New Delhi, November 4
The implementation of Model Code of Conduct for December 4 Assembly elections will deter the Congress-led state government from displaying its achievements at India International Trade Fair which is scheduled to be held this month.

Starting from November 14, the fair is the city’s biggest exhibition visited by lakhs of people daily and traders from all across the country and abroad.

The Delhi pavilion at the fair will be put up without the pictures of Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit due to curbs imposed by the model code for the elections, which was otherwise used by the government for publicity.

Election department officials said in an election year, the Congress government in the state would not be allowed to showcase its achievements as it had done in previous years.

This year, Lt Governor Najeeb Jung is likely to be the face of the metropolis in the various displays in the pavilion as the poll code does not allow use of public funds in promoting any party’s candidate, said an official source in the Delhi election department.

“We are yet to get any state government reference on the trade fair pavilion,” said Chief Electoral Officer Vijay Dev. “The election code will be enforced in right spirit. For reasons of fair play, there have to be some curbs in place,” he added.

The projection of Jung as the face of Delhi, his pictures and vision document are likely to replace what, till last year, were the highlights of the Congress government in the city led by Dikshit.

The pavilion will be redesigned with changes and development taken place in the city after Independence.

A 35-ft-high sculpture depicting the story of the city’s destruction and revival over seven times will be installed at the entrance of Delhi pavilion, said an official of the India Trade Promotion Organisation. Slogans like Beautiful Delhi, Bright Delhi, Developed Delhi and Green Delhi will be put on banners that will greet visitors near the entrance, he said.

New Delhi, November 4
'Inclusive Growth' is the theme of the 33rd edition of India International Trade Fair (IITF) to be held at Pragati Maidan and Japan, which is participating for the first time, is the 'Partner Country' while South Africa is the 'Focus Country' for the second successive time.

Coming to the domestic front, Bihar is the 'Partner State' and Odisha has been accorded the 'Focus State' status. The other highlights include, an innovation pavilion outside hall number 7-H where upcoming entrepreneurs and universities would display exhibits useful for the industry and offer a platform to young talents, said India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) general manager V. Meera.

She said Japan which has partnered this time would have in place its displays inside a pavilion, located opposite Himachal Pavilion.

The annual fair would be inaugurated by President of India Pranab Mukherjee as always on November 14 at Hamsadhwani Theatre, New Delhi and Union Minister of Commerce & Industry and Textiles Anand Sharma will preside over the function.

This year also, the first five days of the fair, i.e. November 14-18, are earmarked for business visitors only, while the public may visit the fair from November 19 onwards. This year too, the fair will be supplemented with the several ancillary activities such as State Day celebrations, music and dance programmes, etc.

Having "Inclusive Growth" as the theme this year, there would be pavilions dedicated to Central and state ministries, departments and private sectors in the related field. Over 6,000 participants are expected to take part in this fair. Overseas participation is from Afghanistan, Cambodia, China, Cuba, Czech Republic, Egypt, Ghana, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Iran, Italy, Japan, Lithuania, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, South Africa, Thailand, Turkey and the UAE.

New Delhi, November 4
The family of 27-year-old Rekha, a former Congress MLA’s daughter-in-law who was found dead on Saturday morning, staged a protest at G T Karnal Road this afternoon to demand death penalty for her in-laws.

Rekha was a dentist and the daughter-in-law of former Congress MLA from Kamla Nagar, Shadi Ram. She was found dead at her in-laws’ house. About 11 months ago, she was married to Sudhanshu, an advocate.

The Delhi Police have already arrested four persons—the MLA, his wife, Dharamvati, his son, Sudhanshu and another daughter-in-law, Maneesha. The police are planning to arrest two more persons, Sundar and Sushma, who are the MLA’s elder son and younger daughter.

While protesting against the in-laws, Rekha’s uncle, Sukhbir Chaudhary said that her family wants death penalty for her in-laws as they first allegedly killed her for dowry and then concocted a story of suicide to mislead the police.

“Rekha would often call to tell us that she was being harassed and tortured by her in-laws, including her husband over demands for dowry. They never loved Rekha and were playing politics with their elder daughter-in-law, Maneesha,” said Sukhbir.

Sukhbir also raised questions over the police not arresting Sundar and Sushma, even though their names have been mentioned in the FIR.

“As the postmortem of the victim’s body has not been done, it is delaying the last rites which were initially slated for the Saturday evening,” said Sukhbir.  

The protesters also tried to block Outer Ring Road.

New Delhi, November 4
Delhi BJP president Vijay Goel has asked the Lieutenant Governor, Najeeb Jung, to ensure proper arrangements for Chhath Puja in the city. He also reiterated that the BJP would declare Chhath Puja a public holiday when it came to power in Delhi.

In a letter to the LG, he expressed concern over 'lack' of sufficient arrangements for the festival which witnessed participation of lakhs of people, especially Purvanchalis.

He urged the party cadres to participate in large numbers in the festival and provide all help to the devotees.

Goel said, "Delhi recently witnessed a tragic episode during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival, when many lives were lost in the Yamuna for want of proper safety measures. The government must ensure that such a tragedy is not repeated as lakhs of devotees throng the Yamuna ghats during the festival."

"Safety at the ghats, deployment of sufficient number of police personnel, lifesaving guards, ambulances, transport facilities and traffic management and measures for the safety of women should be taken care of by the government. Devotees and common people visiting the ghats should not be neglected," he said.

Goel has also directed the Mayors of the three BJP-ruled municipal corporations, urging them to take appropriate measures to ensure that Chhath Puja is celebrated with traditional fervour.

He asked them to provide all the possible facilities in parks, makeshift ponds and other water bodies in the areas under the three municipal corporations. The areas should be cleaned and sanitized with proper lime powder markings, he said.

New Delhi, November 4
Three men have been arrested for allegedly attempting to kill a man in order to seek revenge for the killing of one of their accomplices. The accused have been identified as Haveli Ram (29), Hitesh (29) and Manoj Kumar (29). All of them belong to Haryana. They were arrested by the Delhi Police Special Cell on October 31. The police claimed to have recovered a 9mm pistol, a revolver and live cartridges from the three men.

According to Deputy Commissioner of Police (Special Cell) Sanjeev Kumar Yadav, the accused allegedly attempted to kill one Dheerpal, alias Kana, who is a resident of Sonipat, Haryana. The incident took place at about 10.20 am on October 25, when Kana was going to Narela in his Swift Dzire car. “His car was intercepted by another car that had four occupants. The four persons indiscriminately fired at Kana. When the victim tried to swerve his car away, another car tried to block his way. The four men abandoned their car and fled,” said Yadav.

The Special Cell was tipped off about the whereabouts of the three accused on October 31. The police laid a trap near K N Katju Marg in Rohini, where the accused sitting in a Scorpio car were apprehended.

“The three accused made startling disclosures about an impending gang war between notorious Manoj Morkheri and Sandeep Badwasni gangs,” said Yadav.

Sandeep has a rivalry with Manoj. Sandeep has been allegedly involved in eight cases of dacoity, extortion, criminal intimidation, murder and attempt to murder.

Yadav explained that an alleged criminal, Dinesh, was shot dead in 2012 by Manoj’s gang. Vikas Langpuria and Dheerpal Singh, who belong to Manoj’s gang were arrested in the case. An alleged criminal, Sarwan, who is presently lodged at Bhondsi Jail in Haryana, reportedly conspired with Sandeep to kill Kana to avenge the killing of Dinesh. Kana was also allegedly involved in the murder of Dinesh.

“Sandeep hired four gunmen. According to the plan, Manoj Kumar was travelling on a motorcycle and followed Kana from his residence in Sonipat. Haveli and another person followed Kana in their car. The four gunmen, including Hitesh, fired at Kana when his vehicle reached near Narela. The guns were arranged by Sandeep, who kept monitoring the operation over his phone. More than 15 rounds were fired at Kana. Nothing happened to him, even though his car was riddled with bullets,” said Yadav.

Hitesh has been involved in a case of abduction and rape in the area falling under the jurisdiction of the Pataudi police station in Haryana.