Kasab alleges torture, retracts confession
‘I was made to confess under duress’
Mumbai, April 17
The trial in the Mumbai terror attack case opened today with Mohammed Amir Ajmal Kasab seeking retraction of his confession which hinted at Pakistan army’s involvement in training him and the other terrorists, who were killed. The trial commenced with the new defence lawyer SG Abbas Kazmi, appointed by the court after Anjali Waghmare was replaced, filing an application that Kasab wanted to retract his statement made before a Magistrate.

She dies for failure to recite the alphabet
New Delhi, April 17
She was allegedly forced to stand in the sun till she fainted on Wednesday. Some reports claimed the eleven-year old was made to kneel and bend forward while bricks were placed on her back. Other reports spoke of the teacher banging the girl’s head on the table.                         Shanno Khan

Engg student commits suicide

Karuna asks Centre to snap ties with Lanka
Chennai, April 17
Raising the pitch on Sri Lankan Tamils issue, Chief Minister M Karunanidhi today asked the UPA government to snap all diplomatic relations with the island nation if it did not honour India’s latest appeal for a ceasefire in the embattled northern parts.

Uphaar Case
CBI clean chit to ex-IPS officer
New Delhi, April 17
Police officer-turned-politician Amod Kanth has been given a clean chit in the 1997 Uphaar fire tragedy case by the CBI which maintained there was no witness to the fact that he allowed extra seats in the theatre for any consideration.

Cong announces Tytler, Sajjan’s replacements
New Delhi, April 17
Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee chief JP Aggarwal and Ramesh Kumar were today named as Congress candidates for North-east Delhi and South Delhi constituencies, respectively, as replacements for party bigwigs Jagdish Tytler and Sajjan Kumar. Ramesh Kumar is Sajjan Kumar’s brother.

Hurriyat splits over poll boycott
Srinagar, April 17
Though the two factions of separatist Hurriyat Conference came on a platform of the Coordination Committee in the backdrop of the Amarnath land row for the boycott of the last Assembly elections, these have parted ways ahead of the Lok Sabha elections this time.

CBI raid at Hamirpur NIT
Shimla, April 17
The functioning of the National Institute of Technology (NIT), Hamirpur, has come under a scanner following a raid by the CBI that took away some records pertaining to recruitments made in the institute. According to sources, the raid was conducted on the basis of a complaint received by the apex investigating agency alleging irregularities in promotions and recruitments.

IPL set for a pulsating start Worthy semi-finalists last year, King XI Punjab have their work cut out as the 2nd edition of the world’s most lucrative cricket competition - the Indian Premier League - unveils here on Saturday. Rajasthan Royals coach and captain Shane Warne gestures to crowd during the IPL gala parade in Cape Town on Friday. — PTI