India Today| Top Stories

Voting for second phase of Gujarat Assembly polls today, Modi in fray

News

Dec 162012

Kristen Stewart feels snubbed by Golden Globes

Stewart reportedly feels disrespected that she wasn’t nominated for a Golden Globe award.

Celebs paint the town pink!

A bevy of celebrities put on their running shoes for Pinkathon, a race for breast cancer awareness.

Salman-Sonakshi pump up mush in new Dabangg 2 song

Chulbul Pandey and Rajjo romance in the latest song of Dabangg 2.

Casablanca piano fetches over $ 600,000

The piano used for the song As Times Goes By in the classic 1942 film was sold to an unidentified buyer.

Kareena, Rani at cold war?

Kareena Kapoor and Rani Mukerji have started avoiding each other at public events.

Esha Deol wishes luck to Katrina for Dhoom 3

“I wish Katrina lives up to the expectations that comes with the Dhoom tag,” said Esha.

Pop star Kelly Clarkson gets engaged

Kelly got engaged to her boyfriend Brandon Blackstock. She shared her joy with her fans on Twitter.

Sonam goes Santa Claus way!

Sonam Kapoor will auction some of her clothes online for charity this Christmas.

Shah Rukh gets BrandLaureate Legendary Award

The actor has received the award for his contribution to the Hindi film industry.

After wedding gown Sarah Burton’s eyes on maternity wear for Kate

Sarah hopes that she will design maternity wear for Kate.

Ranveer’s new leaner and meaner look

In Dec issue of Men’s Health Ranveer has shown how one can stretch the limits of human body.

Priyanka promotes In My City

PC played DJ in various clubs in Mumbai to promote her single.

2012 styles that made our heads turn

Every year fashion offers up the good, the bad and the ugly.

Check out Sanjay Dutt’s look in Zanjeer

The actor will be seen in short hair and a stylish beard for his role as Sher Khan in Zanjeer.

Ekta Kapoor accused of insulting senior citizen

She is being accused on a micro-blogging site for misbehaving with a senior citizen.

Salman’s treat to Dabangg cops!

Policemen, who have been appreciated for meritorious services will watch Dabangg 2 with Salman.

Preview: Meet the love birds Akaash Vani

Pyaar Ka Punchnama producer Abhishek Pathak and director Luv Ranjan are back with another comedy.

It’s a baby boy for supermodel Marisa Miller

Marisa and her husband Griffin Guess welcomed a baby boy.

Being Dabangg: In conversation with Salman, Sonakshi

Salman, Sonakshi get candid about Dabangg and more.

Film on Mary Kom is challeging for Priyanka

“There is a lot of training going on for it. I hope I can pull it off,” PC said.

Arbaaz, Neha, Chitrangada on board airport Metro line

All three travelled in the shut Metro line while shooting for a commercial.

Be a Santa for needy this Christmas!

How about becoming Santa for the underprivileged this festive season?

Talaash enters Rs.100 crore club

The film has made it to the Rs. 100 crore club. The film has raked in Rs.131.78 crore worldwide.

Movie review: Red Dawn

Hollywood often needs a new enemy nation to keep the action gimmick going.

Arjun plays Chitrangada’s boss in Inkaar

The trailer of Sudhir Mishra’s film on sexual harassment at work place, Inkaar, is out.

She’s married! Vidya Balan is now Mrs Siddharth Roy Kapur

‘Kahaani’ and ‘Dirty Picture’ star Vidya Balan married in Bandra.

US prisoner plotted to kill Justin Bieber

The man was angry at Bieber because he didn’t respond to any of his letters.

First Look: Meet David aka Neil Nitin Mukesh!

The trailer of David is out. Directed by Bejoy Nambiar, the film stars Neil Nitin Mukesh.

Arjun-Parineeti to go ‘Jhalla Wallah’ this New Year

The two will set the stage on fire with their performances on December 31, 2012.

Sonam’s friends go gaga over Farhan

Sonam received many calls from her friends, when she changed picture on her BBM to that of Farhan.

Midnight’s Children cleared without cuts

Deepa Mehta’s film has been cleared by the Central Board of Film Certification and without any cuts.

Behind the scenes of Fevicol Se song from Dabangg 2

Take a look at what went into the making of Kareena’s latest item song- Fevicol se from Dabangg 2.

Sonakshi excited to taste ‘Namak’ with Shahid

Sonakshi says viewers should look forward to a lot of dance in Namak.

Making of a ‘Dabangg’ commercial

Bollywood superstar Salman Khan was spotted shooting for an aerated drink commercial.

Rekha at Vidya’s mehendi

Rekha was the only Bollywood celebrity, who was seen at Vidya’s mehendi ceremony on Dec 12.

Who will win Golden Globe Awards?

Daniel Day-Lewis, Helen Mirren and Robert De Niro are among the strong contenders.

Lindsay Lohan headed back to jail again

Lohan was not in court, but will have to appear before the bench Jan 15.

When the clock struck 12.12 on 12.12.12

India Today surfers captured their historic 12.12.12 moment. Here’s a look.

Ek Tha Tiger most searched movie

According to Google Zeitgeist, Ek Tha Tiger was followed by Rowdy Rathore.

Oscars: Nominations for Best Song are….

Adele’s Skyfall makes the list, while The Black Keys’ Baddest Man Alive are also among the favourites.

Avatar was my idea: James Cameron

James Cameron has fired back at an artist who accused him of stealing the plot.

Britney Spears highest earning female musician

Though she didn’t release any album this year, Spears managed to earn an estimated $58 million.

Why is Veena Malik losing sleep?

Veena said she was losing sleep owing to her packed schedule.

Guns N’ Roses dedicate concert to Pt Ravi Shankar

Pt Ravi Shankar is also called the Godfather of world music.

Anne Hathaway devastated by wardrobe malfunction

She was climbing out of her car when she accidentally exposed her private parts.

Vidya-Siddharth’s pre-wedding bash

Vidya and Siddharth made their first-ever public appearance at their pre-wedding bash.

Pt. Ravi Shankar to receive lifetime Grammy

He would receive the award posthumous on Feb 10 at the 55th Grammy Awards ceremony in LA.

A film on angry birds now!

Rovio Entertainment has confirmed that a big screen adaptation for the game is officially in development.

SOS vs JTHJ after effects: SRK snaps ties with Eros

SRK and Eros have worked together in Ra.One and Om Shanti Om.

Pt Ravi Shankar’s influence on Beatles

Pt Ravi Shankar taught sitar to Beatles’ George Harrison.

Lisa Ray turns good samaritan!

Lisa Ray is all set to put her extravagant wedding saree under the hammer for charity.

Rajinikanth, the boss of entertainment

Some visuals from Rajinikanth’s movies like Endhiran, Chandramukhi.

WH Survey: Look great naked!

Are you body confident? Take the exclusive body-image survey and be surprised!

Get a makeover like Kareena this winter

In a first-of-its-kind contest winners will get their favourite Kareena look through a makeover.

A tribute to Pandit Ravi Shankar

The legendary sitar maestro passed away in San Diego, US, on December 12, 2012.

Bollywood mourns Pandit Ravi Shankar’s death

Bollywood celebrities took to twitter and expressed their grief over his demise.

Jennifer Aniston fuels pregnancy rumours

Aniston has fuelled rumours that she is pregnant, after she was seen wearing an oversized coat.

Vidya Balan’s mehendi pics

Vidya-Siddharth wedding to be held on Dec 14.

Aamir, Kareena, Rani celebrate Talaash success

Aamir, Kareena and Rani partied along with family and friends to celebrate the success of Talaash.

Ritu Beri: ‘First idiot’ of Indian fashion!

Ritu Beri calls herself “the first idiot” who got up and followed her dreams in the world of fashion.

Price paid for being in love: Father chops off daughter’s head in Bareilly in honour killing case, surrenders later

News

Dec 162012

In another case of honour killing , a 17-year-old girl was beheaded by her father in Uttar Pradesh’s Bareilly district on Saturday night. After chopping off her head, the father Raghunandan Dhobi, surrendered in the police station.

The heinous crime was committed in full public view in a busy market of Dharaura village which falls under Izzatnagar police station. The superintendent of police, Shiv Sagar Singh said, “The father has been arrested and the weapon used in murder has also been recovered. We are waiting for post-mortem report of the deceased.”

According to the reports, the boy, Rajiv, has also been missing since December 10.

Reacting to the gruesome act, Rajiv’s father Khubchand Chauhan said, “The incident took place because of mishandling of the case by the police. If they would have dealt with the case more sensitively, Usha could have been saved. My son Rajiv and Usha had tried to elope on December 9, but the police caught them. My son was later arrested because of a complaint filed by the girl’s father.”

“Usha was aware about my son’s missing status ever since he was released on bail the day after his arrest. The girl must have been aware of what happened to Rajiv and that’s why her father decided to commit this heinous crime,” claimed Chauhan.

Confirming the incident as honour killing, village chief Ladaiti Devi said, “After killing his daughter, Raghunandan came to my house and went to the police station along with my son Jasveer. He was against this marriage because he belonged to the Dhobi caste while Rajiv is Khagi-Rajput.

Saran Lal, village watchman who has filed an FIR against the killing said, “The entire village knew about the relationship between Usha and Rajiv. Usha had turned rebellious and declared that she would marry Rajiv only.”

Time has come for India to have lobbying law like in US, says Manish Tewari

News

Dec 162012

Against the backdrop of the Walmart lobbying issue, union I&B Minister Manish Tewari on Sunday said time has come for India to have a law modelled on the lines of Lobbying Disclosures Act in the US.

Tewari said any such regulation should make it compulsory for political lobbyists to be registered and make periodic disclosures of amount spent.

The Information and Broadcasting Minister said he was making the suggestion in an “individual capacity.”

“Time has come. We need to put in place a statutory architecture, which makes these declarations essentials, even legislators, MPs and people in the executive, if they have in the past or continue to represent a particular company or a group of company, that interest must be declared even before they participate in a debate,” Tewari told Karan Thapar’s ‘Devil’s Advocate’ programme on CNN-IBN.

Tewari made these remarks in response to questions on the Walmart lobbying issue.

At the same time, he sought to make a difference between lobbying and illegal gratification.

“How can you be certain that lobbying automatically translates into illegal gratification? There is nothing to suggest either in jurisprudence or otherwise that the term lobbying is synonymous with illegal gratification. It could it equally couldn’t be. Therefore, an inquiry will bring out the facts and Govt has agreed to inquiry,” Tewari said.

Tewari said that law will take its own course if investigations establish that there has been any violation by the US global retail giant in its attempts to gain entry into the Indian market.

He also said it was not proper to make any judgement one way or the either before probe is completed.

“If at all any investigation does conclusively establish that there has been a violation of the Indian laws….law will take its own course,” he added.

Tewari at the same time repeatedly cautioned against “innuendos and insinuations” till an inquiry is completed.

He said Government has already announced a probe by a former judge into the allegations of Walmart spending money on lobbying to get entry into Indian market and that now “the inquiry commission should be allowed to come to its independent conclusion.

The minister also hit out at Bharatiya Janata Party over the issue alleging that the opposition party has “reversed criminal jurisprudence on its head”.

Outrage in Kashmir over death of newborns due to hospital’s negligence

News

Dec 162012

Two new-born babies, who were on baby warmers at the district hospital in Baramulla in North Kashmir, died last night as hospital authorities refused to start generator after electricity supply to the hospital went off.

The incident has caused outrage in the Valley prompting the health authorities to order a high-level probe.

The probe committee, headed by the deputy director Heath Services Kashmir, has been directed to submit the report on Monday, December 17.

The infants, soon after their birth on Friday, were kept on baby warmers in the newly set up Special Newborn Care Unit (SNCU), in the hospital. They were suffering from asphyxia.

The relatives of the infants said that on Saturday evening electricity to the hospital went off.

They said the hospital authorities did not bother to start the generator for at least four hours leading to the death of both the neonates.

At present, Kashmir Valley is reeling under severe cold and temperature in the evening dips to minus two degrees.

“We pleaded with hospital authorities that they should start the generator but they remained unmoved. We saw our babies dying but couldn’t do anything,” said one of the relatives of the infants.

Sources said the directorate of health services had sent three nurses to New Delhi for special training to operate SNCU.

However, after their posting in the hospital, the nurses would take their duty casually. On Saturday evening, none of the three trained nurses was in the ward, sources said.

The director, health services, Dr. Saleem-ur-Rehman said that the allegations were serious.

“They say the babies died after electricity went off and the generator was not started. We have constituted a team to probe the incident. The team will submit its report on Monday and we will act upon the report,” the director said.

Islamists claim victory in Egypt constitutional referendum, rights groups cry foul

News

Dec 162012

Key Egyptian rights groups called on Sunday for a repeat of the first round of the constitutional referendum, alleging the vote was marred by widespread violations.

Islamists who back the disputed charter claimed they were in the lead with a majority of “yes” votes.

Representatives of the seven groups charged that there was insufficient supervision by judges in Saturday’s vote in 10 of Egypt’s 27 provinces and independent monitors were prevented from witnessing vote counts.

The representatives told a news conference that they had reports of individuals falsely identifying themselves as judges, of women prevented from voting and that members of Islamist President Mohammed Morsi’s Muslim Brotherhood were allowed inside polling stations.

They also complained that some polling centers closed earlier than scheduled and that Christians were denied entry to polling stations.

“We call on the election commission to avoid these violations in the second round and repeat the first round,” said a statement by the seven groups.

Egyptian women

Egyptians women wait in line to cast their votes outside a polling station.

“The vote counting took place in darkness,” said Negad Borai, the head of one of the groups. He alleged the election commission did not investigate thousands of complaints on alleged violations and irregularities.

The second and final round of voting on the charter is planned for Saturday, December 22.

The vote capped a near two-year struggle over Egypt’s identity since the ouster of longtime leader Hosni Mubarak.

The latest crisis over the charter evolved into a fight- deadly at times- over whether Egypt should move toward a religious state under Morsi’s Brotherhood and their ultraconservative Salafi allies, or one that retains secular traditions and an Islamic character.

Egyptians

Egyptians talk as they enjoy the view of the Nile river on a bridge leading to Tahrir Square in Cairo.

Underlining the tension, some 120,000 army troops were deployed to help the police protect polling stations and state institutions after clashes between Morsi’s supporters and opponents over the past three weeks left at least 10 people dead and about 1,000 wounded.

Some voters on Saturday said the presumed supervising judge at their polling centers refused to show them official documents to certify that they were indeed a judge.

Others said some polling centers closed hours ahead of the 11 p.m. cut-off.

Others complained of suspected members of the Brotherhood whispering to voters inside polling stations to vote “yes.” And some voters alleged some of the supervising judges were influencing voters to choose “yes.”

A group of women in Alexandria claimed the judge in their polling center was stalling to stop them from voting.

The violations reported by monitors included polling centers collecting votes without judges to oversee the process, civil employees illegally replacing the judges, ballot papers not officially stamped as per regulations, campaigning inside polling stations and Christian voters being turned away.

Egyptian girls

Egyptians girls show their inked fingers after casting their votes at a polling station.

The allegations of widespread violations came only hours after the Brotherhood claimed a majority of Egyptians who voted on the proposed Islamist-backed constitution have approved the document with a majority of about 57 percent.

Turnout was unofficially estimated at around 32 percent- which if confirmed would be far lower than the presidential or parliamentary elections following Mubarak’s fall.

Official results are not expected until after the second round.

The Brotherhood, which has in the past accurately predicted election results, relied on vote tallies collected by its activists at the individual polling stations across the country.

If the constitution is approved by a simple majority of voters, the Islamists empowered after the overthrow of Mubarak would gain more clout.

The upper house of parliament, dominated by Islamists, would be given the authority to legislate until a new lower house is elected.

If the draft proposal is rejected, elections would be held within three months for a new panel to write a new constitution. In the meantime, legislative powers would remain with Morsi, who won the presidency in June.

The official website of Egypt’s state television reported that 68 and 72 percent of voters cast “no” ballots in Cairo and Alexandria respectively, Egypt’s two largest cities.

The only other two provinces where the “no” vote won the majority were Gharbiyah and Daqahliya in the Nile Delta, north of Cairo.

The Brotherhood and other Islamists enjoy wide support in most of the 17 provinces voting on December 22, something that could work in favor of the “yes” vote.

Egyptian women

Egyptian women outside a polling station to cast their votes on a constitution referendum.

But the Islamists led by the Brotherhood are widely thought to have lost some of their popularity because of the perception that Morsi and the Islamist-backed government of Prime Minister Hesham Kandil have failed to resolve any of the country’s major problems such as high unemployment, rising prices and security.

Egyptians are bracing for a wide range of steep price hikes as part of the government’s program to boost revenues and restructure the economy to secure a $4.8 billion loan from the International Monetary Fund.

Last week, Egypt delayed the request for the loan after Morsi rescinded tax hikes a day after he imposed them, fearing this would only add to political turmoil.

There were no serious incidents of violence during Saturday’s vote.

And although there was no evidence of mass fraud, monitors from the opposition and rights groups said the boycott of the referendum by most judges was reflected in the chaos prevailing in some polling centers.

GMR seeks over $800 million for scrapping airport deal, Maldives insists on forensic audit

News

Dec 162012

Indian infrastructure firm GMR will seek a compensation of over USD 800 million from Maldives for the termination of its airport deal here but Male is insisting on a “forensic audit” as it feels the actual amount would be less than half.

“We have sent a letter to the Maldivian government indicating a number of more than USD 800 million as compensation amount. This is our initial estimate. The final figure would be based upon various calculations, loss of profit among others,” GMR (Airports) CFO Sidharath Kapur said.

The Maldivian government, however, debunked the calculations and insisted on getting a forensic audit done through an international firm.

“We will go in for a forensic audit as we want to see how much money has poured in to GMR coffers through the Male International Airport and how much actual money has been spent here. As per our information, GMR has cashed in only USD 150 million of the about USD 350 loan it had bagged through a bank,” Maldives President Mohamed Waheed’s press secretary Masood Imad said.

Asked if GMR is open to a forensic audit, Kapur said, “Our books are transparent. The concession agreement signed with Maldives government did not have the clause of forensic audit. Having said that, I must add that we don’t have any objection to an audit but it has to come through proper legal process”.

Sources in the Maldivian government say that the compensation amount, as per their calculations, should come to about a lower limit of USD 150 million and an upper limit of USD 350 million.

“We will present our case before the Singapore Court and let them take the call,” a source said.

The USD 500 million airport project contract awarded to GMR for modernising and operating the Ibrahim Nasir International Airport (INIA), signed in 2010 during the previous regime of Mohamed Nasheed, was “unilaterally” terminated by the current government on November 27.

The airport was taken over by the Maldives Airports Company Limited after a high-voltage legal tussle in which GMR had initially got a stay order on the termination from the Singapore High Court.

However, the Singapore Supreme Court ruled on November 6, a day before the notice period expired, that Maldives has the power to take over the airport on November 6.

Replying to a query if GMR is not welcome in Maldives anymore, Masood said, “We don’t have anything against GMR. We had objection to the contract that was signed under dubious conditions. We will in the future initiate a lot of infrastructure projects and GMR is welcome to bid for it.”

However, sources in the know said that the “unlawful” termination of the contract sends a “negative signal” to foreign investors, a stand taken by Indian government too.

“It now feels that any contract signed with a particular regime can be scrapped when a new government comes in. It is a risky proposition,” a source said.

Asked if Maldives will seek fresh bids for the modernisation and the operations of the airport, Imad said the cabinet has given the nod to set up a new company called Maldives International Airport Limited that will takeover from MACL. However, he added the structure of MIAL is yet to be finalised.

Refuting the allegations that the move to terminate the contract was a political one to whip up emotions before the elections next year, Imad said, “Protests against the contract have been taking place since the first day it was signed by Nasheed. There were regular protests and marches happening”.

He added, “We had a set of issues that needed to be looked into after we came to power. We are tackling them one by one and airport issue was one of them. We consulted reputed international law firms and they agreed with us that the contract was not valid. It is only then we terminated”.

“The President has not even said if he might or might not run for Presidency. It is completely wrong to say that it was done for political mileage. We are only setting the wrong done by Nasheed right,” he added.

After Sheila Diskhit’s opposition, Antony says India Gate the right place to build war memorial

News

Dec 162012

India Gate is the right place to build a national war memorial, Defence Minister A K Antony on Sunday said, against the backdrop of opposition by Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit to the proposal.

“As far as we are concerned, this (India Gate) is the place to have a war memorial. We are very clear,” he told reporters after laying wreath at the Amar Jawan Jyoti to commemorate the 41st anniversary of the Indian victory in the 1971 war with Pakistan.

The Defence Minister was asked to react to the separate letters written by the Delhi Chief Minister opposing the construction of war memorial at the India Gate.

He said after long years of efforts, a Group of Ministers (GoM) set up by Prime Minister and the three Services chiefs had agreed to set up the war memorial here.

“Before taking the proposal to the Cabinet (for approval), the Urban Development Ministry has written to all the stakeholders to seek their comments and views. But I am sure that we will be able to clinch the issue,” Antony said when asked if Dikshit’s letter may delay the process of building the war memorial at the India Gate complex.

India Gate

In separate letters to Antony, Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde and Urban Development Minister Kamal Nath, she has said that an alternative site should be found for the memorial.

Dikshit said India Gate is the only popular hangout place for people of the city and coming up of the memorial there would restrict movement of people in the area due to security reasons, top sources said.

She has said that setting up of the memorial would also affect the ambience of the area.

The armed forces have been demanding a war memorial in the national capital to honour their men who made supreme sacrifice in various wars, conflicts and militancy-related incidents in Jammu and Kashmir and the northeast.

The Defence Ministry has been pushing for construction of the memorial near India Gate which is a memorial for soldiers killed in action during the First World War.

In view of the demand of the armed forces, the government had set up the GoM in 2009 which was headed by Pranab Mukherjee before he became the President.

In reply to a query on the proposals cleared by the Cabinet to enhance pensions of ex-servicemen, Antony said the orders in this regard would be issued by next month which would enhance their pension by Rs 2,300 crore.” “Five orders are to be issued of which three have been cleared by the Finance Ministry. I think we would be able to issue all the orders by new year. Government has twice enhanced the pension at the cost of Rs 4,500 crore in the recent past,” he noted.

Rs 600 per month enough to support a family of five, says Sheila Dikshit

News

Dec 162012

Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit has argued that Rs 600 – the cash subsidy- was adequate for buying the monthly “dal, roti and chawal” for a poor family of around five.

Launching the UPA’s new food security scheme Dilli Annashree Yojna on Saturday, Dikshit said, “In Rs 600, he would get dal, rice and wheat. A family of five can easily complete their needs.”

Sheila Dikshit and Nandan Nilekani

Sheila Dikshit with Nandan Nilekani during the launch of the service

Under the scheme, Rs 600 per month would be transferred directly to the Aadhaar-linked bank accounts of the senior-most women member of poor families.

The beneficiaries of the scheme need not be below poverty line(BPL) or Antodaya Anna Yojana(AAY) card holders. However, they must hold an Aadhaar Unique Identification(UID) card, the official added.

A total of Rs 4,800 will be deposited per account, as the scheme, which was announced in city’s budget 2012-13, will be effective from April 1, 2012.

The Delhi government has tied up with the six major banks to implement the scheme.

Sheila Dikshit, Sonia Gandhi and Nandan Nilekani

Sonia Gandhi, Sheila Dikshit and Nandan Nilekani giving away an Aadhar-enabled card in New Delhi.

Meanwhile, Dikshit’s statement has left the Opposition aghast.

BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said, “Hundred years back, people may be able to meet their needs in 600. But, in the present age when you don’t even get a single meal in Rs 600, the Congress is insulting the poor by launching such schemes.”

Yoga Guru Baba Ramdev also criticised the statement saying, “I would want to say that Rahul Gandhi’s single meal’s worth would be more than 600.”

Sheila Dikshit, Sonia Gandhi and Nandan Nilekani

Sonia Gandhi, Sheila Dikshit and Nandan Nilekani during the launch of ‘Dilli Annashree Yojana’.

Earlier on Saturday, Congress president Sonia Gandhi launched the Delhi government’s food security programme for two lakh poor families that are not getting benefits under other welfare schemes.

“The Delhi government’s move is an important step in the direction of becoming a hunger-free state,” Gandhi said.

-With Agency inputs

Rahul slams Modi for ‘politics of anger’; says turn to ‘love’

News

Dec 152012

Check out Sanjay Dutt’s look in Zanjeer

The actor will be seen in short hair and a stylish beard for his role as Sher Khan in Zanjeer.

Ekta Kapoor accused of insulting senior citizen

She is being accused on a micro-blogging site for misbehaving with a senior citizen.

Salman’s treat to Dabangg cops!

Policemen, who have been appreciated for meritorious services will watch Dabangg 2 with Salman.

Preview: Meet the love birds Akaash Vani

Pyaar Ka Punchnama producer Abhishek Pathak and director Luv Ranjan are back with another comedy.

Talaash enters Rs.100 crore club

The film has made it to the Rs. 100 crore club. The film has raked in Rs.131.78 crore worldwide.

It’s a baby boy for supermodel Marisa Miller

Marisa and her husband Griffin Guess welcomed a baby boy.

Being Dabangg: In conversation with Salman, Sonakshi

Salman, Sonakshi get candid about Dabangg and more.

Film on Mary Kom is challeging for Priyanka

“There is a lot of training going on for it. I hope I can pull it off,” PC said.

Arbaaz, Neha, Chitrangada on board airport Metro line

All three travelled in the shut Metro line while shooting for a commercial.

Be a Santa for needy this Christmas!

How about becoming Santa for the underprivileged this festive season?

Movie review: Red Dawn

Hollywood often needs a new enemy nation to keep the action gimmick going.

Arjun plays Chitrangada’s boss in Inkaar

The trailer of Sudhir Mishra’s film on sexual harassment at work place, Inkaar, is out.

She’s married! Vidya Balan is now Mrs Siddharth Roy Kapur

‘Kahaani’ and ‘Dirty Picture’ star Vidya Balan married in Bandra.

US prisoner plotted to kill Justin Bieber

The man was angry at Bieber because he didn’t respond to any of his letters.

First Look: Meet David aka Neil Nitin Mukesh!

The trailer of David is out. Directed by Bejoy Nambiar, the film stars Neil Nitin Mukesh.

Arjun-Parineeti to go ‘Jhalla Wallah’ this New Year

The two will set the stage on fire with their performances on December 31, 2012.

Sonam’s friends go gaga over Farhan

Sonam received many calls from her friends, when she changed picture on her BBM to that of Farhan.

Midnight’s Children cleared without cuts

Deepa Mehta’s film has been cleared by the Central Board of Film Certification and without any cuts.

Behind the scenes of Fevicol Se song from Dabangg 2

Take a look at what went into the making of Kareena’s latest item song- Fevicol se from Dabangg 2.

Sonakshi excited to taste ‘Namak’ with Shahid

Sonakshi says viewers should look forward to a lot of dance in Namak.

Making of a ‘Dabangg’ commercial

Bollywood superstar Salman Khan was spotted shooting for an aerated drink commercial.

Rekha at Vidya’s mehendi

Rekha was the only Bollywood celebrity, who was seen at Vidya’s mehendi ceremony on Dec 12.

Who will win Golden Globe Awards?

Daniel Day-Lewis, Helen Mirren and Robert De Niro are among the strong contenders.

Lindsay Lohan headed back to jail again

Lohan was not in court, but will have to appear before the bench Jan 15.

When the clock struck 12.12 on 12.12.12

India Today surfers captured their historic 12.12.12 moment. Here’s a look.

Ek Tha Tiger most searched movie

According to Google Zeitgeist, Ek Tha Tiger was followed by Rowdy Rathore.

Oscars: Nominations for Best Song are….

Adele’s Skyfall makes the list, while The Black Keys’ Baddest Man Alive are also among the favourites.

Avatar was my idea: James Cameron

James Cameron has fired back at an artist who accused him of stealing the plot.

Britney Spears highest earning female musician

Though she didn’t release any album this year, Spears managed to earn an estimated $58 million.

Why is Veena Malik losing sleep?

Veena said she was losing sleep owing to her packed schedule.

Guns N’ Roses dedicate concert to Pt Ravi Shankar

Pt Ravi Shankar is also called the Godfather of world music.

Anne Hathaway devastated by wardrobe malfunction

She was climbing out of her car when she accidentally exposed her private parts.

Vidya-Siddharth’s pre-wedding bash

Vidya and Siddharth made their first-ever public appearance at their pre-wedding bash.

Pt. Ravi Shankar to receive lifetime Grammy

He would receive the award posthumous on Feb 10 at the 55th Grammy Awards ceremony in LA.

A film on angry birds now!

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Ponty shootout case: Delhi BJP seeks inclusion of Congress ministers’ names in FIR as co-accused

News

Dec 152012

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP ) on Friday demanded that Delhi ministers Arvinder Singh Lovely and Haroon Yusuf be named as co-accused in the FIR registered in the Chhatarpur farmhouse shootout, which killed businessman Ponty Chadha and his brother Hardeep Singh, last month.

The party also demanded a judicial inquiry into the links of Lovely and Yusuf with Hardeep.

Two days after a MAIL TODAY investigation revealed the details of the telephonic communication between Hardeep and the two ministers on the day of the shootout and before that, the BJP upped the ante against the Delhi Congress, demanding the immediate resignation of the two cabinet ministers.

Four BJP MLAs flashed copies of the report in the assembly on Friday and sought a discussion on the issue.

“It is a serious issue and we have to know what links the two ministers had with Ponty and Hardeep Chadha. This matter is more important. Other issues can be discussed later,” Sat Prakash Rana, BJP MLA from Bijwasan, said.

“The call records show that the two ministers were constantly in touch with Hardeep. We doubt that Hardeep’s company had got a contract for cluster buses from the transport department because of his equation with the ministers,” said Sunil Vaidya, BJP MLA from Trilokpuri, who raised the issue in the Assembly along with Moti Nagar MLA Subhash Sachdeva and Dwarka legislator Pradyuman Rajput.

Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit refrained from commenting on the case. “I can’t launch an investigation into the matter. The investigation agencies are doing their job,” she said.

Demanding police action against the two ministers, state BJP president Vijender Gupta said, “They (Lovely and Yusuf) are protecting the criminals. They should be named as coaccused in the FIR.”

Gupta claimed that both the central and the Delhi government were pressurising the city Police not to interrogate Lovely and Yusuf regarding the shootout.

“Hardeep and Lovely exchanged five calls every day and even conversed minutes before the shootout. It has to be investigated. Amit Shah was interrogated by the Gujarat Police when he had exchanged only two calls,” Gupta said.

“They are part of the episode that took place at Chhatarpur on November 17 (shootout) and police should dig out the truth. We would fight till the end to unravel the truth,” Gupta added.

According to Gupta, the government tried to suppress the case but it failed because the ‘vigilant media’ exposed the entire conspiracy. He further cautioned that if both the ministers continue to hold their positions they might destroy the proof and threaten, witnesses and hamper impartial enquiry.

The BJP would raise the issue in Parliament on Monday. To build more pressure on the Delhi government, the Opposition party will organise protests at Azad Nagar Chowk and Bara Hindu Rao on Saturday.

Namdhari plea rejected

Sacked Uttarakhand minorities panel chief S.S. Namdhari’s plea for a separate vehicle to transport him from jail to the court on account of an alleged threat to his life was rejected by a Delhi court.

Sukhdev Singh Namdhari

Sukhdev Singh Namdhari, a prime accused in Ponty shootout case

Namdhari, prime accused in liquor baron Ponty Chadha’s shootout case, has been lodged in jail in connection with killing Ponty’s brother Hardeep.

The plea was moved by Namdhari on Thursday, when he was produced before the court of Metropolitan Magistrate Gaurav Rao on the expiry of his judicial custody.

Namdhari’s counsel said other under-trials attacked and injured his client on Thursday, when he was being brought to the court.

The court had on Thursday remanded Namdhari and his personal security officer Sachin Tyagi to judicial custody till December 27.

Ponty and Hardeep, who had an ongoing property dispute, were killed in a shootout at their Chhatarpur farmhouse here on November 17 afternoon, since then the police have arrested 10 people including Tyagi and Namdhari in various criminal cases linked to the incident.

The police have booked Namdhari on charges of murder. The police told the court that from the probe, it has been established that Namdhari played a vital role in the conspiracy with other co- accused, who acted on his orders.

Meanwhile, the court sent Simranjeet Singh and Jagbir Singh, members of Namdhari’s Khalsa Sena, to police custody till December 18. It is alleged that both of them helped Namdhari and Ponty gain access to the Chhatarpur farmhouse and forcibly occupy it.

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