune Police for filing charge sheet against activists arrested in connection with the case.The five activists, namely poet Varavara Rao, lawyer Bharadwaj, activists Ferreira, Gonsalves and Gautam Navlakha, have been under house arrest since August 28 for their alleged involvement in the violence which took place on January 1.However, Hyderabad High Court yesterday ...
Two drug peddlers held with heroin
Two alleged drug peddlers were arrested Friday with 28 grams of heroin and Rs 2.80 lakh in cash from Jammu city, police said. A police party, which was on a routine duty of checking of vehicles, saw two pedestrians escaping under suspicious circumstances, a police officer said. They tried to run away but were caught and 28 grams of heroin was recovered from them besides cash of Rs 2.80 lakh, he said, adding a case has been registered against them.
Rs 8,100-cr bank loan fraud: ED seeks fugitive tag for Sterling Biotech group promoters
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) Friday moved a special court here to get declared the owners of Gujarat-based Sterling Biotech group, charged in an alleged Rs 8,100-crore bank loan fraud case, as fugitive economic offenders under a new law, the agency said. They said the central agency has filed a plea before a special court of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), seeking to declare Nitin Sandesara, Chetan Sandesara, Dipti Sandesara and Hitesh Patel fugitives under Section 4 of the Fugitive Economic Offenders Act, brought by the Modi government this year to check cases of large bank frauds and similar crimes. "All the four are promoters of the Sterling Group and have fled the country to avoid criminal probe against them in a Rs 8,100-crore bank loan fraud involving a consortium of banks," a senior official said. The agency has also sought immediate confiscation of the assets, in India and abroad, worth over Rs 7,000 crore of the Vadodara-based business family as part of the