M A I N   N E W S

Masood Azhar arrested

ISLAMABAD, Feb 9 (PTI) — After speculation in the local press about the whereabouts of militant leader Maulana Masood Azhar, who was released with two others by India in exchange for hostages in the hijacked Indian Airlines plane, his arrest has been confirmed by his wife, the media said today.

Contacted at Azhar’s residence in Bhawalpur, his wife confirmed his arrest, Urdu daily Ausuf said.

English daily The News, which described Azhar’s detention as “protective custody”, said just days before security agencies had warned the government of possible discord between his recently launched “Jaish-e-Mohammad” and other militant organisations.

It follows calls by the USA for a Pakistani crackdown on militants and the omission of Pakistan from a planned south Asian visit by President Bill Clinton in March.

The USA is alarmed by the activities of the militants, which Pakistan says are “home-grown Kashmiri activists.”

Jaya granted bail

CHENNAI, Feb 9 (UNI) — The Madras High Court today suspended execution of the order passed by a special judge, convicting and sentencing former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and All India Anna DMK general secretary J Jayalalitha to one year rigorous imprisonment in the Pleasant Stay Hotel case and granted bail to her.

Mr Justice I.David Christian also ordered issuance of a notice to the Tamil Nadu government on an appeal filed by Ms Jayalalitha challenging the special judge’s order.

Granting bail, the judge directed her to execute a bond for Rs 2,000 and two sureties for a like amount.

Shobhana Samarth dead

PUNE, Feb 9 (PTI) — Shobhana Samarth, veteran film actress of yesteryears and mother of film stars Nutan and Tanuja, died here today of cancer. She was 84.

The condition of Samarth, grandmother of top actress Kajol, deteriorated this morning and she breathed her last at around 11 a.m., the sources added.

Shobhana came into the limelight with her portrayal of Sita in the film “Ram Rajya,” produced in 1943, which was immensely appreciated by Mahatma Gandhi.

The first film in which she acted as Sita was “Bharat Milan”. Other famous films of her included “Vilasi Ishwar”, “Nal-Damayanti”, “Sri Krishna Arjun Yudh”, “Ram Baan” and “Taramati”.

She had also produced a film “Hamari Beti” in 1950 starring her elder daughter Nutan. In 1962 she produced — “Chhabili” to launch her second daughter Tanuja.