Supreme Court of India asks for Centre's response in plea seeking restriction on press freedom

New Delhi: The Supreme Court India on Friday issued a notice to the Central government seeking a reply on a petition asking directions to define the parameters of freedom of press so as to"restrict assassination of dignity" of individuals, communities, religious saints, religious and political organisations by elctronic media channels. 

A three-judge bench of the apex court, headed by Chief Justice Sharad Arvind Bobde sought a reply to the notice within four weeks. The petition sought appropriate order directing the respondent, Union of India, to prevent the misuse of airwaves by the broadcasting electronic channels in the name of press freedom.

The petition sought intervention by the Supreme Court to control the "uncontrolled and unregulated" broadcasting electronic channels, who are involved in such kind of alleged activities. Reporting intended to hurt the sentiments of saints, religious and political organizations in the name of freedom of press should be prohibited, the petition demanded. The plea sought the issuance of appropriate order directing the Central government to restrict the media trial, parallel trial, judgmental views and interfering in the administration of justice.


The petition stated that the apex court should direct the government to set up an independent body called the Broadcasting Regulatory Authority of India (BRAI) to monitor the news broadcast.

"The top court should issue appropriate order directing the Central government to constitute an independent authority to be known as the Broadcast Regulatory Authority of India (BRAI) for the purpose of regulating and facilitating the development of broadcasting services in India," the plea said.

39 injured in a grenade attack on a pro Kashmir rally in Pakistan's Karachi

Karachi, Pakistan: At least 39 people were injured in a grenade attack as Pakistani government officials led rallies in support of Kashmiris on Wednesday and Prime Minister Imran Khan spoke at the legislature of the portion of Kashmir under his country's control as the country observed first anniversary of the annulment of the special status of Kashmir by India.

Last August, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government stripped Jammu and Kashmir - India's only Muslim-majority state - of its special rights and split it into two federally administered territories. In his speech, Khan condemned Delhi's actions and said Pakistan's efforts to lift the issue on the international stage were drawing the world's attention to abuses in Kashmir.

"Myself I have talked to all top world leaders, to Trump two or three times I told him how dangerous it is for the world, that it is a flashpoint, to Merkel of Germany, to Boris Johnson, Macron of France, I explained it to all of them, because they didn't understand but slowly they have understood," he said.

Khan also said Pakistan would honour Kashmiri separatist leader Syed Ali Geelani with Pakistan's highest civil award later this month. Kashmir is claimed in full by India and Pakistan, which have gone to war twice over it, and both rule parts of it. Indian authorities deployed troops and curbed public movement on Wednesday to stop potential protests in Kashmir.

About two hundred people from a Kashmiri group called "World Kashmir Forum" marched in the southern city of Karachi while lawyers burned pictures of Modi. Later in the day, at least 39 people were injured in a grenade attack on a rally in Karachi. The rally organized by Jamaat-e-Islami, a religious right party, was called off after the attack. The wounded were rushed to different hospitals, where one was in a critical condition, an official from the provincial health department said.

The attack was claimed by Sindhudesh Revolutionary Army, a separatist outfit that has become active in the past months. The group wants Sindh province, of which Karachi is the capital, to break from the Pakistani federation. It has also announced its alliance with the Balochistan Liberation Army, a militant group fighting for greater autonomy for the Balochistan region in southwestern Pakistan.

Pakistan: Shah Mehmood Qureshi challenged the PM Modi to come and visit PoK's Muzaffarabad

Islamabad: Pakistani Foreign Minister, Shah Mehmood Qureshi, on Wednesday challenged the Indian Prime Minister to come and visit Muzaffarabad, capital of Pakistani Kashmir, to see for himself how unpopular Indian policies are among the Kashmiri population.

Qureshi was addressing a rally to mark 'Youm-e-Istehsal' (Exploitation Day) to express solidarity with Indian-administered Kashmir, which was stripped of its autonomy on August 5 last year and divided into two federally-administered territories by the government of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "I, as Foreign Minister of Pakistan, invite you to come and address the Kashmiri people in Muzaffarabad. You will personally witness the type of welcome you will get here," Qureshi challenged Modi.

Qureshi also dared Modi to allow Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan to visit Srinagar to see what sort of reception he received there. On Aug. 5, 2019 the Indian government revoked Article 370 and other related provisions from its Constitution, scrapping the state with its autonomy. It was also split into two federally administered territories. 

Simultaneously, it locked the region down, detained thousands of people, imposed movement restrictions and enforced a communications blackout. Indian authorities blanketed Kashmir with troops, who laid out barbed wire and set up road blacks to prevent demonstrations a year after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government stripped India's only Muslim-majority state of its special rights. 

The government said the change was necessary to develop the strife-torn region and integrate it with the rest of India but it infuriated many Kashmiris and neighboring Pakistan. Kashmir is claimed in full by India and Pakistan, which have gone to war twice over it, and both rule parts of it. Militants have been fighting Indian rule in its part of Kashmir since 1989 in a conflict that has killed at least 50,000 dead, according to official figures.

India's COVID-19 tally climbs to 14,83,156, recoveries climb to 9,52,743

New Delhi: With a single-day increase of 47,703 COVID-19 cases, India's virus tally mounted to 14,83,156 on Tuesday, while the recoveries surged to 9,52,743 pushing the recovery rate to 64.24 per cent, according to the Union Health Ministry data.

The country's death toll due to the virus rose to 33,425 with 654 deaths being reported in a 24-hour span, the data updated at 8 am showed. There are 4,96,988 active cases of coronavirus infection in the country presently. According to the data, the recovery rate among COVID-19 patients is 64.24 per cent while the fatality-rate is 2.25 per cent. The total number of confirmed cases also includes foreigners.

This is the sixth consecutive day that COVID-19 cases have increased by more than 45,000. Of the 654 deaths reported, 227 are from Maharashtra, 77 from Tamil Nadu, 75 from Karnataka, 49 from Andhra Pradesh, 39 from West Bengal, 30 from Uttar Pradesh, 26 from Delhi, 22 from Gujarat, 17 from Telangana, 12 from Punjab, and 10 from Rajasthan.

Nine fatalities each have been reported from Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir, seven each from Assam and Odisha, five from Haryana, four each from Tripura and Jharkhand, three each from Puducherry and Uttarakhand, two each from Himachal Pradesh and Kerala, and one each from Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Chandigarh, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Nagaland and Sikkim.

Of the total 33,425 deaths reported so far, Maharashtra has reported the maximum at 13,883, followed by 3,853 in Delhi, 3,571 in Tamil Nadu, 2,348 in Gujarat, 1,953 in Karnataka, 1,456 in Uttar Pradesh, 1,411 in West Bengal, 1,090 in Andhra Pradesh and 820 in Madhya Pradesh. So far, 631 people have died of COVID-19 in Rajasthan, 480 in Telangana, 397 in Haryana, 321 in Jammu and Kashmir, 318 in Punjab, 253 in Bihar, 147 in Odisha, 89 in Jharkhand, 86 in Assam, 66 in Uttarakhand and 63 in Kerala.

Chhattisgarh has registered 44 deaths, Puducherry 43, Goa 36, Tripura 17, Chandigarh and Himachal Pradesh 14 each, Meghalaya and Nagaland five each, Ladakh four, Arunachal Pradesh three, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu two and Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Sikkim one each. The health ministry stressed that more than 70 per cent of the deaths occurred due to comorbidities.

"Our figures are being reconciled with the Indian Council of Medical Research," the ministry said, adding that state-wise distribution of figures is subject to further verification and reconciliation.

Sushant Singh Rajput Death: Filmaker Mahesh Bhatt Joins investigations

Mumbai: Bollywood films producer and director Mahesh Bhatt today joined police investigations into actor Sushant Singh Rajput's death mystery. According to reports Mr Bhatt toady reached the Santacruz police station at 11:30 AM and recorded his statements before Deputy Commissioner of Police Abhishek Trimukhe.

Besides Mr Bhatt, Karan Johar's manager and actor Kangana Ranaut have been asked to join investigations into the case, Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh said on Sunday. "Mahesh Bhatt will be called for questioning and we will later call Karan Johar''s manager too. If required Karan Johar can also be called for the questioning in Sushant Singh Rajput case," he told ANI yesterday.

The Mumbai police are investigating allegations that professional rivalry, besides clinical depression, drove the actor to suicide.  After Sushant’s death at his apartment in Mumbai last month, Ms. Kangna Ranaut had lashed out at nepotism and cartels in Bollywood, alleging that he was its victim, Kangna has also been summoned by the Bandra police, which is investigating the case. Ms Ranaut, who is in Himachal Pradesh since March 17, has requested police to send a team to the state to record her statement in person.

Sushant Singh Rajput, 34, was found dead in his home in Bandra on June 14. The police said it was death by suicide. The police are investigating allegations that professional rivalry, besides clinical depression, drove the actor to suicide. 

The police have so far questioned a few Bollywood personalities in the case, including casting director Mukesh Chhabra, Yash Raj Films (YRF) Chairman Aditya Chopra, YRFs casting director Shanoo Sharma and film critic Rajeev Masand. police recorded statements of 37 people in connection with the case. 

Sushant Singh Rajput debuted in the 2013 film "Kai Po Che" and went on to do several films, including "PK", "MS Dhoni: The Untold Story", "Kedarnath", "Sonchiriya" and "Chhichhore" - one of his last films that was widely appreciated. His death led to a deluge of tribute and recriminations on social media involving the Hindi film industry, which has been battling allegations of nepotism and cliques.

hiding truth is anti-national, Don’t care if stating truth on China costs my political career- Rahul Gandhi

New Delhi: Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Monday  sharpened his attack on the Modi government over the Chinese intrusions in Ladakh, saying that "hiding the truth" and allowing China to occupy Indian land is "anti-national" and bringing it to people's attention is "patriotic".

"The Chinese have occupied Indian land. Hiding the truth and allowing them to take it is anti-national. Bringing it to people's attention is patriotic," Gandhi said in a tweet attaching his fourth video in a series. In the video titled 'Tough questions on China', the Congress MP from Kerala's Wayanad said, "As an Indian, my number one priority is the nation and its people."

Firing a salvo at the government, Gandhi said, "How do you react to people who say your questions to the Prime Minister on China, weaken India?" The Congress leader said, "Now, it is pretty clear that the Chinese have entered our territory. This disturbs me. It frankly makes my blood boil. How can some other nation just come into our territory?"
He said "now if you as a politician want me to keep quiet and lie to my people, when I'm absolutely convinced I have seen the satellite photos." "I speak to the ex-army people. If you want me to lie that the Chinese have not entered this country I'm not gonna lie. I simply will not do it. I don't care if my whole career goes to hell. I'm not going to lie," the Congress leader said attacking the government over the military face-off with China in eastern Ladakh's Galwan valley.

He said, "I think the people who are lying about Chinese entering our country are the people that are not nationalistic." "I think the people who are lying and who are saying the Chinese are not in India, they are the people who are not patriotic. So frankly, I don't care if it costs me politically. I don't care if I have no political career at all after that," he said. He also said "but, I'm going to say the truth as far as Indian territory is concerned".
During the all-party meeting, the Prime Minister had said that China has not entered into India's land. On July 17, Gandhi released his first video and questioned the government's foreign policy. He slammed the Modi government over the face-off with China in Ladakh. He said China chose this time to intrude in our land as India's foreign policy, economy and relationship with neighbouring countries are disrupted.

In his second video released on July 20, the Congress leader said Modi fabricated a "fake" strongman image to come to power and now his biggest strength is "India's biggest weakness". On July 23, in his third video the Congress leader attacked the Prime Minister over the India-China border face-off saying he is 100 per cent focused on building his own image and "one man's image is not a substitute for a national vision".

India: After ban on 59 Chinese Apps, 275 more apps including PubG on security agency radar

New Delhi: The government of India may soon ban Player Unknown's Battlegrounds (PUBG) in India. PUBG is one of the most popular smartphone mobile games in India and many other countries. suggesting a ban on 275 apps have started to surface online a month after the Indian government banned 59 Chinese apps, including popular ones like TikTok, UC Browser, citing data security concerns.

PUBG has been developed by a South Korean video game company called Bluehole. However, Chinese multinational conglomerate Tencent holds a considerable amount of share in the popular game. The government is considering a ban on the battle royale format game over data security concerns. Several apps have been on the radar lately owing to alleged data-sharing practices with the Chinese government.

PUBG has been subject to heavy criticism several times in the past but for a different reason. After receiving several complaints from parents and guardians, some state governments across the nation put a temporary ban on the gaming app for its addictive nature that had a psychological impact on players, especially youngsters.
For PubG, India is its largest market, according to app intelligence firm Sensor Tower estimates, generating about 175 million installs to date, or 24% of the total downloads. PUBG had, then, assured to take feedback from parents, educators and government organisations to create a safe ecosystem that would enhance the game playing experience. 

India’s neighbouring country, Pakistan, too has banned PUBG earlier this month on the grounds of addictive nature of the game that is detrimental to the player’s health. Later, on July 26, a Pakistan court lifted the ban. 
Asia’s fifth-largest economy is now the battleground for Chinese and American internet majors that are vying to dominate one of the world’s largest and most open internet markets, with an estimated base of 450 million smartphone users.

Amitabh Bachchan Writes About How COVID-19 Affects Patient's Mental Health

Mumbai: Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan, who is undergoing treatment for coronavirus at a hospital here, has opened up about the mental health struggles COVID-19 patients face under isolation in order to curb the spread of the disease.

The 77-year-old megastar and his son, actor Abhishek Bachchan were admitted to the isolation ward of Nanavati Hospital on July 11 after they tested positive for the virus. In his blog on Saturday, Amitabh said the mental condition brought upon by the disease takes a toll on the patient as one is kept away from human contact.

"The mental state sparks from the stark reality that the COVID patient, put in hospitalised isolation, never gets to see another human for weeks. There are the nurses and the doctors on visit and medicine care but they ever appear in PPE units," the screen icon wrote. He said one doesn't get to know the faces behind the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as the healthcare workers take extreme precautions and deliver "what is prescribed and leave".
"Leave because longer stay has the fear of contamination. The doctor under whose guidance the care and mapping and reports are governed by, never ever comes near you to give a hand of assurance, a personal detail of the treatment in the close proximity of an assurance." The communication is virtual, Amitabh said, which is the best way under the current situation, but is still "impersonal".

The actor, who occasionally updates his fans on social media about his health, said the stigma of having been COVID-19 positive is something which a patient may wrestle with once the institutional isolation is over. "Does it have an effect psychologically mentally? Psychologists say it does. Patients after release are tempered, they are given to consultation with professional mind talkers.

"They are afraid to be in public for fear or apprehension of being treated differently, treated as one that has carried the disease, a pariah syndrome. Driving them into deeper depression and in the loneliness that they have just come out of," he noted. Highlighting his own state, Amitabh wrote he sings to keep himself entertained in the loneliness.

"In the darkness of the night and the shiver of the cold room, I sing .. eyes shut in attempted sleep .. there is no one about or around .. and the freedom to be able to do that will extend I know if in the Will of the Almighty there is release," he said. On Thursday, the Bollywood veteran dismissed reports that he has tested negative for coronavirus and called the piece of news "an incorrigible lie".
Amitabh's daughter-in-law, actor Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, 46, and his eight-year-old granddaughter Aaradhya Bachchan also tested positive for COVID-19 and were shifted to Nanavati last week. The tally of coronavirus cases in Maharashtra rose to 3,66,368 with 9,251 new patients being reported on Saturday, according to State Health department.

Shushant singh rajput death: Mumbai Police will record Kangana's statement, Sent summons

Mumbai: The Mumbai Police on Friday issued summons to Bollywood actor Kangana Ranaut, asking her to record her statement in connection with Sushant Singh Rajput's suicide case, an official said.The Bandra police are investigating allegations that professional rivalry, besides clinical depression, drove the actor to suicide. After Rajput's suicide at his apartment in Mumbai last month, Ranaut had lashed out at nepotism and cartels in Bollywood, alleging that he was its victim. According to police, Ranaut is currently in Manali.

"In an attempt to understand the reason behind Rajput's depression, police want some inputs from Kangana Ranaut. Accordingly, we sent summons to her by post at her residence in Manali on Friday," the official said. "Police may ask Ranaut to give her inputs about the possible reason behind Rajput's extreme step," he said.

On July 3 also, police had tried to summon Ranaut back to the city and record her statement, the official said. The police have so far recorded statements of over 38 people, including Rajput's family members and close friends like actors Rhea Chakraborty and Sanjana Sanghi, in connection with the case.

Film director Sanjay Leela Bhansali and filmmaker and Yash Raj Films (YRF) chairman Aditya Chopra have also recorded their statements. The "Chhichore" actor, 34, was found hanging at his apartment in Mumbai on June 14. No suicide note was found from the spot by the police.

Rajput starred in films such as "Shuddh Desi Romance", "Raabta", "Kedarnath" and "Sonchiriya". But his most prominent role came as cricketer Mahendra Singh Dhoni in the biopic, "MS Dhoni: The Untold Story".

Amitabh Bachchan denies reports of testing negative for COVID-19

Mumbai: Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan on Thursday dismissed reports that he has tested negative for coronavirus and called the piece of news "an incorrigible lie".

The 77-year-old actor, who along with actor-son Abhishek, was admitted to the isolation ward of Nanavati Hospital here on July 11, was quick to rubbish stories that started swirling on social media. "This news is incorrect, irresponsible, fake and an incorrigible lie!" wrote Amitabh on Twitter, tagging a video clip from a TV news channel. 


The reports emerged as the Bollywood veteran and Abhishek, 44, neared the completion of their 14-day quarantine period at the city hospital. A day after the father-son's revealed their diagnosis, Amitabh's daughter-in-law, actor Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, 46, and his eight-year-old granddaughter Aaradhya Bachchan also tested positive for COVID-19.

Aishwarya and Aaradhya were shifted to Nanavati last Friday, almost a week after they tested positive. Bachchan occasionally updates his fans on social media about his health. The tally of coronavirus cases in Mumbai rose to 1,04,572 with 1,310 new patients being reported on Wednesday, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said.

India: Journalist Vikram Joshi, shot in head by assailants in Ghaziabad

New Delhi: A journalist in Ghaziabad- city of Uttar Pradesh, who was shot in the head by unidentified assailants in front of his minor daughters, succumbed to injuries at a hospital on Wednesday morning. The deceased journalist has been identified as Vikram Joshi. He worked with a local daily.

Joshi had filed a complaint with the Vijay Nagar Police Station alleging harassment of his niece on Thursday, July 16  He was shot at around 10.30 pm on Monday near his home in Vijay Nagar area in Ghaziabad. “He passed away at around 4 am during treatment at the hospital,” a family member said.

Vikram Joshi was admitted to a private hospital after the attack. According to doctors treating Joshi, the veins in the journalists’ head had got badly damaged due to the bullet injury. Meanwhile, the Station in-charge has been suspended and a departmental inquiry has been initiated after the journalist’s family alleged inaction by the police. According to the police, nine people have been arrested in connection with the case so far.

According to reports, Vikram Joshi was on a bike when assailants attacked him and dragged him behind a car and then opened fire. Joshi was accompanied by his niece when the incident took place. He had allegedly lodged a complaint with the Vijay Nagar police over repeated harrassment of his neice.

“Some boys used to eve-tease my sister. It was her birthday when the incident occured. My uncle was coming home with her when they attacked him and shot him. We will not accept my uncle’s body till the accused caught,” the deceased scribe’s nephew said.

Ghaziabad police have released a list of 10 persons of which three are accused in the case and have been arrested. Six have been detained and one is absconding. Meanwhile, opposition leaders have criticised the Yogi Adityanath government over the deteriorating law and order situation in Uttar Pradesh. BSP chief and former CM Mayawati said ‘jungle raj’ has been established in Uttar Pradesh under the BJP rule.

“Murder cases are on rise and crime against women is also rising… jungle raj prevailing in UP. The law and order situation has deteriorated in the state. The ‘crime virus’ is more dominant than coronavirus in UP. People are living in a state of fear. The government should take this into consideration,” she tweeted.

Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi also criticised the Yogi government. “Journalist Vikram Joshi was killed for the opposing molestation of his niece. My condolences to the bereaved family. They had promised Ram Raj, but delivered Gunda Raj,” Rahul tweeted in Hindi.

Trinamool Congress president and West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee said an atmosphere of fear has been created in the country. “My heartfelt condolences to the family of Vikram Joshi, a fearless journalist who passed away today. He was shot in UP for filing an FIR to book his niece’s molesters. An atmosphere of fear has been created in the country. Voices being muzzled. Media not spared. Shocking,” she tweeted.

India, US negotiating UAV co-development programme, says Pentagon official

Washington: The US and India are negotiating a co-development programme for the air-launched unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), a top Pentagon official has said.

Addressing the India Ideas Summit organised by the US-India Business Council on Tuesday, the top Pentagon official said that the US Air Force research labs have signed a cooperative research and development agreement with an Indian startup to support the development of the air-launched UAV.

"I would like to highlight a very exciting project we are currently negotiating -- air-launched unmanned aerial vehicle or UAV will be a co-development programme between the US Air Force Research Labs, the Indian Air Force, India's Defense Research and Development Organisation, and ? an Indian startup company," said Ellen M Lord, Under Secretary of Defence for Acquisition and Sustainment.

The Pentagon's point person for the ambitious US-India Defence Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI), Lord said that they were planning to hold the next DTTI group meeting in the week of September 14 and the second meeting of the DTTI industrial collaboration forum the week before.

Often described as the Pentagon's chief weapons buyer, Lord said that the US-India defence cooperation has made great strides in the last few years. This cooperation has led to closer relationships between the two governments and also increased stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

Noting that US defence sales to India have grown exponentially over the last 10 years, she said the US is striving to become India's first choice in defence solutions. The last year has seen many firsts in DTTI, she said, adding that the first project agreement for co-development is in negotiation.

The first industrial cooperation forum was held, she said. She also announced the release of the industrial guidance for the participation with DTTI. The industrial cooperation is a key focus area for the future of defence collaboration and we think that this industry guidance will increase industrial collaboration within the DDTI framework," she said.

"The United States welcomes any partnership that enhances US national security objectives, decreases defence procurement costs and leads to greater supply chain stability,? Lord said. Noting that the US government reviewed and commented on India's defence procurement procedure or DPP, Lord said they were encouraged to see the procedures for loans and leases added.

?The United States is aware that many countries, including India, use offset in defence sales. The US government will not take part in any negotiation concerning offsets between the industry and a foreign government. "We encourage all governments to ensure that offset processes are transparent and applied equally to all competitors,? Lord said.

Thane rural SP suspended for Facebook arrests, magistrate shunted

Mumbai- Thane Superintendent of Police (rural) and Palghar police station Sub-Inspector have been suspended for disobeying the orders of superiors while arresting two girls for a Facebook post on late Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray. Thane SP (rural) Ravindra Sengaonkar has been suspended after IG Konkan Range recommended departmental action against the officer.

Announcing the suspension in Mumbai on Monday, Maharashtra Home Minister RR Patil said that from now on police have been authorised to apply the Information technology Act only after consulting legal experts. "This decision has been taken by the state government. Thane (rural) SP and Palghar Sub-Inspector has been suspended for disobeying the orders of superiors," said Patil.

Earlier, Palghar first-class magistrate Ramchandra Bagade, who had given bail to two girls arrested for a Facebook post on late Shiv Sena leader Bal Thackeray on a bond of Rs 15,000 each, was transferred by the Bombay High Court. Bagade's transfer came over a week after a girl from Palghar in Thane was arrested for a Facebook post in which she had asked why Mumbai was virtually shut down during Bal Thackeray's funeral. Her friend was arrested for liking the post.

The 21-year-old in Palghar had also told CNN-IBN she was not traumatised and had only apologised for she feared for the safety of her family. The girls were arrested on a complaint by Bhushan Sankhe, a Shiv Sena shakha pramukh and the clinic of an uncle of one of the girls was ransacked by a mob protesting against the Facebook comment.

After a high level inquiry, charges were finally dropped against the 21-year-old girl who posted comments on Bal Thackeray. The Inspector General Konkan Range had on November 23 submitted his investigation report into the arrest of the two girls. In his report, the IG said that the arrest of the girls by the police was unjustified.
The probe report also recommended action against the police officials involved in the arrest of the girls. It said that there must be departmental action against the policemen for arresting them. The report also questioned the local policemen for defying top officers in arresting the girls. The 150-page report was sent to the state government, which took action on the basis of it.

Justice Katju writes to Maharashtra CM on arrest of girl for Thackeray FB update

Mumbai- The reported arrest of a 21-year-old girl over her Facebook status update questioning the shutdown of Mumbai over Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray's death has drawn flak from former Supreme Court Judge and chairman of Press Council of India Justice Markandey Katju who has written to Maharashtra chief minister Prithviraj Chavan, seeking his active intervention in the matter.

In the letter addressed to Chavan, Justice Katju has written: "It is alleged that she has been arrested for allegedly hurting religious sentiments. To my mind it is absurd to say that protesting against a bandh hurts religious sentiments. Under Article 19(1)(a) of our Constitution, freedom of speech is a guaranteed fundamental right. We are living in a democracy, not a fascist dictatorship. In fact this arrest itself appears to be a criminal act since under sections 341 and 342 it is a crime to wrongfully arrest or wrongfully confine someone who has committed no crime.

Hence if the facts reported are correct, I request you to immediately order the suspension, arrest, chargesheeting and criminal prosecution of the police personnel (however high they may be) who ordered as well as implemented the arrest of that woman, failing which I will deem it that you as Chief Minister are unable to run the state in a democratic manner as envisaged by the Constitution to which you have taken oath, and then the legal consequences will follow."

The 21-year-old girl was allegedly arrested from the town of Palghar along with a friend of hers who had liked the status. This reportedly happened even after the girl withdrew the status and apologised for the same.
The Internet has been abuzz about the arrest of the girl with Thackeray loyalists denouncing the girl's action and others defending her freedom of speech. Unconfirmed reports of a mob of Shiv Sena workers attacking and ransacking the girl's uncle's orthopaedic clinic at Palghar have also come in.

Read: A Letter to Maharashtra CM

To,

The Chief Minister
 Maharashtra

 Dear Chief Minister,
                I am forwarding an email I have received stating that a woman in Maharashtra has been arrested for protesting on Facebook against the shut down in Mumbai on the occasion of the death of Mr. Bal Thackeray. It is alleged that she has been arrested for allegedly hurting religious sentiments.
> To my mind it is absurd to say that protesting against a bandh hurts religious sentiments. Under Article 19(1)(a) of our Constitution freedom of speech is a guaranteed fundamental right . We are living in a democracy, not a fascist dictatorship. In fact this arrest itself appears to be a criminal act since under sections 341 and 342 it is a crime to wrongfully arrest or wrongfully confine someone who has committed no crime.
 Hence if the facts reported are correct, I request you to immediately order the suspension, arrest, chargesheeting and criminal prosecution of the police personnel (however high they may be) who ordered as well as implemented the arrest of that woman, failing which I will deem it that you as Chief Minister are unable to run the state in a democratic manner as envisaged by the Constitution to which you have taken oath, and then the legal consequences will follow

 Regards

 Justice Katju
(Chairman, Press Council of India, and former Judge, Supreme Court of India)

Journalist & Filmmaker donated INR 85 Lakhs property and INR 7.63 Lakhs cash

Journalist - Filmmaker RAJESH JHA donated  INR 85 Lakhs property and INR 7.63 Lakhs in cash for Community Health Center & Old Age Home to Government of Bihar. Both institutes will be on name of his parents MALATI & BRAHMANAND JHA and functioning will be governed by Malati Brahmanand Jha Foundation a family trust registered under Charitable Society Act.

Rajesh donated his 2 story house for MALATI BRAHMANAND JHA COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER ,MANDARHILL , BHAGALPUR which will start functioning from 14th January 2013 with 25 ( extandable to 30 ) beds. He is constructing a 26 rooms Old Age Home called MALATI BRAHMANAND JHA VRUDHASHRAM where 50 old poor and helpless people will stay till death. Their living cost will be bore by MALATI BRAHMANAND JHA FOUNDATION and for this purpose it has given 15 aces agricultural land of Adra- Sukhaniya river bank to the Old Age Home. Agricultural produces from that land can easily meet expenses of old age home.

Rajesh owns properties in Manda (UP),Sivari ( W.Bangal ) and Nepal also where he is planning extension of this Foundation's activities. He told till 2017 he and his family will work to make first unit financially independent then Foundation will expand her activities in U.P., Bangal & Nepal respectively. Rajesh's forefathers were Raj Purohits of King of TRIPURA & NEPAL and all donated properties were given to them as dakshina. Now all these properties are turned Non-Performing assets to Malati Brahmanand Jha family so they have decided  give it back to the service of society.

TV reporters Bhumika Sharma of India TV & Pradeep Srivastava of ABP News accused of sting and blackmail: ‘Rs 20 lakh or we air sex tape’

New Delhi: The owner of a garage in south Delhi has accused two television journalists and the head of an NGO of trying to extort Rs 20 lakh from him after having secretly filmed him with women who he says were prostitutes.

Pradeep Srivastava, senior reporter ABP News and
Bhumika Sharma, reporter India Tv. 

A city court Thursday directed the police to record the complainant’s statement and seize the recording of a purported conversation he had with the alleged blackmailers. The journalists Bhumika Sharma, a correspondent with India TV, and Pradeep Srivastava, a senior special correspondent with ABP News have been suspended, the two news organisations said late on Thursday night. A statement issued by Delhi Police named the complainant as Vijay Kumar, a 53-year-old “car mechanic who runs a shop in the name of Motor craft in Vasant Vihar”.

Kumar, the statement said, had complained that “one Manu Sharma... who runs an NGO in the name of People’s Foundation, has provided girls for sexual intercourse at his address at Satya Niketan and prepared video clips with the help of two brothers Hunny and Sunny (both of whom are in the business of property dealing)”.

“They are threatening to extort Rs 20 lakh by putting him in fear of implicating him in a false case of rape. One Ms Bhumika, an employee of India TV and Mr Pardeep working with ABP News also threatened the complainant to... settle the matter otherwise they said they would telecast the recording on TV,” the statement said.

Police sources said Kumar had recorded his phone conversation with the accused, in the course of which they had allegedly tried to blackmail him. The CD containing the purported conversation would be sent for forensic examination, the sources said. They said police were investigating the possible involvement of a third journalist in the case.

Reached for a comment, Vinod Kapri, managing editor of India TV, said, “We are investigating the case. Pending the inquiry, we have suspended her (Bhumika) with immediate effect. India TV has a zero-tolerance policy on such issues.”

ABP News group editor Shazi Zaman said the organisation had started an internal inquiry. “Pending the inquiry report, the journalist’s contract has been discontinued with immediate effect. We are also seeking more information from the police,” he said.

Actress Tara Chowdary Arrested In Prostitution Case, VIPs, including MPs and DSPs were among her clients?

Telugu actor and TV Anchor Tara Chowdhary alias Manjula’s sex racket case is turning big as the police found spy cameras in her house. The police said that her clients included several VIPs. After arresting the actress two days back for allegedly forcing a girl into the sex trade and several other charges including preventing a public servant from discharging his duties, the police again searched her residence at the Navodaya Colony at Banjara Hills on Monday, and found pen cameras, laptop, porn CDs and a diary.The case seemed to be turning big as the cops found that several VIPs, including MPs and DSPs were among her clients.

West Zone police said that a team from the Banjara Hills police station had searched her house on Monday afternoon and had seized the articles.The police is verifying claims that her regular clients included an Opposition party’s former MP, a ruling party MP, a DSP, and a DG rank officer. The raid also unearthed eight cellphones and 21 sim cards. The cops are analysing data from the cellphones and the laptop, which may reveal more VIP clients.

The police on Saturday arrested Tara Chowdari based on a complaint from a Vizag girl as she was cheated by the actor. The girl was brought to her house as a maid and was later forced into prostitution. In addition to a case under the Prevention of Immoral Trafficking Act, the police had also registered a case against Tara Chowdhary for allegedly assaulting two constables after she was brought to the police station on Saturday.
R. Tara Chowdhary, who acted in low budget movies like Adrushyam, Rakshakudu, Priya Sakhi and Love Ticket was held earlier also for allegedly operating a brothel. Tara along with her husband Prasad has been arrested by the Banjara Hills Police for indulging in Prostitution. Tara Chowdhary has taken a house for rent at Srinagar Colony in Punjagutta and brought Srilakshmi along with her friends from vizag promising them to get good jobs in Hyderabad.

After coming to Hyderabad Tara Chowdhary and her husband prasad brought some customers by taking huge amount from them and forced the girls to have sex with them. This was continued for one week, when the girls came to know that there were forced to indulge in prostitution, they have escaped from the house and approached a news channel with their support they have filed compliant against the Tara chowdhary and her husband prasad.