Riyadh: The Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen raided a drone facility used by Huthi rebels at an airbase in the capital Sanaa, a spokesman said.

The coalition has ramped up attacks on such sites after the Iran-aligned rebels warned last month they could launch attacks against the capitals of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, which lead the military coalition against them.

The latest raid late Wednesday targeted “drone maintenance sites, a communications system and locations of drone experts and operators” at the Al-Dulaimi base adjoining the airport in rebel-held Sanaa, the official Saudi Press Agency quoted coalition spokesman Colonel Turki al-Maliki as saying.

The Huthi-controlled Saba news agency said 13 air strikes targeted the base and airport.

The coalition last month said it targeted a cave in Sanaa used by Huthi rebels to stockpile drones.

The raid came after the coalition reported last month that Saudi air defences had intercepted two drones launched by Huthi rebels that targeted Khamis Mushait, home to a major airbase in the southwest of the kingdom.

And in January the Huthis launched a drone attack on Yemen’s largest airbase, Al-Anad, north of the southern port of Aden, during a military parade.

Eleven people were wounded in the attack, including Yemen’s deputy chief of staff Major General Saleh al-Zandani who later died of his injuries.

Seven other loyalists — including a high-ranking intelligence official — were killed in the attack.

Yemen is mired in a grinding conflict between the Iran-aligned Huthi rebels and a government backed up by a Saudi-led coalition.

The Saudi-led coalition launched its first raids on rebel strongholds in March 2015 in a bid to bolster President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi, who now lives in Riyadh.

Since then the conflict has killed some 10,000 people, according to the World Health Organization, although human rights groups say the toll could be five times higher.

The unrest has also pushed the country to the brink of famine.

The Shiv Sena on Wednesday called for a ban on the use of burqa as it threw its weight behind a similar plan being mulled by the Sri Lankan government in the wake of the Easter terror strikes which claimed over 250 lives.

“This restriction has been recommended as an emergency measure to ensure the security forces do not encounter difficulties in identifying anybody. People wearing face-masks or burqas could pose a threat to national security,” said the Sena in an editorial in the party mouthpieces, “Saamana” and “Dopahar Ka Saamana”.

Reacting strongly upon the demand, Muslim women said India is a democratic country where everyone has the freedom to follow one’s religion. They called it a conspiracy of communal leaders to end democracy.

Mumbai president of Jamat-e-Islami women’s wing Salma Baig said it is a plan to deviate people from real issues and an effort to gain cheap publicity.

Vice president All India Muslim Majlis Mushavirat Uzma Naheed termed the suggestion by Shiv Sena as stupid. She said it has proved time and again that Indian Muslims are peace loving. Even the priests of Sri Lankan church declared that terrorism has no religion and the attackers were not Muslims. She said it would have been better if Shiv Sena chief had advised Sadhvi to change her attire instead of calling for burqa ban.

Chief of Bharatiya Muslim Mahila Andolan Khatoon Shaikh said the call for burqa ban is unscrupulous. This is our religious matter, we don’t force anyone. The ban is unacceptable in any case, she said.

Corporator of Mumbra Ashreen Rawat said not only Muslim women but women of other communities also put a veil on their faces. Will ‘ghunghat’ be also banned? Another woman said this is sheer interference in religious affairs.

Police have deployed additional force to regulate the traffic around the monument.

HYDERABAD: The 428-year-old iconic structure, Charminar, suffered what appears to be major damage when a chunk of plaster from the South-West minaret fell on late Wednesday night.

The damage which is visible on the minaret from the ground is said to be the result of lack of regular repair and maintenance of the historic monument.

Archeological Survey of India (ASI) is the custodian of the building which was built by the fifth king of Qutb Shahi dynasty Mohammad Quli Qutb Shah in 1591.

According to sources the ASI has already started assessing the damage and would undertake its repair soon. “How much work has to undertaken would be decided by a panel of experts who are already working on the site. The question they are exploring is whether it is the entire monument or only the damaged part should be repaired,” a source at the ASI told Siasat.com on Thursday.

With the news of the damage spreading general public and tourists have been thronging the monument that stands majestically in what was earlier the City Centre of Hyderabad.

Police have deployed additional force to regulate the traffic around the monument.

The source said that the repair of Charminar has taken place in the past some 90 years ago. It is not known what kind of material was used at that time. “But when we undertake the repair we would create the same kind of material which was originally used in the construction of the building,” he said.

He said that it is suspected that reckless use of heavy machinery to undertake the repair of roads and pulling down of buildings close to Charminar by the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation and ceaseless traffic movement around the monument might have caused the damage.

According to experts the base of Charminar is square with each side measuring 20m in width. The four minarets stand at a height of 56mts from the ground.

Ahmedabad: Facing increasing pressure, food and beverages giant PepsiCo on Thursday said it has withdrawn the case it filed against nine Gujarat farmers for growing a potato variety which it claimed was its registered product.

“To safeguard the larger interest of farmers, PepsiCo India was compelled to take judicial recourse to protect its registered variety. PepsiCo from the very start had also offered an amicable settlement to farmers. After discussions with the government, the company has agreed to withdraw cases against farmers…,” the company said in a statement.

PepsiCo had sued the nine farmers of Sabarkantha and Aravalli districts of north Gujarat for allegedly growing the FL2027 or FC5 variety of potatoes for which it has claimed Plant Variety Protection (PVP) rights.

It held that it obtained PVP rights over the potato variety under the Protection of Plant Variety and Farmers Right (PPVFR) Act, 2001 and that the farmers were violating its rights over the seed variety.

Islamabad: A special court here on Thursday admitted former President Pervez Musharraf’s plea to adjourn the hearing in a treason case against him till Ramazan. The hearing of the case has been adjourned till June 12.

A three-member bench headed by Justice Tahira Safdar granted Musharraf’s appeal after his lawyer Salman Safdar, in an application on behalf of the former President, told the court that doctors had advised him to avoid travelling due to his health issues, Dawn reported.

Safdar also said that although Musharraf wished to return to the country, his health did not allow him to do so, and appealed to the court to grant the plea on humanitarian ground.

The counsel said: “Musharraf should be given an opportunity to appear so as to fulfill the requisites of justice.”
“Currently, the former President was unable to speak and that he could not respond to the questions in court without his client’s assistance,” he said.

Safdar also submitted medical reports and snaps of Musharraf’s treatment in a hospital abroad. He said the 76-year-old is suffering from several diseases including a life-threatening disease.

The application further stated that the former President was sincerely apologetic for not appearing before the court.

The prosecution raised objections over the plea but was overruled. The special court issued a notice to the government over a plea for acquittal of Musharraf in the case.

Musharraf is facing a treason trial under Article 6 of the Constitution as well as Section 2 of the High Treason Act on a complaint moved by the federal government.

In line with the earlier directive of the Supreme Court, the trial court was scheduled to record Musharraf’s statement under Section 342 of the Criminal Procedure Code to complete the treason trial but the former President could not appear before the court due to medical reasons.

On April 1, the Supreme Court directed the special court to proceed with the trial on the next date of hearing on May 2, and in case the former President surrendered and appeared before it, he would be entitled to record his statement.

But if he failed to appear, being a proclaimed offender (PO), the special court is empowered to proceed against him even in his absence under Section 9 of the High Treason (Punishment) Act, 1973, the top court had held.

According to the latest assessment of April 29, undertaken by Dr Faraz Khan at the American Hospital, Dubai, Musharraf’s health was been termed unsafe in case he discontinued treatment and travelled, the application argued.

Srinivas Reddy, during interrogation said, he was beaten up by locals for misbehaving with women at Hajipur and Adilabad

Hyderabad: On Wednesday, Rachakonda police sought 15-day custody of M Srinivas Reddy.

According to the Times of India report, Rachakonda police sought 15-day custody of serial rapist and murderer, M Srinivas Reddy. The court posted the petition for arguments.

Police suspect that Srinivas may also be involved in more such offences, while some villagers alleged that Reddy also committed property offences.

Bhongir DCP, K Narayana Reddy said, “We sought Srinivas Reddy’s custody to find out if he has committed more offences because he worked at different places in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh including Kurnool, Adilabad and Vemulavada.

Srinivas Reddy, during interrogation said, he was beaten up by locals for misbehaving with women at Hajipur and Adilabad.

In 2016, Srinivas Reddy and four other were arrested by the Kurnool Police on charge of raping and killing a sex worker. Later, got bail as investigators could not establish the identity of the victim.

Meanwhile, Hajipur villagers demanded that Reddy should be given capital punishment for committing serial rapes and murders of minor girls.
Police booked a criminal case under Sections 147,427,452,436,353 r/w 149 of the IPC against 14 persons, including one Rajendar Reddy Pakkiru, for arson at Srinivas Reddy’s house on the day of his arrest.

Ghaziabad: Hanshika Shukla, who topped the CBSE Class 12 exams, on Thursday said she wants to appear for the civil service examination and attributed her success to her class teacher and parents.

Shukla, who studies in Delhi Public School, Ghaziabad, is a joint topper in the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) exams, results for which were declared earlier in the day. She is the daughter of a government officer who is employed in the Rajya Sabha Secretariat.

She, along with Karishma Arora of S.D. Public School in Muzaffarnagar, secured 499 out of 500 marks.

Shukla secured 100 marks in Psychology, 100 in Political Science, 100 in Music, 100 in History and 99 in English.

She said she never thought of being the all-India topper though she was sure about getting a good result.

The girl topper now wants to take admission in Lady Shri Ram College of the Delhi University and wishes to prepare for the civil services examination.

Thanking her teachers and parents, Shukla told IANS: “My class teacher Abhilasha always encouraged me in my studies. She gave me a conducive atmosphere to carry out my studies.”

“My parents were equally supportive of me and never imposed their choice on me. My father and my mother are behind my success,” she added.

Gurugram: A woman, said to be in her mid-50s, had burst out at a younger woman at an upscale restaurant over her “short” garments and said such girls should immediately be raped, according to a video of this incident which has gone viral on social media.

The incident had taken place at a leading restaurant in a mall located on Sohna road, when the young woman and her friends had come there.

“We had just ordered the food and were waiting, a woman, who seemed to be in her mid-50s, rudely signaled to me to come to her. Despite the unacceptable way she called me, I went there but she abusively pointed at my short skirt and said she was not comfortable with the legs I was showing in public. I immediately objected to her comment but she was unstoppable. There were few men and a family and they were also surprised at her audacity and remarks. She went towards the table the men were on and said that due to dresses like this, rape cases taking place in the country. She also told the men that ‘if you see girls wearing short dresses, you should rape them instantly’,” the victim said.

“The remark of the woman was highly objectionable and shocking. Hence, our entire group supported me and demanded public apology from her. She has refused to apologise to us and threatened to call the police… I never met her in the past. She was just a stranger for me or any of our group members. The woman has insulted my modesty. She has insulted me. I am discussing with my family before taking action against her. So far, I have not filed any formal complaint with the police,” she added.

Subhash Bokan, the PRO of Gurugram police, said: “We have not received any complaint from the victim. If she files a written complaint, Gurugram police will accordingly act against the woman.”

According to the report published in The Quint, when social media users slammed the woman, she tendered unconditional apology.

She wrote, “I extend an unconditional apology to all the girls. In hindsight, I realise, I was harsh and incorrect in my statement. If any, I should have offered my opinion in private. I was concerned, however, I realise that I should have been protective and progressive in my outlook and not conservative and regressive. As a wife, sister and a mother and more importantly as a woman, I value ever woman’s dignity. Once again, I profusely apologise to all women who’s sentiments have been hurt”.

With inputs from IANS

New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Union Minister Smriti Irani on Thursday became proud parents as their sons scored over 90 percentile in the CBSE Class 12 results.

Sharing the happiness on Twitter, Irani said: “Proud of my son Zohr. Not only did he come back with a bronze medal from the World Kempo Championship, he also scored well in Class 12 boards. Today I’m just a gloating mom.”

Sunita Kejriwal, wife of Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal, also took to Twitter and said: “With God’s grace and well-wishers’ blessings, son has secured 96.4 percentile in the CBSE Class 12.”

The results for Class 12 Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) were declared earlier in the day with the overall pass percentage being 83.4 per cent.

Hansika Shukla and Karishma Arora were declared joint toppers with each scoring 499 out of 500.

New Delhi: The Election Commission on Thursday issued a notice to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath over his ‘Babar ki aulad’ comment made during a rally in Sambhal on April 19.

The electoral body has asked Adityanath to file his reply within 24 hours.

“The Commission, after considering the available material and extant instructions on the matter, has decided to provide you an opportunity to explain your stand regarding the said statement,” EC stated.

Adityanath had on April 19 called Samajwadi Party (SP) candidate Shafiqur Rahman Barq as ‘Babar ki Aulad’ (successor of Babar).

“On the one hand, there is a candidate from a party which developed places linked to Baba Bhim Rao Ambedkar and Gautam Budhha. On the other hand, there is an Opposition candidate who calls himself a ‘Babar ki Aulad’,” Yogi said at an election rally.

He said, “Once I was in Parliament, I asked the SP candidate, who was also an MP, as to who were his predecessors, he said he was the successor of Babar. I was surprised.”

His comments came days after the EC had barred him from campaigning for 72 hours for allegedly making comments amounting to the violation of the model code of conduct. This was Yogi’s first rally after the ban.

she said that we used to be painted as communal. But not anymore, after Modi became PM

Fatehpur: Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti, Union minister, who won the 2014 elections with a margin of 1.8 lakh votes, has a weak point.

According to the Times of India, the Union Minister, Sadhvi Niranjan Jyothi revealed that she had a pet, which she got during canvassing in 2002.

She said, “During the 2007 polls, she stopped eating. I called up doctors at the ashram and asked them to put me on speaker phone. People don’t understand this love. I miss her during my election campaign.”

“When I take a break and visit her, she starts mooing as soon as she can hear my car,” she added.

At a rally, she said that we used to be painted as communal. But not anymore, after Modi became PM.

She focuses on the Balakot strikes, adding, “We only killed terrorists, not Pakistani civilians.”

Hyderabad: AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi termed as a “cosmetic victory” the blacklisting of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) chief Masood Azhar by the United Nations and asked the Modi government to come clean on the agreement with China in this regard.

The Hyderabad MP alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi compromised over the issue as the blacklisting proposal had no mention of terrorist attacks at Pulwama, Uri, Pathankot and on the Indian Parliament for which Azhar was responsible.

Owaisi said the earlier proposal brought by France and the US had mention of all the terrorist attacks.

Stating that Indian people and Indian soldiers were the victims of the terrorist attacks, he said that the government should not have compromised over this.

“I want to know what is the agreement which India made with China on this issue. Why was the whole listing revised because countries like China did not want the earlier listing,” Owaisi said, adding that “it was very unfortunate that the Prime Minister was thumping his chest as if something great had happened”.

The AIMIM leader alleged that other countries were playing double game by claiming it as their victory and China had even told Pakistan that this was Pakistan’s victory.

Owaisi said mere blacklisting will not serve the purpose and recalled that in 2008, Lashkar-e-Taiba chief Hafiz Saeed and his lieutenant Zaki-ur Rehman Lakhvi were also blacklisted. “But Saeed is still roaming freely and is being treated as VIP by Pakistan. His party fought elections. Lakhvi fathered a son while in jail,” he said.

He reminded Modi that it was an NDA government that had released Masood Azhar.

Owaisi termed Saeed, Azhar and Lakvi as devils and said since they were roaming free in Pakistan, there was still a threat to India emanating from Pakistani soil. “We have to do something concrete to stop them and ensure that incidents like Pulwama, Pathankot and Uri do not happen again,” he added.

Doha: Iran said Wednesday it hopes to have good relations with arch-rival Saudi Arabia and its allies, and called for an end to their bitter dispute with Gulf neighbour Qatar.

Riyadh broke off relations with Tehran in 2016 after protesters angry at its execution of a top Shiite cleric torched its diplomatic missions in Iran.

The following year the kingdom and its allies Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates imposed a trade and travel boycott on Qatar, demanding that it mirror their hardline policies towards Iran and the Muslim Brotherhood.

“We have extremely good relations with Qatar, Kuwait, Oman,” Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said, referring to the two Gulf Arab countries which remained neutral in the dispute.

“We hope to have the same type of relations with Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates,” Zarif told reporters on the sidelines of the Asian Cooperation Dialogue in Doha.

“We also hope that countries within the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) could resolve their differences peacefully.

“We were against pressure on Qatar, we still believe that pressure on Qatar is against international law.”

Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Bahrain have repeatedly accused Qatar of posing a threat to Gulf security through its support for “extremism”.

Doha has consistently denied the allegation accusing its former allies of seeking a pretext for regime change.

In April, Qatar said it filed three lawsuits in London and New York against Saudi and UAE banks for allegedly plotting to undermine its currency and bonds.

Qatar has already taken legal action against Saudi Arabia and its allies before the International Court of Justice, the International Civil Aviation Organization and the World Trade Organization.

Meanwhile Qatari Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani called for a “dialogue” between Iran and the United States to resolve the crisis between their countries.

Referring to a spate of US sanctions against Tehran, he said “we urge the parties of the crisis, Iran and the United States, to sit around the table and find sustainable solutions… because the region can’t bear more crises”.

Christchurch [New Zealand]: The death toll in the terror attacks at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, rose to 51 on Thursday after a Turkish man injured during the shooting died in the hospital, police said.

The 46-year-old man had been in a critical condition since March 15. His name has not been revealed at the request of his family, reported CNN.

“My heartfelt condolences go to the family and community of this man who has died overnight in Christchurch hospital,” New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said in a statement on Friday (local time). “This sad news will be felt across Turkey, as well as New Zealand.”

He was the last person still in intensive care following the attack. Nine others who were shot remain in hospital in a stable condition, she added.

Turkey’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Mevlut Cavusoglu identified the deceased on Twitter, writing, “Unfortunately we have lost our citizen Zekeriya Tuyan, who was injured seriously in the treacherous terrorist attack in New Zealand,” reported The New York Times.

On March 15, Brenton Tarrant, a 28-year-old suspected white supremacist from Australia, stormed into two mosques during congregational prayers and indiscriminately opened fire on the assembled, as per the police.

The act of terrorism left the entire Muslim community shaken, with the international community and locals showing their solidarity with the affected.

Bhopal: Amid demand over ban on burqa (loose garment covering the whole body from head to feet worn by MUslim women), noted lyricist Javed Akhtar on Thursday advocated ban it as well as ghoonghat (a veil or headscarf worn by some married Hindu, Sikh and Jain women).

The Shiv Sena on Wednesday in its mouth-piece “Saamana” called for a ban on the burqa at public places.

Reacting to the call, Akhtar said: “All women in my family have been professionals. My mother taught at Hamidiya Collage of Bhopal. I have never seen the burqa at my home. That’s why my knowledge about it is brief.”

“There is a controversy over the burqa. Iran is a hardliner Muslim country, but women don’t cover their faces there. A new law in Sri Lanka bars women from covering their faces. Whatever is your attire, the face should be visible,” he said.

“If someone wants this kind of law here, and if this is somebody’s opinion I don’t have any objection. But before the end of last phase of (Lok Sabha) elections, the government must announce that no woman will be allowed to use ghoonghat in Rajasthan,” Akhtar said.

Akhtar said: “Faces covered with the burqa or the ghoonghat, it’s same. If both would be removed, I would be happy”.

Mumbai: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has filed charge-sheet against fugitive Indian Islamic preacher Zakir Naik, accusing him of delivering “incriminating” speeches during the peace conferences organised by his Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) in Mumbai during 2007 and 2011, and charged him for money laundering of Rs 193.06 crore.

While filing the charge-sheet, the ED requested the special court for punishment and confiscation of Naik’s attached properties worth Rs 50.46 crore for involvement in money laundering. This is second charge-sheet against Naik, who fled India on July 1, 2016, and is currently living in Malaysia.

The attached properties belonging to Naik include investment in mutual funds, Islamic International School in Chennai, 10 residential flats, three godowns, two buildings and land in Pune and Mumbai, and 10 bank accounts worth Rs 50.46 crore.

“Proceeds of crime totalling Rs 193.06 crore have been quantified in the case. Other than these attachments, investigation in respect of investments of Zakir Naik in Dubai to ascertain and identify the properties outside the country is under progress,” the ED said.

The ED had initiated investigation based on the FIR registered by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) against Naik and his associates for his involvement in unlawful activities through his provocative utterances, thus promoting enmity and hatred between different religious groups in India.

The NIA had filed a final charge-sheet in the Special NIA Court in Mumbai on October 26, 2017.

“Investigations revealed that most of the incriminating speeches of Naik were delivered during the peace conferences organised by IRF in Mumbai during 2007-2011. The conferences were planned, organised, funded and promoted by the IRF and people of other religions were openly converted to Islam by Naik,” the ED said.

The agency said that Naik’s inflammatory speeches and lectures have inspired and incited a number of Muslim youths in India to commit unlawful activities and terrorist acts.

“His thoughts created disharmony amongst various faiths and created hatred amongst people. The speeches and lectures were recorded in audio-visual format by Harmony Media Pvt Ltd, Mumbai and thereafter the recordings were edited by it for public viewing.”

Harmony Media forwarded the edited version to Global Broadcasting Corporation (GBC), Dubai and IRF International, UK for further broadcast on Peace TV across the globe, according to the Directorate.

“Further, master DVD of Naik’s speeches were made for further replication and distributed to general public for maximum circulation.”

During the investigation, the ED said, it learnt that IRF received Rs 64.86 crore during 2003-04 to 2016-17, mostly from various dubious and unknown sources.

“Majority of the funds were utilised for organising peace conferences. Provocative speeches were made and religious conversion to Islam were propagated during these peace conferences.”

The IRF received donations in response to the appeals made by Naik during the course of his controversial speeches and thus these donations were proceeds of crime emanating from criminal activity, said the ED, adding that the money trail led to identification of one school building in Chennai valued at Rs 6.2 crore, mutual funds of Rs 9.41 crore and ground floor of a building in Mumbai, and these were provisionally attached.

It also revealed that Rs 49.20 crore was received during 2012-2016 from Naik’s accounts maintained in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to his personal accounts in India.

“Source of his income in UAE is not known. Naik transferred these funds to India and purchased properties in Mumbai and Pune by layering of funds in the name of his close relatives. He used the funds to the tune of Rs 17.65 crore for purchase of properties.

“In order to disguise the origin of funds and real ownership of properties, the initial payments made from Naik’s accounts were diverted to the accounts of his wife, son and niece and re-routed again for the purpose of making bookings in the name of his family members.”

It further said that several companies were established by Naik in the UK and India by placing his close confidants and relatives as directors to camouflage the diversion of funds received by him and his trust through his “illegal activities” of provocative speeches, and also for propagating hate speeches.

Two persons — Amir Gazdar and Najamuddin Sathak — have also been arrested in connection with this case by the ED.

“Investigation has also revealed that Zakir Naik was also involved in suspicious unaccounted cash transactions. Further investigation is under progress.”

Rae Bareli (Uttar Pradesh): Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi had an unusual encounter while on the campaign trail in the Rae Bareli constituency of Uttar Pradesh here on Thursday. She met snake charmers and even petted and held snakes in her hands.

During her campaigning, Priyanka halted at a village in the parliamentary constituency represented by her mother Sonia Gandhi and sat down with some snake charmers. “Nothing will happen, it is fine,” said Priyanka as she was warned by onlookers while she calmly held a snake and nestled it back into its basket.

She chatted with the snake charmers with a while and addressed a gathering for before moving on.

The Congress leader also addressed a public rally that was attended by a large number of Samajwadi Party workers, hinting at a tacit understanding between the two parties in Uttar Pradesh to defeat the BJP.

The Congress leader hit out at the BJP-led central government and asked voters of Rae Bareli to support her mother Sonia Gandhi.

“Voting is on May 6 and my mother is your candidate. Whichever party you belong to, you cannot deny the fact that Sonia Gandhi has played a vital role in developing Rae Bareli.”

Reminding the voters of many unfinished development initiatives Priyanka said, “There are many unfinished initiatives and it is imperative for you to strengthen Sonia Ji and vote for the Congress government in order to get these projects completed.”

Terming this election a contest against the “communal powers”, Priyanka said, “This is the fight of every common citizen against the communal powers which do not respect democracy. This is the fight against people who suppress the voice of the people.”

Taking the Modi government to task on the farmers’ issues Priyanka said, “Five years back, they promised to double farmers’ income but today their income has been reduced to half. Farmers are being forced to pay insurance premium every month which is being used to transfer Rs.10000 crore into the pockets of the industrialist friends of the Prime Minister.”

Hitting out at the BJP government for burdening people with demonetisation and GST Priyanka said, “They said that black money will come back into the country. Not a single penny came back and you had to stand in queues. GST is wreaking havoc on thousands of shopkeepers forcing them to shut their businesses. These policies were not made for the public good but made to benefit selected industrialists.”

Taking on the Modi government for failing to create jobs for the youth Priyanka said, “They promised 2 crore new jobs but instead of creating new jobs 50 lakh jobs got lost under this government.”

While addressing the gathering, Priyanka Gandhi thanked the SP for supporting Congress and helping in the fight against communal forces. The Congress general secretary was welcomed on stage with garlands and bouquets.
Rae Bareli goes to polls on May 6. Counting of votes will take place on May 23.

New Delhi: Hasin Jahan, estranged wife of cricketer Mohammed Shami lodged a complaint with the police against police officials who reportedly misbehaved with her.

On receiving the complaint, ADG ordered probe.

Narrating the incident, Hasin Jahan told that two sub-Inspectors of police barged into the house and knocked at the door of her room at 12 midnight. When she opened the door, two inspectors of police pulled her out.

In her complaint, she told that in the evening of 28th April, she reached her husband’s house along with her daughter, Ayesha and her servant maid. Her in-laws telephoned Mohammed Shami.

Police reached the spot after an hour and interrogated her. After which, she went into her room along with her daughter. At 12 midnight, police got the door of her room opened forcibly.

As soon as the room was opened, Mr. Devinder Kumar, SHO and Mr. KP Singh SI of Police caught hold of her hand and pulled her out. They also snatched her mobile phone. She requested the police officials to allow her to change her clothes as she was in night dress but the policemen did not pay heed to her request. They forcibly made her sit in the police van and took her to police station. After some time, she was taken to district hospital where policemen abused her and forcibly took her thumb impression on a plain paper. She and her daughter were kept in a room in the police station.

The next day, a criminal case was registered against her and she was produced before SDM.

Leveling allegation against Mohammed Shami and Police, Hasin Jahan that police misbehaved with her under the pressure from her husband.

Talking to newsmen, she reiterated her earlier claim that Shami has affairs with many girls.

Hyderabad: Enforcement Directorate (ED) sought permission from the local court to interrogate MD of Heera Gold Group, Ms. Nowhera Shaikh.

According to the press note issued by ED, the manager of the company, Murli Thomas and Biju Thomas will also be taken into custody for interrogation. She will be interrogated about the money suspicious bank transactions in India and abroad.

It may be mentioned that Central Crime Station of Hyderabad City Police had arrested Nowhera Shaikh last year on the basis of the complaints received from various account holders that she had deceived them. Later, the police officials of other states had also taken her into their custody for interrogation.

Sources of Enforcement Directorate indicated that its officials would like to elicit information about her 240 bank accounts and the details of other directors of the company.

So far, the investigating agency has identified 81 properties of her group spread over AP, Delhi, Maharashtra, Kerala and Karnataka. It is estimated that these properties are worth Rs. 213 crore.

Enforcement Directorate will take Nowhera Shaikh into its custody soon for further interrogation.

Hyderabad: A fire broke out in the farmhouse of Telugu superstar Chiranjeevi on the outskirts of Hyderabad on Friday, damaging part of a film set, police said.

The incident occurred near the Gandipet lake. Residents of the area, who noticed the smoke at the farmhouse, alerted the police.

There was nobody on the sets of the film “Sye Raa Narasimha Reddy” at the time of the accident. A part of it was damaged in the fire, police said.

“Sye Raa Narasimha Reddy” is a historical war film based on the life of Uyyalawada Narasimha Reddy. Being made in Telugu, Tamil and Malayalam, it stars Chiranjeevi, Amitabh Bachchan, Nayanathara, Tamannah and others.

The movie is being produced by Chiranjeevi’s son and popular actor Ram Charan and directed by Surender Reddy.