DMK, AIADMK Need Support Of Congress Or BJP To Get Things Done: Chidambaram

Finance Minister P Chidambaram claimed that neither the AIADMK or DMK would be able to get anything done in Delhi if their MPs are elected after the coming Lok Sabha polls as they needed the support of Congress or BJP for the purpose.

"It will be no use if you send their MPs to Delhi. Without the support of Congress or BJP, they cannot do anything there. Now the fight is only between Congress and BJP," he said addressing election meetings in the district.

He felt none could form a government at the Centre without the support of Congress.

Stating that Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, as also AIADMK supporters had now given up all talk of projecting her as prime ministerial candidate, he said regional parties can do good for the state only with national parties' support.

Chidambaram said whoever contested from Sivaganga district on behalf of Congress would think that he himself was contesting and campaign with full dedication, leaving partymen wondering who the real contestant was.

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Kiran Kumar Reddy Unveils 'Footwear' As Party Symbol

Former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy on Sunday unveiled 'footwear' as the election symbol of his newly launched Jai Samaikyandhra Party.

Moving swiftly after the launch of his party on the 'unified Andhra Pradesh' plank last week, Reddy made the announcement at a function in Visakhapatnam. "JSP has got the approval of the Election Commission to use footwear as its poll symbol," a party official said. According to a statement issued by the party, footwear was chosen as the symbol as it not only bears the burden of the wearer, but also protects.

"Footwear is also a sign of equality as it offers similar protection to everyone, irrespective of religion, caste, creed or class," it said. Besides, footwear is owned even by the poorest of the poor, the party said recalling that the footwear of Lord Rama inspired Bharat in achieving 'Rama Rajya'.

Reddy, who quit as Chief Minister in protest against state's division, launched JSP on March 12 during which he had symbolically displayed a piece of the wall which was broken for the unification of Germany to drive home the point that Seemandhra and Telangana can come together again.

The Lok Sabha and Legislative Assembly elections are scheduled to be held simultaneously in undivided Andhra Pradesh on April 30 and May 7.

Meanwhile, Reddy held a meeting with a group of IT professionals in Hyderabad on Saturday. He plans to undertake interactions with other sections of the society in Seemandhra to reach out to them in the run-up to the polls.

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Kejriwal alleges whole media is sold

Arvind Kejriwal has alleged that the whole media is "sold" and "heavy amounts" have been paid to promote BJP's prime ministerial nominee Narendra Modi.

But he later denied having made the accusations against the media after his remarks came under attack from Congress, BJP and CPI.

"Why did they do it? Because money has been paid to TV channels. Heavy amounts have been paid to promote Modi," Kejriwal alleged in a video aired by a TV channel.

"Around 800 farmers have committed suicide in Gujarat in the past 10 years, but none of the channels showed it," he alleged and added that farmers have sold their land to a company for just "one rupee but even this has not been shown by any channel."

Hitting out at the media for focusing on his security deployment, he charged that the "whole media is sold this time, it is a big conspiracy, it is a huge political controversy. If our government comes to power then we will set up an inquiry into this. And along with the media people, all will be sent to jail".

However, as the video went viral stoking a controversy, the AAP leader denied making the remarks.

"I didn't say that. I didn't say anything. How can I be upset with you (media)," he said.

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Visa Fraud Case Against Diplomat Devyani Khobragade Dismissed In US

A US court has dismissed visa fraud charges against Indian diplomatDevyani Khobragade, whose arrest and strip-search in New York sparked a bitter diplomatic row.

Ms Khobragade, who was India's deputy consul-general in New York, was arrested on December 12 outside her children's school.

She was indicted in January for visa fraud and making false statements on her Indian housekeeper Sangeeta Richard's visa application. 

US judge Shira Scheindlin dismissed the case Wednesday on grounds that Ms Khobragade was granted full diplomatic immunity on January 8, when she was named a counselor to India's mission to the UN.

"Even if Khobragade had no immunity at the time of her arrest and has none now, her acquisition of immunity during the pendency of proceedings mandates dismissal," the judge wrote.

The ruling leaves open the possibility of new indictment against the diplomat, say federal prosecutors.

Ms Khobragade's lawyer Daniel Arshack said his client was pleased that law had prevailed.  "Technically, the prosecution remains free to re-indict Dr. Khobragade. However, the decision to do so would be viewed as an aggressive and unnecessary act," he added.

The 39-year-old diplomat, who was forced to fly out of the US in January, leaving her two young children, is now working for the foreign affairs ministry in Delhi. 

Her arrest and humiliation provoked an outcry in India, setting off reprisals against US diplomats and the removal of some security barriers near the US embassy there. 

"The way she was treated was wrong. We stand vindicated," said the diplomat's father Uttam Khobragade. "Sangeetha Richards made such false statements to remain in the US. They tried to frame Devyani."

Mr Khobragade dismissed questions raised over two passports held by Devyani's children, which is not permissible. Brushing it off as a mere technicality, he said, "Their Indian passport has been submitted to the consulate. Today they have only one passport. It was necessary for them to have a US passport as they are natural born US citizens."

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Supreme Court Rejects Bail For Sahara Chief Subrata Roy

Sahara chief Subrata Roy will stay in jail, the Supreme Court today ruled, asking the company to come up with a proposal to refund crores to its investors.

"We will consider your plea for bail only if you come up with some proposal on payment of money. The key is in your hands," the court said, rejecting Mr Roy's argument that his detention was "illegal and draconian."

When Sahara offered to pay RS 2500 crore right away, the court said it had already turned down this proposal. A battery of senior lawyers, including Ram Jethmalani, Ravi Shankar Prasad and R Dhawan failed to win relief for the Sahara chief, who will now have to wait for the next hearing on March 25.

Mr Roy and two Sahara directors have been in Delhi's Tihar jail since March 4.

His lawyers said that the Supreme Court "had made substantive mistakes in its order" sending Mr Roy to judicial custody that day. They argued that he had not been found guilty of any wrongdoing.

The 65-year-old Sahara chief was arrested on February 28 after he failed to convince judges that he is serious about repaying nearly 20,000 crores for two Sahara bond schemes that were declared illegal in 2012.

The court had last week rejected Sahara's proposal to repay thousands of crores to small investors as "dishonest."

Mr Roy's lawyers argued for his release, saying he is needed to participate in negotiations to raise the money needed for the refund.

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Pak Mobile Signals Detected 5km Inside Bikaner, Police Fear Terror Plot

Expressing concern over mobile signal spillover from Pakistan in the border areas of Western Rajasthan, district Superintendent of Police on Wednesday wrote to the Collector seeking ban on the use of Pakistani SIM card in Bikaner.

SP Santosh Tukaram told media that signals from mobile tower erected in Pakistan were being detected 4-5 km inside Indian territory which raises possibilities of the network being used by anti-national elements.

Use of Pakistani SIM is banned for the same reason in Barmer and Ganganagar under section 144 of CrPC. Bikaner District administration would soon take a decision on this, sources said.

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70 Indian passports stolen from San Francisco

About 70 Indian passports have reportedly been stolen from a private company, to which the Indian Consulate in San Francisco had outsourced for various visa and passport related services.

The serious breach of security is being investigated by the San Francisco Police Department. Both the Indian Consulate and the local police have informed the State Department and the relevant federal authorities so that these passports are not misused, a media report said.

At least 70 Indian passports were stolen from BLS International's San Francisco Office, sometime during the weekend beginning November 29, an Indian-American publication India West reported.

The San Francisco Police Department began investigating the case on December 2, 2013. According to the investigating officer a BLS employee told the police that the passports, along with cash and checks, were taken from a locked safe.

The Indian Consulate in San Francisco has cancelled the stolen passports. The cancelled passports cannot be used for fraudulent travel, as they are machine-readable and verified through a system that is used throughout the world, the newspaper quoted a consulate official as saying.

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US Says Ready To Do Business With Modi

The United States would welcome Bharatiya Janata Party's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi if he wins the upcoming election, a U.S. official said, in the clearest sign Washington will drop a travel ban on Modi imposed after anti-Muslim riots in 2002.

US Assistant Secretary of State Nisha Biswal told a television interviewer that Washington was ready to do business with Modi, the front runner ahead of the April-May general election who is best placed to form a coalition government.

"I would just say that the United States has welcomed every leader of this vibrant democracy, and that a democratically elected leader of India will be a welcome partner," Biswal said.

Biswal made her comments in New Delhi on a visit to rebuild trade and political ties shaken by a row over the arrest in New York last December of an Indian diplomat suspected of visa fraud.

US Ambassador to India Nancy Powell visited Modi at his home in Gandhinagar in Gujarat last month, ending a long estrangement over riots that erupted in the state governed by the Hindu nationalist leader.

At least 1,000 people, most of them Muslims, were killed in 2002 when mobs went on a rampage across Gujarat after a train carrying Hindu pilgrims was torched, killing 59 people.

Powell's visit was the highest-profile encounter between US officials and Modi since the State Department revoked his visa in 2005 over the bloodshed to which rights activists say he turned a blind eye. He denies the allegation.

Biswal said the United States hoped India would continue to build a tolerant, moderate and secular society when asked if Washington had put its human rights concerns on the back burner because of Modi's political rise.

"Visa issues are handled on a case by case basis. And determinations are made based on the facts of the day and are reviewed at the time that a request is made," she said according to a transcript released by the US embassy.

The US administration, which does not want to be seen as taking sides in the Indian election campaign, has stopped short of stating publicly that Modi would be able to travel to the United States should he win the lower house election, leading to speculation that he would not be welcome in Washington.

But diplomats say the until the election results are known, the question of whether Modi would be given a visa is hypothetical. Should he become the country's next leader, he would automatically receive a US visa, they say.

Modi himself has not commented on the travel ban, but for his supporters in the Bharatiya Janata Party and outside the US decision has been a sore point. Senior party leader Arun Jaitley said last month that the US boycott had not been based on any evidence or court verdict but on "excessive propaganda".

Britain was the first European country to end its boycott on meeting Modi followed by other European countries last year.

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AAP Leader Yogendra Yadav's Face Smeared With Ink

Senior Aam Aadmi Party leader Yogendra Yadav's face was smeared with ink by a 38-year-old attacker during an event in Delhi today. (Watch)

The attack happened while Mr Yadav was addressing supporters at a Women's Day event at Jantar Mantar in the national capital.

The attacker, Sagar Bhandari, sporting the trademark AAP cap and badge, came from behind and smeared Mr Yadav's face with ink before he was removed by furious AAP activists.

The party workers then roughed up the man, who reportedly used to work at an AAP office in Delhi. The attacker has been admitted to a hospital.

"I don't know who he was or why he did this. He only said, 'Bharat Mata ki jai'," Mr Yadav, who is his party's candidate from Gurgaon for the Lok Sabha election, said after the attack.

"When you step out to take on bigwigs, you must be prepared for such things. I am not embarrassed by the ink on my face. I only wish better sense prevails over the brother who did this," Mr Yadav said.

"This will happen. When you walk on the path of truth, then all these difficulties come your way," AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal, who is campaigning in Gujarat, said after the attack.

Meanwhile, a roadshow in Ahmedabad, led by Mr Kejriwal, was stopped by the police today. He was allowed to proceed after he agreed to reduce the number of cars in his motorcade.

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Modi Is Welcome To Apply For A Visa: US

Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi is welcome to apply for a visa to America, a senior US official said on Thursday, noting that the Obama administration would review the BJP leader's case on its merits.

"There is no change (in US policy)...he (Modi) is welcome to apply. All visa decisions are made on a case by case basis, and I'm not going to prejudge it here," State Department spokesperson Victoria Nuland told reporters at her daily news conference.

Responding to questions on the invitation extended to Mr Modi by a delegation of US lawmakers last week, Ms Nuland said there is no change in US policy.

"With regard to Mr Modi, our lines have not changed here.

He is welcome to apply," she said.

"Every visa is adjudicated on the merits and in the context of US law individually," Ms Nuland said when asked if the State Department will issue a visa to an individual when invited by a Congressman or a group of lawmakers.

"With regard to our congressional delegation that was in Gujarat, visits like this do help support a strengthening of business to business ties, of people to people ties across India, in Gujarat. So from our perspective, the more Congressional delegations that visit India and understand its dynamism and diversity, the more likely we are to continue to deepen those important ties," she said.

The delegation, led by Republican member in House of Representatives from Illinois Aaron Schock, had called on Mr Modi on March 29. The delegation members also invited Mr Modi to US.

Mr Modi has been denied visa since 2005 by the US over the issue of 2002 post-Godhra riots.

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FIR Against Kejriwal For Violation Of Model Code In Gujarat

An FIR was lodged against AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal for allegedly violating the Model Code of Conduct by using loud speaker at a public meeting at Gandhidham in Kutch district of Gujarat today, police said.

"Kejriwal addressed a public rally today at Rishabh Circle of Gandhidham where he used loudspeaker without Election Commission's permission. This is a breach of Model Code of Conduct, so we lodged an FIR," Superintendent of Police, Dipak Meghani said.

The FIR was lodged under section 188 of IPC (disobeying public servant's order), Meghani said.

"The whole event was videographed. He addressed the gathering using loud speaker in the presence of election officers," Meghani said, adding "Election Commission permitted us to file FIR against him."

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BSP MLA's Sons Arrested For Murdering Stepmother

The two brothers who had allegedly murdered their stepmother Rehana Begum, wife of BSP MLA Haji Aleem Choudhary, in October last year before going on the run from the law were arrested, police said.

The accused, identified as Danish (24) and Anas (23), evaded arrest for five months but were arrested from a madarsa at Hazrat Nizamuddin. They were carrying a reward of Rs 30,000 each on their heads.

"We received information that both accused would be visiting the madarsa at Hazrat Nizamuddin in the morning," a senior police official said.

"The (accused) went to Lucknow and from there proceeded to Mewat, where they had remained in hiding. Today, they came from Mewat to visit the Marqas Madarsa and were nabbed," he added.

Rehana, Aleem's second wife, was found murdered on the morning of October 9 at her New Jafrabad residence in northeast Delhi. The MLA was outside the country at the time.

Although police managed to crack the murder mystery on October 13 with the arrest of their driver Mohd Nadeem, the two brothers had been at large since then.

"Relations between Aleem and his first wife Kehkasha and her two sons, Danish and Anas, were not cordial. Aleem often used to have arguments with them over petty issues. The two sons (were unhappy) over a property learnt to be worth Rs 1 crore which was owned by Rehana in Delhi," said a police official.

Danish and Anas held a personal grudge against Rehana as they felt Aleem did not love them and their mother because of her.

Rehana had married Aleem in 1990-91. The couple has no children. Aleem has 28 cases pending against him while his brother is named in 16 cases.

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Delhi Police Arrests AAP Workers For Clashes Outside BJP Headquarters

The Delhi Police has arrested 14 Aam Aadmi Party workers for the clashes that broke out on Wednesday outside the Bharatiya Janata Party headquarters. An FIR has also been registered at the Parliament Street police station on charges of rioting, damaging public property and obstructing public servants. The FIR mentions the name of AAP leaders Ashutosh and Shazia Ilmi as having led the mob, but they have not been booked.

This comes after angry clashes and stone pelting on Wednesday as AAP and BJP workers clashed in Delhi, Lucknow and even Gujarat, soon after the Lok Sabha election dates were announced. The detention of AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal in Gujarat on Wednesday sparked off street clashes between AAP and BJP workers.

The BJP and AAP are likely to meet the Election Commission on Thursday. The Delhi Police is also expected to submit its report on the incident to the EC on Thursday.

Meanwhile, Kejriwal has apologised for the violence and street clashes between AAP and BJP workers in Delhi, Lucknow and many other places and appealed for calm. "Our workers were protesting peacefully. But they may have thrown one or two stones at the BJP workers after they were attacked. I don't think this is right and I apologise on behalf of my party. I also appeal for calm and ask my supporters to not protest further," Kejriwal said.

The AAP chief, who's on a Gujarat tour, also added, "We've toured various parts of Gujarat and we see that there is no development, even though Modi claims there is. There are ruins instead of infrastructure for primary healthcare centres."

AAP leaders also accused Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi of ordering action against Kejriwal. "Modi had ordered for everything that happened today. BJP does not want the reality of Gujarat to come to light," said AAP MLA Jagadeep Singh.

AAP workers first targeted the BJP headquarters in Delhi around 5:30 pm, after hearing reports that the Gujarat Police had detained Arvind Kejriwal in Patan. AAP workers were seen hurling stones while BJP workers inside the office also attacked them throwing chairs outside.

AAP leader Ashutosh was at the forefront of the incident. "This is Narendra Modi's politics of hate. This is the same as the one seen during the 2002 riots," he said.

On the other hand BJP leader Nalin Kohli said, "They were pelting stones at us. I had to lead the counter-attack."

The situation outside the BJP headquarters soon went out of hand and the police had to use water cannons to control the violence. More than 20 people from both sides were injured and had to be taken to hospital. As reports of the clash came in, in Lucknow too, things took an ugly turn as street fights broke out. The protestors used lathis to beat each other even as the police stood and watched as mute spectators.

In Gujarat, Arvind Kejriwal's car, which was unoccupied, was reportedly attacked. The Gujarat Police, meanwhile, denied that Kejriwal was detained at all, saying he was merely questioned as he had not informed them of his roadshow as per the Model Code of Conduct.

The Election Commission has now sought status reports from all states

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CBI To Probe Bribery Charges In $1.2-Billion Rolls-Royce Deal

The defence ministry said on Monday  it had ordered a bribery investigation over state-run Hindustan Aeronautics Limited's  purchase of jet engines from Britain's Rolls-Royce Holdings in a deal worth at least $1.2 billion.

 The Central Bureau of Investigation, the country's top crime-fighting agency, will look into more than Rs 500 crore in alleged kickbacks in the deal that was signed in 2011, a ministry official told Reuters.

 No comment was immediately available from Rolls-Royce's office in India.

 Suspicions of corruption in India's defence procurement programme have for years delayed the modernisation of the armed forces of the world's most populous nation that continue to rely heavily on outdated Soviet-designed equipment.

 The air force has been dogged by a series of crashes of its Russian-built MiG fighter jets, while an accident aboard a Soviet-made submarine that killed two officers last week led the navy's chief of staff to resign.

 The Congress party-led government is keen to be seen as tough on graft before parliamentary elections due by May. The party, lagging in the polls, has faced rising public anger over a string of corruption scandals in its current term.

 The probe into the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited's  deal follows the arrest in Britain last month of Indian-born businessman Sudhir Choudhrie and his son in a bribery investigation by the Serious Fraud Office into Rolls-Royce's dealings in China and Indonesia.

 Both men denied any wrongdoing and have been released on bail, their spokesman said last month.

 While there was no indication that the latest probe was linked to the Choudhries, newspapers reported that Hindustan Aeronautics Limited's  "vigilance wing" had raised the alarm after hearing allegations that Rolls-Royce had hired consultants to advise on the deal.

 Such lobbyists are explicitly banned under India's defence procurement system.

 The Rolls-Royce aero engines were being procured to power Hawk advanced jet trainers, used to prepare Indian defense force pilots to fly next-generation fighter jets.

 India had ordered a total of 123 twin-seater Hawks from BAE Systems so far, with 24 to be supplied directly and the rest made under licence by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited's , according to the British defence and aerospace group.

 The probe deals another blow to Rolls-Royce, the world's second largest maker of aircraft engines behind General Electric, which said in February that U.S. and European defence cuts mean that a decade of profit growth will come to an end this year.

 Rolls-Royce has since outlined plans designed to maintain its long-term dominance in large aircraft engines, showcasing two new models that could improve efficiency by up to 10 per cent.

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Subrata Roy Gets VIP Treatment In Police Custody, Kept In A Guest House In UP

After being sent to custody by a court in Lucknow on Friday, Sahara chief Subrata Roy is living in a forest guest house in Lucknow, which is supposed to be one of the best in the city. The police have also closed down the popular picnic spot in order to secure the area.

Questions are being raised on why Subrata Roy is being given such special treatment as this is yet another instance of the Uttar Pradesh Police dishing out special treatment to VIPs.

The CJM court has said the UP police must produce Subrata Roy in the Supreme Court, but till then it is their prerogative to house him where ever they want. The UP police decided on this guest house.

The guest house is considered to be among the best in Lucknow. Ever since the news of Roy being detained there came out, all efforts have gone in to ensure that the Sahara chief faces no problems.

No outsiders are being allowed inside what is otherwise a common picnic spot. Even those who regularly go there for morning walks have been refused. However, no such restrictions have been imposed for anyone near or dear to the Sahara chief.

"I had brought my students here for a picnic. The police told me the park is closed for three days," said a teacher. "My friends and I come here to run every day. We are being refused entry because Subrata Roy is getting special treatment," said a resident.

On Friday, on one hand while the UP police did not ask the court to put Roy under judicial remand, on the other hand they argued that all aspects of the case are under the supervision of the Supreme Court. Yet this issue raises the same questions again as to whether the laws are different for the influential as compared to the common man.

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Bangalore Gets India's First Electric Bus

India's first electric bus has started running on Bangalore's roads. The route on the busy Majestic-Kadugodi road in Bangalore has India's first electric bus. The city's transport corporation launched this bus last week.

Zipping past the smoke-emitting regular buses, the orange beauty stands out. "The pollution level is quite high in Bangalore. So we were exploring the options of hybrid as well as electric buses. A Chinese company - Build Your Dreams - came to us and told us that they wanted to give this bus free of cost for trial," said Anjum Parwez, Managing Director, BMTC.

The electric bus will run on a trial basis for three months after which hopefully, it will be a regular feature on Bangalore roads. The bus has zero emission levels, operates on a battery that lasts five hours and can cover a distance of 250 km.

"It is much better than driving regular buses. I feel very proud to drive the first electric bus," said bus driver Ramaswamy.

Fitted with CCTV cameras, the bus also has a disabled-friendly design. But these buses don't come cheap. Bangalore's transport corporation is hoping to get financial aid from the state government in the months to come.

Bangaloreans have many reasons to smile as there's a new metro line and of course the electric bus. And such eco-friendly transport initiatives will help in bringing down the pollution levels in Bangalore and hopefully set an example for other cities.

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Coimbatore:College Student Allegedly Raped By Seniors

A college student was allegedly raped by two of her seniors, who are twins, police said today. The police have arrested one of the boys, while the other is absconding.

The girl had, in her complaint lodged on Friday, alleged that the two brothers, her seniors in college, had raped her on February 23 after taking her to their house at Thudiyalur in Coimbatore, police said.

The three were friends on Facebook and had met through a common friend. She was allegedly tricked into coming to their house where she was assaulted.

The girl has undergone medical examination. Her parents are in the Middle East, police said.

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Petrol Hiked By 60 Paise/Litre, Diesel By 50 Paise/Litre

Petrol price was raised Friday by 60 paise a litre, minus taxes, while the diesel rate was hiked by 50 paise per litre. The revised prices will take effect from midnight, it was announced.

Diesel prices were last increased by 50 paise per litre on Jan 31, while petrol price was kept unchanged.

Allowing for local taxes, the price of petrol per litre will be Rs.73.16 in Delhi, Rs.80.96 in Kolkata, Rs.82.07 in Mumbai and Rs.76.48 in Chennai, while that of diesel per litre for the four metros, respectively, will be Rs.55.48, Rs.60.09, Rs.63.86 and Rs.59.17.

Announcing the rates, Indian Oil specified that the petrol hike in Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai is "due to revision in state specific cost".

While the price of petrol is market determined, the diesel price increase is in line with the government's January 2013 decision to raise rates by 50 paise every month till the entire under-recovery, or losses, on sale of diesel are wiped out.

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Subrata Roy Arrested By Lucknow Police

Sahara Chief Subrata Roy Has Been Taken Into Custody By Lucknow Police, His Lawyer Informed The Supreme Court On Friday. Roy Was Arrested On Friday Morning At 10:30 In Lucknow.His Lawyer Wanted The Supreme Court To Hear The Matter On Friday Itself But The Judges Declined The Request. The Court Informed The Lawyer That He Will Be In Custody Till March 3 And The Case Will Be Taken Up On March 4.

Earlier On Friday Roy Issued A Statement Where He Said That He Was Not Absconding Arrest And Was Indeed In Lucknow. He Also Requested The Supreme Court To Put Him Under House Arrest With His Ailing Mother In Lucknow.

In The Media Statement Issued On Friday Morning, Roy Said, "I Am Not Absconding. I Am In Lucknow. With Folded Hands And All Humility I Ask The Honourable Judges To Leave Me Under House Arrest With My Ailing Mother."

Roy's Statements Come A Day After The Uttar Pradesh Police Conducted Raids At His Lucknow Residence But Failed To Find Him.

The Sahara Supremo Had Written To The Supreme Court Saying That He Should Not Be Arrested Till March 3 And Allowed To Stay With His Mother. He Said That He Was Ready To "Unconditionally" Obey Supreme Court Direction And Was Ready To Come To Delhi If Asked By The SC.

Accusing The Media Of Character Assassination, Roy Said That He Would Never 'Forget' The People (In Media) If Anything Happened To His Mother In His Absence.

"I Have Informed Police To Do Their Duty As Per Direction Of Supreme Court: Sahara Chief Says In A Statement. People Advised Me To Get Admitted In Hospital To Avoid Courts On Medical Grounds. I Hate To Do Such Drama, " He Added.

Roy On Thursday Moved The Supreme Court Asking For The Recall Of The Non-Bailable Warrant. He Also Tendered An Unconditional Apology To The Court Admitting That Not Turning Up At Court Was An Error In Judgement. The Supreme Court Will Hear Subrata's Plea Later In The Day Today.

Subrata Roy Said That Arresting Him Will Hurt His Reputation.

Besides Seeking Recall Of Wednesday's Order And The NBW, Roy's Application Sought A Stay Of The Operation Of The Order During The Pendency Of This Application. He Appealed To The "Humane Side" Of The Court To Consider Sympathetically The Wishes Of His Mother And Permit Him To Be With Her In Her Last Moments. Roy Also Said That He Believed That The Court Will In All Its Magnanimity Pardon The "Error Of Judgement" On His Part And Condone His Non-Appearance Since It Was "Neither Intentional Nor Deliberate".

He Submitted That The Non-Recall Of The NBW Order Shall Cause "Grave Prejudice" To Him And He Shall Suffer "Irreparable Loss And Injury Because Without Your Lordships' Merciful Favour Applicant Cannot Be With His Mother In Peace". Roy Submitted That He Was Emotionally And Mentally Very Attached To His Mother Who Has Been Guiding Light In His Life Since He Lost His Father 37 Years Ago.The Court Had Issued A Non-Bailable Arrest Warrant Against Him On Wednesday When He Failed To Appear In Court In Connection With Sahara's Failure To Refund Rs 20,000 Crore To Investors.
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Navy Chief Admiral DK Joshi Resigns Over INS Sindhuratna Mishap

Navy Chief Admiral D K Joshi has resigned after a submarine catastrophe off the shore of Mumbai this day.

The Defence Ministry has trendy his resignation. Vice Admiral RK Dhowan will officiate till a add-on chief is appointed.

This day, seven sailors were wounded and two officers are missing after the industrial accident concerning the ship Indian Navy submarine INS Sindhuratna. The submarine is headed then to the shore after it was forced to surface once smoke was detected a propos board.

The slighted sailors, who fell unconscious from suffocation, were airlifted to a Navy hospital in Mumbai. Reports recommend that a blaze may have uncharacteristic out on the vessel.

The INS Sindhuratna was monster sea tested after a refit, approximately 40 to 50 km off the Mumbai coast gone than the smoke was detected. The senior-most submarine overseer of the Western Naval Command was upon board.

The Russian-stock Kilo Class submarine was carrying no weapons or ammunition. Since it was nevertheless in investigation mode, it had not been placed out cold operating command yet.
This is the 10th impinge on involving an Indian Navy warship and the third submarine mishap in the last seven months.

In August last year, Navy submarine INS Sindhurakshak sank in the Mumbai harbour after an explosion upon board, killing 18 sailors.

Earlier this month, an amphibious stroke vessel INS Airavat ran aground after which its commanding commissioner was stripped of his command duties.

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