*Chandigarh:* AAP, which is eyeing to capture power in 2017 polls, has launched a campaign, Captain Da Dhokha, to "expose the lies" of state Congress chief Captain Amarinder Singh who was in power during 2002-2007.AAP's Dakha candidate HS Phoolka alleged Amarinder was making false promises of giving jobs to youth.
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*Howrah:* A BJP central team was stopped by West Bengal police from entering the violence-hit area in Dhulagarh in Howrah on Saturday, after which it staged a road blockade, accusing the Mamata Banerjee government of pursuing "appeasement politics".
The BJP delegation comprised party MPs Jagdambika Pal, Satpal Singh, state president Dilip Ghosh and its national secretary Rahul Sinha.
Cops told the delegation that they would not be allowed to proceed since prohibitory orders have been imposed under Section 144 of CrPC.
Angered by it, the BJP delegation along with one thousand odd supporters blocked the road in protest. Some BJP workers also blocked the busy Kolkata-Mumbai NH6. Both blockades were later lifted.
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Mumbai Congress chief Sanjay Nirupam, who was supposed to lead a silent protest near the venue of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's public meeting on Saturday, alleged that he was placed under house arrest by the police. The police, however, denied the charge and said they were only trying to maintain law and order.
Ahead of his morcha on Saturday, the police deployed heavy bandobast outside Nirupam's Andheri residence. However, speaking to news agencies, Nirupam said, "The area outside my house is under heavy police bandobast and I am being prevented from stepping out. In the present democratic set up, Opposition leaders are being virtually kept under house-arrest."
Denying the charge, Deven Bharati, joint commissioner of police, (law and order) Mumbai police, said, "He was not under house arrest. The security arrangement was made across the city."*Rajendra Vithoba, a tutari player, was arrested for playing the instrument during the arrival of PM Narendra Modi at Bandra's MMRDA grounds*
Nirupam was allowed to leave his residence only after 4.30 pm, after which he organised a rasta roko near Versova circle. "Nirupam was detained for conducting the rasta roko and was released at 6.30 pm," added Bharati.
After the Congress chief was detained, party members burnt vehicle tyres to protest against the police action.
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*Pune:* Chaos and panic ensued at the National Institute of Banking Management (NIBM), Kondhwa, after a male leopard was found trapped in the campus kitchen. A team of seven forest officials rescued the wild animal after four hours.
The incident occurred on Saturday morning around 8.30 am in the institute's ground-floor kitchen. A housekeeping member spotted the leopard's tail near a cupboard, and locked the door.
The NIBM management alerted officials from the Maharashtra Forest Department in Pune. Deputy conservation forest officer, Satyajeet Gujar, said, "The leopard was running around the kitchen looking to escape." The forest officials broke the glass windows of the kitchen and tried to inject the leopard with a tranquiliser. "On the sixth attempt, he was unconscious," Gujar recounted.
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Appealing to "dishonest" people to respond to his fight against black money, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday warned those preferring to defy the country's law that the fight will continue till victory is achieved. "I invite you to accept the country's law and regulations. Please return to the system. We don't want to hang you, but I want to tell you that you will have to part with the poor's share (from your ill-gotten money)," Modi said at a large gathering, after laying the foundation for the Shivaji Maharaj Memorial and several other big ticket infrastructure projects in Mumbai.
*Also read: Shiv Sena alleges BJP 'hijacked' Shivaji memorial event for political benefit*
"The time has come to destroy the dishonest. Very few people do this (financial malpractices) but because of them, crores suffer. They don't know that their troubles began when they went to the bank. They shouldn't think that they are sorted once they deposited their money or engaged bank officers in corrupt practices to turn their black money into white," Modi said, adding that the suffering of the common people will reduce after the post-demonetisation period of 50 days.*The family of the Maratha warrior king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, were present at the event as well*
He said the (dishonest) people who didn't fear him or his government should at least fear the might of the people who have elected a majority government at the Centre after many years. "Remember that the 125 crore-population of this country stands supporting me in this war against black money and corruption. The people are not ready to accept malpractice any longer. They want my government to continue working against corruption and black money," said Modi.
Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray, CM Devendra Fadnavis, union minister Nitin Gadkari and several others shared dais with the PM. Thackeray has been opposing the implementation of demonetisation and criticised Modi very often, though he said he did not oppose the decision per say. Modi also responded to the charge that people were unhappy over demonetisation. "Winning elections is taken as a proof that any government is doing good work. The people of Maharashtra have given the BJP a mandate in the recent civic polls and the result speaks for itself."
*Attacks Congress*
Without naming the Congress, Modi attacked the party that has ruled the country for several decades. "The people who have eaten malai (butter) for 70 years has done whatever possible to destabilise the demonetisation scheme. They scared people, spread rumours, but I must say that the people who we call illiterate did not succumb to the pressure tactics of handful leaders," he said while launching a scathing attack on Congress senior leadership.*(From left) Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray, CM Devendra Fadnavis, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP chief Nitin Gadkari at the event where Prime Minister Modi lay the foundation stone for the Shivaji Memorial on Saturday. Pics/Nimish Dave*
*Country, Mumbai, will change*
Modi ridiculed adversaries who mock his government's tagline 'Desh badal raha hai (the country is changing)'. "Who says the country cannot change? I say it will change and grow and stand tall. I'm saying this on the basis of my three-year experience in the government," he said. Referring to the city projects he kicked off on Saturday, Modi said it was a historic day for Mumbai as the work on projects worth R1.6 lakh crore has started in one go. "The Fadnavis government will ensure these projects are completed in time. I'm happy that the state government is working tirelessly for the development of the city," he said, setting an agenda of a Mumbai makeover ahead of the civic polls.
*Also read: Mumbai - PM Modi lays Foundation for Shivaji memorial, Uddhav Thackeray joins him*
He said the BJP's focal point was sustainable development, that will empower the poor and middle class. He paid rich tributes to King Shivaji saying that the mid-sea memorial will begin an era of tourism in the country. "Iconic structures give countries identity. The Shivaji memorial, too, will give us an unique identity," he said. The PM also plans to start the fort tourism pilot from Maharashtra.
*CM slams memorial opponents*
Fadnavis, who also spoke today, said 'the people who opposed the Shivaji Memorial, did not think of the future. "These people only live in the present. In the coming years, India will be known by the Shivaji memorial, which will be taller and more imposing than the Statue of Liberty," he said.
*Clear coastal road: Uddhav*
Speaking on the occasion, Thackeray requested the PM to give the BMC's pet project of the coastal road an environmental clearance. The appeal was a clear indication that the Centre has not been paying attention to the Sena-controlled infra project. The Sena chief also asked for handing over historic forts in the state to the government for care-taking saying that the central agency Archeological Survey of India, was not very serious with its work.*Incomplete projects yet to get govt nod*
> Soyabean and cotton farmers are yet to receive compensation of nearly Rs 1,000 crore for crop loss due to drought last year.
> Government had to give Rs 143 crore grant to non-aided schools after a long court battle by these school managements. However, it finally sanctioned a R72-crore grant citing insufficient funds.
> Maharashtra cleared over 95 per cent of sugar cane dues payable. But, a few hundred crores are pending as arrears.
> Every year, the Central government, under National Rural Health Mission, releases funds for the treatment and medicines of Hemophilia patients. But, despite releasing the fund in May, the state health department hasn’t made medicines available to patients. Patients continue to struggle to get their life-saving drugs. The budget is of Rs 25 crore.
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After thirteen days of the Aarey chopper crash (December 11), Vrinda Modi, 34, one of the victims, succumbed to her injuries at the privately-run National Burns Center in Airoli. Her infection became severe in the last two days and despite being on antibiotics, she couldn't pull through. She died due to septicaemia — an infection of the blood.
Taking to mid-day, Dr Sunil Keshwani, director of NBC, said, "She had sustained 50 per cent burns and was kept in isolation. She was given the best treatment but in the past two days, the infection spread across her body. We had removed all the dead skin and replaced it with new skin. But she succumbed to the infection on Saturday morning. I saw her in the morning at around 7.30am but around 10 am, she passed away," he said. The body has been sent for post-mortem as per the medical guidelines.
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Three persons among a group of seven died on Friday night when the boat they were on, on the Powai Lake, overturned after hitting a rod and a fishnet placed in the lake. The three who died have been identified as Dinesh Bhoir (34), Atif Latif Khan (22) and Rashool Khan (43). Family members of the deceased said that the men, most of whom are in the construction business, met each other around six months ago. This was the first time they were partying together.
The party was thrown by Rashool, a Ghatkopar based businessman, who wanted to host his friends on a houseboat parked on Powai Lake. The party, say Powai police. By Saturday night all three bodies were recovered. The police say, the party began at 7 pm and, aside from Dinesh and Atif (Rashool's nephew), two others — Deepak Patil (24) and Naresh Patil (46) — reached the jetty on time. From here, they were ferried on a boat, to the houseboat.*While the bodies of Asif Khan (22) and his uncle Rashool Khan (43) were recovered by 5 pm on Saturday, search was still on for Dinesh Bhoir's body. Pic/Datta Kumbhar*
At around 10.30 pm, two other friends, Kunal Patil (35) and Paresh Pancholi (34), arrived at the jetty and the boatman Abbu Mandal (21), headed off to ferry them back to the houseboat. However, the rest of the group also got on to the boat. When the group had picked up the two, and was returning to the houseboat, the boat (which is driven by oars) hit a divider — that is constructed in the lake to prevent idols immersed during Ganesh Puja) from slipping deeper into the lake — and overturned. All the occupants of the boat were thrown into the lake. While the rest managed to take support of the floating boat, or swim to the shore, Dinesh and Asif couldn't and drowned.
*Also read - Mumbai: Baby drowns after mother carrying her falls into sea*
Rashool, say the survivors, was a good swimmer and had managed to swim ashore but heard Dinesh and Asif shouting for help. Speaking with mid-day, Rashool's brother Faiz Khan said, "He was a good swimmer. He swam to the bank but went back to rescue his friends. We had the habit of helping people in need and may be that's why he counted his friends' lives over his." Rashool is survived by two children and his wife.*Kunal Patil with his wife*
Abbu who is being kept under observation at the Powai Polyclinic and Hospital, stated that before the incident, he had made two trips from the houseboat to the jetty and back. On the third trip, all five friends decided to accompany him. He admits that the boat was further imbalanced by the presence of eight persons on it. Ideally, there should be no more than six passengers on the boat.
"When the boat turned over, Naresh and Deepak swam across while Panchal, Kunal and I took support of the boat. As it was also drowning, we started shouting help. Then, a nearby boatman rescued us," he added. While Abbu claims that the friends had consumed alcohol, the Naresh said that this was not true and that all friends were in their senses.*The deceased Atif Khan and Dinesh Bhoir*
Atif's aunt Noorja said he was excited about the party and had even uploaded a picture on the social media site Snapchat. "He always wanted to go on a houseboat party. We never knew it would take his life," she said. Kunal who bought a house few month back and has a two-month-old daughter said that he was lucky that he survived though he doesn't know how to swim. "Dinesh and Rashool, who knew how to swim didn't make it but I survived. I am really feeling sad for them," he said.
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It is a common sight to see posters from various political parties cropping up overnight, taking credit for any civic work being carried out in their respective areas. The practice, however, backfired for a Gorai corporator, Shiva Shetty, when a team of government officials raided three under-construction toilets in Gautam Nagar, behind the Gorai bus depot, last Thursday. An FIR was filed against Shetty, as the structures in question violate CRZ norms, that prohibit construction within a 50-metre vicinity of the mangroves."
According to forest officials, who were accompanied by enforcing authorities (including the Nayab Tahsildar and the Revenue Department) the contractor and his workers made a quick escape from the construction site, just before the officials arrived. The only evidence they could collect was statements of a few locals and a poster bearing the name and photograph of Shetty, stating that the work was sponsored by him. Based on the findings and panchnama, an FIR was filed against Shetty and the unknown contractor at the MHB Police Station (a copy of which is with mid-day), under IPC sections. The case is still being investigated.
Shetty denied having anything to do with the construction of the illegal structure. When asked about the poster, he said it was the handiwork of people who wanted to tarnish his image. Shetty said, "I did hear about the FIR, but if one checks with the BMC office, it will be clear that they are the ones who initiated the project, using government funds. I have not spent a single penny from my pocket nor do I know who put up my poster there," he said.
Assistant Commissioner BMC, Kishore Gandhi from the R/C Ward, confirmed that the work was indeed being carried out by his staff, as per central government directives to curb open defecation. "There are over 100 hutment dwellers, who do not have access to toilets. If it is proven that the toilets are indeed violating CRZ norms, we shall take steps to relocate them," he said.
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In the last one month, the playground near Sanskruti Hall in Kokan Nagar, Bhandup, has witnessed an unprecedented change. From being the hub of cricket bat-wielding boys, swooping the length and breadth of the ground with their fours and sixes, the ground has now made way for hundreds of women.
Every day, around 4.30 pm, women from the nearby slums take a two-hour break from their chores to assemble at the spot. With their pallus hastily tucked into their waist, they ride small distances, while carefully balancing on the 'loaned' two-wheelers.
The free training being the initial motivation, the heady rush of liberation has now pushed over 1,800 housewives, working professionals and college-going girls from the slums of Bhandup to register for the training class.*Students line up at a playground near Sanskruti Hall in Kokan Nagar, Bhandup for the riding class. Pic/Datta Kumbhar*
Their coach, politician Jitendra Ghadigaokar, who has taken on the task of training more than 200 women at a time, says he was inspired by the female lead character Archi from this year's Marathi blockbuster Sairat. The image of Archi flamboyantly riding a Bullet through the fields of a small village in Maharashtra, stuck with him. That's when he decided to launch the training school early in November.
In a span of one-and-a half months, Ghadigaokar has trained over 400 women from lower-income groups to ride the scooter. He is now busy training his second batch of 250 women bikers with the help of volunteers.
*Initial roadblocks*
When Ghadigaokar first advertised the programme, he received applications from over 1,800 women. Overwhelmed by the response, he decided to put the initiative on hold. "We could tell that they were eager to learn, but we didn't have enough bikes. We then loaned bikes from relatives, friends and colleagues," said Ghadigaokar, general secretary of North East Wing of the BJP.*Jitendra Ghadigaokar*
The students now train on 10 bikes. "We are increasing the number of bikes every day as more and more people are coming in," he added. Ghadigaokar said he launched the training programme to provide women from lower-income groups an opportunity to be mobile.
"These women cannot afford training from a regular motor school, whose fees range from R4,000 to R5,000. Also, when compared to women from other suburbs of Mumbai, you rarely see women from Bhandup head out alone. This bothered me," he said. During the 45-day training course, women are taught to drive, and also trained to write the exam and provided with a driving licence.
*The freedom to ride*
For Ghadigaokar, a bike-riding woman symbolises empowerment, self-confidence and economic equality. Homemaker Megha Mangesh Panchal (37), who lives in the Maharashtra Nagar slum, expresses this new-found confidence fittingly. "As a child, I remember being warned not to go out of the house after 6 pm.*A homemaker practises riding at a playground in Bhandup. Jitendra Ghadigaokar started the programme after watching Sairat's actor Rinku Rajguru ride a Bullet in the film. Pic/Datta Kumbhar*
My brother would accompany me everywhere," she recalls. Today, Panchal, who is a mother of two, is forced to rely on the men of the house. "Now, I will learn the bike, buy a scooter with my own money and prove my family that I am more than just a caretaker."
Panchal, who is halfway through the class, insists that learning the bike is important for all women. "Time and again, women are told that they can't do certain things. Just because I am a housewife, doesn't mean I cannot step outside my home. The bike is a means for me to take charge of my life," says Megha, who has already started saving up to buy her own scooter.*Megha Mangesh Panchal*
Sujata Rane (43), another trainee, who lives in Konkan Nagar and runs a catering business, said, "I am constantly nudged to quit the business. This makes me feel terrible. Learning the bike has given me wings."
Rinku Rajguru, the actress, who played Archi in Sairat, said she was happy that Ghadigaokar had taken a leaf out of the film. "I'm very happy that they are inspired by Archi. Hers was an inspiring character," she said.*Dr Nandita Shah, gender rights activist*
Dr Nandita Shah, gender rights activist and co-director Akshara, has commended the move. "Women surely feel empowered when they learn to ride a bike. Everything that is denied to us as secondary citizens, when offered to us, gives us a sense of exhilaration," said Shah. She also added, "The challenge is not only to bring them out in a bike rally, but create a space to challenge the patriarchal mindset even within their own community."
*400*
No. of students through with test
*1,800*
No. of applications in 7 days
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Even as its chief Uddhav Thackeray accompanied the Prime Minister for 'jal pujan' ceremony of Chhatrapati Shivaji memorial, Shiv Sena on Saturday appeared unhappy with ally BJP, alleging that it has 'hijacked' the occasion to take political benefit.
It also took a swipe at BJP over the Ram Temple issue, saying it should admit its "failure" as it has not been able to build the promised temple in Ayodhya despite the huge majority in Lok Sabha.
"The BJP should not forget this memorial is a dream of every citizen of Maharashtra. The previous government (of Congress-NCP) also tried to start work on the memorial though it was unsuccessful for reasons best known to them," said Sena spokesperson Manisha Kayande.
"When the memorial is being built with Government money, BJP should remember this (`jal pujan' or stone laying ceremony) is a Government programme and all parties of the 'Mahayuti' (grand alliance) should be treated with equal respect," she said.
Kayande said "the trend of BJP hijacking events, whenever it is in power, is in bad taste and does not go down well with public".
The BJP tried similar "antics" at the inauguration of Ram Mandir railway station here, where its workers shouted slogans in support of the Prime Minister, she said.
"Before elections, they showed people big dream of building a Ram Temple in Ayodhya, which they have failed to do despite having absolute majority in the Lok Sabha. Now, they should accept their failure (for not building the temple)," the Sena spokesperson said.
Earlier, Modi performed 'jal pujan' in the Arabian Sea for the Rs 3,600-crore memorial dedicated to the 17th century Maratha warrior king, who is a revered figure in Maharashtra.
He was accompanied by Uddhav among others.
The party is hoping that the issue will work in its favour in run up to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation polls likely in early 2017.
Sena-BJP relationship has been strained ever since the two parties parted ways ahead of Maharashtra Assembly election in 2014. The two reunited post-election but Sena has been sulking since it has been reduced to a junior partner in the state.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi today laid the Foundation for a Rs 3,600-crore grand memorial for Shivaji Maharaj off the city coast, an event that comes a few months ahead of the civic polls and amid tussle among parties to claim the legacy of the 17th century warrior king.
Modi, accompanied by select dignitaries, including Governor Vidyasagar Rao, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Shiv Sena President Uddhav Thackeray, sailed in a hovercraft from Girgaum Chowpatty beach in south Mumbai to reach near the memorial site, some 1.5km off the coast.
The PM performed the 'jalpujan' at the designated spot, symbolically marking the start of construction of the magnificent memorial in the Arabian Sea, which, according to the state government, is going to be the tallest such structure in the world.
Shivaji's descendants Udayanraje Bhosale and Sambhaji Raje (both Parliamentarians) were also on board the hovercraft.
#WATCH PM Narendra Modi onboard a hovercraft performs Jal Pujan for Chhatrapati Shivaji memorial in Mumbai pic.twitter.com/debHkcLRgE
— ANI (@ANI_news) December 24, 2016
Before the event, Fadnavis handed over to Modi a 'kalash' (vase) containing river waters and soil collected from all districts in Maharashtra.
When the hovercraft reached the memorial site, Modi immersed the 'kalash' in the sea. The PM also inspected a float depicting Shivaji Maharaj's coronation.
During the ceremony, Modi was seen talking to Thackeray, whose party, despite being an ally, has been a bitter critic of many of the BJP-led NDA Government's decisions, including demonetisation.
Earlier in the day, Sena alleged the BJP has "hijacked" the occasion to reap political benefit.
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Vrinda Modi, one of the victims of the helicopter crash in Aarey Colony, died on Saturday morning, said doctors of the National Burns Centre in Airoli.
Dr S Keswani, from the burns centre, told Times Of India, "She had septicemia and we lost her around 10am on Saturday."
Vrinda and her husband, Ritesh, had taken a helicopter joyride to celebrate their wedding anniversay on December 11. The chopper crashed within four minutes of take-off.
While the pilot, P Mishra, died before reaching Seven Hills Hospital, Ritesh died few days later in the same hospital. Vrinda Modi, who suffered 50% burns, was shifted to the National Burns Centre thereafter.
Vrinda Modi had undergone two surgeries in the last fortnight, but her burns were so deep that doctors were planning to amputate her arms.
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Five people were rescued and three others are missing after a boat with eight people on board capsized in Powai Lake in Mumbai on Friday night.
As per reports, those rescued are out of danger and were given appropriate treatment. “The control room got a call at 11:30 pm about a boat being capsized. The boat capsized at 11:15 pm on Friday. A couple of them were rescued by the locals during the night while rest drowned," a senior police officer from Powai police station told *DNA*.
The officer added that all those on board are residents of Mumbai. The boat belongs to a member of the Maharastra State Angling Association.
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*Patalganga:* Prime Minister Narendra Modi today hinted at unleashing more radical reforms, saying his government will not shy away from taking difficult decisions that are in national interest and admitted the note ban caused "short-term pain".
Inaugurating a new educational and training campus of the Sebi-run National Institute of Securities Markets (NISM) in this industrial township near Mumbai, Modi said "the government will unveil more long-term policies that are stable and sound" so as to sustain the higher economic growth rate.
"Our government will continue to follow sound and prudent economic policies and we will not take decisions for short-term political point scoring." Admitting that the demonetisation drive has caused some "short-term pains" to the public, Modi said this "will bring in benefits in the long-term".
Despite the lingering disagreements between the Centre and the states over the dual control of the GST mechanism, Modi expressed hope that the biggest tax reform the nation has seen till date will be a reality shortly. Claiming he has transformed the economy since assuming office over 30 months ago, the PM said when he took over the economy was in dire straits with high current account and fiscal deficits, near-double digit inflation and low forex reserves.
In spite of all difficulties, he said his government has improved these key metrics massively since assuming office in May 2014 and today the country is a bright spot in otherwise a gloomy global environment.
Even as the whole world is fighting a prolonged slowdown, "India is being seen as a bright spot with growth projected to be highest amongst the large economies", he said. Modi said advancing budget presentation will help improve productivity by ensuring adequate resources to all productive sectors of the economy.
Lauding Sebi for facilitating a large number of IPOs this year and helping the capital markets to grow, he said the financial markets are very important for a fast-growing economy. He underlined the need for developing a robust corporate bond markets so that banks funds can be utilised for other less organised sectors.
Modi asked market watchdog Sebi and Finance Ministry to enable municipalities to tap markets. Stock markets should help in raising capital for productive purposes while the bond market could become a source of long-term infra finance.
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A day after a headless and naked body of a 23-year-old man Brenden Gonsalves was found from a field in Aarey Colony, the police formed eight special teams to investigate the murder.
Till now, the cops have no clue about the reason behind the murder. Meanwhile, Brenden’s family performed the final rites at St Joseph Church in Oshiwara.
According to police sources, last Monday morning, Brenden went out as usual for a morning walk along with his dog.
He returned after some time and went out again around 7:15am. The footage of the CCTV installed at the entrance of Aarey Colony shows Brenden entering the area but not returning.
During investigation it was also revealed that on Sunday night he had gone out with a friend Laxman Singh to have juice at a nearby stall.
On being interrogated, Singh revealed that Brenden was going through some kind of tension.
*Property dispute?*
Police said that Brenden’s call data record reveals that a close relative was the last person to call him. It has also been found out that the deceased’s family had some property dispute with a couple of relatives.
An officer from Aarey police station said that the murderer slashed Brenden’s wrists before and after killing him as they have five cut marks. Speaking on condition of anonymity, a family member said Brenden might have been killed over personal rivalry or with the help of black magic.
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Good news is in store for trekkers and tourists visiting the Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary in Pune to see Maharashtra’s state animal, the Giant Indian Squirrel. The state Forest Department (FD) has started nature trails to promote the animal and create awareness about the role of locals, nature lovers and the department in wildlife conservation. Sunil Limaye, chief conservator of forests, Pune (Wildlife) said, “The Bhimashankar wildlife sanctuary is not only home to the Giant Indian Squirrel but also has a rich biodiversity, and we want nature lovers to visit the sanctuary and explore the same. Four nature trails have been organised wherein naturalists will accompany groups and inform them about the biodiversity found here.” As per a past survey conducted by the Zoological Society of India, the 130 square-km sanctuary is home to 529 species of animals, including 19 endemic species of Indian birds.
These trails are not just aiding the sanctuary, but will help the locals too. “We are involving the local villagers in the trail since we want them to benefit from the trails as well. The revenue generated from the trails is being shared with villagers that provide food to the people coming for them,” added Limaye.
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The modus operandi of the perpetrators behind a baby-selling racket — which was busted on December 12 — has been revealed. The mastermind, and arrested accused Asha Thakur would con street dwellers into parting with their children saying that she had several ‘high-class’ clients who would pay lakhs for their baby.
She would coax them into the deal saying they could make some money by selling their baby and as for another child, they could have one anytime they wanted.
*Also Read: Yet another baby-selling racket busted by Mumbai police, four women held*
Yogita Sale, another arrested accused, told the police during interrogation that Asha convinced her to bring babies for her, which she would sell to those who need them and get lots of money in return. Yogita, who was stuck in an unhappy household with her in-laws, wanted a separate home for herself and her husband. She readily gave into Asha’s plan and stole the baby of her cousins Mohammad Arif Khan and Yasmin Khan on December 4.
*Stole my baby, ran*
Narrating what happened prior to the kidnapping, Yasmin said, “My mother took my baby out as Yogita asked to play with her. Then, my mother diverted my attention to other things and just then, Yogita stole my baby and ran off.”
Yasmin and Mohammed registered a complaint on December 5 but couldn’t find their one and half-year-old son Ahmad Jafar Khan or Yogita for another week. Yasmin told cops she suspected Yogita of stealing Ahmad, after which cops started looking for her and found her on December 12. She was also captured on CCTV with Ahmad outside Mankhurd station.
*Read Story: Mumbai: Mankhurd police recover four more babies sold in racket*
Meanwhile, after further probe into the case, cops found that the couples who had bought the babies were taking utmost care of them. Upon being asked why they paid R2-4 lakh to Asha for the children when several NGOs give babies for adoption without charging a single penny, one of the couples said Asha told them she’s taking the money for legal procedures and the baby’s mother.
*Three teams formed*
DCP Zone 6 Shahaji Umap told mid-day, “We have approached the child welfare committee to look into why couples are opting for this way of adopting a child, what are the problems faced by them in adopting the baby legally. The illegal adoptions in different states is helping this racket enjoy the money after selling the babies.”
He added, “We have formed three teams to find more accused who are involved in the network and trying our best to rescue other babies who were sold by them.”
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mid-day looks at the vitals of these projects that will shape the future of the city and the surrounding metropolitan region.*To decongest Kalanagar Junction, the Kalanagar-Bandra flyover has been planned*
*On the road*
*Mumbai Trans-Harbour Link (MTHL):* This Rs 17,900 crore sea bridge has been at the planned stage for nearly a decade now. It will connect the ports of MbPT and JNPT, and the Mumbai-Pune Expressway, apart from its proximity to the new airport. The 22-km-long bridge is expected to be ready within five years once the work begins.
*Kalanagar Junction-Bandra flyover:* It will be 1.9 km-long and start from Bandra-Worli Sea Link end (BWSL) and go on to BKC and Kalanagar with two lanes each. The R163 crore flyover will decongest Kalanagar Junction by 67 per cent, besides connecting Sion and Dharavi with BWSL.
*Elevated road from LBS Marg flyover in Kurla to Vakola:* This would be 6 km-long and built at a cost of R480 crore. It will provide signal-free connectivity to WEH and Bandra-Kurla Complex from EEH, as well as decongest Santacruz-Chembur Link Road, thus reducing travel time by 30 minutes.*On Western Railway, the Bandra-Virar line has undergone several changes*
*What’s on track for railways?*
The government and Indian Railways will sign a Memorandum of Understanding for three major rail projects. Out of these, two have been in trouble for nearly five years now — the CST-Panvel and the Bandra-Virar elevated rail lines. The third one is new in the list, the Virar-Vasai-Diva-Panvel rail corridor.
*CST-Panvel line:* This is important for connectivity between Mumbai and Navi Mumbai, a fast line for the 10 lakh-odd commuters travelling to the satellite city. The R14,600 crore corridor is also likely to connect to the proposed Navi Mumbai airport.
*Bandra-Virar line:* This one has been courting controversy and undergone changes. It was to first start from Oval Maidan, which then became from Andheri till Virar. Finally, the railways has agreed to start this R20,000 crore corridor from Bandra.
*Virar-Vasai-Diva-Panvel corridor:* This is a vital rail network pegged at R9,000 crore that would connect all the three lines — Western, Central and Harbour. It will also give scope to the government to increase commercial spaces in this belt in a bid to reduce congestion in Mumbai.
*MUTP-III*
A continuation of MUTP-1 and II, it is being handled by the Mumbai Rail Vikas Corporation, which is a joint venture between the state government and Indian Railways. The World Bank is funding it partly.
*Airoli-Kalwa elevated corridor:* This Rs 428 crore line will connect Thane with its suburbs as well as help in connecting people to the existing trans-harbour rail line.
*Panvel-Karjat corridor:* This Rs 2,618 crore suburban rail network is again important for the growth of Mumbai’s metropolitan region. It will connect Panvel and Karjat, the two ends of Main and Harbour lines of Central Railway. More important are the jobs generated in these extended suburbs, especially with the new airport coming up.
*Quadrupling Virar-Dahanu line:* At present there are two rail lines between Virar and Dahanu, used by both suburban and long-distance trains. At present, nearly 80,000 people use the local trains, while scores travel daily towards Surat and beyond. The two additional lines will allow the railways to separate the suburban and long-distance networks.
*AC local project:* The Mumbai Rail Vikas Corporation (MRVC) plans to procure 47 air-conditioned rakes for the city. The 12-coach trains will be divided into two vestibules of six coaches each. The cost of each AC coach is expected to range from Rs 6.5 crore to Rs 10 crore.
“If the coaches are like Metro rail, the cost will be Rs 10 crore for each, but if they are like the ones being tested currently, they will cost Rs 6.5 crore,” said an MRVC official*Metros in the metro*
*DN Nagar to Mankhurd (Metro-II) corridor:* This 23.5 km-long line will be built at a cost of R10,986 crore. It will have 22 stations and run eight-coach trains. The MMRDA expects daily ridership of 8.09 lakh in 2021. It will also have interchanges with Metro-I, Metro-III, Metro-IV, Monorail and suburban trains.
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*Christmas at the Bhupathi-Dutta home*
Even as plastic Christmas trees, hollies mistletoes, reindeer and Santas flood the market, a Bandra residence is bathed in a burst of Christmassy colours sans all the artificial festive paraphernalia.
Mahesh Bhupathi and Lara Dutta have a winter garden in full bloom and the thoughtfully arranged plants potted poinsettia, maranta, palms, spider and money plants — in hues of reds and greens look every bit festive. Little did we know that in a household of eclectic tastes such as tennis and acting, gardening had some fans, too.
*Gandhi for millennials*
Here’s a new-age way to learn about Mahatma Gandhi. Tales Of Young Gandhi (Harper Collins) is a breezy 200-pager dotted with cool illustrations (Uttam Sinha) and chat blurbs that chronicles his early life in a graphic novel style. The book marks the writing debut of Delhi-born Janhavi Prasada, who works as a peace activist in the field of technology.*A panel from the book*
Like millions others, she was deeply impacted by the icon when she first read his autobiography, The Story Of My Experiments With Truth, and decided to retell his story for the new generation. The illustrations also include visual content that Prasada collected over eight years of travel to Porbandar, London and South Africa.
*Saina is a smash hit*
Champions are trained in childhood, and a rendezvous with achievers at a young age often goes a long way.
For the junior athletes of Olympic Gold Quest, a non-profit organisation with a mission to help Indian athletes win Olympic gold medals, it was one such occasion yesterday.
Ace shuttler Saina Nehwal along with Prakash Padukone and her coach, U Vimal Kumar, interacted with the young guns training at the organisation, where Nehwal told them all about transitioning effectively from the junior to the senior level.
*Finally something for the man in queue*
It’s that time of the year when publications take a stock of the months gone by and list noteworthy achievements across fields. They pick their sportsman of the year, businessman of the year, book of the year — and person of the year, which is reserved for the personality whose achievement is too big to be confined to a particular area.
In its 50th year, the Kannada daily, Kannada Prabha, too recently announced its person of the year. On its cover is a flustered, helpless-looking elderly man, his eyes full of questions. The Man in Queue has experienced a lot this year. We hope this recognition marks the beginning of the end of all those troubles.
*Because all kids know is love*
When the world seems to be enveloped in hatred, it is scenes like these that reassure us that better days are still ahead.
Actress Shruti Seth recently posted this adorable picture with this note: ‘When humans are finding it hard to love each other, my baby girl is spreading Christmas love even to mannequins.
May we all be nicer in 2017.’ Well, that just about sums up our wishlist for the coming year, too.
*Too much coffee, Karan?**Pic/Sayyed Sameer Abedi*
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*Pune:* “Don’t worry mother, within six months I will be out,” said a 30-year-old suspended judicial magistrate (First class) to his mother when the Pune district court yesterday held him guilty in a sexual abuse and molestation case, and sentenced him to three years' rigorous imprisonment. The case was filed by his neighbour in 2014.
Special Sessions Judge Mangala Dhote found Nagraj Shinde guilty of offences punishable under Section 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty) of IPC and Section 8 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO). He was also fined Rs 10,000. Shinde has two daughters. He was suspended in 2013 for misconduct when he was posted as the judicial magistrate (First Class) in Khandala court in Satara district.
The prosecution’s case was that the survivor, Shinde’s neighbour, stayed with her parents and elder sister and brother. The incident was registered with Bharti Vidyapeeth police station on July, 30 2014. At the time, Shinde’s wife had gone to her parents’ house for the delivery of her second child.
Shinde assured the girl that he would enroll her into a good coaching class and sexually assaulted her before threatening her with dire consequences, if she disclosed the matter. The CCTV footage in the society the day she was seen entering Shinde’s house, turned to be the crucial evidence in securing his conviction.
Special Public Prosecutor Pratap Pardeshi examined 11 prosecution witnesses. He said, “The accused, Shinde, is in the field of law and an educated man. His act is also an offence against society.” Shinde himself pleaded his case and examined nine other witnesses.
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*Kolkata:* Days after a row erupted over the army drill at toll plazas in West Bengal, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee yesterday objected to the Centre’s move to deploy CRPF personnel for providing security to Income Tax officials during search operations in the state. Banerjee demanded that the decision be immediately revoked.
Describing the decision as “unconstitutional, illegal and against all principles of cooperative federalism”, Banerjee shot off a letter to Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh in which she said deployment of any central police force to any state can only be done at the request of the state government.
*'Deployment as per law'*
However, the investigation wing of the Income Tax (IT) Department said the deployment of CRPF personnel during searches is as per the law.
“The number of search operations being carried out now have increased manifold and this is why we are taking help of CRPF personnel,” a senior official of the IT investigation wing said.
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*New Delhi:* The Supreme Court yesterday said it would next month hear a plea seeking quashing of a provision of the Income Tax (IT) Act on tax exemption to political parties on receiving voluntary contributions.
A bench of Justices Ashok Bhushan and L Nageswara Rao said there was no urgency in hearing the plea as the law has been in force for over 50 years and added that it would take it up on January 11.
“You are challenging a provision of the IT Act which is there since 1960s. What is the urgency? Let the matter come up before the court after vacations. This Act is going on for over 50 years,” the bench told petitioner advocate M L Sharma.
Sharma urged the court to hear the matter yesterday itself and claimed that on December 16, the government had declared that no investigation will be carried out against political parties' accounts on deposit of old demonetised notes as per the tax exemption given under section 13A of the IT Act. He said old currency notes were being deposited in the accounts of political parties and “the problem is that they would withdraw the money”.
*‘Note ban economic robbery’*
Escalating the attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Rahul Gandhi yesterday said his note ban decision is not a fight against black money or corruption but is an “economic robbery.’
Addressing a public rally at the University Campus College Grounds at Almora, the Congress vice president said his party wants to eradicate corruption and if “Modiji takes any step against the menace, Congress party will lend its hundred per cent support.”
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*New Delhi:* Najeeb Jung yesterday called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a day after springing a surprise by tendering resignation as Delhi’s Lt Governor even as he said that he had wanted to quit earlier but was asked by the PM to continue.
Jung reached the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) at South Block here around 11.30 AM and spent a little over an hour inside. Sources said it was a courtesy meeting. Yesterday, in his brief resignation statement, Jung had thanked Modi for his help and cooperation.
Rejecting speculation that he quit as pressure was mounting on him, Jung was quoted as saying by NDTV that there is no politics behind his decision and that he wanted to quit earlier as well.
“I had offered to resign as I had been appointed by the previous UPA government, but the PM asked me to carry on. After three years, I requested the PM to relieve me but he asked me to carry on,” he said.
“After three and a half years, I requested the PM again on Tuesday that I would like to resign on personal grounds,” Jung was quoted as saying.
Jung also said that he would like to write a book.
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The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s (BMC) plan to create a selfie gallery at CST has hit a roadblock — the Mumbai Heritage Conservation Committee (MHCC) has turned down the proposal to construct a viewing gallery outside the BMC headquarters, raising the concern that it would obstruct the view of the building as well as CST.*An artist’s impression of the selfie gallery planned for the heritage sector*
The plan is part of CST’s complete revamp plan about which mid-day had reported first (September 29).
*'Too high'*
The proposal was tabled before the heritage committee on Thursday for its approval as the location falls in the heritage precinct.
An MHCC official said, “We were not happy with the plan, as the proposed gallery is high and will obstruct the view of the BMC building. Hence, we have sent it back to the local ward office and asked it to make changes in a way that the existing beauty of the heritage precinct won’t be affected or obstructed, and then submit it again before the committee.”
According to a source, the existing ventilator shaft is about five feet high. The proposed gallery will be constructed above the shaft level with three feet high railings, completely blocking the view of the civic body’s headquarters.
On Thursday, Yuva Sena chief Aaditya Thackeray tweeted photos of the proposed viewing gallery in the heritage precinct of the BMC head office.
*For selfie enthusiasts*
In September, A ward (CST, Colaba) office had proposed to construct an elevated gallery with glass facades above one of the ventilation shafts of the pedestrian subway in front of the CST. Recently, a proposal of the R80 lakh gallery project was approved by the Standing Committee.
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*New Delhi:* Sadhus and sanyasis can now mention names of their spiritual gurus instead of biological parents under new passport rules announced here today which also eliminate the mandatory requirement of the birth certificate as the proof of date of birth (DOB).
The rules, which were announced by Minister of State for External Affairs V K Singh, also provides a provision for government servants, who are not able to get "no objection certificate" from their respective ministries/departments. In order to streamline, liberalise and ease the process of issue of passport, the ministry has taken a number of steps in the realm of passport policy which is expected to benefit the citizens of India applying for a passport, Singh noted.
In case of proof of DOB while filing application, it has now been decided that all applicants of passports can submit any one of the documents --transfer/School leaving/ Matriculation Certificate, PAN card, Aadhaar Card/E-Aadhaar having the DOB of applicant, copy of the extract of the service record of the applicant, driving licence, Election Photo Identity Card (EPIC) or LIC policy bond.
Birth Certificate issued by the Registrar of Births & Deaths or the Municipal Corporation or any other prescribed authority whosoever has been empowered under the Registration of Birth & Deaths Act, 1969 to register the birth of a child born in India can also be given as DOB proof. As per the extant statutory provisions of the Passport Rules, 1980, all the applicants born on or after January 26, 1989, had to mandatory submit the birth certificate as the DOB proof to get a passport.
The government has also accepted the demand by the sadhus/sanyasis that they should be allowed to write names of their gurus instead of names of their parents, Singh said, adding but they have to provide at least one public document such as EPIC, PAN card, Adhaar Card, etc wherein the name of the guru has been recorded against the column(s) for parent(s) name(s).
In case of government servants, who are not able to obtain the Identity Certificate/ No-Objection Certificate from their employer concerned and intend to get the passport on urgent basis can now get the passport by submitting a self- declaration that he/she has given prior Intimation letter to his/her employer informing that he/she was applying for an ordinary passport.
A report of a inter-ministerial committee with members from MEA and Women and Child Development ministry to examine issues pertaining to applications where mother/child has insisted that the name of the father should not be mentioned in the passport and also relating to children with single parent and to adopted children has also been accepted.
Based on the report, policy changes have been made which include no mandatory requirement of a marriage certificate for married applicants as also provide name of the only one parent and not both. This would enable single parents to apply for passports for their children and to also issue passports where the name of either the father or the mother is not required to be printed at the request of the applicant.
Under the new rules, total number of Annexes prescribed in the Passport Rule, 1980, has been brought down to 9 from the present 15 and all the annexes that are required to be given by the applicants would be self-declaration on plain paper.
"No attestation/swearing by/before any Notary/Executive Magistrate/First Class Judicial Magistrate would be henceforth necessary," as per the new rules, which also do not require the applicant to provide the name of her/his spouse in case of separated or divorced persons.
Such applicants would not be required to provide even the Divorce Decree. Orphaned children who do not have any proof of DOB such as Birth Certificate or the Matriculation Certificate or the declaratory court order, may now submit a declaration given by the Head of the Orphanage/Child Care Home on official letter head of the organisation confirming the DOB of the applicant.
For children not born out of wedlock, the applicant should submit only self-declaration form while submitting the application and in case of issue of passport to in-country domestically-adopted children, submission of the registered\ adoption deed would no longer be required.
Asked about the rules applicable to get a passport for a child born through surrogacy, Chief Passport Officer Arun K Chatterjee said there was a specific list of documents required as per the Indian Council For Medical Research regulations.
Since the bill dealing with surrogacy is still pending before the Lok Sabha, changes can only be carried out after it is passed, he added. Singh also said the necessary notifications would soon be published in the Official Gazette to give effect to these changes. Instructions are also being issued to the Passport Issuing Authorities in India and abroad on these revised regulations.
"MEA expects that the changes in the Passport Rules would further ease the process for passport applicants in getting their Passport. "At the same time, it would enable this Ministry to continue to deliver passport related services to the citizens in a timely, transparent, more accessible, reliable manner and in a comfortable environment through streamlined processes and committed, trained and motivated workforce," Ministry Spokesperson Vikas Swarup said.
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*Mumbai:* Tata Sons Interim Chairman Ratan Tata on Friday said attempts have been made to damage his and Tata Group's reputation. "Over the last two months there has been a definite move to damage my personal reputation and the reputation of this great group - the Tata group," Tata told the Tata Chemicals' Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) held here on Friday.
"And these days are very lonely because the newspapers are full of attacks, most of them unsubstantiated but nevertheless very painful. And coming here this week with all the shareholders, I have been so moved emotionally and deeply touched by the warmth and the support and the affection that they have shown," he said, adding he could not leave without "expressing my deepest gratitude" to the shareholders for their "overwhelming and remarkable" support.
Tata said that the group has been based on governance and fair play and he was confident the truth will prevail "however painful it may be". The EGM was convened to decide whether or not to remove industrialist Nusli Wadia, an Independent Director of the company, from the Board.
The original was to take for the removal of Tata Sons' ousted Chairman Cyrus Mistry and Walia but the former had voluntarily quit. Tata Sons' board ousted Mistry on October 24 and appointed Ratan Tata as the Interim Chairman. Wadia's support for Mistry has led several Tata Group companies to call for their respective EGMs to decide whether or not to remove him from their respective Boards.
Earlier in the day, Wadia had made an impassioned appeal to the company's shareholders to vote with their "conscience" during the firm's EGM, adding that he has chosen not to attend the company's EGM, as the recent meetings of other Tata companies have been "inappropriately and shamefully stage managed".
"What is at stake now is not whether I am removed or not but the fate of the very institution of the Independent Director that has been created in law and by SEBI (Securities and Exchange Board of India) to safeguard the interests of all stakeholders," he said.
The letter elaborated how Wadia, as well as some other Board members, had expressed concern about the fundamental issues involved in the overall arrangement of the deals. The development comes a day after Wadia was removed from Tata Motors' Board of Directors.
Tata Motors' in a regulatory filing made to the BSE said that over 69 per cent of total shareholders of the company voted during Thursday's EGM, and out of them, 1,517 or 71.20 per cent of votes favoured the resolution to remove Wadia while 1,037 shareholders, or 28.80 per cent, were opposed.
In response, the Wadia Group in a statement said that non-promoter shareholders had backed Wadia. Wadia, meanwhile, on Friday filed a criminal defamation suit against Tata Sons, Ratan Tata and its Directors, barely a week after he filed a defamation suit seeking Rs 3,000 crore as damages from the Tata Group and others.
Wadia had also approached the Bombay High Court, which on December 16 declined relief to minority shareholders of three Tata Group companies, who had sought restraint on promoters from voting at EGMs on the resolution to remove him as an Independent Director.
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*Mumbai:* Tata Chemicals on Saturday said that a majority of its shareholders at its extra-ordinary general meeting (EGM) on Friday voted to remove Industrialist Nusli Wadia as an Independent Director of the company.
According to a Tata Chemicals' regulatory filing, over 58 per cent of total shareholders of the company voted during Friday's EGM. Of the total number of shareholders who voted -- 945 or 75.67 per cent of votes -- favoured the resolution to remove Wadia from the Board of Directors.
In contrast, 318 shareholders, or 24.33 per cent of votes cast were opposed to the resolution to remove Wadia. "Wadia was not present and as per his request, his letter dated December 22, 2016 addressed to the members was read out by the Company Secretary," the company said in its regulatory filing.
"On an invitation by the Chairman, lshaat Hussain representing the requisitionist, Tata Sons spoke at the meeting clarifying certain issues raised by Wadia." Tata Sons Interim Chairman Ratan Tata also spoke at the EGM. He said that attempts have been made to damage his and Tata Group's reputation.
"Over the last two months there has been a definite move to damage my personal reputation and the reputation of this great group," Tata said in his address to the EGM. "And these days are very lonely because the newspapers are full of attacks, most of them unsubstantiated but nevertheless very painful. And coming here this week with all the shareholders, I have been so moved emotionally and deeply touched by the warmth, support and affection that they have shown," he said, adding he could not leave without "expressing my deepest gratitude" to the shareholders for their "overwhelming and remarkable" support.
Tata said that the group has been based on governance and fair play and he was confident the truth will prevail "however painful it may be". The EGM was convened to decide whether or not to remove industrialist Wadia, an Independent Director of the company, from the Board.
The original agenda was to take shareholders' approval for the removal of Tata Sons' ousted Chairman Cyrus Mistry and Walia but the former had voluntarily quit on Monday. Tata Sons' board had ousted Mistry on October 24 and appointed Ratan Tata as the Interim Chairman. Wadia's support for Mistry has led several Tata Group companies to call for their respective EGMs to decide whether or not to remove him from their respective Boards.
Earlier in the day, Wadia had made an impassioned appeal to the company's shareholders to vote with their "conscience" during the firm's EGM, adding that he has chosen not to attend the company's EGM, as the recent meetings of other Tata companies have been "inappropriately and shamefully stage managed".
"What is at stake now is not whether I am removed or not but the fate of the very institution of the Independent Director that has been created in law and by SEBI (Securities and Exchange Board of India) to safeguard the interests of all stakeholders," he said.
The development comes after Wadia was removed from Tata Motors' Board of Directors. Tata Motors' in a regulatory filing made on Friday to the BSE said that over 69 per cent of total shareholders of the company voted during Thursday's EGM, and out of them, 1,517 or 71.20 per cent of votes favoured the resolution to remove Wadia while 1,037 shareholders, or 28.80 per cent, were opposed.
In response, the Wadia Group in a statement said that non-promoter shareholders had backed Wadia. Wadia, meanwhile, on Friday filed a criminal defamation suit against Tata Sons, Ratan Tata and its Directors, barely a week after he filed a defamation suit seeking Rs 3,000 crore as damages from the Tata Group and others.
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Industrialist Nusli N Wadia has filed a criminal defamation case against Tata Sons, its interim chairman Ratan Tata and some directors for alleged “defamatory and offending” contents in a special resolution moved to seek his removal from three Tata Group firms.
Wadia, who has been accused of siding with ousted Tata Group chairman Cyrus P Mistry, filed the defamation suit in the court of additional chief metropolitan magistrate in Mumbai.
Tata Sons' special resolution to shareholders seeking Wadia’s removal as independent director on board of Tata Chemicals, Tata Motors and Tata Steel has “caused severe prejudice to the reputation and goodwill,” the chairman of Britannia
Industries said in the suit. This, he claimed, also “affected his status as an independent director in various other companies and will continue to have a cascading effect” on his reputation and goodwill in business circles within India and abroad.
He named Anil Naik, Chairman of Larsen & Toubro and Tanya Godrej Dubash, Executive Director of Godrej Group, as witnesses. Others named as witness include Subodh Bhargava, independent director of Tata Motors and Tata Steel and Vinesh Jairath, independent director at Tata Motors.
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This paper ran a front-page report about Mumbai’s enfant terrible Sapna Pereira attacking the Mother Teresa Ashram, the Missionaries of Charity home at Church Road in Vile Parle (W). Since then, Pereira has upped her terrorism, pilfering the ration, stoning the institution and filling the home and nuns with fear.
*Also Read: Mumbai's nightmare Sapna Pereira now terrorising sisters at Missionaries of Charity**Police at the Missionaries of Charity home in Vile Parle (W) yesterday*
The report had mentioned that the sisters had filed numerous complaints at Santacruz and Vile Parle police stations Reported by Mid-Day 5 minutes ago.
In a jolt to the Raj Thackeray-led MNS Sena in its stronghold of Dadar-Mahim area ahead of next year’s municipal elections, former corporator Prakash Patankar yesterday joined Shiv Sena.
An 18-year-old girl who suffered "potentially life-changing" after breaking both her legs and her pelvis in a crash in Devon on Christmas Eve.The teenager who was hit by a car in Plymouth faces surgery, police say.Police have said that she faces a "long recovery" and is due to go in for more surgery at Derriford Hospital.A 27-year-old man arrested on suspicion of drink driving after the crash remains in custody at Charles Cross, it has been confirmed.The girl was struck by a...
Reported by Torquay Herald Express 18 hours ago.
Delhi girl Arya Ranjan upset 10th seed Shahil Dey in the first round of the 2nd IIFL Wealth Mumbai International Juniors (U-13) chess tournament at Bandra yesterday.
Controversy’s favourite child Salman Khan, who celebrates his birthday today, recently became the face BMC’s drive against open defecation. According to civic authorities, the actor readily agreed to take on this role to contribute to the society.
The short answer to this question is, yes anyone can become a Forex Trader but in reality there is a much longer answer. There are so many factors involved in determining if this is the right path for you. Is is a career you are looking for or a way to make money outside of your regular employment. Do you intend to do your own trading or hire a brokerage firm with traders who trade for you. Do you want to learn all the ins and outs or would you join a social trading network and mimic someone else’s trades?
An 11-year-old girl was struck and killed while crossing the street in the Tremont neighborhood of the Bronx on Tuesday morning, according to the NYPD. The girl, whose name has not been released, was apparently attempting to cross East 180th Street at Hughes Avenue when a driver hit her. [ more › ]
Reported by Gothamist 37 minutes ago.
Fast bowler Mohammed Shami was at the receiving end of social media bouncers after he put up a picture of his wife Hasin Jahan and baby on social media.
*Rio de Janeiro:* Former Uruguay striker Sebastian "Loco" Abreu has said that his signing with Brazilian minnows Bangu represented "a good fit" as he extends his professional football career to a 23rd year.