PUNE: Haryana Police have arrested an absconding accused in a 1993 auto theft case in which Ashu, brother of molestation victim Ruchika Girhotra,was falsely implicated allegedly at the behest of former top cop S P S Rathore, police said on Sunday.
A team of Haryana Police assisted by their Pune counterparts yesterday morning nabbed Gajinder Singh from Baner Road area, where he used to run a dhaba, they said.
Singh, a proclaimed offender who had been absconding since 1997, was taken to Haryana by the investigating team after obtaining his transit remand.
Former Haryana DGP Rathore was awarded a six-month jail term by a CBI court on December 21 for molesting Ruchika, a budding tennis player, in 1990 when he was an IGP. She committed suicide three years later.
Several cases related to car theft and other offences were slapped on Ashu at that time but he was later acquitted of the charges by the courts. The family alleges that false cases were brought at Rathore's behest and that Ashu was harassed and tortured in custody.
Ruchika's father Subhash Chander Girhotra and Ashu had recently filed two complaints against Rathore accusing him of attempt to murder and wrongful confinement of Ashu and forging the post-mortem report of Ruchika, after which two fresh FIRs were lodged against the former IPS officer.
Rathore's anticipatory bail pleas in connection with the two FIRs have also been rejected by a Panchkula sessions court.
India has lost 'substantial' land to China: Official report
NEW DELHI: The area along Line of Actual Control with China has "shrunk" over a period of time and India has lost "substantial" amount of land in the last two decades, says an official report.
At a recent meeting held in Leh which was attended by officials from the Jammu and Kashmir government, Ministry of Home Affairs and Army, it was agreed that there was difference in the maps of various agencies and that there was lack of proper mapping of the area.
The meeting was chaired by Commissioner (Leh) A K Sahu and attended among others by Brigadier General Staff of 14 Corps Brig Sarat Chand and Colonel Inderjit Singh.
While the absence of proper map was agreed upon, the meeting all the same felt, "however, it is clear and be accepted that we are withdrawing from LAC and our area has shrunk over a period of time."
"Though this process if very slow but we have lost substantial amount of land in 20-25 years," it was said at the meeting held last month.
According to the minutes of the meeting, it was also identified that "there is a lack of institutional memory in various agencies as well as clear policy on this issue which in long run has resulted in loss of territory by the India in favour of China."
The meeting was called to ensure proper protection to nomads who move with their cattle to Dokbug area of Nyoma sector during the winter months every year. In December 2008, Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) had damaged their tents and threatened them to vacate the land.
"They (Chinese) have threatened the nomadic people who had been using Dokbug area (in Ladakh sector) area for grazing since decades long, in a way to snatch our land in inches. A Chinese proverb is famous in the world - better do in inches than in yards," a report filed by former Sub Divisional Magistrate (Nyoma) Tsering Norboo had said.
Norboo was deputed by the state government to probe complaints of incursion of the Chinese Army in Dokbug area and threats to the local shepherds to leave the land as it belonged to them. The area has been used by the shepherds to graze their livestock as the area is warmer compared to other parts of Ladakh.
The SDM contended that it was another attempt by the Chinese to claim the territory as disputed in the same fashion as they had taken Nag Tsang area opposite to Phuktse airfield in 1984, Nakung in 1991 and Lungma-Serding in 1992.
The area of Dokbug and Doley Tango was frequented by shepherds and nomads from December to March every year during which their young lambs were capable to walk.
The SDM has also highlighted the fact that Army stopped these nomads from vacating the land. The nomads were terrified by the Chinese threats.
Last year, Chinese troops had entered nearly 1.5 km into the Indian territory on July 31 near Mount Gya, recognised as International border by India and China, and painted boulders and rocks with "China" and "Chin9" in red spray paint.
The 22,420 ft Mount Gya, also known as "fair princess of snow" by Army, is located at the tri-junction of Ladakh in Jammu and Kashmir, Spiti in Himachal Pradesh, and Tibet. Its boundary was marked during the British era and regarded as International border by the two countries.
Before this, Chinese helicopters had violated Indian air space on June 21 along the Line of Actual Control in Chumar region and also helli-dropped some expired food.
Arms sale to Pak justified as India buys from US: Chinese official
BEIJING: A senior Chinese defense official has justified Beijing's sale of warships and submarines to Pakistan on the ground that India was buying similar systems from Russia and the United States. He indicated that China was conscious India might be worried about the sales.
"The initiative may invite concerns from its neighboring countries. But the doubts are unnecessary," Zhai Dequan, deputy director of China Arms Control and Disarmament Association, was quoted as saying in the official media.
The statement came in the midst of efforts by Norman Bashir, chief of Pakistan's naval staff, to persuade Beijing to sell higher capacity ships as compared to the F22P frigates that China begun delivering last June.
Zhai said Pakistan’s desire for high capacity systems is normal for an independent nation seeking to bolster its security. India has also entered into large deals for military hardware from the US and Russia, he said.
"India's aircraft carrier has already cost it billions of US dollars," Zhai said.
Bashir, who met Chinese Defense Minister Liang Guanglie on Friday, said Pakistan was keen on buying bigger ships and more JF-17 fighter planes from China apart from the submarines. Pakistan will buy more weapons including missiles from China in future, he said.
"The F22P frigate is about 3,000 tons, and now we are talking about 4,000-ton ships. These are very big projects and we think the cooperation is important for both countries, especially Pakistan," he said.
Pakistan booked four F22P frigates from China in 2005 and the first one began sea trials last year. Islamabad followed it up with another order of four more ships of same kind in 2007, the Chinese media said.
Bashir showered fulsome praise on Chinese warships saying they use the latest technology, and have the all-round capability to target surface ships, aircraft and submarine.
"The F22P frigate can be deployed to complete multitasks. The ship is balanced for offense and defense, and can be used in both peace and war time, if there is a war," he said. This is his third visit to China this year.
Headley's golf class comes under lens; NIA quizzes socialites
Mumbai: Investigators have found out about US terror suspect David Headley's frequent visits to a golf course here which is often visited by western diplomats and socialites, with whom he had struck a rapport.
According to sources privy to the investigations, the 49-year-old American national, arrested from Chicago airport and currently in FBI custody, spent considerable time at the Golf course and the National Investigation Agency is now recording the statement of witnesses.
Some of the witnesses told investigators that Headley had long chats in the club with western diplomats and the "friendship" started with learning basics of golf. He had purchased a golf kit ostensibly to pick up the elite sport but authorities now believe this was perhaps a cover to get to know diplomats and business personalities who frequented the club, the sources said.
A well known socialite of the city was also undergoing questioning for several hours by the NIA to find out more about how Headley, known as Daood Gilani till he changed name in 2006 to avoid any suspicion, was successful in getting friendly with some diplomats, the sources said.
The probe agency is working on filing the chargesheet against Headley and his close associate Tawahhur Rana by the month end.
Tharoor says media misreported his remarks on Nehru
An angry Minister of State for External Affairs Shashi Tharoor on Sunday hit out at the media claiming that they had misreported his remarks on Jawaharlal Nehru and demanded that they issue a correction.
He said that as chairman of the seminar organised by the Indian Council of World Affairs, he had only made an honest summary of London School of Economics professor Lord Bhikhu Parekh's hour-long speech on "India's Place in the World".
He also noted that Parkeh had suggested that India export its values and systems to the world. Tharoor said that in his intervention, he had "very gently and politely disagreed with Lord Parekh".
Asked whether Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had spoken to him following the media reports, he refused to divulge as to who had talked to him.
"Yes, I have spoken to a number of people who are disturbed about this type of press reporting. There are some press reports that are less tendentious. But as far as I am concerned this is my view of the matter and I have shared this view with those I have spoken to," Tharoor said.
He said that it was against his principle to divulge any privileged communication. On whether External Affairs Minister S M Krishna had ticked him off on his comments on changes in visa rules, Tharoor said, "I know what the minister told me and do not go by news reports of what he was supposed to have told me."
Indian Business News
Google apologises to Chinese writers over book flap
Beijing: Internet giant Google has issued a public apology to Chinese writers and admitted that it scanned books under Chinese copyright for its Google Books digital library project.
Hartmann also appeared on Chinese state-run television today acknowledging the practice of scanning books had angered Chinese writers.
"Through the discussions and communications of recent months, it is our understanding that our communications with Chinese writers have not been good enough," Hartmann's written statement said.
"Google is willing to apologise to Chinese authors."
According to the China Written Works Copyright Society, tens of thousands of books by hundreds of Chinese authors have been added to Google Books, the US giant's project to digitize books and post them online.
The project has also raised objections from authors and publishers in the United States, France, Germany and elsewhere.
The China Written Works Copyright Society is in talks with Google to try to resolve outstanding copyright issues and agree terms for compensation, but Chinese writers have so far refused Google's offers.
IBM to scale up India ops; to hire 5,000
Mumbai: Betting big on the India story, global IT giant IBM plans to scale up its BPO operations in the country and would hire 5,000 staff this year.
IBM is bullish on the growth prospect of the services sector in the domestic economy, which ranges from software- related services to looking after the HR aspects of some core manufacturing companies, Mascarenhas said.
The IT major has decided to scale up its outsourcing operations in India at a time when many global companies, hit by the financial turmoil, have downsized their outsourcing contracts.
At present, IBM has BPO facilities in major cities like Mumbai, Hyderabad, Pune, Gurgaon and Kolkata. Rather than moving to smaller cities, IBM would prefer to expand its existing centres by opening new units, he said.
Owing to the challenging market conditions, IBM did not hire in India last year. But despite the adverse scenario, there were no lay offs either in India, Mascarenhas said.
"The hiring process has already started, but on a slow note. Last year we didn't recruit or lay off anybody. In certain cases, some probationers were not confirmed," Mascarenhas said.
Yamaha to launch scooters in India
New Delhi: Japanese two-wheeler maker Yamaha said it will introduce scooters in the Indian market in order to tap the potential in segment.
The company is currently conducting a feasibility study on the scooter market, which is expected to be complete by the middle of this year.
"We are studying the market to enter the scooter segment, but we have not finalised the product line yet. However, one thing is sure that we will launch scooters in India," India Yamaha Motor National Business Head Pankaj Dubey said at the 10th Auto Expo here.
The feasibility study is focusing on areas such as the model to be introduced and possible timeframe of launching the product in the country, he added.
"We are evaluating whether a model from our existing global scooter portfolio will be launched here or a completely new product will be developed for the Indian market," he said, adding that the company is also evaluating whether Yamaha would focus on premium or mass market product.
The Indian two-wheeler market comprises about 80 lakh units per annum, of which over 75 per cent is constituted by motorcycles.
Indian Sports News
Lanka bundled out for 213
Mirpur: Zaheer Khan and Amit Mishra shared six wickets between them as India skittled out Sri Lanka for 213 in the ongoing cricket tri-series match here on Sunday.
Earlier, his side already through to the final, Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara elected to bat as he wanted his side to bowl with the wet ball in the evening dew to prepare for any such eventuality in the summit clash.
But most of the Sri Lankan top-order batsmen, except for Sangakkara, were unwilling to stay put at the wicket and decided to slog early on. The rash shots and poor communication between their batsmen meant Sri Lanka were in trouble with five batsmen back at the hut by the 14th over at 66 in front of a handful of spectators at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium.
Sangakkara top-scored with a 78-ball 68 while rookie Suraj Randiv, who made his debut in the ODI series against India last month, contributed with a valuable 76-ball 56, his maiden half century.
The seventh wicket partnership of 59 runs off 70 balls between Sangakkara and Randiv and the 69-run stand between Thilan Thushara and Randiv for the eighth wicket from 83 balls were mainly responsible for the Sri Lankan score.
Togo wants to play in Cup to honor dead
Cbinda, Angola: The Togo soccer team will take part in the African Cup of Nations to honor those killed in a shooting attack on the team bus, an African soccer official said on Sunday.
Confederation of African Football spokesman Kodzo Samlan told The Associated Press that he spoke to the players and "they confirmed they want to play."
"The players understood that they had to play - to honor the dead," he said.
Some members of the Togo team, as well as the Togo government, had given earlier indications that the squad would withdraw from the tournament after three people were killed and eight injured in an ambush on Friday.
However Samlan - who is from Togo - said by telephone from Benguela, Angola, that the team was awaiting approval from the Togo government to remain.
Friday's ambush killed an assistant coach, a team spokesperson and the bus driver, according to the team and the Togo government. Eight others were wounded.
Togo's goalkeeper Kodjovi "Dodji" Obilale was shot in the lower back in the attack, flown to South Africa and taken into surgery almost immediately at Johannesburg's Netcare Milpark Hospital.
On Sunday, doctors said it was too soon to discuss the prospects for Obilale who remains in intensive care after surgery. Ken Boffard, a trauma specialist caring for Obilale, said the 25-year-old Obilale, who also plays for French club Pontivy, was "extremely fit and has very good resistance. So, it's very much in his favor that he is an athlete." Milpark doctors said they had sent a team to transport another injured person to South Africa, but that that person had died by the time the South Africans landed.
Valentino Rossi wants Moto GP in India
New Delhi: Considered the fastest man on two wheels, nine-time MotoGP world champion biker Valentino Rossi wants to strut his stuff in India too if the country hosts a Grand Prix in future.
The Italian, who has an astonishing 103 race wins under his belt, is on his maiden trip to India and is game for racing in the country if MotoGP comes here.
"Racing in a Grand Prix in India, well I hope to, if there is one in India," Rossi, one of the highest earning sportspersons in the world, told reporters at a promotional event for his Moto GP team Yamaha here.
"This is my first trip to India and I am very surprised that people recognise me. It feels great and the experience has been wonderful," the 30-year-old added.
Just two days into his trip and Rossi said he has been left quite amazed by the traffic in the capital.
"There is lot of traffic and confusion. Actually, it's interesting. With this kind of traffic, I think people should use more bikes because it will be easier to negotiate the routes," he quipped.
Rossi also had a few tips on road safety for bikers in India.
"I always use the bike to go around in Italy and I always wear a helmet. I say, concentrate hard when you are driving a bike, don't think of other things and be attentive to what is happening around you. Care for fellow bikers and others on the road, it's very important," he said.
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