tribuneindia...Spotlight

			Wednesday, November 4, 1998
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Foreign Secy gets extension
NEW DELHI, Nov 3 (PTI) — Foreign Secretary K. Raghunath will get another year’s extension when his current tenure comes to an end on November 30, it was officially announced today. A decision to this effect was approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet. Mr Raghunath’s term has been extended till November 30, 1999, an External Affairs Ministry spokesman said.
A 1962 batch Foreign Service Officer has served in Hong Kong, Beijing, New York, San Francisco, Moscow, Berlin, Manila, Lagos and Dhaka.
Tripathi withdraws bail plea
NEW DELHI, Nov 3 (PTI) — The Supreme Court today dismissed as withdrawn a bail petition filed by senior Congress leader Mayapati Tripathi and his wife, who were arrested for their alleged role in the Rs 12-crore SB Petroleum scam in Lucknow. Mr Tripathi is the father-in-law of Mr V.K. Tiwari, the main accused in the case and the managing director of the company. The Supreme Court, hearing a public interest litigation alleging that S.B. Petroleum had collected over Rs 12 crore from public in the guise of giving them LPG dealership and connections, had issued non-bailable arrest warrants against Mr Tiwari but he was yet to be arrested.

Thackeray exempted
MUMBAI, Nov 3 (PTI) — A metropolitan court has exempted Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray from personal appearance until December 5 in a case arising from his alleged involvement in riots in suburban Jogeshwari seven years ago. Mr Thackeray's counsel, Rajendra Shirodkar, yesterday sought his exemption on health grounds. An FIR was registered against him for inciting readers through inflammatory articles leading to riots.
Abdul Gani Lone
NEW DELHI, Nov 3 (UNI) — Prominent Hurriyat leader Abdul Gani Lone has been admitted to Escorts Hospital for an open heart surgery. Mr Lone had been suffering from heart ailment for a long period and has already undergone two operations, one of which was conducted in the USA. He was advised to go in for an open heart surgery as his condition showed signs of deterioration.
Ashok Jain quizzed
MUMBAI, Nov 3 (PTI) — A special team of Enforcement Directorate officials questioned media baron, Ashok Jain for the second day today at Bombay Hospital here in connection with FERA violation cases. This follows the Supreme Court order on Thursday allowing the Enforcement Directorate to interrogate Jain in hospital. The matter will come up for further hearing on November 9.
Kumaratunga's visit
COLOMBO, Nov 3 (PTI) — Sri Lankan President Chandrika Kumaratunga will visit India next month to participate in a Buddhist ceremony. Officials in the foreign office said, Ms Kumaratunga if expected to visit New Delhi during the middle of next month. However, sources at the Indian High Commission here said the dates for the visit were yet to be finalised.
10-yr RI for four
NASIK, Nov 3 (PTI) — Four persons from Uttar Pradesh were sentenced to 10 years' rigorous imprisonment (RI) for their involvement in a firing incident and attempted dacoity in a town, near here, last year. Additional Sessions Judge S.M. Shembole yesterday also asked them to pay a fine of Rs 2,000 each.