The Rajasthan High Court on Tuesday granted interim bail till March 31 to self-styled godman Asaram, who is serving life imprisonment in a 2013 rape case. This comes a week after the Supreme Court granted him bail till March 31 in another rape case, observing that he suffered from various ailments and needed treatment. Soon after the top court granted him relief on medical grounds, Asaram's counsels moved a suspension of sentence plea in the high court. A division bench of Justices Dinesh Mehta and Vineet Kumar Mathur granted interim bail to Asaram considering that the nature of the plea was similar to the one filed in the Supreme Court. "We argued that the plea was similar in nature to that filed in the Supreme Court and the grounds stand valid in this case as well," Asaram's counsel Nishant Bora said. He said the conditions for Asaram's interim bail are the same as those set by the apex court on January 7 except one. "If Asaram wants to travel outside (Jodhpur), he will have to bear the expenses of the three constables who have been asked to accompany him," Bora said. A lower court sentenced Asaram to life imprisonment in April 2018 for raping a minor at his ashram in Jodhpur in 2013. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
14 January,2025 05:37 PM IST | Jodhpur | PTIIn less than a fortnight after a senior Trinamool Congress councillor was murdered in West Bengal's Malda district, a TMC worker was killed and two other party members were injured in a shootout incident in broad daylight in the same region on Tuesday, police said. Like in the previous incident, police suspected that Tuesday's shootout was also a fallout of the party's infighting. The deceased was identified as Ataul Haque alias Hasu Sheikh and the two injured are Bakul Sheikh, a TMC local committee president, and Esaruddin Sheikh, a senior officer said. The incident took place in Kaliaganj area in the morning when the TMC local committee president along with party workers went to a function to inaugurate a road, an officer said. "One of the party workers who were shot at was declared dead by doctors at the Malda Medical College and Hospital. Two others are undergoing treatment there, and their condition was stated to be critical," he said. "We are questioning people and witnesses. So far, we have not arrested anyone in this matter," the police officer told PTI. TMC councillor in Malda Dulal Sarkar was killed on January 2, and seven people have been arrested in this connection. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
14 January,2025 05:29 PM IST | Malda (West Bengal) | PTIPrime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday urged scientists to develop warning systems for earthquakes while noting that advanced weather forecasts have significantly reduced casualties and minimised economic losses caused by cyclones. Addressing a function to celebrate 150 years of the India Meteorological Department (IMD), he also lauded the institution as a symbol of India's scientific journey. Modi noted how advanced weather forecasting has significantly reduced casualties during cyclones and minimised economic losses, boosting investor confidence and building economic resilience. The prime minister also launched 'Mission Mausam' for developing cutting-edge weather surveillance technologies and systems, implementing high-resolution atmospheric observations, next-generation radars and satellites, and high-performance computers. "We have launched 'Mission Mausam' to make India weather ready and climate smart," Modi said. The celebrations were attended by the World Meteorological Organisation Secretary General Celeste Saulo, Earth Sciences Minister Jitendra Singh, Earth Sciences Secretary M Ravichandran, IMD Director General Mrutyunjay Mohapatra and a host of dignitaries. Modi also released the IMD's Vision-2047 document for weather resilience and climate change adaptation, a commemorative postage stamp and a coin to mark 150 years of the IMD. "Meteorology offers the most important support for the disaster management capability of any country. To minimise the impact of natural disasters, we need to maximise the efficiency of meteorology," the prime minister said. He recalled how the cyclone in Gujarat's Kandla in 1998 and the 1999 Odisha super cyclone killed thousands. "But loss of life is minimal now because of better forecasts," he said. Referring to his visit to Sonamarg in Jammu and Kashmir to inaugurate a 6.5 km tunnel on Monday, Modi said the IMD had suggested that the inaugural function be held on January 13 which was a clear weather day in snow-clad Sonamarg. The prime minister said India's disaster management capabilities have significantly improved due to advancements in meteorological technology which has proved to be beneficial not only for the country but also for the global community. "Today, our Flash Flood Guidance system provides critical information to neighbouring countries, including Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka," Modi said. The prime minister stressed on the need to work with future requirements in mind, including developing warning systems for natural disasters like earthquakes. "There is a need to develop warning systems for earthquakes and scientists and researchers should work in this direction," Modi said. The prime minister quoted from scriptures and ancient texts to highlight India's rich history of expertise in understanding weather patterns. He said traditional knowledge was well documented, refined, and deeply studied in ancient texts like the Vedas, Samhitas, and Surya Siddhanta, Tamil Nadu's Sangam literature and the folk literature of Ghagh Bhaddari in the north. Works such as Krishi Parashar and Bruhat Samhita studied cloud formation and the mathematical work on planetary positions, he noted. The prime minister also referred to the book "Pre-Modern Kutchi Navigation Techniques and Voyages" which documents centuries-old maritime knowledge of Gujarat's sailors. Modi said that as IMD's weather forecasts become more accurate, their importance will increase across various sectors, industries, and even in everyday life. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
14 January,2025 05:15 PM IST | New Delhi | PTIA man died of electrocution while he was allegedly attempting to steal wires from a transformer in Maharashtra's Nagpur district, the police said on Tuesday, reported the PTI. The incident occurred in the Jamtha area in Nagpur late on Sunday night, an official said. The deceased was identified as 25-year-old Ankush Rajendra Patel, a resident of Shramik Nagar slum in Parsodi, was stuck on the transformer, and his charred body was discovered on Monday morning, the official said, according to the PTI. Ankush Patel had decided to steal oil and wires from the transformer in Mauli Nagar area of Nagpur. He climbed the transformer thinking the power had been cut off and got electrocuted, he said, the news agency reported. The official said the deceased was allegedly a history sheeter, with several theft cases against him at Hingna and Beltarodi police stations. He was involved in stealing oil, wires, and iron from transformers, as per the PTI. Thief steals cash and valuables from model's flat in Mumbai Meanwhile, in an another incident, an unidentified person allegedly stole cash and valuables worth Rs 15 lakh from the flat of a Mumbai-based model, an official said on Monday, according to the PTI. The model, Nikita Nil Barad, who lives alone in a luxury apartment in Lower Parel area of the city, was away in Karnataka when the incident occurred between December 12 and January 9. The complainant told the police that the crime came to light when she checked her cupboard, following which an FIR was lodged with police which has launched an investigation into the matter. She also told police that two maids work at her flat during the day and that she was not in Mumbai when the theft took place. She told the police that she had left for Karnataka with her brother on December 12. The police have registered a case against an unidentified person on charge of housebreaking and the investigation is being handled by the local police and the crime branch. CCTV footage from the flat and surrounding areas is being analysed, police said, the news agency reported. (with PTI inputs)
14 January,2025 05:02 PM IST | Nagpur | mid-day online correspondentThe Special Task Force (STF) of Assam Police on Tuesday recovered 1.128 kg of heroin worth Rs 9 crore in the Amingaon area of Kamrup district, an officer said. The STF team also arrested four individuals, news agency ANI reported. Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) of Assam Police, Pranab Jyoti Goswami, stated that they had received intelligence-based information indicating that the notorious Touthing narcotics family from Churachandpur (Manipur) would be transporting drugs to Hajo and Goreswar-based peddlers in a vehicle from Mizoram to Kamrup. "Based on this input, the vehicle was intercepted by an STF team led by Additional SP Kalyan Pathak at Amingaon on Tuesday morning, where two occupants, Onkhogin Touthing [the driver] and Thangkhaelien [a passenger], were found," the CPRO said. The vehicle was searched, and 94 soap boxes or packets of heroin, concealed in secret chambers, were recovered, weighing 1.128 kg without their covers, he added. "The drugs were seized, and their market value is approximately Rs 9 crore," the CPRO said. Subsequently, the recipients, Nurul Hussain of Dampur, Hajo, and Bitul Ali of Goreswar, were arrested, ANI reported. Necessary legal action has been initiated. MDMA laboratory busted in Madhya Pradesh; one arrested The Central Bureau of Narcotics (CBN) has dismantled an illegal laboratory producing MDMA, a psychotropic drug, in a remote area of Mandsaur district in Madhya Pradesh, an officer reported on Tuesday. The agency has arrested one individual in connection with the raid, news agency PTI reported. Acting on a tip-off, officers from the CBN's state unit raided an orange orchard near Kharkheda village in the Garoth tehsil and discovered the clandestine laboratory operating there, the agency stated in a release. The team recovered 80.96 kg and 7.5 litres of chemicals, including acetone, toluene, hydrochloric acid, sodium sulphate, sodium carbonate, sulphuric acid, bromine water, ethanol, and others, PTI reported. Additionally, equipment and machinery such as a UV controller, vacuum oven, weighing scales, test tubes, funnels, and other items were seized from the premises. These chemicals and apparatus were sufficient to produce more than 50 kg of illicit MDMA powder each month, the release stated. Following the raid, one individual was arrested under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, PTI reported. (With ANI and PTI inputs)
14 January,2025 04:58 PM IST | Guwahati | mid-day online correspondentA 16-year-old boy allegedly died by suicide at his hostel in the Nagpur district of Maharashtra on Tuesday, police said. The incident occurred in the Wanadongri area under the MIDC Police Station around 11 am, an officer stated, adding that the security guard of the hostel found the Class 12 student lying in a pool of blood. The teen was taken to a private hospital, where doctors declared him dead, news agency PTI reported. The police said that the boy was a native of Chandrapur district. His father is a businessman based in South Africa, the officer informed. According to police, the boy was stressed about the Class 12 board examination and had told his mother he would not sit for it, PTI reported. A case of accidental death has been registered, the officer said. Jeweller, son die by suicide in Nashik A 49-year-old jeweller and his son allegedly died by suicide in the Nashik city of Maharashtra on Monday, police said on Tuesday. While the exact reason behind the extreme step was yet to be ascertained, it is suspected that the duo took the extreme step because of indebtedness, the police informed. A note written by the jeweller was found in his house and it was being examined, the police said without giving further details. The jeweller and his 28-year-old son lived near Panchavati and ran the jewellery shop at Saraf Bazar in the city, according to the police.While the jeweller was found dead at home, his son was taken to a private hospital by his brother where doctors declared him dead, an officer from Panchavati Police Station said. As per preliminary reports, the jeweller died by suicide early on Monday, the officer informed.The police were examining the mobile phones and social media accounts of the victims, the police stated.The duo took the step when the jeweller's wife was on a visit to Karnataka. 30-year-old Nagpur man arrested for 'abetting' girlfriend's suicide A 30-year-old man has been arrested in Nagpur for allegedly abetting the suicide of his girlfriend, police said. The action was taken after the woman's father lodged a complaint against her boyfriend at New Kamptee Police Station, PTI reported. The accused and his girlfriend had studied at the same college, and the woman had informed her family about their relationship, said a police officer. On December 29, the accused allegedly told her on phone that his family opposed their relationship and hence he could not marry her. The couple had a heated argument and there were a total of 43 calls between them that day, the police said. Around 5 pm, the 28-year-old woman went to her room. When her brother returned home around 5.30 pm and called her, there was no response. He looked through the window and saw her dead. It was suspected that the woman took the extreme step because the accused refused to marry her, the officer said, adding that a case was registered against him under section 108 (abetment of suicide) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Further probe was on, he added. (With PTI inputs)
14 January,2025 03:48 PM IST | Nagpur | mid-day online correspondentA thick blanket of fog engulfed Delhi on Tuesday morning, reducing visibility to zero and disrupting train schedules, officials said. A total of 39 trains were running late as of 6 am. Some trains were delayed by 30 minutes, while others were running up to four hours behind schedule. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), "Zero visibility has prevailed over Palam since 4:30 IST, with southeasterly winds blowing at 6-8 kmph." At Safdarjung, visibility remained limited to a minimum of 50 metres in dense fog since 5:30 IST, with calm winds, the IMD added. Delhi recorded a minimum temperature of 8.9 degrees Celsius, 1.5 notches above normal, while the air quality was recorded in the poor category. According to the CPCB air quality bulletin, the AQI at 9 am was recorded in the poor category with a reading of 256. The IMD has predicted dense to very dense fog for the day, with the maximum temperature likely to settle around 19 degrees Celsius. An AQI between zero and 50 is considered good, 51 and 100 satisfactory, 101 and 200 moderate, 201 and 300 poor, 301 and 400 very poor, and 401 and 500 severe. Delhi and other parts of North India continued to have chilly weather with foggy skies. A thin layer of fog was blanketing Akshardham Temple and the Mayur Vihar area as the cold wave continued in the national capital. Meanwhile, a cold wave and winter conditions have affected most districts of Rajasthan, with Jaipur experiencing heavy fog this morning. The cold had a significant impact on public life, reducing visibility to very low levels due to the fog. As a result, drivers had to use their headlights while driving early in the morning, and people were seen huddling around bonfires to keep warm. The minimum temperature in Mount Abu in the state dropped to -1 degree Celsius, leaving residents and tourists with a chill. The harsh cold has been intensifying since late night, giving way to a severe cold wave. For the past few days, the cold has been biting, with significant fluctuations in the minimum temperature observed in the second week of the year. However, following the cold wave on Sunday, the effects of the severe cold were widespread and intense on Monday. (With inputs from Agencies)
14 January,2025 02:52 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentProhibitory orders have been imposed in Maharashtra's Beed district till January 28 in view of protests against the murder of a sarpanch and quota-related agitations by Maratha and OBC activists, reported news agency PTI. The assembly of five or more persons without permission from authorities has been prohibited and people are not allowed to carry weapons in public places, the district administration said in a release issued on Monday. Santosh Deshmukh, the sarpanch of Massajog village in Beed district, was abducted, tortured and murdered on December 9. Preliminary investigation suggests he had tried to thwart an extortion bid on an energy firm operating a windmill project in the region. The Kej police have so far arrested seven persons in the murder case, while another accused is on the run. The police have also arrested state minister Dhananjay Deshmukh's associate Walmik Karad in a related extortion case, reported PTI. Leaders of both the ruling and opposition parties have staged protests in Beed, demanding justice. In neighbouring Jalna, activist Manoj Jarange has announced that he would launch an indefinite fast on January 25 to press for the Maratha community's demands, including reservation in jobs and education under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category, reported PTI. On the other side, the OBC activists have been staging agitations to ensure their quota is not disturbed. As per the Beed district administration's release, the ongoing protests in connection with the cases registered at the Kej police station and the quota-related agitations by the Maratha and OBC communities could lead to a law and order issue, reported PTI. Therefore, the district administration has imposed prohibitory orders under section 37 (1) (3) of the Maharashtra Police Act, it said. Maharashtra govt forms new SIT to probe Beed Sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh murder case The Maharashtra government on Monday formed the new Special Investigation Team (SIT) set up to probe the murder of sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh in Beed district. The new SIT includes police officers Anil Gujar, Vijay Singh Jonwal, Mahesh Vighne, Anand Shankar Shinde, Tulshiram Jagtap, Manoj Rajendra Wagh, Chandrakant S Kalkute, Balasaheb Devidas Akhakore, Santosh Bhagwanrao Gitte. Basavaraj Teli will continue as the chairman of this SIT. (With inputs from PTI)
14 January,2025 02:40 PM IST | Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar | mid-day online correspondentPrime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday extended his wishes to the nation on Tuesday, celebrating the festivals of Magh Bihu and Makar Sankranti. In a post on X, PM Modi said, "Best Wishes on Magh Bihu. We celebrate the abundance of nature, the joy of harvest and the spirit of togetherness. May this festival further the spirit of happiness and togetherness." In another post, PM Modi said, "Many best wishes to all countrymen on Makar Sankranti. May this holy festival dedicated to the Uttarayan Sun bring new energy and enthusiasm in your life." Makar Sankranti is being celebrated across the country with great enthusiasm on Tuesday. The festival marks the Sun's transition from Sagittarius to Capricorn, heralding the beginning of Uttarayan. On this occasion, bathing in holy rivers like the Ganga and Yamuna during Makar Sankranti is believed to cleanse sins and bestow spiritual merit. The day is also dedicated to acts of charity and devotion. Traditional dishes such as sesame-jaggery laddus, khichdi, and other festive treats grace the occasion. Kite flying, symbolising vibrant energy, and cheer, is a cherished tradition on this day. The festival is known by various names in different parts of the country such as Pongal, Bihu, and Maghi. Assam celebrated the annual harvest festival Magh Bihu with great traditional fervour on Tuesday as people burnt traditional Meji (bonfire) in the morning. The bonfires are usually made with firewood, green bamboo, hay, and dried banana leaves. On the occasion, young people took blessings (Ashirbad) from elders, reinforcing bonds of respect and love within families. Across the state, traditional sports such as buffalo fights, cockfights, egg-breaking competitions, and Tekeli Bhanga (breaking of pots) are also held. Magh Bihu, or Bhogali Bihu, is a harvest festival celebrated in Assam, marking the end of the harvesting season in the local month of Magh during mid-January. The people of the state celebrate the festival with community feasts after the annual harvest.
14 January,2025 02:18 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentA report from the State Bank of India (SBI) suggests that the "Trump Tantrum," which describes the effects of Donald Trump's presidency on the Indian rupee, is anticipated to be a short-term phenomenon, reported news agency ANI. The analysis points out that while the rupee might experience some initial fluctuations in the early days of Trump's presidency, it will likely stabilise shortly thereafter. “Empirical evidence suggest that Trump Tantrum for INR will be a short-term phenomenon, and rupee should adjust post the initial shock of early days of Presidency," ANI stated citing the report. Historical data referenced in the report shows that the Indian rupee tends to perform better during Republican presidencies compared to Democratic ones. "Contrary to market perceptions, the rupee appears more vulnerable under a non-Trump or Democratic regime," the report adds. Reviewing historical U.S. presidencies since the Nixon era, the rupee has generally shown more stability during Republican terms. While some volatility can be anticipated in the near term, the present circumstances do not parallel the severe fluctuations witnessed during the "Taper Tantrum" of 2013. This has led analysts to believe that the rupee's reaction to the Trump presidency will be temporary, ANI stated. The report also noted that the rupee began to weaken in the second half of 2024 due to capital outflows. The strengthening of the U.S. dollar, triggered by Donald Trump's presidential victory in November, further contributed to the rupee's decline. Since November 2024, the rupee has seen a depreciation of about 3 per cent against the U.S. dollar. Nevertheless, its performance is among the most stable when compared to other global currencies. "Till date, rupee has depreciated by ~3 per cent against US dollar, still in lowest echelon when compared with other countries," it remarked. The report also emphasised that during the first half of 2024, India’s foreign exchange market remained steady, bolstered by capital inflows from the inclusion of Indian bonds in global bond indices. This development has helped mitigate more significant volatility in the rupee's value. Overall, the report forecasts that the rupee will adjust to the initial impacts of Trump's presidency and stabilise in the upcoming months, alleviating fears of prolonged instability. (With inputs from ANI)
14 January,2025 12:27 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentThe Rajasthan High Court has granted interim bail to self-styled godman Asaram, who is serving a life sentence for the rape of a minor in 2013. The interim bail will remain effective until 31 March, as per PTI reports. The decision follows a similar ruling by the Supreme Court last week, where Asaram was granted bail until 31 March in another rape case. The apex court's order cited his deteriorating health and the need for medical treatment as the basis for the relief. Soon after receiving this reprieve, Asaram's legal team filed a plea in the Rajasthan High Court to suspend his sentence on comparable grounds. A division bench of Justices Dinesh Mehta and Vineet Kumar Mathur, considering the plea’s similarity to the one adjudicated by the Supreme Court, granted him interim bail. "We argued that the plea before the High Court mirrored the one presented in the Supreme Court and that the reasons cited remained equally valid in this case," Asaram's counsel, Nishant Bora, stated, according to PTI. The conditions attached to the interim bail largely align with those set by the Supreme Court on 7 January. However, there is one additional stipulation imposed by the High Court. "If Asaram wishes to travel outside Jodhpur, he will have to cover the expenses of three constables assigned to accompany him," Bora explained. In 2018, a lower court sentenced Asaram to life imprisonment for the rape of a 16-year-old girl at his ashram in Jodhpur in 2013. The case drew significant public attention due to Asaram's prominent following as a spiritual leader. According to PTI, Asaram's bail plea in the Supreme Court highlighted his poor health, citing various ailments that require treatment outside the prison facility. The High Court appeared to take a similar view, given the overlapping circumstances in the two cases. Asaram, once a revered figure among his followers, has faced multiple legal challenges over the years, with accusations ranging from sexual assault to illegal land acquisition. His conviction in the 2013 case marked a significant moment in India’s judicial history, underscoring accountability for individuals in positions of power. (With inputs from PTI)
14 January,2025 12:18 PM IST | JodhpurADVERTISEMENT
