NIA opposes Italian marines' exemption plea

New Delhi: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) Wednesday opposed the plea of the two Italian Marines, allegedly involved in killing two Indian fishermen in 2012, for exemption from personal court appearance on the ground that a charge sheet has not been filed.

Marines Massimiliano Latorre and Salvatore Girone were arrested for killing two Indian fisherman off the coast of Kerala in February 2012, taking their fishing boat for a pirate vessel. The two are currently on bail, pending trial, and are living and working at the Italian embassy in New Delhi.

Additional Solicitor General Siddharth Luthra, appearing for the NIA, told Additional Sessions Judge Dharmesh Sharma that exemption from personal appearance in court cannot be granted on the ground that the charge sheet has not been filed in this case.

However, the court allowed the marines' exemption application, and fixed the matter for further hearing Jan 30. The court said: 'Without going into the merits of the applications (of the marines), the accused are exempted from personal appearance for today (Wednesday).'

Defence counsel of the marines told the court there were certain 'legal issues' which need to be addressed before the court decides on the aspect of custody of the accused. Luthra argued that this court derives jurisdiction from the Supreme Court's order and exemption on the ground that charge sheet has not been filed is not tenable. He told the court that the marines were in custody of the Supreme Court, as per its order.

The Supreme Court Jan 18, 2013, said that till such time as the special court is set up, the Marines will be under the custody of the apex court. The court last month issued notice against Marines Massimiliano Latorre and Salvatore Girone and asked them to appear before it Jan 8.

The court order came on a plea filed by the NIA, which requested the court to take steps for it to get custody of the two accused. The marines, posted on board oil tanker MV Enrica Lexie on security duty, had opened fire at a fishing boat, suspecting that it carried pirates. Two fishermen, Ajesh Binki and Gelastine, were killed in the firing.

Italian officials say the Marines merely fired warning shots into the sea in the direction of the fishermen's boat. Italy disputes India's jurisdiction over the case, claiming the incident took place in international waters.

The case sparked a major diplomatic row between the two countries when Rome refused to return Latorre and Girone to New Delhi after the Supreme Court last year allowed them to go home to vote in national elections. The two later returned to India within the stipulated time limit.

IANS

NIA opposes Italian marines' exemption plea

New Delhi: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) Wednesday opposed the plea of the two Italian Marines, allegedly involved in killing two Indian fishermen in 2012, for exemption from personal court appearance on the ground that a charge sheet has not been filed.

Marines Massimiliano Latorre and Salvatore Girone were arrested for killing two Indian fisherman off the coast of Kerala in February 2012, taking their fishing boat for a pirate vessel. The two are currently on bail, pending trial, and are living and working at the Italian embassy in New Delhi.

Additional Solicitor General Siddharth Luthra, appearing for the NIA, told Additional Sessions Judge Dharmesh Sharma that exemption from personal appearance in court cannot be granted on the ground that the charge sheet has not been filed in this case.

However, the court allowed the marines' exemption application, and fixed the matter for further hearing Jan 30. The court said: 'Without going into the merits of the applications (of the marines), the accused are exempted from personal appearance for today (Wednesday).'

Defence counsel of the marines told the court there were certain 'legal issues' which need to be addressed before the court decides on the aspect of custody of the accused. Luthra argued that this court derives jurisdiction from the Supreme Court's order and exemption on the ground that charge sheet has not been filed is not tenable. He told the court that the marines were in custody of the Supreme Court, as per its order.

The Supreme Court Jan 18, 2013, said that till such time as the special court is set up, the Marines will be under the custody of the apex court. The court last month issued notice against Marines Massimiliano Latorre and Salvatore Girone and asked them to appear before it Jan 8.

The court order came on a plea filed by the NIA, which requested the court to take steps for it to get custody of the two accused. The marines, posted on board oil tanker MV Enrica Lexie on security duty, had opened fire at a fishing boat, suspecting that it carried pirates. Two fishermen, Ajesh Binki and Gelastine, were killed in the firing.

Italian officials say the Marines merely fired warning shots into the sea in the direction of the fishermen's boat. Italy disputes India's jurisdiction over the case, claiming the incident took place in international waters.

The case sparked a major diplomatic row between the two countries when Rome refused to return Latorre and Girone to New Delhi after the Supreme Court last year allowed them to go home to vote in national elections. The two later returned to India within the stipulated time limit.

IANS

Two students killed in bike mishap in Kottayam

Erattupetta: In a bike mishap in Kottayam district, two students were killed near Palathinaadu temple near here on Thursday morning. One was severely injured.

Mahesh (17), son of Ajayakumaran from Kaalaketti and Jishna (17), son of Moonam Mile Kunnapally Mohanan, were the deceased. Sreejith who was injured have been rushed to a private hospital. All three were Plus One students of Achamma Memorial HS school at Kalakatti.

The accident happened at the Kunnampuram junction when the bike lost control and plummeted into a rivulet on the roadside. They were on their way to meet a patient in a hospital when the mishap happened.

Two students killed in bike mishap in Kottayam

Erattupetta: In a bike mishap in Kottayam district, two students were killed near Palathinaadu temple near here on Thursday morning. One was severely injured.

Mahesh (17), son of Ajayakumaran from Kaalaketti and Jishna (17), son of Moonam Mile Kunnapally Mohanan, were the deceased. Sreejith who was injured have been rushed to a private hospital. All three were Plus One students of Achamma Memorial HS school at Kalakatti.

The accident happened at the Kunnampuram junction when the bike lost control and plummeted into a rivulet on the roadside. They were on their way to meet a patient in a hospital when the mishap happened.

Kejriwal announces helpline to trap the corrupt

New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal Wednesday announced a helpline which he said would help trap government employees who demand bribes. Kejriwal told media persons that anyone who is asked to pay a bribe by any official in the capital should seek help on phone number 27357169.

'This is a helpline number, not a complaint number,' he said, adding that a shorter easy-to-remember four-digit phone number would be announced in four-five days. Kejriwal admitted that there might be initial hiccups but expressed the hope that things would be sorted out.

Once the details of the complainant are taken down, the anti-corruption wing of Delhi administration will explain how to do a sting operation vis-a-vis the corrupt using the recording device of one's mobile phone.

'The idea is to inject fear among bribe seekers,' Kejriwal said. 'Now an officer demanding bribe won't know if you are recording him on your mobile phone or not.' 'There are many honest officials in the government but a few fish are muddying the water who need to be identified,' he added.

The vigilance department has deployed a sufficient number of employees for this task, the chief minister said. If necessary, Delhi Police personnel would also chip in, he added. 'Every citizen is now an anti-corruption crusader (in Delhi),' he said, adding that mobile phones would be the biggest weapon of people. The helpline would function from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Kejriwal, after taking oath Dec 28, had announced that he would launch a phone helpline soon to trap bribe takers. He said the project got delayed as he found that the anti-corruption department was badly understaffed. He also announced that the government would take action against 'big ticket corruption' in the coming days.

Asked about protecting whistle blowers, Kejriwal said: 'In the absence of proper whistle blower protection act, we (Delhi government) will try to do whatever we can.'

Kejriwal announces helpline to trap the corrupt

New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal Wednesday announced a helpline which he said would help trap government employees who demand bribes. Kejriwal told media persons that anyone who is asked to pay a bribe by any official in the capital should seek help on phone number 27357169.

'This is a helpline number, not a complaint number,' he said, adding that a shorter easy-to-remember four-digit phone number would be announced in four-five days. Kejriwal admitted that there might be initial hiccups but expressed the hope that things would be sorted out.

Once the details of the complainant are taken down, the anti-corruption wing of Delhi administration will explain how to do a sting operation vis-a-vis the corrupt using the recording device of one's mobile phone.

'The idea is to inject fear among bribe seekers,' Kejriwal said. 'Now an officer demanding bribe won't know if you are recording him on your mobile phone or not.' 'There are many honest officials in the government but a few fish are muddying the water who need to be identified,' he added.

The vigilance department has deployed a sufficient number of employees for this task, the chief minister said. If necessary, Delhi Police personnel would also chip in, he added. 'Every citizen is now an anti-corruption crusader (in Delhi),' he said, adding that mobile phones would be the biggest weapon of people. The helpline would function from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Kejriwal, after taking oath Dec 28, had announced that he would launch a phone helpline soon to trap bribe takers. He said the project got delayed as he found that the anti-corruption department was badly understaffed. He also announced that the government would take action against 'big ticket corruption' in the coming days.

Asked about protecting whistle blowers, Kejriwal said: 'In the absence of proper whistle blower protection act, we (Delhi government) will try to do whatever we can.'

Arctic air eases its grip on much of the US; 21 dead

Atlanta: An arctic blast eased its grip on much of the eastern US on Wednesday, with winds calming and the weather warming slightly a day after temperature records - some more than a century old - shattered.

Authorities reported at least 21 cold-related deaths across the country since Sunday. At least five people died after collapsing while shovelling snow, while several victims were identified as homeless people who either refused shelter or didn't make it to a warm haven soon enough.

In a phenomenon that forecasters said is actually not all that unusual, all 50 states saw freezing temperatures at some point Tuesday. That included Hawaii, where it was 18 degrees (-8 Celsius) atop Mauna Kea, a dormant volcano.

In Atlanta, where a record low of 6 degrees Fahrenheit (-14 Celsius) hit early on Tuesday, the forecast on Wednesday was sunny and a more normal 42 degrees (5 Celsius).

The big chill started in the Midwest over the weekend, caused by a kink in the 'polar vortex,' the strong winds that circulate around the North Pole. The icy air covered about half the country by Tuesday.

With the bitter cold slowing baggage handling and aircraft refuelling, airlines cancelled more than 2,000 flights Tuesday in the US, bringing the four-day total to more than 11,000.

Natural gas demand in the US set a record on Tuesday, eclipsing the mark set a day earlier, according to Jack Weixel, director of energy analysis at Bentek Energy.AP

Arctic air eases its grip on much of the US; 21 dead

Atlanta: An arctic blast eased its grip on much of the eastern US on Wednesday, with winds calming and the weather warming slightly a day after temperature records - some more than a century old - shattered.

Authorities reported at least 21 cold-related deaths across the country since Sunday. At least five people died after collapsing while shovelling snow, while several victims were identified as homeless people who either refused shelter or didn't make it to a warm haven soon enough.

In a phenomenon that forecasters said is actually not all that unusual, all 50 states saw freezing temperatures at some point Tuesday. That included Hawaii, where it was 18 degrees (-8 Celsius) atop Mauna Kea, a dormant volcano.

In Atlanta, where a record low of 6 degrees Fahrenheit (-14 Celsius) hit early on Tuesday, the forecast on Wednesday was sunny and a more normal 42 degrees (5 Celsius).

The big chill started in the Midwest over the weekend, caused by a kink in the 'polar vortex,' the strong winds that circulate around the North Pole. The icy air covered about half the country by Tuesday.

With the bitter cold slowing baggage handling and aircraft refuelling, airlines cancelled more than 2,000 flights Tuesday in the US, bringing the four-day total to more than 11,000.

Natural gas demand in the US set a record on Tuesday, eclipsing the mark set a day earlier, according to Jack Weixel, director of energy analysis at Bentek Energy.AP

AAP office attacked

Ghaziabad: A group of people today attacked the Aam Aadmi Party headquarters in Kaushambi here with bricks and stones apparently to protest party leader Prashant Bhushan's remarks on Kashmir.

The group of 50-60 people, who are believed to be members of a right-wing group, attacked the office, party sources said. Police said no one was injured in the attack.
SSP Dharmendra Singh said, 'We have identified some people. There were some residents of Ghaziabad and the numbers of their cars have been noted. Action against them will be initiated soon.'

He said there was no security at the party office but policemen have now been deployed there and at Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's residence which is just a kilometre away. He said they will again take up the issue of security with Kejriwal and try to convince him about that.Earlier, Kejriwal had turned down the security offered to him by Ghaziabad and Delhi Police.

Bhushan had recently said a referendum should be carried out in Kashmir to decide on deployment of the army to deal with security threats in the Valley.
However, the Aam Aadmi Party had distanced itself from his views. PTI

AAP office attacked

Ghaziabad: A group of people today attacked the Aam Aadmi Party headquarters in Kaushambi here with bricks and stones apparently to protest party leader Prashant Bhushan's remarks on Kashmir.

The group of 50-60 people, who are believed to be members of a right-wing group, attacked the office, party sources said. Police said no one was injured in the attack.
SSP Dharmendra Singh said, 'We have identified some people. There were some residents of Ghaziabad and the numbers of their cars have been noted. Action against them will be initiated soon.'

He said there was no security at the party office but policemen have now been deployed there and at Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's residence which is just a kilometre away. He said they will again take up the issue of security with Kejriwal and try to convince him about that.Earlier, Kejriwal had turned down the security offered to him by Ghaziabad and Delhi Police.

Bhushan had recently said a referendum should be carried out in Kashmir to decide on deployment of the army to deal with security threats in the Valley.
However, the Aam Aadmi Party had distanced itself from his views. PTI