Girl murdered by boyfriend, body recovered from almirah

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NEW DELHI: The charred body of a 20-year-old student of Delhi University's Laxmi Bai College has been found from the residence of her boyfriend in Rajpura Gurmandi area.
Arzoo was abducted and murdered by her boyfriend Naveen Khatri and his family on February 2 - two days before his marriage to another girl on February 4 - alleged the victim's kin.
The Model Town Police has arrested Khatri in this connection.
"Arzoo went to college on February 2 like any other day. Usually she returns home by 4-5 pm but when she did not return in the night, we immediately lodged a report with the police. Police found her charred body stashed in an almirah in Khatri's house on Saturday night and called us to the police station for identification," Paayal, the victim's elder sister said.
"Khatri and my sister were friends and wanted to get married. However, my sister was abducted two days before Khatri's marriage with some other girl on February 4. And, today we got the news that she was murdered. They were afraid that she could create some problem during his marriage and that's why they killed her," she alleged.
Akanksha, the victim's cousin, said that they lodged a police complaint on February 2 when Arzoo did not return.
"The next morning, we went to her college where we came to know that she used to meet Khatri, who lives in our neighbourhood, even after the talks of their marriage failed four months back," she said.
"Khatri's family (Jat) had said that they would not marry their son in the same village and community. But, her friends at the college told us that Arzoo (Rajput) used to meet Khatri, and had gone with him, which created a suspicion and we informed the police," she said.
"They carried out a search of Khatri's house and found her charred body inside an almirah. Police informed us about the body today (Sunday) morning and called us to the police station for identification. They killed her on February 2 and set her body on fire," she added.

Headley deposes before Mumbai court: Says visited India seven times before attack

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MUMBAI: Pakistani-American LeT operative David Headley Monday deposed before a court here via video-link after being made an approver in the 26/11 case and said he came to India seven times before the 2008 terror attacks and that his main contact in LeT was Sajid Mir, also an accused in the case. This is the first time that Headley deposed before the court.
In his deposition through video-conference, which began at 7 am, Headley said that he was a "true follower of LeT" and came to India eight times--seven before the terror attack on November 26, 2008 and once after that.
Headley, who is currently serving 35 years prison sentence in the US for his role in the terror attacks, also said he changed his name from Dawood Gilani to David Headley in 2006 so that he could enter India and set up some business.
"I applied for change in name on February 5, 2006 in Philadelphia. I changed my name to David Headley to get a new passport under that name. I wanted a new passport so that I could enter India with an American identity.
"After I got a new passport I disclosed it to my colleagues in LeT of which one of them was Sajid Mir, the person with whom I was dealing with. The objective for coming to India was to set up an office/business so that I can live in India. Before the first visit, Sajid Mir gave me instructions to make a general video of Mumbai," Headley told the court here.
Headley also said that in his Indian visa application he had furnished all "wrong" information "to protect his cover".
He reportedly visited India many times between 2006 and 2008, drew maps, took video footage and scouted several targets for the attacks including the Taj Hotel, Oberoi Hotel and Nariman House.
His reconnaissance provided vital information for the 10 LeT terrorists and their handlers, who launched the attack.
The court is currently trying key plotter Sayed Zabiuddin Ansari alias Abu Jundal, who is facing trial for his alleged role in the terror attacks, which held the city to ransom for three days.
The deposition of Headley, assumes significance as it may unravel the conspiracy behind the brazen terror strike, which left 166 people dead.
The court had on December 10, 2015, made Headley an approver in the case and directed him to depose before the court on February 8.

He had then told Special Judge GA Sanap that he was "ready to depose" if granted pardon.
Judge Sanap had then made Headley an approver, subject to certain conditions and granted him pardon.
Last year, the Mumbai Police had on October 8 moved an application before the court saying that Headley deserves to be tried by this (Mumbai) court together with 26/11 key plotter Abu Jundal in the case as both of them are conspirators and abettors behind the dastardly act.
In the application, the Mumbai Police said that from the judgement passed by the US court against Headley, it was clear that he was a member of LeT and he had played an active role in the criminal conspiracy in the terror attack.
The application also said that Headley had entered into a plea agreement with US in 2010 and thereby willingly and voluntarily agreed that he had conspired.
It is evident, the police had said, that Headley has committed the offences of conspiring with LeT for committing illegal acts in India; waging war against the government of India and offences under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
He has also been accused of intentionally aiding and abetting the LeT in Pakistan for committing illegal acts in Mumbai, mischief by fire with intent to destroy Hotel Taj, Oberoi and Nariman House, offences under Explosives Act and Explosives Substances Act as also under the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act.
"This is for the first time in the Indian legal history that a 'foreign terrorist' will appear before an Indian court and testify," Special Public Prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam had said yesterday.
Nikam said Headley's evidence is important to unfold many facts behind the 26/11 attack.
A Mumbai Police official said that Headley can give broader aspect of criminal conspiracy and who all were involved in the attacks.
"He may also bare the role of Pakistan in case," the official said.

Royace Eye to strengthen presence in TN

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COIMBATORE,   

Vehicle security solutions provider Royace Eye Industries has tied up with Integree Projects for distribution of its newly launched products in Tamil Nadu.

Royace Eye, according to its Chief Executive Jaskaran Deep Singh, plans to launch strategic marketing and distribution campaign in the State.

“We are also planning to expand our presence, targeting at a strong brand recall and marketing drive. Our outlay on this promotional campaign would be ₹50 crore, spread over two years” he added.

The company is currently operational in eight states via its 500 outlets across 22 cities. “We hope to be present across 16 states by the end of this year,” Singh said. The company has recorded a growth rate of 300 per cent year on year.

Kerala Assembly session begins on stormy note over solar scam

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Opposition raised slogans and held up placards against the Congress-led UDF government.

 Protesting LDF members walked out of the House. (Photo: ANI Twitter)

Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala Assembly's budget session began on a stormy note on Friday as the LDF raised slogans and held up placards against the Congress-led UDF government, prompting Governor P Sathasivam to ask them to "sit quietly or leave".
As soon as the governor began his customary address at the beginning of the session, Opposition leader V S Achuthanandan stood up and said the government was 'neck deep' in corruption.
The veteran CPI(M) leader wanted the governor to intervene in the matter amidst the row in the state over the alleged bar and solar scams.
Reacting to that, the governor said, "You have raised your democratic protest. You are opposing this government. That is enough. You should allow me to do my constitutional duty. I am noting all your objections."
As the governor continued with his address, opposition members were up on their feet, holding up placards and banners seeking the resignation of Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and other ministers over corruption allegations.
As Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, the deputy leader of CPI(M) in the House, stood up, the governor said, "Mr Balakrishnan, this may happen to you also. If you have a right to protest, I am bound by the Constitution to deliver the address... better sit quietly or leave the House.
"I am aware (your) protest is not against me but the government. The entire nation is watching you. People are noting your objections... You have made your point and I have also noted it."
But the protesting LDF members thereafter trooped out of the House. The opposition members raised slogans and held up banners saying, "Don't want tainted ministry's policy."
The 14-day sitting is politically significant as this is the last session of the 13th Kerala Assembly before the state goes to polls later this year.
LDF had met the governor two days ago asking him to not deliver his customary address as the Chandy government was facing various corruption charges.
Solar scam accused Saritha S Nair, deposing before the Justice Sivarajan commission, had alleged that Rs 1.90 crore had been paid to a close aide of the Chief Minister and Rs 40 lakh to Power Minister Aryadan Muhammed for securing favourable decisions for their solar company. Both Chandy and Muhammed have denied the allegations.
Former Finance Minister K M Mani had to resign in the wake of bribery allegations levelled against him by hotelier Biju Ramesh.
Excise Minister K Babu, too, resigned after the vigilance court ordered the registration of an FIR against him the bar case. However, after high court stayed the decision for two months, Babu returned to the Cabinet after the Chief Minister refused to accept the resignation.
The Budget session is expected to conclude on February 25.
Describing the tenure of the UDF government as a "golden phase", the governor listed the achievements of the present Chandy dispensation, including the kick-starting of the Kochi Metro, Light metro and Kannur airport projects.
Over 25,000 tribals were given 'pattayams' (title deeds), Sathasivam said.
Opposition members, including Achuthanandan, who trooped out of the House, held a protest in front of the war memorial at Palayam.
The Left leaders undertook a march to the Assembly demanding the resignation of Chandy and the other ministers who are facing allegations in the solar and bar scams.
Kicking off the march at the memorial, Achuthanandan said the Left parties will continue with their protests until Chandy, Aryadan Muhammed and Excise Minister Babu quit their posts.

Kerala temple cancels daily rituals to mourn death of Muslim youth

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Shabeer was beaten to death by 4 men last week and the incident was captured in a video that went viral.

  Shabeer and his friend were taken to hospital where he succumbed to his injuries (Photo: Video grab)

Thiruvananthapuram: In a rare gesture, a temple in Thiruvananthapuram decided to put its daily rituals on hold for 2 days to mourn the death of a Muslim youth, who was beaten to death here earlier last week.
23- year-old M V Shabeer was an active member of the local Shiva temple at Puthennada near Attingal, and was the executive member of the festival committee in the temple. In a gruesome incident that was captured in video and shared widely in Facebook, Shabeer was beaten to death by four men last week following a dispute regarding an elephant running amok during last year’s festival.
Read: Caught on camera: Kerala youth beaten to death in broad daylight
The temple has also decided to do away with the annadanam and procession for the ten-day festival, that is set top begin on February 9.
“Since the priest wanted the temple to be opened, we did so on Monday and Tuesday but suspended the pujas. There was no blowing of the conch or the ringing of bells in those days. In the evenings too, the temple opened but did not offer any puja,” The Indian Express quoted the convenor of the festival committee, C Gouri Chandra, as saying.
According to local residents, Shabeer had been struggling to provide for his family- a mother and two younger brothers - after his father abandoned them. He even discontinued his education to support them, the report said, and added that the mosque that Shabeer was linked to never had any issues with him being a member of the temple committee.
Summing up, N Unni, another member of the temple committee said, “It was a friendship beyond religion. We never considered Shabeer as a Muslim in the temple committee”.

11 suspected ISIS operatives sent to 7-day NIA custody

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NIA said laptops, external hard disks, phones and SIM cards recovered from these accused have been sent for forensic examination.

 NIA said in its remand application that the accused have disclosed during their interrogation "their involvement in this case about recruiting and financing persons willing to join the Caliphate of ISIS at Syria".

New Delhi: Eleven suspected ISIS operatives, who were arrested from across the country for allegedly recruiting and financing people to join the Middle-East terror group, were on Friday remanded in seven days NIA custody by a Delhi court.
The accused, who had their faces muffled, were produced before District Judge Amar Nath amidst tight security and, according to lawyers who attended the in-camera proceedings, NIA had sought extension of their custodial interrogation by 10 more days.
NIA said in its remand application that the accused have disclosed during their interrogation "their involvement in this case about recruiting and financing persons willing to join the Caliphate of ISIS at Syria".
"They were also found to be in communication with some active members through chatting applications 'Signal', 'Trillion' and 'Skype' in order to motivate them to join ISIS in furtherance of activities of its ideologies, thereby luring youths to join this proscribed terrorist organisation.
"The identity and role of such associates is being ascertained," NIA said.
Advocate M S Khan, who appeared for nine out of these 11 accused, opposed NIA's plea contending that their remand application does not disclose as to whom they were in touch with in Syria.
Khan also argued that his clients have been in NIA's custody for the past 10 days and there was no need to extend police custody as NIA has already quizzed them in connection with the case.
The 11 accused who were remanded in seven days NIA custody are Mohd Aleem, Mohd Obaidullah Khan, Nafees Khan, Mohd Shareef Moinuddin Khan, Asif Ali, Najmul Huda, Mudabbir Mushtaq Shaikh, Mohd Abdul Ahad, Suhail Ahmed, Syed Mujahid and Mohd Hussain Khan.
Besides these 11 accused, four other co-accused Mohd Afzal, Imran, Abu Anas and Nasser Packeer were also produced before the court which remanded them in judicial custody.
Except Nasser, who was in judicial custody, all the other 14 accused were produced before the court after expiry of their NIA custody.
NIA, while seeking extension of custodial interrogation of the 11 accused, told the court that "they were involved in the conspiracy and planning with other associates and handlers of ISIS in order to motivate Indian youths" to join the terror outfit in furtherance of their activities.
The agency said that laptops, external hard disks, mobile phones and SIM cards which were recovered from the possession of these accused have been sent for forensic examination and the result is awaited.
"NIA has recovered voluminous incriminating electronic records from the systems of the accused persons. It is essential to cross check the version of the accused. During the interrogation, all accused persons have disclosed many facts about their involvement in this case and about recruiting and financing persons.
"The accused are required to be taken for pointing and identification of scene of crime, meeting points which are far away from Delhi," the agency said, adding that these accused were in touch with some active members of ISIS through chatting applications.
NIA also said that these 11 accused were required to be questioned further to ascertain the records and data and also the international ramification of their conspiracy.
The agency had earlier obtained the custody of the accused, saying their custodial interrogation was needed to unearth the conspiracy of ISIS to spread its reach in India.
The probe agency had informed the court that the accused were arrested for allegedly planning to carry out attacks ahead of the Republic Day.
NIA had said these accused were arrested from various places including Bangalore, Hyderabad, Mumbai and Aurangabad, and were produced in the respective courts and brought to Delhi on transit remand.
NIA and other central agencies have arrested 15 people for allegedly planning to carry out attacks ahead of the Republic Day.
They were arrested under several sections including Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and IPC. A case was registered by NIA on December 9, 2015 against unknown and unidentified persons involved in the activities of Islamic State (IS) in India and Asian Powers in Peace with India.

Tanzanian student case: Rahul seeks report from KTK govt

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NEW DELHI:  Voicing concern over a Tanzanian woman student being allegedly beaten up and stripped by a mob in Bengaluru, Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi has sought a report from the Karnataka government on the incident immediately. "Rahul Gandhi asks Karnataka Govt to explain and send report immediately," party General Secretary Digvijay Singh said in a series of tweets. "Strongly condemn incident with Tanzanian lady in Bangalore. Police must act strongly against the culprits," Singh, who is in-charge of party affairs in Karnataka, said. The Tanzanian woman student was allegedly beaten up and stripped by a mob in a case of "mistaken identity" after a woman was mowed down by a car in the city. The 21-year-old Tanzanian, who is doing her Bachelor of Business Management course, was dragged out of the car in which she was seated along with her three friends on Sunday night. The car was stopped by the mob shortly after they reached the accident spot on Sunday night, according to All African Students Union in Bengaluru. She was stripped by a section of the mob and pushed out of a slow-moving bus that was passing by as she tried to board it to escape, the Union's Legal Adviser Bosco Kaweesi had said. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj had termed the incident as shameful. Swaraj had spoken to Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and requested him to ensure stringent punishment to the guilty. Swaraj said Siddaramaiah informed her that a criminal case has been registered and four accused have been arrested. Official sources in New Delhi had said the High Commission of Tanzania has sent a Note Verbale to the External Affairs Ministry about the reported attack, requesting it to take necessary legal action against the guilty. According to the Bangalore police, the complaint by the Tanzanian girl was filed yesterday even though incident happened on Sunday.

Not afraid of Lavalin case: Pinarayi

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 ERNAKULAM: CPM Politburo member Pinarayi Vijayan has said he is not subjected to any kind of fear vis-à-vis Lavalin case. “The CBI court had acquitted me. Currently no case exists in my name,” he said.

Pinarayi Vijayan was responding to KPCC president V M Sudheeran’s comment that the former should break his silence on Lavalin case. The KPCC president expressed this opinion yesterday in an open letter he wrote to Pinarayi, which also appeared in the media.

Pinarayi gave his reply at a press conference held as part of the Nava Kerala march, in Ernakulam on Thursday.

“The Lavalin case was disposed of by the court after a detailed hearing. Even I had sought a speedy trial in the case. The government doesn’t have the right to move the high court, questioning the CBI court,” he said.

Pinarayi also criticised Sudheeran severely. “Suhdeeran now travels in Abkari businessman Fitness Madhu’s car. His brother-in-law has a role in Abkari business,” Pinarayi alleged.

Pinarayi slammed Chief Minister Oommen Chandy’s statement that there was no connection between VSSC espionage case and resignation of K Karunakaran. “Chandy has a feeling that the people will accept whatever he says. Whatever Chandy said about Karunakaram that time went on record and the TV channels have been re-telecasting those visuals a number of times,” he said.

Pinarayi beating around the bush: Sudheeran

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 THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: KPCC President Sudheeran has again criticised CPM leader Pinarayi Vijayan, saying that the latter was beating around the bush without giving a logical answer to his demands and allegations over Lavalin case.

Sudheeran said he asked something and Pinaryi answered to something else. He opined there were many things Pinarayi needed to explain in connection with the Lavalin case.

Sudheeren was speaking at a public function as part of his Janaraksha yatra on Thursday.

“Pinarayi should explain how Rs 100 crore estimate decided by the Balanandan committee for the renovation hydroelectric power stations in Kerala shot up to Rs 374 crore. The Balanandan committee report which recommended the awarding of the contract to public sector company BHEL was scuttled to favour Canadian company SNC Lavalin. It was the CAG that found out that the contract with SNC Lavalain had incurred a heavy loss to State exchequer. Though a CBI court had disposed of the case, the high court rectified the CBI court’s procedure through an appropriate step,” Sudheeran said.

BJP’s door remain open: Kummanam

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KOCHI: BJP State president Kummanam Rajasekharan has said BJP’s door remain open for anyone wanting to join it. “Anyone who can get along with the policies of the party can walk in. We are ready to hold discussion with those who would like to join the party,” he said. Kummanam announced this decision after taking part in the Core party Committee meeting attended by National party president Amith Shah. He said the BJP would be contesting in the election this time with goal of winning it and ruling the State