Page 2658 - Politics

CBI recasts team probing case involving Asthana

Shortly after assuming charge of CBI, Joint Director M. Nageshwar Rao constituted a new team to probe bribery allegation against its Special Director Rakesh Asthana, who has been at war with sidelined Director Alok Verma.

Autonomy only way out of J&K tangle: Omar

National Conference vice president Omar Abdullah Wednesday said granting autonomy is the only "pragmatic solution" to the decades-old problem of Jammu and Kashmir. It is high time for the Government of India to implement the resolution of autonomy (passed by state legislative assembly in 2000). "It is the only pragmatic solution to the age-old problem. J&K is a unique state and needs special dispensation in terms of regional autonomy to satisfy the needs of the state," said Omar, addressing a provincial meet of party functionaries here. The former chief minister said the situation in the valley is turning grave by the day. Every day we hear news about killings, encounters, crackdowns, CASOs across the state. South (Kashmir) was already boiling but now even Srinagar is witnessing massive gunfights, crackdowns. It seems the government has lost its writ over the situation in Kashmir, he said. Omar said the people in the state are suffering due to non-governance, development deficit ..

Japan journalist freed from Syrian captivity says he's safe

A Japanese freelance journalist who was freed after more than three years of captivity in Syria said Wednesday he is safe in neighbouring Turkey. Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono said Japanese Embassy officials met with the journalist, Jumpei Yasuda, at an immigration center in southern Turkey near the border with Syria. "We are extremely pleased that we have confirmed the safety of Mr Jumpei Yasuda," Kono told reporters. Yasuda was kidnapped in 2015 by al-Qaida's branch in Syria, known at the time as the Nusra Front, after contact with him was lost in June that year. A war monitoring group said he was most recently held by a Syrian commander with the Turkistan Islamic Party, which mostly comprises Chinese jihadis in Syria. "My name is Jumpei Yasuda, Japanese journalist. I have been held in Syria for 40 months," Yasuda said, somewhat haltingly, in English in videotaped comments broadcast by Japan's NHK public television. "Now I am in Turkey. Now I am in safe condition. Thank you ...

EC workshop with Facebook to check misuse of social media during polls

The Election Commission (EC) has proposed to hold a workshop with Facebook officials on preventing the misuse of social media platforms during polls, Chief Election Commissioner OP Rawat said here Wednesday. Addressing a press conference on the concluding day of an EC team's three-day visit to poll-bound Telangana, he also said the commission had directed officials to address the issues of alleged discrepancies and bogus voters in the electoral rolls and rectify them after field visits. Elections to the 119-member Telangana assembly will be held on December 7. During its visit, the 11-member EC team headed by Rawat reviewed the poll preparedness in the state and held meetings with political parties, during which the Congress alleged that there were nearly 70 lakh discrepancies in the voters' list, while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) complained about the presence of "bogus" voters in the list. The EC team expressed satisfaction over the poll preparedness in the southern state. On ...

Centre, CVC decision to divest his powers as CBI chief 'illegal', Alok Verma tells SC

CBI Director Alok Kumar Verma Wednesday told the Supreme Court that divesting him of his powers "overnight" by the Centre amounts to interference in the independence of the agency whose probes against "high functionaries" may not take the line desirable to the government. He said the Centre and the CVC's move was "patently illegal" and such interference "erodes" the independence and autonomy of the premier investigating institution. The apex court agreed to hear on October 26 the petition by Verma challenging the government's decision. He has said in the petition that the CBI should be kept independent of the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), which has jurisdiction over the probe agency, since it seriously hinders the CBI's independent functioning. He said that as the CBI is expected to function completely independently and autonomously, there are bound to be occasions when certain investigations into high functionaries do not take the direction that may be desirable to the

Verma moves SC challenging removal as CBI director, cites tacit government interference

Hours after the government stripped him of his powers, CBI Director Alok Verma on Wednesday moved the Supreme Court challenging the Centres decision as "patently illegal and unconstitutional" and sought quashing of the order.

MESBAI threatens to stop construction at Defence Min over non-payment of dues

The Military Engineer Services Builders Association of India (MESBAI) has threatened to stall the construction work at the Ministry of Defence reportedly over non-payment of dues worth Rs 1,600 crore. The MESBAI looks after the basic constructional requirements of all the three wings of defence services along with taking care of their maintenance and renovation. "The construction, maintenance and renovation work at various defence buildings will be stopped due to non-clearance of dues worth Rs 1,600 crore. Also, lakhs of construction workers will become unemployed if the contractors are not paid their dues," MESBAI president Praveen Mahana said at a press conference. There was no immediate reaction from the ministry on the matter. "Since last year, MESBAI has been facing a lot of problems due to non-clearance of dues. The issue of non-payment has been raised with the Engineer-in-Chief, MoS Defence, Defence Minister and the PMO. However, the government has not given us any relief till .

M. Nageshwar Rao to oversee duties, functions of CBI Director

With Alok Kumar Verma and Rakesh Asthana being divested of their roles as Director and Special Director of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), respectively, the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved that during the period of such interim measure, M. Nageshwar Rao, who is presently working as the Joint Director of the CBI, shall look after the duties and functions of Director, CBI with immediate effect.The rejig comes as grave allegations of corruption by senior functionaries of the CBI have surfaced, which has been widely reported in media and vitiated the official eco-system of the organisation.The environment of faction feud has reached its peak in the CBI leading to a potential loss of credibility and reputation of the investigating agency. It also vitiated the working environment of the organisation which has a deep and visible impact on the overall governance.The Central Vigilance Commission (CVC), on receipt of a complaint on August 24 containing various ...

CBI controversy a matter of great concern: BSP

The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) on Wednesday termed the ongoing controversy around Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) a "great concern" since misuse of government machinery have wreaked disasters in the past.A statement from the BSP read, "Misuse of government machinery and interference in CBI's functioning have earlier caused disasters and the ongoing disturbance in CBI is a matter of great concern for the nation as it causes a lot of misconceptions among the public. The constant debates in the media regarding the issue have started affecting people's trust in the CBI."Party supremo Mayawati was delighted that the matter was now being handled by the Supreme Court, the statement read adding that the apex court will also get an opportunity to review the role of the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC).The statement comes in the wake of the Supreme Court accepting CBI Director Alok Verma's petition, challenging the central government's decision to send him on leave. The matter is likely .

CBI has become BJP's policing agency, alleges Mamata Banerjee

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Wednesday alleged that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has become the BJP's policing agency. The Trinamool Congress chief's remarks come amid the ongoing spat between two top officers of the agency. "CBI has now become so called BBI (BJP Bureau of Investigation) - very unfortunate!" Banerjee tweeted. The government has divested CBI Director Alok Verma and Special Director Rakesh Asthana of all powers amid the ongoing spat between them, sources said, calling it the first such case in the history of the agency. The prime minister-led Appointments Committee Tuesday night gave charge of the director to Joint Director M Nageshwara Rao with immediate effect, a government order said. According to the law, the CBI director is appointed for a fixed tenure of two years. Earlier, Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala wondered if Verma was "sacked" for his keenness to probe the "layers of corruption" in the Rafale scam and sought an ...

J&K government sets up panel for conservation of Himalayan ecosystem

The Jammu and Kashmir government on Wednesday decided to set up a panel for preservation of high-range Himalayan ecosystem in the state.

Iran's Rouhani: Khashoggi murder unthinkable 'without US backing'

Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi's "heinous murder" would have been unthinkable "without US backing," Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said on Wednesday. "I don't think that any country would dare to do such a thing without US backing," Rouhani said in remarks to cabinet broadcast on state television. Rouhani said that before Khashoggi's murder "it would have been unthinkable that in this day and age we would witness such an organised felony. "It is extremely significant that an institution planned such a heinous murder. "The tribal group that is ruling that nation (Saudi Arabia) has a security margin. That security margin is that it relies on US backing. It is this superpower that is backing them." Khashoggi, a government critic who was living in self-imposed exile in the United States, was murdered inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2 as he organised the paperwork for his marriage to his Turkish fiancee. The case has triggered an international outcry against Saudi ...

MP polls: Rahul to perform puja at Mahakaleshwar temple during

Amid the BJP's charge that he is playing the "soft Hindutva card" by visiting temples in poll-bound states, Congress chief Rahul Gandhi will perform a 'puja' at Mahakaleshwar temple in Ujjain on October 29 before hitting the hustings in the BJP-dominated Malwa-Nimar region. In Madhya Pradesh, where elections are scheduled to be held on November 28, the Congress has been struggling to oust the ruling BJP from power for the last 15 years. Gandhi will begin his two-day tour of the Malwa-Nimar region after worshipping the famous Jyotirlinga of Lord Shiva in Ujjain on October 29, a party leader said here Wednesday. "Rahul Gandhi will begin his visit to the Malwa-Nimar region after offering prayers at the Mahakaleshwar temple in Ujjain. He would address a public meeting in Ujjain after worshipping (the Jyotirlinga)," said Madhya Pradesh Congress Secretary Sanjay Kapoor. The Congress chief would also hold a road show in Indore the same day. "On October 30, Gandhi will visit B R .

Verma was collecting documents related to Rafale scam, forcibly sent on leave: Rahul

Congress chief Rahul Gandhi Wednesday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of removing CBI Director Alok Verma in a bid to stop him from investigating the Rafale "scam". He also alleged that the prime minister "broke the law" and "bypassed" the Chief Justice of India and the Leader of Opposition, who were part of the panel that selected the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) chief. There was no immediate reaction from the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) on the allegations. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has, however, dismissed as "rubbish" the allegations that Verma was removed because he wanted to look into the Rafale fighter jet deal. He said the government's decision to remove Verma and CBI Special Director Rakesh Asthana was based on the Central Vigilance Commission's (CVC) recommendations. Gandhi also alleged that Verma was forcibly sent on leave as he was collecting documents relating to the Rafale "scam". Verma and Asthana have been "divested of all powers" amid an ongoing spat

UK revoking visas of Saudi suspects in Khashoggi murder: PM

Britain will revoke the visas of Saudi Arabian suspects involved in the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, Prime Minister Theresa May said on Wednesday. "The Home Secretary is taking action against all suspects to prevent them entering the UK. If these individuals currently have visas, those visas will be revoked today," May told a session of parliament. Britain's actions follow a similar move made on Tuesday by the United States. Khashoggi's death in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2 has piled more pressure on May's government to halt arms sales to Saudi Arabia, which has been waging a three-year bombing campaign in Yemen. Asked whether she will join German Chancellor Angela Merkel's decision to suspend arms sales to Riyadh, May insisted that Britain's defence export controls were "among the strictest in the world". She said the Saudi arms sales policy was "under review", echoing comments made by Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt in parliament on Monday. May added that she

CEC justifies deletion of voters in Telangana

Chief Election Commissioner O.P. Rawat on Wednesday justified deletion of lakhs of voters in Telangana saying the Election Commission used the latest technology to purify the electoral rolls during special revision.

Malaysia PM to discuss insurgency in visit to Thailand

Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad on Wednesday began a two-day visit to Thailand during which he is expected to discuss peace talks in Thailand's southern border provinces where a Muslim separatist insurgency has been raging for over a decade. Malaysia has been a facilitator between rebel groups and the Thai government but so far little progress has been made. Almost 7,000 people have died in the insurgency in Thailand's three southernmost provinces since 2004. Don Pathan, a security analyst based in southern Thailand, said Malaysia has to be part of the dialogue because it has a stake in the border violence and most residents in the region identify as Malay Muslims. Thailand is predominantly Buddhist. But time is running out for both Mahathir and Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha to reach a breakthrough in the negotiations with the rebels, Don said. Mahathir is expected to hand over power to his designated successor, Anwar Ibrahim, in less than two years, and Prayuth's ...

Pak rejects Afghanistan's allegations on Kandahar attack as 'baseless'

Pakistan on Wednesday rejected as "baseless" and "unfounded allegations" by Afghanistan that the Kandahar attack, in which three top Afghan officials were killed, was planned in the neighbouring country. Afghan President Ashraf Ghani Tuesday alleged that the attack on slain Kandahar police commander Gen Abdul Raziq was planned in Pakistan. "I want to say that this conspiracy was plotted in Pakistan. So Pakistan should give us the criminals so that we can bring them to justice," Ghani claimed. Commenting on Ghani's remarks, Pakistan's Foreign Office said no hard evidence or intelligence related information has been shared to date with Pakistan to substantiate such claims. "Pakistan rejects baseless and unfounded allegations regarding the latest Kandahar attacks," it said in a statement. It also said that in there was elaborate mechanisms under Afghanistan-Pakistan Action Plan for Peace and Stability (APAPPS) to mutually and effectively address and investigate any such unfortunate ...

Long road ahead for #MeToo in Nepal

The rape and murder of a teenager provoked unprecedented protests in conservative Nepal, but activists say a #MeToo reckoning like that unfolding in neighbouring India remains a distant prospect. Thousands poured onto the streets after 13-year-old Nirmala Pant's body was discovered in July angered by allegations the police were protecting the perpetrators. Two hashtags -- #RageAgainstRape and #JusticeForNirmala -- have become the rallying cries for protesters fed up with Nepal's woeful record of prosecuting cases of violence against women. But #MeToo has been largely absent from the ongoing debate. Those fighting for change say women still struggle to speak out against their abusers in Nepal. "I would love a society where you can say #MeToo," said women's rights activist Hima Bista. In recent weeks the #MeToo movement in neighbouring India has gathered pace, a year after the hashtag first went viral. The public allegations by Bollywood star Tanushree Dutta against a fellow actor ...

Kremlin says 'ready' to discuss Putin-Trump summit in US next year

The Kremlin said Wednesday it was ready to discuss the possibility of a summit in Washington next year between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US counterpart Donald Trump. "Undoubtedly (we are) ready," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists after US National Security Advisor John Bolton told Russia's Interfax news agency that such a summit was possible. He confirmed that the issue has been "raised" but that "so far there is no concrete decision on this." The Kremlin is preparing for a "possible meeting" between the two leaders at an event in Paris on November 11 commemorating the centenary of the end of World War I, Peskov said. Bolton arrived in Moscow on Sunday evening and held talks with Putin and other Russian officials. He said at a press conference that Trump wished to meet Putin at the World War I commemorations. The US official told Interfax in an interview published Wednesday that Washington expected the two leaders to discuss in Paris a possible summit in ...