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Setback for Modi as SIT says Ishrat encounter was fake
Ahmedabad, November 21
In a huge setback to the Gujarat Government, court-appointed investigators today concluded that college girl Ishrat Jehan and her three friends were murdered by the state police in a staged shootout and later passed off as militants.

Mayawati gets House to approve 4-way split of UP
Resolution passed by voice vote; Assembly 
adjourned sine die

Lucknow, November 21 Getting the better of the Samajwadi Party’s resolve to introduce a no-confidence motion against the division of the state, the BSP today not only managed to pass the controversial resolution by voice vote but adjourned the winter session sine die after passing the vote.

UP Chief Minister Mayawati addresses the media after the Assembly session in Lucknow on Monday. — PTI

Clearing a slew of Bills is govt’s agenda this winter session
New Delhi, November 21
As the Opposition prepares to put the UPA government on the mat in the winter session of Parliament commencing tomorrow, there is serious concern in the ruling coalition that its heavy legislative agenda could suffer due to repeated disruptions.

Nation page: NDA to boycott Chidambaram over 2G scam till he quits

Kapurthala effect: Govt mulls jail reforms
Kapurthala, November 21
The Punjab Government is mulling large-scale reforms by involving prisoners in day-to-day chores in the wake of the violent clashes between the prisoners and the jail staff of the Kapurthala jail yesterday.

Rupee’s free fall continues
New Delhi, November 21
The rupee continued its losing streak touching the psychological mark of Rs 52 to the US dollar and its overhang also weighed on the stock markets with the BSE Sensex falling below the 16,000 mark to a six-week low.
(Details on Business page)

Defence Ministry earns SC wrath for inaction
New Delhi, November 21
The Supreme Court today reprimanded the Defence Ministry for not reviewing the 28 cases relating to alleged lapses in the purchases made for the 1999 Kargil operations jointly with senior advocate Rakesh Dwivedi, appointed as amicus curiae to help the court in the case.
(Details on Nation page)

Beijing wants foreign firms to keep off South China sea
Beijing, November 21
Days after India and China discussed the issue of oil exploration in the South China Sea, Beijing today warned that it did not want foreign companies engage in activities in the disputed waters, saying such acts undermine its sovereignty.