Govt to cancel VVIP helicopter deal
Puts AgustaWestland on notice
CBI to send team to Italy
New Delhi, February 15
In a move that will be keenly watched by governments and defence equipment makers, New Delhi today took the first step to cancel the Rs 3,500 crore deal for 12 AgustaWestland AW-101 helicopters with Italian aerospace major Finmeccanica.

BJP demands court-monitored CBI probe into copter mess
New Delhi, February 15
The BJP today stepped up its offensive against the Congress-led UPA government demanding that the CBI inquiry into kickbacks in the VVIP helicopter deal be time-bound and monitored by a court.

Govt urged to fine tune Integrity Pact

Air hostess Geetika Sharma’s mother too commits suicide
She also names Gopal Kanda, Aruna Chadha in suicide note
New Delhi, February 15
More than six months after former MDLR air hostess Geetika Sharma committed suicide at her New Ashok Nagar residence in Delhi due to alleged harassment by former Haryana minister Gopal Kanda, her mother also ended her life at the same place today.

A file photo of Anuradha Sharma, mother of Geetika (inset)

JBT scam
No bail for Chautala; notice to CBI
New Delhi, February 15
Jailed former Haryana Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala today failed to get bail from the Delhi High Court on health grounds as the HC wanted to have a look at his medical records before considering his bail plea again on April 4. Justice Mukta Gupta also issued notice to the CBI seeking its response to Chautala’s bail plea and appeal against his conviction 

Petrol price up by Rs 1.50, diesel 45 paise
New Delhi, February 15
Petrol price was today hiked by Rs 1.50 per litre and diesel by 45 paise a litre with effect from midnight tonight. While petrol rates have been revised in step with the steep rise in international rates, oil firms used the newly accorded freedom to increase diesel price in small dozes to effect the second price adjustment in one month. The increase announced is excluding local sales tax or VAT and the actual hike for consumers would be more after the incidence of duty is included.

Nasheed should leave mission, says India 
Denies meddling in Maldives’ affairs
New Delhi, February 15
India has strongly refuted suggestions that it interfered in the internal matters of the Maldives by allowing former President Mohamed Nasheed to take refuge at the Indian High Commission in Male. It hoped Nasheed would leave the mission on his own so that the ‘complicated’ situation in the tiny nation could be resolved.