Friday, March 14, 2003, Chandigarh, India
Updated at 3:00 am (IST)

SC: poll reforms law unconstitutional
New Delhi, March 13
The Supreme Court today declared the electoral reforms law as unconstitutional and restored its earlier order making it mandatory for the candidates to declare their criminal antecedents, assets and liabilities and educational qualifications at the time of filing nomination papers.

Govt hints at all-party meet
Ruling will cleanse poll process: EC
Parties react cautiously to SC verdict
Editorial: Landmark judgement

11 killed, 65 hurt in Mumbai blast
Mumbai, March 13
At least 11 commuters were killed and 65 others injured when a powerful explosion ripped through a women’s compartment and an adjoining bogie of a Karjat-bound local train tonight.

Security men investigate at the site of the bomb blast on a train in Mumbai on Thursday. — Reuters photo

War is near: US officials
Washington, March 13
Even as Britain virtually gave up on the second UN Security Council resolution against Iraq in the face of stiff resistance from France, White House officials in the USA said they were making preparations for a Presidential address that would include a date for military action on Iraq.

Saharya to head panel on POTA
New Delhi, March 13
Conceding a major political victory to its increasingly restive allies like the DMK and the MDMK, the Vajpayee government today announced the setting up of a review committee to ensure that provisions under Prevention of Terrorism Act were not misused.

Excavation: shell, stone found
Hand over land: VHP
Ayodhya, March 13
On the second day of excavation of the disputed site here, archaeologists came across a “shell” and “basal” and few brick marks of 1920s vintage even as the VHP dismissed the exercise as tedious and demanded the return of the acquired land on the basis of earlier evidence.

Blast in bus kills 4 at Rajouri
Army called in as mob turns violent
Rajouri, March 13
Militants set off a powerful improvised explosive device IED in a bus, killing four persons, including a man and his daughter, and injuring 33 here today. Army’s help has been sought stop a violent protest against the strike by the militants.

Another expansion in four months, says Amarinder
New Delhi, March 13
The Punjab Chief Minister, Capt Amarinder Singh, said today that state Cabinet would be expanded again after “three-four” months.

SAD to boycott Governor’s Address
Chandigarh, March 13
The SAD has decided to stage a walkout from the Punjab Vidhan Sabha tomorrow afternoon when the Governor, Lt-Gen. J.F.R. Jacob (retd.), delivers his Address at the start of the Budget Session.

US-64 investors to get option
New Delhi, March 13
The government will offer to buy back the units of Unit Trust of India’s flagship scheme US-64 in cash or give the investors an option to convert them into five-year tax-free bonds bearing an interest rate of 6.75 per cent from May this year.

Godhra carnage report tabled New Delhi, March 13 A detailed report on the Godhra carnage, including names of 62 passengers of whom 59 died in the fire in Sabarmati Express on February 27 last year, was tabled by Railway Minister Nitish Kumar in the Lok Sabha today. The task of identifying the passengers was a “massive exercise”, the report said.