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Gutka baron Rasik Dhariwal returns to India

     Pune (Maharashtra): Rasiklal Dhariwal, the owner of the Manikchand Group, has refused to divulge details to the media, but has confirmed that he has returned to India on the orders of the Supreme Court. Dhariwal returned from Dubai because he is wanted by the CBI for questioning in connection with an underworld case and is to appear before them on April 4. Dhariwal while talking to media persons refused to divulge any details about the case. Dhariwal also denied the charges against him. "As I had said earlier, I have come to India now. CBI has called me back. I have promised them in the court and I will go to the CBI on 4th and whatever they will ask me, I will tell the details to them only. I have nothing to do with the case,"said Dhariwal. "I have no role in this case and whatever I want to say I will say it in front of the CBI. I dont want to give any anwers to you," he added. Both Dhariwal and JM Joshi of Goa Gutka have been accused of approaching underworld don Dawood Ibrahim for settling a long- standing dispute between them. In return, Dawood is said to have got a gutka factory set up in Karachi for his brother Anis.

Trade through Nathula may be discussed with (Go To Top)

     China: Patil Gangtok: The issue of trade between India and China through the Nathula pass in Sikkim might be discussed during the forthcoming visit of the Chinese premier Wen Jiabao to India starting form April nine. Home minister Shivraj Patil Patil, who is on a visit to Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh to assess the internal security situation in the states, told this to the reporters accompanying him. He said, "When the Chinese premier comes, it (the resumption of border trade) may be discussed." The Sino-Indian agreement on resumption of border trade through Nathula in Sikkim was made when former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee visited China in 2003. The reopening of the trade route, however, was deferred after formation of the UPA government at the Centre Patil is scheduled to visit the 4790 feet high Nathula pass on Monday along with Sikkim Chief Minister Pawan Kumar Chamling and a host of senior civil and defence officials. "My visit is to see what is happening and meet the people to know their aspirations," he said. The Home minister who will hold meetings with senior ministers and state government officials today said the focus of the meetings would be on the economic development and security situation in the state. "We will see whether whatever is going on is alright or something more needs to be done," he said. Patil said the north easterns state governments would have to play a major role in the development of the region and "the centre will give whatever help it can."

Shujaat's solution to Babri problem (Go To Top)

     New Delhi: Pakistan Muslim League (PML) President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain has said that the best way to bury the ghost of the Babri Mosque demolition would be construct a temple and ask former Deputy Prime Minister and BJP President Lal Krishna Advani to inaugurate it rather than demolish existing temple for avenging the destruction of the mosque. "This is the only solution to the Babri dispute. Instead of demolishing temples to avenge the destruction of the mosque, it is better to construct a temple and ask Advani to inaugurate it," the Daily Times quoted Hussain as saying. Earlier the visiting Pakistan Muslim League delegation had invited Advani to inaugurate a temple dedicated to Luv, the son of Lord Rama. Yusuf Salahuddin had discussed the subject with Advani, during his meeting with the latter early on Wednesday, which also with the proposal receiving backing form Hussain himself. Salahuddin had said that the city of Lahore owed its name to Luv, adding that the temple located in the Lahore Fort was in ruins, with efforts being underway to renovate it. "Sultan Alauddin Khilji had last renovated the temple and it is now closed for public," Salahuddin was quoted as saying.

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