S P O T L I G H T

CBCE Chairman removed
New Delhi, March 31
The government today removed Mr B.P. Verma as the Chairman of the Central Board of Customes and Excise (CBCE) in the midst of CBI raids at his office and residential premises which uncovered “illegal gratification” in return for his favours to a Chennai-based private firm. Mr Verma is charged with extending favours to facilitate exports of a Chennai-based company, M/s AK Enterprises, through false invoicing in return for “illegal gratification,” the CBI spokesman told a press conference. “We registered a case yesterday against Mr Verma, his son Siddhartha Verma, owner of the company Kiran Kumar Mool Chand and a middleman, Vijay Pratap,” the spokesman said. “Huge investments by Mr Verma and his family members have come to light. Information of more assets is coming in,” he said. UNI

Gangster escapes
Mumbai, March 31
A dreaded underworld gangster broke a tight police guard and escaped from outside the Mazgaon Court today. Imran Mehndi Sheikh, (38), of Chotta Shakeel gang, was arrested on serious criminal charges and sent to Arthur Road Jail. Today, he was brought to the Mazgaon court at about 11.30 am. But when he came out from the court, he pushed the police officials guarding him and rushed to his accomplice, who was waiting for him with a motor cycle nearby. Sheikh took a revolver from his associate and fired two rounds in the air and escaped. UNI

President fine
New Delhi, March 31
President K.R. Narayanan was discharged from a city hospital today after a successful surgery for the removal of gall bladder stones. A Rashtrapati Bhawan communique issued here today said that the President was hale and hearty. He has been advised rest and will not receive any visitors for the time being. TNS

Clinton’s visit
Mumbai, March 31
Former US President Bill Clinton will arrive in the metropolis on April 5. Clinton is visiting in his personal capacity as a spokesperson for the American Indian Foundation involved in assisting in relief work in earthquake affected regions of Gujarat, according to state government’s protocol department. PTI

Minister held
Jakarata, March 31
Indonesia’s former top Economics Minister Ginanjar Kartasasmita was placed under detention while in hospital here today as a suspect in a multi-million dollar corruption case linked to a son of former President Suharto. AFP