Plea against Press Council Act dismissed
NEW DELHI, Nov 10 (PTI) — The Delhi High Court today dismissed a writ petition challenging the constitutional validity of the Press Council Act saying the petitioner failed to show in his prayer anything violative of the Constitution. A Division Bench, comprising Acting Chief Justice Y.K. Sabharwal and Justice K.S. Gupta said if the petitioner had any grievances against the Act the legislature was an appropriate forum for a remedy, not the court. The petition was filed by Raj Baldev, President, Small and Medium Newspapers Guild of India.

Gangsters shot
MUMBAI, Nov 10 (PTI) — In an indication of a fresh crackdown launched by the Maharashtra Government on the underworld, two members of the Chhota Rajan gang were killed in an encounter with the police here early today. They were identified as Dinesh, alias Danny Vithal Ahire and Jaivardhan Gaurav Mane. They were planning to attack certain members of the rival Dawood Ibrahim gang in the Mazgaon area. Prime Minister Vajpayee had during his recent visit here, directed the Maharashtra Government to take steps to improve law and order situation in the metropolis.

LIC strike
NEW DELHI, Nov 10 (PTI) — About two lakh employees of the Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) and General Insurance Corporation (GIC) will go on a nation-wide agitation from November 13 in protest against opening up the insurance sector to private and foreign participation. "The employees will go on agitation against the proposal to allow 26 per cent participation by the foreign insurance companies which could gradually increase to a majority stake", joint secretary of the All India LIC Employees Federation, B.S. Rawat told newsmen here today.

DRDO fire
BALESORE (Orissa), Nov 10 (UNI) — A major fire broke out at the proof and experimental establishment of the Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO), 12 km from here, early today damaging property worth nearly Rs 2 crore. According to official sources the fire was noticed in the magazine section, the store room for the ammunition of the defence establishment. As many as seven fire engines fought for nearly four hours to control the blaze the cause of which was yet to be ascertained. The authorities have convened a meeting of top officials of the defence establishment to investigate the matter.

Lakshmi Parvati held
HYDERABAD, Nov 10 (PTI) — NTR-TDP chief Lakshmi Parvati and her party activists were arrested when they were holding a dharna here in protest against the ruling Telugu Desam’s alleged failure to control rising prices of essential commodities. The police said Ms Parvati and 20 other party activists were taken into custody for blocking traffic at the city’s busy cross roads leading to the state secretariat. The arrested were taken to the police training grounds at Amberpet.

Sena, BJP differences
NAGPUR, Nov 10 (PTI) — Maharashtra Chief Minister Manohar Joshi today admitted there were differences between the Shiv Sena and the BJP on the issue of supply of the power free of cost to farmers as proposed by the Sena chief Bal Thackeray. "However, the differences are being thrashed out and if a consensus was evolved the proposal may be implemented this year itself," Mr Joshi told reporters after a Cabinet meeting here.

Taliban’s ultimatum
ISLAMABAD, Nov 10 (ANI) — The Taliban has set November 20 as the deadline for the USA to prove that Saudi millionaire dissident Osama bin Laden is a terrorist or else he would be considered innocent. "If there is no proof submitted against Bin Laden, then he is innocent. We cannot wait forever for this drama," the Taliban’s Chief Justice, Noor Mohammad Saqid, told reporters in Kabul. The Taliban senior spokesman, Wakil Ahmad, said the movement would continue to refuse US requests for him extradition. "We will never given him (Bin Laden) up to a third party for trial or anything else," he told the Afghan Islamic Press.

‘Bogus’ PILs
NEW DELHI, Nov 10 (UNI) — Acting Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court Y.K. Sabharwal today came down severely on those filing ‘bogus’ public interest petitions in the courts and warned that in future such litigants will have to bear heavy costs. Dismissing a PIL filed by ‘Daman virodhi morcha’ protesting the transfer of Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Karnal Singh, Mr Justice Sabharwal in a Division Bench with Ms Justice K.S. Gupta said, "by filing such PILs we are making a mockery of public interest." "Had it not been filed by a legal professional, I would have imposed heavy costs on you," the Judge told the counsel for the petitioner.

China warning
BEIJING, Nov 10 (PTI) — China today warned US President Bill Clinton against meeting the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama, saying that such a move would harm the Sino-US relations. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhu Bangzao, accusing Washington of providing tacit support to the Tibetan independence movement, urged the US side to adhere to its commitment and not meet the Dalai Lama. Media reports from Washington indicated that Mr Clinton was likely to meet the Dalai Lama today.