Shinde promises speedy trial
New Delhi, December 22
Shaken by the massive protests against the gang rape of a 23-year-old woman, Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde today promised that the government would seek speedy trial of the six accused through a fast-track court on a day-to-day basis but was non-committal on the demand for death sentence for rapists.

Nation page: Eight policemen suspended

Virbhadra to be Himachal CM
Sonia clears his name after CLP meeting
Shimla, December 22
PCC chief Virbhadra Singh is set to take over as Chief Minister of the hill state for the sixth time with the Congress president Sonia Gandhi approving his name for the top post. Earlier, the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) adopted a one-line resolution authorising the party supremo Sonia Gandhi to decide the leader.

Virbhadra Singh at the Congress Legislature Party meeting in Shimla on Saturday. Photo: Amit Kanwar

NC worker’s death: Bedi report exonerates Omar
Srinagar, December 22
A panel probing the death of a National Conference worker at Chief Minister Omar Abdullah's residence here last year submitted its final report to the Jammu and Kashmir Government today. It ruled that Syed Mohammad Yousuf died of a heart attack and exonerated Omar.

J&K page: Bedi panel report an eyewash: PDP

North India shivers Chandigarh page: Fog engulfs city; rail, air traffic disrupted Biting cold: A blanket of fog covers Lucknow on Saturday. PTI