S P O T L I G H T

Babri Masjid case
LUCKNOW, Feb 9 (PTI) — A special CBI court hearing the Babri Masjid demolition case today directed all accused including Union Ministers L.K. Advani, M.M. Joshi and former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Kalyan Singh to appear personally before it on March 28 for framing of charges unless they got a stay order from the high court. It was argued before the Special Judge (CBI) J.P. Srivastava by the counsel for the accused that the charges could not be framed as four criminal revision petitions challenging the summon order of the CBI court was pending before the Lucknow Bench of the Allahabad High Court.

Panchayat poll
JAIPUR, Feb 9 (PTI) — The Congress won majority of seats in 25 zila parishads while the BJP captured remaining seven district bodies, the state Election Commission said here today. The BJP won majority in Jaipur, Kota, Ajmer, Chottorgarh, Jhalawar, Baran and Sawaimadhopur zila parishads while the Congress has secured majority in 25 other districts.

Bal Thackeray
MUMBAI, Feb 9 (PTI) — On a complaint filed by Maharashtra Minister of State for Home Kripa Shankar Singh, a local court today issued bailable warrants against the Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray and two others for allegedly defaming him in party’s mouthpiece Dophar ka Saamna. The warrants, returnable on March 8, were issued against Mr Thackeray, editor of the newspaper, Sanjay Nirupam, Executive Editor and Sesh Narayan Tripathi, reporter.