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SC asks for 'pinpoint' evidence against Kanchi seer

      New Delhi: The Supreme Court today, while hearing the Kanchi Sankaracharya's bail plea in the Sankararaman murder case, repeatedly asked the Tamil Nadu police to "pinpoint" the evidence linking the seer to the offence. Although the Bench headed by Chief Justice RC Lahoti made repeated queries in this regard, it failed to evoke much response from the counsel for the Tamil Nadu Government opposing the bail. "We only want to know whether you have a case against the Sankaracharya and if so, what are the pieces of evidence against him, apart from the motive arising from the letters written by the deceased levelling wild allegations against the pontiff," the Bench asked. Advocate KTS Tulsi, who is appearing for the Tamil Nadu Government, while handing over the case diary and other evidence, said that the prosecution has "direct evidence" linking the seer to the conspiracy to kill Sankararaman. The court proceedings are continuing.

Flights delayed, trains cancelled as fog envelopes Capital (Go To Top)

      New Delhi: Fog once again haunted the capital after remaining out of the sight for a few days. Flights were delayed even as the minimum temperature dipped to 5.6 degrees Celsius. Fog was not very strong till around six a.m., but soon after it, it gripped the city, reducing the visibility to 100 metres, informed the Meteorological Department said. An Airports Authority of India spokesman said, "Up to 0600 hours, it was all okay at the runway, when the RVR (Runway Visibility Range) was recorded at 1100 metres. But by 0615 hours, it reduced to 300 metres and went on decreasing. At around 0800 hours, the RVR was mere 150 metres." Even though the fog gripped the capital, some morning flights were able to take off by the time the fog started gathering. But after 0630 hours, flights could not take off and air services from the capital could resume only after 1000 hours, the spokesman said. Meanwhile, an international flight -- Lufthansa 762 -- landed using the CAT-3A landing system, he said. Other transport services were also affected. Rail services continued to be disrupted due to foggy conditions in north India. Six trains were cancelled and several others delayed. Kalindi Express from Delhi to Farukhabad, Unchahar Express from Ambala to Allahabad and Lal Quila Express from Delhi to Sealdah were cancelled, while Mahananda Express from Katihar to Delhi, was late by 18 hours, a Railways spokesman said.

FM clarifies on service tax (Go To Top)

     New Delhi: Speaking on the sidelines of the IRADe- IIEF conference here, Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram allayed the fears expressed by traders, who have threatened to go on a nationwide strike opposing the service tax, by saying the tax is imposed on goods transport agencies. He said, "There is no problem. Only goods transport operators have to pay the tax." The FM further elaborated that a person would have to pay the 10 per cent service tax, if the consignor or the consignee falls under one of the seven categories that have been notified. The seven categories are, factory registered under or governed by the Factories Act or company established by or under the Companies Act or corporation established by or under any law or society registered under Societies Registration Act or similar law or co-operative society established by or under any law or dealer of excisable goods, registered under the Central Excise Law or any body corporate established or a partnership firm registered by or under any law. Earlier a section of traders, led by Confederation of All India Traders threatened to go on strike, apprehending that traders may also have to pay service tax. The Ministry of Finance has already clarified that only the traders falling in one of the seven categories would be liable to pay the service tax. So, a trader will not have to pay service tax on the goods sent to another trader or any entity who is not in the seven broad categories.

Two convicted in MAMC rape case (Go To Top)

     New Delhi: Two people were today convicted in the infamous Maulana Azad Medical College (MAMC) rape case. A Delhi court convicted main accused Rahul and his accomplish Amit, in the case. On November 15, 2002, a 4th year female student of MAMC, was raped in front of her college in broad daylight. The girl was pulled by three young men inside "Khooni Darwaza", a monument just in front of MAMC in the heart of the capital. However, two of the three boys, aged 13 and 14, stood at the Šentrance of the monument while their third friend allegedly held a knife to the student's throat and raped her. After the rape, all the three fled from the spot. The raped girl managed to come out of the Khooni Darwaza with the help of a policeman, who took her to the hospital. The only clue was that the name Rahul was tattooed on the rapist's hand. A huge number of young men were interrogated and finally on November 22, 2002, the police managed to lay their hands on the person alleged to have committed the crime. Two of his alleged associates were also arrested. They later confessed to the juvenile board to have taken part in the crime, and were sent to the observation home.